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It’s on: De La Hoya-Pacquiao bout is set for Dec. 6

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From Times Staff and Wire Reports

Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao made it official Thursday: they will meet in a 12-round, non-title welterweight fight on Dec. 6 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The match with World Boxing Council lightweight champion Pacquiao was widely expected to be the 35-year-old De La Hoya’s last fight of his distinguished career.

But De La Hoya was a bit vague on his retirement plans. “Let’s just say my foot got caught in the door,” De La Hoya said when asked if he’s leaving the door open for future fights.

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De La Hoya admitted he’ll need to work on his hand speed to counter the smaller but swifter Filipino.

Pacquiao, 29, watched De La Hoya’s last fight against Steve Forbes in May, and says he believes he’ll have more of an advantage than just speed. “I’m faster and stronger than him, and I’m younger,” Pacquiao said.

The Mirage Hotel and Casino opened betting with De La Hoya as an 8-5 favorite.

-- Dan Arritt

BASKETBALL

Oklahoma State’s Riley suspended for fighting

Oklahoma State point guard Andrea Riley, the Big 12 Conference’s top scorer, has been reprimanded and suspended by the NCAA for fighting with a Louisiana State player during their postseason game last season.

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Riley’s one-game suspension, which would be served in the first round of the NCAA tournament, stems from an incident involving Erica White in the regional semifinals. Riley appeared to take a swipe at White’s head in the second half, although a foul wasn’t called.

Houston Rockets forward Chuck Hayes underwent surgery to repair a broken nose. The 6-foot-6 Hayes, Houston’s third-leading rebounder last season at 5.4 a game, was hurt during a workout.

SOCCER

Galaxy, Chivas players added to U.S. roster

Galaxy players Landon Donovan and Eddie Lewis and Chivas USA player Sacha Kljestan were called up for the U.S. national team’s World Cup qualifying games against Cuba in Havana on Sept. 6 and against Trinidad and Tobago in Bridgeview, Ill., on Sept. 10.

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That means the three will miss their clubs’ Sept. 6 MLS games against Real Salt Lake and Toronto, respectively.

If the Galaxy’s David Beckham is called up by England, as expected, for its World Cup qualifiers on the road against Andorra and Croatia on Sept. 6 and 10, he, too, would miss the Real Salt Lake match.

Meanwhile, Mexico Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson dropped American-born defender Edgar Castillo from his squad that will play Jamaica in Kingston and Canada in Mexico City in its next two World Cup qualifying games.

-- Grahame L. Jones

HOCKEY

Kings agree to terms with draft pick Teubert

The Kings agreed to terms on a three-year contract with defenseman Colten Teubert, their second pick in this year’s entry-level draft. He was the 13th overall selection.

Teubert, an 18-year-old from White Rock, Canada, scored 23 points in 66 games last season for Regina of the Western Hockey League.

-- Dan Arritt

Dallas Stars center Stu Barnes is retiring after 16 years in the NHL. The Stars said that the 37-year-old Barnes has agreed to a two-year contract to join Dave Tippett’s coaching staff as an assistant.

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The Stars also gave two-year contract extensions for associate coach Rick Wilson and assistant coach Mark Lamb through the 2010-11 season.

JURISPRUDENCE

Northcutt’s agent denies assault claim

The agent of Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Dennis Northcutt has denied his client arranged for a pregnant woman to be beaten up at a Hollywood restaurant.

Jerome Stanley said the lawsuit amounts to a shakedown by Sharri Henry, who claims to be four months pregnant with Northcutt’s baby.

In the suit, Henry accuses Northcutt of trying to harm her unborn child and permanently disfigure her face by sending his cousin to the restaurant May 17 to assault her.

“It’s a run-of-the-mill groupie shakedown,” Stanley said.

GOLF

Mickelson, Ames, Choi, Mediate in Skins Game

Phil Mickelson, two-time defending champion Stephen Ames, K.J. Choi and Rocco Mediate will play in the 26th Skins Game. The $1 million event will be played Nov. 29-30 at the Celebrity Course at Indian Wells Golf Resort. The event will be shown on ABC.

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