Saturday, July 30, 2011

SPORTS - Panthers' Newton happy with contract, NFL start (AP)

SPORTS - Panthers' Newton happy with contract, NFL start (AP)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton hits a a three-run double to deep right center in the sixth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, July 30, 2011, in AP – Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton hits a a three-run double to deep right center in the sixth inning …

LOS ANGELES – Justin Upton greeted reliever Matt Guerrier with a go-ahead, three-run double, and the Arizona Diamondbacks climbed within three games of the NL West lead with a 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday night.

Micah Owings (5-0) allowed four runs and six hits over five innings, including a two-run homer by NL RBI leader Matt Kemp. The right-hander, who has won three of his four starts this season, left the game for a pinch-hitter when the Diamondbacks parlayed two hits and four walks into a five-run sixth that put them ahead 6-4.

Chad Billingsley (9-9) was charged with six runs and seven hits over 5 2-3 innings. He struck out four and tied a season high with five walks. One of them was to No. 8 hitter Gerardo Parra with the bases loaded and none out in the sixth. Xavier Nady batted for Owings and hit a sacrifice fly against Billingsley, reducing the Dodgers' lead to 4-3.

Another walk to Kelly Johnson on Billingsley's 103rd and final pitch loaded the bases again, and Upton hit a drive to center field that got past Kemp and cleared the bases. The three RBIs increased Upton's team-high total to 65, just four fewer than he had last season in 133 games.

Kemp came up in the seventh, representing the potential tying run, but Bryan Shaw struck him out with a runner at third. J.J. Putz, the sixth Arizona pitcher, pitched a hitless ninth for his 23rd save in 27 attempts and second since coming off the disabled list last Tuesday.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and general manager Ned Colletti were measuring their words carefully before the game when asked to shed light on the status of a proposed trade that would sent shortstop Rafael Furcal to St. Louis. Furcal was held out of the lineup, but participated in batting practice and pregame drills. But he was not in the dugout in the ninth inning, when Mattingly used Eugenio Velez instead of Furcal to pinch-hit for reliever Josh Lindblom.

The Diamondbacks also loaded the bases with none out in the second, but all they could get out of it was a sacrifice fly from Willie Bloomquist. Right fielder Andre Ethier prevented two more runs when he robbed Johnson of extra bases with a lunging catch while going full speed toward the warning track.

The Dodgers grabbed a 3-1 lead in the third. Casey Blake, in his first game off the disabled list, hit a sacrifice fly one pitch after a one-out triple by Tony Gwynn Jr. Ethier singled with two outs and Kemp deposited Owings' 2-1 pitch into the pavilion seats in left-center for his 26th homer, raising his RBI total to 82.

Jamey Carroll's line drive up the middle through a drawn-in infield increased the margin to 4-1 in the fourth. The next batter was Billingsley, who showed bunt before pulling the bat back and hitting a scorching liner that deflected off Owings' glove as he bailed out to avoid getting hit in the head. Second baseman Johnson threw out Billingsley.

Billingsley pitched eight innings of one-hit ball against the Diamondbacks on May 14 at Dodger Stadium and ended up losing 1-0 after his throwing error led to an unearned run.

Notes: The Diamondbacks' acquisition of RHP Jason Marquis from Washington on Saturday brings the 12-year veteran into a clubhouse that still has vivid memories of his June 5 start against Arizona, when he was ejected for hitting Upton with a pitch. He did it following a warning from plate umpire Rod Drake, after Arizona's Ian Kennedy hit Jayson Werth. "It's all about winning. The Giants made a big move getting Carlos Beltran, and now it's our turn to make a move," LHP Joe Saunders said. "And if that's the move we're going to make, we have to live with it and deal with it and welcome him into our family. In this game you have to let bygones be bygones and turn the page quickly — because you never know when the guy you hate is going to be on your team. Now you have to like him, and he's your best friend. So that's always an intangible. But the good thing is you know the guy is a competitor and he takes it seriously. And if he thinks something's wrong, going to let the other team know about it — which he did to us." ... RHP Hiroki Kuroda informed Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti that he decided not to waive the no-trade clause in his contract and finish out the season with them. Kuroda was the subject of considerable trade speculation prior to Sunday's non-roster trade deadline. "In my heart of hearts, knowing him like I know him, I'm not surprised that is the way he felt," Colletti said. "I would have been more surprised if he had said, 'OK, I'll go somewhere else.' In a way, it's refreshing. He made a commitment to sign here, and he wants to fulfill that commitment." ... Blake missed the Dodgers' previous 21 games because of a cervical strain. The Dodgers placed 3B Juan Uribe on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 24, because of a groin strain that sidelined him the previous five games. ... Arizona placed LHP Alberto Castillo on the 15-day DL due to shoulder tendinitis and recalled LHP Ryan Cook from Triple-A Reno.

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SPORTS - Devils reach agreement with Parise on 1-year deal (AP)

SPORTS - Devils reach agreement with Parise on 1-year deal (AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Hit hard by the global economic crisis, the Gulf city of Dubai decided Friday not to bid for the 2020 Olympics and will focus instead on a possible candidacy for the 2024 Games.

A feasibility study found 70 percent of the infrastructure demands were already in place but that "a bid would be better timed for 2024," the National Olympic Committee of the United Arab Emirates said.

Dubai has been one of the leaders among Gulf cities which have used sports to raise its profile and attract tourists. It first hinted in 2009 that it might bid for the 2020 Games but the economic crisis hit the city hard and forced it to roll back its ambitions.

There also have been concerns about the heat, which routinely exceeds 104 degrees and likely would impact many of the outdoor events including the marathon, triathlon and walk event.

Another Gulf city — Doha, Qatar — is still weighing a possible 2020 bid.

Dubai's hereditary ruler, Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, insisted that Dubai would one day bid for the Olympics.

"Hosting the Olympic Games in the Middle East would be a dream come true for the entire region, and we fully intend to place a bid once I am totally satisfied that we are prepared to host the greatest sporting event in history in a way that would add value to the Olympic Movement itself, as well as the youth of the Arab world," he said in a statement.

"Whilst I am satisfied that infrastructure and Dubai's experience in hosting top class sports events would see us well placed to win a bid, I do believe that much more has to be done in order to leave the lasting human legacy that celebrates the Olympic values."

Madrid, Rome and Tokyo have formally announced bids for 2020. Istanbul is also expected to enter the race.

South Africa announced last month it would not bid, but has indicated it could still reverse its decision. The United States has also not ruled out a bid if it reaches a new revenue-sharing deal with the IOC.

The deadline for submission of bids is Sept. 1.

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SPORTS - Fish to play Gulbis in ATP L.A. hardcourt final (AFP)

SPORTS - Fish to play Gulbis in ATP L.A. hardcourt final (AFP)
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SPORTS - Philippe Gilbert takes San Sebastian classic (AFP)

SPORTS - Philippe Gilbert takes San Sebastian classic (AFP)
Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Burton AP – Jimmie Johnson leads Jeff Burton through the first turn during practice for the NASCAR Brickyard 400 …

INDIANAPOLIS – David Ragan has won the pole for the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Ragan was one of the last drivers to make a qualifying run Saturday and turned a lap at 182.994 mph to bump Jimmie Johnson from the pole. It is the second pole of Ragan's career. The other came at Texas in April.

Kasey Kahne then made his qualifying run and his lap of 182.927 grabbed the second spot. Johnson dropped to third after holding down the top spot on the leaderboard for most of the qualifying session.

Penske Racing teammates Kurt Busch and Brad Keselowski qualified fourth and fifth for Sunday's race.

AJ Allmendinger, Juan Pablo Montoya, Jeff Gordon, Matt Kenseth and Carl Edwards rounded out the top 10.

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SPORTS - Ochocinco says he can change to Patriots' way (AP)

SPORTS - Ochocinco says he can change to Patriots' way (AP)

LOS ANGELES (AFP) – Top American Mardy Fish booked his second ATP finals berth in as many tournaments, but this time he had to fight to hold off young compatriot Ryan Harrison.

Harrison, 19, on Saturday kept his nerve in the face of a first-set onslaught and made world number nine Fish work hard to close out a 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3) semi-final victory at the $619,500 ATP hardcourt tournament in Los Angeles.

In Sunday's final, Fish will face Latvia's Ernests Gulbis, who defeated doubles partner Alex Bogomolov of the United States 6-2, 7-6 (7/4).

Gulbis will be playing in his second career ATP final. He won his only previous championship match, at Delray Beach in 2010.

Gulbis had last reached a semi-final at Sydney in January. He reached a career-high ranking of 21 in February but a series of lackluster results has seen him drop to 84th.

"It's a very big win for me," said Gulbis, who fired 33 winners. "I'm on the way to a comeback. If I wouldn't win tonight I would drop to like, 1,000 (in the rankings)."

Fish who has surpassed Andy Roddick as the top-ranked American, has gone from strength to strength this season.

He cruised past Harrison in straight sets in the semi-finals in Atlanta last week and went on to win the title.

That was Harrison's first appearance in an ATP semi, and he showed on Saturday that he had learned a lot from the experience.

"He did most of everything better," Fish said. "He was as tough a player to put away as I've played."

Fish, the top seed in Los Angeles, came out on fire, racing through the first set in just 20 minutes.

"That was as clean of a set as I could possibly play," Fish said of the opener.

Although Harrison was clearly frustrated, he came out for the second set with renewed conviction.

He held his serve with authority, and when Fish finally faltered, double faulting to give Harrison a break point and set point in the 10th game, Harrison pounced to seize the set.

"I didn't play a great game there," Fish said, who admitted he was feeling "a little pressure".

"You don't want to be in a third set," he said.

However, he was full of praise for Harrison, who cracked the top 100 in the world rankings on Monday at number 94.

"He kept his level, credit to him," Fish said. "He didn't let up. He could have easily won that match."

Harrison said he just tried to keep his composure in the first set.

"There wasn't much that I did -- he played an awesome first set," Harrison said. "For me it was a matter of getting on the board and making him feel a little pressure, hopefully."

Although Fish gained an early edge with a break for a 2-1 lead in the third, Harrison broke back to knot the set at 3-3, held for 4-3 and pushed Fish relentlessly to the tiebreaker.

In the tiebreaker, however, Fish's experience paid off as he quickly took a 5-0 lead and sealed the match on his first match point with his seventh ace.

"Tiebreakers are kind of a coin flip," Fish said. "I was lucky to be able to apply some pressure early."

Despite the defeat, Harrison said he had progressed since the previous weekend.

"This week the match against Mardy was a lot better," he said. "It wasn't like I was overwhelmed by the situation. Today I really gave myself a chance."

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SPORTS - NFL, NFLPA working on final details of new CBA (AP)

SPORTS - NFL, NFLPA working on final details of new CBA (AP)
Owen lifts Man United to 2-1 friendly win over Barca AFP/Getty Images – Manchester United's Nani celebrates scoring a first half goal against Barcelona during their friendly …

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Michael Owen scored in the 76th minute to lift Manchester United to a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in a friendly football match that reprised their clash in the Champions League final.

Nani on Saturday opened the scoring in the 22nd minute for English Premier League champions Manchester United, who were dominated 3-1 by the Spanish giants in the UEFA Champions League final at Wembley in May.

Thanks to the stature of the clubs, FedEx Field in suburban Washington -- home of the NFL's Redskins -- drew a crowd of 81,807, the largest ever for a football match in the Washington DC area.

Tom Cleverley set up Owen's goal, intercepting Sergio Busquets' pass intended for Seydou Keita and racing toward the goal before finding Owen, who lofted the ball over Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.

Six minutes earlier Thiago Alcantara had equalized, blasting into the top corner of the goal after winger Carlos Carmona had cut inside and slotted a pass through.

The victory completed a perfect US tour for Manchester United, who return to England after five victories in their five friendlies.

"Tonight wasn't a do-or-die situation," United assistant coach Mick Phelan stressed. "It was important that the players we put out on the pitch understand what it takes to play against an exceptional team.

"We have some very good young players out there and (they) proudly conducted themselves to a high standard."

Barcelona, who are without two-time FIFA Player of the Year Lionel Messi as well as Daniel Alves, Javier Mascherano and Alexis Sanchez for their US tour, travel to Miami on Sunday to face Mexico's Chivas Guadalajara in the second match of their North American pre-season tour.

"The confidence is huge," Guardiola said of Barcelona's outlook on the Spanish season, which begins in late August. "It's impossible to have more confidence in these players.

"It's impossible because they've shown me many, many times the quality they are."

Even with the notable absentees, Barcelona controlled the ball for long stretches.

But it was Nani who broke through to open the scoring, after Danny Welbeck broke from the back to set up the goal, with Nani giving Valdes little chance to make a save.

Although Barcelona continued to control possession, United's defence dealt ably with the constant pressure and Barcelona couldn't find another equalizer.

Thiago came close with a mid-range shot in the 89th, and Owen had a chance to add another goal in the first minute of injury time after a cross from Gabriel Obertan, but fired over the bar.

Thousands of spectators arrived early and gave the match a festive feel.

Chants of "Barca! Barca! Barca!" rang out from before kickoff, but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson reckoned support was about equally divided.

Once again on this North American tour, Ferguson was impressed by the atmosphere.

"It's quite possible it was 50-50 in terms of the fans for (Barcelona) and ourselves, and they're all mixed together," said Ferguson, whose side is now looking toward the Community Shield match on August 7 and their Premier League opener on August 14.

"It's a fantastic sight to see that. It gives you hope that the game is bereft of some of the things that have happened in the past."

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SPORTS - Rockies RHP Jimenez confirms trade to Cleveland (AP)

SPORTS - Rockies RHP Jimenez confirms trade to Cleveland (AP)
Ryan Lochte AP – CORRECTS NAME OF PHOTOGRAPHER TO WONG MAYE-E - U.S. Ryan Lochte competes in a men's 400m Individual Medley …

SHANGHAI – Ryan Lochte easily advanced with the fastest time in the preliminaries of the 400-meter individual medley at the world championships, putting the American in position to win his fifth gold medal Sunday.

Lochte led all the way in his heat and touched in 4 minutes, 11.89 seconds — 1.79 seconds ahead of Yuya Horihata of Japan, who finished in 4:13.68.

"It hurt — 400 IM is never an easy event," said Lochte, who had Saturday off. "It's one of the hardest events out there. I wanted to be in the middle of the pool somewhere and that's what I did."

He's been the dominant swimmer of the eight-day meet, winning three individual events — including twice beating Michael Phelps — and breaking the only world record heading into the final night.

Phelps, the 2007 world champion in the 400 IM, didn't swim the event here. He had the morning off and was to return at night for the 4x100 medley relay final.

The U.S. team of David Plummer, Eric Shanteau, Tyler McGill and Garrett Weber-Gale led the relay heats at 3:32.42. The Americans won the title two years ago after failing to make the final in 2007, when Ian Crocker took off early and they were disqualified in the heats.

"It's safe but fast starts, and I think we did that," Shanteau said.

Germany was second at 3:33.69, followed by Netherlands at 3:34.59.

Lochte, who earned medals on the other two relays, wasn't sure if he would be joining Phelps for the last one.

"If anything I would be on backstroke, but I didn't swim it individually," he said. "The coaches are going to put the best guys they feel on the team, so whatever they choose, they choose."

American Tyler Clary qualified fourth at 4:14.98 for the evening final. He finished third in the 200 back, a race won by Lochte.

"He's the type of guy that really benefits from having someone there to push him and I think I'm that guy," Clary said. "Hopefully we'll put on a good show and whoever wins, wins."

Hungary's Laszlo Cseh, the 2005 champion and bronze medalist two years ago in Rome, finished 22nd and failed to make the eight-man final.

"I was watching his swim this morning and I was really, really surprised," Clary said. "Hopefully, he's not too sick or something like that."

Cseh, who finished third behind Lochte and Phelps in the 200 IM three days ago, hurried past reporters saying he needed to get medicine.

There were surprises in the women's 400 IM heats, too.

Defending champion Katinka Hosszu of Hungary finished 15th, while Zimbabwe's Kirsty Coventry, the silver medalist in 2009, was 14th — both well out of making the eight-woman final.

American Elizabeth Beisel had the leading time at 4:34.95. Emerging Spanish talent Mireia Belmonte Garcia was second at 4:36.36.

Beisel's teammate, Caitlin Leverenz, was third at 4:36.78. Olympic champion Stephanie Rice of Australia, bronze medalist in the last two world meets, advanced in fifth.

China got both of its swimmers, Li Xuanxu and Ye Shiwen, into the final, with the crowd saving its loudest cheers for them.

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SPORTS - Browne still up by 2 at US Senior Open (AP)

SPORTS - Browne still up by 2 at US Senior Open (AP)
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SPORTS - Dubai decides not to bid for 2020 Olympics (AP)

SPORTS - Dubai decides not to bid for 2020 Olympics (AP)
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SPORTS - David Ragan wins pole at Indianapolis (AP)

SPORTS - David Ragan wins pole at Indianapolis (AP)
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SPORTS - Shumenov retains light-heavyweight crown (AFP)

SPORTS - Shumenov retains light-heavyweight crown (AFP)
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SPORTS - Cruz outpoints Faber in UFC 132 (AP)

SPORTS - Cruz outpoints Faber in UFC 132 (AP)
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SPORTS - Lochte leads 400 IM prelims at worlds (AP)

SPORTS - Lochte leads 400 IM prelims at worlds (AP)
Tom Brady, Chad Ochocinco AP – New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, right, fools around with new teammate Chad Ochocinco during …

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Chad Ochocinco promised to tone down his antics now that he's in New England, where coach Bill Belichick likes his players to be seen and rarely heard.

That lasted all of five minutes.

After calling himself a chameleon who can "blend in and do it the Patriot way," Ochocinco riffed on riding the wave and soaring with his angel wings. Then, by way of introduction to the crush of media attending his first availability in New England, he asked for a group hug.

"It is going to be a little quiet. You won't get the same Chad you are used to, and I probably won't be talking to the media much, probably not at all, really. I just want to play ball and ride the wave," he said after practice on Saturday.

"I will always be me. It has been a part of my game to always be me, but there is a certain way the Patriots do it. It's easy for me. I've always been a chameleon, so I am going to blend in and do it the Patriot way, which is win. We had our talk, and without him (Belichick) even having to saying anything — there is no need for some of the stuff I did before. There's no need for it."

The Patriots were among the biggest newsmakers in the league coming out of the lockout, agreeing to trades for Ochocinco and Redskins defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth shortly after the NFL reopened for business.

What's most unusual: Neither player is what's thought of as the usual type for Belichick, who prefers the quiet and businesslike to the guys who make headlines off the field.

"I think every player on this team, every person on this team, has their own individual personality," Belichick said. "None us are the same, so that's probably a good thing."

Ochocinco, who was originally Chad Johnson, has caught 751 passes for 10,783 yards and 66 touchdowns in his 10-year career. But he is perhaps better known for his touchdown celebrations, for changing his legal name to the Spanish words for 8 and 5 to match his uniform number, and for his prolific tweeting — almost 30,000 messages to more than 2.4 million Twitter followers.

Belichick is not among them.

"That's not something I follow, as you know," he said, cracking a smile. "I don't Twitter, I don't MyFace, I don't do any of those things, so I'd probably be the last to know."

So far, the biggest complication in Ochocinco's arrival in New England had been tight end Aaron Hernandez owning No. 85. Ochocinco said he didn't have to pay him anything for the No. 85. (Hernandez switched to No. 81.)

"This was Mr. Hernandez's way of greeting me here. He gave me the number and I didn't have to pay anything, I just shook his hand and I said, `Thank you,'" Ochocinco said. "I drive a Toyota Prius, so I was going to let him use my Prius on the weekends, and that's about the best I can do right now. I have some left over McDonald's coupons since I don't eat there anymore."

A two-time Pro Bowl selection in Tennessee, Haynesworth's talent was completely overshadowed in Washington by his legal problems and his feud with coach Mike Shanahan that ended with Thursday's trade to the Patriots for a 2013 fifth-round draft pick.

"They've both been very productive in the league, as we all know," Belichick said. "Look, there's no formula. All the trades we've been involved in through the years — the Ted Washingtons and the Corey Dillons and the Randy Mosses and all — each one is different. There're always different dynamics that go into it. In the end, you just try to do what's best for your football team."

Haynesworth, who repeatedly failed his conditioning test in Washington, did not practice on Saturday morning. Belichick would not say why.

"There are things we still need to do with Albert for him to be able get on the practice field and when those things are done, he'll be out there," the coach said.

Asked whether he thought football was important to Haynesworth, Belichick said, "Of course, otherwise I don't think he would be playing football. But those are questions you can ask him. I don't want to speak for him."

Also Saturday, the Patriots announced they have re-signed offensive lineman Logan Mankins, who had been designated as the franchise player, running backs Kevin Faulk and Sammy Morris, defensive back Kyle Arrington and defensive lineman Steve Williams. The team later announced deals with defensive back Brandon McGowan and linebacker Tracy White.

The Patriots also released linebacker Anthony Leonard. On Friday, the team released six veterans, including defensive end Ty Warren, offensive tackle Nick Kaczur, tight end Alge Crumpler and linebacker Tully Banta-Cain.

"Those kinds of things are tough," Belichick said. "Unfortunately, that's part of what we do. We just had to move on."

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SPORTS - Duke eyes possible NCAA recruiting violation (AP)

SPORTS - Duke eyes possible NCAA recruiting violation (AP)
Philippe Gilbert takes San Sebastian classic AFP/File – Belgian rider Philippe Gilbert, pictured in action on July 15, made a solo breakaway four kilometres …

MADRID (AFP) – Belgian rider Philippe Gilbert made a solo breakaway four kilometres from home to power home and win the 31st edition of the San Sebastian classic on Saturday.

Earlier this season, the Omega-Pharma rider became just the second man to win all three of the Ardennes classics.

The 29-year-old Gilbert came home 12secs ahead of the Spaniard Carlos Barredo (Rabobank) and fellow Belgian Greg Van Avermaet (BMC).

Luxembourg's Frank Schleck, who finished third in the Tour de France last weekend, came in sixth at the end of the 234km course.

"It's a great victory and a beautiful race. Today I had a great emotions, it's been an incredible year for me," said Gilbert who won the first stage of the Tour de France this year.

With Tour winner Cadel Evans and Alberto Contador both skipping the event, Gilbert resisted attacks from the start of the race.

He also shrugged off the effects of having had just six hours sleep before the start after a late arrival from Belgium.

Key to the race was being part of a 10-man group which broke away with 15km left with Omega Pharma-Lotto teammate Jelle Vanendert leading the way as Gilbert chose his moment to break for the line at the 4km mark.

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SPORTS - Oklahoma admits 2 major violations in men's hoops (AP)

SPORTS - Oklahoma admits 2 major violations in men's hoops (AP)
Shumenov retains light-heavyweight crown WBA – World Boxing Association logo. Kazakhstan's Beibut Shumenov made his third successful World Boxing …

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (AFP) – Kazakhstan's Beibut Shumenov made his third successful World Boxing Association light-heavyweight title defense on Friday by stopping American Danny Santiago 44 seconds into the ninth round.

Shumenov, who needed only 10 pro fights to claim his first world title, improved to 12-1 with his eighth stoppage inside the distance.

Santiago tumbled to 31-5 with one drawn after his third loss in five fights and fell to 0-3 in world title bouts.

The champion dominated from the start of the fight and stunned Santiago early in the ninth with a combination, following up with powerful blows until referee Tony Weeks stopped the fight.

"This wasn't like I expected," Shumenov said. "He specifically trained for my style. Danny was very durable and he can take a punch. I knew he was tough, but not that tough."

Haitian-born Canadian Jean Pascal, a former World Boxing Council light-heavyweight champion, was among those who entered the ring after the fight and he challenged Shumenov for his title.

Pascal lost his title to Bernard Hopkins last May, an outcome that made the American the oldest fighter in history to claim a major boxing crown at age 46.

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SPORTS - FIBA will clear NBA players to play overseas (AP)

SPORTS - FIBA will clear NBA players to play overseas (AP)
Urijah Faber, Domiick Cruz AP – Urijah Faber, left, trades punches with Dominick Cruz during the first round of their UFC bantamweight …

LAS VEGAS – Dominick Cruz retained the bantamweight title and avenged his only career loss, unanimously outpointing Urijah Faber in a five-round bout in UFC 132 on Saturday night.

Cruz, the aggressor throughout who utilized his awkward style to land a number of leg kicks and solid strikes. had winning scores of 50-45, 49-46 and 48-47 from the judges.

In the co-main event at MGM Grand Garden Arena, Chris Leben rebounded from a loss in his last fight to stop Wanderlei Silva in 27 seconds.

On the undercard, former light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz won for the first time in nearly five years with a first-round submission victory over Ryan Bader.

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SPORTS - Upton's 3-run double helps D'Backs beat Dodgers (AP)

SPORTS - Upton's 3-run double helps D'Backs beat Dodgers (AP)
Olin Browne AP – Olin Browne hits out of the sand next to the eighth green during the third round of the U.S. Senior Open …

TOLEDO, Ohio – The coolest thing at the U.S. Senior Open hasn't been the air conditioning in the clubhouse or the ice in the drinks at the corporate tents.

Olin Browne, of all people, has been one cool customer.

Battling high heat and staring down wizened major winner Mark O'Meara, Browne continues to run just a few degrees above zero.

The journeyman had all the answers for the third day in a row on Saturday, shooting a 6-under 65 to forge a two-stroke lead over O'Meara heading into Sunday's final round.

"The truth is, I haven't been thinking about what I've been doing; I'm thinking about what I'm going to do," Browne said.

Never a winner in his three years of competition since turning 50, Browne set the tournament record for lowest score through 54 holes. After a record-tying 64 followed by a 69, he's at 15-under 198.

He didn't even want to contemplate what winning a major championship would mean to him, even though he knows what it's like to be on the outside looking in for much of his 27 years as a touring pro.

"I really don't have any idea," he said. "It would be great, obviously. Any time you can put that kind of a championship on your resume it's a tremendous accomplishment. I haven't gotten one. I would love to have one."

O'Meara, winner of the 1998 Masters and British Open, had a 66 in a head-to-head duel. Playing in the same pairing, he pulled even with a birdie at the ninth hole but Browne had five birdies on the difficult back nine. His 29 was another tournament record.

"I've always been a player that respects my fellow players," said O'Meara, getting a second wind after playing in Pebble Beach three weeks ago, the past two weeks in England and then flying to his home in Houston before arriving in Toledo on Tuesday. "Olin's a friend. He's a very good player. He showed that out there today and I know he'll be tough tomorrow."

Heading into the final round, it's basically a two-man race. Six shots off the pace at 9-under 204 are Jeff Sluman (65), Peter Senior (68), Joey Sindelar (69) and Mark Calcavecchia (69).

They're left with almost no margin for error.

"You've got to hope that at least you get it done early in the round," said Sluman, winner of the 1988 PGA Championship. "You've got to get this thing done quickly and make some birdies and get some momentum going right off the git-go."

O'Meara refused to say the rest of the pack was out of it. At the same time, he said he relished the one-on-one battle atop the leaderboard.

"It's a whole new day tomorrow," he said. "We enjoy playing with each other. I'll certainly try to do the best I can and if I'm not doing it and he's hitting good shots, I'm fine with that. If he goes out there and plays well and if I play well, we'll have to see what happens coming down the stretch."

Browne is trying to join Simon Hobday, who won at Pinehurst No. 2 in 1994, as the only wire-to-wire winners in the tournament's 32 years.

His 54-hole total was one better than Hobday's 199.

Browne said the thought had never crossed his mind that he might not win again after finishing first at the Deutsche Bank in 2005.

"I feel very fortunate to have this kind of a career," he said. "Whatever happens is OK with me. I've had a nice run. I've got no complaints."

Browne began the day with a one-shot edge on O'Meara. They matched each other swing for swing, putt for putt, throughout a day of scorching heat and high humidity at Inverness Club.

Both birdied the fourth hole, with O'Meara falling two back with a bogey on the next hole. Birdies on holes 8 and 9 helped O'Meara catch Browne heading to the back nine at the old Donald Ross layout, which plays to a par of 37 on the front but doesn't have a par-5 hole and plays to a 34 on the last nine.

Browne hit a wedge to 18 inches for birdie on the 10th hole and took off. He built a three-stroke lead with two more birdies through 13.

O'Meara birdied the 17th and 18th to pull within a shot, but each time Browne — a three-time winner on the PGA Tour — dropped in a birdie putt immediately on top of O'Meara's.

"Does it feel good to answer his birdie? Yeah, of course it does," Browne said. "But I'm not looking at it that way. This isn't match play."

For all intents and purposes, it will be Sunday when Browne and O'Meara trade shots again.

Inverness again remained defenseless despite sun and high temperatures. The course was hit with almost 4 inches of rain in the last week, with a huge thunderstorm on Friday morning delaying play and forcing 21 players to return to the course on Saturday morning to complete the second round.

Barely staying in sight of Browne and O'Meara are Hale Irwin, who shot his age (66), along with New Mexico club pro Jeff Roth (68) and Michael Allen (71), all at 7-under 206.

Tied for 10th and nine shots back came a who's who of senior golf, including defending champion Bernhard Langer (68), Hal Sutton (66), Nick Price (68), Jay Haas (68), Steve Jones (69) and Corey Pavin (70).

"I haven't threatened the leaders yet, but hopefully tomorrow I can go crazy," Haas said.

So far, Browne has.

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SPORTS - Owen lifts Man United to 2-1 friendly win over Barca (AFP)

SPORTS - Owen lifts Man United to 2-1 friendly win over Barca (AFP)
Cam Newton AP – Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton answers questions at the NFL football team's training camp in Spartanburg, …

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Cam Newton quietly walked around as cameras swarmed Carolina's new kicker Olindo Mare. Newton peeked out from behind a lens and asked his Panthers' teammate, "How hot was it today?"

Newton sure didn't act like a No. 1 pick shortchanged by the rookie wage scale.

The Heisman Trophy winner spoke Saturday for the first time since signing a four-year, $22 million with the Panthers. His deal was set by the newly bargained rookie scale that was part of the agreement between NFL owners and players.

Newton took a major financial hit as the draft's top selection, getting $56 million or so less than Sam Bradford's $78 million, six-year deal he got as St. Louis' No. 1 pick.

"It really doesn't matter," Newton said. "Either way you look at it, I've still got more money than I've ever had."

And Newton knows that he reaches his potential on the football field, he'll make up any financial disparity later.

"In this league, they set standards," Newton said. "If you play the way they're predicting you to play, you're going to be all right either way it goes."

Newton was eager to take the field for his first practice at Wofford College later Saturday and said holding out was never an option, even before the NFL lockout. He spent the time away training, working out with star Panthers receiver Steve Smith in some private sessions that proved to Newton the Panthers have plenty of offense despite last year's dismal 2-14 showing.

Newton hopes he can be part of that. He received the offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's playbook in April in the short time a judge lifted the NFL lockout. Newton's worked to learn what he can, but knows he can't really progress until he gets back on the field. He'll wear No. 1 at Panthers' camp with quarterback rival Jimmy Clausen wearing No. 2, the jersey number Newton wore at Auburn during the 14-0 national championship season.

Newton said he and Clausen talked about acquiring No. 2, but in the end thought it was best to start out fresh.

"Rightfully so, since it was his number," Newton said.

He and Clausen have a healthy, friendly relationship so far and both understand that the quarterback competition will make each one better for the Panthers.

"I don't want to give off a situation where we hate each other's guts and we're just out there running over each other," Newton said. "Jimmy is helping me and I hope I'm helping Jimmy. We want to bring out the best in each other."

There'll be plenty of people hoping Newton can bring the best out in Carolina's offense, which set a franchise low in points scored last year. The 6-foot-5 Newton knows he'll have some help with that starting with Smith.

The Panthers' sometimes prickly receiver had nothing but glowing reviews for Newton in their workouts, which apparently went a long way toward Smith wanting to remain with the team.

Both of Carolina's headliners in the backfield, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, return and the Panthers picked up Chicago tight end Greg Olsen in a trade to bolster the receiving corps.

"I don't know about you guys, but I don't know that I've ever seen anyone like him," Olsen said of his new quarterback. "Watching him on TV is a whole lot different than seeing him in person. He just has that something about him, that confidence."

Newton's hopes he can carry that through camp and into the regular season. He said he's prepared to work as hard as possible to show he's ready for the NFL.

"It's exciting just to be around the football atmosphere again," he said.

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SPORTS - Colts re-sign Manning to long-term deal (AP)

SPORTS - Colts re-sign Manning to long-term deal (AP)
Peyton Manning AP – FILE - This Jan. 4, 2011, file photo shows Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning talking to reporters …

INDIANAPOLIS – Peyton Manning has a new long-term deal in time to report to training camp.

He still hasn't been cleared to practice.

Colts owner Jim Irsay said he was "thrilled" to sign the only four-time MVP in league history to a deal that will likely keep him in Indianapolis for the rest of his career. It's a five-year contract for $90 million with $69 million of that paid in the first three years, Irsay posted on his Twitter account.

"Signing Peyton was a top priority for this organization and we are thrilled that the deal is complete," Irsay said in a statement released by the team Saturday. "We feel that it is a salary cap friendly deal and it allows us more flexibility."

Irsay and team president Bill Polian are scheduled to discuss the deal at a Sunday afternoon news conference.

The deal comes nearly five months after the team used the exclusive franchise tag to prevent Manning from negotiating with any other teams. Had Manning signed the one-year offer, he would have made $23.1 million this season.

By getting the long-term deal done, Manning's salary cap number will be reduced this season to $16 million, Irsay wrote, allowing the team to sign more of its own free agents. The Colts have already re-signed two key veterans — safety Melvin Bullitt and kicker Adam Vinatieri — this week. They also lost linebacker Clint Session to Jacksonville in free agency.

They reportedly also signed running back Joseph Addai, shortly after Manning's deal was announced. Addai would be a major help because he's the best blocking back Indy has.

That leaves left tackle Charlie Johnson and defensive tackle Dan Muir as the next big ticket items. They still have not signed their first three draft picks, either, tackles Anthony Castonzo and Ben Ijalana or defensive tackle Drake Nevis.

The Colts report to training camp Sunday at Anderson University, about 40 miles northeast of Indianapolis.

"It's a credit 2 Peyton;he put Coltfans,teammates, Ind. n winning ahead of all else," Irsay wrote on Twitter.

The deal should ensure Manning arrives in camp on time.

Coach Jim Caldwell said Friday he expected Manning to be at camp if he was signed.

But Manning will not practice because he's continuing to rehabilitate from neck surgery he had in May. It was the second since March 2010 that he had neck surgery.

Caldwell also said Friday he did not expect Manning to practice, and the team announced Saturday it will put Manning on the physically unable to perform list, preventing him from practicing until he is removed from the list. Because it is the preseason, he could be removed from the list at any time and return to practice.

"There is every medical indication that he is progressing steadily, team neurosurgeon Dr. Hank Feuer said in a statement. "While he looks fine, he still has some rehabilitation to go. Recovery from disc surgery is unpredictable and it is not a medical concern that he is not ready at this time."

Manning has started all 227 regular-season and playoff games in his 14-year career, and the Colts have repeatedly said they expect Manning to be ready to start the regular-season opener against Houston.

Manning has completed 64.9 percent of his passes in his career, has thrown for nearly 55,000 yards and 399 touchdowns. He's led the Colts to the playoffs 12 times, to two Super Bowls and one world championship.

But as the negotiations dragged on, Manning became more irritated with the pace.

On Friday night, he told The Indianapolis Star that he had instructed agent Tom Condon to complete the deal by Sunday at the latest.

And after months of Irsay promising to make Manning the highest-paid player in league history, surpassing the annual average salary of $18 million that Tom Brady agreed to in September. Manning also said he didn't have to have the title.

On Saturday, the two sides finally came to terms on a deal that will continue to make Manning the highest-paid player in franchise with a caveat — that the team can hopefully keep some of Manning's teammates under contract, too.

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