Bob Arum wants to make boxing more visible

December 5, 2008

Boxing has quietly undertaken a pilot program that, in the face of competition from mixed martial arts, may serve as a business model for its future.

Recent columns

• Trainer Freddie Roach to get ringside support from family

  December 3, 2008

  Five members of the family of the late Paul Roach will be at ringside Saturday night in Las Vegas for the big fight.

• Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao bout to start dominoes

  December 2, 2008

  Boxing fans are on edge these days, not unlike your 6-year-old in the back seat on a long trip.

• Fighters rock new arena

  November 30, 2008

  It was a new place to practice their craft, but the two-headed monster promoted by Dan Goossen and named Arreola/Williams seemed to feel right at home Saturday night at the new Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario.

• Gentle old fellow is remembered

  November 29, 2008

  An old racehorse named Shakis finished his career symbolically at Hollywood Park, going full speed across the finish line, no other horse in front of him.

• Paul Williams, Chris Arreola, Shawn Estrada fight on Ontario card

  November 29, 2008

  Three boxers positioned to be major players in the future of the fight game will attempt to take big steps tonight in a shiny new arena.

• Boxer Arreola will fulfill his promise to a slain friend

  November 27, 2008

  Many people wear their emotions on their sleeve. Heavyweight boxer Chris Arreola wears his a bit higher.

• In USC-Notre Dame rivalry, one side has all the horses

  November 24, 2008

  The Four Horsemen galloped to their graves long ago.

• Malignaggi gets cornered by Hatton in 11th round

  November 23, 2008

  Ricky (The Hitman) Hatton was more like Ricky (The Trackman) Hatton on Saturday night at the MGM Grand.

• Ricky Hatton vs. Paulie Malignaggi bout brings in the Brits

  November 22, 2008

  Ricky Hatton makes his return to the MGM Grand boxing ring tonight in a 12-round match that has given his dedicated and noisy fan base another reason to depart Manchester, England, in early winter.

• Betting revenue dispute is settled

  November 22, 2008

  Horse racing smoothed over its most recent dispute with a settlement Friday that will make Hollywood Park's broadcast signal available to four advance deposit wagering companies.

• Hollywood Park hopes revenue fight is near end

  November 21, 2008

  A major battle over horse racing revenue, one that has reportedly cost Hollywood Park an estimated $8.5 million in the first 17 days of its current autumn meeting, may be coming to an end.

• They're giving this fight a hook

  November 18, 2008

  Manny Pacquiao versus Oscar De La Hoya has a chance to become the most chewed-on boxing match since Tyson versus Holyfield.

• De La Hoya takes on all comers at media day

  November 14, 2008

  There was a good omen the other day at Oscar De La Hoya's training camp. The venerable boxer stayed on his feet for more than two hours.

• Like it or not, Scott Boras is baseball's Mr. November

  November 11, 2008

  Major League Baseball is divided into four parts.

• Trojans might look good in black (and silver)

  November 8, 2008

  It is a time of change. The election just told us that. We must solve problems, big and small. Yes we can.

• Jerry West still is a reluctant sports hero

  November 4, 2008

  Describing Jerry West is a little like analyzing molecules. Always has been.

• UCLA's Ben Howland isn't just the tough guy

  November 1, 2008

  Being with Ben Howland in the off-season can be a walk in the park. In this case, it was a walk in Westwood.

• Zenyatta stays on track to buck the trend

  October 30, 2008

  On a bright Wednesday morning, well away from the gathering noise of opening day at Hollywood Park's Autumn Meeting, her majesty of horse racing held court for a small audience.

• Hollywood Park still alive and kicking

  October 29, 2008

  Inquiring minds want to know about Hollywood Park.

• Breeders' Cup is alive and, more or less, well

  October 27, 2008

  Horse racing has been waiting for just such a moment, for that perfect time to puff up its chest, look the world in the eye and shout those three magic words. And now it can:

• Curlin can't close the deal

  October 26, 2008

  Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic ended with Bo Derek watching at the finish line and Curlin showing that he is no longer a perfect 10 either.

• There's Curlin, and 11 spoilers, in Breeders' Cup Classic

  October 25, 2008

  There is little left to say about Curlin and today's Breeders' Cup Classic.

• Horse racing gets a chance to heal

  October 24, 2008

  Today's beginning of the two-day Breeders' Cup extravaganza at Santa Anita is the first day of the rest of horse racing's life. But understand, this is a sport that goes through this four times a year now, every year.

• Curlin was nice find for bloodstock agent John Moynihan

  October 23, 2008

  Curlin's arrivals at the wire, almost always in front of a pack of other well-bred, expensive thoroughbreds, have been well documented. His arrival to the ownership of Jess Jackson, and to the stable of Steve Asmussen, less so.

• Intangaroo's story of winning, recovery, hope

  October 21, 2008

  This is a story about life, death, serious illness and a magic horse that seems to cure all.

• Jess Jackson is a new breed of owner

  October 19, 2008

  There are at least two ways to ponder the vision of a Cal sophomore named Jess Jackson, playing football in the late 1940s for the semipro San Francisco Seagulls against the Petaluma Leghorns.

• Hall of Fame jockeys go for a ride down memory lane at Santa Anita

  October 18, 2008

  A group of very small people sat at a long table at Santa Anita on Friday morning and did something they probably had never done there before.

• Zenyatta won't race in Breeders' Cup Classic

  October 17, 2008

  A full field of 14 horses will run in the Breeders' Cup Classic Oct. 25, and star filly Zenyatta will not be one of them.

• Curlin will take starring role at Breeders' Cup

  October 15, 2008

  Comparing his star horse to athletes such as Magic Johnson and Lance Armstrong, Jess Jackson on Tuesday committed Curlin to run in the $5-million Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita a week from Saturday.

• Without Big Brown, it's just a different pony show

  October 14, 2008

  Hold your horses, folks.

• Hawaii Calls ready to give Curlin a good run

  October 12, 2008

  The big moment awaits for all of horse racing, that hoped-for Curlin-versus-Big Brown showdown in the Oct. 25 Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita. And the decision may be partly in the able hands, er, hooves, of that noted punching bag, Hawaii Calls.

• Clippers' Cuttino Mobley avoids the spotlight

  October 11, 2008

  Cuttino Mobley should do ads for Avis. If he were a politician, his biggest dream might be to become vice president.

• Tiger Woods finds a way to keep busy

  October 8, 2008

  Tiger Woods had a circular stick in his hand in Southern California again Tuesday and waggled it confidently as he stood over a golf course.

• Lava Man is guest of honor at Santa Anita

  October 5, 2008

  One of the highlights of today's Cal Cup day at Santa Anita's Oak Tree meeting will be the appearance of a horse that won't even run.

• It appears to be time for Al Davis to step aside

  October 4, 2008

  These are sad days for Raider Nation. All those skull-and-bones tattoos seem for naught.

• Curlin is in town, and a Hollywood deal is brewing

  October 1, 2008

  We have another rock star in the city of bright lights. Welcome to Hollywood, Curlin.

• Nov. 8 bout could punctuate Roy Jones Jr.'s legacy

  September 30, 2008

  Over time, your worst moment can become your best.

• Racing loses a cool hand in Paul Newman

  September 28, 2008

  We saw Paul Newman as a Hollywood legend, a master actor who loomed above all on an unreachable pedestal of talent.

• Richard Mandella may be part of Breeders' Cup Classic decision

  September 27, 2008

  When it comes to discussions of horse racing's seminal moment of the year, Big Brown vs. Curlin in the Breeders' Cup Classic, Richard Mandella is a man in the middle.

• Chris Arreola, Paul Williams win short bouts

  September 26, 2008

  The only thing not predictable about Thursday night's victories by boxers Chris Arreola and Paul Williams was how fast they happened. Each won easily in bouts, in a show at Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, that were clearly overwhelming mismatches.

• Opening day features some great racing at Santa Anita

  September 25, 2008

  Except for Corey Nakatani's broken collarbone, Wednesday was a very good race day at the Great Race Place.

• Chris Arreola and Paul Williams continue efforts to strengthen careers

  September 25, 2008

  Auditions for the bright lights of boxing continue for Chris Arreola and Paul Williams, stars of promoter Dan Goossen's camp, as part of a card tonight at the Soboba Casino in San Jacinto, Calif.

• Oak Tree's big meeting opens at Santa Anita

  September 24, 2008

  The 40th Oak Tree horse race meeting at Santa Anita begins today, but it will not be business as usual.

• In L.A., Dodger blue turns Angel red invisible

  September 23, 2008

  The best team in baseball isn't even the biggest story in its own city. Right now, Los Angeles is all caught up in the Dodgers' magic number and only casually interested in the Angels' magic team.

• Michelle Wie does it right

  September 20, 2008

  Michelle Wie was 1,744 miles from golf's Valhalla on Friday, but she was happy and possibly on her way to something mystical of her own.

• 30 years ago, two Triple Crown winners went head to head twice

  September 16, 2008

  Whatever currently ails horse racing could be quickly cured by a dose of what took place 30 years ago today.

• Juan Manuel Marquez stops Joel Casamayor in 11th

  September 14, 2008

  LAS VEGAS -- Juan Manuel Marquez, one tough Mexican boxer, took out his recent frustrations in spectacular fashion here Saturday night.

• Tequila helped fuel boxer Joel Casamayor's defection to U.S.

  September 13, 2008

  LAS VEGAS -- For Cuban boxer Joel Casamayor, coming to America was more happenstance than political. It was more about tequila than tactics.

• Big Brown takes his next step in Monmouth grass race.

  September 12, 2008

  The Big Brown-versus-Curlin drama will begin to play out for horse racing fans in a somewhat untraditional scene Saturday at Monmouth Park.

• Angels' Francisco Rodriguez could be saving best for last

  September 9, 2008

  It is Monday night at the ball yard, a buzzing Angel Stadium.

• Tony Daly, 74; sports doctor for famous athletes, including Clippers and Olympians

  September 7, 2008

  Tony Daly, a doctor for sports stars who became one in his own right because of this work, died Friday at his home in Beverly Hills after a six-year battle with prostate cancer. He was 74.

• Beijing Olympics' instant gratification has a cost

  August 26, 2008

  BEIJING -- As that world-famous flake and occasional tennis player Goran Ivanisevic once said, after an especially difficult loss at the U.S. Open, I see the plane flying over and I can see my seat on it.

• Hugh McCutcheon keeps the focus on his U.S. volleyball team

  August 25, 2008

  Beijing

• Will U.S. loss save Olympic softball?

  August 22, 2008

  Beijing

• U.S. women's volleyball team shocks Cuba in straight sets

  August 22, 2008

  BEIJING -- By Saturday night here, all of volleyball will learn just how golden her touch really is.

• Crossing national boundaries in quest for Olympic medals

  August 21, 2008

  BEIJING -- These are the Michael Phelps Games, of course. Just like the '84 Olympics were the Carl Lewis Games and, sadly, the '88 Olympics were the Ben Johnson Games.

• Boxing may be winning the fight at Beijing

  August 20, 2008

  Beijing

• Olympic runner Lopez Lomong's incredible life story continues

  August 20, 2008

  Beijing

• U.S. tennis player James Blake makes a racket over the Olympic spirit

  August 16, 2008

  Beijing

• Serving up a tennis surprise in Beijing

  August 15, 2008

  The world of tennis, as we know it, spun off its axis a bit here Thursday night in front of thousands of enthusiastic Chinese fans.

• Olympic organizers, and competitors, keep politics on the sideline

  August 13, 2008

  BEIJING -- Tanks roll and headlines blare. A newspaper photo shows a Russian soldier running past a dead Georgian counterpart.

• For tennis players, Olympics lack luster

  August 12, 2008

  BEIJING -- Quite often, the prevailing question about Olympic tennis is not so much who won or who lost, but why bother.

• Rafael Nadal has a tougher opener than expected

  August 11, 2008

  BEIJING - Rafael Nadal got more than he bargained for Monday in his first-round Olympic men's singles match.

• Beijing's efficient but still drama-packed on Day One

  August 10, 2008

  If first-day-of-competition impressions are meaningful, then the Beijing Olympics will be exactly what the organizers want them to be. A model of efficiency. A click-your-heels-and-salute Olympics.

• Tony Daly reflects on his many Olympic moments

  August 9, 2008

  Tony Daly has had an Olympic moment or two. More like 200.

• U.S. Olympian Lopez Lomong's great escape

  August 9, 2008

  BEIJING -- By now, if you've paid attention at all, you will be up to speed on the story of Lopez Lomong, United States Olympic 1,500-meter runner and opening-ceremony flag-bearer.

• U.S. flag-bearer Lopez Lomong shares his story

  August 8, 2008

  U.S. flag bearer Lopez Lomong told his heart-warming story in a spellbinding meeting with the media here this morning but artfully danced around the political questions.

• Serena, Venus Williams are best hope for a U.S. medal in tennis

  August 7, 2008

  Sisters Serena and Venus Williams, among the United States' best hope for a tennis medal at the Beijing Games, were seeded fourth and seventh, respectively, in Thursday's draw. That placement meant they cannot play each other until the final.

• The Olympics: Pro or con?

  August 7, 2008

  BEIJING -- It started at Barcelona in 1992. The grumble was almost perceptible. Part of the world that cared about the Olympics embraced the concept of the Dream Team. Another part smelled a sellout.

• Roger Clemens gets some unsolicited tough advice

  February 19, 2008

  Right now, the Clemens situation is pretty simple. Roger is over and out.