Briefs | Boxing: Mayweather accuses HBO announcers of bias

Boxing

Mayweather says HBO announcers don't praise black fighters: Recently retired Floyd Mayweather Jr., once considered the sport's best pound-for-pound fighter by many observers, accused HBO's announcers of bias against him and other black fighters.

Mayweather, 31, told The Grand Rapids Press of Michigan in an interview Friday that the network "is great," but criticized its announcers.

"They talk about Kelly Pavlik, a white fighter, like he's the Second Coming. Or they go crazy over Manny Pacquiao. But I'm a black fighter," Mayweather said. "Is it racial? Absolutely. They praise white fighters, they praise Hispanic fighters, whatever. But black fighters, they never praise.

"I've noticed it for a long time but I couldn't say anything because I had to do business with them. I'll still do business with them, but I'm done holding my tongue."

HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg said in a statement that the network, which has carried many of Mayweather's bouts, was disappointed to hear of the boxer's remarks and denied his claims.

"Floyd is a tremendous athlete who gave his all to the sport. We have nothing but admiration for what he accomplished in the ring," Greenburg said. "His remarks regarding HBO broadcasters and executives are unfortunate and we could not disagree more."

Mayweather gave the interview on the first day of a three-day retirement celebration in downtown Grand Rapids.

"I'm happy. I feel clear. I feel free as a bird," he told the newspaper. "I feel good that I can finally speak out, and say the things I want to say."

Sturm keeps WBA belt: German Felix Sturm jabbed his way to a one-sided decision over American Randy Griffin in Halle, Germany, making a fourth successful defense of his WBA middleweight title.

Sturm won 116-113, 116-112 and 118-110.

NHL

Ex-Seattle Thunderbird Laich scored 21 goals for Capitals last season: Center Brooks Laich — a former Seattle Thunderbird — and defenseman Shaone Morrisonn of the Washington Capitals were among 15 players who elected to take their teams to salary arbitration, NHL Players' Association officials said.

The other team to have two players go that route was the Minnesota Wild, which is set to have hearings with forwards Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Stephane Veilleux.

Cooke joins Penguins: Forward Matt Cooke, a former Vancouver Canucks player who was acquired by Washington at the trade deadline this year, signed a two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

College football

Louisville receiver Guy is shot: Louisville receiver Trent Guy, a 20-year-old junior expected to be a starter this year, was shot in the back early Saturday outside a garage near a downtown nightclub. School officials said they expect him to fully recover.

Guy was in stable condition after surgery, athletic-department spokesman Rocco Gasparro said.

Police said there have been no arrests and they are investigating.

Gasparro said an argument was sparked after a man touched Guy's fiancée at the club.

Arena football league

Philadelphia, San Jose advance: Matt D'Orazio threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Larry Brackins on the final play of the game to give the host Philadelphia Soul a 49-48 victory over the New York Dragons in a playoff game.

The Soul, co-owned by rocker Jon Bon Jovi, will host the winner of Monday's game between Cleveland and Georgia in the National Conference final next weekend for the right to play in the July 27 ArenaBowl in New Orleans.

Meanwhile, Mark Grieb threw for 283 yards and seven touchdowns as the defending champion San Jose SaberCats advanced to the American Conference final with a 64-51 victory over the visiting Colorado Crush.

San Jose will play the winner of today's game between the Grand Rapids Rampage and the Chicago Rush.

Rowing

USC makes Grand Challenge Cup final: A USC boat that included six members of the Estonia national eight that failed to qualify for the Beijing Olympics has advanced to the Grand Challenge Cup final at the Henley Royal Regatta in England. USC will face a composite Canadian team from the Victoria City and Kingston rowing clubs that beat English club Leander.

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