In brief: Panthers receiver Smith agrees to extension
He’s only 5-foot-9, went to junior college, was a third-round draft pick and had trouble controlling his temper.
Steve Smith has overcome it all, and on Tuesday he cashed in.
Smith, 28, agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers that will keep him with the NFL team through the 2012 season. His agent, Derrick Fox, said he wasn’t authorized to release exact figures, but said the Los Angeles native will be among the five highest-paid receivers in the NFL.
“East Carolina defensive line coach Donnie Thompson was arrested at Greenville, N.C., accused of submitting more than $11,000 worth of fraudulent expense receipts, police said.
Boxing
Holyfield sets bout
Evander Holyfield, 44, will fight Lou Savarese on June 30 in El Paso, Texas, in his quest to capture another heavyweight title. It will be the fourth Texas bout in the four-time champion’s comeback bid.
“Video of Saturday’s 12-round fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr. was taken down from YouTube.com after HBO complained.
Soccer
U.S. team fills roster
Kristine Lilly, Abby Wambach and other stars of the U.S. team were selected to the roster for Saturday’s game against Canada at Frisco, Texas.
The American team, preparing for this year’s World Cup in China, also will feature two-time World Cup veteran Kate Markgraf and midfield anchor Shannon Boxx.
“Argentine hero Diego Maradona, 46, said he no longer drinks or uses drugs, and plans to return to playing small-scale exhibition soccer games.
He was released Sunday after spending 16 days in several local clinics to treat what doctors said was excessive alcohol consumption that led to a form of hepatitis.
Miscellany
Basso claims innocence
A day after admitting involvement in the Spanish doping scandal, Giro d’Italia champion Ivan Basso said he intended to cheat in “a moment of weakness” but never did, and is ready to accept his punishment.
“I have admitted attempted doping only,” the Italian rider said at a news conference at Milan, Italy. “I’ve never taken any doping substance nor undergone any illegal blood transfusions.”
“Former 2-year-old champion Chilukki and her foal died after complications during birth. Chilukki, the top 2-year-old filly in the country in 1999, and the colt, by 2004 Horse of the Year Ghostzapper, died Monday.
“At Vancouver, British Columbia, Trevor Glass scored 32 seconds into overtime to help the Medicine Hat Tigers regain home-ice advantage with a 3-2 overtime win over the Vancouver Giants, giving them a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven WHL final.