Sports in brief: Calzaghe gives up belt to fight Jones Jr.
Unbeaten Joe Calzaghe has relinquished his WBC super-middleweight title to set up a potential fight against Roy Jones Jr. for the light heavyweight belt.
The 36-year-old Calzaghe, who went up to light heavyweight to defeat Bernard Hopkins in April, hopes to fight Jones Jr. in September. The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed Calzaghe’s decision on Friday.
If he had kept the super-middleweight title, the Welshman would have been obligated to defend it against British fighter Carl Froch. Froch will face Jermain Taylor for the super-middleweight title later this year.
Calzaghe, who still holds the WBA and WBO super-middleweight belts, has also singled out Kelly Pavlik as a possible opponent. Pavlik, the 26-year-old WBC and WBO middleweight champion, defeated Calzaghe’s stablemate Gary Lockett last month.
Calzaghe split from his long-term promoter Frank Warren in June. He is unbeaten in 45 professional fights during a 15-year career.
“Hugo Hernan Garay of Argentina won the vacant WBA light heavyweight title with a unanimous decision over Yuri Barashian of Ukraine at Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Hockey
Sharks add defense
The San Jose Sharks acquired standout defenseman Dan Boyle from Tampa Bay, trading defenseman Matt Carle and top prospect Ty Wishart to the Lightning to acquire their second proven NHL defensive star in two days.
On Thursday, the Sharks signed longtime Los Angeles Kings captain Rob Blake to a one-year free-agent contract.
The Sharks also traded veteran defenseman Craig Rivet to the Buffalo Sabres for two second-round draft choices.
“The Vancouver Canucks acquired right wing Steve Bernier from the Sabres for a third-round pick in the 2009 NHL draft and a second-round selection in 2010.
Miscellany
Duhon picks Knicks
Chris Duhon verbally agreed to a deal with the New York Knicks, the point guard and his agent told The Sporting News.
“I am just excited, I am ready to get to work for the Knicks,” said Duhon, the former Duke player who averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 assists in four seasons for Chicago.
Duhon’s agent, Kevin Bradbury, told The Sporting News that he couldn’t comment on terms of the deal, but the magazine cited an unidentified source in its Web site report as saying Duhon will get a two-year deal.
“World-record holder Usain Bolt will race against Asafa Powell in the 100 meters at the DN Galan meet July 22 in Stockholm, Sweden.
Bolt set the world record of 9.72 seconds in New York a month ago, breaking Powell’s mark of 9.74.
“Ethiopia’s Terefe Maregu won the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta, with Ethiopian or Kenyan runners sweeping the top 10 spots of the 10-kilometer event.
Nataliya Berkut of Ukraine was the women’s winner in a field of 57,000, the nation’s largest 10K race.