In brief: Hopkins loses to Dawson in bizarre fashion

Boxing: Bernard Hopkins was stopped for the first time in his career in bizarre fashion Saturday night in Los Angeles, unable to continue after Chad Dawson lifted him and tossed him to the canvas late in the second round.

Dawson (31-1, 18 KOs) claimed the WBC light heavyweight title from the 46-year-old Hopkins (52-6-3), but both fighters were left furious when referee Pat Russell ruled Dawson hadn’t fouled Hopkins.

“They want me out of boxing, and this is one way to do it,” Hopkins said. “Chad Dawson came in the ring tonight, and he just wanted to rough me up with dirty tactics. He wanted to get me out of there, and that was the only way he could.”

When Hopkins leaned over the crouching Dawson after throwing an overhand right, Dawson lifted Hopkins off his feet before shrugging him onto the canvas. Hopkins landed roughly on his left shoulder, his head poking underneath the bottom rope, and might have glanced off the ringside table.

Hopkins immediately clutched his left shoulder and grimaced in pain, unable to continue. Dawson angrily taunted Hopkins and climbed on the ropes.

“He jumped on me and was pulling me down, so I pushed him off with the shoulder,” Dawson said. “B-Hop disappointed a lot of fans. I was looking forward to a good fight. I trained eight weeks for this. … Yes, he was faking. This is a fight I wanted for three years, and Bernard obviously didn’t want the fight.”

• Bozella wins debut: Dewey Bozella won his pro boxing debut at 52 years old, beating Larry Hopkins by unanimous decision in Los Angeles.

Wrongfully convicted of murder, Bozella spent 26 years in prison before he was exonerated in 2009. The New York native became the light heavyweight champion of Sing Sing while earning two college degrees behind bars.

Golden Boy Promotions fulfilled Bozella’s dream by putting him on the undercard of Hopkins’ bout with Dawson.

“I used to lay in my cell and dream about this happening,” Bozella said. “It was all worth it. It was my dream come true.”

• Cleverly retains title: Wales’ Nathan Cleverly retained the WBO light heavyweight title in Liverpool, England, outpointing home- town favorite Tony Bellew.

Big East would double its exit fee

Football: The Big East knows which schools it wants to add. Now it’s just a matter getting those programs to come aboard.

To help convince some of the candidates – such as Boise State – that the Big East will be stable in the long run, the conference has a plan in place to double its exit fee to $10 million.

Along with Boise State, which would be invited only to play football in the Big East, the conference also wants to invite Air Force and Navy as football-only members and Conference USA members Central Florida, SMU and Houston in all sports.

Murray, Ferrer reach Shanghai finals

Tennis: Andy Murray overpowered Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-0, setting up a Shanghai Masters final against David Ferrer and taking another step in his bid to pass Roger Federer in the rankings.

Ferrer, ranked No. 5, struggled past fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3. It was the third straight match he has come back to win after losing the first set.

• Kvitova will face Cibulkova: Petra Kvitova beat former No. 1 player Jelena Jankovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 at the Generali Ladies in Linz, Austria, to reach her sixth final of the season and first since winning Wimbledon.

Kvitova, ranked a career-high fourth, will play Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia for the title today.

Simpson has shot at PGA’s money title

Golf: Webb Simpson shot a 1-under-par 69 and is tied for third heading into the final round of the McGladrey Classic in St. Simons Island, Ga.

Simpson and world No. 1 Luke Donald are vying for the PGA Tour money title and both have said they will play next week at Disney. Simpson trails Donald by $68,971, but could move into the top spot with a strong round today.

Michael Thompson had three early birdies and finished with a 67 to move into the lead at Sea Island.

• Couples takes commanding lead : Fred Couples birdied six of the first seven holes and finished with a course-record 10-under 62 to take a seven-stroke lead in the Champions Tour’s AT&T Championship in San Antonio.

Mark Calcavecchia was second after a bogey-free 66.

• Choi out in front: South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi took a one-stroke lead over Brittany Lang in the LPGA Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, finishing off a 4-under 67 in fading light after a rain delay.

Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., shot a third-round 71 to leave her at 8-over 261.

Irmiger starts U.S. off and running

Miscellany: The United States was awash with medals on the opening day of the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, with nine of its 14 coming in the swimming pool alone.

The Americans moved to the top of the medals table from the opening event when Heather Irmiger won in women’s cross-country mountain bike.

Brazil was next with one gold and seven overall.

• Maroney, Uchimura shine at gymnastics worlds: McKayla Maroney gave the Americans a sweep of the first three gold medals by winning the vault title at the world gymnastics championships in Tokyo, and Japan’s Kohei Uchimura took gold on floor exercise about 18 hours after winning the all-around title Friday night.