LAS VEGAS – The fate of Manny Pacquiao’s planned March 13 megafight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. hangs in the balance as sides traded jabs Wednesday over Mayweather’s insistence that the two submit to Olympic-style drug testing amid indications that both were open to a compromise.
With time running short, though, Pacquiao’s promoter said he’s not willing to negotiate much longer to make the fight.
“I think it’s over tomorrow, and we’re going to another opponent if there is no agreement,” promoter Bob Arum said. “It looks to me like they want a way out of the fight. Mayweather doesn’t want to take a chance of losing.”
Arum said his fighter would agree to only three blood tests.
Mayweather’s camp wants the tests done by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which operates under much stricter rules that include random blood tests.
AUTO RACING
Schumacher joins Mercedes’ F1 team
Seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is coming out of retirement to drive for Mercedes in 2010. The 40-year-old German driver who retired three years ago.
BASEBALL
Around the Majors
Major League Baseball and its umpires have reached an agreement on a five-year labor contract running through December 2014. … Nick Johnson has returned to the New York Yankees, finalizing a $5.5 million, one-year deal. … Atlanta reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract with Troy Glaus, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the AP. … Toronto finalized its trade to acquire former No. 1 draft choice Brandon Morrow from Seattle for fellow reliever Brandon League and minor league outfielder Johermyn Chavez. … A person familiar with the negotiations said that reliever Fernando Rodney has reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels on a two-year deal worth $11 million. … Oakland finalized a $5.25 million, one-year deal with free agent outfielder Coco Crisp.
BASKETBALL
Around the NBA
Boston forward Paul Pierce will miss the next two weeks with a knee infection. … Charlotte center Tyson Chandler has a stress reaction in his left foot and will be out at least a week. … Pau Gasol agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Lakers.
FOOTBALL
Colts celebration in town Jan. 7
The Indianapolis Colts will host a “Blue Thursday” event from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 7 at Glenbrook Square. The event will feature giveaways, cheerleaders, a mascot and a band.
QB propels Utah to Poinsettia win
Jordan Wynn threw for a career-high 338 yards and three touchdowns to rally No. 23 Utah from an early two-touchdown deficit to a 37-27 victory over California in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego. The Utes scored 27 consecutive points to win their ninth straight bowl game, the longest current streak in the country.
College news
Forbes magazine said Texas has a team value of $119 million, easily topping Notre Dame, last year’s leader, by $11 million. Rounding out Forbes’ top 10 are Penn State, Nebraska, Alabama, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Georgia and Oklahoma. … Oregon wide receiver Jamere Holland has been ruled academically ineligible to play in the Rose Bowl. … Cincinnati Bengals assistant Bob Surace has been hired to coach Princeton University.
