Sports briefs

■ Boxing

Morales eyes Espades

Once-beaten Erik Morales will fight Guty Espadas in a rematch to headline an October boxing card at Los Angeles' Staples Arena. Morales, the WBC featherweight champion from Mexico, will face countryman Espadas in a WBC 12-round super featherweight elimination bout. Morales beat Espadas two years ago on a close decision by outpunching him in the late rounds of their WBC title fight. Morales is 44-1, with 33 knockouts. Espadas is 37-5, with 23 knockouts. Three other champions are slated for separate bouts on the Oct. 4 card, but only one of those -- IBF junior lightweight champ Carlos Hernandez -- has an opponent lined up. Hernandez will defend his title against Steve Forbes in a bout scheduled for 12 rounds. IBF bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez and WBC light flyweight champion Jorge Arce also are scheduled for the card, with their opponents yet to be decided.

Agencies