■ Boxing
Tyson now low on funds
Mike Tyson has filed for protection in US Bankruptcy Court, claiming his finances are in disarray. The former heavyweight champion has squandered nearly US$300 million in ring earnings through lavish spending and bad advice. Tyson's handlers said in a news release on Friday that Tyson has taken control of himself and wants to resolve his financial problems. They blamed his out-of-control spending habits and subsequent mounting debt on mismanagement by others. "As a professional fighter, who relied on others to manage his affairs, he discovered that his debts far exceeded his assets," Tyson's attorney Debra Grassgreen said. The fighter frittered away millions on mansions, Bentleys, jewelry, and even Bengal tigers while buying extravagant gifts for his entourage.
PHOTO: AP FILE PHOTO
■ Baseball
Little leaguers prepare
Musashi Fuchu Little League of Tokyo will return to the Little League World Series, three years after finishing tied for third, as will a Guam team that's making its third consecutive trip to the championship. Musashi Fuchu defeated a team from Seoul 6-2 Friday to win the Asia regional tournament, held in Rota, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.
Central Little League of Agana, Guam, beat the Northern Mariana Islands team 12-0 on Friday for the Pacific region title. Teams from Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and the Netherlands Antilles have also qualified for the 16-team field.
■ Athletics
Gilbert Okari sets record
Kenya's Gilbert Okari set a course record in winning the Peoples Beach to Beacon 10K on Saturday and countrywoman Catherine Ndereba won the road race for the fifth time. Okari was timed in 27 minutes, 28 seconds over the winding 6.2-mile course, breaking the 4-year-old course record by 20 seconds. John Korir of Kenya (27:51) was second and defending champion James Koskei of Kenya (28:08) was third. Ndereba, who finished third a year ago, was timed in 31:53. She edged Romania's Luminita Talpos by 1 second. Constantina Tomescu-Dita of Romania (32:05) finished third among the women. Okari, celebrating his 25th birthday, and Ndereba each earned US$7,500.
■ Baseball
Mexico wants the Expos
Add the city of Monterrey, Mexico, to the list of places trying to lure the Montreal Expos for the 2004 season. Carlos Bremer, chief executive officer of the Value Grupo Financiero, led a group that submitted a bid to Major League Baseball on Friday hoping to host all of the team's 81 home games next year. In 1999, San Diego and Colorado played the major league season opener before a sellout crowd of 27,104 at Monterrey. The Padres and New York Mets played a three-game series in the city in 1996. There also were exhibition games in the city of nearly 3.5 million in 1991 and 1993. Bremer and Monterrey mayor Felipe Cantu met with baseball officials Tom Ostertag and John McHale in New York on July 21.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and