■BOXING
Gatti family hires TV host
The family of Arturo Gatti has hired a prominent US pathologist to oversee a second autopsy in the death of the former boxing champion. Saturday’s autopsy was to be assisted by Michael Baden, the host of the HBO cable TV show Autopsy. Baden is also the chief forensic pathologist for New York State Police and was an expert witness in the O.J. Simpson, Kobe Bryant and Phil Spector trials. Gatti’s family has rejected a conclusion by Brazilian authorities that he committed suicide at a resort in the northeastern part of the country on July 11. A Quebec coroner agreed to exhume Gatti’s body at their request. The Canadian government has also formally asked Brazilian authorities for more information about Gatti’s death.
■BOXING
Alexander wins title
Devon Alexander won the WBC’s vacant light welterweight title when former champion Junior Witter quit before the ninth round of their bout on Saturday, citing a hand injury. Alexander, a 22-year-old American, remained unbeaten with a solid performance against the unorthodox Witter, who didn’t appear to take much serious punishment beyond a cut over his right eye. The English fighter’s corner declined to send him out for the ninth, handing the victory to Alexander at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort, just outside Palm Springs, Florida. After the fight, Witter said he couldn’t continue because of extreme pain in his hand, which recently healed from a hairline break. Witter’s decision baffled fans who expected a full fight from the 35-year-old, who had lost just once since June 2000. His arms resting on the ropes, Witter shrugged at fans shouting “Witter the quitter!” from the stands.
■BASKETBALL
Parker to miss Italy game
Tony Parker of France has a mild right ankle sprain and the San Antonio Spurs guard will begin his rehabilitation in the US before returning to Europe, the Spurs said on Saturday. Parker injured the ankle while playing for France against Austria on July 23. He was examined by the Spurs’ medical staff on Saturday. Parker is expected to rejoin the French national team next week but will not be available for France’s Euroleague Championship qualifying round game with Italy on Wednesday, the Spurs said on their Web site.
■FOOTBALL
Mason changes mind
Veteran wide receiver Derrick Mason reversed his decision to retire and turned up at the Baltimore Ravens’ training camp on Saturday. “It was a tough decision, but I think it was a good decision for me to come back,” Mason, who had announced his retirement on July 13, told the Ravens’ Web site. “I still have an intense fire inside me, and I want to play,” the 12-year veteran added. “My family and I wanted to finish it out the right way. I felt like I had left something undone.” Mason, 35, has caught 790 passes for 10,061 yards and 52 touchdowns.
■NASCAR
Stewart loses pole position
Tony Stewart lost his pole position and will start from the back of the pack after wrecking his car during practice for the Pennsylvania 500 on Saturday. Stewart lost control of his No. 14 Chevrolet on a turn on the second lap of Saturday’s first practice and spun into the wall. He was unhurt. His Stewart-Haas Racing crew quickly got to work on the backup. Stewart leads in points and was the pole sitter at Pocono because rain washed out Friday’s qualifying.
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