Golf's Tiger Woods on his comeback: 'It's a process' | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

After a tumultuous year that included a sex scandal, divorce and a shortened, winless season on the PGA Tour,Tiger Woodssaid Tuesday that he's continuing to improve his game and his life.

"As a golfer I learned so much more this year than any other year, and as a person infinitely more," Woods said after practicing for theChevron World Challenge, an 18-player tournament at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks that benefits Woods' charities.

"So it's been a very successful year even though it was a very painful year as well," said Woods, 34,a winner of 14 major championshipswho's made major changes to his golf swing to help him win again.

Woods has won the Chevron World Challenge four times but has missed the tournament the last two years. He was recovering from knee surgery in 2008, and last year he withdrew because the event came only days after his Thanksgiving night car accident in Florida that set in motionhis sensational sex scandal.

Woods also lostgolf's No. 1 ranking-- a position he held for more than five consecutive years -- last month whenLee Westwoodof England took the top spot.

"My goal is to win every tournament I tee it up in and be prepared for every event," Woods said."But that does entail right now learning a new golf swing that requires a lot of work, some new motor patterns. It's not exactly easy, but it's a fun challenge."

Asked if his inability to win this year was mainly due to his swing, his putting, his late start in April or his mental approach to the game, Woods replied,"It's been all of the above."

"I've dealt with a few things off the golf course, and on the golf course I've had to make some changes in my game," he said."You combine all that together, it's very hard to be effcient for 72 straight holes."

But Woods said he's changed his swing before and, with the latest alterations, he's"showed some good signs" over the last three tournaments."It's a process," he said.

--Jim Peltz

Photo: Tiger Woods signs autographs Tuesday after practice for the Chevron World Challenge golf tournament at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif. Credit: Reed Saxon/Associated Press

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Drew Doughty, Teemu Selanne lead the local teams in NHL All-Star voting | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The overall vote leader in the NHL's All-Star balloting is no surprise:Sidney Crosbyof the Pittsburgh Penguins. After two weeks of online voting, he now has 218,791 votes. 

The nicest surprise? The guy who jumped up to second place while no one was looking. That would be Montreal Canadiens goalieCarey Price,whose 145,726 votes are the most among write-in candidates. That's right.Write-in.Price has been outstanding in goal so far this season.

Tampa Bay's scoring machineSteven Stamkos is third with 141,818 votes. More than 6 million votes have been cast through last weekend.

But what about the Kings and Ducks?

Teemu Selanneis doing the best among Ducks with 25,545 votes.Ryan Getzlaf,Bobby RyanandCorey Perryaren't far behind him, though. Noteworthy write-in totals: goaltenderJonas Hillerhas 9,791,Lubomir Visnovsky7,137 andCam Fowler6,938.

The Kings?

Drew Doughtyis leading the way with 94,606.Anze Kopitarhas 31,923, while the very deservingRyan Smithhas 16,465. Noteworthy is team scoring leaderJustin Williamsas a write-in candidate with 8,486.Jonathan Quickcomes in ninth among goaltenders with 40,140, while defensemanJack Johnsonhas 12,871 write-in votes.

But it really makes you wonder what is going on when former Kings playerSean Avery(he currently ranks third in the league for penalty minutes) of the New York Rangers has 38,551 write-in votes. Even as a joke, this isn't funny.

Through Jan. 3, NHL fans will be able to select up to six players by position -- three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender -– without regard to the conference in which their teams play.

As part of a new format for the 2011 All-Star game, the three forwards, two defensemen and goalie with the most votes will be named first NHL All-Stars.Want to vote? Click here.Meanwhile, here are

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Alcindor the horse runs like his namesake played basketball | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Alcindor, a 3-year-old colt trained byBob Baffert, cost $1,150,000 at the 2008 Keeneland yearling sale. And he runs like the basketball player he was named after,Lew Alcindor, who's nowKareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Alcindor improved to two for two in his racing career Sunday, winning a seven-furlong allowance race at Hollywood Park by 7 1/2 lengths.

He's a son ofUnbridled's Songand could be a horse to watch in 2011.

-- Eric Sondheimer

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Marquez vs. Katsidis: round-by-round updates | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Mexico’sJuan Manuel Marquezwill make the second defense of his world lightweight titles tonight when he meets Australia’sMichael Katsidisat MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Marquez (51-5-1, 37 knockouts) stands as Mexico’s proudest world champion, having foughtManny Pacquiaoto a 2004 draw and a 2008 split-decision loss. Marquez proceeded to claim the lightweight belt by defeatingJuan Diazin the 2009 fight of the year.

He took a big pay day to get beat by the far largerFloyd Mayweather Jr. later last year, then returned to the lightweight division and punished Diaz again in a July unanimous decision.

Katsidis (27-2, 22 KOs) has lost to two opponents that Marquez has defeated in recent years–- Diaz andJoel Casamayor–- but he’s won his last four bouts and is fighting in the memory of his brother, who died recently.

Marquez expressed sympathy, but has his sights set on a third showdown with Pacquiao. Any hope of that requires a victory tonight.

Here's round-by-round coverage of the fight:

Round 1:Marquez starts with jabs to the body. He lands a good right to Katsidis’ face. Another. Marquez is blocking Katsidis’ jab. Katsidis sneaks one in. Good right by Marquez. He works for openings. Good overhand right by Marquez. Marquez wins round, 10-9.

 

--Lance Pugmire, reporting from Las Vegas

Photo: Juan Manuel Marquez, left, and Michael Katsidis strike a pose during a news conference on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Credit: Steve Marcus / Reuters

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UCLA basketball: Bruins trail Virginia Commonwealth at halftime | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

UCLA has fallen behind again, and it couldn't get back up.

The Bruins spotted Virginia Commonwealth the first eight points of their NIT Season Tip-Off consolation game, just as they had Villanova two nights earlier.

And it could have been worse. Much worse.

After falling behind by as many as 11 points, the Bruins had a chance to tie the score whenMalcolm Lee'sthree-point attempt rattled out of the rim at the halftime buzzer, leaving VCU with a 40-37 lead at Madison Square Garden.

The Rams burned UCLA inside the paint and out for much of the first 20 minutes, leading to the early benching of Bruins freshmanJoshua Smith for what appeared to be defensive lapses. But his teammates weren't much better against small, quick VCU.

A three-pointer byBradford Burgessgave the Rams a 34-23 lead before the Bruins started chipping away at their deficit. Junior guardJerime Andersonmade a couple of nice assists, one toBrendan Laneon an alley-oop pass and another toReeves Nelsonfor another dunk.

Then Lee started heating up from long distance, making a pair of three-pointers and a layup off a Smith steal before his shot that could have tied the score rattled out. Lee made three of four three-pointers and leads UCLA with 13 points.

The Bruins committed 12 turnovers in the first half and will have to take better care of the ball to leave New York with a victory.

--Ben Bolch, reporting from New York

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Alberto Contador claims innocence in doping case during emotional TV interview | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Alberto Contadorhas reiterated his innocence over his failed doping test at the Tour de France in an emotional television interview in Madrid.

"I don't doubt (my innocence) for one second because I did not do anything irregular at any time," the 27-year-old Spanish cyclist said in an interview broadcast Thursday by TVE.

Contador is facing a two-year ban and risks losing his third Tour title after testing positive for the banned drug clenbuterol. He claims contaminated meat was to blame.

Contador says it is too early to decide if he would quit the sport if found guilty, but"I can't say for sure that I'll continue."

He hopes his case will be resolved before the end of the year.

--Associated Press

Photo: Alberto Contador: Credit: Eloy Alonso / Reuters

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Kings' morning skate: Martinez in, Westgarth out, Harrold moves to right wing | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Greetings from Montreal, always a wonderful place to visit and too rarely on the Kings' itinerary.

The Canadiens held their morning skate Wednesday at their practice facility but the Kings skated at the Bell Centre and offered a preview of a few shifts in their lineup for Wednesday night’s game.

DefensemanAlec Martinez, recalled from Manchester of the American Hockey League, will play and will be paired withDrew Doughty. That will put a strugglingJack Johnsonback withRob Scuderiand leave a third pair ofDavis DrewiskeandMatt Greene.Peter Harrold, the equivalent of a baseball utility infielder, will move up from defense to the right wing on the fourth line, withBrad RichardsonandTrevor Lewis.Kevin Westgarthwill sit out.

"I want to keep Harry going," CoachTerry Murraysaid of Harrold."He’s a guy that brings a lot of energy and he’s made the adjustment very easily in the past, been a pretty good right winger when we played him there, so he’ll get that look tonight.

"Martinez, well we called him up for a reason. He’s the top scorer with Manchester in the AHL, playing well on the power play, shooting the puck, getting some results on the power play, and certainly that’s what we need, to get that part of the game going on a consistent basis and hopefully he can be a catalyst to help get that turned around tonight."

Murray said he paired Martinez with Doughty"to give a young guy called up a good player to play with. I think they both have great hockey awareness. They’re going to move the puck. They’re going to support each other. And I hope if anything pops up Doughty is able to help him in tough situations."

The changes also put Scuderi, Doughty’s previous partner, with Johnson and reunited a pair that

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Ducks recall Dan Sexton, Nick Bonino and Brandon McMillan | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Ducks recalled forwardsDan Sexton,Brandon McMillanandNick Boninofrom their American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch on Wednesday. The move comes two days after the trio was reassigned, enabling the Ducks to save a few days of salary.

The three players did not play in Syracuse and left before the team practiced on Wednesday.

For Sexton, this marks the second time in five days he's been recalled. He started the season with the Ducks before suffering a broken nose and missing seven games.

After recovering, Sexton was assigned to Syracuse on Nov. 10, appearing in four games before being recalled Saturday. In his first game back, he recorded his first point of the season (assisting on a goal bySaku Koivu) during Sunday's loss to Edmonton.

Bonino is scoreless in 11 games with the Ducks and McMillan made his NHL debut Sunday after playing in 16 games with the Crunch.

-- Austin Knoblauch

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Josh Hamilton named AL MVP | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

In the latest chapter of an amazing story, Texas Rangers outfielderJosh Hamiltonwas honored Tuesday as the American League Most Valuable Player.

Hamilton, who lost four years of his career to drug and alcohol addiction, received 22 of the 28 first-place votes. He hit .359 with 32 home runs and 100 runs batted in, leading the major leagues in batting average, slugging percentage (.633) and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.044).

Miguel Cabreraof the Detroit Tigers got five first-place votes and finished second, with Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees finishing third.Jose Bautistaof the Toronto Blue Jays got the lone remaining first-place vote and finished fourth.

No Angel was among the 20 players receiving votes. The ballot required voters to list 10 choices.

The Tampa Bay Rays selected Hamilton with the first overall pick of the 1999 draft, but a combination of injuries and suspensions derailed his career. In 2006, he played 15 games at the Class A level, his first competitive action in four years.

The Cincinnati Reds acquired him via the Rule 5 draft, forcing them to keep him in the major leagues or risk losing him. He hit .292 with 19 home runs in 2007. The Reds then traded him to the Rangers for pitcherEdinson Volquez. In Texas, Hamilton established himself as one of the game's elite players.

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For one day, Ottawa is the city of brotherly love | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Greetings from Ottawa, where it’s chilly and rainy but so far, no snow.

It’s not the weather that will keep Rhoda Murray, two days short of her 91st birthday, from attending Monday’s game between the Kings and the Ottawa Senators. It’s that two of her 10 children will be involved in the game -- Kings Coach Terry Murray and Senators General Manager Bryan Murray -- and she doesn’t want to root for one at the expense of the other.

"She has favorites. There’s 10 of them," Terry Murray said after the Kings’ morning skate at Scotiabank Place in suburban Kanata.

"Everybody’s a favorite. I think that’s why she doesn’t come to the games anymore.  It gets to be too hard when she’s sitting in the stands watching. But she’ll be watching the game on TV."

Many other members of the Murray clan will make the trip from the town of Shawville, on the other side of the Quebec border, to be at the game, and a local reporter asked Terry Murray which brother their relatives and friends will back.

“It’s one of those games where I think you’re looking for a tie,” Terry Murray said. “I’m looking for a win.”

How does he plan to get it? We’ll have more from him and from the teams’ skates in a little while atwww.latimes.com/sports.

-- Helene Elliott

 

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Instant Amazing: Blake Griffin soars in loss to Knicks | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Stellar, overpowering ... it's hard to describe whatBlake Griffindid against the Knicks on Saturday night without gushing and sounding too over the top after the Clippers lost for the 13th time in 14 games this season.

NBA.com'sScott-Howard Cooperjust tweeted thatRalph Lawlersaid that Griffin had one of the two best games in LA Clippers history. Lawler is in his 32nd year as the voice of the Clippers. The other game he was referring to wasElton Brand'smonster game at Charlotte on Dec. 23, 2005, when he had 38 points, 20 rebounds, five assists and three blocked shots.

Griffin came within three assists of a triple-double, finishing with 44 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. He set the franchise rookie record for points in a game. The previous mark was held byEric Gordon, who scored 41 against Oklahoma City in the 2008-09 season.

The raves, rightly so, were coming in within minutes after his air show and dazzling array of dunks.

"With him being so athletic like that, any time you can get him attacking the basket, it's going to be success for him," said injured centerChris Kaman."It could have easily been 50. He did his typical rebounding night. A lot of those dunks were just exceptional. You don't see stuff like that.

"You are going to see more of that. That's just who he is and how he plays. He even passed the ball well -- seven assists. I was impressed with that."

Once Griffin finished with his TV interview, I asked him, not-so-jokingly, if 50 points was next.

"A win is next," Griffin said."We've got to get a win. All that means nothing if you don't come out with a win."

Griffin spoke about the spectacular dunk where he appeared to climb over the Knicks'Timofey Mozgov, saying:“Randy (Foye)just passed to me at the right time. I think he helped me get up a little bit, once I got on top of him. I don’t know. I just tried to throw it in. I couldn’t get to the rim.”

But he was critical of himself.

“Defensively, I didn’t do too well,” Griffin said. “We can’t letAmare(Stoudemire) get 39 and (Danilo)Gallinariget 31. We’ve just got to keep working. We’re playing hard. . . . Just making sure I stay aggressive, not forcing anything and let it come to me and play with a little better pace.”

He was his typical understated self and talked about things opening up.  Uh, just a little bit.

The dunk over Mozgov, Griffin-ologists, was not the first of that kind. Griffin provided a helpful reminder of a similar slam a little more than a year ago.

"Probably last preseason when we played the Lakers, I think I had a dunk that was kind of like that," said Griffin, of when he posterizedDJ Mbenga."I just kind of threw it in."

--Lisa Dillman

Photo: Clippers power forward Blake Griffin begins to elevate over the Knicks' Timofey Mozgov before throwing down a dunk from a couple feet away. Credit: Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

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U.S. women shut out Italy, 1-0, and near World Cup qualification | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The U.S. women's national team moved to the verge of qualifying for the Women's World Cup in Germany next summer when it defeated Italy, 1-0, in Padova, Italy on Saturday in the first game of a two-game playoff series.

The vital goal was scored in the fourth minute of injury time byAlex Morgan, who had been brought into the game with only five minutes left in regulation as a substitute for former USC strikerAmy Rodriguez.

The teams play each other again at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Ill. next Saturday at 1 p.m., when U.S. CoachPia Sundhage'steam needs only a tie to advance to the June 26-July 17 World Cup in Germany.

The U.S. outshot defense-minded Italy, 3-0 and earned four corner kicks to two for the Italians, who appeared content with a tie until Morgan ruined that prospect with her last-minute goal.

The U.S. has never failed to qualify for the Women;s World Cup and won the tournament in 1991 and 1999. It was forced into a playoff with Italy after losing to Mexico in the regional qualifying tournament, from which winner Canada and runner-up Mexico advanced directly to the World Cup.

--Grahame L. Jones

 

 

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Mexico's Javier Aguirre lands a new coaching job in Spain | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Javier Aguirre, who coached Mexico at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups but was dismissed after the team's 3-1 loss to Argentina in the second round of the tournament in South Africa in the summer, Thursday was named coach of Real Zaragoza in Spain's La Liga.

It will be the third Spanish team that Aguirre, 51, has coached after earlier stints with Osasuna and Atletico Madrid. Real Zaragoza is currently in last place in the league with a 1-6-4 record, but Aguirre said he believes that can be corrected.

"While this project is enormous . . . I like it, it's a challenge," Aguirre said."The league has just started, so there's time {to improve} and we've got a good enough squad."

Aguirre, a former Mexico national team player who also played for the Los Angeles Aztecs in the North American Soccer League, spent four seasons with Osasuna and two with Atletico Madrid, achieving success with both clubs.

-- Grahame L. Jones

Photo: Javier Aguirre. Credit: Claudio Cruz / Associated Press

 

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Mariners' Felix Hernandez wins AL Cy Young Award | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

In a victory for those who look beyond victories to determine the worth of a pitcher, Felix Hernandez of the last-place Seattle Mariners won the American League Cy Young Award on Thursday.

Hernandez, who needed a victory in his final start to finish with a winning record, went 13-12 with a league-leading 2.27 earned-run average.

David Price of the AL East champion Tampa Bay Rays, who finished tied for second in the league in victories, finished second in the voting. Price went 19-6 with a 2.72 ERA.

CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees, who finished second, went 21-7 with a 3.18 ERA, leading the league in victories but ranking sixth in ERA.

Hernandez received 21 first-place votes, with Price getting four and Sabathia three. Jon Lester of the Boston Red Sox finished fourth in the voting, with Jered Weaver of the Angels fifth.

Hernandez becomes the first starting pitcher to win a Cy Young award with fewer than 15 victories, and the first starting pitcher to win with a record fewer than eight games over .500 (in a non-strike season). Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants went 15-7 to win the National League Cy Young award last year; Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals went 16-8 to win the AL award.

Hernandez led the league in innings pitched, was one shy of the Weaver in strikeouts and held opponents to a league-low .212 batting average and .585 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage). In 25 of his 34 starts, he gave up two or fewer earned runs.

-- Bill Shaikin

 

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Tony Parker, Eva Longoria headed for divorce | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

As shocking as it may sound, another marriage involving a sports star and a celebrity is coming to an end.

"Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria filed for divorce from San Antonio Spurs all-star point guard Tony Parker in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday morning, citing irreconcilable differences. They have been married since July 2007 and have no children together.

Longoria, who had changed her name to Eva Longoria Parker, is also requesting that her name be restored to Eva Jacqueline Longoria. The couple had a prenuptial agreement, according to the filing.

-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Eva Longoria and Tony Parker attend the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's 33rd Annual Awards Gala at the Washington Convention Center in September. Credit: Olivier Douliery / EPA

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UCLA basketball: Will eight be enough against Pacific? | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The loss of UCLA shooting guardsMalcolm LeeandMatt Carlinoto injuries potentially leaves the Bruins with only eight available scholarship players for their second-round game in the NIT Season Tip-Off on Tuesday night at Pauley Pavilion against Pacific.

Only one of the eight -- freshmanTyler Lamb-- is a shooting guard. And he made only one of 10 shots Monday during UCLA's 79-69 victory over Pepperdine, missing all four of his three-point attempts.

"He got a lot of wide-open looks that he'll normally knock down," Bruins sophomore forwardTyler Honeycuttsaid of Lamb,"so I think {Tuesday} he'll knock a couple of more down."

Lee sprained his left ankle less than six minutes into the game against the Waves, limping off the court. Though X-rays were negative, CoachBen Howlandsaid Lee couldn't walk on the ankle and was definitely out for the game against Pacific.

Carlino, who suffered a concussion when he fell during practice on Nov. 8, has resumed shooting, but Howland said his status was uncertain.

"He hasn't played in a week," Howland said,"so it would be hard to throw him into a game when he hasn't even practiced since he hurt his head."

Howland was pleased with how his young and shorthanded team responded to an eight-point deficit late in the first half against the Waves, rattling off a 26-2 run to take control.

"It's a very young team, and we're going to have periods like we had in the first half," Howland said."I was just happy how we rebounded from that."

-- Ben Bolch

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Lisa Leslie, Michael Strahan to be honored at March of Dimes luncheon in N.Y. | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Lisa Lesliewill be honored as sportswoman of the year andMichael Strahanas sportsman of the year at the 27th annual March of Dimes sports luncheon on Dec. 1 in New York.

Leslie, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time WNBA MVP, led the league in scoring (6,263) and rebounding (3,307) when she retired in 2009.

Strahan was a seven-time Pro Bowler for the New York Giants and earned NFL defensive player of the year honors in 2001 after recording a single-season record 22.5 sacks. He's currently an analyst on"Fox NFL Sunday."

Past award recipients have includedMickey Mantle,Cal Ripken Jr.,Andre Agassi,Venus Williams,Patrick EwingandAnnika Sorenstam. Reservations for the luncheon can be made by calling (212) 353-1143 or e-mailing jcarlo@marchofdimes.com.

-- Melissa Rohlin

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Oregon and Auburn remain top two in polls; Boise State jumps TCU into third | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The top three college football teams entering the weekend all survived scares from lesser opponents, but only Texas Christian paid for it in Sunday's latest USA Today coaches and Associated Press polls.

Oregon remained No.1 in both indexes despite a tense 15-13 victory at California and Auburn remained No. 2 after a come-from-behind, 49-31 home win over Georgia.

TCU, however, paid a price for defeating unranked San Diego State by only five points, 40-35, falling to No. 4 in the polls behind Boise State, which scored an overwhelming 52-14 win over Idaho on Friday.

TCU's stock drop was also influenced by Utah's 28-3 defeat at Notre Dame. TCU had jumped Boise State last week after a big win at Utah, then ranked No. 5 in the Bowl Championship Series standings. The loss to Notre Dame, however, dropped Utah to No. 24 in the coaches' poll and No. 25 in the AP.

This week's AP top 10 is Oregon, Auburn, Boise State, TCU and Louisiana State, followed by Wisconsin,  Stanford, Ohio State, Nebraska and Alabama.

The coaches' poll has the same top four, but Wisconsin at No. 5, followed by LSU, Ohio State, Stanford, Nebraska and Oklahoma State.

The poll battle between Boise State and TCU could be important if Oregon and Auburn win out and play for the BCS title on Jan. 10. In that scenario, the Rose Bowl is obligated this year to take the highest-ranked school from a"non-AQ" (automatic qualifier) conference, which will almost certainly be either Boise State or TCU.

Also, if Oregon or Auburn were to lose a game, the No. 3 team might be in line to become the first non-AQ to qualify for the BCS title.

 

chris.dufresne@latimes.com

 

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Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. anticipates Anaheim fight | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The transition ofJulio Cesar Chavez Jr. from novelty to title contender will make an important stop Dec. 4 in Anaheim, when the son of the Mexican boxing legend headlines a pay-per-view card at Honda Center versusAlfonso Gomez.

"This guy's few losses are against great fighters," Chavez Jr. said, referring toMiguel CottoandPeter Manfredo."Winning for me lends credibility. I know it's up to me to prove I can beat these types of guys."

Chavez (41-0-1, 30 KOs) last beat the previously undefeatedJohn Duddyearlier this year in Texas. He's working withManny Pacquiao's trainer,Freddie Roach, and is now talking about moving from Gomez to a shot at world junior-middleweight champion Cotto of Puerto Rico.

"If I beat this guy convincingly, why shouldn't I get the big fights?" Chavez Jr. asked."Miguel Cotto, to me, is a legend, a champion. It'd be a dream come true."

Cotto, recovering from shoulder surgery, is currently without an early 2011 fight and could be scheduled against either of tonight's fighters, Pacquiao orAntonio Margarito, or Chavez, given the circumstances.

A strong pay-per-view draw, Chavez Jr. has also been discussed as a possible foe of Mexico's popularSaul"Canelo" Alvarez, the problem being the fighters' respective promoters aren't dealing with each other.

"That's a big fight," said Chavez's co-promoter,Fernando Beltran. 

"Everyone expects that fight to happen," Chavez Jr. said."For me, now, Gomez is a lot better than Alvarez." 

Chavez said his father for the first time ever won't be able to attend one of his fights. He said the elder Chavez is scheduled to undergo ankle and nose surgeries.

"People expect me to be him -- I can't," Chavez Jr. said."But I do enjoy having those people behind me and I know I need to give them a great performance. I look forward to being there, fighting in {Anaheim}, I have family in that area, and I haven't fought there in a long time."

-- Lance Pugmire

Photo: (L-R) Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Nonito Donaire and Alfonso Gomez pose during a press conference for their big fights on Top Rank's "In Harm's Way" card to be held at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Saturday, Dec. 4. Credit: Chris Farina / Top Rank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Referee, judges named for Pacquiao-Margarito bout | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has namedLaurence Colethe referee for Saturday'sManny Pacquiao-Antonio Margaritobout at Cowboys Stadium.

Cole is the son of veteran Texas boxing commissionerDickie Cole.

The elder Cole told The Times earlier this year that Texas' decision to reinstate Margarito to boxing after his plaster-hand wraps scandal in California was prudent, arguing even if the loaded wraps weren't confiscated from the Tijuana fighter before his 2009 bout at Staples Center it wouldn't have made that big of a difference.

Laurence Cole worked a 2003 fight involving Pacquiao, and he was involved in the controversialAndre Dirrell-Arthur Abrahambout in Detroit this year.

Pacquiao's trainer,Freddie Roach, has said Texas will allow him to place a representative inside Margarito's locker room Saturday from the time of his arrival, through the hand-wrapping procedure until he walks out to the ring.

Texas also announced the judges will be Germany'sJuergen Langos, who worked theJulio Cesar Chavez Jr.-John Duddyfight in San Antonio earlier this year, and Texas judgesGlen CrockerandOren Schellenberger.

-- Tecate is offering a $25 rebate for Saturday's $54.95 pay-per-view with the purchase of a 12-pack of beer.

-- HBO will broadcast its fourth and final segment of the"24/7" reality series Friday night at 9:30 EST, 6:30 PST if you have HBO East on DirecTV. Last week's episode was the highest-rated since the 2007 series featuringFloyd Mayweather Jr. andOscar De La Hoya.

-- The Times will have full coverage later Friday of the Pacquiao-Margarito weigh-in at Cowboys Stadium, here at the Fabulous Forum and onTwitter.com/latimespugmire.

-- Lance Pugmire

 

 

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Poll: Who will win the Pacquiao-Margarito fight? | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Manny Pacquiao fights Antonio Margarito on Saturday night in Dallas for the World Boxing Council junior-middleweight championship in what could be the fight of the year. Boxing writer Lance Pugmire will provide live round-by-round accounts on latimes.com, beginning with pre-fight reports at 6:30 p.m. Those who are watching the pay-per-view spectacle will have the opportunity to vote on who won each round and the fight overall while checking out Pugmire’s analysis and columnist Bill Dwyre’s unique perspective at the conclusion of the bout.

So, to get the polling off to a flying start, who who do you think will win the Pacquiao-Margarito fight? Vote now, then leave a comment letting us know why you voted the way you did.

  

-- Houston Mitchell

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Anaheim Ducks send Dan Sexton, Matt Beleskey to Syracuse | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The Ducks assigned right wingDan Sextonand left wingMatt Beleskeyto the Syracuse Crunch, Anaheim's primary development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Both players are coming back from injuries.

Sexton, 23, had surgery two weeks ago to repair his broken nose -- the result of being hit by a puck in a game at Detroit. He has missed seven games so far. He has no goals or assists yet this season, but has appeared in only seven games. 

As a rookie last season, the speedster scored nine goals and 10 assists in 41 games, leading all Ducks rookies in assists and points.

Beleskey, 22, has appeared in 10 games this season and has two assists. He has missed the last six games after suffering a concussion in a game at Dallas on Oct. 26.

Last season, as a rookie, he collected 11 goals and seven assists in 60 games.

-- Debbie Goffa

 

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Court orders Mayweather to stay away from sons | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

A Las Vegas court has ordered boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. to stay away from his former girlfriend and their two sons after prosecutors say he hit her and threatened to beat his children if they called 911.

Mayweather skipped a hearing Tuesday before Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Diana Sullivan on eight misdemeanor and felony charges. Sullivan gave Mayweather a week to pay $31,000 in bail.

Authorities allege Mayweather took mobile phones belonging to Josie Harris and their sons after the Sept. 9 dispute.

Mayweather faces charges of felony coercion, grand larceny and robbery, and misdemeanor domestic battery and harassment.

He could face up to 34 years in prison if convicted on all charges. He is due back in court Jan. 24.

-- Associated Press

Photo: Floyd Mayweather Jr. exits the Clark County Detention Center in September. Credit: Isaac Brekken / Associated Press

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I hope Hall of Fame jackets fit Cammi Granato, Angela James | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Angela James, known as the Wayne Gretzky of women’s hockey, and Cammi Granato, a pioneer in the sport in the United States, will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame Monday night in Toronto, and it’s a historic occasion.

They will be the first female players to become Honoured Members in a ceremony that will be televised nationally across Canada and in the U.S. on the NHL Network. It’s a wonderful occasion, and I wish all the best to them and to former player Dino Ciccarelli and the two inductees in the builder’s category, Detroit Red Wings executive Jimmy Devellano and the late Daryl Seaman, who was instrumental in bringing the Flames to Calgary.

But I have a special bit of advice for James and Granato:

Make sure your Hall of Fame blazer fits.

Here’s the back story:

In 2005, I was fortunate enough to win the Elmer Ferguson award, which is awarded to print journalists for their contributions in covering the sport. Media honorees aren’t considered full-fledged members of the Hall but they do get a plaque in the media section of the Hall as well as a blazer with a patch designating them a media honoree.

I was stunned and delighted and overwhelmed when Hall of Fame executives, who had never worked with a female winner before, told me they wanted to be sure everything would be right with the blazer I would receive at the afternoon induction ceremony and would wear when I was introduced on TV that night.

When I arrived in Toronto they took me to a tailor shop and gave me a choice of two blazers: a men’s 52 short and a men’s 52 long.

Neither came close to fitting properly and the Hall executives were apologetic, promising they’d substitute a better-fitting blazer very soon.

That never happened, but I don’t think I’d trade mine in now. It provided another great memory on an unforgettable day.

I’m told thatGranato will have a correctly sized blazer. I hope the same is true for James. It would be only fitting to get the fit right on this historic day.

-- Helene Elliott

 

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Fun, frivolity -- and a Kings game too | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

There was a great atmosphere at the Kings’ morning skate Saturday in El Segundo, with players wearing mullet wigs in honor of the formerly mulledRyan Smyth, who will play his 1,000th NHL game Saturday night.

Smyth (pictured at left before Saturday night's game) was surprised by the gesture— and thoroughly confused for a moment when teammate

started calling everyone“Smitty.”

But he appreciated the gesture and the prospect of seeing 50 to 60 friends and relatives come to town for the game. The Kings and the NHL will honor him in a pregame ceremony next Thursday.

“It’s a special moment for me,” he said.

We’ll have more later on Smyth, who shows no signs of fading as he reaches his milestone.

There’s also a game to be played, and a fairly important game it is for the Kings, who are 5-0-0 at home this season but have been beaten by the Predators five straight times at home.

“They’re a fast team. They’ve always shown the puck tenacity. They’re on it quickly. They’re over top of you,” CoachTerry Murraysaid.“If you make one error with a  pass they’re going to hunt you down and make you pay the price, whether it’s a goal or a great scoring chance.

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UCLA basketball teams to hold Dribble for the Cure event | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The UCLA men's and women's basketball teams will hold a Dribble for the Cure event Sunday morning on campus to raise money for pediatric cancer research and treatment.

Participants will dribble a basketball along a 1.2-mile course through campus, starting at Drake Stadium and ending at Pauley Pavilion. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m., with a welcome ceremony at Drake Stadium at 10 a.m.

More than 750 participants raised more than $90,000 last year, the second year the event was held.

"Our goal is to cure all children with cancer and minimize the effects of treatment," saidDr. Kathy Sakamoto, chief of the division of pediatric hematology/oncology at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA."This event makes a significant impact in improving the lives of all of our patients."

At the conclusion of the event, participants will be able to obtain autographs and pose for pictures with the UCLA men's and women's basketball teams. Each participant is asked to bring his or her own basketball.

For more information, go towww.dribbleforthecure.comor call (949) 859-6312 or (800) 354-7273.

--Ben Bolch

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Pacific 10 Conference releases 2011 football schedule | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

 

The honor of playing the first game in Pac-12 football history next season goes to one of its newest members, Utah, which opens at home on Sept.1 against Montana State.

The conference, which expands from 10 to 12 teams next year with the addition of Utah and Colorado, released its 2011 schedule on Friday.

The new Pac-12 will divide into North and South divisions and host its first title game on Dec. 3 at the site of the team with the best overall conference record.

Colorado's first game as a member of the Pac-12 is a Sept. 3 nonconference game at Hawaii.

Utah's first game against a Pac 12 team will be Sept. 10 at USC. Utah hosts UCLA on Nov. 12.

USC plays at Colorado on Nov. 5 and Colorado is at UCLA on Nov. 19.

The teams in the Pac-12 South are USC, UCLA, Arizona State, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. The North is Stanford, Cal, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington and Washington State.

Each team will play every team in its own division, plus four crossover games. USC and UCLA, however, will continue to play North teams Cal and Stanford every season.

Some of the Pac-12's marquee nonleague matchups include Louisiana State versus Oregon on Sept. 3, Oregon State at Wisconsin and Arizona at Oklahoma State on Sept. 10, Texas at UCLA on Sept. 17, and Colorado at Ohio State on Sept. 24.

The 2012 schedule will include the same set of opponents as 2011, with the games played at opposite sites. The dates have not yet been determined.

-- Chris Dufresne

 chris.dufresne@latimes.com 

Photo: Football game at Rice Eccles Stadium home of the University of Utah. Credit: Brenton Walker.

 

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Will it be UCLA or Duke for top point guard Quinn Cook? | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The biggest drama of the day regarding UCLA basketball could come a few hours before the Bruins play their exhibition opener against Westmont at Pauley Pavilion.

Highly rated point guardQuinn Cookof Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy is expected to announce whether he is committing to UCLA or to Duke sometime after 2 p.m. PDT, Oak Hill CoachSteve Smithtold The Times in a brief phone conversation Thursday morning.

Duke is considered the front-runner for Cook, who averaged 20 points, five assists and three rebounds last season as a junior for Hyattsville (Md.) DeMatha High. One factor potentially working against the Blue Devils is the uncertain status of freshman point guardKyrie Irving, who could opt to return for a second college season in the wake of an expected NBA lockout next summer.

Cook would almost certainly be able to start immediately at UCLA, even with junior guards Lazeric JonesandJerime Andersonexpected to return. But Westwood is a long way from home for the Maryland native.

-- Ben Bolch

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Poll: Which will happen first -- Lakers lose or Clippers win? | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Here in L.A. we have two NBA teams with perfect records -- well, sort of. The Lakers are 4-0, including a 24-point victory over Golden State and a 19-point win over Memphis. And the Clippers are 0-4, losing their games by an average of nearly 14 points.

But nothing lasts forever (it just might seem that way for Clippers fans). Which streak do you think will end first? Vote, then leave a comment telling us why you voted the way you did.

-- Chuck Schilken

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Angels' Roenicke gets Brewers job, source says | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

Reports out of Milwaukee say that Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke has been given the job as manager of the Brewers. A source close to the team confirmed the reports early Tuesday afternoon. Messages left for Roenicke were not immediately returned. Considered to be Angels Manager Mike Scioscia's right-hand man, Roenicke interviewed for the vacant job last month.

Others known to have interviewed for the job include Bobby Valentine, Bob Melvin and Joey Cora. An official announcement is not expected until the other parties have been notified.

Roenicke is the third coach from the Angels' staff to get a managing job in the last five years, joining former bench coach Joe Maddon, hired by the Tampa Bay Rays after the 2005 season, and pitching coach Bud Black, hired by the San Diego Padres following the 2006 season. Maddon has gone on to win two division titles and an American League pennant in the last three years, while Black and his low-budget Padres battled the world-champion San Francisco Giants to the last day of the season before losing the N.L. West division race.

-- Kevin Baxter

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Kings are No. 1 -- is that an omen? | The Fabulous Forum | Los Angeles Times

The NHL sent out a press release Monday that included some interesting notes:

The October portion of the 2010-11 regular-season schedule concluded Saturday with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings atop the Eastern and Western conferences, respectively. The Lightning (7-2-1, .750) placed first in the East in October for the first time, while the Kings (8-3-0, .727) topped the West for the first time since 1990-91.

A first-place perch in the conference through Oct. 31 does not guarantee a ring and a parade next June, although seven of the past 12 Stanley Cup champions did lead their conference at that season milestone. The past 12 Stanley Cup-winning clubs are a combined 94-23-17 (.765) in October of their championship season.

First place in the conference has served as a reliable playoff predictor over the years. Only twice in the past 24 seasons has a team missed the playoffs after leading its conference at the end of October. The Philadelphia Flyers missed the Eastern Conference playoffs in 1993-94 and the Toronto Maple Leafs missed the Campbell Conference playoffs in 1988-89. But with just six points separating the top 12 teams in each conference this season, no club can afford to take its foot off the accelerator.

For a look at how past early leaders fared,click herefor the beautiful PDF.

-- Helene Elliott

Photo: Jake Muzzin, left, Jarret Stoll and Dustin Brown of the Kings. Credit: Jeff Gross / Getty Images

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