McLaren won't appeal spying verdict

Woking, England (Sports Network) - McLaren Racing has decided not to appeal the verdict of the World Motor Sport Council in the spying scandal on the Formula One circuit.
The September 13 ruling included penalties of a $100,000 fine and a forfeiture of points in the constructors' standings for the 2007 season.
"We believe the time has come to put this huge distraction behind us," said McLaren chairman and CEO Ron Dennis in a statement. "McLaren wants to win races and world championships. We are fortunate to have, and continue to receive, unwavering support from our employees, sponsor partners and Formula One fans across the world -- all of whom are equally keen that we totally focus on winning this year's Drivers' Championship and the remaining three races of the season."
Despite the loss of constructors' points, the team's drivers were not affected and can capture the championship.
Lewis Hamilton still leads the standings with 97 points, two ahead of teammate Fernando Alonso.
Last week's penalties stem from an investigation that found a McLaren employee had possession of confidential technical data belonging to rival team Ferrari.
Earlier this year, news broke that a Ferrari employee apparently gave documents to McLaren chief designer Mike Coughlan. Ferrari mechanic Nigel Stepney, accused of supplying those documents to the rival team, was subsequently fired. Coughlan was suspended.
McLaren has admitted that information from Ferrari was in the possession of one of its employees at his home, but has always denied that the team used that knowledge to gain an advantage.

"It is clear from the full judgment that the World Motor Sport Council concluded that the charge that a McLaren employee had 'unauthorized possession of documents and confidential information' was proven," Friday's statement from McLaren read.

"Despite the existence of no evidence that the information was applied, tested or shared with the engineering team (which it was not), this possession constitutes a breach of the Code. For this breach of Article 151c, a very heavy penalty has been imposed on the team.

"The major principle of the issue for McLaren is: this information was not used to gain advantage on its cars."

Just three races remain on this year's Formula One schedule, starting with next weekend's Japanese Grand Prix.

Jankovic, Davenport reach semis; Mauresmo falls in Beijing

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - World No. 3 Jelena Jankovic and former No. 1 Lindsay Davenport posted quarterfinal wins, while third-seeded Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo came up a loser Friday at the $600,000 China Open.
The second-seeded Jankovic handled Japan's Akiko Morigami 6-3, 7-5, while the unseeded Davenport won her eighth straight match by ousting fourth-seeded Russian Elena Dementieva 7-6 (7-1), 6-1 at Beijing Tennis Center.
Jankovic and the three-time major titlist Davenport will now meet for a second straight week, as the 31-year-old American doused the Serbian star in last week's quarterfinals on her way to a title in Bali. Last week marked Davenport's first WTA Tour singles action since last September. She gave birth to her first child, a son named Jagger, in June of this year.
Davenport is a perfect 4-0 lifetime against Jankovic.
The former top-ranked and two-time major champion Mauresmo succumbed to Chinese crowd favorite Shuai Peng 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Mauresmo was last year's Beijing runner-up to Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova, who pulled out of this year's event on Wednesday due to an injury...Full Story

Roddick gives U.S. 1-0 lead against host Swedes

Gothenburg, Sweden (Sports Network) - Andy Roddick handled Joachim Johansson in straight sets in Friday's opening singles rubber in the Davis Cup semifinal between the United States and host Sweden.
The former world No. 1 Roddick recorded a 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 victory in 1 hour, 53 minutes in a hard-serving affair on an indoor carpet at Scandinavium.
Roddick launched 30 aces at the 6-foot-6 Johansson, who countered with 23 bombs in a losing effort. The rusty Johansson, who hasn't played on the ATP since the Australian Open back in January due to ongoing shoulder problems, piled up seven double faults on his way to surrendering the first point to the formidable Americans.
The former U.S. Open champ and three-time Grand Slam runner-up Roddick is now 24-9 in his career Davis Cup singles matches.
Friday's second singles rubber will James Blake against the hosts' Thomas Johansson, who is not related to Joachim. Blake is 11-7 in his career Davis Cup singles action...Full Story

Boxing's Huge Fall Season

Hatboro, PA (Sports Network) - The NFL season just kicked off and the baseball season is ending with some very interesting pennant races. So sports fans have their pick of what they want to watch on the tube. But perhaps the most intriguing sport this fall will be boxing, as it is lining up the best fall fight season in recent memory. There are plenty of exciting bouts, including Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera II on Oct. 6th, and Ricky Hatton vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr on Dec. 8th, but two others in particular are most worthy of your attention:

Saturday September 29th, Live on HBO

Middleweight Championship Bout: Undefeated World Champion Jermain Taylor (27-0) vs. Undefeated Number 1 Contender Kelly Pavlik (31-0)

This action-packed affair, is a potential fight of the year candidate. These former amateur rivals have a lot to prove. Taylor has to show that his recent lackluster performances can be attributed to a lack of a marquee opponent, while Pavlik will be out to show that he is a supreme Middleweight knockout artist.

I really believe Pavlik will knock out Taylor, as Jermain has gotten complacent. Whether you attribute it to money or a lack of focus, no one can deny that Taylor is not fighting up to his potential. His last fight against Cory Spinks was one of the worst boxing bouts in the last five years. Pavlik, on the other hand, has looked spectacular, and his win over Edison Miranda was fantastic.

Saturday November 12th Live on HBO PPV

Sugar Shane Mosley (44-4) vs. Miguel Cotto (30-0) for the WBA Welterweight Championship of the World

Rarely do we get a fight where you are going to be guaranteed action, but this is one such event. Make no mistake, if you have the opportunity to scrounge up 50 bucks for this fight, do it. Or if you are on a budget, get your buddies to go 10 dollars a piece. This fight will be worth it.

The bout has it all. A legend who is a little bit past his best - Mosley - and a young superstar looking to ascend to the top of his profession - Cotto. A Mosley victory will put him among the top-5 fighters of the last 20 years. A Cotto victory will propel him into the Puerto Rican legend status that Felix Trinidad once owned. The fight will take place in New York's hallowed Madison Square Garden, home of some of the greatest fights in history. This one might take its place as one of those classics.

You want a pick? Well it's tough, a pick 'em fight in my opinion. I am leaning towards Cotto's youth, but the 36-year-old Mosley is not to be slept on. He is a special fighter and may be able to put together another great performance.

Watch this fight!

NOT GOOD FOR THE GHOST

You have to feel bad for IBF Featherweight Champion Robert 'The Ghost' Guerrero (20-1-1). First, respected hard-hitting Rocky Juarez backed out what would have been a title defense for Guerrero, instead jumping at an opportunity to engage top-10, pound-for-pound fighter, Juan Manual Marquez. Guerrero acquired a different opponent on the same card, Martin Honorio (23-3-1), only to find out the September 15th date was cancelled due to a Marquez injury.

But the best things come to those who wait, and the Ghost will get his opportunity to fight Honorio on Showtime on November 3rd. A prime time date, and he hopes it will be a prime time performance.

"I was a little bit disappointed, but this is boxing and you just have to be ready. I am excited to defend my title," explained Guerrero.

The Ghost is training with his father for this fight and is hoping to join the ranks of some other successful father-son teams, namely Shane Mosley and Jack Mosley. Ironically, he has had an opportunity to work out with the Mosley's.

"There is nothing better to accomplish something huge with your father. It is also a great opportunity to be working out with a great fighter like Shane Mosley," said Guerra.

Guerrero's opponent, Martin Honorio, is not a marquee name, but Guerrero will not be looking past him. "He ain't a pushover. And he will come to fight. You can't look past anybody, because anything can happen."

ESPINO EMERGING

Some might remember Middleweight contender Miguel Espino (16-2-1) from his experience during the first season of 'The Contender.' But since his close loss to Peter Manfredo on that show, he has won seven fights in a row. And he will be fighting Friday, September 21st against journeymen Arturo Ortega (12-5-1), and will be trying to make his way up the Middleweight ladder.

"I am like a mechanic, I like hands-on training," said Espino.

If he keeps on winning, there will be more opportunities out there for him. He is a tall rangy middleweight who can box, and has a chance to do some damage in the near future.

Top seeds Golovin, Bammer ease into Portoroz QFs

Portoroz, Slovenia (Sports Network) - This week's top seeds -- France's Tatiana Golovin and Austrian Sybille Bammer -- highlighted Wednesday's second- round winners at the $145,000 Slovenia Open.
Golovin grounded Italian Karin Knapp 6-4, 6-3, while Bammer blitzed Russian Elena Likhovtseva 6-3, 6-2 on the hardcourts at SRC Marina in the beautiful coastal city of Portoroz.
Two other seeds moved into the quarterfinals here, as No. 5 Russian Vera Zvonareva held off Frenchwoman Nathalie Dechy 6-0, 5-7, 6-4 and No. 8 Russian Vera Dushevina doused Czech Iveta Benesova 6-4, 6-4. Zvonareva and Dushevina will square off in an all-Russian quarter on Friday.
The first round finally concluded on Wednesday, with three matches that were either suspended or postponed because of rain and/or darkness here on Tuesday. Seventh-seeded Argentine Gisela Dulko dropped Swiss Emmanuelle Gagliardi 6-3, 6-4, while ninth-seeded American Meilen Tu got past Croat Jelena Kostanic Tosic 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) and Russian Elena Vesnina outlasted Slovenian wild card Polona Hercog 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-4...Full Story

Golovin, Srebotnik post easy wins in Portoroz

Portoroz, Slovenia (Sports Network) - Top-seeded Tatiana Golovin and Slovenian crowd favorite Katarina Srebotnik highlighted Monday's first-round winners at the $145,000 Slovenia Open.
The Russian native Golovin, who plays under the French flag and lives in Florida, snuck past American Lilia Osterloh 6-1, 1-6, 6-1, while the fourth- seeded Srebotnik dismantled her wild card countrywoman Masa Zec Peskiric 6-0, 6-0 on the hardcourts at SRC Marina.
One other opening-rounder saw Russian veteran Elena Likhovtseva sneak past Czech veteran Klara Zakopalova 7-6 (10-8), 6-2.
The 2007 Portoroz winner will pocket $21,140. Austrian Tamira Paszek beat Italian Maria Elena Camerin in last year's finale.

Kirilenko wins Kolkata opener

Kolkata, India (Sports Network) - Fourth-seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko highlighted Monday's first-round winners at the $175,000 Sunfeast Open.
Kirilenko handled American qualifier Neha Uberoi 6-2, 6-2, while another seed posted a Day-1 victory, as No. 8 Yung-Jan Chan of Taipei double-bageled helpless Indian wild card Kyra Shroff 6-0, 6-0 at Netaji Indoor Stadium.
Up next for Kirilenko will be Russian Ekaterina Ivanova, while Chan will battle Slovakian Jarmila Gajdosova.
In other opening-round play, Aussie Casey Dellacqua drilled Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak 6-2, 6-3, the qualifier Ivanova held off British qualifier Naomi Cavaday 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 and Gajdosova grounded France's Youlia Fedossova 6-3, 6-4.
This week's top seeds are Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli of France and last week's Bali runner-up Daniela Hantuchova. Bartoli will open up against American Vania King, while the Slovakian Hantuchova will encounter Poland's Marta Domachowska...Full Story

Hanescu ousts Starace in Bucharest

Bucharest, Romania (Sports Network) - Hometown favorite Victor Hanescu toppled third-seeded Italian Potito Starace in Friday's quarterfinal action at the $400,000 Romanian Open.
The Bucharest native Hanescu, a wild card this week, sent Starace packing with a 7-6 (7-5), 7-5 decision on the red clay at BNR Arenas.
The only seeded player still standing this week, No. 6 Frenchman Gilles Simon, avoided an upset by drilling American qualifier Hugo Armando 6-4, 6-2 on Day 5.
In other quarterfinal action, qualifier Gael Monfils drubbed fellow Frenchman Marc Gicquel 6-4, 6-2 and Argentine Carlos Berlocq dismissed Russian qualifier Yuri Schukin 7-5, 6-3.
Saturday's semifinals will pit Simon against Berlocq and Hanescu versus Monfils.

Starace reaches Bucharest quarters

Bucharest, Romania (Sports Network) - Third-seeded Italian Potito Starace, the highest-remaining seed still standing this week, highlighted Thursday's second-round winners at the $400,000 Romanian Open.
Starace drove out veteran Romanian crowd favorite Andrei Pavel 6-3, 6-3 on the red clay at B.N.R. Arenas. The 33-year-old Pavel entered the draw as a wild card this week.
Another Romanian wild card did not disappoint the home crowd on Day 4, however, as Victor Hanescu knocked out eighth-seeded Spaniard Albert Montanes 6-3, 6-2 to reach Friday's quarterfinals, where he will meet Starace. Montanes was the Bucharest runner-up back in 2001...Full Story

Davydenko bows out in Beijing

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Top-seeded Russian star Nikolay Davydenko came up a second-round loser Thursday at the $500,000 China Open.
Promising 18-year-old Croat Marin Cilic upended the U.S. Open semifinalist Davydenko in 6-3, 6-4 fashion on the hardcourts at Beijing Tennis Center. Davydenko has now dropped two of his last three matches, including a final four setback at the hands of Roger Federer in New York last week.
A pair of seeds moved into Friday's quarterfinals here, as No. 3 Spaniard Tommy Robredo rolled past South African Rik De Voest 6-2, 6-3 and No. 8 Russian Igor Kunitsyn held off American Kevin Kim 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.
Another upset, albeit a mild one, occurred when German wild card Nicolas Kiefer cut down seventh-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-3, 6-4...Full Story

Raiders' Russell finally signs contract to end holdout

Alameda, CA (Sports Network) - Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell, the No. 1 overall pick from this year's draft, finally ended his holdout by signing a six-year deal on Wednesday.
Although terms of the deal were not released, NFL.com is reporting that the contract will guarantee him $29 million and it could go up to $68 million with incentives.
The previous record for a rookie was when the Detroit Lions gave wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who was picked right behind Russell, a guaranteed $27.2 million. Last year's top pick Mario Williams, a defensive end on the Houston Texans, signed a guaranteed $26.5 million last season.
After a holdout that was the longest in two decades, Russell signed the contract and joined his team on the practice field.
Russell was chosen first overall on April 28, but he missed all of training camp, the Raiders' four preseason games and the regular season opener on Sunday, a 36-21 loss to Detroit, while holding out.
The 2007 Sugar Bowl MVP and a first team All-SEC performer as a senior, the 6-foot-6, 260-pound Russell compiled a 25-4 record as a starter at LSU and was highly touted for his tremendous arm strength...Full Story

Rams place Pace on injured reserve, done for season

St. Louis, MO (Sports Network) - The St. Louis Rams have placed injured offensive tackle Orlando Pace on the reserve/injured list on Wednesday, ending his season.
Pace suffered a torn labrum and rotator cuff in his right shoulder with just under two minutes to play in the first half of the Rams' 27-13 loss to Carolina on Sunday.
This is the second straight season that Pace has had his season cut short due to injury. Last year, he suffered a torn left tricep in November and along with a concussion he missed half of last season.
The seven-time Pro Bowler has been in the league for 11 seasons, all with St. Louis, and he has played in 144 games, starting all but four of them.
To shore up the offensive line, the team signed tackle Brandon Gorin. His last playing time was with New England in 2005 when he appeared in 11 games, including eight starts...Full Story

Hantuchova lands in Bali quarters

Bali, Indonesia (Sports Network) - Second-seeded Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova highlighted Wednesday's second-round winners at the $225,000 Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic.
Hantuchova handled Dutch wild card Elise Tamaela 7-5, 6-3 at the beautiful Grand Hyatt Bali.
A second-round upset came when Japanese qualifier Ayumi Morita mauled sixth- seeded German Martina Muller 6-4, 6-0. Morita will now appear in her first- ever WTA Tour quarterfinal, against Hantuchova.
One other second-round match saw Romanian Edina Gallovits ground Chinese qualifier Meng Yuan 6-2, 6-4, while one final opening-round bout had seventh- seeded Japanese Aiko Nakamura besting Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn 6-1, 6-7 (5-7), 7-5...Full Story

Belichick releases statement on videotaping incident

Foxboro, MA (Sports Network) - New England head coach Bill Belichick released a statement on Wednesday concerning allegations that the Patriots stole signs and spied on the New York Jets this past Sunday.
"Earlier this week, I spoke with Commissioner [Roger] Goodell about a videotaping procedure during last Sunday's game and my interpretation of the rules. At this point, we have not been notified of the league's ruling. Although it remains a league matter, I want to apologize to everyone who has been affected, most of all ownership, staff and players. Following the league's decision, I will have further comment."
At his Wednesday press conference with the media, Belichick only fielded questions about the Pats upcoming game with the San Diego Chargers on Sunday night...Full Story

Buccaneers release WR Boston

Tampa, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released David Boston on Wednesday after reaching an injury settlement with the often-injured wide receiver.
The Buccaneers signed Boston in the offseason and he made the 53-man roster out of training camp. Prior to the season opener this past Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks though, Boston injured his foot during pregame warm-ups and did not play.
Boston was also with the Bucs during training camp last year, but was released prior to the start of the 2006 season.
The seven-year veteran has totaled 315 catches, 4,699 yards and 25 touchdowns in 75 career games. He was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 1999 draft by Arizona and enjoyed four productive seasons in the desert with the Cardinals. In 2001, he caught 98 balls for 1,598 yards and eight scores en route to a Pro Bowl appearance...Full Story

Don't forget about the Pistons

(Sports Network) - It has been a very quiet offseason for president of basketball operations Joe Dumars and the Detroit Pistons. However, the one move that the organization had to make during the summer was accomplished.
The Pistons, who have lost in the Eastern Conference finals two straight years, re-signed All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups to a lucrative, multi- year contract. Billups is the glue of the Pistons, and is the catalyst for everything that makes them successful.
Billups, who was the MVP of the 2004 NBA Finals, averaged 17.0 points, 3.4 rebounds and a team-best 7.2 assists in 70 games during the 2006-07 regular season. The 6-3 Billups, who has also spent time with Boston, Toronto, Denver and Minnesota during his 10-year career, has found a home in Detroit.
A two-time All-Star, Billups teams with Richard Hamilton to make up arguably the best backcourt in the NBA. By keeping Billups in the fold, Dumars has made sure that his squad will once again be one of the top teams in the East. The nucleus of Billups, Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rasheed Wallace will try to get the Pistons back into the championship round for the first time since 2005, when San Antonio defeated Detroit in seven games to win the title...Full Story

Leafs' Bell suspended 15 regular-season games

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The National Hockey League suspended Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mark Bell for 15 regular-season games without pay on Wednesday for having engaged in and acknowledging conduct deemed to be dishonorable, prejudicial to or against the welfare of the league or the game of hockey.
The NHL originally suspended Bell indefinitely without pay on September 4 and placed him in the league's substance abuse program.
Bell pleaded no contest in August to hit-and-run charges and drunken driving, both charges coming from an incident in California last September, when Bell was a member of the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old will serve six months in jail next summer after the end of the season.
The upcoming season is now up in the air for Bell. He will remain in the league's substance abuse program until approval for his reinstatement is given by the NHL, the NHL players' union, and program doctors.
According to the suspension under By-Law 17, Bell's 15-game penalty will not begin until he receives the proper clearance by all three parties. Although he will not be allowed to play during the ban, Bell will be able to participate in practice and training sessions with the Maple Leafs.
"Playing in the National Hockey League is a privilege, and with that privilege comes a corresponding responsibility for exemplary conduct off the ice as well as on it," said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. "Such conduct is a violation of our covenant with our fans, and to the game, and is prejudicial to the welfare of the league."
The Maple Leafs acquired Bell in a draft-day trade in June along with goaltender Vesa Toskala in exchange for three draft picks.
Bell has scored 83 goals and accrued 89 assists in 410 career games with the Sharks and Blackhawks. He finished with 11 goals and 10 assists in 71 games for the Sharks last season.

Andreev bounced in Bucharest

Bucharest, Romania (Sports Network) - Fifth-seeded and two-time runner-up Igor Andreev was among Wednesday's second-round losers at the $400,000 Romanian Open.
Frenchman Marc Gicquel dismissed the Russian Andreev in 6-4, 6-3 fashion on the red clay at B.N.R. Arenas. Andreev reached back-to-back finals here in 2004 and 2005.
Sixth-seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon avoided an upset by pasting Russian Evgeny Korolev 6-4, 6-2 on Day 3 here.
In other second-round action, American qualifier Hugo Armando erased Italian Andreas Seppi 6-0, 6-3 and French qualifier Gael Monfils topped Argentine Martin Vassallo Arguello 6-4, 6-4. Armando will battle Simon in the quarterfinals, while Monfils will encounter his countryman Gicquel.
A pair of Romanian crowd favorites will take to the clay here on Thursday, as Victor Hanescu will face eighth-seeded Spaniard Albert Montanes and Andrei Pavel will take on third-seeded Italian Potito Starace.

Gonzalez, Baghdatis reach Beijing QFs

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Australian Open runner-up Fernando Gonzalez and last year's Beijing champion Marcos Baghdatis were among Wednesday's second-round winners at the $500,000 China Open.
The second-seeded Gonzalez blew past fellow Chilean Paul Capdeville 6-1, 6-2, while a fifth-seeded Baghdatis, of Cyprus, brushed aside Serbian Boris Pashanski 6-4, 6-4. The 2006 Aussie Open runner-up Baghdatis has won his last seven matches here in Beijing, including a title bout victory over Croatian Mario Ancic a year ago.
Gonzalez will battle sixth-seeded Korean Hyung-Taik Lee in the quarterfinals here on Friday, while Baghdatis will face fourth-seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic.
In other second-round action, Ljubicic leveled Serbian Viktor Troicki 6-1, 6-1 and Lee handled German Bjorn Phau 7-6 (7-4), 6-1 on the hardcourts at the Beijing Tennis Center...Full Story

Bengals Get Some Breaks, Outlast Ravens

(Sports Network) - The offense of the Baltimore Ravens tried its best to give Cincinnati a win in its opener Monday night.
When that failed, the officials effectively tried to gift wrap the victory for them.
That didn't work either, but when Ravens tight end Todd Heap failed to hold a rocket of a pass from backup quarterback Kyle Boller in the waning moments, the Bengals had finally been coerced into accepting a 27-20 win that helped kick off their season at 1-0.
Despite committing five turnovers in the game's first three-plus quarters, Baltimore found itself clinging to a 20-19 lead after Ed Reed returned a punt 63 yards for a surprisingly easy touchdown early in the fourth quarter.
The Bengals rebounded, cashing in that fifth turnover, an interception by end Robert Geathers, into a touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to T.J. Houshmandzadeh to give Marvin Lewis' club the lead back...Full Story