Sports briefs for August 17, 2004

Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2004 | 9:15 a.m.

Former champion stabbed to death

Former boxing champion Robert Quiroga was found stabbed to death on Monday, police said.

Quiroga, 34, was pronounced dead Monday morning at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

A passer-by on Interstate 10 flagged down an officer, who found Quiroga lying next to his car, San Antonio police spokesman Sgt. Gabe Trevino said.

Quiroga beat Juan Polo-Perez in 1990 in England, winning the International Boxing Federation super flyweight title. Quiroga successfully defended the title five times and retired in 1995. He finished with a 20-2 record with 11 knockouts.

Police said Quiroga was stabbed in the abdomen, back and left shoulder, and the incident is being treated as a murder. No suspects are in custody.

Surgery for Boone

Injured Cleveland Indians third baseman Aaron Boone needs arthroscopic surgery to remove loose cartilage from his left knee, and will not play again this season.

Dunphy stays put

University of Pennsylvania coach Fran Dunphy turned down an offer from La Salle University to fill the Explorers' vacant coaching position. The La Salle job became vacant when coach Billy Hahn resigned in the wake of rape allegations involving his players.

NFLPA lodges protest

The NFL Players Association filed a grievance against the Dallas Cowboys on behalf of Quincy Carter, claiming the quarterback was released by the team for reasons not permitted in the NFL collective bargaining agreement. The NFLPA filed for a special master proceeding that would be heard by professor Stephen Burbank of the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

BYU junior leads

Colombia Oscar Alvarez, a junior at BYU, took advantage of a dried-out course following a morning of heavy rains and shot a 3-under-par 67 for the first-round lead at the U.S. Amateur at Mamaroneck, N.Y. A field of 312 is competing, with 36 golfers unable to complete their round when played was called off because of lightning. The second round was to begin today following the completion of the first round.

Easy win for Hewitt

Lleyton Hewitt breezed to a 6-1, 6-2 win over Kenneth Carlsen in the first round of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington. He will face Alejandro Falla, who rallied to beat Justin Gimelstob 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Czechs name coach

The Czech Republic moved quickly today to replace late hockey coach Ivan Hlinka, turning the national team over to former Olympic captain Vladimir Ruzicka, 41. Hlinka died Monday after a car crash. He was 54.

Beckham extends deal

English captain David Beckham extended his endorsement agreement with Vodafone Group by year through July 2005.