Sports briefs for February 25, 2004

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2004 | 10:45 a.m.

The proposed bout between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Paul Spadafora won't happen May 8 at Madison Square Garden as planned, because the New York State Athletic Commission refused today to license the event.

Commission chairman Ron Scott Stevens would not offer details on the decision, but likely was because Spadafora is awaiting trial on charges he shot his girlfriend in October. He remains free on bond, but is charged with attempted homicide and aggravated assault.

Spadafora's promoter, Mike Acri, said the bout still might happen. Acri mentioned Las Vegas and Pittsburgh as possible new sites for the bout.

Spadafora (36-0-1), who gave up his lightweight title in June, and Mayweather (31-0), the reigning WBC lightweight champion, were expecting to meet in a junior welterweight elimination bout with the winner getting a title fight with Arturo Gatti.

Rally defeats Rebels

Cal Irvine scored five runs in the eighth inning to pin an 8-7 defeat on visiting UNLV (5-4).

Williams enters draft

Southern California sophomore wide receiver Mike Williams announced today he has declared himself eligible for the NFL draft in April.

Three coaches out

Three coaching changes in 24 hours in the National Hockey League: Glen Sather stepped down as coach of the New York Rangers this morning, a day after the St. Louis Blues fired coach Joe Quenneville and the Phoenix Coyotes fired coach Bob Francis. Sather will remain as general manager.

Lady Rebels still fifth

UNLV remained in fifth place in the 14-team Wildcat Invitational women's tournament at Tucson, Ariz. Vanderbilt leads the event, which ended today.