Sports briefs for June 28, 2005

Tuesday, June 28, 2005 | 9:24 a.m.

Promoter puts North, South Korea in the ring

In Seoul, South Korea, a sports promoter has a different idea about how North Korea and South Koreas should reconcile. He thinks they should use their fists.

Female boxers from the two countries will fight each other for the first time today in the North's capital of Pyongyang in bouts sponsored by Park Sang-kwon's newly created World Boxing Council Female.

"This is the power of sports bringing the North and South closer," Park said last week by fax from North Korea.

But Park's ambitions to use boxing to improve relations between the Koreas are causing a tussle of their own in the world of women's boxing.

The California-based International Female Boxers Association, one of the two main sanctioning bodies for women's boxing, said last week it would vacate the titles of two North Korean fighters set to box: Kim Kwang Ok and Ryu Myung Ok. The IFBA has refused to sanction the Pyongyang matches.

California court says Angels' name can stay

The Angels can continue using Los Angeles in their name, a state appeals court ruled Monday.

The 4th District Court's ruling, to be made public today, was revealed by the city of Anaheim. The ruling upholds a decision by an Orange County Superior Court judge denying the city's bid for a preliminary injunction to block the name change.

The team is billing itself as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

"Though we are disappointed, we are not dismayed at the ruling and are anxious to read the justices' opinions," said Andrew Guilford, co-counsel for the city.

Bucks' Ford cleared for full contact

Milwaukee Bucks point guard T.J. Ford, who missed this season because of a spinal cord injury, has been cleared for full contact practices and doctors said his prognosis for a normal basketball career is "excellent."

Ford, 22, was injured in a game on Feb. 24, 2004, when he fell hard to the floor after being fouled on a drive to the basket. He had to be carried off on a stretcher and underwent spinal surgery last May.

Ford's injury was slow to heal and the Bucks struggled without him this season, finishing in last place in the Eastern Conference's Central Division with a 30-52 record.

Wilcox could not provide proof the gun belonged to him or that he had a permit, police said. He was charged with transporting a handgun in a vehicle and was released on his own recognizance, police added. A passenger was not charged.

-- Sun wire services