Alvarez suspended six months after doping violations
LAS VEGAS » Nevada boxing regulators gave Canelo Alvarez a reduced penalty for doping violations Wednesday, potentially allowing him to return to the ring in September against Gennady Golovkin.
Alvarez was given a sixmonth suspension instead of the standard one year for first-time violators. His May 5 fight with Golovkin was called off earlier because of the doping, but with the Nevada Athletic Commission suspension retroactive to February he would be available for a possible fight with Triple G on the traditional Mexican Independence Day weekend in September.
Golovkin (37-0-1, 33 knockouts), meanwhile, announced Wednesday he would fight Vanes Martirosyan (36-3-1, 21 KOs) in Carson, California, on the May 5 date he was supposed to meet Alvarez.
Caroline Bateman, a Nevada deputy attorney general, suggested a punishment of six months from the day of Alvarez’s first positive test on Feb. 17. She said Alvarez also must undergo drug tests, but added no fine was recommended because past fines have been based on future purses.
Bateman said during the commission meeting that Alvarez has been cooperative since testing positive, which was a contributing factor in handing down a punishment less than the standard disciplinary sanction of one year.
Bowen entering NBA draft
COLUMBIA, S.C. » South Carolina forward and former Louisville recruit Brian Bowen is entering the NBA draft.
Bowen, who transferred to South Carolina after being suspended by Louisville amid a federal investigation into college basketball, won’t hire an agent, according to a school spokeswoman and Bowen’s attorney Jason Setchen.
He has not played a game with the Gamecocks since enrolling at South Carolina in January.
Texas Tech freshman guard turning pro
LUBBOCK, TEXAS » Zhaire Smith is turning pro after a standout freshman season at Texas Tech that included several highlight dunks and the Red Raiders going to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time.
Smith said in a Twitter post he is signing with an agent. The 6-foot-5 Smith was no longer listed Wednesday on Texas Tech’s roster.
Smith averaged 11.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the Red Raiders, whose season ended with a loss to eventual national champion Villanova in the East Region final.
Djokovic needs 10 match points to win
MONACO » Novak Djokovic and defending champion Rafael Nadal needed a combined 14 match points to reach the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters Wednesday.
After Djokovic finally converted his 10th match point to beat Borna Coric 7-6 (2) 7-5, Nadal required four in a 6-1, 6-3 win against Aljaz Bedene 6-1, 6-3.