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Sports in brief

 
Published Aug. 5, 2015

BOXING

MAYWEATHER SCHEDULES FINAL FIGHT

LAS VEGAS — Floyd Mayweather Jr. will return to the ring for the first time since boxing's richest fight ever, facing one-time rising star Andre Berto on Sept. 12 in what he has said will be his final fight.

The welterweight title bout doesn't figure to be nearly as lucrative as Mayweather's May 2 fight with Manny Pacquiao that earned him a reported $220 million. It will still be sold on pay-per-view, even though Mayweather will be an overwhelming favorite to win for the 49th time in as many fights as a pro.

Berto, 31, a Miami native and 2004 Olympian, was once thought of as an up-and-comer but has lost three of his past six fights. Two were to Robert Guerrero and Victor Ortiz, fighters that Mayweather, 38, beat easily.

"I always bring my A-game and this fight against Andre Berto is no exception," Mayweather said in announcing the bout. "He's a young, strong fighter who is hungry to take down the best. Forty-eight have tried before and on Sept. 12, I'm going to make it 49."

TRACK AND FIELD

Official defends drug policy

IAAF vice president Sebastian Coe rushed to the defense of the governing body's drug-testing system and said it was time to "come out fighting" to protect the sport's reputation. Media reports alleged that the IAAF had failed to act on suspicious blood tests involving hundreds of athletes over a 10-year period. "It is a declaration of war on my sport," Coe said. "I take pretty grave exception to that."

OLYMPICS

Rowing calls for water tests

The head of the governing body of world rowing said he will ask for viral testing at the venue for next year's Rio Games, and he expects all other water sports in Rio to follow suit. The move by World Rowing CEO Matt Smith comes after a report showed a serious health risk to about 1,400 athletes who will compete at water venues around Rio that are rife with human waste and sewage.

ET CETERA

PRO BASKETBALL: Jazz PG Dante Exum injured his left knee while playing for the Australian National team.

SOCCER: Real Madrid and Bayern Munich will contest today's final of the Audi Cup (2:30, ESPN2), a four-team, preseason friendly tournament in Munich.

SWIMMING: Australia dominated the 100-meter backstroke events at the world swimming championships in Kazan, Russia, winning the men's title and going 1-2 in the women's final.

TENNIS: Sam Stosur recorded her 500th career victory, moving into the second round of the Citi Open hard-court tournament in Washington by beating Kristina Mladenovic 6-2, 6-2.

Times wires