CYCLING Basso gives in, admits drug use Giro d’Italia champion Ivan Basso on Monday admitted involvement in the Spanish doping scandal and is cooperating with sports authorities. The Italian rider “widely acknowledged his responsibilities” in connection with Operation Puerto and offered “full cooperation,” the Italian Olympic Committee said. Basso’s lawyer, Massimo Martelli, said his client .Sports briefs (Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune)

There are no signs on the side of the road winding through this mountainous desert landscape to advertise what happens inside the big barn at Richard Lopezs farm.Farmer is left spitting feathers as state declares cockfighting illegal (Times Online)

07.05.07 – By David J. Kozlowski: There was a lot of build-up for the Oscar De La Hoya/Floyd Mayweather fight. While it may not have lived up to some peoples billing of the fight to save boxing, it did provide some insight, and a potential opportunity to really build the fan-base.De La Hoya-Mayweather: Building on the Hype (East Side Boxing)