LOS ANGELES — Showtime boxing announcer Nick Charles has taken a leave of absence while battling bladder cancer.
Charles, a longtime CNN sportscaster, has been part of Showtime’s ShoBox series since it began in 2001. The 63-year-old journalist has begun treatment at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.
“Having bladder cancer is clearly the greatest challenge of my life,” Charles said. “Now it’s time for a face-first assault. Like a fighter, just give me one round at a time and I’ll eventually win.”
Cincinnati’s “Duke” Hogue dies
CINCINNATI — Paul “Duke” Hogue, a star center on Cincinnati’s back-to-back national championship basketball teams, died Monday of heart and kidney failure. He was 69. Hogue helped lead the Bearcats to NCAA championships in 1961 and 1962, both times defeating Jerry Lucas-led Ohio State squads in the title games.
• Florida forward Adam Allen underwent a second surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left leg and won’t be cleared to practice until at least mid-September, while forward/center Eloy Vargas could be academically ineligible.
Texas loses another tight end
AUSTIN, Texas — A recurring neck injury will force Texas sophomore tight end Ian Harris to miss the 2009 season. Harris played in three games in 2008 but has struggled to overcome a nerve injury. He is the fourth tight end to be lost for the season to an injury, leaving the Longhorns with Greg Smith and freshman Barrett Matthews.
• California tight end Tad Smith has a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and is out for the season.
Footnotes.
Chicago Blackhawks star Patrick Kane was indicted on misdemeanor assault and theft charges after he was accused of beating up a cab driver over a fare dispute. The grand jury in Buffalo, N.Y., dismissed a felony charge of second-degree robbery.
• The Orlando Magic signed guard Jason Williams.
• Free agent Desmond Mason won’t return to the Oklahoma City Thunder next season.
• Kyle Busch pulled away from Matt Crafton in the closing laps to easily win the O’Reilly 200 truck series race at Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway.
• Sam Querrey upset Andy Roddick 7-6 (11), 7-6 (3) at the Cincinnati Masters in Mason, Ohio.
• Lindsay Whalen scored seven of her 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Connecticut Sun rallied to a 74-69 WNBA victory against the visiting New York Liberty.
• Formula One’s 2010 championship will remain decided by points according to new regulations that left out any reference to a proposed budget cap that nearly created a breakaway series.
• Austrian alpine ski star Renate Goetschl announced her retirement, saying she’s pregnant and can’t properly prepare for the upcoming World Cup circuit or the 2010 Winter Olympics.
• Mike Magee had a goal and an assist to help the Los Angeles Galaxy defeat the Chicago Fire 2-0 in MLS action in Bridgeview, Ill.
