Teen Boxer Has Pedigree And Promise » AVON (WISH) – Boxing coach Hank Johnson has worked with some of the best boxers in the world — Riddick Bowe, Buster Douglas, Evander Holyfield, and Roy Jones Jr., to name a few. Johnson believes 14-year-old Anthony Sims Jr. will one day be added to that list. • “I saw very early in his career he had the potential to be a world champion. He’s a coach’s dream in every since of the word. I don’t have to look for him when he comes to train, he does everything I ask him to do. He’s got agility, he can think, he can punch and he can box,” gushed Johnson… Jeane Coakley, Edited by Andrew Bonner, www.wishtv.com

“Wladimir wants to feel comfortable inside the ring and at the negotiating table. He was as reluctant to put pen to paper for this fight as he is when throwing a right hand. He’s a mentally weak fighter and has been terrified to take risks ever since he was blitzed by a semipro golfer (Corrie Sanders).” — David Haye

Klitschko Vs. Haye Finally Set For June 20 » LONDON (AP) – David Haye can become a heavyweight world champion in only his second fight at that class. • The British former cruiserweight world champ announced Thursday that he has finalized a deal to fight IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine on June 20…

Boxers Getting Chance On ESPN Telecast » Call it a fight for opportunity. That’s how junior welterweights Randall Bailey and Frankie Figueroa view their IBF title elimination fight tonight. • Their scheduled 12-rounder is the featured event for tonight’s ESPN “Friday Night Fights,” which will take place at Handy Park Pavilion on Beale Street… Marlon W. Morgan, www.commercialappeal.com

Holyfield Says ‘Time Is Running Out’  The end might actually be near for Evander Holyfield. It won’t arrive, however, without one more title shot. • Holyfield, who said he plans to retire by the end of 2009, will meet 7-foot Russian Nikolai Valuev for the WBA heavyweight title Dec. 20 in Zurich, Switzerland. Final contracts are expected to be signed before the end of the week… Jeff Schultz, www.ajc.com

Roach: Oscar – Not Me – Lost Mayweather Bout  MANILA, Philippines— If Oscar de la Hoya loses on December 6, Freddie Roach won’t feel bad about getting blamed for it. • Roach said in an international media-conference call on Monday that de la Hoya blamed him for losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007. • The Hall of Fame trainer rejected de la Hoya’s claims, saying de la Hoya strayed from using his bread and butter, the jab… DOMINIC MENOR, www.gmanews.tv

Check the U.S. boxing team’s sole and remaining medal contender Deontay Wilder’s video at ralphlauren.com. Bring home the gold!

Holyfield Says U.S. Boxing Failure All About Money  BEIJING (Reuters) – Former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield believes the failure of the U.S. boxing team at the Olympics can be traced back to an obsession with money…. — Martyn Herman/Reuters, www.washingtonpost.com