BOXING

BYRD TO DEFEND TITLE AGAINST KLITSCHKO Chris Byrd will defend his IBF heavyweight title in Germany against Wladimir Klitschko on April 22. Marketing company Sportfive announced the fight, which will be staged in Mannheim, Germany. Klitschko beat Byrd convincingly on points in April 2000 to win the WBO title, then lost the belt when he was knocked out by South Africa’s Corrie Sanders.

“It’s a great feeling to fight for the world championship again,” Klitschko said in a statement. “I did beat him five years ago on points, but Byrd is stronger and more experienced today. His victories against top people like Evander Holyfield, Jameel McCline and David Tua speak for themselves.”

Klitschko has a record of 45-3 with 40 knockouts, while Byrd is 39-2-1 with 20 knockouts.

FOOTBALL

ALEXANDER SPRAINED FOOT DURING SUPER BOWL NFL MVP Shaun Alexander sprained his right foot during the Seahawks’ Super Bowl loss and is uncertain if he will play in the Pro Bowl this weekend.

“I didn’t even know it happened, but it swelled up,” Alexander said yesterday.

The NFL rushing champion,who gained 95 yards on 20 carries in Seattle’s 21-10 loss, spoke a few hours before he and six teammates flew to Honolulu for the annual all-star game Sunday.Alexander said he considered the Pro Bowl “an honor” he did not take lightly. He will receive treatment for his foot leading to the Pro Bowl, the third consecutive season he has been selected for the game.

BASKETBALL

DAVIS RELUCTANTLY REPORTS TO RAPTORS Antonio Davis reluctantly reported to the Toronto Raptors yesterday, saying he needed four days to clear his head. Davis was acquired Friday in a deal that sent Jalen Rose, a first-round draft pick and cash to the Knicks.

There had been speculation that Davis, who was traded by the Raptors in 2003, wouldn’t play in Toronto, instead retiring or asking the Raptors to trade him to a playoff contender or buy him out of his contract. “It’s not that bad,” Davis said after practice. “I’m still doing something I love to do.”

Davis said he never brought up the possibility of a buyout. He’s due $6 million in the final 34 games of what might be his final season.The 37-year old veteran left Toronto on bad terms in 2003 when he demanded out, in part over concerns about the education his kids would get Canada. He was booed when he returned as visitor.

SOCCER

MLS DENIES ADU-TO-CHELSEA RUMORS Major League Soccer insists Freddy Adu will play for D.C. United for the “forseeable future,” denying a British newspaper report of a deal that would send the 16-year-old prodigy this year to Premier League power Chelsea.

The Times of London reported that Chelsea is in advanced stages of negotiations with MLS, which holds Adu’s rights, for a transfer fee of about $8.7 million.

Adu has often said Chelsea is his favorite team and his dream is to play in Europe. But international rules make it extremely difficult for a player to transfer overseas until he is 18. Adu will turn 18 in June 2007.

HOCKEY

TOCCHET, GRETZKY’S WIFE IMPLICATED IN GAMBLING RING Wayne Gretzky’s wife and about a half-dozen NHL players placed bets – but not on hockey – with a nationwide sports gambling ring financed by Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet, authorities said yesterday.

At the request of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman,Tocchet did not attend the Coyotes’ game against the Chicago Blackhawks last night. In a statement, the Coyotes said Tocchet “was flying back East this evening to address the allegations in a meeting with Bettman.” Gretzky, hockey’s greatest player, is in his first season coaching the Coyotes and is a part-owner of the team.

Actress-wife Janet Jones was among those implicated, two law enforcement officials told the Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because no bettors have been publicly identified. State police Col. Rick Fuentes said an investigation into the New Jersey-based ring discovered the processing of more than 1,000 wagers, exceeding $1.7 million, on professional and college sports, mostly football and basketball.Tocchet was served with a criminal complaint Monday and was expected to travel to New Jersey to answer charges of promoting gambling, money laundering and conspiracy, Fuentes said.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

VILLANOVA TOPS ST. JOSEPH’S Kyle Lowry scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half, and Randy Foye and Allan Ray each had 14 points as no. 4 Villanova beat Saint Joseph’s 71-58 last night to win the Big 5 title.

– Associated Press