Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao bout closer; Showtime, HBO to talk

The delicate negotiations and long wait for a Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight will move Wednesday to discussions between premium cable giants Showtime and HBO, which are scheduled to sort out a joint broadcast of the super-fight.

Boxing officials with connections to both fighters told The Times on Tuesday that both boxers have expressed agreement over terms of the purse split.

The officials talked under the condition of anonymity because they were unauthorized to speak publicly about the sensitive talks, which have collapsed in previous attempts dating to 2010.

The television part of the deal is not necessarily a slam dunk. There's a fierce rivalry there too, with production controls, promotional shows and budgets to sort out.

There was a dual HBO-Showtime broadcast in 2002 for heavyweights Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson, but HBO's Lewis was the favorite -- he won by knockout -- and HBO produced the broadcast.

This time, Showtime has Mayweather (47-0), who will probably be favored in the bout and is drawing the heavier purse.

One official said, "Nothing's done until it's all done," but acknowledged that if the pay-per-view deal is settled for what should become the most lucrative fight in boxing history, attorneys will draft contracts.

While Pacquiao leaves most of his negotiating to promoter Bob Arum, Mayweather is more hands-on, working alongside manager Al Haymon. 

As The Times reported last week, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas has been selected as the venue and a drug-testing plan, which a source said would be presided over by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, has been approved by both sides.

Although there's a strong mutual push to make the fight, distrust between the parties remains.

On Tuesday, for instance,  the Pacquiao camp expressed reservations that Mayweather would sign to fight and the Mayweather camp speculated that Arum might be more intent on making a Miguel Cotto-Saul "Canelo" Alvarez fight on May 2 -- Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Both worries were shot down by the opposite side.

Mayweather will definitely be represented as the "A" fighter in the promotion, gaining a purse split in the 60-40 advantage, but he has made concessions to get the fight that's expected to settle the debate over who's the best fighter of his generation.

And Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach told The Times on Tuesday that he's received assurances from Arum that the potential Mayweather-Pacquiao and Cotto-Alvarez fights will be comfortably separated on the calendar to allow Roach to train both Pacquiao and Cotto.

Roach said he's under the impression May 2 is the date for Mayweather-Pacquiao,  a Mayweather-imposed condition of the deal.

In September, Alvarez promoter Oscar De La Hoya told The Times he would move off May 2 if Mayweather-Pacquiao was made.

That seemed an unlikely proposition.

Back then.

Follow Lance Pugmire on Twitter @latimespugmire

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

16.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao bout closer; Showtime, HBO to talk

The delicate negotiations and long wait for a Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight will move Wednesday to discussions between premium cable giants Showtime and HBO, which are scheduled to sort out a joint broadcast of the super-fight.

Boxing officials with connections to both fighters told The Times on Tuesday that both boxers have expressed agreement over terms of the purse split.

The officials talked under the condition of anonymity because they were unauthorized to speak publicly about the sensitive talks, which have collapsed in previous attempts dating to 2010.

The television part of the deal is not necessarily a slam dunk. There's a fierce rivalry there too, with production controls, promotional shows and budgets to sort out.

There was a dual HBO-Showtime broadcast in 2002 for heavyweights Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson, but HBO's Lewis was the favorite -- he won by knockout -- and HBO produced the broadcast.

This time, Showtime has Mayweather (47-0), who will probably be favored in the bout and is drawing the heavier purse.

One official said, "Nothing's done until it's all done," but acknowledged that if the pay-per-view deal is settled for what should become the most lucrative fight in boxing history, attorneys will draft contracts.

While Pacquiao leaves most of his negotiating to promoter Bob Arum, Mayweather is more hands-on, working alongside manager Al Haymon. 

As The Times reported last week, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas has been selected as the venue and a drug-testing plan, which a source said would be presided over by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, has been approved by both sides.

Although there's a strong mutual push to make the fight, distrust between the parties remains.

On Tuesday, for instance,  the Pacquiao camp expressed reservations that Mayweather would sign to fight and the Mayweather camp speculated that Arum might be more intent on making a Miguel Cotto-Saul "Canelo" Alvarez fight on May 2 -- Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Both worries were shot down by the opposite side.

Mayweather will definitely be represented as the "A" fighter in the promotion, gaining a purse split in the 60-40 advantage, but he has made concessions to get the fight that's expected to settle the debate over who's the best fighter of his generation.

And Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach told The Times on Tuesday that he's received assurances from Arum that the potential Mayweather-Pacquiao and Cotto-Alvarez fights will be comfortably separated on the calendar to allow Roach to train both Pacquiao and Cotto.

Roach said he's under the impression May 2 is the date for Mayweather-Pacquiao,  a Mayweather-imposed condition of the deal.

In September, Alvarez promoter Oscar De La Hoya told The Times he would move off May 2 if Mayweather-Pacquiao was made.

That seemed an unlikely proposition.

Back then.

Follow Lance Pugmire on Twitter @latimespugmire

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

16.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao bout closer; Showtime, HBO to talk

The delicate negotiations and long wait for a Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight will move Wednesday to discussions between premium cable giants Showtime and HBO, which are scheduled to sort out a joint broadcast of the super-fight.

Boxing officials with connections to both fighters told The Times on Tuesday that both boxers have expressed agreement over terms of the purse split.

The officials talked under the condition of anonymity because they were unauthorized to speak publicly about the sensitive talks, which have collapsed in previous attempts dating to 2010.

The television part of the deal is not necessarily a slam dunk. There's a fierce rivalry there too, with production controls, promotional shows and budgets to sort out.

There was a dual HBO-Showtime broadcast in 2002 for heavyweights Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson, but HBO's Lewis was the favorite -- he won by knockout -- and HBO produced the broadcast.

This time, Showtime has Mayweather (47-0), who will probably be favored in the bout and is drawing the heavier purse.

One official said, "Nothing's done until it's all done," but acknowledged that if the pay-per-view deal is settled for what should become the most lucrative fight in boxing history, attorneys will draft contracts.

While Pacquiao leaves most of his negotiating to promoter Bob Arum, Mayweather is more hands-on, working alongside manager Al Haymon. 

As The Times reported last week, the MGM Grand in Las Vegas has been selected as the venue and a drug-testing plan, which a source said would be presided over by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, has been approved by both sides.

Although there's a strong mutual push to make the fight, distrust between the parties remains.

On Tuesday, for instance,  the Pacquiao camp expressed reservations that Mayweather would sign to fight and the Mayweather camp speculated that Arum might be more intent on making a Miguel Cotto-Saul "Canelo" Alvarez fight on May 2 -- Cinco de Mayo weekend.

Both worries were shot down by the opposite side.

Mayweather will definitely be represented as the "A" fighter in the promotion, gaining a purse split in the 60-40 advantage, but he has made concessions to get the fight that's expected to settle the debate over who's the best fighter of his generation.

And Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach told The Times on Tuesday that he's received assurances from Arum that the potential Mayweather-Pacquiao and Cotto-Alvarez fights will be comfortably separated on the calendar to allow Roach to train both Pacquiao and Cotto.

Roach said he's under the impression May 2 is the date for Mayweather-Pacquiao,  a Mayweather-imposed condition of the deal.

In September, Alvarez promoter Oscar De La Hoya told The Times he would move off May 2 if Mayweather-Pacquiao was made.

That seemed an unlikely proposition.

Back then.

Follow Lance Pugmire on Twitter @latimespugmire

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

16.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Those fast Oregon Ducks are sped to their doom by Ohio State Buckeyes

The speed was stopped. The tempo was trampled. The coolest team in college football was punched in its shiny, swoosh-adorned jaw.

At the sweaty, painful end of their national championship nightmare Monday at AT&T Stadium, the only thing the Oregon players dominated was their aluminum bench.

It sat at the rear of their sideline. As Ohio State finished off a 42-20 pounding to win the inaugural College Football Playoff national title, that bench was full of Oregon players. Some were staring glassy-eyed at the giant overhead scoreboard. Some were quietly crying. Some covered their faces in towels.

"Get up!" shouted linebacker Torrodney Prevot, stalking in front of his teammates, wildly waving his hands. "Get up, get up, get up."

Nobody moved. It was the final indignity. Oregon had been more than just beaten. The fastest team in sports had been rendered motionless.

The dozen or so Ducks left the bench only when the final seconds had disappeared and the gold confetti had begun raining mercilessly down upon their spoiled parade. By the time they had trudged off the field, gold strands struck to their sleek cleats, slowing them one final time.

"It's definitely shocking," Prevot said later, shaking his head. "We had everything in store for them. There was nothing else we could do."

Ohio State wasn't even supposed to be here. Under the old Bowl Championship Series system, the Buckeyes would not have been here. Oregon was supposed to win here. After showing both strength and savvy in wiping out defending champion Florida State in the semifinals, this was supposed to be both coronation and affirmation for the blindingly fast spread system that had dominated college football's regular season for several years.

This was supposed to be all about the Ducks, a fact that was seemingly confirmed after Oregon had driven for a touchdown in less than three minutes on the game's opening drive.

"Then things just went wrong," said Oregon running back Thomas Tyner.

Things like a powerful Buckeyes attack that steamrollered the Ducks for 538 yards, including 246 yards rushing by Ezekiel Elliott. Things like a crushing Buckeyes defense that smothered a Ducks offense that couldn't sufficiently capitalize on four Ohio State turnovers. Things like an overwhelming Buckeyes culture with fans filling much of the stadium with red shirts and ominous cries of "Ohhhhh."

"You know," admitted Tyner, "they played a helluva game."

Once again, being overpowered and outfought has happened to an Oregon team that has long fought the perception it is not big or strong enough. Once again, college football's funkiest uniforms have been stained with blood and flattened against turf. Once again, Nike's team didn't do it.

Oregon is still looking for its first national championship, the Pac-12 Conference has once again been scolded and sent to its room to beef up, and yeah, for the umpteenth time, bring on the bad metaphors.

They were duck soup. They were duck, duck goosed. They had the quack beat out of them. They spent three rocky hours on the Oregon Fail.

Marcus Mariota, the Heisman Trophy winner, made fewer big plays than a third-string quarterback named Cardale Jones who has started all of three college games.

"I mean, it hurts," said Mariota, who was chased and pummeled enough that he actually left the game for a few moments in the fourth quarter. "It's tough to go out with a loss.

Mark Helfrich, the whiz-kid coach, was outschemed by Ohio State's increasingly legendary Coach Urban Meyer while making several strategic mistakes, particularly on a fourth and goal from the Ohio State three-yard line early in the second quarter. The Ducks were down 14-7 and could have used the points from the field goal. They should never have gone for it — that was a first guess here — and if they were going to go for it, don't you at least put it in the hands of your Heisman? Nope. Mariota handed it to Tyner, who was stuffed after two yards, giving the ball back to Ohio State.

"It's a tough, tough pill to swallow, knowing everything that these guys put into this season and how much we want these guys to be successful in the minds of everyone," said Helfrich.

Even with all that, Oregon closed the gap to one point midway through the third quarter. At which point, Jones and Elliott led the Buckeyes on a pounding 12-jab, 75-yard drive that ended in Elliott's nine-yard touchdown run, and the game never felt close again.

"I think they just played their game, to be honest," said Oregon receiver Byron Marshall. "We tried to play ours. It didn't really work out as planned."

The Midwestern game thumped the West Coast game. The big guys stomped the quick guys. It is a narrative that will seemingly never end.

"Ohio State is an amazing team," said Prevot, his eyes wide, as if confirming that this sort of team can not presently be found in the Pac-12, which has now gone 10 years without a national championship.

The Buckeyes truly are amazing, slipping into the postseason at the last minute with a third-string quarterback and dominating it. The best team won. The right team won. There will, finally, be no debate about college football's national champion, and that even means you, Texas Christian.

The new College Football Playoff system works. And in doing so, it painfully revealed that the Oregon way did not. Again.

bill.plaschke@latimes.com

Twitter: @billplaschke

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

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Those fast Oregon Ducks are sped to their doom by Ohio State Buckeyes

The speed was stopped. The tempo was trampled. The coolest team in college football was punched in its shiny, swoosh-adorned jaw.

At the sweaty, painful end of their national championship nightmare Monday at AT&T Stadium, the only thing the Oregon players dominated was their aluminum bench.

It sat at the rear of their sideline. As Ohio State finished off a 42-20 pounding to win the inaugural College Football Playoff national title, that bench was full of Oregon players. Some were staring glassy-eyed at the giant overhead scoreboard. Some were quietly crying. Some covered their faces in towels.

"Get up!" shouted linebacker Torrodney Prevot, stalking in front of his teammates, wildly waving his hands. "Get up, get up, get up."

Nobody moved. It was the final indignity. Oregon had been more than just beaten. The fastest team in sports had been rendered motionless.

The dozen or so Ducks left the bench only when the final seconds had disappeared and the gold confetti had begun raining mercilessly down upon their spoiled parade. By the time they had trudged off the field, gold strands struck to their sleek cleats, slowing them one final time.

"It's definitely shocking," Prevot said later, shaking his head. "We had everything in store for them. There was nothing else we could do."

Ohio State wasn't even supposed to be here. Under the old Bowl Championship Series system, the Buckeyes would not have been here. Oregon was supposed to win here. After showing both strength and savvy in wiping out defending champion Florida State in the semifinals, this was supposed to be both coronation and affirmation for the blindingly fast spread system that had dominated college football's regular season for several years.

This was supposed to be all about the Ducks, a fact that was seemingly confirmed after Oregon had driven for a touchdown in less than three minutes on the game's opening drive.

"Then things just went wrong," said Oregon running back Thomas Tyner.

Things like a powerful Buckeyes attack that steamrollered the Ducks for 538 yards, including 246 yards rushing by Ezekiel Elliott. Things like a crushing Buckeyes defense that smothered a Ducks offense that couldn't sufficiently capitalize on four Ohio State turnovers. Things like an overwhelming Buckeyes culture with fans filling much of the stadium with red shirts and ominous cries of "Ohhhhh."

"You know," admitted Tyner, "they played a helluva game."

Once again, being overpowered and outfought has happened to an Oregon team that has long fought the perception it is not big or strong enough. Once again, college football's funkiest uniforms have been stained with blood and flattened against turf. Once again, Nike's team didn't do it.

Oregon is still looking for its first national championship, the Pac-12 Conference has once again been scolded and sent to its room to beef up, and yeah, for the umpteenth time, bring on the bad metaphors.

They were duck soup. They were duck, duck goosed. They had the quack beat out of them. They spent three rocky hours on the Oregon Fail.

Marcus Mariota, the Heisman Trophy winner, made fewer big plays than a third-string quarterback named Cardale Jones who has started all of three college games.

"I mean, it hurts," said Mariota, who was chased and pummeled enough that he actually left the game for a few moments in the fourth quarter. "It's tough to go out with a loss.

Mark Helfrich, the whiz-kid coach, was outschemed by Ohio State's increasingly legendary Coach Urban Meyer while making several strategic mistakes, particularly on a fourth and goal from the Ohio State three-yard line early in the second quarter. The Ducks were down 14-7 and could have used the points from the field goal. They should never have gone for it — that was a first guess here — and if they were going to go for it, don't you at least put it in the hands of your Heisman? Nope. Mariota handed it to Tyner, who was stuffed after two yards, giving the ball back to Ohio State.

"It's a tough, tough pill to swallow, knowing everything that these guys put into this season and how much we want these guys to be successful in the minds of everyone," said Helfrich.

Even with all that, Oregon closed the gap to one point midway through the third quarter. At which point, Jones and Elliott led the Buckeyes on a pounding 12-jab, 75-yard drive that ended in Elliott's nine-yard touchdown run, and the game never felt close again.

"I think they just played their game, to be honest," said Oregon receiver Byron Marshall. "We tried to play ours. It didn't really work out as planned."

The Midwestern game thumped the West Coast game. The big guys stomped the quick guys. It is a narrative that will seemingly never end.

"Ohio State is an amazing team," said Prevot, his eyes wide, as if confirming that this sort of team can not presently be found in the Pac-12, which has now gone 10 years without a national championship.

The Buckeyes truly are amazing, slipping into the postseason at the last minute with a third-string quarterback and dominating it. The best team won. The right team won. There will, finally, be no debate about college football's national champion, and that even means you, Texas Christian.

The new College Football Playoff system works. And in doing so, it painfully revealed that the Oregon way did not. Again.

bill.plaschke@latimes.com

Twitter: @billplaschke

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

16.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Those fast Oregon Ducks are sped to their doom by Ohio State Buckeyes

The speed was stopped. The tempo was trampled. The coolest team in college football was punched in its shiny, swoosh-adorned jaw.

At the sweaty, painful end of their national championship nightmare Monday at AT&T Stadium, the only thing the Oregon players dominated was their aluminum bench.

It sat at the rear of their sideline. As Ohio State finished off a 42-20 pounding to win the inaugural College Football Playoff national title, that bench was full of Oregon players. Some were staring glassy-eyed at the giant overhead scoreboard. Some were quietly crying. Some covered their faces in towels.

"Get up!" shouted linebacker Torrodney Prevot, stalking in front of his teammates, wildly waving his hands. "Get up, get up, get up."

Nobody moved. It was the final indignity. Oregon had been more than just beaten. The fastest team in sports had been rendered motionless.

The dozen or so Ducks left the bench only when the final seconds had disappeared and the gold confetti had begun raining mercilessly down upon their spoiled parade. By the time they had trudged off the field, gold strands struck to their sleek cleats, slowing them one final time.

"It's definitely shocking," Prevot said later, shaking his head. "We had everything in store for them. There was nothing else we could do."

Ohio State wasn't even supposed to be here. Under the old Bowl Championship Series system, the Buckeyes would not have been here. Oregon was supposed to win here. After showing both strength and savvy in wiping out defending champion Florida State in the semifinals, this was supposed to be both coronation and affirmation for the blindingly fast spread system that had dominated college football's regular season for several years.

This was supposed to be all about the Ducks, a fact that was seemingly confirmed after Oregon had driven for a touchdown in less than three minutes on the game's opening drive.

"Then things just went wrong," said Oregon running back Thomas Tyner.

Things like a powerful Buckeyes attack that steamrollered the Ducks for 538 yards, including 246 yards rushing by Ezekiel Elliott. Things like a crushing Buckeyes defense that smothered a Ducks offense that couldn't sufficiently capitalize on four Ohio State turnovers. Things like an overwhelming Buckeyes culture with fans filling much of the stadium with red shirts and ominous cries of "Ohhhhh."

"You know," admitted Tyner, "they played a helluva game."

Once again, being overpowered and outfought has happened to an Oregon team that has long fought the perception it is not big or strong enough. Once again, college football's funkiest uniforms have been stained with blood and flattened against turf. Once again, Nike's team didn't do it.

Oregon is still looking for its first national championship, the Pac-12 Conference has once again been scolded and sent to its room to beef up, and yeah, for the umpteenth time, bring on the bad metaphors.

They were duck soup. They were duck, duck goosed. They had the quack beat out of them. They spent three rocky hours on the Oregon Fail.

Marcus Mariota, the Heisman Trophy winner, made fewer big plays than a third-string quarterback named Cardale Jones who has started all of three college games.

"I mean, it hurts," said Mariota, who was chased and pummeled enough that he actually left the game for a few moments in the fourth quarter. "It's tough to go out with a loss.

Mark Helfrich, the whiz-kid coach, was outschemed by Ohio State's increasingly legendary Coach Urban Meyer while making several strategic mistakes, particularly on a fourth and goal from the Ohio State three-yard line early in the second quarter. The Ducks were down 14-7 and could have used the points from the field goal. They should never have gone for it — that was a first guess here — and if they were going to go for it, don't you at least put it in the hands of your Heisman? Nope. Mariota handed it to Tyner, who was stuffed after two yards, giving the ball back to Ohio State.

"It's a tough, tough pill to swallow, knowing everything that these guys put into this season and how much we want these guys to be successful in the minds of everyone," said Helfrich.

Even with all that, Oregon closed the gap to one point midway through the third quarter. At which point, Jones and Elliott led the Buckeyes on a pounding 12-jab, 75-yard drive that ended in Elliott's nine-yard touchdown run, and the game never felt close again.

"I think they just played their game, to be honest," said Oregon receiver Byron Marshall. "We tried to play ours. It didn't really work out as planned."

The Midwestern game thumped the West Coast game. The big guys stomped the quick guys. It is a narrative that will seemingly never end.

"Ohio State is an amazing team," said Prevot, his eyes wide, as if confirming that this sort of team can not presently be found in the Pac-12, which has now gone 10 years without a national championship.

The Buckeyes truly are amazing, slipping into the postseason at the last minute with a third-string quarterback and dominating it. The best team won. The right team won. There will, finally, be no debate about college football's national champion, and that even means you, Texas Christian.

The new College Football Playoff system works. And in doing so, it painfully revealed that the Oregon way did not. Again.

bill.plaschke@latimes.com

Twitter: @billplaschke

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

16.38 | 0 komentar | Read More

Home, office of pro-democracy Hong Kong media mogul attacked

Unidentified attackers hurled Molotov cocktails at the home and office of a vocal anti-Communist media mogul early Monday, the latest in a string of attacks aimed at press figures in the semi-autonomous Chinese territory.

No injuries were reported in the attacks, which happened shortly after 1 a.m. In the first case, a hooded figure hopped out of an SUV and lobbed an ignited bottle full of flammable fluid at the gated home of Jimmy Lai, founder and owner of Next Media. The attack was captured on closed-circuit camera in Lai's tony hillside neighborhood.

Next Media publishes Apple Daily, a newspaper popular for its criticism of both the Hong Kong administration and the Chinese central government.

Nearly at the same time, someone hurled a similar flaming bottle out of a moving dark-colored sedan outside the entrance of Next Media headquarters in an industrial park some 12 miles away.

In both attacks, security guards on site put out the fires within minutes. 

Hong Kong, a territory of 7.2 million, is known for its low crime rate, and such attacks are extremely rare. The city, a former British colony, reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, and is governed under a framework known as "one country, two systems" that grants it Western-style media freedoms.

Nevertheless, Lai and other media figures have been subject to attacks with increasing frequency as of late, raising concerns that free speech is under assault in the territory.

In February 2014, Kevin Lau -- a former top editor of the newspaper Ming Pao, another high-circulation daily -- was stabbed by assailants wielding meat cleavers after he ate breakfast at a local restaurant. The incident bore hallmarks of Triad gangs, which operate in the territory.

Lai, who made his fortune in the clothing industry before making his foray into publishing in the early 1990s, has been the most visible financial backer of Occupy Central, the pro-democracy movement that drew tens of thousands of demonstrators into the streets last fall.

During the protests, a number of known Triad gang members were arrested after getting into physical confrontations with democracy demonstrators. Occupy participants said they believed opponents of the movement had enlisted Triad members to attack and intimidate protesters.

In mid-October, anti-Occupy demonstrators surrounded Next Media offices and disrupted delivery of the newspaper for nearly a week. Two men swore at Lai and tossed a bag of animal innards at him.

After the protests began in late September, Lai had been a regular at the Admiralty encampment site and was often seen working under a canopy there.

Lai was also among those arrested in a sit-in in early December, when protesters sought to resist moves by police to clear the main encampment site in Admiralty. After his arrest, Lai resigned as publisher of the newspaper and chairman of Next Media, although he remains the public face of the media empire.

Apple Daily reported that Lai's home has been subject to bomb attacks twice since 1993. Neither case was solved, and media attack cases in the city in general have a low clearance rate.

Police said they were investigating Monday's twin attacks as arson.

"As a city that is governed by the rule of law, we don't condone and I certainly condemn such acts," said the city's justice minister, Rimsky Yuen. "And I trust that Hong Kong Police will do their best to investigate."

Shirley Yam, vice chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Assn., sharply denounced Monday's attacks and called on police to do more to prevent such incidents and solve open cases.

"The Apple Daily and its management have been the target of a serious of violent actions or threats over the past 12 months," she said.  "We are disappointed that no arrest has been made so far.  We call on the Hong Kong Police to take serious action against the attacks." 

"We strongly condemn any violence on any media regardless of its political stance. Some may not agree with the editorial line of the Apple Daily or its management in particular during the Occupy Movement," Yam added. "However, this should not justify any physical attack on them."

In addition to physical intimidation of figures such as Lai and Lau, local and international journalism groups have expressed concern that Hong Kong's once-vibrant media is being cowed by advertising boycotts, efforts by Beijing to interfere in news reporting, self-censorship by reporters, and decision by local Hong Kong officials to deny a broadcast license to an outlet perceived as critical.

Paris-based Reporters Without Borders ranked Hong Kong's Press Freedom at 61st worldwide in 2014, a decline from 58th in 2013 and 18th in 2002. "The Chinese Communist Party's growing subjugation of the Hong Kong executive and its pressure on the Hong Kong media … is increasingly compromising media pluralism there," the group said.  

"China's growing economic weight is allowing it to extend its influence over the media in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, which had been largely spared political censorship until recently" the group added. "Media independence is now in jeopardy in these three territories."

Law is a special correspondent. Law reported from Hong Kong and Makinen from Beijing.

Follow @JulieMakLAT for news from China

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

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Stanford holds off late USC rally for 78-76 victory

USC point guard Jordan McLaughlin returned Sunday night after sitting out two games because of a shoulder injury.

The freshman did not start, but after helping the Trojans rally to within one point of Stanford, he had the ball in his hands in the final seconds with a chance to win the game.

"That's why I came here," he said. "That's what everyone lives for."

Unfortunately for the Trojans, McLaughlin slipped in the lane on a drive to the basket and the Cardinal stole the ball.

Stanford hung on for a 78-76 Pacific 12 Conference victory at the Galen Center.

USC fell to 9-7 overall and 1-3 in the Pac-12.

"We had a chance to win it," USC Coach Andy Enfield said. "As a coach that's all you can ask for."

One game after leading nearly start to finish in a victory over California, USC almost came back from a 13-point second-half deficit against the Cardinal.

But the Trojans could not overcome a Stanford team that made 10 of 25 three-point shots, including nine of 13 in the first half.

Guard Anthony Brown scored 21 points for Stanford, which improved to 11-4 and 3-1 in the Pac-12.

Enfield was encouraged by his team's effort.

"You see the potential in our young players," he said. "That's a very positive sign."

The Trojans were happy to welcome back McLaughlin, who suffered a shoulder injury during a Jan. 2 loss at Utah.

The former Etiwanda High star sat out against Colorado and Cal, and he entered Sunday night's game about 31/2 minutes into the first half.

McLaughlin missed his first three shots.

"I was kind of jumpy," he said.

He regrouped after a few minutes on the bench and finished the game with 14 points, including several down the stretch to put the Trojans within striking distance.

Stanford had extended a 49-43 halftime lead to 75-62 with just less than seven minutes left.

USC freshman guard Elijah Stewart's dunk cut the margin to 77-71, and McLaughlin's steal and ensuing free throws pulled USC to within 77-74 with 1:27left.

After Brown missed a three-pointer from the right corner, Stewart rebounded and fed McLaughlin for a layup that made the score 77-76.

Malik Marquetti rebounded another Brown miss and USC called timeout with eight seconds left to set up its final play.

"You put the ball in the freshman's hands at the end, and you have a chance to win the game," Enfield said. "We'll take that."

McLaughlin received the inbounds pass near half court and drove the right side of the lane looking to either launch a floater or make a pass. But he lost his footing, and Stanford center Stefan Nastic stole the ball and was fouled.

"When I crossed over, I just slipped," McLaughlin said.

Nastic made one free throw, then missed the second, and Stewart's desperation shot fell short.

The Trojans now look to Wednesday night, when they will play UCLA at the Galen Center.

"It should be a fun game," McLaughlin said. "Fun and exciting."

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

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Stanford holds off late USC rally for 78-76 victory

USC point guard Jordan McLaughlin returned Sunday night after sitting out two games because of a shoulder injury.

The freshman did not start, but after helping the Trojans rally to within one point of Stanford, he had the ball in his hands in the final seconds with a chance to win the game.

"That's why I came here," he said. "That's what everyone lives for."

Unfortunately for the Trojans, McLaughlin slipped in the lane on a drive to the basket and the Cardinal stole the ball.

Stanford hung on for a 78-76 Pacific 12 Conference victory at the Galen Center.

USC fell to 9-7 overall and 1-3 in the Pac-12.

"We had a chance to win it," USC Coach Andy Enfield said. "As a coach that's all you can ask for."

One game after leading nearly start to finish in a victory over California, USC almost came back from a 13-point second-half deficit against the Cardinal.

But the Trojans could not overcome a Stanford team that made 10 of 25 three-point shots, including nine of 13 in the first half.

Guard Anthony Brown scored 21 points for Stanford, which improved to 11-4 and 3-1 in the Pac-12.

Enfield was encouraged by his team's effort.

"You see the potential in our young players," he said. "That's a very positive sign."

The Trojans were happy to welcome back McLaughlin, who suffered a shoulder injury during a Jan. 2 loss at Utah.

The former Etiwanda High star sat out against Colorado and Cal, and he entered Sunday night's game about 31/2 minutes into the first half.

McLaughlin missed his first three shots.

"I was kind of jumpy," he said.

He regrouped after a few minutes on the bench and finished the game with 14 points, including several down the stretch to put the Trojans within striking distance.

Stanford had extended a 49-43 halftime lead to 75-62 with just less than seven minutes left.

USC freshman guard Elijah Stewart's dunk cut the margin to 77-71, and McLaughlin's steal and ensuing free throws pulled USC to within 77-74 with 1:27left.

After Brown missed a three-pointer from the right corner, Stewart rebounded and fed McLaughlin for a layup that made the score 77-76.

Malik Marquetti rebounded another Brown miss and USC called timeout with eight seconds left to set up its final play.

"You put the ball in the freshman's hands at the end, and you have a chance to win the game," Enfield said. "We'll take that."

McLaughlin received the inbounds pass near half court and drove the right side of the lane looking to either launch a floater or make a pass. But he lost his footing, and Stanford center Stefan Nastic stole the ball and was fouled.

"When I crossed over, I just slipped," McLaughlin said.

Nastic made one free throw, then missed the second, and Stewart's desperation shot fell short.

The Trojans now look to Wednesday night, when they will play UCLA at the Galen Center.

"It should be a fun game," McLaughlin said. "Fun and exciting."

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

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Kings lose to Jets, but comeback isn't completely pointless

What is it about three-goal deficits on Saturdays at Staples Center?

For the second straight week, the Kings fell behind by three goals, waved a magic stick and rallied. Like last week against Nashville, they came away with a point, losing to the Winnipeg Jets, 5-4, in a shootout.

The issue was decided in the fourth round of shootout as Jets forward Bryan Little beat Kings goalie Jonathan Quick up high. The Kings are 1-6 in shootouts this season and their shooters are in an 0-for-19 slump.

The Kings were able to secure a point with four unanswered goals: by Anze Kopitar, Justin Williams, Marian Gaborik and Kyle Clifford.

Clifford, whose shot went off the skate of Jets defenseman Mark Stuart at 12:25 of the third period, tied it 4-4, set up by Trevor Lewis, who beat Stuart coming out of the corner.

That was the Kings' first lead of the night, a remarkable turn of events, considering they fell behind 3-0 in the opening 6:39 of the game as the Jets scored on their first three shots. But their lead didn't last long, as Winnipeg defenseman Zach Bogosian equalized at 14:04 of the third, beating Quick from the top of the right circle.

All this came against a backdrop of a bewildering day for the Kings. News emerged of a surprise illness suffered by forward Tyler Toffoli, followed by more bad news: Rookie forward Tanner Pearson suffered a broken left ankle during the second period.

Not only are Pearson and Toffoli two of the Kings' brightest young stars, they are among the league's most promising youngsters. The Kings announced shortly before the game that Toffoli, their third-leading scorer, was diagnosed with mononucleosis on Friday.

Kings Assistant GM Rob Blake said there was no timetable for Toffoli's return but estimated he would be out at least two weeks.

Pearson is scheduled to have additional testing on his ankle on Sunday.

Pearson was injured at the 11:08 mark of the second period going hard into the end boards while being checked by Winnipeg defenseman Jay Harrison. Williams, who scored in the first period, had just been denied by Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson.

Pearson limped off the ice and it appeared he couldn't put weight on his left leg.

Earlier in the day, he had been picked as one of the six NHL rookies for the All-Star skills competition Jan. 24 at Columbus. His teammates, Kopitar and defenseman Drew Doughty were chosen Saturday to represent their teams at the league's All-Star game, to be played Jan. 25.

This will be Kopitar's third appearance and Doughty's first. The other Kings-related representation in Columbus will be Darryl Sutter and his staff coaching one of the teams. Nashville's Peter Laviolette will coach the other squad.

"There hasn't been one for three or four years," Sutter said, referring to the All-Star game being skipped last year because of the Olympics and the year before because of the lockout. "I think all our players should be on the team. They played more hockey than anybody else for three years since there was one. Everybody in this dressing room."

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

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