Holyfield appeals his championship loss. Heavyweight boxer Evander Holyfield says he was robbed. The 46-year-old slugger is appealing last weekend’s 12-round loss to champion Nikolay Valuev to the World Boxing Association, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports. Many observers agree that the former champ clearly won the bout. But according to the observers who really matter – two of the three official WBA judges – Holyfield was outscored by the Russian giant. Although Guillermo Perez Pineda saw things even at 114-114, Mikael Hook and Pierluigi Poppi, saw 7-foot Valuev the winner by scores of 115-114 and 116-112, respectively. An angry Holyfield told the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “I don’t know why the judges did that, but it’s an injustice. We’re filing a protest that basically says, ‘We want you to overturn this.’ I just want what’s rightfully mine. I didn’t lose. I won.”

New team, old tricks for Allen Iverson. After vowing that he’d changed his ways at a news conference that introduced him as the newest Detroit Piston, Allen Iverson showed an old habit this week. The recently traded point guard missed a practice without being excused by the team. Pistons coach Michael Curry confirms that A.I. won’t start for Detroit in tonight’s game. He’ll be replaced in the starting line-up by Rodney Stuckey. Iverson also faces an undisclosed fine.

Stephon Marbury criticized after recent loss. The 14-point loss New York suffered this week after playing with just seven men has forward Quentin Richardson lashing out. The player blames guard Stephon Marbury, whose listing as inactive has kept him on the bench this season, but who sat out the game for a second time Wednesday after having a chance to play. Marbury earlier disputed reports that he’d been offered 30 minutes of playing time last week, saying he was told the decision wasn’t his. “He hasn’t played with us all year,” says Richardson. “Regardless of what you have going on with the organization or what you have going on with your coach or whatever, you’re not going to allow your teammates to be left out there the way we were basically being left out there.” Richardson says he doesn’t “look at Marbury as a teammate anyway.” Injuries and trade maneuvering have left the Knicks roster short in recent days.

Francisco Rodriguez to consider offers in Las Vegas. Record-setting pitcher Francisco Rodriguez will start testing the team market in Las Vegas at winter meetings on Dec. 8, says his agent. K-Rod, who had a best-ever save total of 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels, wants a five-year contract of about $15 million a season. The New York Mets, who K-Rod’s agent says he plans to address, are among candidates to become the pitcher’s new team.

Roy Jones doesn’t “know what’s next” after loss. Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe can go through with his plan to retire undefeated, if he chooses, after whipping the formerly acknowledged best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing. Roy Jones Jr. suffered his bloody fifth loss this past weekend after Calzaghe beat him in a lopsided decision. Judges scored only the first round, in which Calzaghe was knocked down, for Jones. The fighter agreed with the judges’ decision, saying that Calzaghe hit harder than he’d expected. Some have urged the once-unbeatable Jones to spare himself anymore embarrassment, now with four losses out of his seven latest fights. “I don’t know what’s next,” says Jones. “I don’t know.”

Serena challenges reporter: “Live the dream!” Think it’s easy being Serena Williams? Well, let her tell you a thing or two – like she told a reporter who suggested that she play through an injury rather than pull out of the Sony Ericcson tennis championships, as she did this past weekend. “I think what I should do is make you work out, have a severe stomach strain and play for the sponsors,” Williams responded. The British journalist said he’d be up for the task, to which Serena laughed sarcastically and answered: “You really should. You should go for it and live the dream!… You know, the dream of working out and sweating and being questioned on your commitment to the game versus your love for fashion and Hollywood and really obnoxious jewelry and all that.” Williams says she once played through a similar injury for several weeks, but was more concerned that she fully recover this time around so she can start the new year healthy.

Texas lineman makes racist post against prez-elect. A University of Texas lineman has lost his spot on the team after suggesting that “all hunters gather up” because “we have a n**ger in the White House.” Buck Burnette says he’s sorry for the Facebook.com post, that he’s not racist and didn’t mean to be hurtful. “Clearly, I have made a mistake and apologized for it and will pay for it. I received it as a text message from an acquaintance and immaturely put it up on Facebook in light of the election…I have to be more mature than to put the reputation of my team at stake and to spread that kind of hate which I don’t even believe in.” Nice words. But isn’t there something kinda illegal about making threats against elected officials?