IOC recognizes governing body opening door for spot at 2028 L.A. Olympics

LAUSANNE, Switzerland >> The International Olympic Committee has taken a key step toward retaining boxing on the program for the Los Angeles Games in 2028 as it recognized a new governing body for the sport.

The IOC board granted provisional recognition Wednesday to World Boxing, a group which was founded in 2023 as a breakaway from the long-established but troubled International Boxing Association, and has picked up many former IBA members.

The IOC suspended the IBA in 2019 following long-running disputes over governance, its finances and the integrity of bouts and judging, and took the rare step of banishing it from the Olympic movement entirely in 2023, shortly after the World Boxing breakaway.

Union, Boston College announce program to help players finish their degree

NHL players who want to complete their college degrees will have a smoother pathway thanks to an agreement announced Wednesday between their union and Boston College.

The deal would ease the way for current and former players to graduate from BC’s Woods College of Advancing Studies, an arm of the university that offers flexible routes to certificates and degrees for non-traditional students. Among the alums: NHL Players Association executive director Marty Walsh.

Rangers’ Fox going on IR with upper-body injury

New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox is going on injured reserve with an upper-body injury, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.

Fox is expected to miss some time but should return before the end of the regular season, the person said.

Fox, 27, got hurt in the third period of the Rangers’ 5-1 win Tuesday night at the Islanders.

Missouri’s Pingeton announces resignation effective at end of season

COLUMBIA, Mo. >> Missouri coach Robin Pingeton, whose team is tied for last place in the Southeastern Conference, announced her resignation effective at the end of the season.

The Tigers (13-16, 2-12) are headed toward their second straight losing season and sixth in a row in SEC play. Pingeton is 249-216 in 15 seasons at Missouri.

ROSEMONT, Ill.>> Northwestern will be assessed two forfeits for not playing January road games at No. 2 UCLA and No. 4 Southern California, the Big Ten announced Wednesday.

Northwestern had announced Jan. 10 it would not to travel to play UCLA on Jan. 12 and USC on Jan. 15 because of concerns over wildfires in the Los Angeles area. UCLA had offered to play at an off-campus location.

Woodland receives PGA Tour Courage Award as he returns from brain surgery

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. >> Former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland was honored with the PGA Tour Courage Award as he returns from brain surgery to remove a lesion that was causing him to have unfounded thoughts that he was dying.

Woodland, who won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach to go along with three other PGA Tour titles, had a hole the size of a baseball removed from his head so doctors could remove the lesion in a September 2023 surgery.