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SPORTS BITS: Jack Johnson book; Miguel Cotto beats Sugar Shane; Michael Jordan and son interviewed.
*A new book about boxing legend Jack Johnson, titled "My Life & Battles," features his largely unknown 1911 musings to a French sports magazine, including candid observations on racism likely never intended for American readers. The comments were translated to English in their entirety for the first time for the 127-page book by and about the man considered by many to be one of history's most important athletes. Among Johnson's frustrations in the book is the hypocrisy of white fighters who avoided better-skilled black fighters, suggesting they were avoiding the embarrassment of a loss by rejecting the fights under the thin cloak of "scruples."
*Miguel Cotto beat "Sugar" Shane Mosley in unanimous fashion Saturday night at New York's Madison Square Garden to retain his WBA welterweight title. "You're a young lion on the way to greatness," Mosley said to Cotto before they left the ring following their 12-rounder. Cotto, 27, fought at the Garden on the previous three Puerto Rican Day weekends, and his following has grown in New York with each outing. Now, however, he might need to head to Las Vegas for a headline fight, perhaps with WBC champion Floyd Mayweather if he beats Ricky Hatton next month.
*In an interview with the "Today" show, Michael Jordan said he backs his Jeffrey Jordan's decision to walk on at Illinois rather than accept a scholarship to a smaller college. The 6-2, 18-year-old guard from Loyola Academy prep school in Wilmette, Ill., chose Illinois over Valparaiso in April because he wanted the challenge of proving himself at the Big Ten school. He was a three-year starter at Loyola Academy and two-year All Catholic League player. Michael Jordan, now part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, also spoke to host Matt Lauer about his divorce last year from wife, Juanita, following 17 years of marriage. Along with Jeffrey -- who is majoring in psychology and earned an academic scholarship to Illinois -- the couple have a younger son and daughter. "His mom and I were on the same page when it came to that," Jordan said. "Our kids came first. We still communicate each and every day."
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