Rios set for bout vs. Jermain Taylor - 2004-01-03
San Antonio middleweight Alex Rios leaves Wednesday for Uncasville, Conn., where he is set to fight Jermain Taylor on Friday at Mohegan Sun casino.

The 10-round bout headlines ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights." Rios is 23-4-1 with 18 knockouts, while Taylor, the WBC Continental Americas champion and 2000 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist, is 18-0 with 13 knockouts. Taylor is a resident of Little Rock, Ark.

"I'm ready to go," Rios said. "I've surrounded myself with some good people who believe in me."
Read the full story at San Antonio Express

Number of problem-gambling counselors to increase in Kentucky - 2004-01-03
With the supposed increase in cases of gambling addiction in Kentucky, efforts are being stepped up to boost the number of problem-gambling counselors. However, authorities on compulsive gambling in the state say that with an estimated 15,000 addicted gamblers in need of therapy, more are required.

Last year, 20 counselors in the state passed a national exam and are presently working toward certification by the American Compulsive Gambling Counselor Certification Board, the Associated Press reports.

Although Kentucky does not have legalized casino-style gambling, it does conduct pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing, charitable gaming, and has a state lottery.
Read the full story at Thoroughbred Times