Tired of waiting, Ricky Hatton calls off Manny Pacquiao fight

What would’ve been Manny Pacquiao’s most lucrative fight yet has been called off by his scheduled May 2 opponent, Ricky Hatton, whose camp grew tired of waiting for the Philippine star to sign a contract.

Hatton’s camp Tuesday informed his promoter, Richard Schaefer of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, that Pacquiao had until early Wednesday to agree to terms in a signed deal or that Schaefer should begin seeking other opponents for a May 2 fight in England, including De La Hoya.

When that signed contract never materialized by fax at Schaefer’s downtown Los Angeles office, and there was no indication it was coming, Schaefer proclaimed, “The fight is off.”

“I don’t know what he’s thinking,” Schaefer said of Pacquiao. “What a waste of time, money and effort.”

-- Lance Pugmire

BASEBALL

Rangers, Vizquel reach agreement

Omar Vizquel is going to spring training with the Texas Rangers, who want him to mentor 20-year-old shortstop Elvis Andrus. Vizquel, 41, agreed to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training.

The Rangers also said that right-hander Eric Hurley, a first-round pick in 2004, probably will miss the 2009 season after surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff.

Right fielder Nick Markakis’ $66.1-million, six-year contract was finalized by the Baltimore Orioles.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Minor violation by Washington

Washington has committed a minor recruiting violation and intends to report itself to the Pacific 10 Conference.

The school confirmed that it will report a secondary violation after it was determined new Coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff violated an NCAA rule regarding game-day simulations while recruits are on campus.

Defensive tackle Brigham Harwell and wide receiver Terrence Austin were selected winners of UCLA’s Henry R. “Red” Sanders Award for most valuable player at the UCLA football awards banquet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

ETC.

Winter X Games begin in Aspen

Staffing is thinner, expenses are fewer and revenue won’t come close to matching that realized during a healthy economy. But Winter X Games 13 will be held today through Sunday, and for that tourist-starved Aspen is thankful.

In fact, ESPN’s X Games, which are without three major sponsors this year, and the Aspen Skiing Company announced a two-year contract extension that will keep the event in the Colorado resort city through 2012.

At least three winter sports competitions have been canceled this year: the Honda Sessions at Vail; the Jeep King of the Mountain and Ski Tour series.

Major story lines include whether snowboarder Shaun White can maintain his tenuous grasp on superpipe dominance and whether Nate Holland can win in snowboarder cross for the fourth year in a row.

-- Pete Thomas

Galaxy defender Sean Franklin had surgery to repair a bilateral sports hernia and is expected to be ready for the MLS opener on March 22.

PASSINGS

Dronett, 38; former Falcon

Shane Dronett, a defensive tackle who played 10 years in the NFL and started every game for the Atlanta Falcons’ 1998 Super Bowl team, was found dead at his home on Wednesday. He was 38.

The medical examiner’s office was examining the body to determine the cause of death.