Sports in Brief: Philly boxer Mike Jones stays with promoter Peltz

After a summer of uncertainty, Philadelphia welterweight Mike Jones will remain under contract with promoter Russell Peltz. But any future negotiations will be directed through Jones' lawyer.

On Monday morning, Peltz met with Jones' lawyer, Eric Meltzer. Peltz said they didn't discuss contract issues, just future fights. The promoter still hasn't spoken to Jones, but said he expects him to be ready to fight in late November or early December.

Jones was knocked out in June by Randall Bailey for the vacant IBF welterweight title. He hasn't spoken to trainer Vaughn Jackson and Peltz believes Jones is moving in a different direction.

"If people are realistic it won't be difficult at all," said Peltz. "It's when people have unrealistic ideas that things get difficult."

Heavyweight Bryant Jennings expressed interest in fighting on Sept. 21, which would be just 13 days after Saturday's 35-second knockout of Chris Koval. But, Peltz said it's highly unlikely as the Bethlehem, Pa., card is full. Peltz, who promotes Jennings, said the North Philly heavyweight is the type of fighter who can fight on a week's notice.

SOCCER: This isn't a must-win match for the U.S. men's national team and its World Cup hopes. Not yet, anyway.

If it doesn't beat Jamaica on Tuesday night at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, however, its road to making the next World Cup will be steep.

On the heels of a 2-1 loss at Jamaica on Friday night, the Americans find themselves with little wiggle room. The top two teams in Group A move on to next year's six-nation regional finals, with three of those teams then qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The United States also has another match on American soil against Guatemala, along with a road trip to Antigua.

Jamaica (2-0-1) leads the grouping, followed by the United States and Guatemala, both 1-1-1.

RUNNING: Former Widener cross-country standout Ian Hilliard won the Lehigh Valley Marathon in Allentown, on Sunday in 2 hours, 42 minutes, 20 seconds, easily winning by over eight minutes.

U.S. Olympian Ryan Hall will skip the New York City Marathon because of several nagging injuries.

Hall dropped out of the race in London last month because of a tight right hamstring.

The other two Americans who ran in London, Meb Keflezighi and Abdi Abdirahman, are still scheduled to compete in New York on Nov. 4.

GYMNASTICS: Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney aren't feeling quite so fierce these days.

The Olympic gold medalists were both injured Sunday night when they fell while performing on uneven bars during the second stop of a 40-city gymnastics tour. Maroney hurt her left knee, and was having additional tests Monday to determine the extent of the injury. Raisman has bruised knees but is not expected to miss any shows. The tour's next stop is Thursday in San Diego.

BASKETBALL: The U.S. women's Olympian basketball team was honored by WNBA with its Inspiration Award.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have signed free-agent swingman Alonzo Gee to a three-year, $9.75 million contract.

 OLYMPICS: Michael Phelps arrived by water to a ceremony at the Baltimore Inner Harbor honoring eight of Maryland's Olympic heroes.

He and the seven other Maryland Olympians, including Katie Ledecky, were given a key to the city by Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

Sebastian Coe said he wants to become chairman of the British Olympic Association after successfully overseeing the organization of the London Games.

- Staff and wire reports