George Michael, a mainstay on the Washington, D.C., sports television scene for decades who reached a national audience with "The George Michael Sports Machine" highlights show, has died. He was 70.

Michael's daughter, Michelle Allen, said Michael was surrounded by family and friends when he died yesterday morning from complications of chronic lymphocytic leukemia at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington.

"He waged his battle against cancer with the same drive and determination that made him a one-of-a-kind in the broadcasting industry," the family said in a statement. "Whether it was covering a sports story, working on his horse farm, or spending time with family and friends, he approached everything in life with passion."

"Sports Machine" began shortly after Michael's arrival at WRC TV in Washington in 1980 as "George Michael's Sports Final," a late-night local feature. Then in 1984 it grew into the first nationally syndicated sports highlights show, eventually airing in 194 markets across the United States and in 10 foreign countries.

It was a trendsetting program, gaining its footing in the days before cable television and ESPN were widely available. The show was also the first to give regular national TV exposure to once obscure sports like NASCAR and professional rodeo.

Besides his daughter, Michelle Allen, he is survived by his wife of 31 years, Patricia, and his son, Brad.

PACQUIAO'S MEGAFIGHT OFF

Promoter Bob Arum declared the megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. dead yesterday, though efforts continued to find a compromise to a dispute over blood testing.

"It's over," Arum said. "O-V-E-R."

Arum had set a Thursday deadline for an agreement on testing, the only issue not resolved for the planned March 13 fight in Las Vegas. But with the Mayweather camp still insisting on using the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to conduct the tests, Arum said there wasn't much left to discuss.

"They're viewed by the Pacquiao side as being partisan," Arum said, referring to USADA. "He doesn't want to use them. I don't want to use them. They're so inflexible they can't be used."

Despite Arum's statements, there were some talks through intermediaries to try and salvage the bout. Neither side, though, appeared to be backing off its position on the biggest dispute: Who will do the testing?

Arum said he planned to move forward by having Pacquiao fight March 13 against Paul Malignaggi, a flashy but light-hitting 140-pounder. He said there was still a chance Pacquiao and Mayweather could meet later in the year.

"As far as I'm concerned the fight is over," Arum said. "Can it be revisited in the fall? We'll see."

Mayweather's representatives could not be immediately reached for comment, but Arum said an effort yesterday by HBO Sports chief Ross Greenburg to reach a compromise had failed.

NBA

CELTICS’ PIERCE OUT 14 DAYS

The Boston Celtics don't expect Paul Pierce back any time soon.

Pierce was in so much pain from a right knee infection that the All-Star forward called team trainer Ed Lacerte on Wednesday around 3 a.m., coach Doc Rivers said. Lacerte went to Pierce's house and took him to the hospital, where they drained fluid from Pierce's knee.

Pierce didn't make the flight to Orlando for today's game against the Magic. He is expected to miss at least two weeks.

AND WHAT'S MORE ...

Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla, who hurt his leg in Tuesday's victory at Dallas, had surgery yesterday to repair his ruptured right patella tendon and is expected to miss the rest of the season. ... Shawn Johnson, who won the gold medal in the balance beam during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, is back in the gym as she considers returning to competition and making a run at the 2012 Olympics in London.