Former champion boxer Echols shot

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) - Boxer Antwun Echols, a former super middleweight champion who twice lost to Bernard Hopkins, was shot in the leg while trying to break up a fight in the parking lot of a grocery store and was later arrested on drug charges. Police said Echols sustained a minor wound Sunday night and was taken to a hospital. The suspect, James Lee Grant, fled in a sport utility vehicle but was arrested Monday afternoon. Police were called to the store, where they found Echols and Stevie Hodges, both of Davenport. Hodges had been knocked to the ground and kicked, police said. Hodges had been confronted by another man and a fight followed, police said. Echols intervened and pushed the suspect away from Hodges. The suspect then allegedly shot Echols once in the leg with a handgun, police said. The 35-year-old Echols was taken to Genesis Medical Center for treatment. A call to the hospital Monday was not immediately returned. Hodges, 34, refused treatment, police said. Both men were later arrested. Echols was charged with possession of crack cocaine and outstanding warrants for child support issues, police said. He was being held Monday in the Scott County jail without bond. Hodges was charged with possession of crack cocaine and disorderly conduct. He was released after posting a $2,275 bond, jail officials said. Grant is being charged with willful injury, going armed with intent and possession of a firearm by a felon. Echols fought Hopkins twice for the IBF middleweight title, with Hopkins winning by unanimous decision in 1999 and by technical knockout a year later. In 2003, Echols lost a unanimous decision to Anthony Mundine for the vacant WBA super middleweight title. Echols has a record of 31-7-3, with 27 knockouts. He last won Dec. 12, 2004, and his most recent fight was a loss to Fulgencio Zuniga on June 23.