Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 13, 1990

Nobody has ever done more to enhance the reputation of Bob Arum than Don King. . . .

“The slimy, sleazebag way this thing has been handled shows just how corrupt King and the WBC and WBA are,” the other promoter said on the phone from his Las Vegas office Monday. “Nobody would have complained about having a Mike Tyson-Buster Douglas rematch right away. Tyson could have said that he was beaten fairly and squarely, but that he’d win the next time. But, no, these Noriegas have to outsmart themselves.” . . .

Arum predicts that the WBC and WBA will decide to let Douglas keep his title, but mandate a rematch. . . .

If that happens, Arum will try to match George Foreman and Evander Holyfield in May at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, the winner to challenge the Douglas-Tyson winner. . . .

The attitude of Douglas’ manager, John Johnson, was exemplary. He refused to buckle under King’s bullying tactics. Instead, he told him and the WBC and the WBA exactly where to go. . . .

HBO wouldn’t allow ESPN to show any action footage, but the all-sports network did itself proud the morning after with a “Game Day” special. Host Charley Steiner and analyst Al Bernstein discussed everything you wanted to know about the fight. . . .

HBO is making a mistake delaying its replay until Friday. The public wants to see it now--if not sooner. . . .

When you do watch the replay, notice how small Tyson looks even when he’s standing up. . . .

Commentator Larry Merchant on why the crowd in Tokyo was so quiet: “They came to see a show, not a fight. And I don’t think they believed what they were seeing--just like two of the three judges.” . . .

Tokyo was also the scene of perhaps the biggest upset in track and field history, Billy Mills’ triumph in the 10,000 meters in the 1964 Olympic Games. . . .

Not since the Thrilla in Manila between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier have I heard so much conversation about boxing. . . .

Social note: Donald and Ivana Trump are on the outs and reportedly a prenuptial agreement calls for Mrs. Trump to receive $25 million and the house in Greenwich, Conn. . . .

How about a trade sending Joe Montana’s understudy, Steve Young, to the Raiders? . . .

Young is one of 15 NFL quarterbacks handled by agent Leigh Steinberg. . . .

“People ask me if it’s tough on me when two of my quarterbacks play against each other,” says Steinberg. “Not really. What is tough is when I see one of my other clients, like Tim McDonald, intercept a Troy Aikman pass for a touchdown. Or when Duane Bickett wipes out Warren Moon.” . . .

Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon, Doug Williams, Rodney Peete, Greg Bell and other NFL players will model at a fashion show Feb. 25 at the Bonaventure Hotel, proceeds going to the United Negro College Fund. . . .

A couple of minutes ago, we were saying goodby to Bill Shoemaker at Santa Anita. On Wednesday, we’ll be saying hello to Kent Desmoreaux, the record-setting jockey from Maryland. . . .

Remember when Sandy Hawley came down from Canada to ride at Hollywood Park? He was so successful that the track’s nickname became Hawleypark. . . .

It has been awhile since Laz Barrera has been heard from, but he may have another Bold Forbes in unbeaten Puerto Rican 3-year-old Mr. Frisky. . . .

Joe Garagiola on sharing SportsChannel broadcasting duties for Angel games with Joe Torre: “There won’t be a hair dryer within 20 miles of the booth.” . . .

Steve Garvey, who played first base for the San Diego Padres at 192 pounds, now weighs 190. . . .

A reserved-seat ticket from the 1959 World Series between the Dodgers and Chicago White Sox at the Coliseum is pictured in the Dodgers’ centennial calendar. Price of the ticket: $7. . . .

I’m still waiting for the NHL to take some action against Winnipeg’s Laurie Boschman for that vicious two-hander he delivered to Tomas Sandstrom’s face from behind at the Forum last week. . . .

Television did it again. NBC refused to leave the Houston-Notre Dame game Saturday although the Cougars were leading handily in the final moments. After a long series of commercials and station breaks, the UCLA-Arizona game was picked up eight minutes late and with the Bruins leading, 17-10. . . .

It may be turning around for George Raveling at USC. His team has won two-out-of-three and recruiting is going well. . . .

Few superstars have ever been as likable as Magic Johnson. Hope you caught his acceptance speech after winning the MVP award at the All-Star game. . . .

A.C. Green and Karl Malone scored the same amount of points Sunday.