Notes on a Scorecard - Aug. 22, 1990

George Foreman is planning to take his road show overseas, where he will fight an “unnamed” opponent Sept. 25 in London. . . .

“The opponent is going to (be) an American, a hometown decision for me,” Foreman said by phone Tuesday after a gym session in Houston trimmed him to 265 pounds. “It’ll be shown on the USA network in the states. Not too long after that, I expect to fight Evander Holyfield for the title. I’ve been promised the first shot if Holyfield beats Buster Douglas.” . . .

Foreman is picking Holyfield by decision over Douglas Oct. 25 in Las Vegas. . . .

“I know what Douglas is going through,” Foreman said. “All the big money and the outside distractions after you win the title. Everybody wants a piece of you. Holyfield will be the hungrier fighter. Besides, I thought Douglas pulled a rabbit out of the hat when he beat Tyson. Holyfield should be able to outbox him.” . . .

George says he isn’t sparring much now--”they go for my stomach, where everything is”--but has taken up basketball. “We play two, three hours of half court at the youth center,” he said. “I can’t shoot, but I hustle and I’m tough under the boards. And it’s kinda fun to see your opponents run out of gas for a change.” . . .

Foreman, the comedian, will make a return engagement on the “Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson Friday. . . .

It didn’t make the wires, but Julio Cesar Chavez knocked out Russell Mobley in the second round Saturday night in a non-title bout in Culican, Mexico, for his 71st consecutive victory. Chavez, who has made up with Don King, will defend his World Boxing Council and International Boxing Federation junior-welterweight championships against Ahn Kyung-Duk of South Korea on the Mike Tyson-Alex Stewart card Sept. 22 in Atlantic City on HBO. . . .

The most exciting brother act in boxing, Rafael and Gabriel Ruelas, should be on display again by January. Manager Danny Goossen says 20-year-old junior lightweight Gabriel (21-1, 14 knockouts) will be able to return to the gym in October after suffering a broken elbow five months ago. Meanwhile, 19-year-old featherweight Rafael (20-0, 17 KOs) will go it alone Sept. 25 at the Country Club in Reseda and Nov. 5 at the Forum. . . .

That Rick Dempsey-Lenny Dykstra altercation Monday night at Dodger Stadium was more wrestling than boxing, with Dykstra on top and going for the pin when it was stopped. . . .

Bench-clearing brawls could be eliminated if combatants were automatically fined for leaving the dugout or bullpen. . . .

In games that Orel Hershiser would have started this season, the Dodgers are 6-11. And their starting pitchers’ record in those games is 3-8. . . .

Dodger scout Phil Regan would make a good major league manager. He will try to become the first man to manage in four Caribbean World Series this winter after working with Jim Neidlinger and Mike Sharperson in Caracas last year. . . .

Right now, my most valuable players are Barry Bonds in the National League and Rickey Henderson in the American. . . .

Where were the Raiders when Indianapolis made quarterback Chris Chandler available? . . .

And the Rams knew that Dale Hatcher wouldn’t be back, so why did they wait until the seventh round to draft a punter? . . .

The San Francisco 49ers’ comeback victory over the Broncos Monday in Denver actually was a surprise. Exhibition or no, you had to figure that the Broncos would have a huge emotional edge after getting clobbered by the 49ers in the Super Bowl. . . .

How tough is the Southern California jockey circuit? Christine Davenport is a competent apprentice rider, but her victory aboard 87-1 longshot Masai Chief in the second race Monday at Del Mar was her first of the summer after being blanked at Hollywood Park. . . .

Katarina Witt’s English is vastly improved, meaning that an American motion picture career might be ahead for the two-time Olympic figure skating gold medalist. . . .

The scoring system for the International tournament in Colorado is unique, but I don’t think it’s ever going to catch on. . . .

The Oakland Athletics rank 12th in the American League in team batting. . . .

Florence Griffith-Joyner is expecting a baby in November, but don’t be surprised if she returns to sprinting next year. . . .

I still don’t think Stump Merrill will outlast Robert Merrill at Yankee Stadium.