The Fight: 2 Fearless Predictions : Another Beached Whale

Oh-oh, it’s that time again. Time to answer the age-old question about whether a good little man can beat a good big man.

Ever since David beat very long odds and, with the aid of a rock planted strategically between the eyes, slew Goliath, the argument has raged.

There figures to be a 40-pound difference in poundage when they enter the Mirage Hotel ring tonight after Buster checked in at a pear-shaped 246 at Wednesday’s weigh-in.

For sake of discussion, let’s assume the current heavyweight champion, James (Buster) Douglas, is a good big man and his performance dismantling Mike Tyson eight months ago wasn’t a mirage.

At the same time, let’s not scrutinize challenger Evander Holyfield’s record too closely, lest we note that a lot of journeymen heavies were able to survive his best whacks for long periods.

Like just about everything else, Buster’s weight didn’t seem to faze the challenger. He reasoned, “anyone who’s a heavyweight can hit. If you stand there long enough, anybody can get you out of there. I don’t plan on standing there.”

After a couple of rounds, that might be all Douglas will be able to do, stand there. He has fought at the weight before and he won, outlasting Tex Cobb over 10 rounds in this very city. But rare is it when you will hear Tex Cobb referred to as anything but an oddity in the squared circle.

It was the wily old trainer of Marciano, Charlie Goldman, who said, “You don’t have to weigh 220 to knock a guy out. You just have to hit him.”

In any case, the matchup pits a guy who is smaller and less experienced and who doesn’t hit as hard against a champion not noted for his determination who now has given cause for all to have serious reservations about his dedication.

Prediction: Shortly after mid-fight, Buster will resemble Humphrey, the 40-ton humpback whale that was beached in San Francisco Harbor earlier this week.