Notes on a Scorecard - Feb. 13, 1992

Wednesday was supposed to have been an uplifting day for Mike Tyson--the day his contract with estranged manager Bill Cayton ended. . . .

“Tyson and Cayton signed a four-year contract on Feb. 12, 1988,” said Randy Gordon, chairman of the New York State Athletic Commission. “Six months later, it was redone. Instead of the usual 33 1/3 manager’s share, Cayton would get only 20% of Tyson’s purses.” . . .

Little did Tyson realize that Cayton would stand to lose nothing when the contract ran out. . . .

Now fight fans are trying to figure which of the most discussed young contenders, those under the age of 42, is the best. . . .

Some of the questions that must be answered: Does Riddick Bowe have the heart, Michael Moorer the chin, Lennox Lewis the spark or Razor Ruddock the savvy? . . .

First up to bat is Ruddock, who will face Greg Page on Saturday night in the main event of a Showtime card at the Mirage in Las Vegas. . . .

“Ruddock hasn’t been comfortable in the ring,” said his new trainer, Floyd Patterson. “We’ve corrected that problem. You will see a more relaxed fighter Saturday.” . . .

Patterson also is hoping that his fighter will use more jabs and right hands, instead of depending on left hooks in the manner he did against Tyson in their two fights. . . .

Tony Tucker, who will appear on the undercard Saturday, may have the most technical ability of any of the contenders, but he hasn’t fought since last June because of surgery on a fractured right hand. . . .

An Indiana law would prohibit Tyson from fighting in prison, but light-heavyweight James Scott had several bouts at Rahway, N.J., state prison in the late 1970s and early ‘80s. . . .

If Magic Johnson never plays another NBA game, his pro career still will be only one year shorter than those of Jerry West, Bill Russell and Oscar Robertson. . . .

Arazi’s connections already are being second-guessed for their plans not to give the Breeders’ Cup juvenile winner a prep race in this country before the Kentucky Derby. . . .

If you like to cheer for the underdog, you must love rooting for the Americans in the Winter Olympic Games. . . .

The Quebec Nordiques, who might finish with the worst record in the NHL for the fourth consecutive time, are 67-194-34 since the start of the 1988-89 season. . . .

Place and show bettors at Santa Anita appreciate the new boards in the grandstand and clubhouse that calculate probable payoffs. . . .

An off-track Saturday for the $300,000 San Antonio Stakes probably wouldn’t bother In Excess, who has won twice in the mud. . . .

A television movie on Hall of Fame basketball inductee Connie Hawkins is in the works. . . .

NFL scouts are comparing running back Tommy Vardell of Stanford to Tom Rathman of the San Francisco 49ers. . . .

Among those most surprised by the appointment of Jim Harrick Jr. as interim basketball coach at San Diego State was Jim Harrick Sr. . . .

“It’s kind of a bizarre situation,” the UCLA coach said. “Jim was a part-time assistant. But he knows the game, he has great enthusiasm and he’s going to be a good coach. I’m very proud of him.” . . .

Harrick Jr. played for his father at Pepperdine and started 16 games at guard his senior season of 1986-87. . . .

“I never wanted my sons to become coaches,” Harrick said. “I thought Jim would go into the business world. He worked for two years (at a talent agency) and then decided that his future was in coaching.” . . .

One of Harrick’s UCLA assistants, Mark Gottfried, is a nephew of former Pitt football coach Mike Gottfried and cousin of Chicago Bear quarterback Jim Harbaugh. . . .

Christian Laettner reminded me of Dolph Schayes, the old Syracuse National star, when the Duke center ran downcourt with his fist raised after making a basket against Louisiana State Saturday. . . .

Brett Favre of Southern Mississippi was selected by the Atlanta Falcons during the second round of the NFL draft last year, the 33th pick overall. He completed 14 of 34 passes for 160 yards his rookie year. Tuesday, he was traded to the Green Bay Packers for a first-round pick in the draft this year, the 17th overall.