Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 5, 1992

What does the president of Forum Boxing Inc. and owner of the Lakers do when his biggest fight card in years conflicts with the opening game of his basketball team? . . .

He goes to the fights. . . .

Jerry Buss will be ringside at the Forum watching Jorge Paez and Rafael Ruelas trade blows Friday night at the same time the Lakers and Clippers are exchanging baskets across town at the Sports Arena. . . .

The fact is that Buss has been in love with boxing longer than he has with the NBA. . . .

His uncle started taking him to the weekly cards at the Olympic Auditorium and the Hollywood Legion Stadium in 1944 and his ears, like those of many other Americans, were glued to a radio the nights that Joe Louis defended his heavyweight title. . . .

Later, Buss was a regular at the Forum and Olympic when the late George Parnassus and Aileen Eaton promoted shows featuring Ruben Olivares, Jose Napoles, Mando Ramos and Danny (Little Red) Lopez. . . .

Buss learned long ago that the best box office formula in Los Angeles is to match two popular Latin fighters, one from Mexico and the other from Southern California. . . .

Such a pairing, Paez of Mexicali vs. Ruelas of Sylmar for the vacant North American Federation lightweight title, is expected to attract the biggest crowd at the Forum since 10,052 saw Julio Cesar Chavez knock out Roger Mayweather in 1989. . . .

Buss can be excused if he skips some of the preliminary bouts, which begin at 7 p.m. At 7:30, he and his dinner guests probably will be camped in front of a television in the Forum Club when the Lakers and the Clippers tip off. . . .

Former heavyweight contender Jerry Quarry, 45, who was denied a boxing license by the California State Athletic Commission, lost a six-round decision in Colorado last week. . . .

Riddick Bowe, who was in town Wednesday, appears to be in terrific shape. He says he is down to 235 pounds after starting training at approximately 285 for his Nov. 13 challenge against Evander Holyfield at Las Vegas. . . .

Steve Greenberg, the deputy commissioner of baseball, has met with representatives of President-elect Clinton about a job in the administration. . . .

Look-alikes: Clinton and stock car driver Bill Elliott. . . .

Magic Johnson’s name is on the NBA All-Star game ballot, but he advises fans not to vote for him and says he won’t play under any circumstances. . . .

Among the benefactors of the trade that sent Paul O’Neill from the Cincinnati Reds to the New York Yankees for Roberto Kelly were the Dodgers. O’Neill used to kill them. . . .

Oak Tree officials are hoping California Cup III on Saturday will equal the success of last year’s edition that attracted 39,435, which was bigger than the turnout for this year’s Santa Anita Derby. . . .

The nine stakes have been designated as exceptions to any riding suspensions, meaning that Gary Stevens, who has been set down for five days, will be able to ride a full card. His mounts include three probable favorites. . . .

After Bill Walsh became Stanford’s coach for the second time, he said, “At my best, teaching is what I do, and this, college football, has redeeming value. . . . unless it’s USC.” . . .

Now, the week of the Cardinal-Trojan game at Palo Alto, Walsh is saying he was only kidding. . . .

However, after a 13-7 loss to USC in 1978, Walsh said, “Well, gentlemen, you can’t put grade-point averages on the scoreboard.” . . .

Marcus Allen deserves better from the Raiders, but, of course, that’s nothing new. . . .

The Kansas City Chiefs (4-4) might be the most disappointing team in the AFC. . . .

He is not a household name outside Pittsburgh, but the outstanding play of linebacker Greg Lloyd is one of the prime reasons for the Steelers’ success this season. . . .

People better start paying attention to the New Orleans Saints, who quietly have built a 6-2 record. . . .

CBS commentator Terry Bradshaw on Randall Cunningham, who won’t start against the Raiders on Sunday at Philadelphia: “He came back from the knee injury strong, but he’s got no confidence in his offensive line. I know. I’ve been through that.” . . .

Following the lead of the football team, the UCLA basketball team will switch to black shoes this season. . . .

Growing boy: Bruin reserve center Mike Lanier, who was 7-6 last season, is listed at 7-7.