Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 25, 1992

Almost before you could say Oscar De La Hoya, the Olympic lightweight champion’s professional debut was over at the Forum and the opening-night reviews began coming in. . . .

“He’s going to be the biggest thing ever below the heavyweight division, even bigger than Sugar Ray Leonard,” said Bob Arum, who happens to own the promotional rights to some upcoming De La Hoya fights. . . .

“He hits like a mule,” said Lamar Williams, who fell three times at the feet of De La Hoya in 1 minute 42 seconds. . . .

“I wish it could have lasted a little longer,” said De La Hoya. . . .

“He was in with a living dead man,” said Riddick Bowe, the heavyweight champion who sat ringside. “The other guy didn’t want to fight.” . . .

De La Hoya is so likable and showed so much energy and enthusiasm Monday night that most of the 6,185 fans who paid anywhere from $20 to $125 cheered his victory, but they deserved more for their money. . . .

Williams was stung by a couple of combinations and a hook to the ribs, but shied away from lesser blows and never demonstrated any willingness to test the hometown hero. . . .

De La Hoya, a proud individual who was not in need of a confidence builder, couldn’t have gained anything from the experience. . . .

It would be unwise to rush such a terrific prospect, but other former Olympic champions had to work harder and longer for their first boxing paychecks, which were much smaller than De La Hoya’s $150,000. . . .

Muhammad Ali, then Cassius Clay, was taken the six-round distance by Tunney Hunsaker on Oct. 29, 1960. . . .

Sugar Ray Leonard decisioned Luis Vega in six Feb. 5, 1977. . . .

Another Olympic champion from East L.A., Paul Gonzales, decisioned Pulga Torres in six on Aug. 11, 1985. . . .

It took Floyd Patterson four rounds to knock out Eddie Godbold Sept. 12, 1952. . . .

Then there was Pete Rademacher who, in his first pro bout, challenged Patterson for the heavyweight title and was knocked out in the sixth Aug. 22, 1957. . . .

The plan is for De La Hoya to keep busy, return for a Jan. 3 bout at the Palladium in Hollywood, appear on ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” Feb. 6 at San Diego and fight his first scheduled 10-rounder March 13 on a proposed pay-per-view card at the Forum that would feature a Michael Carbajal-Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzalez light-flyweight unification match. . . .

The hope is that the former amateur champion’s opposition will become more professional. . . .

*

Raider fans ought to change their tune and applaud Jay Schroeder the next time he is introduced at the Coliseum. . . .

Schroeder didn’t complain when he was replaced by Todd Marinovich despite a a productive day against the Cincinnati Bengals, helped Marinovich on the sidelines the next few games and is 2-0 since returning to the starting lineup. . . .

If Marinovich didn’t do anything to displease the Raider hierarchy, why was he demoted to third string behind Vince Evans? It is doubtful that Evans, 37, is being groomed as the quarterback of the future. . . .

It is also curious that defensive lineman Anthony Smith, with his 11 sacks, has become a situational player. . . .

Don’t be surprised if this is Mike Ditka’s last season as coach of the Chicago Bears. . . .

The San Francisco 49ers have swept their six games against NFC West opponents. . . .

I was a believer in instant replay review, but I don’t miss it. . . .

Of the $540,000 purse for the Skins Game Saturday and Sunday at Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert, 20% will be donated to the favorite charities of defending champion Payne Stewart, Greg Norman, Fred Couples and Tom Kite. . . .

Marques Johnson is proving to be a good addition to the UCLA basketball broadcasting team on KMPC. . . .

Travel expenses in other sports besides football would seem to work against the Pacific 10 adding Texas and Texas A&M.; . . .

How nice of the University of Tennessee to give Johnny Majors the opportunity to coach the Volunteers in a New Year’s Day bowl game even though his contract runs out Dec. 31. . . .

The Royals would be wise to make a serious bid to sign free agent Joe Carter, who is a Kansas City resident. . . .

Former Cincinnati Reds’ general manager Bob Quinn is among the possibilities to replace Al Rosen with the San Francisco Giants. . . .

The Dodgers will play the Toronto Blue Jays next year at the SkyDome--probably not during the World Series, but, for sure, two exhibition games March 19-20. . . .

I can hardly wait for that leftover turkey--Louisiana State vs. Arkansas--ESPN is going to serve Friday.