Notes on a Scorecard - Sept. 8, 1993

Don King, never one given to hyperbole, is calling his promotion Friday night at San Antonio “The Fight.” . . .

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From the “The Fight” will emerge “The Fighter,” either Julio Cesar Chavez or Pernell Whitaker. . . .

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Chavez currently owns the mythical title of best fighter in the world, pound for pound. He has won all 87 of his bouts, 75 by knockout. But Whitaker, 32-1 with 15 knockouts, will be Chavez’s most formidable opponent. . . .

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In fact, it is Whitaker’s World Boxing Council welterweight title that will be at stake. . . .

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Whitaker’s only defeat was a controversial decision to Jose Luis Ramirez in Paris in 1988. Seven months later, Chavez stopped Ramirez in the 11th round. Two years later, Whitaker reversed his loss to Ramirez by decision. . . .

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The matchup on pay-per-view will be puncher, Chavez, versus boxer, Whitaker. . . .

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“I think Chavez’s strength and persistence will be the difference,” said veteran manager and trainer Jackie McCoy. “Chavez fights the same way all the time, no matter the opponent. He really doesn’t seem to care who he’s fighting. He just keeps coming at you. He might have problems catching up with Whitaker, but I can’t see the guy holding him off for 12 rounds.” . . .

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It is also difficult to imagine Whitaker winning a decision in a hostile environment--60,000--or-so fans rooting for his opponent--in a fight promoted by Chavez’s promoter. . . .

Whitaker is quick, but Chavez cuts off the ring better than anyone. Whitaker wasn’t impressive in his last fight against Buddy McGirt. At 31, Chavez seems to be getting better. The prediction is that Chavez will still be known as “The Fighter” after 12 rounds. . . .

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The day after Jeff Hostetler led the Raiders to a 24-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings, third cousin Mike Hostetler threw a no-hitter for the Greenville (S.C.) Braves during a 2-0 victory over Knoxville in the Southern League playoffs. . . .

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The Raiders are hoping that Hostetler (Jeff) puts up good numbers again passing against the Seahawks in Seattle on Sunday, but they would prefer that another back lead the team in rushing. . . .

“Monday Night Football” needs NFL highlights, not ABC promotions, at halftime. . . .

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Dan Dierdorf said Dallas and San Francisco were two of the four best teams in the league, but failed to identify the other two. . . .

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Richie Petitbon’s Redskins appeared to be more of a ball-control type of team against the Cowboys than during the Joe Gibbs era. . . .

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The Redskins were fortunate that Reggie Brooks, the running back from Notre Dame, was still available when it came their turn to draft on the second round. . . .

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Clay Matthews, the linebacker from USC, broke Lou Groza’s record when he appeared in his 217th Cleveland Brown game Sunday. . . .

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Sacramento has been a disappointment both at the box office and in the Canadian Football League standings, where it occupies the Western Division cellar. . . .

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In case you haven’t noticed lately, nobody is going to hit .400 this season. . . .

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Rafer Johnson Junior High will be dedicated Sept. 26 in Kingsburg, Calif. . . .

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“Coaches: Off the Bench with Knute, Vince and the Bear,” a play written by Buddy Farmer and directed by Richard Clayman, will be performed at the Company of CharActors Theatre in Studio City on weekends from Sept. 17-Oct. 23. . . .

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Andrew Shue of Fox’s “Melrose Place,” will play for the L.A. United soccer team Saturday at the Forum. Shue was an all-Ivy League selection at Dartmouth. . . .

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Beginning with the Andre Agassi-Pete Sampras exhibition tennis match Sept. 17, smoking will be allowed at the Forum only in the bar area of the Forum Club. . . .

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Ready for hockey? The Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers will face off Saturday and Sunday in London--London, England, that is, not London, Canada. . . .

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Horses from France, England, Ireland, Italy, Australia and Canada are among the 86 foreign nominees for the six-race, $1.75-million Autumn Turf Festival Nov. 20-28 at Hollywood Park. . . .

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Cologne, who won the second race Monday at Del Mar, is a son of Judge Smells.