Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 4, 1993

LAS VEGAS — Perhaps nothing bothers the participants in the fight Saturday night at Caesars Palace more than the popular misconception that the real heavyweight champion is behind bars in Indiana. . . .

Mike Tyson lost his title to Buster Douglas, who lost his title to Evander Holyfield, who lost his title to Riddick Bowe. . . .

That makes Bowe, not Tyson or Lennox Lewis, the real heavyweight champion. . . .

Bowe expects to weigh between 245 and 250 pounds and Holyfield 215 at the official ceremony today at 4 p.m. on ESPN. . . .

Bowe, 235, won a unanimous 12-round decision over Holyfield, 205, last Nov. 13 at Thomas & Mack Center. . . .

It is curious that Holyfield, who plans to move more and mix it up less, will be heavier for the rematch. . . .

“That flies in the face of physiological logic,” said Bowe’s manager, Rock Newman. . . .

Also different will be the paychecks. Last time, champion Holyfield got $17 million and challenger Bowe $8 million. This time, champion Bowe will get approximately $16 million and challenger Holyfield $10 million. . . .

Tommy Morrison’s upset loss to Michael Bentt could mean an earlier date for a Bowe-Lewis unification title match. . . .

However, if he wins as expected Saturday, Bowe is supposed to fight No. 1-ranked World Boxing Assn. contender Michael Moorer next. . . .

Newman has only two telephones, but 10 walkie-talkies in his hotel suite. . . .

Bowe remains a 5-1 favorite. . . .

The odds on a draw are 25-1. . . .

This is one of the biggest weekends of the year on the Strip with wagering expected to be brisk on the fight, Breeders’ Cup, and college and pro football. . . .

More than 13,000 of the 15,819 fight tickets have been sold. . . .

The price scale is $800 to $100, compared to $1,000 to $100 for the Barbra Streisand concerts at the MGM Grand Dec. 31 and

Jan. 1.

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Thomas Hearns, who hasn’t fought in 20 months and has undergone surgery on his right hand, will fight Andrew Maynard in a scheduled 10-rounder. . . .

Hearns, 35, expects to weigh 178 pounds, but wants a shot at the cruiserweight title. . . . Also on the undercard is Jorge Luis Gonzalez, who defeated Bowe and Lewis on consecutive days during the 1987 Pan American Games while representing Cuba. . . .

Gonzalez verbally attacked Bowe the other day, but he has been less devastating in the ring as a professional. . . .

Bowe, 26, is five years younger than Holyfield, but has had four more fights. . . .

The champion prefers an 18-foot ring, the challenger a 22-foot ring. . . .

“It really doesn’t make that much difference,” Newman said. “Bowe would beat him on the UNLV football field.” . . .

It will be cool in the outdoor arena, but neither fighter will need the blanket that Sugar Ray Leonard’s handlers put over his shoulders between rounds one night at the Mirage . . .

“The greatest feeling in the world is walking down the aisle and into the ring with a fighter who has Holyfield’s heart,” trainer Emanuel Steward said. . . .

Oscar De La Hoya will spar with George Foreman and other celebrities during a charity show Nov. 13 at Garfield High. Part of the proceeds will establish a scholarship fund in the memory of De La Hoya’s mother, Cecilia. . . .

Feb. 5 is the projected date for a De La Hoya-Genaro Hernandez junior-lightweight title bout that would be televised by HBO and probably be staged at the Olympic Auditorium. . . .

Julio Cesar Chavez’s three-fight deal with the MGM Grand is expected to include a return bout--but with Meldrick Taylor, not Pernell Whitaker. . . .

Whitaker probably would agree to a Chavez rematch only if it isn’t promoted by Don King.

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Light-flyweight champion Michael Carbajal will become the smallest fighter to earn $1 million in one night when he faces Humberto (Chiquita) Gonzalez in a rematch early next year. . . .

Angelo Dundee on Bowe: “He’s the best guy out there right now, and he’s going to get better.” . . .

“I made a lot of mistakes in the first fight,” Holyfield said during a recent appearance with Bowe on Arsenio Hall’s show. “The only mistake he made was showing up,” Bowe said. . . .

The pick is Bowe in seven.