Quite a Fight, but a Heck of a Flight : Boxing: Man with parachute hits ring apron in seventh round, causing 21-minute delay, and is rushed to hospital.

Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe fought at a fast and furious pace Saturday night, but the seventh round was the longest in heavyweight championship history.

It lasted 24 minutes.

There were three minutes of boxing and a 21-minute delay caused by the crash-landing of a parachutist into the ring ropes.

“I pulled back,” Holyfield said. “I thought somebody was jumping into the ring. I was trying to get out of the way. I was thinking about that tennis lady (the stabbing of Monica Seles).”

Said Holyfield’s former trainer, Lou Duva, who watched from the second row: “I thought it was a UFO.”

“I didn’t know what was going on,” Bowe said.

Bowe, who lost his title on a 12-round majority decision, also was unaware at the time that his wife Judy, who is three months pregnant, passed out at ringside.

She was quickly revived and later taken to the hospital for treatment.

The parachutist, identified as James Miller, was treated and released from University of Las Vegas Medical Center. He was taken into police custody, according to a Bowe spokesman.

Bowe appeared briefly at a postfight news conference and then left to be with his wife.

“I’ve got to check on my sweetheart,” he said.

Holyfield, who started slowly, had won the fourth, fifth and sixth rounds before the intruder landed.

“I started to get upset,” he said. “But it was the same for both of us. It was like two fights--the first six rounds and the second six rounds.”

Ring announcer Michael Buffer helped to settle the stunned crowd with frequent announcements that the fight would soon be continued.

“I remember a show in New Jersey several years ago when a big fight broke out in the crowd,” Buffer said. “I took the microphone and introduced Frank Sinatra. He wasn’t there, but even the guys creating the disturbance stopped to look.”

Holyfield and Bowe pulled no punches during the 12 rounds, but embraced afterward as if the best of friends.

“I was wrong about you being the second best,” said Bowe. “I’m the second best.”

Bowe was also humble when he faced reporters.

“I’ve got no excuses,” he said. “Holyfield fought the better fight tonight. I’m not a sore loser. I’ve had 34 good nights. Maybe next time, I’ll be better and more determined.”

A year after winning a unanimous decision from Holyfield across town at Thomas & Mack Center, Bowe got out-hustled.

“I felt I would win the fight and correct my mistakes,” Holyfield said. “I had to fight inside sometimes and box sometimes. I had to fight smart.

“I didn’t have to knock Bowe out to win. Bowe brings out the best in me.

“Bowe and I are friends. We’re both friends. We’re both champions. Bowe will be heavyweight champion of the world again.”