Notes on a Scorecard - May 24, 1994

Oscar De La Hoya says he will be making the first and last defense of his World Boxing Organization junior-lightweight title Friday night. . . .

No, he doesn’t expect to lose to prohibitive underdog Giorgio Campanella at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. . . .

It is simply that De La Hoya--who stands 5 feet 10 and must make 130 at the weigh-in Thursday--is 21 and growing in size, ambition, and maturity. He has won all 12 of his professional bouts. . . .

“My good matches upcoming are at 135 pounds for the WBA, WBC or IBF titles,” he said the other day after sparring the championship distance of 12 rounds at Larry Goossen’s Boxing Gym in Big Bear. . . .

The IBF lightweight champion is Rafael Ruelas, who will defend his title on the same pay-per-view card Friday against Mike Evgen. . . .

Some night, Ruelas of Sylmar vs. De La Hoya of East Los Angeles will pack an arena in the Southland. . . .

“It’s a natural,” said Ruelas’ trainer, Joe Goossen. “I don’t think it will be that much longer before it’s made.” . . .

“Maybe next year,” De La Hoya said. . . .

Actually, they already have fought one another. . . .

“We boxed three times in the junior amateurs when we were 13, 14 years old,” Ruelas said. “I beat him two out of three. He’s fast and strong and very good, but I know I can beat him.” . . .

De La Hoya said, “I recall boxing him when we were 9 or 10, but I can’t remember how many times or exactly what happened. He’s a brawler, but I don’t see a lot of skill there. He has a lot of conditioning, but that’s about it.” . . .

Both trained the last few weeks in clean air at 7,000 feet altitude, but lived about 10 miles apart and rarely saw one another. . . .

By late next year, though, they should be getting together up close and personal. . . .

*

The New York Knicks, who could use a scorer, might sign Dominique Wilkins. . . .

Somehow, I don’t think NBC wants an Indiana-Houston NBA final or ESPN a Vancouver-New Jersey Stanley Cup final. . . .

Role model: Shaquille O’Neal is returning to LSU for summer school. . . .

Thumbs up to the Hartford Whalers, who are cutting prices on 4,000 seats. . . .

Thumbs down to the Phoenix Suns, who turned home playoff games that weren’t televised by NBC into pay-per-view events. . . .

The U.S. Senate has approved a Bear Bryant postage stamp. . . .

Jimmy Johnson not only will appear on NFL shows for the Fox and HBO networks, he will be the co-host of a Monday night pregame show in Dallas. . . .

Wayne Lukas, who likes to use sports analogies, says he will “take a little more off his fastball” while training Preakness winner Tabasco Cat for the Belmont Stakes. . . .

Alexis Arguello, 41, ought to forget about his comeback after suffering a broken rib in training. The three-time champion was supposed to fight for the first time in six years Saturday in Lake Charles, La. . . .

*

Times have changed at the French Open when Martina Navratilova and Mats Wilander lose their first-round matches in straight sets. . . .

It turns out that the New York Rangers do have a couple of finalists for awards--the City of Hope Victor Awards. Mike Keenan has been nominated for pro hockey coach of the year and Mark Messier for comeback player of the year. The presentation ceremony from the Las Vegas Hilton will be televised June 11 on Prime Ticket. . . .

Bell Gardens High sophomore Michael Granville’s 1:48.98 clocking in the 800 meters in the CIF Southern Section interdivisional finals Saturday was nearly a full second faster than the winning time in the Pacific 10 Conference meet the same day. . . .

Ask Philadelphia Manager Jim Fregosi about the importance of injuries. Only six Phillies spent time on the disabled list during their National League pennant-winning year last season. Less than two months into this season, the Phillies have had 10 players on the DL. . . .

How can the Texas Rangers, who gave up 40 runs during the last three games of their series at Seattle, build a team that is so powerful, but so weak in pitching? . . .

Five American League hitters--Joe Carter, Julio Franco, Kirby Puckett, Robin Ventura and Ken Griffey--are driving in at least one run a game. . . .

Add the Baltimore Orioles to those reportedly interested in Ron Gant. . . .

The Dodgers’ position in the National League West standings and their team unity strengthen my belief that, for the benefit of all concerned, they should release Darryl Strawberry and let him try a comeback somewhere else.