Kelley, Who’s Not All Talk, Fights Ramirez

Kevin Kelley talks a good fight. He fights one, too.

When Kelley is finished making a living at the latter, he should segue smoothly into a career at the former.

In and out of the ring, Kelley, former World Boxing Council featherweight champion, has established himself as one of boxing’s most entertaining, as well as loquacious, ambassadors.

Kelley, 31, will put his boxing skills to test tonight against veteran Jorge “Cocas” Ramirez in a 10-round lightweight main event at the Reseda Country Club. The bout is Kelley’s first in Southern California and, by his own admission, among the final fights in a career that includes a 48-3-2 record and 32 knockouts.

Kelley, already an experienced color commentator at boxing matches, plans to retire from the ring within the next year and pursue a full-time career behind the microphone.

“As you get older, you change,” Kelley said. “And without change, there is no progress. For a lot of guys, fighting is a way of life and they don’t know how to do anything else. I was dabbling in [broadcasting]. I guess I just have a feel for it. But I don’t want to quit fighting yet. I still have boxing ability.”

Kelley’s career has been filled with exciting bouts, many of them televised.

In 1992, Kelley won a 12-round decision over former world champion Troy Dorsey in a bout in which more than 2,800 punches were recorded. In 1993, he survived a ninth-round knockdown to earn a unanimous decision over Goyo Vargas for the WBC title.

Last December, Kelley waged a wild four-round battle against Prince Naseem Hamed in Madison Square Garden that was chosen fight of the year by at least one publication. Both fighters were knocked down three times before Kelley was counted out at 2:27 of the fourth round.

Kelley has split his last two bouts, losing a majority decision to Derrick Gainer in his last fight in July in Las Vegas.

Losses to Hamed and Gainer, who he previously knocked out, have left Kelley questioning his longevity in the ring and polishing his elocution.

“The Hamed fight was one of those fights where I just got off my game plan because I became too emotional,” Kelley said. “I don’t usually let that happen, let someone get under my skin. I’m not a fighter who likes to take it outside the ring.”

Not the fight. Just the insight.

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Heavyweight Lance Whitaker of Granada Hills, undefeated in 17 fights with 16 knockouts, will face his toughest challenge to date when he fights Alex Stewart on Jan. 16 in Las Vegas on the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Francois Botha main event.

The fight will be the first on pay-per-view for Whitaker.

Whitaker, 26, has bludgeoned most opponents--those who go through with the fight. Several of Whitaker’s bouts have been canceled because the opponent pulled out, presumably because of the imposing figure presented by the 6-foot-8 Whitaker.

On Nov. 28, it was Whitaker who pulled out of a scheduled eight-round bout against Levi Billups at Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio because of the flu.

Stewart, whose opponents have included George Foreman, likely won’t be intimidated.

“It ain’t like I’m that big,” Whitaker said. “It shouldn’t make any difference.”

Trainer Joe Goossen predicts a decisive victory for Whitaker.

“I think he’s going to knock out Alex Stewart,” Goossen said. “That may be insulting to Alex Stewart, but that’s what I feel. This is going to be Lance’s coming-out party.”

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With the retirement of Rafael and Gabriel Ruelas, and the career of Michael Nunn all but finished, Goossen is without a marquee fighter.

But his Van Nuys gym is packed with as much young talent as he can handle. And Goossen is excited.

Goossen’s proteges include Ben Tackie, IBA and IBF continental lightweight champion, and featherweight Joel Casamayor, a gold medalist for Cuba in the 1992 Olympic Games. Goossen is expected to begin training Hector “Macho” Camacho Jr. next week.

“The guys we’re getting are quality guys,” Goossen said. “I’m really turning down a lot of boxers now. I don’t want to dilute myself.”

Goossen is certain to benefit from brother Dan Goossen’s promotional agreement with Tyson. America Presents, Goossen’s company, is scheduled for about 50 televised programs in 1999, providing ample opportunity for the stable’s fighters.

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Robert Garcia of Oxnard, IBF junior lightweight champion who fights for America Presents, has been added to the undercard of the Tyson-Botha bout. Garcia, 31-0 with 23 knockouts, will fight John John Molina, 45-5 with 30 knockouts, the former IBF champion.

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FIGHT CARD AT RESEDA

Kevin Kelley (48-2-2, 32 knockouts) vs. Jorge “Cocas” Ramirez (67-12-3, 54 KOs), 10 rounds, junior lightweights.

Roger Medal (7-1, 3 KOs) vs. Angel Mata (6-4, 4 KOs), six rounds, junior lightweights.

Pepe Chico (pro debut) vs. Rigoberto Plascencia (pro debut), four rounds, light-heavyweights.

Fernando Yguardo (pro debut) vs. Norris Ellington (0-3), four rounds, welterweights.

Richard Gonzalez (2-3-1, 1 KO) vs. Tommy Hinde (0-3), four rounds, middleweights.

Lisa Holewyne (2-2-1, 1 KO) vs. Robyn Covino (1-6, 1 KO), four rounds, welterweights.

First bell at 7:30

Tickets: $20 to $75.

Information: (818) 757-0780.