IKE QUARTEY NOT GETTING RESPECT
AT BETTING WINDOW
Oscar De La Hoya opened a 13-5 favorite over Ike Quartey for their November 21, showdown
in Sin City. And all the money thus far has been put on the Golden Boy as the line has
moved to 18-5 De La Hoya.
MERCHANT NOT REALLY SURPRISED
HBO's Larry Merchant explained the betting syndrome when it comes to De La Hoya's fights.
"People are used to Oscar winning and for the most part easily. They don't know much
about Quartey so they just bet Oscar. Quartey is a "live" underdog."
IDLE TIME "DOGS" IKE
"It's the inactivity that hurts him with those wanting to bet. 13 months can be an
eternity for a fighter. Plus, Quartey faded with (Jose Luis) Lopez where he got knocked
down. Against Oba Carr, it was the same thing. Maybe his fighting to make the weight of
147 lbs., that he taking away from himself as a fighter."
ASTONISHED IKE
"When I saw Quartey in Vegas, he just seemed stunned. He can't believe this is all
happening. That De La Hoya is willing to fight him. He still doesn't really believe
it."
QUIETLY CONFIDANT
"Quartey is a confidant guy who doesn't have to talk to get himself up. He's training
hard. The question is he training right?"
JONES SR. IN COMMAND
"He may not have a world class trainer in his corner." When I brought up Roy
Jones Sr. as the man in question, Merchant said this. "I don't know if he's a trainer
with world class abilities."
BAZAN WILLING
WBC lightweight guy Cesar Bazan is playing second fiddle at 135 lbs. to Shane Mosley.
Merchant had some thoughts on that. "Bazan says he wants to fight Mosley. He's not
afraid. That fight might happen in early to mid '99. Mosley has challengers that are
worthy. I'm told Ivan Robinson wants no part of Shane."
HOLY-LEWIS MARCH 13,
"The fight between Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis has been confirmed for March
13, but I've been threatened with my life if I give up the proposed site. But I can say
this. It's a venue that hasn't done boxing before."
ON KING WORKING WITH HBO
When boxing's #1 TV analyst was asked about HBO working with Don King again, this is the
way he put it. "Do you have any idea the crap that Bob Arum has put HBO
through?"
"The fight needs a promoter. But I think they want to make King work for his cut.
Nobody wants him coming in to town the week before the fight like he did for Evander
Holyfield-Michael Moorer fight. He did nothing and SHOWTIME lost $12 million. So, I think
they are trying to put a lot of his money in incentives. To make him work in promoting the
fight."
WHO IS BETTER KING OR ARUM?
"Nobody has ever promoted a fighter as successfully as Oscar De La Hoya. Arum
deserves credit for the marvelous job he's done. King is a great promoter, no question
about it. But as to who is better, I don't know."
Pedro Fernandez
RING TALK KICKS IT...
The writer hosts a syndicated talk show entitled "Ring Talk" that is heard
Saturday and Sunday on the Talk America Radio Network(s) at 11:06 PM ET with LIVE Internet
audio at www.talkamerica.com
The Saturday show is two hours in length and airs on the Talk America "1"
Network. Ring Talk Sunday is heard on the Talk America "2" Network. There is a
difference between the Talk "1" & Talk "2" Network(s), but BOTH
have separate LIVE audio channels at www.talkamerica.com
LISTEN AND WIN DE LA HOYA-QUARTEY SWEEPSTAKES
There's only two weeks left in the Las Vegas Sweepstakes that puts the winner in two
"choice" seats for De La Hoya-Quartey on November 21! But first, I need you to
check into the Imperial Place Hotel where I will take care of your "deluxe"
accomodations for both November 20, and 21.
WANT TO CHECK OUT THE WEIGH IN?
Yes, the winner gets to go the official weigh in for De La Hoya-Quartey with yours truly
on Friday afternoon.
HOW TO WIN?
Listen to Ring Talk on Saturday or Sunday nights and enter via the toll free telephone
lines (US & Canada) or by electronic mail.
EXPERIENCE OF LIFETIME CAN BE YOURS!
Don't think it can't. This is the best welterweight fight since September 16, 1981, when
Ray Leonard rallied to stop Tommy Hearns AND YOU COULD BE THERE?
LISTEN TO RING TALK ANDS ENTER!
GOOD LUCK!!