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!!

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