JUST CALL ME KRESKIN!

Didn't I say that the Evander Holyfield-Lennox Lewis fight would happen in February or March? And wasn't it this humble soul who stated that Mike Tyson's appeal of a lower court Judge's ruling that his Psychological be made public was a no brainer. And that it only served to pad some shyster's pocketbook...Let's see Michael Grant contracting Hepatitis, Ike Quartey's Malaria, and Jesse James Leija getting hurt and being replaced by pint sized John Brown on the October 24, HBO BAD card against Gabe Ruelas. You want another exclusive? Hmm. How about Eddie Mustapha Muhammad, the Las Vegas based trainer and former light heavyweight champion in Australia on a secret training mission. My money says Eddie's handling the conditioning of Aussie's #1 pug Kostya Tsyzu as the Australian based Russian readies for a November 28, match on HBO for the vacant WBC 140 lb. crown against Miguel Angel Gonzalez...HBO is doing the James Page-Jose Luis Lopez WBA 147 lb. title fight on one of three HBO dates in December (5, 12, or 19) where Time Warner will go prime time with fisticuffs. One December HBO fight that was actually made on Ring Talk a fortnight ago and that was the pairing of Floyd Mayweather and Angel Manfredy. The interview with Manfredy and HBO's Sports VP Lou Di Bella will appear at fighters.com tomorrow.

The so-called competition couldn't give you this many scoops in a year. I know, you all want me to be humble. But damn it, I want my Boxing Pulitzer!

VARGAS ON RING TALK

Fernando Vargas let it be known during a Saturday night appearance on Ring Talk, a syndicated talk show heard on the Talk America Radio Network (LIVE worldwide on the Internet) that he wants Yory Boy Campas on one of those December HBO dates.

"I'm the #1 contender. I dream about this fight with Yory Boy Campas all the time. I see myself stopping him." The entire Vargas interview will be posted in it's audio form in the next week at fighters.com as Pedro is going to start putting four hours of Ring Talk in a TAPED mode on our site per month.

REID TOO ON RING TALK SATURDAY

"Golden Man" David Reid meets unbeaten lefty James Coker October 24, on the HBO BAD broadcast in what will be his first 12 rounder. The 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist is looking to shine once again in the Time Warner spotlight. This doesn't bode well for Mr. Coker.

GARCIA ON CARD

Undefeated Robert Garcia meets Cuban Ramon Ledon in defense of the IBF 130 lb. trinket. The Oxnard resident needs a couple of solid performances to stamp his mark at junior lightweight. Ledon is no hobo.

GABE RUELAS-JOHN BROWN TOO

Brown, 19-3, is coming off a good showing against Manfredy on TNT a fortnight ago.

GRANT BACK IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY

Michael Grant's recent Hepatitis bout was light and caused by bad food. The 6'7 Grant returns to the Time Warner airwaves (HBO) in December or January.

PAGE IS A REAL THREAT

James Page grew up in my Northern California neck of the woods. I watched him fight in the Junior Olympics and continued to keep an eye on the Pittsburg, CA resident as he began his professional career.

TROUBLES ABOUND

BUT the street life, and a lack of dedication were James' undoing. A surprising couple of losses and people were no longer calling him a phenom. No, they were calling him much less desirable things.

In battling the demons of street life, James fell on hard times and seemed headed for long term incarceration.

LAST CHANCE?

That's the way Page looked at his inking a deal with promoter Don King. And within 18 months, the Don had moved James to #3 in the WBA rankings.

FIGHT WITH PESTRAIEV AN EYE OPENER

At least it should serve notice that James is no slouch. And given his power, size, and overall ability, Page would not be in over his head if he were to engage any of the other welterweights in the division.

PAGE ON RING TALK SATURDAY NIGHT

You can meet the new WBA welterweight titleholder this Saturday night on Ring Talk, a syndicated talk show aired on the TALK AMERICA Radio Network at 11:06 PM ET with LIVE Internet audio at www.talkamerica.com

POCKET ROCKET TOO!

An appearance by Wayne McCullough will also be part of the Saturday show as he steers towards a Halloween match with Naseem Hamed.

FEELING LUCKY?

DE LA HOYA-QUARTEY LAS VEGAS WEEKEND LOTTERY

WE are giving away two "choice" seats for the November 21, Oscar De La Hoya-Ike Quartey battle in Las Vegas AND two nights at the Imperial Palace Hotel (Nov. 20 & 21) that we are giving away on Ring Talk. You can enter by using our toll free lines (USA & Canada) or by sending an electronic mail entry during Ring Talk Saturday OR Sunday.

SAME TIME BOTH NIGHTS!! TWO NETWORKS!!

Saturday night Ring Talk is on the Talk "1" Network for two hours.

On Sunday, Ring Talk is an hour in duration and airs on the Talk "2" Network.

LIVE INTERNET AUDIO

BOTH the Talk "1" and Talk "2" Networks have separate LIVE Internet audio channels at www.talkamerica.com

CHANCES OF ROLLING SEVEN ARE BETTER THAN YOU THINK

But you can't win if you don't enter. And you can't enter if you don't listen to Ring Talk, your inside look into the world of boxing.

LALONDE DONE?

It looks that way. Donny Lalonde, the Canadian vegetarian who made millions fighting under the guidance of New York manager Dave Wolfe has sustained knuckle injuries that should mean the end of the pugilistic road for the former champion and suicide blond (died by his own hands).

Well set financially and nearly 40, Lalonde was fighting for kicks. He will continue to train and manage fighters in the Vancouver, B.C. area. And he still doesn't eat meat.

DRAGON LADY ILL

With the exception of my mother, no woman has had a greater impact on my career as a boxing journalist than Lorraine Chargin, the wife of California based promoter Don Chargin. In the 80's, she was a guiding light for a San Francisco Policeman who was sick of the job and wanted to quit.

MAYBE I'D STILL BE A COPPER IF...

It wasn't for her issuing this challenge. "Kid, not too many people make a living in boxing. You have to have thick skin."

I did some soul searching and made the decision.

DON IS NOT SAYING...

What it is exactly that is bothering my boxing Mom. But from all indications, it's more than just a cold.

TOUGH WITH A CAPITAL "T"

Three years ago at a show in Concord, CA, a four round fighter from L.A. was calling Lorraine every name in the book of sin in two languages. As I went to intercede, she pushed me aside and said she didn't need me fighting her battles for her.

"Look punk. You keep it up, and you'll have lost two fights tonight." A few more curt sentences and the Dragon Lady had regained control of the situation.

I LOVE HER...

But some people in the trade don't. They say that Lorraine is abrasive. Tick her off, and that is too mild of a description. The truth of the matter is that she's only rough and tough in her business mode. Outside of the ropes, the Dragon Lady is a softy.

Pedro Fernandez

The writer has his own site at www.fighters.com and can be reached at flash@inow.com