Good Afternoon Mr. and Ms. America, and those reading this overseas.

It's rare that even I, the Walter Winchell of Boxing, and the "Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of The Radio Airwaves," will present six, count six main events in a two hour show!

But that's what we put forth Saturday night as Fernando Vargas, Ivan Robinson, Sumya (Sum-my-a) Anani, Michael Grant, and Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson. Only "LORD" Roger Levitt, the promoter of the Foreman-Holmes January 23, PPV card missed the show. It wasn't the Lord's fault, and I'll explain later.

XMAS 1998 WORLD CHAMPION STYLE

This Christmas was unlike any other that Fernando Vargas has ever experienced in his 21 years. Here's some of what he had to say last night on Ring Talk.

"You know Pedro, as a kid there were always things at Christmas that me or my family wanted, and couldn't have. Well, this is like a kid's Christmas come true as we have everything we want, and I'm world champion."

"And I know that there were a lot of people who said that I was too inexperienced to beat a fighter like Yory Boy Campas. You weren't one of them, but there were a lot. I proved them wrong and I'm ready to go on to the next challenge."

GOLDEN MAN ON AGENDA?

What about David Reid, the 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist? "I think that fight can be made after a couple of fights. Was he exposed in his last fight? I don't know, you tell me?"

ON HBO DEAL

"No, I don't have one yet. But, we're working on it."

WELL DESERVED PAT ON BACK

The "Oxnard Kid" should be credited with a number of things. The first being, his maturity. I've watched him fight since the Junior Olympic days, and observed him up close in the 1996 Olympic Trials.

METAMORPHOSIS HAS OCCURRED

Since then, the Kid from Oxnard has become not only a world champion, but he's become a man!

TOO SHARP OUT OF HIS MIND WITH TAPIA BEING "TUBE MEMBER"

"Yeah, you know he's in a Punk rock band. Cause, Johnny's a punk Pedro. You know, as I sit here one day after Christmas, I think how I would be so embarrassed, so pissed off that somebody would do me, like I've done
Johnny. I'd want to kill him. This is a big money fight. Somewhere between $500,000 to a $1,000,000 for Johnny, so what's holding this **** up, if he's not a punk.

TIRED OF CALLING PEOPLE OUT

"Pedro, I'm getting tired of calling people out. Cause, it ain't working. I called out Baby Jake Matlala, haven't heard back from him. Michael Carbajal, same thing. Don't forget Ricardo Lopez. And now I've called Johnny out, and all he wants to do is take a picture with me."

But Mark, you would probably be favored over all of those guys, Tapia included, don't you see the risk factor being too great on their part I asked? "Too Sharp" shot back, "They can make big money fighting me."

JOINING GEORGE AND WEEZIE

Just like the TV Jefferson's, Mark is moving on up. But not to the upside of town, to 115 lbs. "I'll fight for Johnny's vacant title at 115 lbs. and stay on his ass. And if I have to keep moving up I will. The only thing
bothering me this Christmas is Johnny not being a man and us setting up the fight that the public wants to see."

RADIO RAGE

Although the listeners cannot tell what's going on, last night's show was a nightmare from a Production standpoint. At the top of the show, I lay out a "cue" and the producer then hits the bell three times. Well, 20 seconds into Ring Talk, instead of hearing bells, my Producer plays theme music from the show airing prior.

Then as I'm continuing with my opening monologue, all of a sudden, you guessed it, the bells rang! Being the pro that I am, I waited for the commercial break to unload on him. As we come back with our first guest undefeated heavyweight Michael Grant, again, the dipstick played the wrong music.

INCOMPETENT EMPLOYEE DISS' LORD LEVITT AGAIN!

The last time Roger Levitt, the promoter of the George Foreman-Larry Holmes fight January 23, on Pay Per View was slated to appear, this same boob was working the board. On that night, he screwed up Levitt's phone number.

DITTO THIS TIME TOO!

When he told me that Lord Levitt's home phone number was disconnected, I repeated the correct number, only to have this idiot report back the same thing.

MUST HAVE PHOTOS OF NETWORK HEADS WITH HOOKERS!

Because, as long and hard as I pushed in a teleconference call with Talk America VP Tom Star early Sunday morning, he refused to fire the idiot. As you can see, I'm not afraid to air even my dirty laundry here, especially
when a network decision goes against me.

WW AND GOLDBERG

In a world far detached from the real one that is professional boxing, former NFL player Bill Goldberg is the man in pro wrestling. Having spent some time talking boxing with Goldberg both in person, and later on the phone, I'm convinced that he would take out Mike Tyson, WITH boxing gloves.

ON TYSON

"He definitely ain't the baddest guy around. And I'd seriously consider fighting him in the future. If the money was right."

KARATE BACKGROUND

With a karate background, standing 6'4, and 275 to 290 lbs., I asked the WCW champion if he took steroids? "No, but I take everything I can that's legal and safe for me, to remain on that cutting edge."

"Do you think Jack Hammering a 550 lb. Giant is easy? My Dad is a doctor and he is my source on the facts regarding what I take. But no steroids."

PROUD JEW

Goldberg, ever so proud of his Jewish heritage, realizes that he must act out a role, and at the same time not be a negative impact on the kids. I also asked him about making seven figures.

"It's incredible. In less than two years, I've become the most recognizable Jewish athlete on the planet. The money, it's all relevant to the big picture and what they are making."

RELISHES GOOD GUY ROLE

"I'm glad my image is that of a guy who can be a role model to some kids."

ON SUPERSTARDOM

There isn't anywhere Bill can go without somebody calling out, "Goldberg." And he seems to be handling it well as was evidenced when we met at the Holyfield-Bean fight in Atlanta this past September.

"It's been quick, and at times, being me can be a pain. But, I want to be nice to people. Hey, I'm not lacing up these boots past the age of 40. I'm 32 now, I know that for every person I sign an autograph for, that I take a
picture with, well those are the people who pay my salary by paying the $30 to watch me on Pay Per View."

RING TALK TONIGHT (SUNDAY)

At 11:06 PM ET, on the Talk America "2" Radio Network, Ring Talk Sunday airs for an hour with LIVE Internet audio at www.talkamerica.com

LEVITT AND HERB LAMBECK

Guests will include Lord Levitt (if he's still talking to me!) and Oddsmaker Herb Lambeck will put his spin on 1998, the Year In Review!

MONDAY IT'S BUCKET TIME

The Old Spit Bucket returns to www.fighters.com with an piece on Archie Moore.

IT'S ALSO EASTER

As Rodney Verges and Rabitt Punches is the Monday main course at www.fighters.com

DANGER, DANGER WILL ROBINSON!

On Tuesday, Dangerous Dan will take center stage here at www.fighters.com


Pedro Fernandez

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

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