Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 18, 1994 TAG: 9412200035
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWIGHT FOXX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Jimmy Adams, who manages the former Bassett resident and still lives in Bassett, said he expects promoter Don King to call a news conference Monday or Tuesday to announce the change.
``Don just said the fight is going to be postponed. He didn't say why,'' Adams said by phone from Quito, Ecuador.
Adams is in Ecuador negotiating to manage Michael Nunn, who fought World Boxing Association super middleweight champion Frankie Lyles on Saturday night. Adams also manages Tony Tucker, the top-ranked contender for George Foreman's WBA and International Boxing Federation heavyweight crowns.
McCall, who knocked out Lennox Lewis in the second round Sept.24 to win the WBC title, has been training for three weeks in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and in Ecuador in anticipation of a February bout with Holmes in Las Vegas.
``The people here think he's fighting tonight,'' Adams said Saturday. ``People keep telling him he looks real good.''
The entourages of McCall, Adams and King are scheduled to leave Ecuador on Monday for a ``Turkey Tour`` that King runs each holiday season. They will give out turkeys to the poor in two cities per day Monday through Wednesday before Adams returns to Bassett on Thursday.
McCall, who moved his family from Bassett to Fort Lauderdale three weeks ago, is scheduled to resume training in Toluca, Mexico, on Jan.2 for his first title defense against Holmes. The heavyweight champion still owns a home in Bassett.
In another development, rumors have been circulating that the WBA and IBF may try to force Foreman's retirement. The 46-year-old knocked out Michael Moorer to become the oldest heavyweight champion ever. If that happens, Tucker would fight Bruce Seldon, the No.2-ranked contender, for the vacant crowns.
``I've heard that,'' Adams said of the rumor. ``But I've heard so many different stories that I don't believe anything until Don tells me. But something has to happen before March,'' when Foreman must make a mandatory defense.
Adams and McCall are donating $13,000 to an elementary school in Bassett to help fund construction of a new playground.
``They needed $7,000. The extra money is something they can put in the kitty,'' Adams said. ``Oliver's kids went to school there before they moved and he thought it would be a good way to give something back.''
by CNB