Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 5, 1995 TAG: 9503070030
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The WBA's executive committee voted to reject the 46-year-old Foreman's appeal that it sanction his April 22 fight against unranked Axel Schulz of Germany. The vote count was not revealed.
The committee backed up a 5-0 vote by the WBA's championships committee Jan.27 that Foreman make his first title defense against the top available contender or have his title recognition withdrawn by the organization.
James Binns of the WBA said that Foreman had until today to comply, which meant that the title will be declared vacant.
Tony Tucker, ranked No.1, and Bruce Seldon, No.2, will fight for the WBA championship. Both are promoted by Don King.
Foreman won the WBA and IBF titles by knocking out Michael Moorer in the 10th round Nov.5 at the MGM Grand at Las Vegas. The IBF will sanction Foreman's fight against Schulz at the the Grand.
Foreman and promoter Bob Arum have indicated that they would take court action against the WBA if didn't sanction the Schulz fight.
Foreman said in a statement read Saturday by promoter Butch Lewis, asked by the fighter to represent him at the appeal hearing, that if the WBA allowed him to fight Schulz, he would ``defend the title against the challengaer designated by the WBA later this year.''
Foreman also said he would retire late this year or early in 1996.
``If ever an exception to the rule should be applied, it should be applied to George Foreman,'' Lewis said in asking the WBA not to withdraw championship recognition from Foreman.
Arum, in a letter to the WBA, called Foreman, ``one of the most important American heroes of this century.''
``Popularity cannot be the test,'' said Rocco DePaersia, Seldon's manager. ``This is not professional wrestling.''
The WBC champion is Oliver McCall, a former Bassett resident. He will defend his title against 45-year-old Larry Holmes on April 8 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
In other boxing news:
by CNB