Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 10, 1995 TAG: 9504110063
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: LAS VEGAS LENGTH: Medium
\ Former boxing champions, including Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvelous Marvin Hagler, were being introduced when some fans started chanting, ``We want Mike! We want Mike!''
They didn't get to see Mike Tyson, who stayed away from the five-title fight card Saturday night at Caesars Palace, although he was in town.
They did see Oliver McCall and Bruce Seldon get in line for possible rich paydays in fights against Tyson by winning heavyweight title bouts.
They also saw 45-year-old Larry Holmes fight for the last time in losing a close but unanimous decision to McCall in a bid for the World boxing Council championship.
``I fell short of victory and of my goal,'' Holmes said. ``It's time to give it up, but nobody should feel sorry for me. Boxing has been great. I've had 26 years of happiness. Boxing don't owe me nothing. I owe boxing everything.''
McCall and Seldon, who won the World Boxing Association title by stopping Tony Tucker after seven rounds, will have to make a defense or two before Tyson is ready to challenge for a championship. They, or whoever unseats them, are much more in the Tyson mix than International Boxing Federation champion George Foreman and World Boxing Organization champ Riddick Bowe.
McCall and Seldon are promoted by Don King, Tyson's promoter, and so will be any opponents they might fight in the near future. Foreman, 46, and Bowe are not promoted by King and, besides, Foreman with his power and Bowe with his size would appear to be more dangerous opponents than McCall or Seldon.
Tyson, released from prison March 25 after serving three years on a rape conviction, probably will have at least two tuneup fights before he's ready for a title bid. The former undisputed champion, who has not fought since outpointing Donovan ``Razor'' Ruddock on June 28, 1991, likely could begin his comeback in late August or September.
``Mike Tyson is a good friend of mine, but Mike Tyson is not the champion,'' said McCall, a former sparring partner of Tyson. ``When Mike Tyson is ready, he is going to knock on my door. I don't have to knock on his door.''
Immediately after outpointing Holmes, McCall said, ``I'm looking forward to fighting Frank Bruno in July in London.'' The fight is being discussed, but has not been set.
King indicated a Seldon-Tucker rematch is possible, and Seldon told Tucker at the postfight news conference, ``If you want to do it, we will, but next time I'll be the champion.'' Saturday night's fight was for the vacant WBA title.
Holmes, making his fourth unsuccessful title bid since losing the IBF title on points to Michael Spinks in 1985, didn't have Foreman's power to offset his age.
Seldon, 28, became WBA champion when ringside physician Flip Homansky advised referee Mills Lane to stop the fight after seven rounds because Tucker's left eye was closed.
In two other fights on the pay-per-view show, Julio Cesar Chavez easily outpointed Giovanni Parisi of Italy in retaining the WBC super lightweight title, and Felix Trinidad stopped Roger Turner in the second round to retain the IBF welterweight title.
Luis Santana kept the WBC super welterweight title the way he won it - on the disqualification of Terry Norris.
Norris was disqualified for knocking down Santana with a right to the head after the bell ended the third round. Santana had won the title when Norris was disqualified for hitting him in the back of the head on Nov.12.
Norris had knocked down Santana twice and was in command Saturday night when he was disqualified.
by CNB