THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 9, 1994 TAG: 9408090520
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C01 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
According to a publicist for Main Events, Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker's Oct. 1 world title bout with James ``Buddy'' McGirt likely will take place in Hampton Roads.
``I think Norfolk or that area is the leading contender,'' said Mike Boorman of Main Events, which promotes Whitaker. ``Personally, if I was betting, I'd bet a billion dollars the fight is going to be there.''
If it is, it will amount to a home-and-home series. Whitaker, of Virginia Beach, won the World Boxing Council welterweight title from McGirt, a Long Island native, on McGirt's home turf in March 1993 at Madison Square Garden.
Boorman said casinos in Atlantic City, N.J., and Reno, Nev., are submitting bids for the fight. But he expects a decision will be made by Wednesday to hold the fight either at Scope, Hampton Coliseum or possibly Harbor Park, if it were available.
Whitaker's last fight was a welterweight title defense at Scope against Santos Cardona in April, a bout that drew 7,868 fans. In 1991, Whitaker defended his undisputed lightweight title at Scope against Poli Diaz before 7,276 at Scope. He also fought a tuneup bout at the Virginia Beach Pavilion in 1992 that drew 3,100.
``The last two times Pernell fought (world title bouts) at home, the other guy didn't speak English,'' Boorman said. ``That's tough to say, `Here's the guy he's fighting,' and the guy says, `Hola.' ''
McGirt trainer/manager Al Certo said he's willing to fight Whitaker on his home turf, but he would say ``no way'' if a Virginia referee or judge is assigned to work the fight. In the past, Virginia boxing commissioner Doug Beavers has been adamant about using Virginia referees to work world title bouts held within the state.
``They'll do a crowd there, but it won't do no money,'' Certo said. ``It's a New York fight, that's where it belongs - where the money is.''
True, a casino could plunk down around a $300,000 site fee. Boorman said with a good gate, Main Events could probably clear close to the same profit at Scope. The crowd likely would be much larger and there would be other intangibles - not the least of which is a hometown crowd pulling for Whitaker. But there are others, also.
``We'd be really happy with Norfolk as a venue,'' said vice president and executive producer Ross Greenburg of HBO Sports, which will broadcast the fight. ``We've had such success down there and it's such a rocking site. Everyone comes out when Pernell fights and the building is electric, which makes for great television.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Pernell Whitaker
by CNB