THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 14, 1995 TAG: 9504130156
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 29 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Lee Tolliver
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
It's hard to believe that Curtis Bush would consider getting back in the ring so soon after his brutal loss last January at the Pavilion.
Bush was battered for eight rounds by Abdel Issad in the International Sport Karate Association super welterweight world title fight, but was almost unbelievably still contemplating a rematch later this year offered him by Issad.
That plan went sour when Issad failed to meet the deadline for his mandatory title defense because of a damaged hand and was stripped of the title.
But that left the title vacant and Bush as the No. 2 contender behind England's Tom Montgomery.
So Saturday, in Brighton, England, the two will go at it for the once-again vacant title.
Bush - completely healed from the massive cuts and bruises suffered at the hands and feet of Issad - feels he has a great chance to finally bring home his fourth world title belt.
But again, this fight could make up his mind about his future in the fight business.
``If I get clobbered again, it would probably be it,'' said Bush. ``But if it's close or I win, I'd probably continue for a while. If I win, I'll give Issad another shot.''
Against Issad, Bush had trouble with the taller - 6-foot-2 - Algerian now living in France. But Montgomery is 5-7.
``He's a short, little bulldog-type fighter,'' Bush said. ``But his size is much more to my style. It's easier to kick a short guy in the head than it is a taller one.''
Montgomery carries a 15-4 record including 11 knockouts, while Bush is 38-8-2 with 28 KOs.
``I've been sparring with Andre Carter and Tony Ornelas pretty hard and I'm ready,'' Bush said.
If you missed Kyle Petty at Hall Auto Mall on Wednesday, don't worry.
Petty had to postpone the autograph signing event because of a bout with pneumonia. Petty's doctor ordered him to stay in bed, after the driver developed strep throat last Friday and complained that he didn't feel well in Sunday's NASCAR event.
Petty will now appear at Hall on April 26 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. His car will be there from 3:30 to 7 p.m.
Petty's appearance is the second annual ``Kyle, CCATS and Cars,'' a public service and promotion of traffic safety awareness by Concerned Citizens Advocating Traffic Safety.
Dog-gonit.
Hopefully you didn't forget that the Friskies Canine Frisbee disc championships will be held at Redwing Park at around 3 p.m. April 23.
You know, the contest where master and dog play catch with a Frisbee? Super fun and usually a great show.
This year's contest will be part of the fourth annual Dog-Gonest Dog Show that begins at noon.
For starters, dogs and owners will be judged for best groomed, owner/dog look alike, best behaved for owners over and under 16, best barker, best stupid dog trick and best dog in show.
Following that, Alcyn's Dog Obedience, the Tidewater Trail Search and Rescue Team and the Police K-9 dogs will put on demonstrations at around 2:30 p.m.
Remember, anyone taking their dogs has to provide information that the animals have had rabies shots and have their pets on a leash.
For more information, call special services at 471-5884. MEMO: Got an interesting sports-related story to tell? If so, call The Beacon
at 490-7228 and let us know about it, or write to The Beacon, Sports
Department, 4565 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va., 23462. The
fax number is 490-7235.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo by RAYMOND GEHMAN
Curtis Bush, right, completely healed from his loss to Abdel Issad
in January, will fight England's Tom Montgomery for the now-vacant
ISKA super welterweight world title.
by CNB