THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, April 12, 1996 TAG: 9604120749
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CUPECOY BAY, ST. MAARTEN LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
The last time the Olympics were held in the United States, Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker brought the gold home to Norfolk.
With the Olympics in Atlanta this year, Whitaker says he'd do it again in a heartbeat.
``I would go again, but I would have to be asked,'' he said. ``I would never step in there and fight someone and take the dream away from a younger kid.''
Whitaker will talk about his Olympic hopes in an HBO segment before tonight's WBC welterweight title fight against Wilfredo Rivera. He's made the Olympics the theme of this fight, he said: ``This fight is for the '96 Olympics, so I'll be wearing red, white and blue.''
Pro boxers are not allowed to fight in the Olympics, but Whitaker has done his part for Uncle Sam by working with three Olympic hopefuls who are being trained by his co-manager, Lou Duva. The fighters - Zahir Raheem, Floyd Mayweather and Omar Sheika - have been training in Virginia Beach and will fight for a spot on the U.S. team April 18-20 in Augusta, Ga.
``I've sparred with all three of them. They're real good young fighters,'' Whitaker said.
He also plans to work with them in May, in Houston. ``I want to try my hand at coaching,'' he said.
Ironically, Raheem, of Philadelphia, will fight Steve Carter, a Navy fighter based in Norfolk, in the 119-pound final in Augusta.
DUVA THE DIPLOMAT: He's probably not ready for the United Nations, but Lou Duva has shown some skill as a translator this week. Several languages are spoken in St. Maarten, and after one island official made a halting, rambling speech in French, Duva grabbed the microphone and did the honors.
``What he's trying to say,'' Duva said, ``is these two guys are going to beat each other's ---.''
CURIOSITY FACTOR: Posters promoting the Whitaker fight, and an undercard title fight featuring World Boxing Association champ Ike Quartey, are posted all over the Dutch side of the island, so most residents are aware the event is taking place.
But for many, their knowledge stops there. Several shopkeepers said they were aware a famous boxer was fighting a ``match'' here but couldn't name Whitaker.
``Is he big?'' one shop owner asked.
Told he was a six-time champion, the woman persisted.
How big is he, the woman wanted to know.
Not very.
``Oh,'' she said.
With just 1,000 seats available, not many ``regular'' residents will see the fight live. Most seats have been taken by boxing people and ``gamblers,'' said Dino Duva of Main Events.
However, the fight will be shown on closed circuit for $3 in a soccer stadium on the island, and in bars. by CNB