Post
Tuesday, May 17, 2005; D02
Tennessee boxing officials decided to have a new doctor examine former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe .
Manager Jimmy Adams said yesterday he had few details but that state officials want Bowe to see a new doctor. He was arranging for Bowe to travel to Nashville within the next few days.
"We've got nothing to hide, so we're glad," Adams said. "We're willing to see whatever doctor they're willing for us to see."
On Oct. 27, Bowe applied for a Tennessee license but was rejected a day later. State officials also dismissed his appeal, and he sued.
A chancellor, in an opinion issued April 20, gave the state 30 days to either study Bowe's own medical records, adopt his doctors' opinions or have another doctor examine the boxer.
Tennessee Officials Say Bowe Must See Doctor
Tennessee Officials Say Bowe Must See Doctor
Bowe begins training in Oklahoma
Bowe begins training in Oklahoma
By Jeff Latzke, The Associated Press
SHAWNEE, Okla. — Riddick Bowe doesn't know for sure who he'll be fighting in two weeks. Still, he's ready to get going.
Bowe, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, began training in Oklahoma on Friday for his first fight after a seven-year retirement. Bowe is scheduled to fight Marcus Rhode on Sept. 25 at FireLake Casino. Fight organizers have gone through at least four other potential opponents since Bowe announced his comeback last month.
Bowe (40-1, 32 KOs) plans to fight 15 times over the next 18 months in preparation for a run at the heavyweight title. It doesn't matter to him that his opponent is still a mystery.
"A fighter's a fighter whether he's Mike Tyson or Joe Blow," Bowe said. "You've still got to prepare the same way."
Trainer Janks Morton said the identity and style of Bowe's opponent won't matter until he gets to the championship level.
"You just concentrate on what Riddick Bowe has to do," Morton said. "It's not about what the opponent's going to do to Riddick. It's what Riddick's going to do to the opponent."
Bowe, who has been spending the equivalent of 20 to 25 rounds training in the ring each day, ran about three miles Friday morning at Oklahoma Baptist University, Morton said.
Right now, Bowe is between 265 and 268 pounds, Morton said. The heaviest Bowe fought at was 252 pounds in December 1996 against Andrew Golota. Bowe was losing that fight when Golota was disqualified for low blows.
"The weight doesn't bother him at this point in his career," Morton said. "What you have to remember is Riddick Bowe has good charisma and good movement and he's probably the best jabber boxing's had since Larry Holmes."
Bowe said he was excited to get back in the ring and even challenged Lennox Lewis to come out of retirement to fight him. Lewis beat Bowe to win the gold medal in the 1988 Olympics. Bowe later lost the WBC title because he didn't fight Lewis.
However, Bowe also said he didn't want to rush into fighting top-level boxers too quickly as some other retired boxers had done.
"In my mind, I'm thinking about longevity," Bowe said. "When I get the title, I want to hold onto it until I retire."
Some have expressed concern about Bowe's health after attorneys used brain damage as a defense for Bowe in a trial on charges related to his abduction of his first wife and their five children. Bowe, who eventually pleaded guilty to interstate domestic violence, has said his lawyers made up the brain damage claim to keep him out of prison.
Bowe and his manager, Jimmy Adams, said there was no medical documentation of any brain injury to Bowe.
"I've never had any medical problems," Bowe said.
Adams said other boxers have expressed interest in fighting Bowe, but a second fight has not yet been arranged.
"We have a lot of fights on the table, but we're just getting through this one," Adams said.
SHAWNEE, Okla. — Riddick Bowe doesn't know for sure who he'll be fighting in two weeks. Still, he's ready to get going.
Bowe, the former undisputed heavyweight champion, began training in Oklahoma on Friday for his first fight after a seven-year retirement. Bowe is scheduled to fight Marcus Rhode on Sept. 25 at FireLake Casino. Fight organizers have gone through at least four other potential opponents since Bowe announced his comeback last month.
Bowe (40-1, 32 KOs) plans to fight 15 times over the next 18 months in preparation for a run at the heavyweight title. It doesn't matter to him that his opponent is still a mystery.
"A fighter's a fighter whether he's Mike Tyson or Joe Blow," Bowe said. "You've still got to prepare the same way."
Trainer Janks Morton said the identity and style of Bowe's opponent won't matter until he gets to the championship level.
"You just concentrate on what Riddick Bowe has to do," Morton said. "It's not about what the opponent's going to do to Riddick. It's what Riddick's going to do to the opponent."
Bowe, who has been spending the equivalent of 20 to 25 rounds training in the ring each day, ran about three miles Friday morning at Oklahoma Baptist University, Morton said.
Right now, Bowe is between 265 and 268 pounds, Morton said. The heaviest Bowe fought at was 252 pounds in December 1996 against Andrew Golota. Bowe was losing that fight when Golota was disqualified for low blows.
"The weight doesn't bother him at this point in his career," Morton said. "What you have to remember is Riddick Bowe has good charisma and good movement and he's probably the best jabber boxing's had since Larry Holmes."
Bowe said he was excited to get back in the ring and even challenged Lennox Lewis to come out of retirement to fight him. Lewis beat Bowe to win the gold medal in the 1988 Olympics. Bowe later lost the WBC title because he didn't fight Lewis.
However, Bowe also said he didn't want to rush into fighting top-level boxers too quickly as some other retired boxers had done.
"In my mind, I'm thinking about longevity," Bowe said. "When I get the title, I want to hold onto it until I retire."
Some have expressed concern about Bowe's health after attorneys used brain damage as a defense for Bowe in a trial on charges related to his abduction of his first wife and their five children. Bowe, who eventually pleaded guilty to interstate domestic violence, has said his lawyers made up the brain damage claim to keep him out of prison.
Bowe and his manager, Jimmy Adams, said there was no medical documentation of any brain injury to Bowe.
"I've never had any medical problems," Bowe said.
Adams said other boxers have expressed interest in fighting Bowe, but a second fight has not yet been arranged.
"We have a lot of fights on the table, but we're just getting through this one," Adams said.
Bertram Cooper (born January 10, 1966), also known as Smokin' Bert Cooper is a retired heavyweight boxer.
Cooper was the first boxer to knock down Evander Holyfield and the only boxer to defeat former Olympian Willie de Wit. Cooper also fought George Foreman, Ray Mercer, Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer, Mike Weaver, Corrie Sanders, Larry Donald, Jeremy Williams and Joe Mesi, losing to all.
Cooper, notorious for his unwillingness to train, was generally considered as one of the most dangerous fighters in the world for four rounds -- after which a balance of incredible heart and a total lack of conditioning kicked in and caused him to underperform and underachieve.
In the early 90s, while managed by Rob Russen and Jimmy Adams Cooper found a resurgence that saw him fight for the heavyweight championship of the world three times within 18 months. This was largely due to the fact he would not go down easily, making him perfect fodder for an easy, but entertaining title defense. At one point during his title fight with Evander Holyfield, referee Mills Lane stopped the fight while Cooper, seemingly oblivious to the unbelievable punishment he was receiving, was still standing, knocked out on his feet, but unwilling to go down.
He was also trained by former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, hence his "Smokin'" nickname.
Cooper retired with a record of 36 wins and 22 losses.
Cooper, notorious for his unwillingness to train, was generally considered as one of the most dangerous fighters in the world for four rounds -- after which a balance of incredible heart and a total lack of conditioning kicked in and caused him to underperform and underachieve.
In the early 90s, while managed by Rob Russen and Jimmy Adams Cooper found a resurgence that saw him fight for the heavyweight championship of the world three times within 18 months. This was largely due to the fact he would not go down easily, making him perfect fodder for an easy, but entertaining title defense. At one point during his title fight with Evander Holyfield, referee Mills Lane stopped the fight while Cooper, seemingly oblivious to the unbelievable punishment he was receiving, was still standing, knocked out on his feet, but unwilling to go down.
He was also trained by former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, hence his "Smokin'" nickname.
Cooper retired with a record of 36 wins and 22 losses.
LET'S NOT COUNT HIM OUT
Sunday, February 9th 1997, 2:01AM
LAS VEGAS Fix? The only fix Oliver McCall has been in his adult life is getting caught between boxing and crack cocaine.
He couldn't win in either.
He's been doing crack since the age of 16 or 17. He started on pot at 11. He might have what Richie Giachetti calls "the greatest chin in history," but the mind obviously does not depend on good hand-to-nose coordination.
He talked for 50 minutes yesterday, trying to explain his inexplicable performance Friday night when he simply stopped fighting Lennox Lewis, a tentative man who well remembered getting knocked out by McCall in 1994.
He said it wasn't a "fix," that he had plenty of opportunity to fall down and lose if that's what the boys wanted. But no, he said, he was trying to win. He had a "strategy."
He said it was like Muhammad Ali's "rope-a-dope" against George Foreman in 1974.
Ali was on the rope. McCall has been on dope.
He was in denial. Strategy? Before the fifth round, referee Mills Lane asked him, "Do you want to fight?"
McCall shook his head.
His corner egged him on: "Come on, you can win this fight." He was pushed out for one more round. He threw one punch a puny jab and complained yesterday that he was done in by sportswriters and the referee.
"I don't believe I had my chance and blew it," he said while speaking to the press for 50 minutes at the Las Vegas Hilton. "I believe I had my chance and y'all took it."
He didn't blame the drug dealers. Mills Lane is a hard-nosed Reno justice, an ex-Marine and ex-D.A. He blamed Lane.
McCall sat on the stage next to Don King, his promoter. King had met with McCall's manager, Jimmy Adams, yesterday over the health of the fighter. That's what they said. Forget about the $3,075,500 purse, King said, probably hoping McCall will.
"Every time we needed rehab, Don put the money down," said Adams.
That was three times last year, along with four arrests. McCall said he would fight again. Root for him. The ring is the safest place he's been, even with his hands down and a 251-pound Englishman hitting him. Boxing's business is as dangerous as a crack house, and in King, McCall is up against a Hall of Fame promoter.
King took him from the obscurity of being a Mike Tyson sparring partner, and brought him to the WBC title. McCall gave more in return. This was a time when Tyson was in prison and McCall's 1994 second-round knockout of Lewis put King "back in the heavyweight business," the promoter said in an interview last year. King couldn't remember McCall's name.
"Who's that junkie I got?" he asked the reporters.
When McCall didn't return to his stool after the third round Friday night, leaving exasperated trainer George Benton with his back to the ring, someone in the corner said, "The reason he didn't come back was he didn't want to listen to D.K."
But D.K. is not to blame for the mess McCall is in. Oh, he took advantage of it, all right, and he'll do it again if he can. Out-patients fight for heavyweight titles, but boxing is not wrong with the world.
Maybe King deserves his two-thirds cut of McCall's withheld purse, the reason he staged yesterday's charade. I didn't feel anger at King or Jose Sulaiman or Dino Duva or HBO for putting on the fight. McCall was ready to snap. Who could tell exactly when? He had come out of rehab to beat Lewis in 1994. Yes, in retrospect, the signs were there the 1996 rap sheet, the threat to retire, "win or lose," made to British writers Tuesday, but recanted Wednesday. McCall has always been wacky and wild-eyed, an Atomic Bull ready to explode.
We sat there, feeling embarrassed for him, as he rambled on and told the story of his seventh child, the daughter who died at birth.
HE SAID he was "getting high," although 9-month pregnant Alethia was home, and prayed, "Don't let another child be burdened with my name," and his wife had determined that this baby would be named for him, Oliver for a boy, Olivia for a girl.
Six days later, they buried Olivia. McCall, tears starting, said yesterday, "He's a jealous God and he don't play."
The emotion of the day is not anger. It is sadness.
LAS VEGAS Fix? The only fix Oliver McCall has been in his adult life is getting caught between boxing and crack cocaine.
He couldn't win in either.
He's been doing crack since the age of 16 or 17. He started on pot at 11. He might have what Richie Giachetti calls "the greatest chin in history," but the mind obviously does not depend on good hand-to-nose coordination.
He talked for 50 minutes yesterday, trying to explain his inexplicable performance Friday night when he simply stopped fighting Lennox Lewis, a tentative man who well remembered getting knocked out by McCall in 1994.
He said it wasn't a "fix," that he had plenty of opportunity to fall down and lose if that's what the boys wanted. But no, he said, he was trying to win. He had a "strategy."
He said it was like Muhammad Ali's "rope-a-dope" against George Foreman in 1974.
Ali was on the rope. McCall has been on dope.
He was in denial. Strategy? Before the fifth round, referee Mills Lane asked him, "Do you want to fight?"
McCall shook his head.
His corner egged him on: "Come on, you can win this fight." He was pushed out for one more round. He threw one punch a puny jab and complained yesterday that he was done in by sportswriters and the referee.
"I don't believe I had my chance and blew it," he said while speaking to the press for 50 minutes at the Las Vegas Hilton. "I believe I had my chance and y'all took it."
He didn't blame the drug dealers. Mills Lane is a hard-nosed Reno justice, an ex-Marine and ex-D.A. He blamed Lane.
McCall sat on the stage next to Don King, his promoter. King had met with McCall's manager, Jimmy Adams, yesterday over the health of the fighter. That's what they said. Forget about the $3,075,500 purse, King said, probably hoping McCall will.
"Every time we needed rehab, Don put the money down," said Adams.
That was three times last year, along with four arrests. McCall said he would fight again. Root for him. The ring is the safest place he's been, even with his hands down and a 251-pound Englishman hitting him. Boxing's business is as dangerous as a crack house, and in King, McCall is up against a Hall of Fame promoter.
King took him from the obscurity of being a Mike Tyson sparring partner, and brought him to the WBC title. McCall gave more in return. This was a time when Tyson was in prison and McCall's 1994 second-round knockout of Lewis put King "back in the heavyweight business," the promoter said in an interview last year. King couldn't remember McCall's name.
"Who's that junkie I got?" he asked the reporters.
When McCall didn't return to his stool after the third round Friday night, leaving exasperated trainer George Benton with his back to the ring, someone in the corner said, "The reason he didn't come back was he didn't want to listen to D.K."
But D.K. is not to blame for the mess McCall is in. Oh, he took advantage of it, all right, and he'll do it again if he can. Out-patients fight for heavyweight titles, but boxing is not wrong with the world.
Maybe King deserves his two-thirds cut of McCall's withheld purse, the reason he staged yesterday's charade. I didn't feel anger at King or Jose Sulaiman or Dino Duva or HBO for putting on the fight. McCall was ready to snap. Who could tell exactly when? He had come out of rehab to beat Lewis in 1994. Yes, in retrospect, the signs were there the 1996 rap sheet, the threat to retire, "win or lose," made to British writers Tuesday, but recanted Wednesday. McCall has always been wacky and wild-eyed, an Atomic Bull ready to explode.
We sat there, feeling embarrassed for him, as he rambled on and told the story of his seventh child, the daughter who died at birth.
HE SAID he was "getting high," although 9-month pregnant Alethia was home, and prayed, "Don't let another child be burdened with my name," and his wife had determined that this baby would be named for him, Oliver for a boy, Olivia for a girl.
Six days later, they buried Olivia. McCall, tears starting, said yesterday, "He's a jealous God and he don't play."
The emotion of the day is not anger. It is sadness.
BOXING; McCall Comeback
Oliver McCall, the heavyweight who suffered a bizarre mental breakdown in a bout against Lennox Lewis last February, is returning to the ring to fight Bryan Yates on Nov. 4 in Nashville.
McCall is hoping this is the first step toward getting back into the heavyweight championship picture.
McCall was suspended from boxing by the Nevada Athletic Commission following his fight against Lewis, which was stopped in the fifth round after McCall began sobbing uncontrollably. His suspension was lifted Sept. 30 and he has been training with Greg Page in Nashville while seeing a psychiatrist, said his manager, Jimmy L. Adams.
Adams said he still does not know what happened to McCall during that Feb. 7 fight against Lewis and cannot predict what will happen when McCall steps into the ring at the Music City Mix Factory against Yates.
Adams said McCall had gone through a battery of physical and mental tests since his loss to Lewis and had checked out.
''He'll have more tests before the fight, and if anything is wrong, he won't fight,'' Adams said. ''But he's anxious to get back in the ring. He wants to fight. He needs to fight, because he still hasn't gotten his money for the fight against Lennox Lewis.''
McCall was sued by Main Events, the promoters of his fight against Lewis, because they said he entered the ring knowing he was not mentally fit to put on a good fight.
The case, and McCall's $3 million purse, is in the hands of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in New Jersey. Timothy W. Smith
McCall is hoping this is the first step toward getting back into the heavyweight championship picture.
McCall was suspended from boxing by the Nevada Athletic Commission following his fight against Lewis, which was stopped in the fifth round after McCall began sobbing uncontrollably. His suspension was lifted Sept. 30 and he has been training with Greg Page in Nashville while seeing a psychiatrist, said his manager, Jimmy L. Adams.
Adams said he still does not know what happened to McCall during that Feb. 7 fight against Lewis and cannot predict what will happen when McCall steps into the ring at the Music City Mix Factory against Yates.
Adams said McCall had gone through a battery of physical and mental tests since his loss to Lewis and had checked out.
''He'll have more tests before the fight, and if anything is wrong, he won't fight,'' Adams said. ''But he's anxious to get back in the ring. He wants to fight. He needs to fight, because he still hasn't gotten his money for the fight against Lennox Lewis.''
McCall was sued by Main Events, the promoters of his fight against Lewis, because they said he entered the ring knowing he was not mentally fit to put on a good fight.
The case, and McCall's $3 million purse, is in the hands of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in New Jersey. Timothy W. Smith
Adams to re-energize Tennessee boxing!
Adams to re-energize Tennessee boxing!
By David L. Hudson Jr.
A familiar face is returning to Middle Tennessee to put boxing back on the map. From 1997-1999, Virginia-based Jimmy Adams held fight cards at the Music City Mix Factory at an unbelievable rate of nearly one fight card per week. Boxing aficionados saw bouts featuring former champions or contenders Oliver McCall, Greg Page, Tony Tucker, Robert Daniels, Sharmba Mitchell and others. But, Adams left town in 1999 and boxing in the Nashville area never recovered.
Now, boxing in the state of Tennessee overall has declined even more since the departure of the popular former director of pro boxing Tommy Patrick. However, it looks like fight fans in Middle Tennessee may have a chance to see boxing on a regular basis. That’s because Unanimous Promotions will be holding fight cards at the Nashville nightclub The Trap twice a month beginning on August 19th. Unanimous Promotions, run by Rickey Young (no relation to promoter Brian Young who played a significant role in the 2002 Tyson-Lewis bout held in Memphis) and Terrence Gray, has hired Jimmy Adams as an advisor to help them make the venture a success. They hope to fill the void that currently exists in pro boxing in Tennessee.
“We did 47 fight cards in one year when I was promoting out of the Mix Factory,” Adams says. “We can do even better this time. Tennesseans support boxing. Boxing is not down for the count. We are going to bring real professional boxing back to Nashville. We hope to soon have some bigger name fighters at the Trap.”
“A lot of people talked about the Mix Factory, but the Trap is a totally different place,” Adams says. “Irv Woolsey [the owner of The Trap and manager of country star George Strait] has credibility in this town and is a boxing fanatic. We will bring good boxing and good entertainment.”
Rickey Young says he hired Adams as an advisor because of his long-time experience with professional boxing and his ability to make fights happen. “We met Don King through Jimmy and Don is a big supporter of Jimmy,” Rickey Young said.
Adams and Rickey Young said the August 19th card is scheduled to have eight bouts, including the return of mid-state fighter Brent Cooper. Cooper fought regularly at the Mix Factory and built up a record of 20-2-2, largely under Adams’ guidance. “Jimmy’s the one that got me all my fights,” Cooper said, explaining why he reconnected with Adams. “If it wasn’t for him, I’d only have about six pro bouts.”
“Within a year, I will land Brent a title fight or at least give him the opportunity for a title fight,” Adams said. “He is the one that will have to perform in the ring, but I will get him the fights.” We want to match Brent up with a top-notch trainer like Buddy McGirt or Richie Giachetti, known mainly as the trainer of former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.
The card will also feature the return of the legendary Mike “the Honky Tonk Hitman” Rodgers, the former WBF super cruiserweight champion. “I am looking to stay busy,” says Rodgers, who sports a record of 25-2 with 20 kayoes. “I need to get back in the ring and shake off some cobwebs that I’ve let accumulate playing in all these honkytonks.”
Rodgers says it’s a positive development for Nashville to have regular fight cards at The Trap. “Jimmy is the one that can make fights happen. He has always had the ability to bring in good names and put on good boxing shows. At one point, Nashville was a hotbed for boxing when he was promoting at the Mix Factory. That is a good thing for me because every since Jimmy Adams left Nashville, my career has not been as active as I would have liked. Robert Moore has always been good to me and landed me the WBF championship fight but after he got sick, there were no other promoters in town with enough significance in the fight game.”
Rodgers, who is making great strides in his music career, says he’s taking his involvement in the fight game one day at a time. “I fight when I feel like it,” Rodgers says. “And right now I feel like fighting.”
In addition to local fighters such as Cooper and Rodgers, Adams anticipates bringing in a stable of marquee names. Unanimous Promotions says they will possibly feature a card with former world heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe
The August 19th fight card will take place at The Trap at 201 Woodland Street at 8:00 p.m. For tickets call 615-294-3823. For further information contact Rickey Young at 615-859-2861.
David L. Hudson, Jr. is an attorney, writer and licensed boxing judge in the state of Tennessee.
A familiar face is returning to Middle Tennessee to put boxing back on the map. From 1997-1999, Virginia-based Jimmy Adams held fight cards at the Music City Mix Factory at an unbelievable rate of nearly one fight card per week. Boxing aficionados saw bouts featuring former champions or contenders Oliver McCall, Greg Page, Tony Tucker, Robert Daniels, Sharmba Mitchell and others. But, Adams left town in 1999 and boxing in the Nashville area never recovered.
Now, boxing in the state of Tennessee overall has declined even more since the departure of the popular former director of pro boxing Tommy Patrick. However, it looks like fight fans in Middle Tennessee may have a chance to see boxing on a regular basis. That’s because Unanimous Promotions will be holding fight cards at the Nashville nightclub The Trap twice a month beginning on August 19th. Unanimous Promotions, run by Rickey Young (no relation to promoter Brian Young who played a significant role in the 2002 Tyson-Lewis bout held in Memphis) and Terrence Gray, has hired Jimmy Adams as an advisor to help them make the venture a success. They hope to fill the void that currently exists in pro boxing in Tennessee.
“We did 47 fight cards in one year when I was promoting out of the Mix Factory,” Adams says. “We can do even better this time. Tennesseans support boxing. Boxing is not down for the count. We are going to bring real professional boxing back to Nashville. We hope to soon have some bigger name fighters at the Trap.”
“A lot of people talked about the Mix Factory, but the Trap is a totally different place,” Adams says. “Irv Woolsey [the owner of The Trap and manager of country star George Strait] has credibility in this town and is a boxing fanatic. We will bring good boxing and good entertainment.”
Rickey Young says he hired Adams as an advisor because of his long-time experience with professional boxing and his ability to make fights happen. “We met Don King through Jimmy and Don is a big supporter of Jimmy,” Rickey Young said.
Adams and Rickey Young said the August 19th card is scheduled to have eight bouts, including the return of mid-state fighter Brent Cooper. Cooper fought regularly at the Mix Factory and built up a record of 20-2-2, largely under Adams’ guidance. “Jimmy’s the one that got me all my fights,” Cooper said, explaining why he reconnected with Adams. “If it wasn’t for him, I’d only have about six pro bouts.”
“Within a year, I will land Brent a title fight or at least give him the opportunity for a title fight,” Adams said. “He is the one that will have to perform in the ring, but I will get him the fights.” We want to match Brent up with a top-notch trainer like Buddy McGirt or Richie Giachetti, known mainly as the trainer of former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.
The card will also feature the return of the legendary Mike “the Honky Tonk Hitman” Rodgers, the former WBF super cruiserweight champion. “I am looking to stay busy,” says Rodgers, who sports a record of 25-2 with 20 kayoes. “I need to get back in the ring and shake off some cobwebs that I’ve let accumulate playing in all these honkytonks.”
Rodgers says it’s a positive development for Nashville to have regular fight cards at The Trap. “Jimmy is the one that can make fights happen. He has always had the ability to bring in good names and put on good boxing shows. At one point, Nashville was a hotbed for boxing when he was promoting at the Mix Factory. That is a good thing for me because every since Jimmy Adams left Nashville, my career has not been as active as I would have liked. Robert Moore has always been good to me and landed me the WBF championship fight but after he got sick, there were no other promoters in town with enough significance in the fight game.”
Rodgers, who is making great strides in his music career, says he’s taking his involvement in the fight game one day at a time. “I fight when I feel like it,” Rodgers says. “And right now I feel like fighting.”
In addition to local fighters such as Cooper and Rodgers, Adams anticipates bringing in a stable of marquee names. Unanimous Promotions says they will possibly feature a card with former world heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe
The August 19th fight card will take place at The Trap at 201 Woodland Street at 8:00 p.m. For tickets call 615-294-3823. For further information contact Rickey Young at 615-859-2861.
David L. Hudson, Jr. is an attorney, writer and licensed boxing judge in the state of Tennessee.
"Big Daddy" on the comback!
"Big Daddy" on the comback!
SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) -- Former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe is coming out of retirement after a 17-month prison stint, with a scheduled return to the ring Sept. 25.
His first fight in seven years will be against low-ranked heavyweight veteran Jeff Lally (23-23-1, 10 KOs) at Fire Lake Casino, a spokesman for the facility said Thursday.
Bowe (40-1, 32 KOs), who turned 37 on Aug. 10, was released from federal prison in mid-May for kidnapping his first wife, Judy Bowe, and their five children in 1998. While in prison, Bowe reportedly lost 50 to 100 pounds on a regimen that included daily 3-mile runs.
He has not fought since December 1996, when he beat Andrew Golota by disqualification for the second time.
``I truly believe that I'm the best fighter out there, especially when I get in good shape,'' Bowe said. ``The division is wide open, so why not?''
Bowe and his manager, Jimmy Adams, said they know little about Lally (23-23-1, 10 KOs), from Louisville, Ky.
``His claim to glory would be beating Riddick Bowe,'' Adams said.
Since Bowe announced his retirement in April 1997, he has been riddled by problems.
In May 1997, Bowe and his sister, Velma Melton, were involved in a spat in which both reportedly got split lips. Bowe quickly announced a reconciliation.
In 1998, he was arrested for abducting his first wife, Judy Bowe, and their five children. He eventually pleaded guilty to interstate domestic violence and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He was released in May.
During his trial, the judge barred Bowe from boxing because of possible brain damage, but according to Bowe's attorney, the order was withdrawn when he was released from prison. His attorney added that he is fit to box after undergoing neurological testing.
In April, a judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Bowe and his former manager, Rock Newman, by a Sports Illustrated photographer who says he was hurt eight years ago during mayhem after one of the boxer's bouts at Madison Square Garden.
In June, Bowe was acquitted of assault charges after his current wife, Terri, and three other alleged victims failed to appear in court.
Bowe was a silver medalist at the 1988 Olympics. He became the undisputed heavyweight champ after beating Evander Holyfield in 1992 but lost the crown to Holyfield the next year.
Bowe thinks he can contend for the heavyweight title within 18 months. He said that when he began boxing, he would frequently fight every month or multiple times in one month.
``Doing it that way, I don't lose focus,'' Bowe said. ``I don't have time to get in trouble or go do other things. My weight stays down. I get sharper. At one point, I used to think I got prettier, but that's not the case.''
Bowe's ascent to the heavyweight title was untarnished. He won his first 31 fights, 29 by knockout, to earn a fight Nov. 13, 1992 against Evander Holyfield for the title. Bowe won by decision.
He lost the WBC title outside the ring when he didn't fight Lennox Lewis -- the same man who beat him to win the gold medal in the 1988 Olympics -- then lost the WBA and IBF titles by majority decision to Holyfield on Nov. 6, 1993. It was his only career loss.
Bowe fought 10 more times, but only flashed dominance in a sixth-round knockout of Jorge Luis Gonzalez in June 1995. Later that year, he was knocked down before stopping Holyfield in the eighth round of a non-title fight.
Bowe was losing both bouts against Golota before disqualifications gave him victories. Golota was called for low blows in both fights.
His first fight in seven years will be against low-ranked heavyweight veteran Jeff Lally (23-23-1, 10 KOs) at Fire Lake Casino, a spokesman for the facility said Thursday.
Bowe (40-1, 32 KOs), who turned 37 on Aug. 10, was released from federal prison in mid-May for kidnapping his first wife, Judy Bowe, and their five children in 1998. While in prison, Bowe reportedly lost 50 to 100 pounds on a regimen that included daily 3-mile runs.
He has not fought since December 1996, when he beat Andrew Golota by disqualification for the second time.
``I truly believe that I'm the best fighter out there, especially when I get in good shape,'' Bowe said. ``The division is wide open, so why not?''
Bowe and his manager, Jimmy Adams, said they know little about Lally (23-23-1, 10 KOs), from Louisville, Ky.
``His claim to glory would be beating Riddick Bowe,'' Adams said.
Since Bowe announced his retirement in April 1997, he has been riddled by problems.
In May 1997, Bowe and his sister, Velma Melton, were involved in a spat in which both reportedly got split lips. Bowe quickly announced a reconciliation.
In 1998, he was arrested for abducting his first wife, Judy Bowe, and their five children. He eventually pleaded guilty to interstate domestic violence and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He was released in May.
During his trial, the judge barred Bowe from boxing because of possible brain damage, but according to Bowe's attorney, the order was withdrawn when he was released from prison. His attorney added that he is fit to box after undergoing neurological testing.
In April, a judge dismissed a lawsuit filed against Bowe and his former manager, Rock Newman, by a Sports Illustrated photographer who says he was hurt eight years ago during mayhem after one of the boxer's bouts at Madison Square Garden.
In June, Bowe was acquitted of assault charges after his current wife, Terri, and three other alleged victims failed to appear in court.
Bowe was a silver medalist at the 1988 Olympics. He became the undisputed heavyweight champ after beating Evander Holyfield in 1992 but lost the crown to Holyfield the next year.
Bowe thinks he can contend for the heavyweight title within 18 months. He said that when he began boxing, he would frequently fight every month or multiple times in one month.
``Doing it that way, I don't lose focus,'' Bowe said. ``I don't have time to get in trouble or go do other things. My weight stays down. I get sharper. At one point, I used to think I got prettier, but that's not the case.''
Bowe's ascent to the heavyweight title was untarnished. He won his first 31 fights, 29 by knockout, to earn a fight Nov. 13, 1992 against Evander Holyfield for the title. Bowe won by decision.
He lost the WBC title outside the ring when he didn't fight Lennox Lewis -- the same man who beat him to win the gold medal in the 1988 Olympics -- then lost the WBA and IBF titles by majority decision to Holyfield on Nov. 6, 1993. It was his only career loss.
Bowe fought 10 more times, but only flashed dominance in a sixth-round knockout of Jorge Luis Gonzalez in June 1995. Later that year, he was knocked down before stopping Holyfield in the eighth round of a non-title fight.
Bowe was losing both bouts against Golota before disqualifications gave him victories. Golota was called for low blows in both fights.
Bassett's Adams fought way to top
Bassett's Adams fought way to top
News article written on Jimmy in Roanoke, VA.
McCall Tries to Explain Bizarre Actions
Even for heavyweight boxing -- which in the 1990's has seen a title fight interrupted by a parasailor and Andrew Golota losing two bouts for hitting below Riddick Bowe's ample belt line -- Oliver McCall's actions yesterday and Friday night may have been the strangest yet.
McCall underwent a mental and physical examination yesterday after what both camps, and even Referee Mills Lane, described as an emotional breakdown during a fight against Lennox Lewis on Friday night in Las Vegas, Nev. His $3 million purse was held up pending the outcome of the examination.
At a news conference yesterday, McCall gave a rambling, 40-minute explanation of his actions in the ring, which led to his disqualification for refusing to fight even though the World Boxing Council title was on the line.
''My strategy was -- and I know it sounds kind of absurd -- was a kind of rope-a-dope,'' McCall said. The rope-a-dope was the strategy Muhammad Ali adopted in his victory over George Foreman in Zaire in 1974, when Ali leaned on the ropes and allowed Foreman to punch himself out.
McCall acted distracted during the bout on Friday night, wandering around the ring aimlessly during and after the third and fourth rounds. When he was hit, he often gyrated weirdly, bobbing his head.
A tearful McCall, the former W.B.C. champion, was disqualified in the fifth round for refusing to fight Lewis, who regained the vacant title. But it was the way McCall stopped fighting that perplexed ringsiders at the Las Vegas Hilton.
''I didn't quit; I came to win,'' McCall said yesterday. He explained his crying by saying that he had wanted to get himself into an emotional state.
Dr. Leonora Petty, a psychiatrist, said she evaluated McCall for almost 90 minutes before the news conference.
Asked whether McCall had suffered a mental breakdown -- which Lane and the W.B.C. commissioner, Jose Sulaiman, had suggested -- she said, ''I think his mental state is just fine.''
But McCall said she had also recommended that he see a psychiatrist, and he conceded he needed psychiatric help.
McCall's manager, Jimmy Adams, said that he would send the fighter to a rehabilitation center in Nashville. Prefight drug tests were negative for McCall. Post-fight results are expected tomorrow.
In the fourth round on Friday night, McCall simply stopped throwing punches. And every time Lewis tagged him, McCall's actions grew stranger -- he would shake his head, mug to the crowd, paw out a punch.
After the fourth round, when he started to walk around again rather than sit on his stool, Lane asked him if anything was wrong. McCall had to be cajoled into continuing, and then 55 seconds into Round 5, Lane waved off the bout. McCall sobbed.
As McCall went back to the dressing room, he told his entourage: ''I hope you're all happy. You all got what you want.'' Then he turned to Tony Tucker, the former fighter, and said, ''I suppose they'll put me in prison now.''
This was a quite different McCall from the one who, in the minute before the fight, told Adams: ''I want my title. I'm fighting for my life.''
McCall, who has a well-documented history of alcohol and drug problems, was arrested in December in Nashville on charges of vandalism, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after a dispute at a hotel bar. He was also arrested twice last summer on drug possession charges.
McCall's manager, George Benton, told reporters McCall ''definitely was not using drugs,'' but regardless of his condition, he is usually high-strung when he enters the ring. Indeed, when McCall leaped onto the ring apron Friday night, he looked as excited as he did in 1994 when he won the title from Lewis.
This time, though, Lewis kept McCall off balance, and whenever the 237-pound McCall tried to charge him, the 6-foot-5-inch, 251-pound Lewis backed up or tied him up.
''I've seen guys quit,'' Lewis's trainer, Emmanuel Steward, said yesterday, ''but I've never seen it to the extent that they let the whole world know they didn't want to fight.''
A few hours after the fight, Steward and Benton had drinks together.
''We were both disgusted,'' Steward said. ''George was totally frustrated. He said that a guy in his mental condition shouldn't have been fighting. I never realized there were problems before the fight. That was news to me.''
McCall underwent a mental and physical examination yesterday after what both camps, and even Referee Mills Lane, described as an emotional breakdown during a fight against Lennox Lewis on Friday night in Las Vegas, Nev. His $3 million purse was held up pending the outcome of the examination.
At a news conference yesterday, McCall gave a rambling, 40-minute explanation of his actions in the ring, which led to his disqualification for refusing to fight even though the World Boxing Council title was on the line.
''My strategy was -- and I know it sounds kind of absurd -- was a kind of rope-a-dope,'' McCall said. The rope-a-dope was the strategy Muhammad Ali adopted in his victory over George Foreman in Zaire in 1974, when Ali leaned on the ropes and allowed Foreman to punch himself out.
McCall acted distracted during the bout on Friday night, wandering around the ring aimlessly during and after the third and fourth rounds. When he was hit, he often gyrated weirdly, bobbing his head.
A tearful McCall, the former W.B.C. champion, was disqualified in the fifth round for refusing to fight Lewis, who regained the vacant title. But it was the way McCall stopped fighting that perplexed ringsiders at the Las Vegas Hilton.
''I didn't quit; I came to win,'' McCall said yesterday. He explained his crying by saying that he had wanted to get himself into an emotional state.
Dr. Leonora Petty, a psychiatrist, said she evaluated McCall for almost 90 minutes before the news conference.
Asked whether McCall had suffered a mental breakdown -- which Lane and the W.B.C. commissioner, Jose Sulaiman, had suggested -- she said, ''I think his mental state is just fine.''
But McCall said she had also recommended that he see a psychiatrist, and he conceded he needed psychiatric help.
McCall's manager, Jimmy Adams, said that he would send the fighter to a rehabilitation center in Nashville. Prefight drug tests were negative for McCall. Post-fight results are expected tomorrow.
In the fourth round on Friday night, McCall simply stopped throwing punches. And every time Lewis tagged him, McCall's actions grew stranger -- he would shake his head, mug to the crowd, paw out a punch.
After the fourth round, when he started to walk around again rather than sit on his stool, Lane asked him if anything was wrong. McCall had to be cajoled into continuing, and then 55 seconds into Round 5, Lane waved off the bout. McCall sobbed.
As McCall went back to the dressing room, he told his entourage: ''I hope you're all happy. You all got what you want.'' Then he turned to Tony Tucker, the former fighter, and said, ''I suppose they'll put me in prison now.''
This was a quite different McCall from the one who, in the minute before the fight, told Adams: ''I want my title. I'm fighting for my life.''
McCall, who has a well-documented history of alcohol and drug problems, was arrested in December in Nashville on charges of vandalism, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after a dispute at a hotel bar. He was also arrested twice last summer on drug possession charges.
McCall's manager, George Benton, told reporters McCall ''definitely was not using drugs,'' but regardless of his condition, he is usually high-strung when he enters the ring. Indeed, when McCall leaped onto the ring apron Friday night, he looked as excited as he did in 1994 when he won the title from Lewis.
This time, though, Lewis kept McCall off balance, and whenever the 237-pound McCall tried to charge him, the 6-foot-5-inch, 251-pound Lewis backed up or tied him up.
''I've seen guys quit,'' Lewis's trainer, Emmanuel Steward, said yesterday, ''but I've never seen it to the extent that they let the whole world know they didn't want to fight.''
A few hours after the fight, Steward and Benton had drinks together.
''We were both disgusted,'' Steward said. ''George was totally frustrated. He said that a guy in his mental condition shouldn't have been fighting. I never realized there were problems before the fight. That was news to me.''
Tennessee top 50 Most Influential Sports Figure
Tennessee top 50 Most Influential Sports Figure
Jimmy was picked at number 21 as most influential sports figure in the state of Tenn. in 1999 by David Cliner. Adams also put Tennessee on the map across the globe for boxing, staging over 45 shows in one year beating out many states known for boxing. Nashville has never recover that claim since Adams left Nashville and many have tried. Some claim the reason was because Adams had the support and backing of the greatest promoter of all time Don King.
McCall Granted Release
McCall Granted Release
Jimmy Adams and promoter Don King entered court room in Martinsville,VA. on behalf of former WBC Champion Oliver McCall. Judge Stone released Oliver to return to the boxing world to continue his boxing career. As of this posting McCall is still active in the ring, fighting on the same card many times with his older son. Adams is no longer manager of McCall.
Division Open, but Doors Shut for Riddick Bowe
Division Open, but Doors Shut for Riddick Bowe
Team Bowe battles outside the ropes to fight in between them
When former undisputed heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe made the decision to return to the ring after an eight-year absence, he figured the likes of Vitali Klitschko, John Ruiz, Chris Byrd and James Toney would be his stiffest competition. Little did he know that his toughest fight in his second career would be the fight to convince everyone he is indeed fit to lace them up.
“Man, I’ve done taken every damn test they’ve asked me to take, yet the hateration still running rampant,” says Riddick, frustrated over the continued resistance met with his comeback. “I’ve never been banned before for health reasons, I only have one loss, yet I keep hearing about my past history. What history they looking at?”
The majority of the outrage on the part of Team Bowe stems from a recent article that was run on Secondsout.com last week (“Bowe 'world rating' raises fresh concern”, by Mark Butcher). In the article, it lists various reasons – most of which are opinions – as to why Riddick should not be allowed to embark on his comeback. Team Bowe believes that most of the comments made are the direct results of rumors being circulated around the industry, concerning statements that were allegedly made during his trial four years ago.
What has been heard is the fact that his lawyer at the time, Johnnie Cochran, attempted to have Bowe’s sentence reduced. The argument was that alleged damage suffered in the ring led Riddick to carry out the crime he had committed when he kidnapped his ex-wife Judy and their children back in 1998. What has been “suggested” is that Bowe testified under oath that he did indeed suffer from brain damage. A charge that Team Bowe vehemently denies – both verbally and in writing.
“Let’s clear this up right now,” explains advisor Jimmy Adams, “Riddick NEVER took the stand during his trial, and never said that he had brain damage. In any test he’s taken since then, there is no evidence in any of those tests to suggest that he has or has ever had brain damage. If he did, we wouldn’t even be talking about him today, other than his past achievements. I wouldn’t dare put him in the ring. But people don’t want to don’t want to read court transcripts or see medical test results. They just want to believe what they’ve heard and not bother investigating the situation.”
Minimal investigation will show that Bowe has passed every test he has been asked and required to take in order to obtain a boxing license anywhere in the country. Not only has he passed, but just about every doctor that he has seen since being released from prison this past May is amazed that the test results are that of a former fighter. For now, the plan is simply to get a license where Bowe plans to fight in the near future, though the exact date of his next fight is now no longer secure.
Shortly following his second round stoppage of Marcus Rhode on September 25, Bowe announced on Boxingtalk.net his next six dates. The date of his next fight was originally to have taken place on October 23 in North Carolina. Within days, the date and location changed, as October 30 in Louisville became the new working date. Twice more the date would get pushed back until the aforementioned story on SecondsOut broke, which forced Straight Out Promotions to back out of the November 13 date (along with some other issues which stem from events surrounding the Danny Williams - Mike Tyson fight this past July). While Straight Out Promotions is unsure of when they will be able to reschedule (the proposed date for the moment in November 26), one thing they are sure of is that they are in the Riddick Bowe business.
“Once the Kentucky State Athletic Commission approved Riddick Bowe for a boxing license, I was more than happy to offer his team my support,” said Chris Webb, president of Straight Out Promotions. “I had heard plenty of rumors surrounding the health of Mr. Bowe, and had told Jimmy (Adams) up front that if any of it was true, I wanted no part of his comeback. Jimmy not only understood and agreed, but wholeheartedly shares my sentiments. But, every test he took came back clean, he showed in his last fight that with the exception of ring rust that he’s fit to fight, and I look forward to the day where we can officially stage his next fight.”
Team Bowe looks forward to the day where they can concentrate more on fighting inside the ring than outside the ropes.
“I am sick and tired with people insisting that something is wrong with my husband!” exclaims Riddick’s wife, Terri. “When he first got out of prison, all of these same people were promising us the world and couldn’t wait for Riddick to come back. Once he decided that he’s sticking with those who stuck by him, then all of a sudden these people disappear and the rumors start. What’s sickening is that people are believing them, and not the facts presented to them. But that’s OK, because I’m a fighter my damn self. I may not have the in-the-ring skills of my husband, but I can definitely take care of my own outside the ring, and those who want to slander my husband WILL pay. This, I promise.”
One of the biggest names on Team Bowe’s hit list was the main source of the SecondsOut article, Dr. Margaret Goodman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The way they see it is that Dr. Goodman is commenting from an opinion-based and prejudice standpoint. Opinion because she has yet to personally evaluate Bowe, and prejudice because they feel her mind was made up the moment he went to trial.
Dr. Goodman was kind enough to speak to TheSweetScience.com to defend her comments and once again offer her take.
“I have seen enough test results to know that, yes he does have a clean bill of health. I have never once disputed what any doctor has discovered. In fact, I am very happy that Mr. Bowe is a healthy man. I truly am. But as a doctor who does in fact understand the fight game, I can’t stress enough how quickly his signs of improvement can disappear so long as he continues to fight.
“What most people fail to understand is that tests are not always the answer. At least not for boxing. If you look at the test requirement for most commissions, then you will know that just about anybody can pass them. I can take a test in most commissions and be granted a boxing license based on such results. As both a fight doctor and a fight fan, I choose to also take into consideration the fighter’s history, the declination – if any – in their skill level in their past few fights, his age, and so on. I do this by reviewing fight films, speech patterns, pathology reports… most doctors cannot make such an evaluation because they do not follow the game close enough, if at all. They’re asked to perform a test, and they do just that. The end result is fighters being licensed, regardless of what has occurred in the past.”
But the question that Team Bowe has is, what past?
“I keep hearing about his past history – what are these people talking about,” asks head trainer Richie Giachetti, who is also guiding the comeback of former heavyweight champion Oliver McCall. “The man has ONE damn loss, has never been knocked out, and has been away from the ring for eight years. Yet he’s heard in one goddamn post fight interview, and they decide that he’s punch drunk for life, that he has brain damage. Where is the proof? We’re showing proof that he’s fine. Where’s your proof that he’s not? Show me that, and I pack our bags right now. My reputation is on the line – I would NEVER support damaged goods. If the slightest thing was wrong with Riddick, if they found even a speck on his brain, I pat him on the back and tell him to find another career because it wouldn’t be worth it to go back into the ring. Show me proof.”
According to Goodman, we have already seen the proof in Bowe, and other past fighters.
“I mean, Meldrick Taylor is approved to fights in some states. Anyone who has heard him talk – and fight, for that matter – knows that he has no business in that ring. During and after the second fight with Golota, those who watched knew that Riddick was on the downside, that he was nowhere near the fighter he once was. I don’t understand why fans and commentators are able to watch a fighter and collectively say, “This fighter is shot. He needs to quit,” yet commissions cannot recognize the same warning signs. By not standing up and forcing the issue, we’re playing Russian roulette with the fighters’ lives.”
While Dr. Goodman’s medical opinion and passion for the sport is rightfully respected throughout the industry, other doctors have come forward to insist that all of the aforementioned has in fact been taken into consideration.
“I was made well aware of all the concerns surrounding Mr. Bowe,” said Dr. Winston Griner of Nashville, who was the first physician asked to evaluate Riddick upon his release from prison. “I performed a number of tests, reviewed the patient’s past medical history, and was also aware of his career inside the ring. What I was looking for was any evidence to show that he should never again step foot inside of a boxing ring. At the end of the series of tests, I came to the conclusion that he is actually healthier than I am.”
He is also a hell of a lot richer, which further makes Team Bowe wonder why this is all a get rich quick scheme.
“We already have money,” says Terri Bowe. “It’s never been about the money. I’m a wife first, and a boxing fan second. I would never ever allow my husband to risk his life and our future for any dollar amount. I love him too damn much to let him do something as foolish as that if he weren’t fit to fight. There’s no amount in the world that could compensate for such a stupid risk. I’m not sure what more proof people need or want than what we’ve already offered and are willing to offer.”
For the moment, they apparently do not want in the ring proof. Though perhaps it is in fact what they need.
When former undisputed heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe made the decision to return to the ring after an eight-year absence, he figured the likes of Vitali Klitschko, John Ruiz, Chris Byrd and James Toney would be his stiffest competition. Little did he know that his toughest fight in his second career would be the fight to convince everyone he is indeed fit to lace them up.
“Man, I’ve done taken every damn test they’ve asked me to take, yet the hateration still running rampant,” says Riddick, frustrated over the continued resistance met with his comeback. “I’ve never been banned before for health reasons, I only have one loss, yet I keep hearing about my past history. What history they looking at?”
The majority of the outrage on the part of Team Bowe stems from a recent article that was run on Secondsout.com last week (“Bowe 'world rating' raises fresh concern”, by Mark Butcher). In the article, it lists various reasons – most of which are opinions – as to why Riddick should not be allowed to embark on his comeback. Team Bowe believes that most of the comments made are the direct results of rumors being circulated around the industry, concerning statements that were allegedly made during his trial four years ago.
What has been heard is the fact that his lawyer at the time, Johnnie Cochran, attempted to have Bowe’s sentence reduced. The argument was that alleged damage suffered in the ring led Riddick to carry out the crime he had committed when he kidnapped his ex-wife Judy and their children back in 1998. What has been “suggested” is that Bowe testified under oath that he did indeed suffer from brain damage. A charge that Team Bowe vehemently denies – both verbally and in writing.
“Let’s clear this up right now,” explains advisor Jimmy Adams, “Riddick NEVER took the stand during his trial, and never said that he had brain damage. In any test he’s taken since then, there is no evidence in any of those tests to suggest that he has or has ever had brain damage. If he did, we wouldn’t even be talking about him today, other than his past achievements. I wouldn’t dare put him in the ring. But people don’t want to don’t want to read court transcripts or see medical test results. They just want to believe what they’ve heard and not bother investigating the situation.”
Minimal investigation will show that Bowe has passed every test he has been asked and required to take in order to obtain a boxing license anywhere in the country. Not only has he passed, but just about every doctor that he has seen since being released from prison this past May is amazed that the test results are that of a former fighter. For now, the plan is simply to get a license where Bowe plans to fight in the near future, though the exact date of his next fight is now no longer secure.
Shortly following his second round stoppage of Marcus Rhode on September 25, Bowe announced on Boxingtalk.net his next six dates. The date of his next fight was originally to have taken place on October 23 in North Carolina. Within days, the date and location changed, as October 30 in Louisville became the new working date. Twice more the date would get pushed back until the aforementioned story on SecondsOut broke, which forced Straight Out Promotions to back out of the November 13 date (along with some other issues which stem from events surrounding the Danny Williams - Mike Tyson fight this past July). While Straight Out Promotions is unsure of when they will be able to reschedule (the proposed date for the moment in November 26), one thing they are sure of is that they are in the Riddick Bowe business.
“Once the Kentucky State Athletic Commission approved Riddick Bowe for a boxing license, I was more than happy to offer his team my support,” said Chris Webb, president of Straight Out Promotions. “I had heard plenty of rumors surrounding the health of Mr. Bowe, and had told Jimmy (Adams) up front that if any of it was true, I wanted no part of his comeback. Jimmy not only understood and agreed, but wholeheartedly shares my sentiments. But, every test he took came back clean, he showed in his last fight that with the exception of ring rust that he’s fit to fight, and I look forward to the day where we can officially stage his next fight.”
Team Bowe looks forward to the day where they can concentrate more on fighting inside the ring than outside the ropes.
“I am sick and tired with people insisting that something is wrong with my husband!” exclaims Riddick’s wife, Terri. “When he first got out of prison, all of these same people were promising us the world and couldn’t wait for Riddick to come back. Once he decided that he’s sticking with those who stuck by him, then all of a sudden these people disappear and the rumors start. What’s sickening is that people are believing them, and not the facts presented to them. But that’s OK, because I’m a fighter my damn self. I may not have the in-the-ring skills of my husband, but I can definitely take care of my own outside the ring, and those who want to slander my husband WILL pay. This, I promise.”
One of the biggest names on Team Bowe’s hit list was the main source of the SecondsOut article, Dr. Margaret Goodman of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. The way they see it is that Dr. Goodman is commenting from an opinion-based and prejudice standpoint. Opinion because she has yet to personally evaluate Bowe, and prejudice because they feel her mind was made up the moment he went to trial.
Dr. Goodman was kind enough to speak to TheSweetScience.com to defend her comments and once again offer her take.
“I have seen enough test results to know that, yes he does have a clean bill of health. I have never once disputed what any doctor has discovered. In fact, I am very happy that Mr. Bowe is a healthy man. I truly am. But as a doctor who does in fact understand the fight game, I can’t stress enough how quickly his signs of improvement can disappear so long as he continues to fight.
“What most people fail to understand is that tests are not always the answer. At least not for boxing. If you look at the test requirement for most commissions, then you will know that just about anybody can pass them. I can take a test in most commissions and be granted a boxing license based on such results. As both a fight doctor and a fight fan, I choose to also take into consideration the fighter’s history, the declination – if any – in their skill level in their past few fights, his age, and so on. I do this by reviewing fight films, speech patterns, pathology reports… most doctors cannot make such an evaluation because they do not follow the game close enough, if at all. They’re asked to perform a test, and they do just that. The end result is fighters being licensed, regardless of what has occurred in the past.”
But the question that Team Bowe has is, what past?
“I keep hearing about his past history – what are these people talking about,” asks head trainer Richie Giachetti, who is also guiding the comeback of former heavyweight champion Oliver McCall. “The man has ONE damn loss, has never been knocked out, and has been away from the ring for eight years. Yet he’s heard in one goddamn post fight interview, and they decide that he’s punch drunk for life, that he has brain damage. Where is the proof? We’re showing proof that he’s fine. Where’s your proof that he’s not? Show me that, and I pack our bags right now. My reputation is on the line – I would NEVER support damaged goods. If the slightest thing was wrong with Riddick, if they found even a speck on his brain, I pat him on the back and tell him to find another career because it wouldn’t be worth it to go back into the ring. Show me proof.”
According to Goodman, we have already seen the proof in Bowe, and other past fighters.
“I mean, Meldrick Taylor is approved to fights in some states. Anyone who has heard him talk – and fight, for that matter – knows that he has no business in that ring. During and after the second fight with Golota, those who watched knew that Riddick was on the downside, that he was nowhere near the fighter he once was. I don’t understand why fans and commentators are able to watch a fighter and collectively say, “This fighter is shot. He needs to quit,” yet commissions cannot recognize the same warning signs. By not standing up and forcing the issue, we’re playing Russian roulette with the fighters’ lives.”
While Dr. Goodman’s medical opinion and passion for the sport is rightfully respected throughout the industry, other doctors have come forward to insist that all of the aforementioned has in fact been taken into consideration.
“I was made well aware of all the concerns surrounding Mr. Bowe,” said Dr. Winston Griner of Nashville, who was the first physician asked to evaluate Riddick upon his release from prison. “I performed a number of tests, reviewed the patient’s past medical history, and was also aware of his career inside the ring. What I was looking for was any evidence to show that he should never again step foot inside of a boxing ring. At the end of the series of tests, I came to the conclusion that he is actually healthier than I am.”
He is also a hell of a lot richer, which further makes Team Bowe wonder why this is all a get rich quick scheme.
“We already have money,” says Terri Bowe. “It’s never been about the money. I’m a wife first, and a boxing fan second. I would never ever allow my husband to risk his life and our future for any dollar amount. I love him too damn much to let him do something as foolish as that if he weren’t fit to fight. There’s no amount in the world that could compensate for such a stupid risk. I’m not sure what more proof people need or want than what we’ve already offered and are willing to offer.”
For the moment, they apparently do not want in the ring proof. Though perhaps it is in fact what they need.
Cooper's Biggest Distraction Is Outside Ring
Cooper's Biggest Distraction Is Outside Ring
By PHIL BERGER
Published: March 17, 1992
LinkedinDiggFacebookMixxMySpaceYahoo! BuzzPermalink In November, as a late replacement for Francesco Damiani, Bert Cooper came within a heartbeat of stopping Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight title.
But Holyfield, on the verge of being knocked out, rallied and managed to score a seventh-round technical knockout over Cooper.
Cooper's gutty performance was so unexpected that despite his loss he left the ring with his market value enhanced.
That abrupt change of fortune was obvious from the very proprietary air his handlers had after the fight that night. Smokin' Bert, their expressions appeared to say, was going to make money for all of them.
Well, a few months later, that feeling of commercial solidarity is gone as, in typical boxing fashion, discord has set in, triggered apparently by the hustle of the promoter, Don King. Who Has Rights?
The trouble in Cooper's camp was brought to light earlier this month when TVKO, the pay-per-view entity, announced that Cooper would fight Michael Moorer for the World Boxing Organization's heavyweight title on May 15 in Atlantic City.
That brought denunciations from King, who said that he had promotional rights to Cooper and charged that a co-manager of Cooper's, Rob Russen, had made the deal with TVKO based on a document in which the signature of the other co-manager, Jimmy Adams, was forged.
But that was merely the opening volley. Adams himself would say that not only was his signature forged on that document, but also that Cooper had wrongfully dismissed him as co-manager.
"Everyone's trying to run a game on me," Adams said.
Russen confirmed that Adams had been dismissed, but he insisted the dismissal was for cause. As Russen told it, Adams had accepted incentive money from King to induce Cooper to fight for King rather than for his existing promoter, Rick Parker.
"Rick Parker, who is Bert's real promoter, taped a conversation in which Jimmy Adams said he took $20,000 from King to bring Bert over to King," Russen said. 'Sold Bert Out'
Cooper fought and defeated Cecil Coffee on the undercard of the Feb. 15 Razor Ruddock-Greg Page bout on Showtime, a card that King promoted.
"When you're on Showtime or HBO, heavyweight money starts at $100,000," Russen said. "When Bert fought Coffee, he didn't know what he was going to be paid until he got paid. And what he got paid was $25,000. Jimmy Adams sold Bert out."
Sandy Johnson of the Nevada Athletic Commission said that commission records showed that Cooper got $25,000 for fighting Coffee.
Adams denied he had been offered or had teken money from King, and said that Cooper, under Parker, had made as little as $2,000 last year for fighting Loren Ross.
Parker said that he had agreed to a co-promotional deal with King for the Cooper-Coffee fight and one additional fight beyond. Parker said that the second fight for Cooper, under the deal with King, was to have been against Mike Tyson, if Tyson was acquitted of rape charges in Indianapolis. But after Tyson was convicted and after Cooper beat Coffee, Parker said that King wanted Cooper to fight Razor Ruddock instead, for $400,000.
"That's a million-dollar fight," said Parker of Ruddock-Cooper. "So I wouldn't agree to it."
King's version is that Parker reneged on their deal by not signing an addendum. But Parker said King stopped the second of two $100,000 payments due him when he wouldn't agree to the Ruddock fight. Change of Policy
Earlier this year, Seth Abraham said that TVKO and HBO, both Time Warner Sports companies, would no longer sign multibout deals because the fighters with those deals were refusing to take competitive matches.
The policy change was aimed at creating more exciting matches. So far the TVKO-HBO tandem appears to be succeeding: Terry Norris-Meldrick Taylor on May 9, with Mooorer-Cooper to follow.
Published: March 17, 1992
LinkedinDiggFacebookMixxMySpaceYahoo! BuzzPermalink In November, as a late replacement for Francesco Damiani, Bert Cooper came within a heartbeat of stopping Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight title.
But Holyfield, on the verge of being knocked out, rallied and managed to score a seventh-round technical knockout over Cooper.
Cooper's gutty performance was so unexpected that despite his loss he left the ring with his market value enhanced.
That abrupt change of fortune was obvious from the very proprietary air his handlers had after the fight that night. Smokin' Bert, their expressions appeared to say, was going to make money for all of them.
Well, a few months later, that feeling of commercial solidarity is gone as, in typical boxing fashion, discord has set in, triggered apparently by the hustle of the promoter, Don King. Who Has Rights?
The trouble in Cooper's camp was brought to light earlier this month when TVKO, the pay-per-view entity, announced that Cooper would fight Michael Moorer for the World Boxing Organization's heavyweight title on May 15 in Atlantic City.
That brought denunciations from King, who said that he had promotional rights to Cooper and charged that a co-manager of Cooper's, Rob Russen, had made the deal with TVKO based on a document in which the signature of the other co-manager, Jimmy Adams, was forged.
But that was merely the opening volley. Adams himself would say that not only was his signature forged on that document, but also that Cooper had wrongfully dismissed him as co-manager.
"Everyone's trying to run a game on me," Adams said.
Russen confirmed that Adams had been dismissed, but he insisted the dismissal was for cause. As Russen told it, Adams had accepted incentive money from King to induce Cooper to fight for King rather than for his existing promoter, Rick Parker.
"Rick Parker, who is Bert's real promoter, taped a conversation in which Jimmy Adams said he took $20,000 from King to bring Bert over to King," Russen said. 'Sold Bert Out'
Cooper fought and defeated Cecil Coffee on the undercard of the Feb. 15 Razor Ruddock-Greg Page bout on Showtime, a card that King promoted.
"When you're on Showtime or HBO, heavyweight money starts at $100,000," Russen said. "When Bert fought Coffee, he didn't know what he was going to be paid until he got paid. And what he got paid was $25,000. Jimmy Adams sold Bert out."
Sandy Johnson of the Nevada Athletic Commission said that commission records showed that Cooper got $25,000 for fighting Coffee.
Adams denied he had been offered or had teken money from King, and said that Cooper, under Parker, had made as little as $2,000 last year for fighting Loren Ross.
Parker said that he had agreed to a co-promotional deal with King for the Cooper-Coffee fight and one additional fight beyond. Parker said that the second fight for Cooper, under the deal with King, was to have been against Mike Tyson, if Tyson was acquitted of rape charges in Indianapolis. But after Tyson was convicted and after Cooper beat Coffee, Parker said that King wanted Cooper to fight Razor Ruddock instead, for $400,000.
"That's a million-dollar fight," said Parker of Ruddock-Cooper. "So I wouldn't agree to it."
King's version is that Parker reneged on their deal by not signing an addendum. But Parker said King stopped the second of two $100,000 payments due him when he wouldn't agree to the Ruddock fight. Change of Policy
Earlier this year, Seth Abraham said that TVKO and HBO, both Time Warner Sports companies, would no longer sign multibout deals because the fighters with those deals were refusing to take competitive matches.
The policy change was aimed at creating more exciting matches. So far the TVKO-HBO tandem appears to be succeeding: Terry Norris-Meldrick Taylor on May 9, with Mooorer-Cooper to follow.