KING-FELIX VERDICT PUT
OFF TILL END OF MONTH
Judge Lawrence Mc Kenna has received the supplementary final briefs he requested a
fortnight ago from the attorneys representing both Felix Trinidad and promoter Don King in
their ongoing contract dispute. The jurist has now indicated that one should not expect a
decision in this matter until the end of the month.
TICK, TICK,
Tick! That's the clock winding down on the boxing year 1998---and the prime of Felix
Trinidad's boxing life.
TITO HASN'T BEEN...
In a fight since Christ was a child. Think about it. Due to one reason or another,
"agreed to" fights with Pernell Whitaker, Terry Norris, Laurent Bouduani, Ike
Quartey, and last but not least, Terry Norris have not happened for the Puerto Rican
banger.
DAD "AN IDIOT" IN BUSINESS?
That's what I've been told by some island sources. This current period of inactivity and
court room fisticuffs were preceded a Trinidad-King battle in 1994.
AT ONE TIME...
Puerto Rican master manager Yamil Charde was advising Team Trinidad. But Charde's alliance
with King was seen to be a conflict and he was sent packing. With his Harvard educated
Daddy calling the shots, it's quite possible Felix Jr. may have sat out his prime.
WHITAKER ON TAP IN DECEMBER
HBO wanted to do a Trinidad-Whitaker fight in December. But McKenna's feet dragging has
almost surely put to rest any thoughts of that occurring this year.
PETE "LOOKED GOOD" TWICE RECENTLY
Whitaker is coming off a suspension for his use of Colombian Dust. Our limo ride from the
Turning Point Casino to the Boxing hall of Fame Dinner allowed me 20 minutes with the
future Hall of Famer.
IN ATLANTA
As part of the international TV crew for the Evander Holyfield-Vaughn Bean fight, I again
go to spend some time with him. On both occasions, three months apart, Whitaker didn't
look like the junkie some people called him.
HE'S CLEAN AND I HOPE...
Pete stays that way.
COKE NO JOKE
When i was growing up in the 70's, Cocaine was "a recreational drug" that was
35-40 % pure at best. When I quit the department in 1989, low end street dealers were
getting popped with stuff that was 90% pure Dust.
ESCOBAR WAS NO DUMMY
By lowering the price of his product, and at the same time increasing it's potency, Pablo
Escobar turned casual users into dope fiends.
JUST FOLLOWING THE CUE
Of the Tobacco companies executives who swore under oath. "Nicotine is not
addictive."
PABLO'S PRODUCT EASIER TO KICK
As a cop and later as a teacher in the county jail system, it was clear to me that in most
cases kicking Crack cold turkey was a lot easier than cutting off Kools and Pall Malls.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO DO FOR A SMOKE IN JAIL...
Is a story that I can't elaborate on in the sake of good taste. But let's just say they
willing to compromise themselves for one of the banned Nicotine sticks and a match.
DO YOU HAVE A "CIGGIE" JONES?
And you can't quit on your own? Then you should seek Medical assistance. Be it the patche,
other drugs, acupuncture, or maybe even counseling.
I KNOW IT'S YOUR LIFE...
BUT it's your relatives who have to face the pain of watching you dwindle to half your
normal weight before eventually choking to death.
YOUNG RING TALKERS
Some of you are thinking about or have started smoking. What I just
described is a tough way to go, isn't it?
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I WANT TO GO OUT...
Like former NY Governor and Vice President for a minute Nelson Rockefeller. While enjoying
a woman nearly half his age, old Nelson came and went at the same time!
Pedro Fernandez
The writer has his own site at www.fighters.com and
can be reached at flash@inow.com