CHAVEZ RETURNS TO TESTIFY, ASSURES KING ACQUITTAL

by Pedro Fernandez

If the jury was looking for any reasonable doubt in the trial of The People vs Don King Fraud trial, they got it yesterday with the reappearance of the government's star witness Julio Cesar Chavez.

Nobody knew for sure if Chavez would show. Julio had indicated that he had badly sprained his ankle running on Thursday, and would be unable to continue his testimony which was interrupted when one of the lawyers in the case fell ill.

But according to those present, the faded Mexican Icon entered the courtroom with a swagger. This was after the presiding judge had warned Chavez through his attorney, that Julio would be held in "Contempt of Court" if he didn't take the stand yesterday.

Chavez was thought to have been the G's lynch pin against King. But his credibility was destroyed when he said under oath that he had signed with King rival Bob Arum's Top Rank after Arum told Julio that he would cover all of Chavez' legal bills arising in his breaking a valid contract with King.

Julio has admitted being constantly broke and borrowing up to $1 million from King before a fight. He also said he was going to get several million dollars to fight De La Hoya.

You know what this means? When it's all said and done, King will get his share of the Chavez-De La Hoya fight on September 18, and be acquitted also.

Because there is no way a jury is going to convict anyone based on the testimony of a man with the ulterior motives of Julio Cesar Chavez. Not even Don King.

Pedro Fernandez

The writer has his own site at www.fighters.com He can be reached at flash@inow.com

WHERE WERE YOU?

If you missed Ring Talk this past Saturday night, and you don't have a reason worthy, (Serious injury? Death? Power outage?) shame on you! Because we opened things up with former heavyweight contender Duane Bobick, 48-4, (41 KO's) talking about both his boxing career and his almost dying last May 27, when his right arm was dragged into a binding machine at a Little Falls, Minn. paper mill he runs. Look for that interview later in print here at fighters.com Angel Manfreddy stopped by and challenged IBF (world) lightweight champ Shane Mosley. "I want to become a great fighter. Shane's a good friend. But if he stands in my way." Look for that interview to end up in the May 30, edition of FLASH Magazine. When Larry Holmes appeared, it was from his wife's 41'st birthday party (I hope for those in attendance Larry didn't sing). Holmes, along with co-promoter Harold Smith says everything is set for he and George Foreman to duke it out. "George got the advance he wanted. I got mine. Now, it's time to get into shape." When asked whether he would do what few have tried in recent years, and that is to work George's ample girth. "I think I can work George to the body." More from that interview to come soon to fighters.com

This Saturday night, Henry Akinwande, Emanuel Steward are already confirmed as quests. Larry Holmes has stated he would again appear this time to take listener phone calls and e mail at flash@inow.com AMERICA PRESENTS P.R. wiz Jean Sosa says 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist David Reid will also make a cameo appearance. That's Saturday night on Ring Talk, the insider's look into the world of boxing, at 11 PM ET on the TALk AMERICA Radio Network or LIVE on the Net at www.talkamerica.com

Next Sunday night on the TALK AMERICA 2 Network, Ring Talk airs for an hour at 11 PM ET with possibly Ferdie Pacheco and Larry Merchant, of SHOWTIME & HBO fame. TALK AMERICA 2 also has LIVE Internet audio at www.talkamerica.com

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