IKE-OSCAR BOTH ON EDGE

In an event as big as the Oscar De La Hoya-Ike Quartey fight, the pressure  on the participants is incredible. That seven letter word (pressure) and  how each man will handle it, will in my mind be the determining factor come the end of the night.

SHADES OF DURAN-LEONARD I

Let's roll the calendar back to June 20, 1980, and the first (and best) Ray Leonard-Roberto Duran fight. Billed as the "Brawl in Montreal," the fight took place outdoors on a cold night in the Olympic Stadium and was  co-promoted by Bob Arum and Don King.

NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE ROBERTO

Although Sugar Ray had some "street" in him, he was no barrio urchin like Manos De Piedra. And when Duran called Ray's wife a "whore" and grabbed his nuts in her presence, he had accomplished his purpose. And that was  to "get inside" Ray's head.

DURAN AT BEST!

There were many times in his 100+ fights, in which Duran was not in "great" condition. But not on this night as a rock solid Duran met Leonard  at ring center.

SCHOOL TIME

After hurting Ray in the second, third, and fourth rounds, Roberto had Ray beaten physically and on his way to a certain loss.

TOP CAT SHRUGGED!

Mike Top Cat" Trainer was Ray Leonard's advisor and the man who created pugilistic free agency. As he watched Roberto draw Ray into a street fight  he could not win, Trainer told me. "I lit a cigarette and hoped he wouldn't get hurt."

"(Wilfred) Benitez was a technical fight for Ray. Duran was a different beast. And Ray couldn't handle the pressure (there's that word again) the first time. For Ray, it was an incredible learning experience. They could fight 100 times after that one, and Duran would never win one again."

LOSS MADE RAY A MAN

Although Ray would get hammered and lose a 15 round decision, it was this first fight with Duran that helped prepare Leonard for greatness.

OSCAR'S COMING OUT PARTY

Let's be honest. Never once before in 29 professional outings had Oscar been in a fight that he could conceivably lose. Forget the 3 1/2 to 1 odds, that's more of an indication of how popular De La Hoya is, and does not truly handicap this welterweight contest.

A more realistic line minus the hype and glitz, would have De La Hoya a 2-1 favorite. And that would be only because of Ike's inactivity. Take away that neg, and this is a Pick Em affair, an even fight!

OSCAR KNOWS THIS AIN'T CAMACHO

One of the most glaring examples of De La Hoya getting caught up in discussions with the media. This has caused certain writers to flee the De La Hoya cruiser, and book passage on the battleship Quartey.

TREMENDOUS TRIO GOES WITH IKE

All three staff writers here at www.fighters.com are backing Quartey with both hands.

50-1 ON IKE DRILLING OSCAR

The Imperial Palace Hotel here in Las Vegas has some interesting betting propositions on the board in their sports book. On rounds one through eight, Ike Quartey is a 50-1 pick NOT to score a KO. De La Hoya is 25-1 NOT to KO Quartey in one to eight.

IT'S "REAL" BOXING FOLKS!

No matter who wins, the mere fact that Oscar and Ike are going to finally meet is enough make non-female boxing fans feel the rush of a pugilistic orgasm. Wherever you are, enjoy the fight, and catch Ring Talk after what should be the best welterweight fight since 1981.

RING TALK LIVE FROM THE FIGHT

Ring Talk will air live from the Thomas & Mack Center at 11 PM ET.  We will go with a show NOT discussing the events of De La Hoya-Quartey UNTIL after the fight is over. The show is aired on the Talk America Radio Network(s) Saturday and Sunday.

SATURDAY FOR TWO HOURS ON TALK "1"

Tonight's show airs at 11:06 PM ET for two hours on the Talk America "1" Radio Network.


SUNDAY ONE HOUR ON TALK "2"

At 11:06 PM ET on Sunday, Ring Talk is heard on the Talk America "2" Network, aka "The Deuce" for an hour. The Sunday night lineup includes HBO broadcasting God Larry Merchant.

LIVE INTERNET AUDIO, E MAIL & TOLL FREE PHONE LINES

Go to www.talkamerica.com and spend three minutes downloading the FREE audio software. Then at 11:06 PM ET on the weekends, you can listen to Ring talk LIVE!


Pedro Fernandez

Note: The writer is a syndicated talk show host with the Talk America Radio Network(s) and has his own site at www.fighters.com

Mr. Fernandez can be reached at flash@inow.com

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