It didn't take long for the team at AMERICA PRESENTS to realize that the drooping left eye of the newly crowned WBA 154 lb. champion David Reid would be an impediment if the Philadelphia native is to attain a level of greatness in the ring.

And right after posting a 12 round unanimous nod over France's Laurent Boudouani, AMERICA PRESENTS CEO Dan Goossen announced Reid would have a surgical procedure on the "droopy" left eye lid in the coming weeks.

"Pedro, it's a short recovery time. Say three to five weeks and he can resume contact training. David is not content with just being a champion at 154 lbs., he wants to be the only champion. So, expect some big fight with Reid to come about later this year, or early next."

LOU EXHIBITS MEAT EATERS STONES

Lou Saverese, the only vegetarian heavyweight contender in my memory, showed what he was made of when he got off the deck after taking some thunderous shots from Lance "Mount" Whitaker in their 10 round feature bout on the HBO Reid-Bouduani card.

Whiatker, a giant of a man at 6'8, simply punched himself out in the seventh round, after being implored by his corner to end things quickly as they were aware that the former US amateur heavyweight champion had a small cut.

WHIATKER THREW IT ALL

At the urging of trainer Joe Goossen, Whitaker threw well over 100 punches in trying to achieve a knockout of the durable sushi eatin' Saverese. But Lou would not fall a second time, and went on to win a split decision in a fight where veggie Lou deserved to a close nod.

TOO BIG A STEP?

Perhaps the AMERICA PRESENTS brass pushed the now 15-1, Whiatker too far, too fast. Even if that is the case, I think Lance, er Mount Whitaker has some skills and that we haven't seen the last of him in the division of the behemoths.

DURAN WAITS TWO WEEKS TO LOSE

Two weeks ago, Roberto Duran showed up for a fight in Argentina, 15 pounds overweight. The fight card was scrapped and rescheduled for this past weekend. Duran, a pudgy light heavyweight, according to reports went the distance with the now 22-0, 21 KO's Omar Gonzalez.

PRESS BADGERED HIM

The Argentine press had a field day mocking what was perhaps the greatest lightweight of all time by calling him an old fat man, and those were the kind swipes.

CARTOONS TOO!

One periodical even dogged Roberto in a cartoon by picturing him as a boxing elephant.

FERNADO FEROCIOUS

Wait until you read the interview I conducted on the Sunday night edition of Ring Talk, with IBF 154 lb. guy Fernando Vargas. It should be available on Wednesday here at www.fighters.com

WENT AFTER REID AND GOLDEN GIRL TOO

Without going in to it too deep, Fernando has some disparaging things to say about Mr. De La Hoya who recently said, "I'll never fight Fernando because he disrespected me." What Oscar was alluding to was that he felt Fernando's friends had pelted him with eggs during a parade in East LA.

"It wasn't my friends, they were Mexicans who don't like him. If he ever"……to be continued this week at fighters.com

TYSON ESCAPES INDIANA

Indiana Parole officials have worked out a deal with Mike Tyson that will not force the former heavyweight champion to go back to Indiana to spend additional jail time. Mike will instead spend 60 days once his sentence in Maryland is concluded in that same jail and according to the agreement, will pay $80 a day to  Maryland officials for the two additional months of lock up.


Pedro Fernandez

The writer is a syndicated talk show host with the Talk America Radio Network(s) and can be reached with your comments at ringtalk@yahoo.com

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