DE LA HOYA-TRINIDAD NOT HAPPENING THIS YEAR

This morning began with a short chat with SHOWTIME VP Jay Larkin. With rumors being bantered about that the fight would go on September 18, in Las Vegas, hotels in Sin City were are already being pushed hard for reservations by hopeful fistic fans.

FORGET IT

"I am not the farm club for Home Box Office," said larkin. "I let Tito fight Whitaker, and Holyfield fight Lewis, but that's where it stops."

I then asked Larkin that by not taking a cash payment for Tito Trinidad's services, won't SHOWTIME  lose out because Don's contract with SHOWTIME expires in December, and then he wouldn't get nothing.

"Then, we will do a new deal with Don, I hope. But for now, Trinidad-De La Hoya is dead."

FLOYD'S SORE HAND

WBC 130 lb. guy Floyd Mayweather pulled out of his April 17, HBO match with Goyo Vargas because of a slight hand injury.

JOINS OSCAR ON MAY 22!

The Mayweather with the highest KO percentage, Floyd Jr., will appear on the HBO broadcast when Oscar De La Hoya defends against Oba "No BMW" Carr at the brand new Mandalay Bay Casino which will open their 12,000 seat arena.

The card will be co-promoted by Art Manteris and the Las Vegas Hilton.

STEVIE SAYS "NO" TO $450 K AND MOSLEY

Newly crowned WBC lightweight champ Stevie Johnston has turned down an offer from HBO to meet world champ Shane Mosley on the now vacant April 17, date that had belonged to Mayweather.

NOT ENUF?

That's what Stevie and his people think. And I have to concur. Because, when you canmake $150 K fighting a schmere, why fight a future boxing God in Shane Mosley for only twice as much.

LOVATO DRILLED BAD

Ray Lovato was at one time the best fighter in California. The former US Amateur champ had it all, with the exception of a clear head when he was with promoter Don Chargin.

HEADCASE OF INCREDIBLE MAGNITUDE

When he coukld make 135 lbs., he fought bigger guys at 140. And now, as he moves towards the age of 30, he's fighting guys two divisions bigger than him.

BAD KO

Saturday night, unbeaten David Santos knocked Ray out COLD with one shot! Afterwards, Lovato walked up to former triainer Miguel Diaz and said, "Mitch, I love you."

Ray was so out of it that he thought Diaz was Top Rank equipment man Mitch Hampp.

COLD NIGHT IN INDIO

Besides the 25 degree weather, the canopy covering the ring was torn off by the desert wind, and the card was almost called.

NO RULES ON TEMP

As long as it wasn't snowing, or raining, there is no rule in California that says you can't hold a card outdoor with a wind chill factor of 18 degrees.

DEAN COMES DOWN HARD

Dean Louhis, the #2 California Commission guy levied a $3,000 fine on main eventer Armando Diaz for being two pounds over the contracted weight of 147 lbs.

The California rules call for a fine of 20% for being over the contracted weight. $3 K is 20 % of $15 grand.

CROWD COLD

After the Diaz fight, there could not have been 40 people sitting in the outdoor arena.

NO MAS

Neither Fantasy Springs, the venue, or Top Rank, the promoter, will ever attempt to go outdoors in Indio, if it's not the prefered months of Summer.

MANANA

On Wednesday at fighters.com, Dangerous Dan Buntin's column will appear, as well as Pedro's Mid Week Crisis!

Pedro Fernandez

THEIVES!!

According to Top Rank PR guy Lee Samuels, there are a number of major writers who come to fighters.com and steal material for their column.

"You're the one breaking the news. You, for the most part Pedro are so far ahead of the other guys, that they have to steal from you."

Seeing he put it that way, I'll take it as a compliment!

Pedro Fernandez

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

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