AFTER a dry spell boxing returned to Las Vegas on Saturday in the form of Johnny Tapia against Marco Antonio Barrera. You all know that Barrera won in one hell of a fight where there was no looser only a runner up. Before more specifics, some call expert knowledge, couple of other fish to fry. At the final press conference held in Studio B of the MGM Grand it was a pleasure to attend as there was no SMACK Talk, no racial overtones, no foul language. That of course means that neither Bob Arum nor Don King had any influence on the event. Instead here were two talented athletics who had prepared to compete at the highest level of their sport. Both were confident of winning with a respect for each other that usually comes in boxing after one fighter has gotten the stuffing’s kicked out. This is what boxing is all about. Real boxing.

One last thing and then on to the fight. I received a call from a gentleman who owns a part of a web site that competes with the many sites that carry these efforts. He had a legitimate gripe. As most know some of the "general information" I use in this effort comes of the web, some comes from the newspaper, some from radio and some from TV. It’s called news gathering when done correctly. When done incorrectly it’s called plagiarism or better yet "literary theft". There are legions out there who would defend me regardless of what it’s called as they claim, with some basis, that there is nothing literary about these efforts. That is as it may be.

The gentleman pointed out that I had used some "quotes" from a story he wrote. I said "Yes" I did. Then I said that in my opinion once those quotes are in the public domain, on the web, anyone can use them. He probably didn’t agree but we moved on. It was pointed out that in at least one story it was not a quote that I used but rather his "taking the reader hand-in-hand" through the story that I had used. He was 100% correct if I did it I was wrong and owed him an apology. Which he got and I repeat here. Now back to Tapia-Barrera.

Officials are always important in any fight. Although in this one the fighter’s pretty much refereed themselves. In the 6^th round they traded low blows and that was that. End of story. That aside, the referee and how he worked the fight might have been important. One thing was clear after the press conference, unlike fights involving promoters named earlier, there would be no bad mouthing of the referee or comments implying that he was anything his honesty. Still it was big fight. I knew that the officials would have been named so I wanted to jump-start this effort. And God knows it dam sure needs it on occasion. Trying to get a little boxing stuff in before my real job, I went to my new friends web site and found the following. "Jeff Nady will get the call as third man in the ring for Saturday's featherweight showdown between Marco Antonio Barrera and Johnny Tapia at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas." I think that would be Jay Nady. Think that was put out on the site to test me? Could be. Gott’em this time.

THE fight. At the end of the evening the score cards (.118-110, 118-110, 116-112 for Barrera) would indicate that the fight was one-sided. Talkin Boxing had is 115-113 for Barrera but then I had a 10 spot bet on Tapia at 3 1/2 to 1 and there was a really pretty Hispanic young lady sitting next to me. She was with an "Older" gentleman who I perceived to be her father. "Es su Padre"?" NO es su Padre’", she answered. As I check out her set of wheels that belonged on a Rolls, I noticed (Trained observer that I am) that the "older gentleman" was messaging her upper thigh. "No es su Padre’ ". Back to the fight. I was perplexed by something. The fight was listed as Featherweight Championship-12 Rounds. But what Championship? I guess just the regular old Featherweight Championship.

Whoops one more tiny item, then on to the fight. Some year’s ago the championship distance was reduced from 15 to 12 rounds. I never realized how important that was. Saturday night I met a pal at the MGM Sports Book Bar for a couple of brewski’s before the fight. Then down to the pressroom to catch a little football on TV while consuming about 10 bottles of water. Then prior to the fight standing in the foyer checking out the scenery (and none is better than at a fight between two Mexican Fighters) with a couple more "tonic of the Gods". Rushed into the Grand Garden just in time for the entrance of the two fighters. MY great press row seat had one disadvantage. Once in place, I wasn’t going anywhere. I was locked in at the end of a row. The only way out was behind 25 seats. Not going to happen. About the 7^th round it became apparent that I should have made a brief stop at he room with the three letters (MEN) on it before taking my seat. "Let’s see 7^th round at 3 minutes per round with one minute between. This is going to be close." Counting the rounds I figured I could make 12 if I held my breath the last round. When the final bell sounded it was like a starting gun which motivated me out of my seat, behind 25 chairs ("Excuse me please") and off to the Three Letter Room. AS I achieved my goal. My mind was wondering to things great and small. It’s a man thing. One thought prevailed. "Thank God for 12 round championship fights. Forget the fighters I couldn’t have made 15."

Johnny Tapia brings with him an aura of excitement. No one in boxing (except maybe Oscar) can electrify a venue and a crowd like he can. He did it Saturday night before a packed house at a scaled down Grand Garden Arena at the MGM Grand. The crowd, about 7,500, liked Marco Antonio Barrera but they flat love Johnny Tapia. Why shouldn’t they? He’s the complete package and has been for many years. In the end Barrera had too much power, to much youth, too much speed and too much skill for Tapia to overcome. That is not to write that Tapia didn’t have his moments. He did. In the 6^th Tapia was able to trap the elusive Barrera on the ropes for most of the round landing punches in bunches. Tapia also had some success in the 3^rd when he used a body attack that showed some promise. Barrera was always able to come back because of his power and the greatest left since Jean Harlow jammed the grapefruit in James Cagney’s face in the 1931 movie The Public Enemy. Barrera from a boxing standpoint put on a devastating textbook show. Tapia showed the heart and will of a champion.

Many feel that the featherweight is the most competitive division in boxing. Part of that allure is that they are willing to fight each other. In couple of weeks Erik Morales (41-1) vs. Paulie Ayala (34-1) will fight for the WBC Featherweight belt across Vegas town. A win by Ayala would set up a super match between he and Barrera. Morales-Barrera would be less attractive, to me, as they have fought twice with each getting the nod once. (Member getting "nod" is a good deal.). Case of been there, done that and didn’t get a T Shirt. Following the fight Barrera was asked about his change in style from brawler to boxer. "I’ve done that and it works. I will be able to fight longer using that style. If the public doesn’t like it, then I’ll go back t my old style." The "new" style could cause a problem for the average fan. Certainly this was not the take charge Barrera seen when he sent Naseem into hiding. "Oh Prince…come out…come out where ever you are." Johnny Tapia after the fight was Johnny Tapia. ‘It was fun. He was strong but I chased him and couldn’t catch up. I’d like to do it again." "Johnny are you going to keep on fighting. You’ve said you have enough money put away, Why continue to fight?", ask Larry Merchant. "I’m a fighter. That’s what I do." Says it all.

DON’T tell me that there isn’t a guy somewhere orchestrating what goes on down here on Planet Earth. Whoops sorry. That should be a "Guy or Guyette" orchestrating thing. The now former WBC Jr. Featherweight Champ Willie Jorrin (28-1-1) has been anything but a fighting Champion since he won the vacant title over Michael Brodie (29-1) in September of 2000. He did defend against Oscar Larios (39-2-1) in January of 2001. Many called the fight close, it was, with Jorrin getting the nod in his hometown of Sacramento. Getting the nod anywhere isn’t really a bad deal. Then he went into his stall mode. He dodged, ducked, stalled and generally lived the good life as a Champion such as the good life is in Sacramento. You get to watch the NBA Kings fold like accordions each year or stop by the Statehouse to watch legislature turn the Golden State into the Peoples Republic of California.

Somehow Jorrin was convinced that he actually had to fight to keep the title so the WBC accommodated with a "easy" defense against Osamu Sato (25-1-0) in Japan. Jorrin escaped with a draw. At this point Jorrin had been inactive in the ring for over a year. Last Friday night Jorrin fought a rematch with Oscar Larrios. Whoa Nelly. Oscar Larios early in round uno landed a right uppercut and as educated guys say, "The rest was academic". Jorrin went down and should have stayed down. He beat the count. Not a good idea. Jorrin then got beat from "Pillar to Post" with referee James Jen-Kin Jr. stopping the fight at 1:28 of the first stanza. After the fight Jorrin was "strangely serene". Almost as if he was saying, "Well it worked for awhile." She does write strange scripts sometime.

WHOOPS. When I make an error I make a dandy. What makes it even more embarrassing is that usually a readers either calls or e-mails me with a correction. This miscue came to my attention from as loyal reader whose wife was yapping in the background. Once we had her zipping her lip we got to the errant information. Last week I wrote, ""The WBC respectfully requests the court to deny [Rocchigiani's] request," wrote James Mercante, the sanctioning body's attorney. If the name Mercante rings a bell, it should. He is the son of all-time great referee Arthur Mercante, Sr. and a dam fine boxing referee in his own right." Whoops James Mercante is of course one of Arther’s four sons but not a referee. That would be Arther Jr. who is the referee and a stagehand not a lawyer.

THERE’LL always be an England. A little background here. England and the British Isle’s always go "over the flipping Moon" for a heavyweight champion. That is a real heavyweight champion. Lennox Lewis though he was going to be the man but his foray as an Olympian for Canada put the "Kabash" on that plan. Lewis is popular but not over the moon popular like Ali or Henry Cooper.

As if anyone needed an additional reason to watch Ward-Gatti fight on the 23^rd of November there’s a undercard fight that might prove worth the watch. The 2000 Olympic super-heavyweight gold medalist Audley Harrison (7-0) will make his eighth pro start that night. For Harrison it will be his American "DE BUTT" after getting mixed review’s in his native land of England. Mixed in that he as suppose to be the "Bee’s knee’s" and instead has done nothing but go through more tomato cans than an Olive Garden Restaurant. Talkin Boxin’s British Scribe, that would be Philip Jones Esq., doesn’t think much of the very articulate Mr. Harrison. Of course he’s not all that crazy about me either so you know that his judgment is sound. HBO has a couple of dandy’s going for them with Ward-Gatti and now Harrison against on of the TBA Family.

ARUM-KING. (Aka "The Odd Couple") Don King has repeatedly insisted in testimony that he told Bob Arum, who he is suing, about his exclusive rights to Julio Cesar Chavez. King claims that he made the information available before Chavez signed his name on the dotted (or full line) to join up with Top Rank. King is trying to collect $14 million in damages which he (KING) feels would compensate him for the lost money while Chavez was working for Arum's Top Rank. "He knew that I had an exclusive promotional agreement," King said on cross-examination. "Every time that he tampered with this fighter, he found out that the fighter had lied to him. " King said Arum tried the same thing enough times to make it a pattern. In OJ like fashion when the jury was out of the room Top Rank Attorney Michael Olin said that King "was making up a conversation on the stand." This refers to King testimony which the jury heard about an "alleged" conversation. The Judge, Leroy Moss, responded by saying that the case was up to the jury. He pleaded with King to control his testimony, which has often wandered. Does that sound like the Don King that we know and love? Yep. "I've cautioned, I've wheedled, I've cajoled, I've sniveled, I've whined, everything I could do short of an order," the judge told King. "If I issue an order, I'm going to have to enforce it." One has to have the feeling that the judges words will effect Don King the way a speed bump does BMX rider.

I slightly remember what this case is all about as it happened long ago. Chaves signed an agreement with King in January of 1997. How do we know that? Cause Chavez said so. In 1998 taped deposition Chavez testified that he signed English-language contracts with King but that he didn't understand what he was signing. I’m sure that he also didn’t understand the money he took for King as he also got that in "Filthy Yankee dollars". Which by the by he neglected to declare as income. That clever act got him nailed by the Mexican Government for back taxes. You may also wonder why it was a taped deposition? If I remember correctly at this time he couldn’t come back in to the USA cause he had some "issues". Issue’s here being akin to "being in deep do-do".

There is some proof that Chavez never told Arum about the signing. Please remember that we’re dealing here with three certifiable liars. There is no doubt that Chavez kept what money King gave him and signed a contract with Arum. To help refresh my memory I went to my new friends web site and copied the following. " Chavez had two fight for Arum in 98 losing both." Time out not true. In 1998 Chavez fought Miguel Angel Gonzales in the bullring in Mexico City. The fight was a draw. Chavez claims, and King does not dispute, that he wasn’t paid the 3 million for the fight. King said he withheld the money to satisfy loans and advances. King ended his testimony with another reason for his rapid departure after the fight. "King testified that he left Mexico City as soon as he could after the fight because his entourage was held up by highway robbers on the way to the fight." Told you the judge’s warnings were just speed bumps.

Attending the fight at the Plaza del Toros was Oscar DeLaHoya and his promoter Bob Arum. Arum signed Chavez the following month. He fought TWICE for Arum in 1998. Beating Ken Sigurani via a 3 round KO and loosing to Oscar when TO’d in 8. Arum’s attorneys claim that the Top Rank guy knew nothing about the renewed contract with King. "Chavez was portrayed as a double-dealing, money-grubbing boxer with drug and alcohol problems who instigated the contract dispute". No I don’t know who first wrote it but who ever did hit the nail ring on the head. I also am well aware that Mr. Chavez is a national hero in Mexico. Nuff said.

I have written before about a piece of garbage named Anthony Mundine (13-1, 10 KOs). He’s up to his old tricks again which is mainly running his mouth to prove to the world that he is a certified moron. The WBC had the class to tell him to take a hike. He’s got an upcoming fight with Ricky Thornberry (26-4, 12 KOs) who will be only his second real opponent. The first being IBF super middleweight Champion Sven Ottke who knocked him out with one punch. Of Thornberry the bum says, " I really want to damage the monkey. He is only a monkey and deserves to be paid peanuts. I will show the fans that I am the best pound for pound boxer in the world by belting this Queenslander." Not only is he ignorant but also guess his memory doesn’t work too well as Ottke turned out his lights. That aside, anyone remember when a famousAmerican Sportscaster used the words "Monkey"? Right as rain. It was Howie Cosell on a Monday Night Football telecast. "Look at the little monkey run". His comments opened the floodgates of charges of racism. From a scum like Mundine it will probably go unnoticed. The bad news? The bum won with a 11 round KO. He made nice-e-nice after the fight but he’s still a pile of offal.

Former heavyweight champion of the world Riddick Bowe is likely headed to jail. Bowe is not charged with any new crime, but a federal appeals court ruled that Bowe was improperly sentenced for the 1998 kidnapping of his wife and five children. Bowe was initially credited for time served on probation but he will soon be resentenced and could face 18 to 24 months in prison. Bowe's actions in the kidnapping are clearly disturbing, but some people may also be troubled by the actions of government prosecutors who are seeking to hold Bowe to a plea agreement that he entered into before the extent of his brain injuries were revealed. Here clearly is another case of the Government picking on the oppressed of the world. Just like the bums in GITMO. Bowe is a tragic case and if he’s been clean it might be a great idea to let the man alone. On the other hand he did hold his wife and children hostage during a trip through the south. He is a trouble man.

HOOKS & Jabs. I said that I would never under any circumstances mention "Thunderbox" which goes on PPV next week. Slight problem. Standing in the foyer following the Barrera-Tapia fight I bumped into Boxing expert & Radio guy and husband of Kim good guy Smitty. Among other things he told me that he was off New York and Florida this week, "Doing your favorite Thunderbox. I know you won’t mention it." Well he was right until his lovely wife Kim appeared from out of the door with six letters on it and gave me a hug and a squeeze. Buy ThunderBox on PPV for the children and so maybe I’ll get another hug.

Good guy Wayne McCullough whapped the stiffen out of Ruskie. Nikolai Eremeev (18-6-2) in Belfast Ireland Saturday night. The Commies corner tossed in the towel (which means "Neyt" which is the same as "NO Mas") during the 4^th stanza. Next for McCullough? One more tune up and then a title fight against someone.

ESPN 2’s Friday Night fights makes a rare appearance in Las Vegas next week with an outdoor show from the Stratosphere. Funny but in checking for the "Bill O’Fare" on the www.com’s they have O’Neil Bell (19-1-1) vs. Arthur Williams (35-7-1) as the main event. "Shirley you jest?’ These two guys as a main event? They got more miles on them then the originals Goodyear’s I’ve got on my 71 Imperial. The feature is Laila Ali (12-0) vs. Valerie Mahfood (13-4). Ali will, as a great ad guy once said about the purpose of advertising, "put the ass’s in the seats". Word of warning. It will be colder than a Bob Arum-Don King handshake.

AND FINALLY: "This from the USA Today. "Pop singer and proud self-proclaimed virgin Jessica Simpson 22, and 98 Degrees boy-band member Nick Lachet 28, were married Saturday". Being the stickler for accuracy that I am, should the lead sentence read, "Pop singer and FORMER proud self-proclaimed virgin?"