Notes on a Scorecard - Nov. 3, 1994

LAS VEGAS — Twenty years ago, Angelo Dundee was in the corner opposite George Foreman when Foreman lost the heavyweight championship to Muhammad Ali in Zaire. . . .

On Saturday night, Dundee will be Foreman’s cut-and-whisper man when he tries to win a two-thirds share of the title from Michael Moorer. . . .

It’s a miracle--or a reflection of the state of the heavyweight division--that Rev. Foreman, 45, is getting another shot at the championship after a 10-year retirement and a hiatus the last 17 months . . .

“Does he have a chance?” Dundee said. “Of course. He’s going to win the fight by knockout. We’ll have a new champ in the fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh round.” . . .

Dundee has worked Foreman’s corner since his 12-round loss to then-champion Evander Holyfield three years ago. . . .

“George is a good listener,” Dundee said. “I’ll tell him between rounds what I think is working well and what he’s doing wrong.” . . .

Dundee, who says he had nothing to do with Ali’s rope-a-dope tactics that early morning in Zaire, would like to think that Moorer is made to order for Foreman. . . .

“Moorer’s a southpaw, but he’s a converted right-hander and pretty orthodox,” Dundee said. “He’s no ballerina. He’s there to be hit, and George will nail him.” . . .

Other, more objective observers believe Moorer will do a job on Foreman with his right jab, the weapon that won him the title from Holyfield. . . .

Dundee admits, “George has three speeds--slow, stop, and wait a minute.” . . .

Having trained an assortment of all-time greats, journeymen and prelim kids since 1948, Dundee is still active in a gym in Miami and has a stable of 11. . . .

Among them is a 6-foot-4, 240-pound heavyweight from Japan. . . .

*

At a news conference Wednesday, Foreman wore a suit and tie, Moorer a sweat suit. . . .

Foreman easily outpointed the Moorer camp in insults, then said, “I think those extra 4,000 seats will be sold, so now we can be quiet.” . . .

Those closest to Foreman say he is edgy for the first time during his comeback. . . .

When Foreman won the title from Joe Frazier in 1973, Moorer was 5. . . .

During his 35-bout career, the unbeaten champion has been knocked down twice by Bert Cooper and once each by Everett (Big Foot) Martin and Holyfield. . . .

Moorer will receive a $5-million check from the Nevada State Athletic Commission on Saturday night, and Foreman one for $1.5 million. . . .

But money from the live gate and HBO telecast eventually could increase Moorer’s purse to $7 million and Foreman’s to $4 million. . . .

All officials will be from Nevada--referee Joe Cortez and judges Jerry Roth, Duane Ford and Chuck Giampa. . . .

Bob Arum plans to feature the Ruelas brothers, Rafael and Gabriel, in title defenses on a pay-per-view show at the MGM Grand the night before the Super Bowl. . . .

The brothers from Sylmar were named co-fighters of the year at the World Boxing Hall of Fame banquet last week. . . .

*

One of the better heavyweight prospects, Jeremy Williams of the Ten Goose Stable, returns after suffering a broken hand and will fight journeyman Levi Billups on Nov. 16. . . .

It will be one of five fight cards at the MGM Grand in three weeks, the finale being the U.S.-Mexico amateur dual meet Nov. 19. . . .

Winner of the James Toney-Roy Jones fight probably will face Chris Eubanks next summer outdoors in London. . . .

Eubanks can’t fight much, but is a big draw at home. . . .

Pernell Whitaker, who would have loved a rematch with Julio Cesar Chavez, most likely will settle for the winner of the Jake (The Snake) Rodriguez-Kostya Tszyu match. No kidding. . . . Those who have seen British heavyweight Herbie Hide, 26-0 with 25 KOs, say he is a powerful puncher, but raw and probably not as dangerous as Oliver McCall. . . .

Boxing reporter and “SportsCenter” anchorman Charley Steiner has signed a new four-year contract with ESPN. . . .

At last report, Riddick Bowe-Larry Donald was still on for Dec. 3 at Caesars Palace. . . .

“I’ll fight Moorer or McCall for nothing, but not Tyson,” Bowe said. . . .

Promoter Dan Duva, who had a tumor removed from his brain last week, is recuperating at his home in New Jersey and the prognosis is good. . . .

Foreman, the sentimental favorite, is a 3-1 betting underdog. . . .

I’ll make the safest prediction--Moorer by decision.