Tyson throws punchlin
Heavyweight match one day away
The Michigan Daily-Thursday, January 21, 1988- Page 9
g at Holmes
--
By JOSHUA RAY LEVIN
Special to the Daily
ATLANTIC CITY - The Holmes-Tyson pre-
fight press conference became an international
event yesterday at Trump's Plaza Hotel and
Casino in Atlantic City.
Friday night's bout between undisputed world
champion Mike Tyson (31-0, 28 knockouts) and
former World Boxing Council and International
Boxing Federation champion Larry Holmes (48-
2, 34 knockouts) headlines a fight card featuring
boxers from five countries and Puerto Rico.
Television coverage begins Friday night at 10
on HBO. Las Vegas odds are favoring Tyson by
as much as 8-to-l.
THE MAIN FEATURE, billed as
"heavyweight history" by promoter Don King,
represents a big payday for both fighters, with
Holmes receiving roughly 3 million dollars and
Tyson getting 3.6 million, plus a percentage of
the gate receipts.
Friday's fight also offers vindication for
Holmes, who retired in disgrace after two 1985
losses to "people's champion" Michael Spinks.
Tension has been high between the two box-
ers ever since they exchanged heated words at a
press conference announcing the fight. Holmes
has participated in only one of the three pre-fight
media gatherings, but did grant an interview for a
feature article in last week's Sports Illustrated.
Tyson, however, was the star of yesterday af-j
ternoon's press luncheon. After lengthy
introductions by promoter King, Tyson stood and
answered questions from the media. The most
common questions regarded Holmes absence from
the press conference, Tyson's health and fitness,
and the prospect of a future Tyson-Spinks
matchup.
When asked about his opponent's seclusion,
Tyson said, "From his perspective he's very
serious... It's no secret he sometimes speaks be-
fore his brain is in motion. It's better for every-
one - no one has time for bar room epithets."
TYSON was referring to the embarrassing
remarks Holmes made after losing to Spinks, in-
cluding insults to former champion and legendary
heavyweight Rocky Marciano. "Marciano
couldn't carry my jockstrap," was just one com-
ment Holmes made at the time.
Tyson did add however, "He (Holmes) is one
of the greatest champions of all times. I always
wanted him to win (his title defenses)."
Other questions about Holmes revolved around
his age (38) and his two-year retirement. Earlier
in the luncheon, WBC chairperson Jose Su-
laiman assured reporters that Holmes had easily
passed all of the extensive medical tests required,
including a CAT-scan and an electrocardiogram.
The 21-year-old Tyson disagreed with one re-
porter's assessment of Holmes as a washed-up
fighter. "He has to be respected," the champion
said.
Tyson also dispelled speculation that he is not
in top shape and said that he had not suffered a
broken nose in training last week. "We put in a
hard six weeks - we're going to do it," the
champion said confidently. "I'm in the best shape
of my life."
TYSON acknowledged that he had been
bleeding from his nose recently, but when asked
said that it was not broken and that it had not
bled in three days.
When asked to name the round he expected the
fight to end, Tyson replied, "I'm not a predictor,
but I assure you of victory."
As for the rumors of an impending match
with Spinks, Tyson said only that, "I take one
fight at a time." When asked if he minded
Spinks' self-appointed title, Tyson laughed and
said, "I'm satisfied. He can be the people's
champ."
Tyson also said he'd be more than happy to
fight Spinks in a proposed winner-take-all bout.
"If he wants (a fight) that bad, we'll fight for
nothing in a cellar," the champion concluded.
Other boxers on Friday's fight card include
Jose Flores, of Uruguay, and Carlos DeLeon, of
Puerto Rico, for DeLeon's WBC cruiserweight
championship. Also on the card are John "The
Beast" Mugabe and former heavyweight contender
Michael Dokes, both attempting comebacks.
dePourcq of Ferris is grade
A
-Associated Press
Mike Tyson predicted yesterday that he will beat Larry Holmes in their
match Friday night. Holmes did not show up at their pre-fight press con-
ference.
LS&A SCHOLARSHIP
LS&A Scholarship applications for Spring-Summer
1988 and Fall-Winter 1988-89 are now available
in 1402 Mason Hall.
To qualify for scholarship consideration, a student must be an
LS&A undergraduate. and have completed one full term in LS&A.
Sophomores must have a U of M grade point of 3.7 or better and
Juniors and Seniors must have a GPA of at least 3.6. The awards
are based on financial need and on academic merit.
By DOUGLAS VOLAN
For most newcomers in the Cen-
tral Collegiate Hockey Association,
the transition from junior hockey is
a difficult one.
Not so for John dePourcq of Fer-
ris State, who has handled that move
with everything but problems. The
British Columbia native is currently
tied for tenth in the CCHA in scor-
ing, with 31 points, while his 15
goals are tops for CCHA rookies.
"He's obviously one of the top
freshman in the league," said Michi-
gan coach Red Berenson. "He's made
a real difference to that team."
After finishing eighth in the
league last season with a 9-23
record, the-Bulldogs have improved
to 7-1 1-4, good for sixth place.
"We're in a process of rebuild-
ing," said Ferris State coach John
Perpich. "And dePourcq has been a
vital ingredient in that rebuilding.
Despite being a freshman, he ranks
among the better centers in the
league. IRe's a mature player who
works hard and makes things hap-
pen."
Michigan can certainly vouch for
that. When the two teams met in
early November, dePourcq scored
UM News in
The Daily
764-0552
four goals to help Ferris State split a
series with the Wolverines.
"It's unreal that he has that many
points as a freshman," said Michigan
defenseman Todd Copeland. "He
seems to have a knack for the net."
"HE'S DEFINITELY a gifted
offensive player," added Michigan
center Todd Brost who was a former
teammate of dePourcq's at Penticton
in the junior hockey league. "He re-
ally improved at Penticton and that
carried over to his first year (in the
CCHA)."
Indeed, playing for Penticton was
a valuable experience for dePourcq.
"I learned a lot from that team," said
dePourcq. "That's what helped me in
my adjustment. It was a big jump
getting used to the hitting and mov-
ing the puck so fast. I had to work
hard."
"For freshmen, the biggest thing
is confidence," said Michigan first-
year player Billy Jaffe. "A lot of
players come (into the CCHA) being
stars, but they need to get confidence
in division one. (dePourcq) got his
right away."
Standing at 5-8 and weighing 165
pounds, dePourcq is cast in a short
and stocky mold, much like that of
Wolverine centers Brost and Rob
Brown. As a result, hard work has
become a necessity for the Bulldog
standout. "Sometimes being smaller
can be a problem," said dePourcq. "I
just have to work harder and try not
to worry about it."
dePourcq, however, still makes
his presence felt on the ice. "He's
such a hustler," said Jaffe. "He's re-
ally quick and pesky. I wouldn't
want a guy like dePourcq all over
me."
Unfortunately for Jaffe and the
rest of his teammates, dePourcq will
be all over Michigan this weekend,
despite having personal ties with
many of the Wolverines.
"Michigan is going to be really
tough. (Michigan's) a real good
team. But I have a lot of friends on
Michigan, and it's going to be great
playing against them. It will be a lot
of fun playing against Brostie
(Brost), Sharps (Warren Sharples)
and Sorney (Mark Sorensen)," he
said.
Brost
... afraid of dePourcq
I I
Fri.,
Jan. 22
The University of Michigan
SCHOOL OF MUSIC
Faculty Carillon Recital
Margo Halsted, University Carillonneur
Music of Bach and Handel
Burton Memorial Tower, 7:00 p.m.
FREE.
Collage Concert
An hour of nonstop music, including
excerpts from Orffs Carmina Burana,
Stravinsky's Rite ofS ring,
Fri.,
Jan. 22
Immediate Occupancy
For Winter Term
All apartments located on central campus
Flexable Terms
Maximum Space for Minimum Price
Lots of Parking
st, Ann Arbor We Pay Heat
721 S. Fore
r7R1 I_1 flfl
1700 Geddes, Ann Arbor
15 Hill, Ann Arbor
and others... ~ ~"
(313) "761-15'L'
543 Church Stree
Ann Arbor, Ml 48104
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOSE ?
UM EXERCISE, NUTRITION & WEIGHT
CONTROL CLINIC
PROGRAMS BEGIN JANUARY 25
.BODY FAT TESTING .EXERCISE* BEIIAVIOR MODIFICATION-DIETING
.CHOLESTEROL TESTING .LIFESTYLE CHANGES*METABOLIC ASSESSMENT
Handel's The Royal Fireworks,
Bernstein's Candide, others.
Featuring School of Music ensembles and
soloists.
Hill Auditorium, 8:15 p.m. FREE.
For up-to-date program information on School of Music
events call the 24-Hour Music Hotline, 7634726
COME JOP OUR STAFF
The University of .- ;nigan Housing Division
RESIDENCE HALL POSITIONS 1988-89
ThemHousing Division is looking for well-qualified tes to serve as resident staff
members in Residence Halls. We specifically .. .r for students interested in:
-Serving as positive academic and c .1jing role models
-Fostering a spirit of community
-Developing and strengthening leadership, communication and group skills and
-Developing programs for a diverse student population.
THERE WILL BE TWO INFORMATION MEETINGS:
Sunday, January 24,1988--1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 26, 1988 - 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
IN AUDITORIUM 3 - MODERN LANGUAGE BUILDING
Representatives from the Housing Division will be there to provide information and
answer questions regarding candidate qualifications, selection processes and job
expectations. Applications are available only at these meetings.
ALL NEW APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND
ONE OF THESE MEETINGS
An Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer
',I.-R.R f F C: E1.r" V
UAC/MUSKET PRESENT
AND
F T HE
--i
MASS MEETING
Tuesday, Jan 26
t 8pm Kuenzel Room
14J~ fz
SIGN UP NOW !!!
3050 CCB
CALL 764-1342
Sponsored by:
Advanced Fitness Training Center
Department of Kinesiology
Adult Lifestyle Program
too~7 I M "