The Michigan Daily - Sports Monday - March 2, 1992 - Page 3 H olmes Former heavyweight champ returns for another title shot Jeff Sheran Larry Holmes left an indelible mark on boxing during his years as heavyweight champion of the world with a remarkable lifetime record of 53-3. He has led a. somewhat ob- scure life in recent years, though, successfully managing his private business. Now he has joined the ranks of Jim Palmer, Guy LaFleur, Mark Spitz and George Foreman as supposedly over-the-hill athletic greats trying to regain what time and society's constraints have taken away from him. The catch is, Holmes can back up the talk which sur- rounds his implausible comeback. His second career already includes a victory over 1988 Olympic gold medalist and WBO heavyweight champion Ray Mercer. The next step for Holmes is a date with undisputed champ Evander Holyfield. Brett Forrest spoke with Holmes recently about his remarkable comeback. Daily: You have already had a brilliant boxing career, enough ac- tion for three men. You were heavyweight champion of the world, one of the all-time greats. You re- tired, and now is the time for you to be revered. Why are you making a comeback? Holmes: There were some stones left unturned. * D: Such as ... H: Such as me losing my title on a fluke, so I wanted to come back and regain it. D: George Foreman has faced many fighters during his comeback whom most people would consider "stiffs." He made a lot of money prior to his title shot with Evander Holyfield. I have heard you say that you are in this for the money; why not take the same road as Foreman, instead of going for the title so soon? H: Well, I think I'm a more seri- ous person than George. I'm not doing it just to be doing it. I think I can become champion. I didn't want to take that long route. I wanted to just go right to it, to prove that I am worthy and able to do it. And that's why I took on the best heavyweight out there. D: How long have you been training since you decided to make this comeback? H: Thirteen months. D: How many fights have you had during your comeback? H: Five. D: Do you find yourself training more now, or when you were champ? H: No, I don't find myself train- out punch more now than when you were in your prime, because your stamina isn't what it used to be? H: I was looking for the knock- out punch then. But if it doesn't come, it doesn't come. I prepare myself for whatever I have to do. And if it goes the distance, it goes the distance. I just want to win. D: I know you have not sched- general, and professional boxers in particular, does the Mike Tyson conviction have? H: It doesn't have anything to do with boxers. It doesn't have anything to do with athletes. The only person it has anything to do with is Mike Tyson. He happened to be an athlete. He happened to be a boxer. I don't think it affects anyone else; it just affects Mike Tyson. Because when Mike Tyson goes to jail, I'm not going with him. D: Do you feel that Don King's conflict of interest, in terms of his being essentially a promoter trying to manage a boxer, did any harm to Tyson? H:-Don King is a promoter. He's going to try to promote anybody who has promise, anybody he can make a dollar on. That's his busi- ness. By him being a promoter, a businessman, he wants to promote the best fighters out there he can, be- cause that's how he makes his money. D: What have you been doing outside of boxing? H: I've just been trying to run my businesses, trying to get rid of the ones that aren't doing well, trying to make money with the ones that are doing well. D: But now all your sights are set on regaining the belt? H: Exactly. D: What happens if you beat Holyfield? Where do you go from there? H: Maybe take another fight and retire. Maybe just retire. I don't know yet. I'd just like to take it one day at a time, play it by ear. I don't know what I'm going to do. I could say a lot of things, but things can change. It all depends on the situa- tion. D: If you are not able to get a ti- tle shot anytime soon, will you con- tinue your comeback until you get the chance? H: I'm not into that. I think I've proven myself, and I don't have to do that. If I don't get that shot by the end of the year, I'm going to pack it in. Larry Holmes (left) says his loss in this 1985 fight to Michael Spinks (right), which cost him his heavyweight title, was a "fluke." ing more now. I find myself just staying in shape, because I don't feel like I have to do it like I used to do it. I'm older, I'm smarter. And I don't burn the candle like I used to. So I don't feel like I have to train that way anymore. D: I know you went the distance with Ray Mercer. However, do you find yourself looking for the knock- uled a date with Holyfield yet. When would you like to fight him? H: Anytime. As soon as I can. Editor's note: Since this inter- view, Holmes and Holyfield have agreed to fight June 19. Holyfield is guaranteed $18 million, while Holmes should take home $7 million. D: In your opinion, what signifi- cance for professional athletes in Bob from Brooklyn doesn't know Big Ten There is a new debate in the world of sports journalism. It involves New York Rangers beat writers and the Madison Square Garden cable network, which broadcasts Rangers and Knicks games. Recently, MSG began televising Ranger coach Roger Nielson's postgame press conferences live. Now the writers are upset, arguing that if fans can see Nielson speak after the game, they won't buy a newspaper the next day to read his postgame comments. That hockey writers think most New Yorkers buy newspapers to ac- cess the reservoir of wisdom which Nielson imparts at these press confer- ences is inane. But this is New York, so it's not the most inane thing about this issue. The night after the writers boycotted Nielson's press conference, a talk-show host from WFAN radio, New York's 24-hour sports station, in- vited listeners to speak their minds. Seconds later, a caller came on the air. It was Bob from Brooklyn, a devout Rangers fan who said he was happy to see the Rangers win the previous night. Sensing Bob to be a valuable resource for sports commentary, the host asked him if, after watching Nielson make his postgame remarks, he would buy a newspaper. Bob, foaming over his chance to speak, answered in an old-boy, bom- bastic voice. "Well Howie, I'll tell ya," Bob said. "I'd love the opportunity to see Roger (they were on a first-name basis) in his postgame press confer- ences. But I would also want to buy a newspaper the next day to make sure the reporters were quoting him accurately." You always suspect that some people are imbeciles. You can live with this suspicion, because you don't really know. But when they confirm your suspicions, it's disheartening. My sympa- thies go out to the hockey writer at Bob from Brooklyn's newspaper of choice. And with or without Bob from Brooklyn's morning verification ritual, you've got to wonder about people who want to watch these press confer- ences live. Only a handful of coaches in all of sports provide good entertainment after a game. If you carry that percentage over to Big Ten basketball, it's even less. Of course, Indiana's Bob Knight is a perennial entertainer. He's ob- noxious and contemptuous, but fun. And he preys on pesky writers who ask questions that often aren't even questions. For instance, after a game in Bloomington two years ago, Knight was asked: "That 10-0 run in the second half really had to help you." "Yeah," Knight replied sardonically. He paused amid laughter. "Brilliant f---ing deduction." He doesn't always use profanity, but it seems like he always wants to. After Indiana beat Michigan at Crisler Arena last season, one writer asked what keyed the victory. "You guys, you always think there are keys to everything," Knight re- torted. "There wasn't any key. We just scored more points than they did." With Knight, fans would both tune in after the game and read the newspapers the next day, but not to check the quotes for accuracy. They'd want to see which papers printed the expletives. But Knight is the only Big Ten coach who warrants a television audi- ence at his press conferences. Michigan State's Jud Heathcote is charismatic and good-humored; he laughs at himself and encourages the laughter of others. Gene Keady speaks matter-of-factly and is often more interesting to watch than a Purdue basketball game. Win or lose, Clem Haskins thinks his Golden Gophers are the greatest thing on hardwood since John Travolta. And Randy Ayers speaks with a perfect balance of humility and confidence, like he knows Ohio State is a great team, but doesn't want to offend the older coaches in the conference. But they rarely say anything that demands viewing instead of reading. And televising one means televising them all, which includes Wisconsin coach Steve Yoder. Bill Foster is equally painful. After each Northwestern loss, Foster ex- plains why his team lost. Injuries. Bad calls. Playing on the road. But these excuses lose credence when they come from a man whose career Big Ten coaching record is 9-95. Then there is Steve Fisher. I remember Fisher's press conference after Michigan beat Minnesota last season in a torturously boring game. Fisher sat down, made a one-minute statement, and customarily asked, "Any questions?" The room was silent. Maybe everyone was asleep. Maybe they didn't want to have to listen to a reply. Either way, it was unbelievable that no writer wanted a single quote from Fisher. I wonder what Bob from Brooklyn would have done the next morning. INDOOR SOCCER FLOOR HOCKEY BASKETBALL * VOLLEYBALL * BATTING CAGES GOLF DRIVING * PUTTING SOCCER 9 WHIFFLE BALL * PARTIES " SPORTS EQUIPMENT.. . T.J.'S SPORTSWORLD 640 Phoenix * Ann Arbor, MI 48108 For Parties or Questions on Leagues and Reservations CALL 973-0943 S You can now enjoy a :20% discount on your entree I Sunday thru Thursday! a tPlease Present Student I. D. Valid thru May 3, 1992 U OF .M'S #1 STEAK HOUSE Extends its student discount Depleted spIk.ers complete successful trip by Dan Linna Daily Sports Writer Injuries were the only low point in what was a very successful road trip for the Michigan men's volleyball team last week. The Wolverines began the trip Saturday at the Big G Collegiate Classic, hosted by undefeated Graceland College (19-0). Michigan lost to Iowa State in pool play but bounced back to down Air Force. Next up was Graceland, which had defeated the Wolverines three weeks earlier in the Wolverine Collegiate Classic. Michigan was out for revenge and the Graceland winning streak came to an abrupt halt. Graceland then defeated Iowa State, allowing the Wolverines to gain the No. 1 seed out of their pool. "To beat a team like Graceland you have to have everything clicking," sophomore Tony Poshek said. "Sometimes you can win with good blocking or good hitting, but when you are play- ing a great team you need to be working on all cylinders." The Wolverines definitely had everything clicking and co-captain Rico Latham said he knew every set he put up, someone was going to put it away. "At one point Justin (MacLaurin) was hitting the ball so hard he started to get purple spots on his hand and he was saying, 'Look! I'm hitting the ball so hard my hand is starting to bruise,"' Latham said. Michigan defeated Colorado State in the semifinals to set up a rematch with Graceland, which had advanced to the finals from its No. 2 seed. This time it was Graceland's turn for revenge as the Wolverines did all they could to keep the match close while losing in two games, 15-10 and 15-13. Although the Wolverines fell short of winning the tournament, coach Tom Johengen feels that it was just another step in the development of a good volleyball team. "When you spend a whole day playing against good teams you can't help but to get better," 'Men's volleyball is very much alive at some schools. Their crowds were very loud and into the game. I would like to see us establish that here at Michigan.' - Rico Latham Wolverine co-captain Johengen said. "(The players) proved to them- selves that they can play against good teams like Graceland and beat them. This experience could be very helpful down the road." Monday, Michigan ventured to Park College to face an established varsity program. The Wolverines jumped on Park early and held a two- games-to-one advantage going into the fourth game. With an 11-5 lead and Michigan looking to close out the match, senior co-captain Keith Baar went down with a sprained ankle. The injury left the Wolverines with only six players, causing lineup problems. The out-of- whack rotation at one point had three middle. blockers playing back row, leaving setter Latham to control the middle. Michigan wasn't able to rebound and lost the match in five games. Michigan figured to be able to overcome the loss of Baar when it traveled to Illinois State Wednesday to face a Redbird team that didn't figure to give the Wolverines any problems. However, with the Michigan team now down to only six players, problems arose when Chad Stielstra became sick. Not wanting to forfeit the match, Stielstra played but spent most of his time standing around and at one point sat in the back corner while his teammates were playing. Stielstra would simply step off the court as soon as the whistle blew on some occasions. Although the Wolverines were basically play- ing 5-on-6, they were able to down the Redbirds in five games. With Baar hobbling and Stielstra still ailing, Michigan was forced to forfeit its last scheduled stop at Notre Dame. The team was disappointed to miss the last match but felt that the road trip was a very pro- ductive one. Latham was impressed by the big crowds drawn at Park and Graceland. "Men's volleyball is very much alive at some schools," Latham said. "Their crowds were very loud and into the game. I would like to see us establish that here at Michigan." Qualifications: .Entree Plus acc *at least sophomore standing at time days you work of application apart-time postitions *an exciting available as opportunity to .experience with workshop presentations, teaching and/or small group facilitation *understanding of various 30 hours of training on facilitation skills and racism, sexism, heterosexism and other forms of discrimination provided Diversity Facilitators impact the i 4