Tim Graham: Does anyone really care about this?

Friday, Nov. 8, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

WHO REALLY cares?

I don't even care, and I'm writing about it. In fact, I'll be surprised if I get through this column without changing the subject.

You probably don't even care. The only reason you've read this far is because you don't know what the topic is yet.

It's Saturday night's fight between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield for the World Boxing Association heavyweight championship. It's a battle between two of the best boxers of all time.

It's not sold out.

As of Thursday, more than 1,000 seats in the MGM Grand Garden remained unsold, even though the fight has been advertised for over two months.

It makes me wonder how Don King can call himself "the world's greatest promoter" and still sleep at night.

On second thought, no it doesn't.

"Even my worst critics will have to say this is going to be something great," King said at Thursday's press conference.

The punk that I am, I asked King why he hasn't sold out the card.

"You've been out wandering around in the desert," King replied. "I don't even know what planet you're on. I don't know what you're talking about, so I can't respond to that."

While the 1,000 seats probably won't stay empty, the fact that they are available should be of concern. For example, when Oscar De La Hoya fought Julio Cesar Chavez at Caesars Palace last June, tickets were gone three months in advance.

Tyson's audiences, meanwhile, have been laughable since he left prison 15 months ago. Ticket figures for his fight with Buster Mathis Jr. at the MGM -- which was delayed and moved to Philadelphia -- were reported as low as 1,100. Tyson's last match, against Bruce Seldon to win the title, was nearly 5,000 tickets shy of capacity.

His only genuine sellout was his return fight against club pug Peter McNeeley, and although the Frank Bruno bout was announced as such, those who were there refute it.

And those lopsided matches -- encompassing a grand total of 18 minutes, 40 seconds -- did nothing to draw more fans.

It seems the only way Tyson can pack the house is to fight a novelty such as George Foreman, maybe Christy Martin, or even the unthinkable: to actually take on Riddick Bowe.

In the meantime, we are forced to reject what King attempts to shove down our throats. In this case, a medically unstable Holyfield, who opened as a 25-to-1 underdog.

"We got a real show here, and I am certain that we will be able to make the people appreciate the fact that it's going to be a real fight," King said. "Nobody can deny it."

Shortly thereafter, King told the gathered media that Tyson would knock Holyfield into oblivion. If the man responsible for generating interest in the fight already knows the result, I guess there's no need to pay attention Saturday night.

How 'bout those Lakers?