Columnist Dean Juipe: Hilton to test new facility

Dean Juipe

Tuesday, May 26, 1998 | 11:14 a.m.

No wonder the Las Vegas Hilton felt it needed a sabbatical from boxing.

Hosting two shows in early 1997, the Hilton had the misfortune to pay good money for a pair of clunkers that were so disappointing it needed more than a year to recover. Only now, with cards coming both Friday and Saturday nights, is the Hilton willing to test the boxing waters again.

"Boxing events have to be productive and have an up side," said Hilton vice president Art Manteris. "If not, then boxing may have outlived its usefulness for a casino -- although I personally think it hasn't."

Many of his cohorts thought differently after what the Hilton went through last year. First it had the Feb. 7, 1997, heavyweight title "fight" between Lennox Lewis and the traumatized Oliver McCall, a bout that was called in the fifth round when McCall not only refused to fight but stood in the middle of the ring and cried. The Hilton's bad luck continued when a March 29, 1997, heavyweight title fight between Michael Moorer and Vaughn Bean went the 12-round distance and lethargically put people to sleep.

Now the Hilton's back with consecutive cards to be held in the refurbished Hilton Theater showroom. Manteris says the facility lends itself to boxing.

"It's going to be the best room in the city for a fight," he said. "In the old days, Caesars (Palace) Sports Pavilion was the best, and this will take over that distinction."

The boxing doubleheader will be a test of sorts for the Hilton.

"It's premature to say we'll be doing this regularly," Manteris said. "But we're keeping our options open. What we will find out is if we actually have a facility that attracts fans.

"We'll do these shows and then take a look to see where boxing fits in."

The promoter for the two cards at the Hilton, Don King, may not make it to Las Vegas this week as he tends to his criminal fraud trial in New York City. Some observers felt King was helped and not hurt by testimony given by a central figure in the case, boxer Julio Cesar Chavez. While Chavez had some potentially damning things to say, an observer at the trial said the jury was made very much aware of the fact that Chavez now fights for King's adversary, Bob Arum, and that, in essence, taints Chavez's testimony. ... The central figure in Saturday's main event at the Hilton, WBA champ Laurent Boudouani, has had a rough couple of days in Las Vegas. He arrived late Saturday night from France and thought he had a room at the Rio, but there was a mix-up of some sort and he was bumped to the Luxor. He took Sunday to recover and move over to the Hilton, but by Monday he was grousing over his food options and it disrupted his workout schedule. ... Despite being swept by the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference finals, the last thing the Los Angeles Lakers should do is fire head coach Del Harris. Replacing point guard Nick Van Exel would be a better idea. ... Overlooked milestone: When Andre Agassi takes on Marat Safin in his first-round French Open match today, the Las Vegan will be going for his 500th career win. Boris Becker has the most victories of any active player, 694.

Play begins Friday in the eight-team College World Series and LSU will be looking to win its fifth national title of this decade, having placed first in 1991, '93, '96 and '97. ... LSU is getting more bang for its buck than the Baltimore Orioles, a team with a $70 million payroll that was expected to contend for the American League championship. Compounded by a lack of leadership and bitten by the injury bug, the Orioles are in the AL East cellar. ... Only six of the 14 teams in the American League have a winning record. ... San Diego Padres manager Bruce Bochy broke his right big toe last week when he kicked a wall in frustration. "I have no sympathy for you," Bochy's wife, Kim, reportedly told him. ... How low can he go? That's a question for baseball great Pete Rose, who, on June 5, will auction off his 1973 National League MVP trophy. The minimum bid will be $20,000. Rose has already sold the bat and ball from his record 4,192nd hit, as well as the balls from his 3,500th and 4,000th hits. ... Watching it again Friday for the second time in as many weeks only underscored the obvious: DanceSport should not be considered a sport and has no business being in the 2000 Olympics.

When Jay Sigel won Sunday's Bell Atlantic Classic the PGA Senior Tour player likely became the first man to ever win a pro-level event despite having two whiffs in the tournament. Twice he failed to connect with balls buried in deep rough. ... The ride-but-can't-walk golfer, Casey Martin, says his left leg is deteriorating at a quickened pace. "There's definitely a downward trend," he said of its condition. "I doubt I'll have the leg much longer." Martin returns to the PGA Tour at Hartford July 2-5. ... Have you noticed the gradual acceptance of Real Quiet as a potential Triple Crown champion? While his Kentucky Derby and Preakness victories initially seemed tarnished by his lack of competition, fans are starting to come around and may embrace him if he wins the Belmont June 6. ... David Chambers is unemployed and lounging at his Green Valley home after quitting as associate athletic director at UNLV, although it wasn't the ongoing controversy in the department that drove him out. It turns out he has been looking for work elsewhere since Jim Weaver departed as A.D. three years ago. Chambers, liked by some and disliked by others on campus, is a talented fellow who maybe hasn't yet found his niche.