Columnist Dean Juipe: A&E show puts boxing in its place

Dean Juipe

Wednesday, July 18, 2001 | 9:52 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or 259-4084.

The cable network A&E makes a habit of presenting interesting investigative pieces and Sunday it turns its attention to professional boxing in a two-hour show that implies there is no honor among thieves.

Entitled "Boxing: In and Out of the Ring," the program delves into many aspects of the sport while sharpening its focus on the ramifications of Hasim Rahman's stunning April 21 knockout victory over heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis in South Africa.

With its cameras privy to the workings within the office of promoter Cedric Kushner -- who's in town this week to do the Shane Mosley vs. Adrian Stone card Saturday at Caesars Palace -- and, to a lesser extent, the public appearances of rival promoter Don King, the A&E telecast provides some riveting footage.

Kushner is caught gleefully as he contemplates what having Rahman under contract can do for him, and, later, is seen pensive and somewhat distraught after learning King has signed the fighter out from under him.

"I realized I had a heavyweight world champion and in a sense my prayers were answered," Kushner said of his reaction to Rahman stopping Lewis in the fifth round. "It's the type of thing you live your whole life for."

He immediately set forth with contract and fight negotiations on behalf of Rahman with cable giant HBO.

"I'm hoping to put together the biggest deal ever offered a fighter," Kushner said, optimistically adding "this is wonderful. I'll be able to buy another pair of slacks and maybe a shirt or two."

As the narrator advises "Kushner is on the brink of realizing his dream -- he's got the man and HBO has the money," the plot twists as only it can in a loosely formed sport such as boxing.

On the day Rahman is due in Kushner's office to sign a deal that will bring $121 million to the fighter and $15 million to the promoter, Rahman backs out. Kushner's failure to pay an advance mandated by his contract with Rahman has given Rahman the leeway to play the role of a free agent, and he capitalizes when he signs with King.

"Cedric couldn't come through," Rahman said. "I didn't see $125 million. I saw a better contract (with King) and that's where I went.

"Kushner cheated me."

With that, a man who Kushner had promoted for years left him at a most inopportune time.

"This is like climbing to the top of the mountain and not being able to raise the flag," Kushner moaned.

Rahman was gone, King having delivered $250,000 in a duffel bag filled with $100 bills, and adding promises of millions more to come.

"Whatever I have to do is going to be done," Kushner tells those around him, as if he could reacquire Rahman through legal means. But it hasn't -- and isn't -- going to happen, Kushner's lawsuit against King on racketeering grounds notwithstanding.

Correspondingly, Kushner turns his attention to finding "someone like Rahman, but someone who will be more honorable."

But honor is in short supply in boxing, as this telecast -- advanced to the Sun -- underscores.

From the mob's involvement to the IBF's extortion schemes, there's always something shady going on and A&E does a good job of capturing it.