Notes on a Scorecard - March 20, 1991

Yes, stopping a fight too early is better than stopping a fight too late. But, no, it is not better than stopping a fight at the right time. . . .

Referee Richard Steele at least should have looked into Razor Ruddock’s eyes, which seemed clear, before deciding whether to raise Mike Tyson’s hand in the seventh round Monday night. And it’s too bad Steele didn’t have the option of giving Ruddock a standing-eight count. Nevada has no such rule. . . .

What got the fans so upset was that Ruddock had won the previous round, still was dangerous and had shown the resiliency and courage that so many Tyson opponents have lacked. . . .

The fight would have been more competitive, though, if Ruddock had studied tapes and seen how effective Buster Douglas’ left jab was against Tyson last year in Tokyo. In 20 minutes 22 seconds Monday, Razor landed a total of six jabs. . . .

Maybe the premature stoppage was the best thing that could have happened to Ruddock. He is a lot more marketable now than if he had been knocked flat later in the round. . . .

Tyson’s strength was his body punching, some of the most devastating of his career. As early as the second round, Ruddock was sucking air after taking wicked shots to the ribs. . . .

Iron Mike got away with some low blows, too. Across the street the night before, Steele had taken away two points from Javier Varquez and one from Michael Carbajal for hitting south of the border. However, Tyson was warned but never penalized. . . .

Tyson would be wise to return to the bob-and-weave defense that made him harder to hit early in his career. . . .

Among those benefiting from the controversial finish was Showtime, the cable network that will show the tape of the fight Saturday at 10 p.m. . . .

It rained in Las Vegas Tuesday. If it had rained Monday, the fighters would have been protected by a canopy. There would have been a lot of no-shows, even in the $800 sections, but no postponement. . . .

Jerry Tarkanian sat in the second row. You think this guy has some influence in Las Vegas? . . .

Fashion note: To accessorize his traditional outfit of black trunks, black shoes and a towel, Tyson wore a sweat suit and a woolen cap into the ring. . . .

Tyson’s next Canadian opponent might be unbeaten Lennox Lewis. . . .

George Foreman was so put off by some of Tyson’s off-color prefight remarks that he refused to do scheduled cable network interviews after the bout and didn’t even watch it on TV. . . .

The three scorecards that had Maurice Blocker ahead before Simon Brown knocked him out in the 10th round of their welterweight title unification bout seemed like pure fiction. Brown, the more damaging puncher, was winning by three points on my card. I wonder if the fact that Blocker was the World Boxing Council titleholder and Brown merely the International Boxing Federation titleholder had anything to do with the judges’ scoring. . . .

Saddest sight of the evening was Roberto Duran, a flabby 168 pounds, losing to journeyman Pat Lawlor before injuring his shoulder and retiring in the sixth round. Now it is time for somebody to tell Duran, “No mas.” . . .

If Bo Jackson ever returns to baseball, he would like to stay in the American League and get back at the Kansas City Royals, or join the Dodgers or Mets. . . .

Al Davis sounds too upbeat about Jackson’s chances of resuming a football career. . . .

Former NBA star George Gervin and Oakland A’s pitcher Bob Welch attended Eastern Michigan, the surprise of the NCAA tournament. . . .

The key to Arizona’s chances against Seton Hall could be freshman guard Khalid Reeves. . . .

The Portland Trail Blazers are missing the quiet contributions of injured forward Mark Bryant. . . .

Chris Mullin of the Golden State Warriors has played more minutes this season than anybody else in the NBA. Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz is second and Pooh Richardson of the Minnesota Timberwolves third. . . .

Fly So Free might not even be the best 3-year-old in Scotty Schulhofer’s stable at Gulfstream Park. Cahill Road, unraced as a 2-year-old, is getting rave notices. . . .

Enough with these exhibition games. I’m in shape for the opening of baseball season.