Promoter Says Foreman-Holmes Not Off Yet

Promoter Roger Levitt said Saturday not to listen to George Foreman’s brother Roy or anybody else regarding the possible cancellation of the Larry Holmes-George Foreman heavyweight fight Jan. 23 in the Houston Astrodome.

“It’s 100% on,” Levitt said from his New York home. “Basically, there has been just a lot of press speculation.”

Levitt said that he was most angered over some of the newspaper articles throughout the week stating that the fight was going to be called off. He said he asked one reporter, “Did you speak to George Foreman? Did you speak to Larry Holmes? Did you speak to me? Then how is the fight off?”

The bottom line, according to Levitt, is that he has until the close of business Monday to post a $9-million letter of credit for Foreman and $3.6 million for Holmes. He said he has asked both boxers to wait, and both appear willing to do so.

“I am the promoter, Levitt said. “As long as I can get what they need, then the fight is on.”