It appeared he would accomplish the astounding feat of winning the undisputed heavyweight championship without gaining much respect in the process. As it turned out, he would not be granted even that. The contest was scored a draw, thanks in large part to Eugenia Williams' impression of a Russian skating judge. Williams, a veteran boxing jurist from New Jersey, somehow decided that Holyfield won more rounds than Lewis, including even the lopsided fifth round, in which Holyfield ate dozens of shots and delivered very few. In the Vancouver back room there was disgust but an alarming lack of surprise.
Nobody does it better.
The New York Times reported Saturday that King is haggling with Time Warner, parent company of HBO and boxing channel TVKO, over a clause in the rematch contract. It stipulates King will be removed as lead promoter should he be indicted for any illegalities stemming from the first fight. King wants that particular provision dropped. Considering that King's Deerfield Beach, Fla., offices were searched by the FBI last Friday, his negotiating stance is understandable. If O.J. Simpson had possessed enough foresight to ask for a double-murder clause, he'd still be doing Hertz ads today.