By Pedro Fernandez 

BOXER THAT “I CAUGHT” ON TRIAL FOR FIXING FIGHT!
 
When Thomas Williams was knocked out of the ring by Richie Melito in Las Vegas on August 12, 2001, there were but a few people in the Paris Hotel ballroom at the time.   Standing with “Dangerous Dan” Buntin as Williams fell from a series of shots, I ran up, caught Williams and held on to him until others came and helped.   I thought the KO was real, it turns out it wasn’t!   Williams, through Manager Bobby Mitchell, and Booking Agent Robert Mittleman, he was paid to allow Melito to win by KO!


PEOPLE TAB ROBERT THE “WORST OF THEM ALL!”

In a “Plea Agreement” reached earlier this year, Mittleman pled Guilty to a number of Felonies topped by his “ Attempted Bribery of a Federal Judge ,” who was originally scheduled to hear the “ Fight-Fixing ” case against Williams and Mitchell.   Mittleman feared if the duo went on Trial, they would give him up as the supreme “Fight Fixer” that he was!   When he gave “Big Frankie” Manzione a 10% deposit ($3K) on the $30,000 bribe, Mittleman had given the money to an undercover Policeman playing himself off as a Mafia guy.   Facing certain Prison time, “The Weasel” worked out a deal that has Robert testifying against Williams and Mitchell soon in the first of several cases procured by, but not totally connected to “Big Frankie” and Operation Matchbox in Las Vegas.  


MITTLEMAN FIXED FIGHTS EVERYWHERE & OFTEN!

It really angers some people in the business that the “ King Snake,” Robert Mittleman, that he ends up being the Government’s #1 stool pigeon!   In a deal not yet released, Mittleman will end up spending some time in Prison I’m told.   How much depends on who he can throw in Federal bonfire that is being ignited by the ongoing Williams-Mitchell Trial in Las Vegas.   In closing for now, there has to be somebody of “Great Importance” that Mittleman has the goods on.   For like my guy from Washington DC said, “He’s the first boot hitting the floor.   When the other does, boxing as you know it may never be the same.”  


NEVER HAS A RECENT YEAR ENDED WITH SUCH GLORY!

In recent years the month of November has always supplied a super fight, or an upper echelon match up.   But December, the final month of the year has always been spotty when it comes to fistic action.   Beginning November 6, Showtime breaks out of the gate first with the most anticipated jr. welterweight encounter of the year as Kostya Tszyu dances a second time with Sharmba Mitchell .   As I will lay out for you in November’s “Schedule, Odds, & Predictions” page, I make Kostya a 9-5 favorite.  

 
IS “ACTIVITY” OR INACTIVITY” THE ULTIMATE KEY?
 
The World champion at 140, the 35-year old Tszyu has been off 22 months due to a number of injuries since he halted Jesse James Leija .   In that time Mitchell, 34 & 55-2 as a pro, the Washington D.C. native has had five fights and 78 rounds.   Will this match boil down to age, activity, or the fact that Kostya has already beaten what was then a “knobby-kneed” Sharmba in February of 2001?   With both men brimming with the confidence of a winner going in the November 4 Showtime broadcast, the 30-1 Kostya is the slight betting favorite due to that initial encounter.

 
NOVEMBER 13 TO FINALLY RID BOXING OF “JOHNNY LOUISE?”

There have been a number of times when Andrew Golota has “Lost It” while practicing his trade as that of a paid pugilist.   Twice he was ahead of Riddick Bowe before fouling out both times.   The KO in the blink of an eye to then World heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis was a classic example of a deer (Golota) getting caught in the headlights.   The 38-4-1, (31 KO’s) was also besting Michael Grant before folding down the stretch.   That two round TKO loss to Mike Tyson in 2000 was ruled a “No Contest” after Mike tested “Positive” for Marijuana.   With a pair of comeback wins, Andrew had a “Draw” in December with IBF guy Chris Byrd .   Defending against Golota, Johnny “Louise” Ruiz (40-5-1) has opened a 2 ½ to 1 favorite.


GARY SHAW, MANDALAY BAY, HBO, & UNDISPUTED AT 154!
 
When contacted Tuesday evening, Promoter Gary Shaw’s sights are set on November 20, and the HBO Championship Boxing rematch between champion “Winky” Wright and “Sugar Shane” Mosley .   “Both guys are in camp, Shane in California and Winky in Florida.   (Trainer) Joe Goossen feels Shane can make the necessary adjustments and win.   Dan Birmingham and Winky are extremely confident.   Two guys fighting for it all at 154 lbs.”


SAME ARENA FOR GARY, DIFFERENT NETWORK & LACY!
 
Newly crowned IBF super middleweight king Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy is Shaw’s first “Self-Made” champion.   From his walk leaving the ring after losing on points at the 2000 Olympics in Australia, Shaw and Lacy have been together!   Coming off a October 2 nd spectacular KO of #1 ranked Syd Vanderpool, Jeff (17-0, 14 KO’s) will put the IBF 168 lb. trinket on the line December 4 when he engages the formidable (but past his peak) Omar Sheika who comes in with a 26-6 (17 KO’s) record.   I’m making Jeff a 3 ½ to 1 favorite!

 
SAME DAY HBO HAS “THE FUTURE AT 160” IN JERMAIN TAYLOR!
 
HBO will showcase the future of the middleweight division in 2000 Olympic Bronze Medallist Jermain Taylor on December 4 when the Arkansas native clashes with ex-champ William Joppy in a “Crossroads” match for both guys.   If Jermain doesn’t prevail and remain unbeaten (21-0), he bit off more than he could chew at 26.   Should Joppy flop in this his 38 th fight (34-3-1, 25 KO’s), the D.C. resident is “Scrap Heap” material.   Jermain is an 11-5 choice over the 34-year old Joppy.  

 
MAX KELLERMAN’S “TRULY TOUCHED” BY YOUR E MAIL!
 
When I picked up the phone Tuesday morning and it was Max Kellerman on the line, I was a bit sleepy eyed.   It turns out Max was calling to thank those of you that have sent him and the Kellerman family a note of condolence at WefeelForYouMax@Yahoo.com “Tell them that I’m really beyond grateful as I am reading them all”   Sam Kellerman , the brother of Fox TV host Max Kellerman was slain 11 days ago in his Los Angeles apartment.   Professional boxer James Butler has been charged with Murder.   Again the address for the Kellerman family is WefeelForYouMax@Yahoo.com

 
“ONE ROUND WITH PEDRO” TEACHING YOU BOXING TRICKS!
 
Simply and boldly put, one cannot find a more informative way of learning the little but important facets of the boxing game that I convey in the Video presentations entitled “ One Round with Pedro .”   In our first installment the “Low Blow Myth” is exposed as just that.   Episode #2 is all about a “ Boxer’s Stance” and how important it is in building the proper foundation to box on.   Here’s the Video Link> http://ringtalk.com/video.asp  

 
CHECKING THE “PULSE” OF THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPT!

Having called Federal Investigators working the “Operation Matchbox” sting case earlier in the week, there was nothing really new he/she could say.   When I pressed for a date as to “When” regarding the Indictments of boxing people, including those in the employ of Promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank will be handed down, I got a generic answer that lacked substance.   My persistence on the matter got this response from she/he as I was admittedly almost begging for a date.   “I expect it to happen………still this year.   My part is done!”  


COMFORTABLE LIKE POTATOES IN THE “DEEP FRY!”
 
For those that are currently sautéing in this Federal “ Frying Pan, ” they know the rope is wearing thin.   As I’ve told you before, the top five Criminal Attorneys in Las Vegas have already signed on to Defend people including Top Rank VP’s Toad Du beof & Bruce Trampler .   Those lower on the ladder and said to be armed with high-priced legal talent include Booking Agents Sean Gibbons and Cameron Dunkin .

 
BUTCH LEWIS ALIVE, WELL, & WITH “SMOKEY” ROBINSON

Having not heard from him since President Clinton was in office, I was stunned to see Promoter Butch Lewis last night on a B.E.T. Network special honoring Motown music legend William “Smokey” Robinson .   Looking great dancing with a beautiful woman, the 55’ish Lewis will always be remembered as a guy who bucked the boxing establishment time and again as he took light heavyweight titleholder Michael Spinks to the heavyweight crown and eventually a $13 million payday against Mike Tyson in 1987.   After that, Lewis returned with a number of fighters, most notably heavyweight Vaughn Bean .  

 
RELATIONSHIP WITH LEE “INVALUABLE” FOR BUTCH
 
Always a character, Butch simply did whatever the puck he wanted to.   Butch’s close, if not incestuous business relationship with defrocked IBF President Bob Lee was priceless.   Especially in regards to heavyweight Vaughn Bean who according to legendary writer Jack Fiske, “He only fights for the title,” as he mocked Bean’s three IBF championship fights.   Although Lewis has never actually retired from boxing, and would jump in with both feet if he had somebody deemed worthy, Butch Lewis doesn’t need to!    Filthy rich, the now slightly gray and bearded Lewis has interests in the Black Entertainment Television Network, among other investments.  

GO TO THE HOME/MAIN PAGE & SEE THE NEW LOOK!
 
Free Video segments, the most recent stories, those deemed most popular, this in addition to all the great things from the old site, the newly revamped www.RingTalk.com simply rocks!   A brand new “Search Engine” &   “ Data Base ” with all the “ Archived Articles ” should be working this Monday November 1!   Check out the brand new look by hitting this link www.RingTalk.com   


Pedro Fernandez

Note: Mr. Fernandez is NOT your average boxing writer!
 
A four-time San Francisco Golden Gloves champion, and formerly a Cop with the San Francisco Police Dept., few people have the unique combination of having a boxing background in addition to being a schooled Journalist.

He can be reached with your comments at
Pedro@RingTalk.com