Steward Apologizes to Loew for snub…Planet Hollywood Makes Boxing Debut…Oscar Photos and a Baby Doll. By GEORGE WILLIS
LAS VEGAS–Jack Loew and Emanuel Steward made peace late Friday night after Steward apologized for not shaking Loew’s hand in the aftermath of Taylor-Pavlik I. Loew had said a few times how he was “disappointed” that Steward didn’t shake his hand after Pavlik scored a seventh-round knockout last September in Atlantic City.
Loew said he tried to shake Steward’s hand in the ring after the fight, but Steward turned away. Loew said he tried again at the post-fight press conference, but Steward ignored him again.
Steward told the Post on Friday that he was “in a state of shock” immediately after the September fight and was concerned about Taylor’s health. He said he would apologize when he saw Loew.
Late Friday, the two were spotted in the MGM Grand, talking like long lost friends. Loew had two roses in his hands and grinned, “Look what Emanuel gave me.”
**
There’s lots of chatter in Las Vegas about the April 19 bout between Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe at the Thomas & Mack Center. The card is being sponsored by Planet Hollywood, which paid an $11 million site fee for the fight although it has never put on a major boxing card, much less an international boxing card. Add the logistical nightmare that’s always part of a fight at the Thomas and Mack Center, an inconvenient five miles from the strip, and Calzaghe-Hopkins could be chaos.
It is a huge undertaking for Golden Boy Promotions, which normally does business with the MGM Grand and can rely on its efficient public relations staff. I can’t blame Golden Boy Promotions for taking the money, but Planet Hollywood and Golden Boy to some extent are starting from scratch on this one.
**
Kelly Pavlik will move down to 160 pounds and defend the middleweight title regardless of the outcome of Saturday’s bout. A June 7 matchup at Madison Square Garden with Felix “Tito” Trinidad is at the top of Bob Arum’s to-do list. “But only if Tito is serious about fighting again,” Arum said. If Jermain Taylor wins, Lou DiBella wants to match him with Roy Jones.
**
The photos of Oscar De La Hoya dressed in drag became a topic of hushed conversation here with several boxing leaders wishing it would all go away and wondering why it hasn’t. Golden Boy Promotions is trying to become the most dominant promotional company in the industry. But its image is closely tied to De La Hoya. If the bad press continues, sponsors tied to Golden Boy fights such as Tecate and Southwest Airlines may want to re-evaluate their associations.
How well his May 3 fight against Steve Forbes is received should offer a good indication whether his popularity has suffered. The bout will be in Carson, Calif., and promoted as a “Thank You” fight to his native area.
**
Speaking of Ricky Hatton, Lou DiBella is working hard trying to match Paulie Malignaggi with Hatton in the September. It would be a perfect fight for the Garden. Hatton’s camp is interested, but word is Golden Boy wants to do business with Hatton and might have something in writing.
**
I’m going to check out WIBA Womenâs Flyweight World Champion Elena âBaby Dollâ Reid on the Feb. 28 boxing card at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan. Baby Doll broke bread with some scribes this week in Las Vegas. She’s gorgeous, smart and apparently loves to kick butt. She defends her belt against Eileen Olszewski.