Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.sports From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Friends, fans welcome new champion home Date: Mon, 16 Nov 92 17:03:26 EST Message-ID: \SE C;SPORTS \HD Friends, fans welcome new champion home \BY Karen Goldberg \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES He left as a boxer, just a guy who maybe could challenge world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. He returned as the champion, with all that goes with it. For Riddick Bowe, who defeated Holyfield in a 12-round decision in Las Vegas on Friday, a champion's return included the usual champagne and caviar, cheering fans and media frenzy. About 200 people waited to greet Bowe last night at National Airport. Most of them - from former District mayor Marion Barry to neighbors in the Tantallon section of Fort Washington - were friends of the Bowe family. They consider Bowe just a regular guy, so it was no surprise when Bowe stepped off the private jet holding his two preschool-age daughters in his arms and said he was going to relax, "play with the kids, play with the dog and get some sleep." "Maybe when the soreness goes away, this will all sink in," Bowe said. "This victory was for all of us. I felt I was a champion before I got in the ring." Bowe said he will take some time off while manager Rock Newman weighs his title defense options. During the hiatus, Bowe said he will devote his time to various causes in the area, such as ending hunger and illiteracy and drug abuse. He also said he would like to enroll in Newman's alma mater, Howard University, and take drama and business administration classes. They may come in handy, figuring out how to act and where to spend the $10 million earned with the title. Newman said Holyfield will probably fight again in mid-March against Lennox Lewis or George Foreman. "Right now I'm going to make the best decision for Riddick's career, and there are several options," Newman said. "One of the things I would like to do is secure an agreement to fight Lennox Lewis in either Riddick's first or second match. I want them to know we are not going anywhere. I want to guarantee them a sum of money they can get no place else." Newman also said he wants to guarantee the resurgence of boxing in the District. "Boxing programs develop when there is enthusiasm, care, concern and love for the sport," Newman said. "I think Riddick being an area resident will drastically increase the enthusiasm for boxing. And out of that enthusiasm comes great boxers. We love this area. The community has embraced us. Riddick will have a title defense at some time in Washington, D.C. I'm postive of that." Bowe said he'll take on any heavyweight - and win. He is looking forward to fighting Lewis, an Englishman who beat him for the super heavyweight gold medal the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. "He stopped me, but that wasn't because he was the better man," Bowe said. "He had a lot of help from the referees. I do think when we meet again, he'll be knocked out. I'll beat Lewis better than I beat Evander Holyfield." Bowe, who grew up in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, N.Y., moved to Fort Washington about three years ago to live near Newman. He called Newman a "very intelligent fellow" yesterday for believing in him when no one else did. Said Newman: "This is a man who is supposed to be a statistic, just like so many kids today. We want to use the advantage of being heavyweight champion to give hope to the hopeless. It proves that anyone who combines compassion and desire can be whatever they want to be. In this case, it is the undisputed, undefeated heavyweight champion of the world." This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM