[kenyan_cheena]

LOYALTIES SPLIT IN HOUSTON

Monday 17 June 2002

A poll taken yesterday on Houston radio station KILT-AM (Sports Radio 610) has indicated that some 62% of listeners would like to see Cleveland Williams defeat fellow Texan and World Championship tournament #3 seed Jack Johnson when the two clash at the Reliant Park Pavilion on July 20.

Conducted from 9am to 9pm, the station took almost a thousand calls for the poll with the overall consensus being that Houston is more enamoured with their down to earth hometown boy Williams than the outgoing, extroverted Galveston native Johnson.

"The guy's attitude has really rubbed me the wrong way from day one," said caller Jason Howard. "Uh, it's clear for everyone to see that he has talent and loads of it, but he just seems to be ... well, he's just so in love with himself that it makes me sick. Remember how he was non-stop partying before his first fight? Just look what happened. He gets, dropped on his ass by some English guy who'll be lucky to win half of his fights for the rest of his career. Then, when he comes and fights here at home, he gives us all a, a sob story. "Boo hoo hoo, I'm so sorry I made you all angry." Says he's gonna change. But then he's right back at it again down in Cuba, partying until all hours. He's just lucky that it didn't cost him again, I guess. The guy has no, um, integrity, as far as I can see. He just can't help himself, can't resist the temptations that his lifestyle, um, throws at him. No, I really hope that Cleveland gives the arrogant fool what he deserves. I hope Cleveland turns his lights out."

Others presented a different argument.

"Come on, man," said Larry Morris. "Anyone who knows anything about this sport knows that Jacky Johnson is one of the most gifted fighters in the HBF. And just like he said himself last night, Williams will be lucky to go the distance with him. If we want the first HBF World Champion to be a Texan, we should all be getting behind Jacky Johnson. No offense to Cleveland, but the brother ain't got a hope in hell of getting near that World Championship. Sure, Jacky may have a bit of an ego, but really, what's wrong with that? The guy's an entertainer, a damn sight better one than Cleveland Williams ever could be. I think Johnson'll win it inside of four rounds."

As has been previously publicised, Jack Johnson's partying lifestyle has not sit well with many Texans, which is probably the main reason why so many have gravitated towards the shy, non-threatening Williams.

But as expected, the majority of the sport's observers and experts have predicted an easy win for Johnson.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he went through the rest of the tournament undefeated," said the New York Age's James Reynolds. "That performance here last night was one of the most clinical victories I've seen, and against a fighter who had a chance to spring an upset. Johnson just didn't let Snipes get anywhere near winning that fight and I can't see why he won't do the same to Williams."

What does it all add up to? Without a doubt, it adds up to an interesting night on July 20...

FLORIDA FIREBRAND ROCKS THE MIC IN SOUTH BEACH

News out of Florida today has alleged that World Championship tournament contender Elmer Ray was seen busting some rhymes at the Marlin Bar in Miami Beach last night.

The native of Hastings in St. John's County is due to fly out to Japan on Tuesday with cousin Terone Haynes and only returned home to Florida from Mississippi this past Thursday, so whether or not the story is true is up for speculation. Ray's love of hip hop music is well known, so it could be that he decided to make a quick visit to South Beach before going to Japan.

However, Ray has said recently that his dedication to his boxing career and, in particular, qualifying for the World Championship tournament's second stage is the prime focus in his life at the moment, so such an outing would seem to fly in the face of that. Without a doubt, it's a topic he'll be queried over in the coming days...