FLASH MAGAZINE STORY FROM OCTOBER 1990
Buster Clipped By Evander
Columbus, OH-Recently I had the opportunity to spend some time with my buddy John Johnson, who was Buster Douglas’ manager, and a former Ohio State assistant football coach. I’d been here before in April 1990 and penned a story on the then World heavyweight champ entitled: Buster Douglas: Different Man, Different Approach.
Well, he certainly had a different approach at the time. He had done numerous charity gigs and was putting his name behind a homeless shelter here in town dubbed, Make Room Columbus.
Then came the metamorphosis from champ to chump, and James Douglas forgot about the people of Columbus. He is now despised in the capital of Ohio. Mention his name and the people that do remember him wrinkle their noses in disgust. “He took the money and ate” said one Ohioan who knew Buster. You might remember the big hub bub James was getting saying he was naming another shelter after his mother who passed away while he was training for his monumental battle with Mike Tyson 11 months ago. Well in this case, he has at least purchased a lot. There has been no groundbreaking but James has told people he intends to fulfill his pledge.
Of course, he says that from his San Marcos island dwelling down in Florida. He is a wanted man of sorts due to the promises made and broken. A nearly 325 pound millionaire sits alone in his Florida villa having distanced himself from everybody but his accountant.
J.D. McCauley, the head trainer of Douglas turns into a bitter man when the subject of Buster Douglas pops up. “His weight didnt have s*it to do with him losing to Evander Holyfield. What people dont realize is that the guy fought fat mostly all the time. He got serious about the Mike Tyson fight because of two things we were on his ass and two he thought Tyson might kill him if he came in at anything less than 200%. I think he simply didnt want to fight the night he fought Holyfield. And it’s a shame, cause theres ten heavyweights out there that can beat Evander, but wont get the chance. James had his.” He certainly did. Looking back at what could have been, its really a shame that Buster was just a front. The charity gigs were all a PR blitz by Buster and company. James wanted to eat and party. Thats it. He had the potential to become the greatest blue collar hero in boxing since Jack Dempsey. BUSTER MAKES OHIO COMEBACK…A lot has changed since this story in 1990. Buster is back in Ohio and is working with Coach Johnson again.
NOTES: Promoter Harold Smith has taken over the Dame Boxing Club in Los Angeles and says he will run bi-monthly shows there beginning in February. Smith says the talked about deal between him and Mike Tyson never materialized because of Tysons legal predicament. Hes in for the fight of his life. If Mike and I do form a relationship it will be here after he is cleared and at his inclination. He knows what I can do with the pay per view. He dont need a promoter or a manager. No big time fighter does.” Boy Promoter Don Chargin on Ring Talk Radio last week. Im going to talk to the people at the L.A. Sports Arena about promoting Yory Boy Campas and Cocoas Ramirez in early 1992. Can you believe it Pedro, Im moving to Northern California, and Im talking about promoting in Southern California. Although I feel everybody will be happy with my return to L.AI think thatll change a bit once we get going. I feel like a kid again. CHIN MUSIC: Boy did that left hook from Rafael Pineda send Roger Mayweather into certain retirement! I had Roger winning all but one round against Pineda, when Mayweather dropped his hands ducking away as he had done so many times during the boutÃ_the only thing different was that Pineda was a step and a half closer! Pineda vs. Julio Cesar Chavez? No major fight there! Chavez vs. Buddy McGirt? Sounds good. Speakin of McGirt: Did Simon Brown look older than 30 that night???
Pedro Fernandez
December 20, 1991
Note: Mr. Fernandez is an award-winning writer, talk show host, TV commentator, former San Francisco Policeman, and four-time Golden Gloves champion. Comments regarding the above can be left below.
FALL OF BUSTER DOUGLAS