Letters

The New Champ
What a fantastic article by Pat Putnam on the Evander Holyfield-Riddick Bowe fight (Let's Get Ready to Rummmble, Nov. 23). As I read his description of the bout, I felt as though I were at ringside, and I don't even approve of boxing. It was the best sports article I have ever read, and I have been an SI subscriber for longer than I can remember.
TRAVIS B. GOODLOE
Semmes, Ala.

Three cheers for Riddick Bowe, who, according to your story, was a champion long before he stepped into the ring. In a time when inflated earnings are causing athletes to forget their morals and values, we are given Bowe, whose wife and children come first in his life.
PAULA REILLY
Greensburg, Pa.

In his postfight press conference, new champion Riddick Bowe said that "it was time for a change." What a refreshing change it was. Not so much because Bowe had won the title; Evander Holyfield was and is an enormous credit to boxing. The best part is being spared having to look at Don King and his ilk. Let's hope this refreshing change lasts for at least the next few years.
JOHN C. MAYER
Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.

As a fan of heavyweight boxing, I was upset after reading Good Show! (Nov. 9), in which you complain about the quality of today's heavyweights. Granted, the competition is not superior, but you have to work with what you have.

Evander Holyfield has never received the respect he deserves. He possesses fantastic skills and brings something to the ring that we haven't seen in a long time—class. Riddick Bowe doesn't possess this same class, but his size, versatility, cocky attitude and witty comments add some pizzazz to the belt.

The Nov. 13 fight between Bowe and Holyfield was one of the greatest in heavyweight history.
MARTIN FULLER
Bowling Green, Ohio

Talkin' Trash
Phil Taylor provided a colorful description of an aspect of basketball that most fans never see (or hear), talkin' trash (Crackin', Jackin', Woofin' and Smackin', Nov. 23). Clearly it has its place as an intimidation factor.

I wonder, however, which said more: the Fab Five's pregame and on-court "doggin' and jawin' " at the 1992 NCAA finals, or the T-shirt worn by several Duke players as the game came to a close, which read: YOU CAN TALK THE GAME, BUT CAN YOU PLAY THE GAME?
BOB SWOAP
Durham, N.C.

The Missing League
In your 1992-93 college basketball issue you listed the leagues that were not covered elsewhere in the scouting reports but receive automatic bids to the NCAA tournament (Filling Out the Field, Nov. 23). For some reason the Big South, an automatic qualifier, was left off the list.

For the third consecutive year the Big South will have a school representing the conference in the NCAA tournament. In 1991, Coastal Carolina College threw a major scare into Indiana. Last season Campbell represented the Big South but came up short against the eventual national champion, Duke.

The Big South is gaining respect throughout the country. Our opponents have not been overlooking us, and I hope that SI will not overlook us in the future.
CARL MCALOOSE
Big South Conference
Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Hi, Folks, I'm Home
I found your Nov. 23 issue to be entertaining and informative. The story on the San Francisco 49ers (He Did It His Way) was especially informative to me. For 25 years I have been trying to get Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. to adopt me as his second son so that I could go through life enjoying an even closer relationship with his firstborn, Edward J. DeBartolo Jr., owner of the 49ers. The caption on page 30 describing the picture in which I am standing next to Joe Montana refers to me as "DeBartolo." Perhaps you are privy to some legal information that has not yet been relayed to me.

Our public relations department has suggested that I not become too excited about my newfound family. It has been further intimated that your reference identifying me as DeBartolo is nothing more than a simple mistake. I pray that is not true. I hope that an orphan's wish has been granted. I am looking forward to spending the Christmas season with my new dad and my long-sought-after brother, Eddie.
CARMEN A. POLICY
President
San Francisco 49ers

PHOTO

LOUIS A. RAYNOR/NFL PHOTOS

Policy (below) and DeBartolo: separated at birth?

PHOTO

MICHAEL ZARGARIS/NFL PHOTOS

[See caption above.]

Letters to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED should include the name, address and home telephone number of the writer and should be addressed to The Editor, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, Time & Life Building, Rockefeller Center, New York, N.Y. 10020-1393.