GOLDEN REID HAS SIGHTS SET ON FIRST PRO BOUT.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL

David Reid has watched as many of his Olympic teammates have begun their professional boxing careers since the Summer Games. And he's squirmed.

Finally, about six months after he became the only American to win a gold medal in Atlanta (he subsequently had two eye operations), it's his turn to come out.

Reid fights unbeaten but untested Sam Calderon in a four-round junior middleweight bout on the undercard of the Roy Jones Jr.-Montel Griffin title fight Saturday in Atlantic City, N.J. Reid will be the first fighter to make his pro debut on HBO.

``I'd watch (my teammates) and say to myself, `Oh, man, that could be me,' '' he said from his hotel room in Colorado Springs, Colo. ``. . . When I found out it would be on HBO, I wanted to be sure I was ready. Now, I'm ready, ready.''

``I can't wait to get it on.''

Reid, 23, of Philadelphia, became a hero as a result of one big punch.

He was well behind on points in the third and final round when, with an overhand right, he knocked out Cuba's Aldredo Duvergel to win the super middleweight gold medal and assure himself a huge professional contract.

Indeed, he signed a multi-million-dollar deal with America Presents. However, his debut was delayed because of the operations, one in December to align his eyeballs and another in January to repair a droopy eyelid.

Now recovered, he wants to prove there's more to David Reid than one historic punch.

``I want to show people I'm not a one-dimensional fighter, that I don't just throw overhand rights,'' he said. ``I want to show people that I can also box, use my jab, use my head.

``I think I'm going to adapt to the pros real well.''

If he can handle the pressure.

Along with the recognition and money a gold medal brings comes high expectations: It's almost assumed that Olympic champions will become world champions.

As the only American to strike gold, Reid will be scrutinized.

``It is a whole lot of pressure,'' he said. ``I just don't let it get to me. . . . All I can do is go out there and do my best. And that's what I'm going to do.''

Not-so nice guy: Pernell Whitaker hasn't exactly been the gentleman he's made out to be as his April 12 bout with Oscar De La Hoya approaches.

A sampling of comments at an informal gathering last week at his training camp in Chandler, Ariz.:

``Thank you (promoter) Bob Arum for giving me Oscar De La Hoya - on a platter.''

``I don't want to sound racist, because it's not a racist statement, but I think I am the first African-American for Mr. De La Hoya. And until you touch one of those brothers, it's a long night when you're in there with me.''

``He hasn't seen a great fighter in the ring yet. He's fighting Hispanic guys, Mexican guys.''

``Mexican fighters are tougher upstairs, but if I hit him to the body, we'll see what the enchiladas look like down there. (Make of that statement what you will.)''

Attaway to make friends in the Latino community.

Familiar face: When Azumah Nelson defends his WBC super featherweight title against L.A.'s Genaro Hernandez on March 22 in Corpus Christi, Texas, it won't be the first time the two have met in the ring.

When Hernandez was 16 or 17 and yet to turn pro, he sparred with the then 24- or 25-year-old top-10 contender. Hernandez, now 30, remembers thinking Nelson was a smart fighter, very difficult to hit, very quick.

And one more thing. ``I was scared, man,'' he said with a laugh.

Said Nelson, 38: ``He was just a little guy. It's different now. He's all grown up.''

Much respect: At 38, Nelson's decline has to be around the corner. Then again, Hernandez, a longtime fan and friend of the champion, doesn't see it coming any time soon.

Since losing a decision and his title to James Leija in 1994, Nelson has knocked out Gabriel Ruelas and Leija and looked devastating doing it. Well-preserved, Nelson hasn't fought more than twice in a year since 1983.

``Oh no,'' Hernandez said. ``He's well prepared. He's still the top guy in the weight class.''

Hernandez has so much respect for Nelson, he asked the Ghanan to sign three fight posters during a news conference.

Fighting chance: It wasn't until he was 29 that Hernandez finally received an opportunity to fight for a world title: On Sept. 9, 1995, he had to quit in the sixth round against De La Hoya when his nose was severely broken.

Three fights later he has another shot.

``I always knew if I continued to fight the way I did, I would get my opportunities,'' Hernandez said.

Movin' on up? It has been rumored that Nelson plans to move up in weight after this fight. Last week, he said he would do so only for the right opportunity and that he didn't have problems making super featherweight.

Looking ahead: Aware of Carlos ``Bolillo'' Gonzalez's power, Hector Lopez of Palmdale will take a logical approach when the two meet tonight at the Forum.

``I'm going to box him. It'd be stupid not to,'' he said.

However, at the same time: ``Fights always come down to a fight. When it comes to that, I'll be ready.''

Lopez predicts he'll knock out Gonzalez.

Rabbit punches: George Foreman is such an optimist he told the New York Daily News he has watched ``When We Were Kings,'' the prize-winning documentary of his 1974 loss to Muhammad Ali in Zaire, ``thousands of times, thinking I'm going to win this time.'' Foreman, 48, hopes to get a shot at the Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson winner. He fights Lou Savarese on April 26 on HBO. . . .

The long-awaited Johnny Tapia-Danny Romero fight is expected to take place in July, probably in Las Vegas, Arum said.

?5COMING UP

Today: Hector Lopez defends his NABO junior welterweight title against Carlos ``Bolillo'' Gonzalez at the Forum.

Thursday: Former contender Ruben Castillo faces Rudy Zavala for the vacant NABO lightweight championship.

Friday: On HBO, Roy Jones Jr. takes on Montell Griffin for Jones' WBC light heavyweight title. Also, Olympic gold medalist David Reid makes his pro debut against Sam Calderon in a four-rounder.

Saturday: On pay-per-view, Azumah Nelson defends his WBC super featherweight championship against L.A.'s Genaro Hernandez. Also, Michael Carbajal faces Scotty Olson in a 12-round light flyweight bout, and James Leija takes on Joel Perez for the vacant NABF lightweight title.

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Box: COMING UP (see text)