MINUS TYSON, STAPLES CARD LACKS PUNCH.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL Boxing

The criticism of Mike Tyson is justified, but it sure would've been fun to have him fight here.

Neither the Lennox Lewis-Kirk Johnson fight, which will take place June 21 at Staples Center, nor the proposed Tyson-Oleg Maskaev co-feature organizers failed to arrange are particularly competitive matchups.

But Tyson, even at a faded 36, brings drama against anyone, and drama is entertaining. Certainly, the former champion's walk down a Staples corridor into the ring would've stirred a sellout local crowd.

That it appears he won't be fighting on the card - by his own decision - is a significant loss on several levels.

With Tyson, the card would have packed the downtown arena and been a pay-per-view success. How often do you get to see a fighter of Tyson's notoriety and a true heavyweight champion in Lewis fighting on the same card?

Without Tyson, Staples officials are going to have to get creative to put people in the seats, and pay-per-view numbers will be a fraction of what they would've been.

And it doesn't help the WBC is refusing to sanction the bout because Lewis isn't fighting No. 1 contender Vitali Klitschko, whom Lewis' people claim demanded too much money. That means Lewis' belt won't be at stake, which would've added much-needed luster.

At least organizers will save the $8 million-plus Tyson would've been paid.

``I think Fernando Vargas' fight at the Olympic (Auditorium against Fitz Vanderpool on July 26) is a bigger fight,'' one knowledgeable observer said seriously - and he might be right.

So why isn't Tyson fighting on the card?

Apparently, he has given no rational reason for passing up a good payday and the opportunity to set up a lucrative rematch with Lewis. He simply doesn't feel like cooperating. As promoter Gary Shaw said, ``Mike is being Mike.''

Don King also might be playing a role. The promoter has been trying to woo his ex-client back into the fold primarily to get him to drop a pending $100 million lawsuit, which claims King stole millions from Tyson during their association.

One source close to Tyson said he doubts the fighter will rejoin King, but the whispering in his ear could be confusing him more than ever, which is a scary notion.

In the end, barring a last-second breakthrough, it all means the show will go on without Tyson - such as it is.

Lewis vs. Johnson? Yawwwwwwwwwn.

Johnson, 29, is a solid fighter but is best known for a series of bizarre low blows that earned him a disqualification (and his only loss) against John Ruiz last summer. Thus, he's not going to help sell the promotion.

Lewis' name alone brings credibility and hope the fight will be at least a moderate success. He is the best heavyweight in the world, after all.

And the undercard could help somewhat. For example, there's talk of a fight between Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker, perhaps the two best-known and accomplished women fighters, and another bout featuring knockout artist Diego Corrales.

That's a far cry from Tyson, though. When Tyson refused to fight on the card, it was no longer special.

--Vargas watch: Vargas, a resident of Camarillo, has made a few changes during his suspension for testing positive for steroids after he was knocked out by Oscar De La Hoya in September. He's added respected trainer Buddy McGirt, a former world champion, to his team and has managed to remain in decent shape.

Vargas remains loyal to career-long mentor Eduardo Garcia, who is still his lead trainer. However, some observers suggested after his losses to Felix Trinidad and De La Hoya that he needed additional help, and he seems to have found it in McGirt.

Vargas gave tryouts to two other trainers, whom he wouldn't name, but hit it off with McGirt, whom he called an ``assistant trainer.''

``I'm not taking anything away from Eduardo Garcia,'' said Vargas, careful to show his father figure respect. ``I just needed something else, another great mind in there.

``I tried two other trainers, but there was electricity there with Buddy and his technique.''

McGirt said Vargas has all the tools to regain his place among the world's best fighters and even give De La Hoya a significant test should they meet again. He simply needs to be reminded of a few things he seems to have forgotten along the way.

``I'm teaching him to move his head and upper body more than he has,'' said McGirt, referring to the fact he was a relatively easy target in the Trinidad and De La Hoya fights. ``The job's not complete until he walks down the street doing it. It's got to be second nature.''

Vargas couldn't have weighed more than 170, 175 pounds after taking part in daily workouts at a training camp in Venice for older competitors and athletes prone to gain weight.

Vargas, who has ballooned past 200 pounds, is excited about the results.

``It's the hardest thing on earth,'' he said. ``I can't explain it. It's got pilates, yoga, other things. It's tiring, man. ... I'm eating right, I'm training right, I feel good.

``When I start camp (for the Vanderpool fight), it will be a lot easier. I've learned my lesson.''

--NBC series: About a decade ago, with the image of boxing on the decline, NBC gave up on the sport. On Saturday, the network is giving it another try.

Rocky Juarez, a silver medalist in the 2000 Olympics, will face Frank Archuleta in a 10-round featherweight fight in the first of three boxing cards that will be a trial for the series. If it succeeds, there will be more.

The cards, promoted by Main Events, will be televised in part on Spanish-language Telemundo and in part on NBC.

The plan is to develop marketable fighters by exposing them to the wider audience provided by a major network, as stars such as Sugar Ray Leonard and Tyson were.

``With one exception, Fernando Vargas, no big pay-per-view fighter has developed since boxing came off network TV,'' said Kathy Duva, CEO of Main Events. ``Ultimately, we're going to create bigger names.''

Francisco Bojado of Los Angeles also is fighting on the card.

--Rabbit punches: Manny Pacquiao, one of the most exciting fighters in the world, reportedly will defend his IBF junior featherweight title against Emmanuel Lucero on the Vargas-Vanderpool undercard. ...

Heavyweight Lance Whitaker, who had been working with trainer Joe Goossen, now trains with Goossen's brother, Pat.

Whitaker, the former San Fernando High basketball player, is scheduled to fight once-beaten Andre Purlett on May 16 on ESPN2.

CAPTION(S):

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Photo:

Fernando Vargas (pictured), a resident of Camarillo, is feeling fit with a new workout regimen and a new assistant trainer, Buddy McGirt.

Ric Francis/Associated Press

Box:

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