OWEN'S MEMORY WITH PINTOR.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL Boxing

CITY OF COMMERCE - A fighter who delivers the blows that kill another fighter will be reminded of the tragedy for the rest of his life.

That has been the case with Lupe Pintor, whose fight with frail-looking Welshman Johnny Owen on Sept. 19, 1980, at the Olympic Auditorium ended in Owen's death.

Pintor, who beat the great Carlos Zarate to win the bantamweight title and retained it nine times, was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame on Saturday. It was his moment, the gratifying culmination of a fine career.

However, even Saturday, he was reminded of Owen both during his introduction and after the event at Commerce Casino. And he handled it graciously, apparently aware he always will be linked with his fallen opponent.

``It's been hard,'' Pintor said through a translator. ``He will never be forgotten. We're all aware that fighters take a chance. ... This happens. I believe in God, though, and I believe Johnny Owen is with him now.''

The timing of Pintor's induction is interesting: A group from Owen's hometown of Merthyr has raised money for a statue of their hero, and it will soon be unveiled.

Pintor has been invited to take part in the ceremony, a gesture for which he's grateful.

``I think it's a beautiful thing,'' he said. ``It shows you what kind of heart these people have.''

Owen's heart apparently played a role in his death.

He was extremely thin, ``almost like a skeleton,'' promoter Don Chargin said, but he gave a tough fighter in Pintor all he could handle for much of their tragic meeting.

Owen was stopped in the 12th round, fell into unconsciousness and never recovered, but his courage never could be questioned.

According to many reports, Owen lived for one thing - to win a world championship - and died trying to do it. Hence, the undying admiration back home.

``The whole family is delighted and moved by this marvelous gesture,'' Owen's father, Dick, told secondsout.com, referring to the statue. ``Not a day has passed in the last 21 years when I have not shed a tear for my son.

``It has been a dream of mine to see a statue of John in Merthyr Tydfil.''

--Fighter of the year: Vernon Forrest has had a huge year. He twice beat one of the world's best fighters in Shane Mosley to earn the respect that had eluded him the past decade. On Saturday, he was recognized as fighter of the year.

Forrest seemed to be overwhelmed by the award, and those who know the kind of person he is were happy for him.

``This is boxing's version of the Oscars,'' he said, ``and I'm proud to accept my Oscar tonight.''

Actually, Forrest might prefer another Oscar: Oscar De La Hoya, who would give Forrest another opportunity to prove himself and earn the biggest payday of his career.

However, De La Hoya hasn't expressed much interest in the fight.

--Roach on the move: Freddie Roach, also inducted into the Hall, is one of the busiest trainers in the world. He works with (among others) super bantamweight champ Manny Pacquiao, Johnny Tapia and James Toney, each of whom has a title fight coming up.

``I promised my fiancee, Sheila, a vacation for a long time,'' said Roach as he craned his neck to find her at the gala event. ``Are you having a good time?''

Roach is considered one of the sport's best trainers, which is no surprise in light of his mentor - the great Eddie Futch.

--The Body Snatcher: Mike McCallum, who won titles in three weight classes and another Hall inductee, was a child in Jamaica and in love with boxing when George Foreman and Joe Frazier met in Kingston in 1973.

He couldn't afford tickets and was unable to sneak into the stadium despite several efforts, leaving him on the outside listening to the cheers.

Foreman, also inducted Saturday, expressed regret at McCallum's plight.

``Had I known you wanted to get into the fight in Kingston, champ ... '' he said. ``Come to me next time.''

--Gracious inductee: HBO analyst Larry Merchant, a bit uncomfortable with being honored, downplayed his induction.

``George got a standing ovation,'' said Merchant, referring to introductions as each inductee made his way to his seat on a large dais. ``I got a sitting ovation. I want to congratulate all of you; you have your priorities straight.''

At that moment, Merchant, whose perspective adds immeasurable depth to the sport, got his standing ovation.

Merchant added his job isn't complex. He was quoting actor James Cagney when he said, ``You look the other guy in the face and you tell the truth. That's what fighters do in the ring. They deserve no less from us.''

--Humble Foreman: The estimated 1,200 people at Commerce Casino ballroom cheered as they watched clips of Foreman repeatedly knocking down Joe Frazier and pummeling Ken Norton.

However, when it was time for Foreman to take the microphone, he went out of his way to show his former foes respect.

``I love Joe,'' he said. ``He gave me the opportunity to fight for the title when, really, no one wanted to. And Norton. It was scary to look across that ring and see him. It was like he was cut out of rock. He was something.''

And, of course, Foreman also got some laughs. He started by saying, ``These grills will ... oops, wrong speech.''

--Rabbit punches: The Roy Jones Jr.-John Ruiz fight will take place March 1 in Las Vegas, according to Don King.

Jones, moving up in weight to challenge for Ruiz's WBA heavyweight belt, reportedly will make $10 million and 60 percent of pay-per-view profits. Ruiz will earn $5 million and a share of revenue.

``Johnny will blast him out of there,'' Norman Stone, Ruiz's manager, told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. ``I love it. Everyone's going to make a lot of money, but I feel sorry for Roy Jones. He's in for a tough night.'' ...

Toney and his promoter, Dan Goossen, got their fight. Toney, in perhaps his biggest night since he lost to Jones in 1994, will challenge for Vassily Jirov's cruiserweight title Jan. 25.

A victory would lift Toney back into the realm of elite fighters and be a big boost to the fledgling Goossen-Tutor firm. ...

The Christy Martin-Mia St. John fight Nov. 8 in Detroit is a pay-per-view event.

OK, by the standards of women's boxing, this is a mildly interesting matchup, even though St. John has no chance to win. But pay-per-view? For $24.95?

COMING UP

FRIDAY

--Julian Wheeler vs. Levander Johnson, lightweights, Mashantucket, Conn., ESPN2

--Tiger Martinez vs. Roque Cassiani, Elizabeth, N.J., Telefutura

SUNDAY

--Alex Trujillo vs. Javier Jauregui, lightweights, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fox Sports Net

CAPTION(S):

photo, box

Photo:

George Foreman, right, seen here knocking down Joe Frazier in 1973 en route to winning the heavyweight title, was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Associated Press

Box:

COMING UP (see text)