THIS KING HAS A ROYAL VISION.

Byline: ROBERT MORALES BOXING

Michael King has two dreams. One, to get as many kids off the streets and into amateur boxing programs as possible. Two, for Team USA to have a performance in the Olympics as successful as the one in 1984, when Americans won nine gold medals, a silver and a bronze.

It's true that those Los Angeles Games did not feature Soviet Union or Cuban boxers because of a boycott by 14 Eastern Bloc countries and allies. But considering that the nine gold medals went to Paul Gonzales, Steve McCrory, Meldrick Taylor, Pernell Whitaker, Jerry Page, Mark Breland, Frank Tate, Henry Tillman and Tyrell Biggs, chances are solid that the U.S. would have still done very well had everyone been present.

Heck, it was Virgil Hill who took silver and Evander Holyfield, who was unfairly disqualified in a bout, who took the bronze. Out of 11 medalists, six became world champions. The five who did not nonetheless became solid pros.

``We had nine gold medals in 1984,'' said King, CEO of A2P (Amateur 2 Pro) and a multi-millionare who, with his brother Roger, runs King World Productions Inc., which produces ``Wheel of Fortune,'' ``Jeopardy'' and ``The Oprah Winfrey Show,'' as well as many other popular television shows.

``So, we went from that, to our worst performance in 2004,'' King said.

Americans won two medals in the 2004 Sydney Games -- onegold, one bronze. It was the first gold medal for the U.S. since 1996.

A2P, founded in 2003, is a business partner of USA Boxing -- this country's governing body for amateur boxing -- and has legendary trainer Emanuel Steward on board. The company is hopeful of eventually sponsoring a boxing gym in all 56local boxing chapters in the country.

Its first sponsored gym is The Rock, which is attached to Mission Eben-Ezer Church in Carson. Thanks to A2P, kids can train there for free six days a week. Eventually, the hope is that A2P can put boxing programs back in high schools and colleges, a rarity these days.

Last weekend, A2P and The Rock hosted the annual Blue & Gold National Boxing Invitational. The long-playing tournament is normally held in Baldwin Park, but the city could not play host this year because of budget cuts.

Proving that he puts his money where his mouth is, King paid the freight to fly in 22 solid amateurs -- some ranked No. 1 in the U.S. -- from around the country to participate in the 175-boxer tournament.

It not only gave patrons more than their money's worth, it gave some of our better boxers a chance to compete against each other.

Besides many of today's larger athletes going into football or basketball instead of boxing because of the fame and money, USA Boxing has not been able to send its athletes to as many International competitions as it has in the past because of short funds.

So for King to foot the bill for air fare, hotel, and other expenses, just so 22 top amateurs could get some much-needed competition, speaks volumes.

``Here is a man (King) who could have taken his money and ridden off into the sunset,'' said Prentiss Byrd, who works for A2P and who was Steward's longtime right-hand man from 1977-92 at the famous Kronk Gym in Detroit. ``Instead, he is putting his money where it can do some good.''

King was very animated last Saturday during the open division (ages 17-34) championships. Jumping from his seat during the best action, it was obvious he is emotionally into this endeavor.

``We are going to resurrect one of the greatest sports of all time,'' he said. ``And we are going to take kids off the street and make heroes out of them, instead of ememies.''

Without King, there would have been no Blue & Gold this year.

``I am tired of seeing events like this canceled,'' said King, who did not receieve a penny from the proceeds of the four-day tournament.

Louie Escobar, Blue & Gold tournament director, said he was more than a little thankful to King and A2P. Escobar also said that he is hopeful the Blue & Gold will be back in Baldwin Park next year, as that is where its 21-year history lies.

``I don't have any intention of the Blue & Gold being anywhere other than back in the city of Baldwin Park,'' Escobar said.

But if the city can't hang, King probably will be there to pick up the slack.

The male and female Most Outstanding Boxer awards went to Latonya King of the Kronk Gym and Gary Russell of the Enima Boxing Club in Washington, D.C.

Russell is the No. 1-ranked boxer in the country at 119pounds. He defeated Shawn Nichol of Denver, in the 119-pound title bout. Nichol is ranked No. 5 at 112 pounds.

Another No. 1-ranked boxer emerging with a title was Terrence Crawford of Omaha, Neb. He defeated Danny Garcia at 132 pounds.

Two East Los Angeles boxers also won open division titles. Shawn Estrada, ranked No. 3 in the country at 165 pounds, won a decision over Edwin Rodriguez. And Anthony Mosquera defeated Jonathan Candido to win the 152-pound title.

Estrada and Mosquera both train out of Eddie Heredia's gym in East L.A.

Each winning boxer in the male open division won $2,000 in scholarship/training money. The losers received $1,000.

King paid for that, too.

Barrera, Juarez have point to make

Marco Antonio Barrera did well in the first six rounds of his fight against Rocky Juarez on May 20 at Staples Center. But then Juarez took control and dominated the last six rounds, even hurting Barrera on a couple of occasions.

Initially, the bout was announced as a draw, which was probably the right way to go. About 20 minutes later, Barrera was ruled the split-decision winner after it was discovered a mistake had been made transferring numbers from judges scoring slips onto the main scorecard.

At that point, it appeared Barrera was fortunate. He would have retained his World Boxing Council super featherweight belt even with a draw, but considering the second half of the fight, Barrera walking away with a victory seemed unjust.

Juarez will have his rematch jones satisfied next Saturday at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, when they again square off for Barrera's WBC belt.

Then again, Juarez believes that craving might be more Barrera's than anyone's. HBO pay-per-view will televise.

``I think he is going to come into this second fight and fight like it is revenge for the first fight because I think he believes I won that fight,'' Juarez said Thursday during a conference call. ``That's the reason, I feel, he is giving me this second chance.

``It's not so much a second chance for me, but a second chance for him.''

If that is the case, more power to Barrera. Indeed, he has never been the type of fighter to shy away from a tough nut. If anyone can crack it, Barrera can. And thanks to Juarez, he has received added fuel.

``I am going to teach him a lesson on Sept.16,'' Barrera said. ``I am going to hold his hand and take him to school. He has talked so much trash in Texas.

``I haven't felt this way in years, and I'm going to show it off.''

Every time Barrera has been in that position, he has come through.

He is prommoted by Los Angeles-based Oscar De La Hoya and his Golden Boy Promotions.

``I'm glad that it is on neutral ground, too,'' Barrera said. ``Because I don't want any excuses whatsoever this time.''

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