Auction will help boxer KO’d by bills
Evander Holyfield's 1984 Olympic bronze medal is going to auction, apparently to help the former four-time world heavyweight champion stave off crushing debt.
Holyfield, who turns 50 in October, took a financial pounding after winning several hundred million dollars in the ring, including $34 million the night Mike Tyson bit one of his ears in Las Vegas.
In addition to Holyfield's Olympic medal from the Los Angeles Summer Games, the gloves he wore the night he upset Tyson in the "Bite Fight" are among 20 pair up for bid.
Holyfield fought well into his 40s to pay the bills after losing his 109-room mansion in Atlanta while trying to keep up with $500,000 in annual child-support payments for his 11 kids.
The live, online auction will be held Nov. 30 in Los Angeles. For information check out: www.juliensauctions.com.
REMEMBERING TONY MARTIN
The passing of Las Vegas entertainment icon Tony Martin brought back a fond teen memory for Pat Getter, local author and former PR manager of the Imperial Palace.
She was a UCLA student on a Las Vegas getaway with her mother when she struck up a conversation with Martin while sunbathing at the Flamingo Hotel pool.
When she told Martin she was in town with her mother, the romantic crooner and star of many Hollywood musicals invited them to his show.
She thanked him, but noted she was only 19 and couldn't get into shows.
"Don't worry about it," said Martin. "Just tell the maître d' that you're my niece."
That night, mother and daughter showed up and, when the maître d' asked for their names, Getter said she blurted out, "We're here to see my uncle Tony!"
They were ushered to seats up front and invited backstage after the show, Getter said.
"I have always remembered him as a charming, gracious man who made my day - and gave me a story that I have repeated many, many times about old Las Vegas."
Martin was married for 60 years to dancing superstar Cyd Charisse, whose career soared after her sizzling performance with Gene Kelly in the film classic "Singin' in the Rain." She died in 2008.
BABE PIER, R.I.P.
Longtime Las Vegas comedian Babe Pier, known as the Father of Impressions, died Tuesday at Desert Springs Hospital. He was 82.
His wife, Cindy Raft-Pier, said he broke an arm and was beset by complications. She said Pier was so committed to staying in shape - "he was a runner, a fighter, a powerhouse person for his age" - that he didn't want anyone to know his condition as he tried to recover.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Joining a national trend, ABC affiliate KTNV-TV, Channel 13 has dropped its sports department. The move comes shortly after the departure of sports director/anchor Doug Kezirian for ESPN. General manager Jim Prather said the station will be committing more resources to investigative reporting.
SIGHTINGS
Actress Vivica Fox, celebrating her 48th birthday Monday in a party of 10 at N9ne Steakhouse (Palms).
THE PUNCH LINE
"They were saying we might get hit by remnants of tropical depression Fabio. That sounds like the saddest romance novel cover ever." - Jimmy Kimmel
Norm Clarke can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke.
