Poker champ has own tale of attack
NFL star Javon Walker's abduction story has become prime fodder for bloggers and the sports-talk universe.
Not a lot of people are buying the explanation.
The Oakland Raiders' wide receiver, who was found battered and unconscious at 7 a.m. Monday hours after spraying bottles of champagne at a local nightclub, says he was pistol whipped, knocked out and abducted from his Bellagio room by three men.
Conspiracy theories were flying Wednesday.
Las Vegas sports-talk host "Papa" Joe Chevalier suggested Walker was trying to set up the Bellagio for a lawsuit.
A Denver blogger at the MileHighSportsReport.com predicted Walker's story won't hold up given Las Vegas is "quite possibly the most watched-over city in the universe."
The blogger, who wrote under the moniker Sports Guru, questioned how Walker could have been removed from the hotel "without one (security) guard at the Bellagio asking, 'What the hell are you doing?'. Were they dressed as firefighters?"
A Bellagio spokesperson said, "For that to happen (and go undetected) would be pretty extraordinary."
Greg Raymer, the 2004 World Series of Poker main event champ, survived an ordeal of his own 31/2 years ago.
He was on the 20th floor of the Bellagio in December 2004 after leaving the poker room carrying more than $100,000 when two men tried to barge into his room.
The burly Raymer fought 'em off, but he believes he might have been killed had the assailants overcome him.
He was surprised to learn that surveillance cameras are not permitted in the hallways.
Raymer said he was told by security that because of privacy issues, the Nevada Gaming Commission doesn't allow it.
"I took their word for it," he said.
Be vigilant, Raymer added. "There are enough bad guys out there," he said, who are looking for a quick score.
MEDIA UPDATE
KWWN-AM 1100 (ESPN) has scheduled its annual 24-hour Radiothon for July 25 at the Palms. It will begin at 6 a.m., with numerous local personalities co-hosting each hour with winning bidders. The event is a benefit for The Caring Place, co-founded by longtime boxing analyst Al Bernstein and his wife, Connie. The center, which opens next month, is a nonprofit operation dedicated to providing free services and programs to anyone touched by cancer. Information: www.thecaringplacenv.org. ...
Jeremy Pond, former R-J nightlife columnist and Vegas Confidential Web site assistant, has been named director of Media & Public Relations at Tryst nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas and Drai's After Hours at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon. ...
Nightclub marketing veteran Marklen Kennedy has left The Light Group and is planning to stay in the business in this market. Jodi Myers is moving into his role.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Las Vegas gaming legend Jackie Gaughan, owner of the El Cortez, is throwing out the first pitch Friday before the Las Vegas 51s-Tacoma Rainiers game. Gaughan, who turns 88 in October, bought the El Cortez from gangster Bugsy Siegel, who used the capital to build the Flamingo. The El Cortez is offering a free drink to anyone 21 and older who presents a ticket stub from Friday's game. The promotion is valid only on Friday.
SIGHTINGS
Barry Manilow, stopping the show Tuesday to cut his birthday cake at the Las Vegas Hilton. Depending on which bio you read, he's either 62 or 65. ... "Access Hollywood" correspondent and actress Maria Menounos, dining with friends at Tao Asian Bistro (Venetian) on Tuesday. Also spotted at TAO was "Supersize Me" star Morgan Spurlock, who attended the CineVegas party at Tao nightclub.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Convince superdelegates to put them in the playoffs." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Ways the New York Mets Can Turn Things Around.
Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
