Tough times bring boxing greats here
Like Joe Louis in another era, boxing legends Ken Norton, Leon Spinks and Earnie Shavers have moved to Las Vegas to cash in on their fame in tough times.
This time they are making a living at autograph tables instead of a boxing ring.
Seated next to a ring inside the MGM Grand lobby, they have been attracting crowds of fight fans in town for Saturday's Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Victor Ortiz bout at the MGM Grand Garden. Former heavyweight champ Joe Frazier joins them tonight.
They are there at the invitation of MGM Grand President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Sibella .
It pays the rent.
In early 1978, less than a year into his pro boxing career, Spinks, 24, faced heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali as a heavy underdog at the Las Vegas Hilton. For Ali it was supposed to be a tuneup for Shavers.
Spinks reigned for seven months, until a loss to Ali set in motion Spinks' hard fall from grace. Five years ago, he was working as a janitor for $5.15 an hour at a YMCA in Columbus, Neb.
Spinks, Norton and Shavers are all living here at the urging of Bill Watson, who owns Memorabilia International along the Miracle Mile inside Planet Hollywood Resort.
Meeting Watson was "a godsend," said Norton, 68, who defeated Ali in 1973.
Norton said he was tired of sitting in front of a TV while recovering from a near-fatal car accident in 1986.
"The doctors said I would never walk or talk," said Norton, who lifted his trademark fedora to show long surgical scars on his bald head.
He speaks slowly and at times with slurred speech.
Shavers, 66, welcomed the idea of being back in the fight capital of the world, where fans remember him for being one of the most feared pure punchers of his time. He had spent 10 years in England as a greeter.
The booming sports collectible business has been a windfall for the retired greats.
Years ago, it was mainly about trading cards, "not the live experience it is today," Watson said. "Now the autograph isn't as important as the photograph."
MAY I RECOMMEND ...
It's a feast/big fight/fireworks kind of weekend. Your options include: The San Gennaro Feast runs through Sunday at the Rio; the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Victor Ortiz will fill nightclubs with after-parties; and Lake Las Vegas' Independence Day fireworks show is set for 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, a makeup for the July 3 rainout.
SIGHTINGS
At N9ne Steakhouse (Palms) on Wednesday: John Rich of the country duo Big & Rich. After dinner Rich and Cowboy Troy went to the Playboy Club for blackjack. Also at N9NE: Zac Brown from the country music group Zac Brown Band. Elyse Umemoto, still alive on TV's "Survivor," checking in at Surrender (Encore) on Wednesday. She was the Miss America runner-up in 2008 at Planet Hollywood Resort. Rickey Medlocke of Lynyrd Skynyrd, with his family at Hash House a Go Go (M Resort), where they perform tonight. Mike Tyson signs autographs at Chateau nightclub (Paris) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Tabu (MGM Grand.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Dick Cheney was grilled by the women of 'The View.' So apparently he's willing to undergo torture himself to prove a point." -- Jay Leno
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.
