Arum and Good Luck Are Two Peas in a Pod for Once

I’m not sure who felt it more each time Diobelis Hurtado connected with a solid shot Friday night, his opponent, Pernell Whitaker, or promoter Bob Arum.

Arum’s plan to stage that multimillion-dollar main event between Whitaker and Oscar De La Hoya on April 12 in Las Vegas was in doubt when Hurtado turned Sweet Pea into Split Pea through 10 rounds. But Whitaker saved the payday with an 11th-round knockout.

It wouldn’t have been the first time Arum has been disappointed in attempting to arrange De La Hoya’s next big fight. For a long time, the promoter was pointing toward a Cinco de Mayo date at the Coliseum for the rematch between De La Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez.

That fell through because of circumstances that are, it’s fair to say, unique to boxing.

Here’s the scenario: Chavez defects from Don King to Arum, Chavez testifies for the government in a case against King for insurance fraud, the government vows to retry King after the jury deadlocks, Chavez and Arum have a falling out, Chavez returns to King.

Arum’s happy. Although he lost the Chavez-De La Hoya rematch, the promoter rid himself of a fighter he calls “a pain in the butt.” King’s happier. Back in his corner is a star boxer and a former star witness.

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Rumors persist that De La Hoya didn’t use his right hand more against Miguel Angel Gonzalez because of a training camp injury. The latest is that De La Hoya sprained his thumb. . . .

Somewhere along the way, “Hitman” became an adjective for Thomas Hearns instead of a nickname. But he’s still at it, trying to improve on a six-fight winning streak Friday night at the Forum against Ed Dalton. . . .

Hearns, 38, is looking for a fight against Roy Jones Jr. Aren’t they all? . . .

There’s also speculation Hearns might take off a few pounds and get back in the ring with Sugar Ray Leonard if Leonard beats Hector Camacho in March. No comment. . . .

Before his retirement in June, Carl Lewis will make a farewell tour of some of his favorite meets. One is Walnut’s Mt. SAC Relays, scheduled April 20. . . .

Dallas Maverick Coach Jim Cleamons still can’t get over the Lakers’ Del Harris taking the time to design a play for Travis Knight. The rookie used it to score against Chris Gatling in the Lakers’ victory over the Mavericks at the Forum last week. . . .

Cleamons said he was going to replay it on the VCR time and time again for Gatling’s benefit so he doesn’t get beat again in the rematch tonight in Dallas. . . .

I applaud USC Coach Henry Bibby for his candor about the lack of commitment Stais Boseman and David Crouse brought to Sunday’s embarrassing loss at home against Cincinnati. But isn’t that part of Bibby’s job, to make sure they come to play? . . .

Bobby Unser is flying his own plane here to open the L.A. Boat Show on Friday night at the Convention Center. “I hope he’s got a better compass than he had on his snowmobile,” promoter Al Franken says. . . .

If Rupert Murdoch buys the Dodgers, he will have two Scullys working for his Fox network. Gillian Anderson’s character on “The X-Files,” FBI special agent Dana Scully, was named for Vin. . . .

If Murdoch buys an NFL expansion team for Los Angeles, will it be called the Foxes? The truth is out there.

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After the Mighty Ducks and Kings tied Saturday night at the Forum, Duck Coach Ron Wilson said he was tired of taking verbal shots at the Kings in an effort to heat up the rivalry.

“The media’s got to do their part,” he said.

I guess that’s what Duck radio analyst Pat Conacher was doing with his blunt--and not necessarily untrue--comments, incensing the Kings to the point that they actually lived up to their “Serious Hockey” advertising slogan.

On the other hand, perhaps Conacher really is bitter because of how the Kings treated him before trading him to Calgary last season. The Kings say Conacher should be grateful because they gave him a job for four seasons.

More significant for the future of the rivalry, though, was Sean O’Donnell’s cheap shot, which took the Ducks’ Steve Rucchin out of the game in the third period. Next time, I’d like to see O’Donnell vs. Conacher.

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While wondering if anyone in San Jose has to go to jail for stealing Ed Belfour from the Chicago Blackhawks, I was thinking: Kansas hasn’t proved anything until it beats Texas Tech in Lubbock, the USC women’s basketball team belongs in the top 25, the Bash Brothers can’t possibly be as worn out as the Blues Brothers.