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By TIMES WIRES
Published November 30, 2006

MAYOR TO TRY HIS ROPE-A-DOPE AGAINST FRAZIER

It won't be the "Thrilla in Manila," but Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton, above, promises a good show when he steps into the ring with former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier. The mayor, a 66-year-old former amateur boxer, and 62-year-old "Smokin' Joe" are fighting a three-round exhibition today for charity. More than 30 years removed from his 1975 battle against Muhammad Ali in the Philippines, Frazier said he had no intention "to do too much damage on the mayor." "He don't play too rough, then I won't play too rough," he told WMC-TV. Frazier, who held the heavyweight title from 1968 to 1973, runs a gym in Philadelphia. The exhibition in Memphis will raise money for the city's drug court, which offers rehabilitation services to drug abusers as an alternative to jail. "If they can see me at this age, can they imagine what I was like in my teens? I was awesome," the mayor said of his amateur skills. Herenton credits the sport with building the self-confidence that helped him become the city's first black mayor.

Not a good history to pin hope on

The Steelers lead the all-time series with the Bucs 6-1. The Bucs' lone victory against Pittsburgh was 16-3 in 1998 in Tampa.

Ex-QB recovering from clot scare

Former NFL quarterback Steve Bartkowski remains in an Atlanta hospital, bedridden and closely monitored a week after suffering potentially fatal complications following knee-replacement surgery. Bartkowski, 54, said Tuesday that he survived two blood clots that migrated from his leg to his lungs. He said there are a few clots remaining in each leg, meaning he is being kept largely immobile while being treated with anti-clotting drugs. There is no timetable for his release from the hospital. "I'm a very blessed man," Bartkowski said about surviving. Bartkowski played for the Falcons from 1975 to 1985 and still holds team records for passing yards and touchdowns.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"I am America. I am the past you won't recognize; but get used to me. Black, confident, cocky. My name, not yours. My religion, not yours. My goal, my own. Get used to me."

Muhammad Ali in an excerpt from Ali Rap, a one-hour special to be shown Dec. 9 on ESPN.

[Last modified November 30, 2006, 02:14:02]