EchoBlog

Riddick Bowe and Larry Donald called another news conference yesterday -- and this time they got it right.

Bowe, after punching Donald twice in a prefight news gathering Nov. 28 in Inglewood, Calif., put his arms around Donald and gave him a big hug during an extremely cordial get-together at the National Press Club.

Donald, who accepted Bowe's apology, announced that he was dropping a suit that he had filed against Bowe in Los Angeles Superior Court Dec. 2, the eve of their 12-rounder in Las Vegas, which Bowe dominated and won by unanimous decision.

"I'm glad me and Riddick were able to come together and put this behind us," said Donald, whose right eye was still red from punches he took during the bout. "There's a lot of people out there we can help."

The fighters declared that they were joining together to do what they could to stop violence in various communities. Bowe said he would concentrate on Washington and New York City and make himself available to address youth groups and take part in other activities that would enable him to speak with youths about nonviolence.

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"It should not have happened -- I'm sorry for it," Bowe said of the incident. "I want to show kids that hitting people isn't the way to solve problems."

With that, Bowe asked Donald to stand. The two smiled and Bowe hugged him.

"We have their absolute commitment that they will be talking to people out in the street {about non-violence}," said Dr. George W. Sloan, chairman of the United Peoples Family Shelter Group, who attended the news conference.

Both fighters have agreed to work with the organization Neighborhoods Against Crime, according to Rock Newman, Bowe's manager, who called the news conference.

"They are wonderfully committed to prepare to help," Newman said. "Their interest is sincere and from the heart."

Donald, from Cincinnati, will be available to youth groups in the Washington area since he trains at the Sugar Ray Leonard Gym in Palmer Park under a former Leonard trainer, Janks Morton. "It's important to show people that two tough heavyweight fighters can settle their differences in a civilized and gentlemanly way," said Donald. "I accept Riddick Bowe's apology and look forward to working with him in our community to stop the violence we inflict on our families, friends and neighbors."

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"At the time I was too emotional and let my feelings get the best of me," Bowe said of the incident. "I apologize to Larry Donald and the rest of the world for my inappropriate behavior, and promise everyone that the only fighting I will be doing in the future is in the ring."

Steve Nelson, co-manager for Donald, said that the Donald group had been discussing dropping the suit during the previous two days, deciding finally that more good could be done if the boxers work with youth groups rather than continue their differences in court.

Nelson also said that Bowe's two punches, a left and then a right to the face, came as a surprise. "It was a total surprise," Nelson said. "It hurt. It hurt. They were both full punches. The second one was blocked a little bit."

Nelson said that Donald would be back in the ring in late January or early February. Bowe (35-1) is scheduled to meet Herbie Hide March 11 in Las Vegas for Hide's World Boxing Organization title. "I hope Bowe will go out and beat Herbie Hide and as a great world champion might give me a shot," said Donald (16-1) with a laugh.

But Bowe has no thought of such a rematch. If he beats Hide, he then would face Jorge Gonzales or, perhaps, Evander Holyfield, who wants to make a comeback.

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