Boxing action

Papillion, Rabon headline McNeeley exhibition

Exhibition action by heavyweight Peter McNeeley will cap an evening of boxing at the Best Western-Hotel Acadiana tonight that will benefit Special Olympics.

McNeeley, who will carry a 36-1 record into his August 19 showdown in Las Vegas against heavily favored Mike Tyson, will work four rounds against sparring partner Lorenzo Boyd in the Hotel Acadiana ballroom.

The night's main event will feature Jason Papillion of Broussard in a 12-round bout against Atlanta's David Taylor. Papillion holds a 23-3 record and will be fighting at 154 pounds. Taylor fought three times for a world title in his career.

Another Broussard fighter, David Rabon, will put his 10-0 professional record on the line in an eight-round light-heavyweight bout against Ricky Stackhouse (25-10) of Atlanta.

The evening will get underway with a trio of four-round fights.

First, Eli Dixon of Atlanta and Tommy Williams of Hilton Head, SC, will tangle in a heavyweight fight. The second pairing features Lafayette's Andy Levinson (4-1) against Atlanta's Stan Jones (3-0) in a heavyweight bout.

Making his pro debut in the third fight is Ray Ryan of Lafayette at 130 pounds, meeting Curtis Smith (2-0) of Atlanta.

Cost for the card is $125 per ticket, $1,000 per table, but Scandals in the Hotel Acadiana will feature live closed circuit action for $10 per person as proceeds benefit Special Olympics programs.

McNeeley leaves Tuesday for Las Vegas.

Related articles:
Common Opponent Picks McNeeley Over Tyson   [Lafayette Advertiser]
Peter McNeeley Training In Lafayette  [KLFY-TV Profile]
McNeeley Stops Here While Training For Tyson   [Rayne Independent]
McNeeley Catches Fire In Louisiana   [Middlesex Daily News]
McNeeley Enjoys Break From Intense Training Session   [Rayne Acadian]
How Could We Not Root For McNeeley?   [The Suburban Press]

This story ran on page D-1 of The Lafayette Daily Advertiser on 07/31/95