"Throughout his career, Jack Gibson was responsible for recruiting groups for Motown Records..."

JACK GIBSON, known as Jack the Rapper, who is responsible for discovering such talents as Little Richard, James Brown, and a host of others, is fighting cancer. Gibson, who was the first black to go on air on WERD (the first black owned station in Atlanta), has been known for his style of talk. Jack would take new talent and play their records. Throughout his career, Jack Gibson was responsible for recruiting groups for Motown Records. He then escalated his recruiting by starting rap conventions that brought in rap artists and talent of all kinds. That’s where Jack the Rapper got his biggest notoriety. Nevertheless, we wish Jack Gibson the very best in his bout with cancer.

Left to Right: Jack Gibson, Vonnie Hilton Sweeney (standing) and Elsie Gibson.

EVEL KNIEVEL is hosting a national daredevil show on the UPN network entitled, "I Dare You, the Ultimate Challenge". Although things are looking respectfully better for Evel, the man who got one of the highest ratings on ABC Wide World of Sports when he jumped Caesars Palace, he has to endure a lot of pain. Evel has Hepatitis C, one of the most deadly diseases of today. He has to inject himself in the stomach with 9,000 units of interferon each week.

Las Vegas"It’s like having the worse case of flu, buckling your legs. You get headaches and nausea that sometimes is unbearable." According to Evel, every-one should get a checkup for Hepatitis C, as failing to do so could cost them their lives within five years, if not detected early. There is no cure for Hepatitis C as of this date; however, interferon puts this disease in remission.

STERLING MC PHERSON, perhaps the most charismatic manager in boxing, may very well be the next promoter of boxing events in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Sterling recently took a step forward in matrimony to Tracy Story. Michael Dokes, Francois Botha, Lenny Williams and many boxing trainers and referees attended his wedding held at Mountain Top. The reception at the Four Seasons Hotel was a remarkable evening, especially listening to Lenny Williams.

Las Vegas Cedric Cushner, HBO Main Events, and Murad Muhammad teamed up to put on an excellent fight promotion together at the Hard Rock. Welterweight Sugar Shane Mosley (33-0, 31 KOs), proved he is a champion early in the fight by knocking out the ex-IBF Lightweight Willy Wise (24-6-4, 7 KOs). The semi-main event was with Vernon Forest (30-0, 25 KOs), the NABF Welterweight champion and Vince Philips (40-4, 29 KOs), the former IBF Junior Welterweight champion. Philips lost to Forest in a decision.

Las Vegas "It doesn’t bother me how many promoters are involved in bringing a fight to Las Vegas, just as long as we can work together and promote boxing in a positive light," stated Cushner.

Las Vegas Other fighters who were present at the press conference last month were former WBC Featherweight champion Kevin Kelley, undefeated Heavyweight Charles Sheppard, Heavyweights Robert Davis and Talmadge Griffs, undefeated Featherweight Arauhie Archuleta, and Junior Middleweight contender Pat Coleman.

Las Vegas Congratulations NABA Super Featherweight Ernesto "Baby" Zepeda for knocking out Ernest Koffi (33-8, 32 KOs) in the fifth round. Club fights, which are held at The Orleans and promoted by Momentum Enterprises, have sold out audiences.

PAULIE AYALA (29-1, 12 KOs), voted fighter of the year by Ring Magazine, is proud of his win last year against Johnny Tapia. The WBA Bantemweight champion is looking forward to a tough fight with the European champion, Johnny Bredahl (45-1, 23 KOs) on March 4 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. On the same card, Butterbean will spice things up a bit and Nestor Garza (37-1, 29 KOs), the WBA Super Bantamweight champion, will defend his title against Danny Romero (36-3-1, 31 KOs).

OSCAR DE LA HOYA has gone ahead with his acting career, as well as singing. Reports have it that De La Hoya laid off for the month of December and is now in training in Big Bear, where he also has a home and private gym.

Las VegasDe La Hoya will fight Daryl Colby on February 26 in Madison Square Garden. In the meantime, should Oscar win this fight, and most everyone agrees he will, Felix Trinidad has been offered $20 million for a rematch with De La Hoya at Mandalay Bay.

CHUCK HOUSE, who appeared on the Las VegaN Report airing on Mondays at 1 AM on Warner Brothers 21 (12 on Cox Cable), is one of the top trainers in the boxing arena. House has worked with Kenny Adams and has young fighters in training at Nevada Partners, a Las Vegas gym managed by referee Richard Steel.

Las Vegas"There is no vacation for fighters," says House. "Fighters should train year-round. Dedication is the name of the game along with talent," concludes House.

VINCE PHILIPS, the former IBF Junior Welterweight champion, Freddie Norwood, the two-time WBA Featherweight champion and Chico Carrales, the IBF Junior Lightweight champion, along with NBA Lightweight champion Lonnie Smith, are some of the champions Kenny Adams has trained, assisted by Chuck House.

Vernon Forest and Vince Philips.

Shane Mosley and Peter Allman.

Ernesto Zepeda defends title against Ernest Koffi.

People Magazine voted Bob Anderson, "the best singing impressionist in America." Anderson, who travels throughout Europe, appears at the Starlight mini-showroom at The Desert Inn quite often. Anderson has appeared on many television shows and has received the greatest reviews from fellow entertainers such as Tony Bennett, Wayne Newton and Merv Griffin. He envisions Las Vegas returning to the star policy, especially with some of the lounge showrooms.

Las VegasRemember a song entitled Blue Jean Baby, which was the number one hit in the nation in 1957? Norman Kaye, who was known as Little Norman, wrote that song. Norman Kaye also wrote Drag Strip Baby, which was number three on the Billboard charts in 1958. A long-time resident of Las Vegas, Kaye and his sister, Mary Kaye of the Mary Kaye Trio, were inducted into the Legends Hall of Fame last year at the Tropicana. It looks as though Norman will return to singing when he participates in one of the largest rock ‘n roll concerts ever to be produced in Las Vegas.

Las VegasShelly Riggs, who has been promoting autograph signing with the likes of Sue Thompson, will brings the artists together for one big concert this year. You may remember some of Sue Thompson’s gold records such as Sad Movies, Norman, James Hold the Ladder Steady and Paper Tiger.

So, if you enjoy those oldies but goodies, keep your eyes and ears alert.