BOWE SEEKS EXIT FROM HBO IN ORDER TO TAKE ON TYSON

     In post-fight analysis of Mike Tyson's victory over Frank
Bruno, ESPN's Al Bernstein and Charley Steiner examined the
possibility of a fight with Riddick Bowe.  Bernstein noted that
Bowe's suit against HBO is aimed at getting the fighter out of
his TV contract with the network so he may make a deal with Don
King for him to fight Tyson on Showtime.  Bernstein:  "That's the
fight the public wants and I suspect [Bowe promoter] Rock
Newman's reasoning to King is that, 'You will make so much money.
We will make so much money.  It makes no sense to put this fight
off'" ("Sports Weekly," ESPN, 3/17).  In Washington, William
Gildea writes when sizing up Tyson's next opponent, neither of
the other two heavyweight champions -- Bruce Seldon and Francis
Botha -- would be appealing matchups for pay-per-view.  Gildea:
"Both would seem more suited for Showtime cable, or free TV"
(WASHINGTON POST, 3/18).  ESPN noted that since his comeback,
Mike Tyson has earned close to $70M for about 17 minutes of work
("Sports Weekly," 3/17).