IT'S SHOWTIME FOR HOLYFIELD-BEAN AS FIGHT AVOIDS PPV

          Showtime has exclusive rights to the Evander Holyfield-
     Vaughn Bean fight, scheduled for September 19 at the Georgia
     Dome, at a price "estimated" at $5M, according to John
     Dempsey of DAILY VARIETY.  The fight will not be seen on
     PPV, as Showtime Exec VP/Corporate Marketing &
     Communications Mark Greenberg explained that with the fight
     less than six weeks away, "there wouldn't be enough time to
     mount the full marketing and promotional blitz to build the
     kind of momentum that would cause cable subscribers to pony
     up $39.95 for the event."  Greenberg also cited Bean's lack
     of recognition, as compared to previous Holyfield opponents. 
     Showtime had already planned a free-preview weekend for
     September 18-20, of which the fight will now be promoted as
     the highlight (John Dempsey, DAILY VARIETY, 8/11).