clarinews@clarinet.com (JEFF HASEN, UPI Sports Writer) (01/16/90)
LOS ANGELES (UPI) -- Donald Trump has reached an agreement with Don King to stage the Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield heavyweight title fight in Atlantic City June 18, King said Monday. Trump, who had first refusal rights to the bout, will pay ``more than $12 million,'' according to King, a Tyson confidant. The site fee will be the biggest ever, topping the $11 million Trump paid for Tyson's defense against Michael Spinks. ``Donald Trump has secured the deal for the Holyfield-Tyson fight providing Tyson can dispose of Buster Douglas in Japan (Feb. 10),'' King said before he and Tyson left for Tokyo. ``He has met all the conditions. Once I shake a man's hand, you don't need a contract. I shook hands with him and the deal is done. ``It's more than $12 million, but I won't say anything more.'' Trump pushed for an agreement before the departure of Tyson and King because Japanese promoters were set to bid aggressively for the fight matching the two undefeated heavyweights. ``The Japanese were looking forward to us getting there, but Donald Trump has beaten them to it,'' King said. ``He's a mover -- energetic and aggressive.'' Trump attended the sendoff news conference at HBO's Los Angeles offices, but he would not comment on his conversations with King. Tyson, the undisputed heavyweight champion since 1987, will earn between $22 and $25 million for the bout to be shown on pay-per-view. Holyfield, 23-0, is guaranteed $11 million. Tyson, 37-0, is a 7-1 favorite against Holyfield. Oddsmakers have not put a line on his bout with Douglas. The heavyweight champion, who has been inactive since last July, said he will not look past Douglas. ``I'm in great shape to fight right now,'' Tyson said. ``I'm in the best shape of my career. I'm looking forward to meeting Buster Douglas.'' Douglas, who has been flabby in his last few bouts, said he weighed about 230 pounds Monday. He hopes to weigh less than 224 for Tyson. ``I have to be in the best shape I've ever been in to do the things to defeat Mike Tyson,'' Douglas said. Douglas will leave for Japan in about a week.