Foe doesn't show to take on Spivey

NORFOLK

Paging Donnell Logan, boxer, of Covington, Tenn.

By result and reputation a journeyman, Logan and his 10-16-2 record were scheduled to touch down at Norfolk International on Saturday afternoon to fight Portsmouth lightweight Dorin Spivey at the Masonic Temple on Granby Street on Saturday night.

Logan didn't arrive. Calls went unanswered. Finally, a few hours before the bout - right about the time fans wearing "Team Spivey" T-shirts began arriving - the fight was canceled.

Standing in a hallway outside the auditorium, Spivey (34-5) broke the news to many of his fans himself. "The guy didn't show," he told people. "I can't catch a break."

These things happen in boxing. They seem to happen more often to Spivey, who has not fought in 19 months. He has had other opponents pull out at the last minute, including once when he flew all the way to Las Vegas for a bout.

This one stung. Spivey, 35, needed a win to set up a possible North American Boxing Association title match with Verquan Kimbrough. Now, Spivey and manager Pat Nelson are back to square one.

"It's disappointing," Spivey said. "It's embarrassing when all these people came out to see me."

The card went on, in front of a few hundred fans, with several mixed martial arts matches and a half-dozen four-round fights. Spivey climbed into the ring before the final bout to apologize to the crowd.

Dave Holland, the state's boxing commissioner, said Logan signed a contract with promoter Al Mills, who sent the fighter a plane ticket and money for travel expenses.

"The promoter had everything set up for him," Holland said.

Holland said he'll investigate. Possible sanctions include Logan losing the privilege to fight, not only in Virginia but anywhere in the United States, Holland said.

Ed Miller, (757) 446-2372, ed.miller@pilotonline.com