ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 19, 1996 TAG: 9601190056
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-9 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
SOURCE: From Associated Press reports
Minnesota Fats, the sharp-shooting, boastful billiards wizard immortalized in the movie ``The Hustler,'' died Thursday, a day before his birthday. Fats, whose real name was Rudolf Wanderone Jr., died of congestive heart failure in Nashville, Tenn., said his wife, Theresa.
His age was a matter of dispute. Associates said he was born Jan.19, 1900, but a 1966 biography, ``Bank Shot,'' listed his date of birth as Jan.19, 1913.
``He always said, `St. Peter, rack 'em up,''' Theresa Wanderone said in announcing his death.
Fats was portrayed by Jackie Gleason in ``The Hustler,'' the 1961 movie that starred Paul Newman. He was born in New York City and played pool in various parts of the country. He was known earlier in his pool days as ``New York Fats,'' but became known as Minnesota Fats because of Gleason's character in the movie.
Whitaker to fight TV's Rivera
TV talk-show host Geraldo Rivera will square off against World Boxing Council welterweight champion Pernell Whitaker in a charity exhibition bout March 5 in Norfolk, Whitaker's promoter announced.
Rivera agreed to take the place of singer Harry Connick Jr., who had to withdraw because of a movie deal, said Mike Boorman of Main Events. The exhibition at Norfolk's Scope arena will be part of a boxing card that features a U.S. Boxing Association junior middleweight title bout between 1992 Olympian Raul Marquez and Darrin Morris. That bout, plus highlights of the exhibition, will be televised on the USA Network.
A planned fight between former heavyweight champions George Foreman and Michael Moorer in February is off, at least temporarily, Time Warner Sports president Seth Abraham confirmed.
Foreman, 47, announced Dec.15 he would fight Moorer on Feb.29 and make it the final fight of his long career, during which he was twice world heavyweight champion. About three weeks later, however, he said he was discussing a possible fight with Mike Tyson. Although a Foreman-Tyson fight appears unlikely, Viewer's Choice and Time Warner, which owns HBO, were selling the fight as Foreman's swan song and publicity of a possible further fight hurt the promotion.
Former Southern California running back Charles White, winner of the 1979 Heisman Trophy, and former Oklahoma center-linebacker Jerry Tubbs, winner of the 1956 Walter Camp Award, head a group of 11 players and one coach selected to the National Foundation and College Hall of Fame.
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Minnesota Fats KEYWORDS: BOXINGby CNB