ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, November 27, 1996 TAG: 9611270026
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN STAFF WRITER
When people talk about ``getting a break'' in their chosen field of work, they usually don't think about it in Steve Pannell's terms.
When Pannell got his break, he risked being broken.
Pannell is a William Fleming High School graduate who says ``my home will always be Roanoke.'' More often, he's on the road, traveling as one of many fighters in Don King's professional boxing empire.
Pannell, a 6-4, 222-pound heavyweight earned his spot two years ago when he went to Martinsville and asked to be Oliver McCall's regular sparring partner. McCall, from Collinsville, is a former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion who first made his name as Mike Tyson's sparring partner.
When Pannell announced his intentions, McCall's trainer said, ``If Oliver doesn't knock you out, I'll pay you to train with him.''
Pannell survived that bout, quit his regular job and has been working with McCall and former World Boxing Association champion Tony Tucker ever since. Pannell (20-3) will have his first chance to show his hometown the benefits of his labor Friday night when he meets William Campudani in a 10-round bout on the ``Brawl Beneath the Star'' card at the Roanoke Civic Center.
``I could challenge anybody in the world,'' Pannell said.
Such boastfulness is rare from the 28-year-old. He will stay at his parents' house the night before the fight. He often recalls the old Valley Sports Arena on Salem Turnpike, the site of his first six fights. Pannell also doesn't sign autographs because he says his accomplishments to date aren't great enough to give his signature any value.
``I can't wait to sign an autograph,'' he said.
With his angular build, Pannell looks like he could be good at any sport. Boxing, however, is the only one he's ever liked. His older brother, Larry, was a state champion wrestler at Fleming, but Pannell didn't think his body would be suited to the competition, so he never pursued a career on the mat. ``Coach [George] Miller was mad at me for a year,'' he said.
Pannell last played a team sport as a running back on a sandlot football team. He said he couldn't stand losing because of someone else's mistake and he still feels that way. ``I've got a problem with team sports,'' he said. ``I do better alone. If I lose, it's all on me.''
Now that he's under the Don King banner, Pannell can climb the ranks with every victory. He said his chances for future success are greater now that he's battling McCall and Tucker on a daily basis. Pannell's current regimen, in fact, has him mimicking former WBC champ Lennox Lewis, with whom he shares a similar height and reach. McCall and Lewis will fight for the vacant WBC title on Feb.7.
Pannell will keep fighting until he gets such title shots himself.
``When the time comes, I'll be ready,'' he said. ``There won't be a situation I haven't been through.''
TAKE A SEAT: As of Tuesday morning, approximately 300 tickets had been sold for the ``Brawl Beneath the Star.''
TAKE A NUMBER: Corned Beef and Company restaurant in downtown Roanoke will hold a ring girl competition at 8 tonight. Ten winners will receive $100 and carry round cards between rounds of Friday night's Thomas Hearns-Karl Willis main event on the ``Brawl Beneath the Star'' card. Interested contestants must be 21 years or older and should show up no later than 7:30. They will compete in swimsuits and high-heeled shoes.
The judges have yet to be determined.
LENGTH: Medium: 64 linesby CNB