Daily News from New York, New York • 281

1 i i i ii i M. en npiiiss 1 By MICHAEL KATZ v. The "fodder" for Foreman's next heavyeight title defense and it is of no concern that by July 22, the projected date at a projected site in Munich, he will be recognized by none of the alphabets will be imported. At first, it appeared to be Joe Hipp, the portly southpaw. But Hipp apparently is "too ugly" for the delicate German tastes.

The favorite now is two-time Daily News Golden Gloves champion Lou Savarese. "Right now," said Arum, "Savarese has nosed in front of Hipp because of a better body." So what did Foreman expect? Mike Daily News Sports Writer LAS VEGAS A funny thing happened on the way to the dinner in 1964, but it's unlikely that history will repeat itself six days before this year's 70th annual Boxing Writers Association of America awards ceremonies. In 1964, fighter of the year' Emile Griffith stopped off in Pittsburgh a week before receiving his Neil Award and was knocked out in the first round by Rubin (Hurricane) Carter. George Foreman, getting the 1994 Neil at the New York Hilton next Friday for win- ning the mm 1 he I' -v a IllHHBllil aw REUTER OUTA MY WAY: Knick Anthony Mason goes flying from shove by Alonzo Mourning in battle for rebound. Tyson? That's who he was hoping for, but it is clear he probably will close his im--probable career in November, maybe giving Michael Moorer a rein atch for giving him the shot last Nov.

5. There are a lot of party-poopers tonight because only about 9,500 customers are expected in the MGM Grand Arena. The remarkable Foreman said he was a heavyweight title at the age of 46, surely won't have to begin his ac-ceptance speech the way Griffith did: "A funny thing happened Foreman's meeting tonight (HBO, show begins at 10 p.m.) against un-ranked, unsung and unseen Axel Schulz has been dubbed by promoter Bob Arum It's not a fight, it's a party. Schulz is an eastern German 1 i who "likes to By CURTIS BUNN AP WEIGHT IS ON: George Foreman cools down after workout this week, taking time to sit and wonder about next challenge. lead with his an effort against Charlotte that overcame a 14-point deficit to get that elusive victory they had been seeking.

A three-point play by Charles Oakley with 20.5 seconds left put the Knicks in front for good. Oakley, who went in last night without having recorded double figures in rebounds and points since March 7 against Washington, needed that late-game performance for his psyche. "I hope it gets him going," Riley said. "We need him." Oakley at first refused comment after the game, presumably upset with media accounts of his troubles. Later, he allowed only, "That's basketball.

Anything can happen." It happened for the Knicks because their defense turned nasty. A 15-2 fourth-quarter run produced a 79-78 Knicks lead that turned the momentum. Big in the rally wee Herb Williams, Greg Anthony, John Starks, Anthony Mason and Oakley. "It's a big relief to get that one win," Harper said. "If we hadn't, there would have been more pressure going to Boston, which would have made it tougher to play.

The longer you take to get the win you want, the more pressure there is." Pine time for Ewing Harper bile. Riley finally pulled him out for the night "I guess I wasn't looking too good out there," Ewing said. "I didn't earn my money on the floor, but I did as a cheerleader." Harper got kicked above his left ankle in the Knicks' loss to Milwaukee Monday, and it began to bother him against Charlotte. Trainer Mike Saunders said fluid flowed from the bruise to Harper's ankle, causing complications. "It was bothering me, but I don't think it's anything serious," Harper said.

"I'll probably rest (against Boston), take the night off." Ewing said he expected to do the same because the hamstring probably would not allow him to play. "I don't know if I could play if I wanted to," he said. "But it's really no reason to risk anything." The Knicks could afford to sit Ewing and Harper because their teammates put together Daily News Sports Writer BOSTON On the occasion of the last regular-season game ever at Boston Garden last night, the Knicks could have played the role of patsies. They had achieved their mission the previous night in Charlotte, making this meeting with the Celtics quite meaningless. And in that spirit, coach Pat Riley was not expected to play Patrick Ewing, and Derek Harper was placed on the injured list for the final two games and Charley Ward activated.

There would be nothing to gain with Ewing and Harper playing in a game without playoff implications, the Knicks having secured the home court in Round 2 of the playoffs with a come-from-be-hind 91-86 victory over the Hornets Thursday at Charlotte Coliseum. "There's nothing else we can gain at all," Riley said. "We're in a locked position." Ewing played just 19 minutes against the Hornets after reaggravating a slightly strained left hamstring, first hurt in practice Wednesday. After straining it with two minutes left in the first quarter, Ewing tried to play on it in the second period and after halftime-, but was too immo- better fighter now than when he first won the title in 1973. "That Foreman was all about power and rage," he said.

"And I know how to fight someone with power and rage." Tyson wasn't listening. In a prelim, Danny Romero of Albuquerque tries to become first American flyweight champion in 60 years with a challenge of Francisco Teje-dor of Colombia for the IBF 112-pound title. Fiery James Toney, who's dumping Jackie Kallen as manager, fired grand old Bill Miller as trainer and replaced him with Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. Lonnie Bradley, 20-0 three-time Daily News Golden Gloves champ from Harlem, gets easy David Men-dez, 15-6 from Mexico, in battle for vacant WBO middleweight title May 19 at Forum in Inglewood, Calif. right hand, except it's weaker than a jab," according to Hall of Fame trainer Gil Clancy.

Schulz, 21-1-1 against nothing, can't punch and can't move. He's never been off his feet, said his promoter, Ce-drick Kushner, as an amateur or professionally. "The only way he's not getting up," said Kushner, Vis if they nail him to the floor." Kushner, who like Foreman is 46, acknowledged Schulz' best way of winning: "I asked my girlfriend if I was as good as I was when I was 25 she said no." Schulz is only a 6-1 underdog. But aside from cardiac arrest or sudden hardening of the arteries, Foreman's magical mystery tour figures to continue in the fodder-land. "Celebration" is a moveable feast today Vegas, next week New York and in July, probably Germany.

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