by GABRIEL MORENCY

When Dingaan Thobela and Otis Grant step into the ring this Saturday at the Bell Centre, many casual boxing fans will see the fight as two former world champions who are past their prime, hanging on too long, as so many in this vicious sport do. Two middle-aged fighters looking to rekindle their old glories and maybe get one last payday and live happily ever after, which rarely happens in a world that is colder than Jonquière in mid-February.

While boxing's transgressions could make Satan himself blush, no sport is more willing to forgive and forget than the sweet science. No sport is more willing to give its participants a second, third and even fourth chance to earn a living, even when they're a danger to themselves and to others around them, in and out of the ring.

One fighter who will be looking for a second chance this Saturday will be Otis Grant. You see, Otis is a former WBO middle-weight champion who has not fought in over five years. But in his case, it's not because he was incarcerated for sexual assault or forcible confinement, or shot anybody, or bit off someone's ear. It's because he was involved in a near-fatal car accident that left him in a coma for two days, after he swerved his car to the side to absorb the impact of an oncoming motorist to protect his child and fellow Montreal pugilist Hercules Kyvelos, who were also injured in the crash.

Sounds like movie of the week material, doesn't it? Then why won't the Bell Centre be filled up this Saturday? Because while styles may make fights, it's the thugs who sell tickets, even in a holier-than-thou society that is quicker than a Floyd Mayweather Jr. combination to condemn the Tysons and Hiltons of the world for their actions, yet lines up like junkies at a methadone clinic to watch the human train wrecks on Pay-Per-View. But while the saying goes that nice guys finish last, win or lose this Saturday, the mere fact that Otis "Magic" Grant will once again be standing in the ring will prove otherwise.

Pugilistic Prognosticator

Local fight fans know Dingaan "The Rose of Soweto" Thobela well. He has fought and lost here to both David Hilton (in a controversial decision) and Eric Lucas (in a decisive beating), both of which were world title bouts. The former two-time champion of the world has clearly seen better days and is on the downside of a once promising 40-10-2 (26 KO) career.

While Grant, 31-2-1 (18 KO) hasn't fought in over five years, and undoubtedly will have lost some of his previous speed, he is stronger than ever and will still have the ring smarts he has always used so well.

One thing he won't have, however, is longtime trainer and mentor Russ Anber; in a surprising, financially motivated decision, Anber was replaced by Otis's brother Howard. While Anber's absence probably won't be a factor in this fight, you have to believe that if Grant wants to regain the hardware, he would be well served to have "The Coach" back in his corner, alongside his brother.

Prediction

Decision - Grant.

Random Rage

The coolest game on earth takes on a new meaning this Saturday, when the Habs and Oilers face off in the league's first ever outdoor game in Deadmonton's Commonwealth Stadium.

While it's hard to find anything not to like about the idea, you get the feeling that the real main event of the day is the alumni game that will see the likes of Wayne Gretzky, Guy Lafleur, Steve Shutt and Jari Kurri lace them up one last time. With today's sorry, sad state of play, some of these "old-timers" could still put up enough numbers earn multi-million dollar contracts and the good life that comes with it. Don't believe me? Then go ask Joey Juneau or Patrice Brisebois or Donald Audette. Believe me now?

Puck Picks

Nov. 22
Ottawa at Pittsburgh: Ottawa
Toronto at Vancouver: Vancouver
Montreal at Edmonton: Montreal

Sports Rage is vented weeknights 11 p.m.-2 a.m. on TEAM 990 AM. Comments: sportsrage@team990.com