Witherspoon Is Booed, but Gains Split Decision

LAS VEGAS —  Former heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon won a disputed split decision over Larry Alexander in a lackluster fight Friday night marred by repeated holding by both fighters.

The decision was loudly booed by the crowd at Bally’s hotel casino, which jeered the former two-time champion repeatedly during the 10-round contest.

The fight was Witherspoon’s first in 11 months and only his fourth since losing the World Boxing Assn.’s version of the title in a December 1986 first-round knockout to James (Bonecrusher) Smith.

Witherspoon took Friday’s fight as the first step toward a possible title bout against Mike Tyson, but he appeared out of shape at 228 pounds and was unable to land with any frequency against Alexander.

Judge Paul Smith had Witherspoon winning, 96-94, and Lou Tabat had him ahead, 98-92. Judge Chuck Giampa had Alexander winning, 96-94, while the Associated Press scored the fight 96-96.

The 31-year-old Witherspoon, of Philadelphia, ran his record to 29-3. He earned $10,000 plus $5,000 in training expenses.

Alexander, 232 pounds, of White Plains, N.Y., fell to 32-13-2 as he lost his third straight.