Thursday, May 15, 2003 | 9:36 a.m.
At 6-foot-3 and 340 pounds, Eric Pele is an imposing figure.
Throw in the Samoan tribal tattoos that adorn his face, neck and arms, and he is accustomed to people side-stepping him.
"I don't notice it," Pele said of how he is perceived in public. "But my girl, she always looks at other people's reactions. It all depends on what side of town we're on."
On Friday night, the Las Vegas resident plans to draw much more attention for his abilities on canvas than for the ink on his body.
Pele, 33, will participate in the first sporting event at the new $70-million, 8,500-seat Orleans Arena, a "King of the Cage" full-contact fighting card that will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Pele, 7-2, will receive $6,000 for battling Jimmy Ambriz for the "King" super heavyweight belt and hopes a victory will launch him to the Japanese ultimate-fighting circuit, where he could fetch $50,000 per fight.
Pele would consider the Ultimate Fighting Championships, the popular full-contact league that regularly stages events in Las Vegas. However, the UFC has a 265-pound weight limit.
"I'd have to lose 100 pounds," he said. "That's asking a lot, because I like my sushi."
Born in Redondo Beach, Calif., and raised in the Bay Area, Pele's pedigree led him to the ring. His father boxed in the U.S. Navy, and he said two older brothers competed in Golden Gloves.
Pele wrestled in high school and college, then attended an art institute and pursued that career in various capacities. That experience led him to becoming a tattoo artist, and he works at Diversity, on the Strip near the Stratosphere.
Pele, who took a monthlong leave from work to prepare for Friday, said he toiled for years on the designs for the tattoos on his face and neck, waiting until he turned 30 to have them etched into his skin.
"I waited to see what lifestyle I would pursue," he said. "I tell everyone that I live my life as an artist and I express myself through my art. I'm not concerned by what everyone else thinks or what society says.
"And this doesn't look 'ghetto' or funky. It's very traditional."
After regaining his interest in wrestling in 1998, local jujitsu instructor John Lewis and UNLV boxing coach Skip Kelp helped him hone an all-around fighting arsenal. Marvin Eastman, a UFC competitor, also has been instrumental.
"This guy only goes about 215 (pounds), but he's on my (rear)," Pele said. "He really inspires me and truly shows that he believes in me. I really have to thank him, because it's hard for me to find workout partners.
"If I can take that belt Friday, I'll have good leverage to negotiate (in Japan). Opportunities will come. For me, I just like to test myself. It's nothing personal. I just like to compete against someone else, then we can have a beer and say, 'Man, good fight.' "
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