In his salad days billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian boxed as an amateur under the name "Rifle Right Kerkorian." When it comes to fighting with GM, it appears that Mr. Right has decided to stay in his corner. Apparently his rope-a-dope strategy to gain control of GM wasn't working and he had little desire for a slugfest with the struggling but still strong auto giant.

Billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian sold his stake in General Motors Corp. after deciding that he did not want to participate in a lengthy fight with management for control of the world's biggest car maker, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal. "I like to gamble," the newspaper said Kerkorian told his adviser, Terry Christensen. "But I stop gambling when there's no chance to win." Kerkorian had built up a 9.9 percent stake in GM and agitated for an accelerated turnaround at the company. Some analysts had expected him to mount a proxy fight for control of GM rather than cash out of his stake. Kerkorian had been involved with GM for 19 months. "I'm happy with it," the Journal said he told advisers about his investment. "Let's move on."

Okay, so this was the kind of fight where you get paid handsomely if you win or lose the bout. I can understand Rifle Right's decision - why leave the ring all busted up when you can live to fight another day, when you can have a pay-per-view rematch? Still, I have a feeling that the Rocky of investors wouldn't have gone out like this. Adrienne!

Disclosure: I own shares in GM.