Character and persona are two of the most critical elements that form what we call today, a prize fighter.
THE MUTT VS. THE PEDIGREE
April 27, 2006 By Leave a Comment
It was far from a high profile fight on March 31, 2006, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. Two journeyman warriors, 32 year old Bobby Gunn, 15-2 with 12 KO’s, with an amateur history of 130 fights, and Shelby Gross, 33 years old with a record of 16-3 [14] after a Toughman background, met for the vacant IBA cruiserweight title. When fighters at that age and talent level have an opportunity to claim a belt of any kind, it is for them a career defining moment, and possibly a chance to further improve themselves with bigger money fights. Regrettably, the fight became more infamous than illustrious. Neither man was wrapped in glory, the IBA was embarrassed, and the Tennessee boxing commission was left disgraced.
From a Fan’s Perspective
April 21, 2006 By 1 Comment
Whoever says “If boxing’s a stock, then I’d sell it short”, should no longer show any presence in this game.
A Real Sweet Scientist
April 16, 2006 By Leave a Comment
NBA Hall of Famer Rick Barry is said to have such a keen shooting eye that he could detect even the slightest variance to the target. Once, upon entering a visiting arena with his San Francisco Warriors, Barry took a look at the basket and said, “It looks a little low.” A tape measure was produced and, sure enough, the rim was an eighth of an inch below specifications.
Byrd Re-Enters the Danger Zone
April 14, 2006 By Leave a Comment
Chris Byrd is a classic example of one of the nice guys in boxing. A role-model if you will.
And nice guys finish last.
So according to the cliche, perhaps Byrd will soon get his career-defining victory.
Violent Naughtiness
April 10, 2006 By 1 Comment
If Jorge Arce were a hundred pounds heavier and American, he’d be more popular than Mike Tyson.
Instead, as a 112-pound Mexican, Arce is a superfight undercard fixture. While any pay-per-view appearance is good for a prizefighter, especially a flyweight, Arce deserves more. He’s already a celebrity in his native land – by way of a season on Mexico’s “Dancing with the Stars.” He’s not yet more than a cult hero in these United States. But he can get there with a little help.
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Diaz fighting for respect
April 5, 2006 By Leave a Comment
Undefeated challenger Jose Cotto, Caguas, Puerto Rico prepares to challenge WBC Lightweight champion JUAN DIAZ , Houston,Texas for the WBC Lightweight championship in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Saturday, April 8, live on HBO Pay Per View. (Photo by Chris Farina - Top Rank )
Any conversation regarding boxing’s best lightweights will always contain the names Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo and Jesus Chavez.
There’s another lightweight worth discussing, and his name is Juan
“Baby Bull” Diaz of Houston, Texas, otherwise known as the World Boxing Association champion.
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ANGELO
April 3, 2006 By 1 Comment
A cynic might take it as another indictment of boxing that the James S. Farley Award, presented by the Boxing Writers Association of American for “honest and integrity,” hasn’t been presented to anyone since 1996, when the late, great Eddie Futch was honored, and that only six such awards have been distributed since Harry Markson became the inaugural recipient in 1977.
Dont’ blame Sergei and Lamon
April 3, 2006 By Leave a Comment
Next time some expert says boxing continues to drift deeper in the margins of Sport because it has a heavyweight division full of undeserving champions who make dull and inconclusive shows for meaningless trinkets, Sergei Liakhovich and Lamon Brewster can reply, “Not on our watch!”
After the fallout of Rahman-Toney, sportsfans were not ready for what Liakhovich and Brewster did last Saturday night in Cleveland. Because a world championship fight had to be scheduled round collegiate basketball, it may be the case that even some serious fight fans missed the finest heavyweight title bout in years.
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