Marred by his brief reigns as a world champion, consistency isn’t the best term to describe Manuel Medina . Yet longevity suits well for the slimy veteran who began his career more than twenty years ago and still remain in the elite end of spectrum of world class boxing.
Known as ‘Mantecas’ (Spanish translation for ‘Butter’), the Tijuana-native is the only man ever to capture the featherweight crown on five separate outings.
Next Wednesday, he gets a chance to add another championship belt (or two) on his resume when he takes on the reigning IBO Super Featherweight Titlist Cassius Baloyi of South Africa for the vacant IBF Super Featherweight Title.
Dating back to his first title win in ’91 when he outpointed Troy Dorsey, Medina has turned the clock in his favor to do it again and again and again plus two.
His slick and awkward movement often befuddled his opponents and despite his lack of punching power, his peppering jabs and long reach enabled him to best the likes of Tom Johnson, Alejandro Gonzalez, Hector Lizarraga, Frankie Toledo (twice), and Scott Harrison.
In a span of thirteen years starting from ’91 to ’03, Medina has engaged in twenty world title bouts, winning ten, all by decisions. Ten of his fourteen losses obviously came within world title bouts.
In contrast to other world champions today, Medina displayed sheer guts and exemplified glory for all means. As one of the few world champions who fought on foreign soils, Medina feared no one including the hard punching Prince Naseem Hamed and Luisito Espinoza.
His similarities in spirit trace back to the likes of fellow featherweights and super featherweights Brian Mitchell and Azumah Nelson who often traveled to their opponents’ home turf. And appropriately so, Medina has earned the reputation of a bonafide Road Warrior.
The difference between the three? Medina is still around.
LIKE MIKE? NOT QUITE.
Could Manuel Medina and Michael Jordan possibly share any similarities? In terms of winning world championships, it wouldn’t be all that inept to compare the two. Jordan, who won a total of six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls, is without a doubt the greatest man to ever step a foot inside the basketball court. Medina might not even be the best fighter from his country let alone the best fighter from his weight class, but he’ll stand tall in the record books as the only man to ever win the featherweight title on five separate occasions.
Perhaps Robert Horry would be a more suitable comparison. Horry, an underrated clutch player without a single All-Star appearance, is among the very few who’s won more than six world championships. Despite his short-term stay in various teams, he rose to the occasion in those crucial fourth quarter clutch-plays.
But as was the case for Horry, Medina might not be an all-star.
However, for those who couldn’t capture that world title, Medina made it look easier than anyone else has.
For a moment you could play and shine like Jordan. But for what it’s worth, I’d much rather play like Robert Horry than Harold Miner.
SOUTH AFRICAN INVASION
Several weeks ago, South Africa’s Isaac Hlatshwayo would upset America ‘s Nate Campbell via well earned split decision in Nate’s home state of Florida . Next week, Hlatswhayo’s former opponent and fellow countryman flies over to the state of Washington taking on the Mexican veteran.
Baloyi, trained by the aforementioned world champion himself, Brian Mitchell, is a well schooled boxer and is among the best products of his country in recent years . In the South Africa , Baloyi is the country’s version of Floyd Mayweather. Although a notch or two below the Pretty Boy in the talent department, ‘The Shy Guy’ as they call him, is a respectable force in the lower weight division . And to his acclaim, he’s a three division world champion, having held minor titles above the 118lbs. mark up to the 130lb. division.
Contrasting styles, Baloyi might carry the advantage in terms of age and size, having fought his last six bouts at 130 pounds. He’s also been with the best products of his country, including Phillip N’Dou, Mbukelo Botile, Isaac Hlatshwayo, and Lethlo Ledwaba.
For Medina, now at age thirty-five, the time might leave him hanging. But if you remember all those Friday the 13th movies, it took about twelve sequels plus a spin-off to finally get rid of the hockey-masked serial killer named Jason.
In the end, Jason’s reign came to end by the evil spirit of Freddy Krueger. But this is boxing and reality.
Medina just wants to end it with another world title and he might just pull it off, AGAIN.
Should he prevail, his trip to Canastota is a done deal. Of course, that’s if his invitation isn’t already sealed at the moment.
FINAL TILT
Boxing can’t be boxing without our continuing controversy. Last Saturday, Rocky Juarez would initially EARN a draw against Marco Antonio Barrera, but only to lose via split-decision after an error was discovered in the scorecard. Many have brought this up and this has happened on more than a few occasions, but is it all that difficult to add up a scorecard? Imagine if it happened to last night’s episode finale of American Idol? Anthony Mundine is best boring fighter in the game . The former rugby star might be dreadful in terms of providing action, but his talent is simply undeniable. Oh and that’s the last time I pick Danny Green in a significant fight. Emmanuel Augustu who? Wednesday night proved to be a dog’s day for Martinus Clay (12-12-1) who would upset Matt Vanda via eight-round split decision on the undercard of Briggs-Koval in New York. I’ve seen Clay a couple of times at the Ballroom Show in Glen Burnie, MD and I must say he’s the best fighter I’ve seen with an even .500 mark. It’s bit of a relief for the East Coast when the Spurs were knocked off by the Mavericks in the conference semi-finals. Give me Phoenix against Dallas and I’ll take Miami to win the Eastern Conference. Heat or the Suns, the hotter team should prevail.