In the midst of pure pandemonium last Saturday night after the Campbell/Bradley debacle, Gary Shaw was asked would he give Campbell a rematch? As Shaw began shuffling his feet on the issue, Don King responded in saying that Shaw was being unfair, and he completed his sentence by saying, "THAT KIND OF STUFF IS THE REASON WHY OUR SPORT IS LOSING FANS TO MMA"! Love him or hate him, there have never been more true words spoken in the sport, as boxing continues to deliver more fires than the powers-that-be can put out. The fights that go the distance often get unfair endings based on judges who play politics. The fights that are stopped early are often premature or in the minds of cynics, pre-determined. The progress of the sport is truly an arrested development, and as political as the game can be, unfortunately, boxing is one of the few things that somehow failed to make the Obama bailout list. (pun intended). Dealing in simple logic, the reason the sport can't get beyond the nasty politics is quite simple and can found in a rhetorical question. Why can't boxing rise UP above the politics? Well, because it's run by the 'birds' (vultures), and we know most birds fly south!
Pacquiao: Shot At History Still A Mystery
News from the Philippines over the last 24 hours is that the sports P4P King, Manny Pacquiao, and his legal staff are all but set to explore other options, relative to what other fights may exist in wake of broken down negotiations with Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto. The fight was announced approximately 3 weeks ago, but trouble is, Arum is the only one that agreed to the terms. Exact money to be allocated to each man is still up in the air, weight, as well as the availability of Cotto's WBO strap, which is essential for Pacquiao to break history in becoming the only man in the sport to win 7 world titles in 7 different weight classes. Cotto doesn't seem fazed by the threats to break the fight off, and is reportedly prepared to consider other opponents as well. According to statements made by Team Pacquiao members in the past, Mosley isn't the "preferred" option, and could present the toughest test of all; while a Mayweather fight won't come easy. When it all boils down, Pacquiao may indeed need to concede SOMETHING, or his bid to make history could in fact be history.
Campbell/Bradley: Caused By A Headbutt....Even The 'Blind' Could See!
Last weekends Campbell/Bradley showdown left a bitter taste in the mouths of fight fans around the globe. Those on Bradley's side of the ledger were just happy he was awarded the nod, while those on Campbell's side feel the outcome was unjust. No matter how anyone from either side slices it, the facts are the facts, and when we review those facts, they add up. Fact Check --- Were there multiple (and visible) headbutts before the fight ended?....Check.....The injury to Campbell's eye was caused by a headbutt, not a punch?....Check...The fight was stopped as a result of the injury which it has now been confirmed as being caused by a headbutt?....Check! Based on those three facts, there is no way to logically conclude anything other than this fight being ruled a "NO DECISION". The unfortunate humor here is that even the blindman (Campbell) saw them, but the ref on duty acted as if he didn't. A very funny scenario with a not-so-funny ending.
Klitschko/Arreola: Old-School Meets New-School
For the longest times, the heavyweight division has been the laughing stock of the sport, but suddenly, the plot thickens. After the Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield era, the more recent champs have been so low-key that few even recognize it as an official 'era'. As that group of successors find themselves getting a bit older, a new breed has stepped into the game, led by Mexican Arreola, the U.K.'s David Haye, and America's 'Fast' Eddie Chambers. Among the first to get a stab at the heavyweight's silent era champions is Mexican-American Chris Arreola, who is far better than his pudgy figure indicates. The fight is scheduled to take place in L.A.'s Staples Center, and if Arreola has his way, Pacquiao won't be the only fighter going for history. With a win, Arreola would become the first ever heavyweight champion in the sport with Mexican heritage. Despite the fight being in his hometown, Arreola knows this feat won't come easy. He says he's ready, but when the spotlight hits and everyone from neighbors to high school sweethearts watch at the edge of their seats, can the young pup hang with the big dogs? Time will tell.
Jr. Welterweight Division: One Loaded Deck, Too Many Aces
The welterweight division has long been the deepest in the sport. The middle/super-middleweight ranks have gotten pretty deep, but it's the 'little guys' who have recently started to make big statements. From Amir Khan, to Marcos Maidana, to Timothy Bradley, to Devon Alexander, and a host of others; the once wide open division is now standing room only and if you aren't living life on the edge in this division, you're probably taking up too much space. Elder-statesman Cambpell's entrance didn't quite go the way he would have liked, but with an appeal process pending, he may be one of the few exceptions to the rule that says "you never get a second chance to make a first impression". With or without him in the mix, clearly, the budding talent on staff will give fight fans much to anticipate in the future. All the debris lifted from the sudden impact of these men make it hard to see the future, but when the smoke clears, it'll be interesting to see who's the last man standing.
Hatton Still Feeling Aftershocks
Ricky Hatton appears to be highly undecided about his future in the sport according to recent reports. After watching the gradual decline of him in the ring, followed by the subsequent decline of his psychology outside of it, some would say (and I whole-heartedly agree) that the writing is on the wall, and we're not in Berlin. In other words, this wall won't be coming down any time soon. Consider this....After the Mayweather loss, Hatton said he was deeply affected to the point that he "cried like a woman for months". After the Pacquiao loss, he has stated that the mere "sight of seeing a younger fighter knocked out gives him the shivers" and that he basically can't handle watching it. In a sport that requires you to literally fall 7 times and stand up 8, a deep rooted fear of touching the canvass is an appeal-less conviction without chance of parole. Hatton has been a great asset to the sport and his only losses have come against the two most recent P4P kings, but with much money made and little else to prove, perhaps Hatton should save his brain cells from the endless beatings in the sport by remaining SHARP and simply asking himself what's the POINT?
Joshua Clottey Feelin' Pretty 'Sweet' About Mosley
The WBA has recently rated Ghanaian native Joshua Clottey the #1 challenger to Shane Mosley's strap and as a result, Mosley isn't the only one feeling 'sweet' now days. Clottey has gone public in telling the California native that he "can no longer hide", and also reminding his countrymen that he will soon bring a title home. Trouble is, for a fighter who has had his fair share of struggles relative to pulling the curtains on marquee fighters, one can only wonder if this is the beginning of bigger things, or simply the beginning of the end for Clottey. His skill level is unquestionable and his heart is golden, but if he doesn't deliver on the big stage again, there will be no silver-lining for good ole Josh!
The New 'Money' Mayweather: Caught Up, Locked Down
In life, it often pays to be a master to ones emotions, not a slave to them. For Roger Mayweather, apparently it's a bit easier for him to teach a pupil to harness his emotions than it was for him to harness his own. After being caught up in an unfortunate event that saw Mayweather get lost in those emotions, the possibility exist that it may result in him being locked down for a bit. With nephew Floyd gearing up for a comeback war against Marquez, despite Papa Mayweather waiting in the wings, this could be a starting point of chemistry related issues that affect Team Mayweather in a big way. Not all the details have surfaced in the matter, but all indications say that Mayweather may end up behind bars when the smoke finally clears. A previous conviction of a similar nature may solidify that unlucky fate, but if Mayweather is able to employ a 'slick defense' like his nephew has in the ring, perhaps the remnants can be lowered down to a simmer after an out of court settlement. Those 'Benjamins' always did have a way of making things just go away.
(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, Youtube (Vivek1251), and www.vivekwallace.com)
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