POUND FOR POUND
(INSIDE BOXING) “Sugar” Shane Mosley recently defeated previously undefeated Shannan Taylor with a superb boxing performance. Dazzling footwork, lightening quick hand speed and a charisma second to none Mosley is simply the best welterweight fighter in the world.
But
there seems to be a quest by champions in all divisions, except the heavyweight,
to lay claim to the imaginary title of “pound for pound”.
This
media invented title has absolutely no merit either in the ring or out. Since
when does one who dominates his division make him a title-holder in any other
class than the one he holds title to?
Lennox
Lewis is the current IBF and WBC heavyweight champion of the world. John Ruiz
holds the title WBA heavyweight champion of the world. Neither of these two
champions has ever uttered the words they are the best “pound for pound”.
There is no need to. They take on all fighters over 190 pounds. There is no
fighter under 190 pounds that could wage a competitive battle with either man.
Why
do the smaller guys so ardently attach the phrase “pound-for-pound”
following their name? To attract both media and public attention allowing the
lower weight classes to come up with a scenario that pay-per-view may
find financially interesting.
We
have all seen a worker ant carry a bug that is seemingly too large back to the
hill. The vision is astonishing, but one would not realistically carry an ant in
the trunk of his car in place of a jack, would he?
Would
one suggest that should “Sugar” Shane Mosley weigh another 100 pounds he
could defeat Lennox Lewis? Perhaps he could. Perhaps Prince Nassem Hamed could
defeat “Sugar” Shane Mosley were he 20 pounds heavier. Roy Jones, Jr.
defeats Lennox Lewis with an added 75 pounds.
There
is no speculation in the world of boxing. The sport allows two combatants the
opportunity to display who is the best by way of entering the ring. That is the
way it has always been and the way it should always be.
The
fictitious title “pound-for-pound” is just another ploy to attract attention
to the smaller weight classes. They do not need any ploy. They currently have
the most exciting, competitive action in professional boxing today. To have
every champion contend that he is the best, and prove it, is sufficient.
We
currently have champions ranging from the strawweight division to the
heavyweight division. They all battle men in their own particular weight class.
They have already shown they are the best “pound-for-pound” by defeating
relative opponents.
To
suggest anything more is ridiculous.
03/12/01