REFLECTIONS... THE YEAR 2000
(INSIDE BOXING) The year 2000 provided some of the most fantastic professional prize fights in recent memory. Not only did we see the arrival of new talented stars, but the supposed "draws" of certain weight divisions were shown to support the phrase "don’t believe the hype".
Oscar De La Hoya, the once "Golden Boy", no longer has the passion to enter the ring. This after suffering back-to-back defeats at the hands of both Felix "Tito" Trinidad and "Sugar" Shane Mosley. Legal problems involving the mother of his young daughter and promoter Bob Arum have forced De La Hoya to a singing career. His first CD was such a hit that De La Hoya decided to make a comeback of sorts. Firing some staff members of "Team De La Hoya" and adding new ones such as Floyd Mayweather, Sr., hopes are that he can re-establish himself as one of the world’s best. Good luck!
Paul Spadafora, "The Pittsburgh Kid", was touted by some as the best in the lightweight division. In reality he is the poster boy for what is wrong in boxing. His battle with weight is not a problem. He continues to walk around weighing 160-170 pounds but loses some 30-40 pounds enabling him to fight in the lightweight division that has a 135 pound limit. Not only is this unhealthy, but dangerous! His retirement years will have him reflect on the "sacrifice" he makes now by advising young boxers of the effects suffered later in life for such foolishness.
Any State Boxing Commission truly concerned with the health and safety of boxers as a whole will schedule weigh-ins 8 hours before fight time. I know, there is the inherent danger of a bout being cancelled, but this will demand promoters do more than promote the fight. They will be held accountable for every aspect concerning the bout. This will rid us of the shady promoter and allow the boxers to be as safe as can be reasonably assured. Promoter and Commission both should be held accountable for the fighters well-being. Rules now dictate a fighter who was KO’d in his last fight must be cleared by a certified physician before re-entering the ring. It would be very simple to have a physician check both scheduled combatants, before any promotions are done, giving reasonable assurances that both are healthy and weight loss will not be detrimental to either. Is this too much to ask?
Paul Ingle seems to be responding to treatment after his tragic accident in the ring. Brain damage seems possible after he took a savage beating in what some observers said was despicable. This revived the call for the sport of boxing to be banned in certain corners. Once again, the boxers health and safety should be the major concern. Responsibility for tragedies such as this are equally shared by Promoter, Commission and the individual fighters corner. A speedy recovery to Paul Ingle. Let’s hope lessons are learned from his injuries.
Fight of the year honors go to Felix Trinidad vs Fernando Vargas. This fight had everything from low blows to knockdowns. In the end the superiority of Trinidad would not be denied as he put Vargas on the canvas in the 12th and final round 3 times. The fight was stopped as all in attendance could see the game Vargas would not quit. The good judgement used by this referee prevented any serious injury to Vargas. This is a good example of where a boxer sometimes has to be saved from himself.
Marco Antonio Barrera vs Erik Morales…Jose Luis Castillo vs Stevie Johnston…"Sugar" Shane Mosley vs Oscar De La Hoya. These were great fights in the year 2000. Controversial decisions made for an even more exciting anticipation of what will come next year.
Joe Calzaghe, Acelino Freitas, Diego Corrales and Kostya Tszyu dominated the limelight as boxers who are not as much interested in resting on their laurels as in taking on all comers. These guys are not afraid to get in the ring and see who the best man is.
There are many other boxers in this category. Let’s see if they "come out" in 2001 or join Oscar De La Hoya and Prince Naseem Hamed as guys who have chosen (or should choose) new careers…now that the plot has thickened.
One final thought. ESPN provided some real nice Friday Night Fights during the past year. But the constant blabbing by Max Kellerman was a detriment to the broadcast. Teddy Atlas provides fantastic insight as to what he feels each fighter needs to do in order to control the fight. Kellerman, age 27, seems to feel threatened by the expertise brought by Atlas and vigorously disagrees to the point of argument. Teddy Atlas is one of the most respected trainers of all time. That is presumably why ESPN brought him on board. Kellerman should be reigned in by producers and give fight commentary and leave all other aspects of the broadcast alone. His personal volleys are boring and make him look real stupid. That’s part of being 27 years old. He has obvious historical boxing insight. Now he must learn to sometimes listen instead if speak.
Here’s wishing a healthy, safe and Happy New Year to all from INSIDE BOXING.