Talk Tough 11-20-04

INSIDE BOXING (November 20, 2004) - Don King’s “Rendezvous With Destiny: Battle for Supremacy” card turned out to be better than most people expected. The main event between WBA champ, John Ruiz and Andrew Golota was more brawling than boxing. Nevertheless it was the most entertaining bout of the night. Golota looked to have done enough to win with two knockdowns in the second round and a point deduction for Ruiz, but the judges had it 114- 111, 113-112, and 114-111 for Ruiz. Golota along with his raucous supporters were dismayed with the results. (For the record there was as much action in the stands as there was in the ring. Golota’s supporters decked out in their red and white attire were their normal drunken, crazy, brawling selves.) According to Compubox statistics, Golota landed more total punches 152-121, at a higher ratio 39% to 30%. His power punch output was also better at 93-84. So add two knockdowns and a point deduction for Ruiz and how did the judges come up with Ruiz as the winner? They were either corrupt or biased. That’s how. IBF champ, Chris Byrd pulled out a close split decision over Jameel McCline. The judges had it 115-112, 114-113 and 112-114. McCline looked good early on knocking Byrd down in the second but ran out of gas in the later rounds. Compubox statistics had Byrd leading in total punches 245-166 at a connect rate of 34% compared to 30%. Byrd made a reported $2.5 million for the win and McCline received $300,000 for his efforts. Hasim Rahman looked sensational with his one-sided beating of Kali Meehan. After being dominated for four rounds Meehan’s corner threw in the towel before the fifth round started. Rahman had an impressive 62% power punch connection rate, landing at will against the outclassed Meehan. After only making $35,000 to Rahman’s $85,000, Meehan will probably go back to his job as a garbage man in Australia. Larry Donald dominated the once indestructible Evander Holyfield with a twelve round decision. Holyfield set a new Compubox record for the lowest amount of punches landed per round in a twelve round fight. He only landed 78 total punches. (That’s only 6.5 per round)

Nicolay Valuev won by a fourth round DQ for low blows over his opponent Gerald Nobles Saturday night in Germany. James Gogue the manager of heavyweight contender Lawrence Clay-Bey informed me Clay-Bey will be the next to face the 7 foot 330lb Valuev. The bout will be held January 22 in Germany. He also said Clay-Bey is in great shape and is experienced fighting 300lb + opponents.

As a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, one of my duties is to vote in the inductees to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. I’ve been doing research on the 44 former boxers that are on the “Modern Category” ballot and have to choose ten. After all of the ballots are tabulated, the top four will be announced in January. The induction will be next June in Canastota, New York. I feel it is an honor and a privilege to assist in such a monumental decision.