Brothers Klitschko
By Rick Folstad
The dance card of the
Klitschko boys has dwindled down to just a handful of names: Tommy Morrison,
Floyd Patterson, Don Curry, Don Quixote, the Marx Brothers and John Wayne, but
only if the Duke is really dead. Buster Douglas? Sure, if the fight's held in
the Ukraine.
U.S. - Russian relations have never been so peaceful.
The next time Wladimir or Vitali walks into a bar
looking for a fight, don't grab your beer or worry about scrambling for the
door. They're only joking. The last thing they want to do is get in a rumble.
At least that's the word from America Presents.
According to Fred Sternburg, the Klitschkos and their people are ducking every
opponent AP throws at them. The latest offer was Freeda Foreman, 16-ounce gloves
and two cases of Smirnoff Vodka. But they're not buying it.
``Vait a minute,'' says Vitali when he realizes
Freeda's dad is the former heavyweight champion of the world. ``Vhat are you
trying to pull on us?''
Yeah, it'd be a risky fight for the
Russians.
So far, Dan Goossen of America Presents
claims the Klitschko's promoter - Peter Kohl - has turned down fights with an
aging Ray Mercer, a suspect Fres Oquendo, and a dangerous Mount Whitaker.
``Mr. Kohl demanded options on Whitaker and Oquendo that
exceeded 12 months, a violation of the Ali act,'' Goossen said. ``As to Mr.
Kohl's assertion that we're hiding behind high purse demands, that's simply not
true. We will not violate the Ali Act.''
One thing about the fight game. Unless your last name is
Duran or Camacho Sr., your career should be relatively short. There aren't a lot
of mental giants or rich men in boxing's 20-year club. This is the kind of
profession where it's best to get in, move up, fight the best opponents you can,
make some money and get out. The window of opportunity is small. When it opens,
you've got to take advantage of it.
But the Klitschko's seem to be ignoring the
opening. They've grown content with winning the prestigious WBO heavyweight
title. Apparently, the WBA, WBC and IBF titles are too fraught with legitimate
contenders.
And it's not like the Klitschko's don't have the
experience. Vitali has had 30 pro fights (29-1 with 28 KOs) and Wladimir has had
37 (36-1, 33 KOs). That's a lot of fights. But at some point, you have to
jump in and swim with the sharks, prove your legitimacy, take a chance. Because
after 30 fights, you're not going to get any better. Now is the time they should
be fighting the best, not a year from now. The clock is ticking. If they're
waiting for more money, it may be a long, foolish wait. And you don't get paid
for sitting on your wallet, asking for more.
Mercer? He'd be a sweet win on anyone's resume. He was
the original Klitschko rejectee, the guy Vitali decided not to fight. But who
can blame Val? There are still a lot of Peter McNeeley's out there waiting to
get beat.
Mercer, meanwhile, is like the tough guy from another
part of town who comes into your neighborhood wearing someone else's colors.
He's got a mean grin and a huge chip on his shoulder and he'll fight anyone on
the block. He'll steal your girlfriend and dare you to try and take her
back.
Vitali is telling him he can have her.
According to Sternburg, when they asked Mercer who he
wanted to fight next, he told them ``Klitschko.'' And he didn't care which one.
``Hell,'' Mercer said. ``I'll take them both on - in any
order and on the same night.''
Pay attention, Vitali. Mercer knows what the fight game
is all about.