The best unintentionally humorous quote I read about the fight, so far, was in Dan Rafael’s ESPN.com article breaking the news of this fight remaining on life support, as long as the two combatants continue to breathe. John Wirt, the CEO of Jones’ promotional company, stated. "We’re ecstatic that the fight was made and we’re looking forward to a great event. This fight will establish once and for all who is the better fighter between Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones Jr.” What!? I would venture a guess that this fight only tells us which fighter has aged better. In 2008, a 44-year old Jeff Fenech defeated a 49-year old Azumah Nelson (their third meeting, which is something I do not rule out for Hopkins and Jones) 16 years after their second fight. That told us what about the boxers in their respective primes? It’s like re-judging a Miss America contest sixty years later. The magic is gone.
Note to public: Roy Jones was knocked out in the first round of his last fight.
Note to self: Hire Bernard Hopkins as my accountant if this PPV makes money for anyone but him and Roy.
I do have one suggestion if this promotion goes forth. Make Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s “Glory Days” the official song.
Does the last sentence say more about my age or lack of musical sophistication?
In related 1990s news, John Ruiz is still fighting and has just been signed by Golden Boy Promotions; which makes sense. Ruiz can’t sit on the toilet without crapping out a title shot, and Golden Boy has a promotional interest in WBA champ David Haye, whose number one contender just happens to be John Ruiz.
I read that the WBA, WBC and IBF had a meeting in Cancun to begin working together more. My guess is they had their conference in Mexico so two other alphabet organizations could not attend their little get-together . Namely, the IRS and FBI.
One of the subjects on the alphabet bandits’ agenda was a new “super heavyweight” division. Great, another reason for fat heavyweights to indulge their obesity. I assume chunksters Chris Arreola and Odlanier Solis have already put on additional weight to qualify, and have asked to be matched for the new title. Boxing needs this about as much as a third Klitschko brother.
Golden Boy Promotions entered a strategic alliance with Amir Khan, to help promote the rising English star around the world. Would it be wrong to refer to this as their latest “Khan job”?
I heard Manny Pacquiao relented in one part of the negotiations for the Mayweather fight, stroking Mayweather’s ego by allowing the promotion to go forth with Mayweather’s name listed first on the marquee. I hope Mayweather still fights on March 13th, and that his bout will be a PPV feature as well. I suggest that whoever gets the most PPV buys on that date gets their name listed as the headliner if this pair fights in the fall. If Mayweather is confident of his popularity and drawing power he would be agreeable to this idea. No?
“Pac-Man” arrived in Los Angeles Sunday evening. No truth the rumor that he was in such good shape that he decided to swim over.
Better not tell Floyd Mayweather Jr. that little Pacquiao joke. He would probably believe it, and hatch some kind of conspiracy theory around it.
Word is that Antonio Margarito will make his return to the ring, if he is cleared from his suspension, on the Pacquiao undercard at Dallas Cowboys stadium. This is very bad news for any potential opponent…since concealed weapons are legal in Texas.
I keep reading about the fight in Uganda between Evander Holyfield and Frans Botha, which is to be held at Nelson Mandela Memorial Stadium. I would like to point out one thing to whoever formulated that press release for the boxing world. In order for a stadium to be called a “memorial” stadium, the person for whom it is dedicated has to be dead. Nelson Mandela is still very much alive, and the subject of the recent movie, “Invictus,” as well. It is only Holyfield’s and Botha’s careers for which the word “memorial” is fitting.
I was shocked when Maxboxing’s Steve Kim reported that Don King will have three shows in March. Don King is still involved in boxing?
Ricky Hatton confirmed he will return to the boxing ring in 2010; stating in a press release, “I sat down and listened to the concerns of my close family and friends, and, to my fans, I think I still have a lot to offer boxing and after thinking long and hard over many soul-searching months, I made the decision to return to the ring.” This news was received with applause in the Mayweather household. Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Sr. can now team up to defeat Hatton again in 2010. You know, instead of doing it separately like last time.
In other Mayweather crime news, prosecutors in Las Vegas have been given the green light for a trial against former champion and current trainer, Roger Mayweather to face assault charges alleged by a female boxer he used to train. If he does go to jail, the part of Roger Mayweather on “Pacquiao - Mayweather 24/7” will be played by Flavor Flav.
Mike Tyson was part of the WWE’s “Monday Night RAW” wrestling show on the USA network last Monday. It looked like he had a good time, except for when he could not rip his shirt down the middle as planned. It’s a shame that is the only way a boxer can get on that network anymore.
There was a marathon of Muhammad Ali bouts on ESPN Classic this weekend. It was also Ali’s 75th birthday on Sunday. No correlation though, it seems that Ali fights are the only bouts they chose to repeat on that network, over and over and over and over. Why did ESPN buy a vast library of fights (reported to be over 15,000) a decade ago, for a reported 100 million dollars, only to show .00001% of them? Thank God ESPN switches up every weekend, and continues to air “The Best of Butterbean.”
On a real joyous note, Showtime’s Nick Charles returns to his microphone beginning with the January 29th Edition of “ShoBox.” The announcer took a leave of absence after it was discovered he was suffering from bladder cancer. Taking his cue from the men he covers, Charles valiantly battled the cancer and with the cancer in remission, he is ready to return to his spot in the booth. Welcome back, Champ!
A couple of thoughts on the two televised fight cards last Friday and Saturday:
As much as I like former American Olympian Demetrius Andrade, 9-0 (7), is how much I hate the opposition his team lines up for him to knock over. Take a look at Europe to see how it should be done. This Saturday, a heavyweight prospect named Robert Helenius (a boxer from Finland who did not even qualify for the Olympics) is fighting former WBO champion Lamon Brewster. It will be Helenius’ tenth pro fight! And we wonder why European heavyweights are kicking our butts?
I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing. But, once again, the ESPN studio show was just as interesting and entertaining as the actual fights.
Truthfully, I have no problem with Vanes Martirosyan and Diego Magdaleno being awarded decision victories by the judges on the scorecards. But the width of the scoring, in no way, reflected the competitiveness of the fights. If those judges had their way, World War II would have been called a draw.
Anyone else think Juan Burgos looks a little like a young Erik Morales?
Not only does it look like Diego Magdaleno was emulating Hector Camacho Sr.’s ring style, I think he broke into his closet and stole a pair of his trunks as well.
O.K, it is not the return of John Madden and Pat Summerall, but it is fantastic to see Rich Marotta and Barry Tompkins back calling fights. The pair have a great rapport, and it was sad to see boxing supporters like Marotta and Tompkins out of the loop and without a weekly voice in the sport. Only one ingredient is missing to make this a triple threat team: Sean O’Grady.
Is it too much to hope for a Brian Kenny/Max Kellerman studio team reunion?
Boxers giving more than punches to the head
Those who remember this series from a couple years ago know that I like to end “Odd Angles” with a feel-good story. Here, I point out someone in the boxing community, a boxer or someone else in our midst, helping others. Every week, I had no problem finding such a story, and it remains that way in 2010. Earlier in this article, I poked fun at John Ruiz, but he is a class act outside the ring and one of boxing’s good guys. Last week, Ruiz returned home to Boston. He agreed to lend is name to a local boxing promotion, and also appeared at the Muscle Team 2010 fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Ruiz told local media, “I’m really looking forward to the MDA fundraiser, because it’s for such a good cause. If my being there helps just one sick child, it’s certainly something I’ll enjoy. I enjoy supporting local shows and fighters, so it’s going to be fun attending the CES show at The Roxy, where I fought a long time ago.” Thanks, Champ!
