A Win Without Fighting

bradley13Timothy Bradley was not the only fighter to receive a boost from his victory of the great Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday night. In an indirect, but very real way, Manny Pacquiao also benefited from the outcome of the fight.

Marquez is Pacquiao’s biggest rival, and the man against whom he shall be most often judged. Fighters are measured against their greatest opponents. But the analysis does not end with a simple stat listing what the two men have done against each other. Evander Holyfield lost his trilogy to Riddick Bowe. When their careers are seen in the bigger picture, however, Holyfield is a clear Hall-of-Famer, while Bowe is thought of as a very good fighter who had held the title.

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Klitschko vs. Povetkin vs. Apathy

wladimir2How many people who don’t frequent boxing websites are aware that the Heavyweight Championship of the World will be contested mid-day Saturday? The prize once regarded as the greatest in all of sport will be on the line when Wladimir Klitschko faces Alexander Povetkin in Moscow, Russia. Beyond the traditional significance attached to such an event, another element adds even greater intrigue to the story: history. As Klitschko adds days and numbers to his impressive time as champion he more securely solidifies his place among the sport’s greats.

But, again, who will notice?

If HBO’s Saturday fight schedule were a theatrical production, this heavyweight fight would be nothing but the supporting cast member—resting in the shadow of aging star, Miguel Cotto.

But is it really the case that no one cares; or is it simply that Americans don’t care? Wladimir and his brother Vitali have no problem selling out arenas in Europe. They are loved in their native home of Ukraine and their adopted home of Germany.

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Vera’s Time Might Not Come Again

chavez300 This past Saturday night Brian Vera was robbed of his big fight and his big chance in a sport where the big chances rarely happen once. Such an event is nothing new from a sport that has been carrying various forms of corruption since the 18 century. Judges rob boxers of their victories all the time: that happens. This robbery, however, feels a little worse than most. Not because of the inaccuracy of the scorecards, but because of the likely results to follow.

Julio Cesar Chavez will go on to have other big fights with big paydays, while Brian Vera will most likely go back to being an opponent.

Vera deserves his big victory. If he should land another big match he will again be the other guy, the man who’s brought in to lose and make the main attraction look good. Everything was against him in this fight.

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