Boxing
Sharkie’s Machine: Waving Goodbye to Michael Grant

By Frank Gonzalez Jr.

10.06 - Against Dominic Guinn, Michael Grant demonstrated that Professional Boxing is not his calling. Whatever skills Grant once possessed have disappeared along with his confidence. Anyone can be chiseled with muscles but lack that spiritual element that makes them fighters. Strong will and a healthy dose of ruggedness is essential. You have to have an attitude that translates into imposing your will on your opponent if you want to succeed in boxing. If you stay in the game without that spirit, you become a punching bag for fighters on their way up.

Grant’s trainer, Teddy Atlas, (known for his Ringside commentary on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights) should be a friend to Grant now and advise him to find another way to make a living. Considering how Grant has performed after losing to Lennox Lewis to struggling to beat puffed-up Cruiserweight Gilbert Martinez--are clear signs that Grant’s well being is at stake should he continue fighting.

It looked like Grant decided to change his demeanor for this fight as he entered the ring wearing a scowl. I could just see Teddy telling Grant a thousand instructions before he left the dressing room. Soon as the bell rang to start the first round, that scowl faded away and never returned. Even if the truth is that Dominic Guinn is THAT good and Grant still has a chance in boxing, he still lacks that ‘Killer Instinct’ that turns good fighters into great fighters, win or lose. Nobody I know wants to watch a fighter who has no passion for his craft. Gatti and Ward may not be the best boxers in the world but the passion they bring to their fights makes them an attraction no fight fan wants to miss.

Dominic Guinn did what he had to do and did it with passion. He swarmed Grant with the intent to knock him out from the opening bell. Grant was able to handle him in the first round to a good degree but was looking overwhelmed by the second round and was put down once in the third round and twice in the fourth from Guinn counter shots to Grants attempts to throw his right hand. If it weren’t for his big frame, Grant would have been unable to get up all those times. Other than a few flurries he threw--maybe twice a round, Grant did nothing noteworthy besides look awful.

But Guinn started to tire by the fifth round and resorted to holding and hitting less frequently. That pissed off his corner, who belted into him between rounds screaming, “I’ll stop this fight if you keep this shit up! He’s standing there and you’re not throwing enough punches!”

As the fight continued, the audience booed whenever the fighters held, reinforcing the little figure of Shields on Guinn’s shoulder barking instructions. Grant hopelessly looked to his corner so often throughout the fight looking mentally unprepared to do what should come naturally for a fighter…to fight.

Atlas reminded Grant during the break that he showed himself in the past, where he got up from what looked like certain doom and pressed on and beat a well-regarded Andrew Golota in 1999. “You could do it again kid.” Teddy said. Grant growled obediently as Teddy spoke in volumes. I thought at that moment, Grant would pop a gasket and pick Teddy up like Darth Vader picked up the Emperor in Star Wars, and throw him out of the Ring.

Teddy stepped out of the Ring and the bell rang to start the seventh round and the end for Michael Grant. Guinn followed his instructions and pound away at Grant and ran through him, knocking him out badly. I felt bad for Grant. I don’t want to feel bad for fighters. They are supposed to be battle-hardened warriors. I felt sorry for Grant because he’s not. He has the size, good power, he used to have a good jab that set up his big right hands but that’s gone now. Grant is like a mint condition Corvette--minus the engine. A shame you can’t drive it.

Grant had his biggest moments when he beat 20-2 David Izon and 29-2 Obed Sullivan and cranked out an eerie TKO win over Andrew Golota (who should have won the fight early but went off the deep end, giving the fight away like a Christmas present). Today, Grant simply doesn't have it in him anymore to stand and throw punches, even against made to order fighters. If Teddy Atlas cares at all, he should be honest with Grant, who at least deserves the truth from the people who SHOULD care about him.

Some say Teddy Atlas style of training ruined what was left of Grant. Maybe Teddy’s personality steered Grant’s focus too much on his trainer instead of his opponent. After losing to Guinn, Teddy wasn’t harsh on Grant Saturday night, at least not publicly.

As for Dominic Guinn, he upped his record to 22-0-0-17 KO’s. He has some good qualities that can use some refinement, making him into a very good fighter, if he is properly managed. In a division as dull as a butter knife, at least Guinn is exciting to watch at Heavyweight. He comes to fight and that always creates a good rapport with fight fans. He would do well to take on some middle of the road types like Lamon Brewster, Lou Saverese or maybe Larry Donald. If he beats those guys handily, who knows, we might see some action in the Heavyweight division yet.

Agree or disagree? Send comments to dshark87@hotmail.com

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