Mike Samuels
12.08 - If boxing could be described in two words, based on the action of the past few weeks, well, then traffic jam is rather appropriate for the time. Between the dull-fest that was Johnson-Ruiz (what looked more like a family reunion), the findings of white substances within the clothing of Sweet Pea, and Mike Tyson on the MOST ANNOYING SPORTS SHOW PERIOD, nothing has been going on and I’ve been a bit freakin’ annoyed by it. This week’s all-star lineup (and seventh issue!) brings to you the fans opinions on just about everything. So, blah, read on and like it!
I think I actually have the answer for the WBA's problem of not getting any damn recognition (all their fault might I add). David Tua - Michael Moorer match on August 17th will hopefully help HBO's reputation after their horrible Ruiz - Johnson fight. In my opinion, the winner of this fight should take on "The Baddest Man on the Planet" Mike Tyson in a PPV bout, with the winner getting a shot at the WBA champ, who will hopefully not be John Ruiz, but at the rate he is defending the title, that will most probably be his second defense of that bad boy. Since any of these 3 fighters would hopefully dismantle Ruiz, the WBA's reputation would be somewhat back to it's former self. I know it's just wishful thinking, but damnit, this would work!
- Chris Ludlow
I’ve scrambled my thoughts around for years on how to get the WBA out of the mess it’s in, and I am frankly tired of trying to organize things. The political strategy of Don King (who always makes sure he gets more than he’s worth IMO) has set the WBA plummeting even farther down the chain than it already was. John Ruiz as champion says enough. Where’d the guy come from? Who’s he beaten that has enough credibility to hold a title? The only thing ANYONE knows of Ruiz is the beating he took at the hands of David Tua. I take pisses longer than that fight, so that should tell you right there that Ruiz is a freakin’ fraud of a champion.
Tua and Moorer is a great fight. I don’t think Moorer is ready (only two comeback fights, and he was wobbled by Davis in his last bout). Tua will more than likely be aggressive and land that ONE punch (he hasn’t punched in combinations since Ike and him were bombin’ away back in the day), and we all know that NOBODYS chin can handle a full-fledged left hook by the Terminator. But whether or not Tua wins (that’s just my pick), Moorer would do the WBA just as good more than likely. Hell, my grandmother could probably out-box Ruiz, who seems to love to hug his opponents or show us how bad of an actor he is whenever trouble finds him in the ring.
Thanks for your opinion, Chris. It’s right on the mark. The only thing is, I highly doubt the WBA will be fixed anytime soon. Don King has the champion and the only way Ruiz is losing that belt is if he is knocked out. And even if he’s knocked out, I’m sure Donny boy would find a way to get a rematch and screw someone other than himself. Okay, now I’m just rambling and I’ve probably lost my point somewhere from bashing King and speaking of my eighty-four year old grandmother. So I’ll shut up now.
God, the WBA sucks.
Okay, I’m shutting up. Promise.
What if Lewis retires then Tyson manages to defeat the rest of the meek competition to become the champ? Now the real question is where does that leave Tyson would he get any recognition would that beef up his spot amongst the all time champs at all? I ask because despite his bad condition Tyson is still about as good as Ruiz, the Klitscho's and Byrd. The only person that would stand in his way would be a 40-year-old Holyfield and that’s if he would even fight Tyson again.
The way I see it going down is Chris Byrd and Tyson eventually fighting for the IBF title after Lewis's retirement then Tyson fighting a couple of the other aging mediocre and taking 3 of the titles.
What if the sky falls down? What if Mike Tyson revisits Cus and Jimmy Jacobs in a dream one night? What if Kevin Rooney comes back and takes Tyson over again? All these questions have a simple answer: NO. Based on how Tyson fought in his last fight against Lewis I would SERIOUSLY pick Johnny-Louise to beat him in a fight (I see Ruiz getting Tyson to DQ himself most likely). Even if Lennox retires, I think Chris Byrd would do what Botha did in his fight with Tyson in January of 99’ – out box him; only he wouldn’t get caught with a right hand. And the two Ukrainian giants would destroy Tyson. They’re size, the bundle of punches they throw, Tyson is a dead man walking. If I were Tyson I’d fight Lewis again (somehow) and make another payday before I left.
But we all know Tyson will fight again. And that, people, is why boxing is what it is.
Mike,
Let’s talk about a man that does not get the praise that he deserves that man is.... KOSTA TYSZU 140 pounds of pure dynamite he's one of the best out there right now but he's relatively unknown to most who casually follow the sport but i think he's as good as anyone who fighting today so what’s keeping him from being a star! And people like Naseem is so loved by the media! Just don’t get it! This is just my opinion but I was just wondering what you thought on the subject. OH and while where talking 140 how do you think my boy Irish Mickey would hold up againstTyszu?
Thanks
I don’t think Kostya gets the respect he deserves because he lacks fan appeal. Everyone is so used to seeing the Tyson-type press conferences and ring antics that a true class act of the sport isn’t exciting enough for people to care much about. Kostya Tyszu showed a lot of people that he can bang as well as box (as he dominated Tackie, who is by NO MEANS a push over). Now he’s set to do battle with Leija in January of 03’ and I think that this fight will draw more interest to him and the division. Let’s face it; with guys like Judah, Gatti, Ward, and "Chop-Chop" the division is by far the strongest of any weight. Just give it time and things will really heat up. Promise you that, bro.
I like Ward a lot, but I don’t think he can withstand Kostya’s power. I’ll take Tyszu over anyone in the division right now. But I’d like to see him get back in their with Judah, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. And just to answer all questions, Chop-Chop and Judah should be VERY interesting. Right now I gotta bet against the Brooklyn loudmouth.
Like Don Queen always say "only in America". Money talk and the more money you have the louder you speak. We hate it but if we were in their shoes with all the money they have. We would try to get away with all that we can. But since we're not. We can only sit on the sideline and bitch and complain. I do agree that they should lock that CRACKHEAD up.
Money does talk and Pernell Whitaker has a lot to say. Only we are all tired of listenin’ to the guy. If I had that much money I don’t necessarily think I’d choose to live that type of lifestyle. There are so many sports figures that make a lot of dough and live clean lives for the most part. It’s just that the drunks, druggies and rapists get all the attention. They’ve become poster children for what you MUST do in order to become famous. The sad thing is, being good at a sport isn’t about marketing yourself as a celebrity, but just doin’ your job and lovin’ it. Whitaker musta’ lost that thought somewhere between the first time and the 4,000 time he was in the corner snortin’ blow.
It tells how are government system works. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ is the big word now a day. Everyone that has $$$$$$$$$ can do anything wrong in society. A person that has money knows he can getaway as longest he/she
pay certain amount of money. Do you think Robert Blake will die in jail?
No Way! He is already selling some properties. Our system is very
corruptive. Point Blank.
Look all the things going wrong through the government Bush, Cheney,
Corporation the big people taking everything. The little people collapsing.
Greed!!!!
Money talks. Bullshit walks and Whitaker is walking on an extended red carpet. It’s as ‘point blank’ as ever, bro.
Eastside Boxing’s Mike Samuels can be reached at Tyson180@aol.com for comments, criticism, or just about anything!
