By Mike Samuels
31.07 - The drum keeps on-a’ roll-n’….or something like that. That’s right! That kickass writer at Eastsideboxing.com (me, of course) is back to drop the record FIFTH issue of Boxing’s Baddest: The Fans Speak! This weekend was one of the most BORING weeks in boxing EVER! John Louise called Lewis a girl – that was the exciting point of his fight with Bubba, and, yeah…boresville, USA baby! Yet, surprisingly, talk of De la Hoya and Vargas has resumed again! Let’s just hope the fight comes through! Also this week, I break it down in the dream event: Samuels Sizzlin’ Tourney, baby!
Enough talk! Let’s get to the bloodthirsty opinions!
DEAR MIKE,
WELL HERE WE ARE AGAIN ON THE HORIZON OF ANOTHER "GREAT REMATCH" BUT THE QUESTION IS HOW GREAT WILL IT REALLY BE? AFTER COMING OFF THE SNOOZER FORREST-MOSLEY 2. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM DELAHOYA VS. VARGES. WILL IT BE THE GREAT MATCH IT COULD BE? OR JUST ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE OVER HYPED BORING REMATCH'S THAT WE'VE SEEN ALOT LATELY.I MEAN DONT GET ME WRONG I'VE GOT THE UP MOST RESPECT FOR BOTH FIGHTERS BUT LETS FACE IT THE PAST FEW SO CALLED "GREAT REMATCH'S" HAS LEFT NOTHING BUT A BITTER TASTE IN US BOXING FANS MOUTH'S SUCH AS MORALES VS. BARERRA 2 OR THE BEFORE MENTIONED FORREST VS. MOSLEY. WILL IT BE THE NIGHT THE GOLDEN BOY IN ALL HIS PAST GLORY? OR WILL THE KID SHOW HIM UP? I JUST HOPE IT AINT 12 ROUNDS OF HUGGIN AND KISSEN! I GUESS WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.BUT LET ME GIVE YOU A THOUGHT MIKE. IF BOXING IS GONNA KEEP GIVING US RE-MATCH'S, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GIVE US THE ONE'S WE NEED TO SEE RATHER THAN TEHY WANT US TO SEE, SUCH AS A JONES-HOPKINS 2 OR GATTI-WARD 2. THOSE ARE THE SOILD FIGHTS US FANS WANT TO SEE.
WHAT DO YOU THINK MIKE?
I’ve been waiting a HELLUVA time to see The Golden Boy step into the ring with Nando, and I still have some doubt that the fight will ever happen. Fernando and Oscar aren’t in a rematch. This is the first battle and probably the ONLY battle that will ever take place. So I hope to GOD that it is somewhat decent, because boxing needs another great fight (Ward/Gatti, Austin/Vargas come to mind as the last few fights worth watching).
There is a lot of irony coming towards this Mexican-American clash, though. At the beginning I had picked Oscar to destroy Nando based on skill and experience (much how Trinidad did). But after De la Hoya went on a "calling-in" spree, and complained of injury over and over, I just don’t know if he can get the job done. It is my opinion that Oscar may have been hurt, but he is taking this fight and will be 100 percent, so I HOPE that he doesn’t use it as an excuse if he is beaten on September 14th. As for Vargas, well the kid has more heart than two people put together. He demonstrated it in his last two fights – fights where he hit the canvas, and the Trinidad saga to be more specific. I don’t like the kid’s attitude. Mainly because I think it was a pretty low blow to give Tito his props after he shook up Nando’s world in December of 00’. But as soon as the "packed-hands" issue came to effect, Vargas used the loop-hole," I could tell after the first knockdown that he was hitting harder than I have ever been hit before. That couldn’t be right," (something to that nature). That really put a bitter taste in my mouth for the kid, but overall I think Vargas is better for the sport than De la Hoya. Factor in the ring rust on Oscar’s part and the questions on whether or not The Puerto Rican star turned Vargas into damaged goods for life, and the fight is a TIGHT call.
This fight shouldn’t spoil, though. So I’m definitely goin’ to be there! As far as Hopkins/Jones….next e-mail….
Hey mike, when you was asked if anyone could beat iron mike in his prime, I felt that you judged mike by his 90's boxing, when you named frazier, ali, rocky to have been able to beat iron mike, you also said those guys had heart, something that mike Tyson lacked, I feel that mike Tyson had more heart than anybody in the 80's being the smaller fighter and at the age of 18 being the heavyweight champion, heart is what won him the title and if believe that frazier, ali, nor rocky could have stopped mike Tyson in his prime. Lets not forget that many critics have said that Joe Louis would have knocked rocky out if he had fought him in his prime. But mostly don’t let Tyson’s recent outburst, cloud the picture of what he used to be, a knockout specialist. Tony (Meade county, Kentucky)
Sometimes people do bring the Tyson of the 90’s
into direction when speaking of him and lining him
up against the past greats. I may have been somewhat
guilty, but I will set the record straight. Tyson
MAY have beaten a Norton when they were at their primes,
but I don’t see him beating Foreman and definitely
not Muhammad Ali (Frazier beats Tyson in my opinion,
too. Frazier was able to go the distance and keep
his tank full, something Tyson lacked). As far as
Marciano, I could see Tyson blowing him a way possibly,
but nothing would be easy for Tyson – not as
easy as he made it look when he was beating Don King
rejects in the eighties.
Everything you said was accurate, however Johnson is a disgrace in the same mold as Ruiz and deserves just as much criticism.
I have to disagree. I took shots at Johnson for letting himself and the sport down, and for choking under the pressure. Perhaps the low blows were cheap, but I do not think they were intentional. I can’t blame Ruiz’s style for that sh_t happening, and that’s why I agreed with the stoppage (But no way in hell did I believe Ruiz’s acting!).
Hey Mike,
Let me get this out of the way, I am a Johnson fan, but what I saw Saturday night was a disgrace to boxing.
Johnson deserved to get disqualified; I don't think anyone can argue that. But some of those calls were borderline and the shots to the legs and hip wouldn't have hurt me. Ruiz is the least skilled, most boring boxer I have ever seen.
I live in Halifax Nova Scotia, and I watched the pay per view at a local pub. The crowd noise told the tale of the fray. Silence. The only time people were making some noise was during the knockdowns, and when Johnson would show moments, mere glimpses, of what he can do with that left jab. We would see that left jab come out and sting Ruiz time and again, but where was the right that should have followed. I can’t explain.
I thought your article was great, and thought it only proper of me to reply.
Cory Gibson
Couldn’t agree more with your view. Johnson
choked, and Ruiz cried. I’m shooting myself in
the foot for even expecting a good fight. It’s
John Ruiz we are talking about, c’mon!
Last weekends fight was horrible! Head butts...low blows and enough bad acting worthy of a daytime soap opera! Mean come on Ruiz was as boring as ever except when hey pulled that days of our life scene he pulled when he got hit low, I wish john Ruiz we just give his belt up so we don’t have to watch him fight! As for Johnson well the word that comes to mind is pathetic or even better 2nd rate I mean he needs to get in shape or something...I just don’t know these days mike, I mean what happened to our great heavyweight division? I hate to say this but after this weekend a 40 year old Holyfield as champ does not sound all that bad...............{that’s only if Lewis don’t fight kiltschko that is}
Ruiz-Johnson wasn’t as boring as Mosley-Forrest 2, but that’s only because there wasn’t any fouling or drama – that’s not necessarily a good thing, either. Ruiz doesn’t deserve the title, that’s been known. But it’s life and we have to deal with him being champion. I seriously think he takes Holyman to the wire again, and I even think he would frustrate Tyson right now and cause Tyson to foul out himself. Basically, the heavyweight division is a joke. Hell, most ALL of boxing is because of all the freakin’ belts. I see guys like Ruiz continuing to come up in the sport and get title shots unless something happens. So my advice is this: Watch the lower weights. Watch the Tim Austin’s, the Barrera’s, Morales’ and the Mayweather’s, etc.
Heavyweight boxing is crap right now.
NUFF SAID.
Mike, I have to tell ya, I too was extremely disappointed by the Ruiz-Johnson fight. For the WBA to be calling John Ruiz their world champion is absolutely retarded, as he is really just not a world caliber boxer. The WBA is doing a ton of damage to its reputation, and I just don't understand why. If I were the WBA, I'd arrange a Ruiz-Lewis fight A.S.A.P. That why, once Ruiz gets his ass kicked, Lewis can be the absolute undisputed heavyweight champion, the WBA can regain some of it's respectability (or maybe even boxing could regain some respect!), and Ruiz can fade off to the world of ESPN2 and Fox Sports. Either that, or let Vladimir kick Ruiz's ass, and give us a reason for the fight that we all want, Klitchsko-Lewis. In closing, I really don't know what this was about, but I feel a whole lot better.
- Chris Ludlow
We were all disappointed. I bet all of us watch Ruiz fight again though (probably just hoping he gets his teeth knocked out). The WBA is, in my opinion, the World Bullsh_t Association. And sadly, until Ruiz is knocked out cold he will reign as champion. His style is just a favorite with most judges and he’ll nudge out close fights – especially under the influence of King Afro. Ruiz called out Lewis again, but I doubt it will happen. Lennox does NOT need to beat the hell out of that bum in order to make money or gain any respect. I see Lewis retiring as hope of another huge payday with Tin Mike fade away slowly.
Klitschko, wow! Ruiz would last two rounds at most with that big guy. His style might cause some trouble, but hell yeah, bring him to Johnny-boy and we won’t have a boring and crying champion any longer. The only thing is this, Chris, fights happening in boxing move sooooo slow that it is crazy and often time’s things fall through (just ask Roy Jones, heh). For now I’m not worried about Ruiz, Klitschko, Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield, or anyone in the heavyweight division. It’s highly overrated to begin with and it’s just not worth much right now. It won’t be until the belts are given to their rightful owners.
Hey man, what is going on with heavyweight boxing these days, seriously? Please don’t give any knee-jerk reactions but I think every other champ aside from Lewis (of whom I also believe is not a great boxer, but he is the best at this time) don’t really deserve the belts they have. i thought that all the hype about our buddy Kirk and Mr. Lewis MAY have lead to a good match up but boring old Ruiz keeps clinging to his title, even after previously fending off 'The Real Meal'. I thought Tyson was going to be able to chop the fat in the division and have (the very awkward) Holyfield-Tyson 3, which is honestly what I was hoping for until June 8, but he was far beyond what he used to be and a shadow of his ferocity (his best attribute), as was Holyfield. You said it yourself you would have rather been at the Botha fight than at the academy awards (I mean Ruiz-Johnson), and what the f--k was that Holmes fight with Butterball, Holmes is one of the greats and I don’t believe that fight was anything more than a circus act, come on Holmes don’t disgrace your legacy. Anyhow after Lewis, Tyson and Holyfield retire who is going to save the division? I’m seriously paranoid that I wont see another DECENT heavyweight championship bout for a long time. With much controversy that surrounding their names you've got to admit Lewis, Tyson, and Holyfield were the saviors of the last 15 years of boxing, because they entertained us. And I damn well don’t find the names like Ruiz, Johnson, Tua, Rahman, Byrd or Klitschko entertaining. Thanks for the time to rant bro, feel
slightly better now.
Ranting is common, especially in a sport as mixed up and CRAZY (with a capital C, baby!) like boxing. But it’s good that the fan base continues to generate. Now feel my pain, too, bro. Heavyweight boxing sucks and it’s going to suck until boxing does something with their belts and ranking system. I’ve gotten a lot of mail like the one you submitted, and so I’m working my ass off right now to figure out a way to SAVE the heavyweight division (after all, it brings in all the money!).
Here’s what I was thinking:
Chris Byrd versus Lennox Lewis
Many might not want to see it, but the guy has been waiting over a year to get his shot and he actually EARNED IT. That’s more than I can say for John Louise’. Plus, would Byrd-Lewis be THAT bad? What’s better, Ruiz-Lewis? And who CARES that the Klitschko’s dominated Byrd. That doesn’t say anything but the fact that they are better. So, hell, give Byrd his shot and let him see how he does. If he DOES succeed (highly doubtful) then I’m sure next in line would be one of the Giants and they would dispose of him again. But the bottom line is, boxing won’t get better until Byrd gets his shot.
Jameel McCline versus John Ruiz
Yeah, Jameel isn’t really top-notch work yet, but he’s improving and I don’t think there are any other options for him right now. The WBA is a paper belt anyhow, and I think that he is BETTER that Captain Kirk, and he will defeat John Ruiz rather easily (yeah, it’ll be a sleeper, but he gets a tough UD in the end). Some might say "WHERE IS HOLYFIELD? HE’S NUMBER ONE!!" All I have to say is, Boxing needs spices just like any food or else it will get bland. And people, HOW MANY WOULD WATCH HOLYFIELD-RUIZ FOUR? There is absolutely NO REASON for that to take place. So I think McCline has earned his stripes (with the WBA at least) and should get his shot.
Winner of Byrd-Lewis versus Winner of McCline-Ruiz
That would give us an undisputed champion (as if Lennox isn’t already). Meanwhile, Holyfield should get in the ring with Rahman one last time (hey, it wasn’t that bad of a fight) and THEN possibly get a shot at the WBA title. But please, no more Holy-Ruiz fights! But I think that Klitschko should be the one to get the winner of this little "Samuels Sizzlin’ Tourney!" Then boxing would be cleaned out and organized once AGAIN.
And, yeah, Holyfield…put him in their with the winner of the tournament-Klitshcko and we’ll see how he does. This is somewhat of a good idea, but I see Lewis retiring after not getting Tyson again, so it looks like a tournament similar to this is going to be created – or should be.
But, hell, with the way the heavyweight division is shaping up (and the momentum from his big win over butterball) I see Larry Holmes making a comeback and CHALLENGING for the World title! Move over, Big George!
Just kiddin’. What a though.
Mike Samuels and his Boxing’s Baddest: The Fans Speak! Can be reached at Tyson180@aol.com
