Killing The Silence Around The Ring

Mike Samuels

05.06 - This week Mickey Ward and Arturo Gatti step between the ropes to kick off what looks to be a fairly entertaining summer schedule in the sport of boxing. But since Oscar De la Hoya's stoppage over Yory Boy Campas at the beginning of May, boxing hasn't done very much at all. The gloves have been silent, but the mouths around the ring have run plenty.

It's the ever-so-common silence that boxing fans are accustomed too that helps create controversy when there aren't any fights. The perfect example can be found when reading Las Vegas Review Journal and MaxBoxing.com columnist, Kevin Iole's article, an article that placed Diego "Chico" Corrales as the number one boxer in endlessly talented 140lb division.

Mass amounts of disbelief and controversy spurred from this column when it shouldn't have. Kevin Iole was brought in to MaxBoxing.com for the purpose of voicing his opinion along the same idea that Ricky Reily was brought to Sports Illustrated. You may disagree with his opinion, but nowhere does Iole present his case in a style that says he is never, and cannot possibly be wrong.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the debate of who the best 140lb fighter is, and I personally think Corrales has a lot of proving to do, but the way people scream to get their points across … it just shows that boxing is truly at a dead period.

Even with boxing down in the dumps, my mailbox was recently filled with a colorful piece from a man who disagreed with my assessment of Mike Tyson. This guy, who will remain nameless, reminds me exactly like all of the Tyson worshipers who won't let the guy step out of his 1988 mold. Truth is, Tyson isn't needed for boxing anymore. The things he's done, the chances he's been given, and it all has been too much for any sport or sporting fan to ever endure.

Ask yourself this, how is it that Pete Rose, who gambled illegally on his own team, is shunned from the baseball hall of fame, but Mike Tyson is supposed to be given his license no matter what the case be. The guy could go out and murder three young children and those same diluted Tyson maniacs would scream for his innocence. It's truly amazing how powerful Tyson's brainwashing tactics are. Forget Miss Cleo, Mike Tyson won that game years ago.

I was a very avid Tyson fan back in the day (notice my e-mail address), but I'm not so crazy as to think the guy hasn't worn out his welcome. The funny thing about the mail I received was that this clown who attacked me personally for my opinion on Tyson, showed about as much intelligence as Tyson has shown since coming out of prison.

Maybe the apple doesn't fall far from the tree after all?

This summer will be very exciting for boxing. This week Gatti and Ward III takes place, and to be honest, I'm not all about this fight as much as I was the initial rematch. Both guys are true ring rats, true professionals of the ring (something that moron fan should study, instead of eating out of Tyson's hand), and their health is a big concern. When it's all said and done, I'm glad both guys have gotten the money they deserve and I wish them the best.

June 22nd Lennox Lewis returns after over a year away from the ring to face the formidable and superstar opponent, Kirk Johnson.

Yeah right.

Did anyone catch Lewis' press quotes going into his fight with Johnson at the end of the month? It was very interesting, and at one point during the press coverage I thought I was mistakenly watching Comedy Central.

Sure, nobody wants to see Lewis-Byrd, but I can tell you that even more people don't care for Lewis-Johnson. The proof is in the pudding. Lewis and Byrd are each belt holders, and it's a guarantee that the fight would be on PPV, and that's with or without Iron Mike.

Hey, he may only be 215lbs, but Byrd's resume is steak compared to Johnson's TV dinner.

July features two very interesting match ups. Vernon Forrest tries for revenge against Ricardo Mayorga, and the heated battled between DeMarcus Corley and Zab Judah finally gets finished in the ring, instead of at the press conference.

Both of these fights are tough to call. I will give my official prediction closer to fight time.

Boxing, although gloomy at times, is one of the most promising sports, and this summer is merely proof of that.