Postponement - Aint it a Bitch?

Mike Samuels

29.12 - There's nothing like hearing the news that two great fighters have signed on the dotted line, worked out the contracting issues, the purses, and everything else that stands on the business of side of boxing, and are closing in on squaring off in the ring.

There's also nothing like those last few days before the weigh-in of the big fight. Every boxing fan's stomach in knots, sweat pouring from one's face, and the questions of "Who will win?" and "How will this effect the division?" nearing the edge of the brain, almost ready to be answered with the swinging of two giant's fists.'

Boxing. There's nothing quite like it.

But too many times, in this sport, things don't go as planned. It has been awhile since the average boxing fan has been able to hear about a fight and actually watch it or see it live when it is supposed to happen. More times than none, just before a fight reaches its peak, that little devil known as postponement peaks its head out and causes a nauseating feeling around our stomachs.

Postponing a fight - Aint it a bitch?

Most fans of boxing work forty-fifty hour weeks, raise a family of at least two, and juggle their personal lives accordingly to the events of everyday life. So when a big fight approaches, most people have to clear their schedules, make special arrangements, and enjoy being able to look forward to watching a sport that is more addicting than nicotine.

Well, sadly, if you're into boxing, then it comes to no surprise when the news is unleashed to your television set - Yes, another fight has been postponed, and or cancelled. The reasons for postponing a fight can range from injury, death in the family, to any and all of the bizarre cries one would ever come to hear of.

The most recent postponement was turned official this past week. James "Lights Out" Toney's championship bout with Cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov has been brought to a screeching, but not unexpected, hault due to an injury suffered in training camp by the European titlist.

Now whether it's fair or not, questions have already begun as to the legit icy of this bouts postponement. Toney has worked out the kinks and will be fighting young prospecting O'Neil Bell on January 25th, as planned, and the future of Toney-Jirov is in the dark. To most, this is a fight that will be the first test for the European based champion, and so, many people haven't be hesitant to call Jirov a chicken or claim that he's getting cold feet.

James Toney, one of the best fighters in the history of the sport, still isn't the same Toney that knocked out Michael Nunn. Age and inactivity have caught up to him. While he's out beating Jason Robinsons of the world, it still isn't much of a test for the veteran and former champion. Jirov knows this and so do his people, so there is a sense of "safety" as well as "proving" himself wrapped into one for this fight. To the world of boxing, and all the anti-European fans, this is a fight that can only hurt Jirov if it doesn't get worked out for a later date.

Fighters like Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton have been so cushioned it's not funny. It is because of their promoters lack to put up good competition that European fighters are continuing to get a bad name as far as the American base is concerned.

And lets face it: America is where boxing is, and where all boxers want to be.

If at all any fighter is trying to make a case for himself and his talent, it's Vassiliy Jirov. He tried to step up to the plate against Roy Jones, but everyone knew going into that negotiation that Jones was bluffing. And now with Jirov and Toney fighting, things looked bright for the superstar. Because no matter how old or beaten James Toney is, he's a name that Jirov needs to be linked with in order to get some respect by most of boxing.

With this great fight postponed, it leaves boxing fans frustrated. There's still Kostya Tsyzu versus Jesse James Leija, but that fight doesn't create the excitement and flare of Toney-Jirov. Both Leija and Tsyzu are nice guys and not as marketable as a loud mouthed Toney who, earlier in the week, claimed he could beat John Ruiz with his "hands tied behind [my] back." Not to mention the overflow of hate between Europe and the United States.

What a way to start the New Year, eh?

Especially considering that last January Vernon Forrest shocked the world with the manner that he battered and destroyed boxing's pound-for-pound fighter (at the time), Shane Mosely.

It's too bad that things have soured over as of now. Perhaps every boxing writers and fan's New Years resolution of hoping to put a stop to the postponing of great fights is a bit late.

There's always next year, right?

Mike Samuels can be reached at Tyson180@aol.com