The incessant chatter has gone beyond “shooting the breeze”. Voices of disharmony hope to gain support for their viewpoint. Much of their utterings, gossip, and jawboning drifts off into the land of piddling. That should come as no surprise to us, because it would seem that anyone who has ever laced on a pair of boxing gloves, or helped someone else do so has been asked to give his 2cents. There’s no need for him to elbow to the front either. He just needs to hang tight and quicker than later someone will shove a mic under his nose and try to capture the elusive essence of the upcoming May 2nd mega event. Unfortunately, the public is discovering the camera is shaky and so are the opinions.
The most important comments come from the fighters themselves. They conscientiously share their viewpoints, understandably holding back what they feel might be the keys to victory. The interested public reads the fighter’s behavior, sifting through all the words, mannerisms, stated plans, cleverness, and confidence.
Following the food chain, promoters are given a chance to elevate and hype their man. Here and there the public is fed tidbits of value, along with all the ballyhoo. Astute fans take Top Rank Bob Arum’s handful of appetizers and mingle them with what they’ve garnered from the fighters themselves.
Next, managers and trainers. They too speak as if everything they share is factual and unbiased. All too often they are shameless when belching out fabrications and cock-and-bull stories. They are teachers and coaches, but they are also storytellers and not necessarily good ones. Freddy Roach invariably says Manny will knock out his opponent, whoever he might be. Freddie adds that he’s never seen Manny more focused and determined. You know how the story goes. Have you ever heard one of these guys say they’re having a bad camp? On the A side, as TBE likes to say, uncle Roger and Floyd Sr., spout their familiar taradiddle. Floyd, Sr. thinks his son will win, because Manny is “so short”? Uncle Roger usually describes critics as idiots, who don’t know s@#)*about boxing. In this case, Roger says TBE will beat Manny within six, because Manny ain’t s@#)*.
After raised brows are lowered, reporters move on to current and former fighters. It’s obvious they think fighters see stuff the fans need to know. Seldom is that true. Most pugs go along with the odds makers, uttering a few well known things about each fighter……i.e. so and so is faster, this guy is smarter, this schmo hits harder. Once they’ve put forth enough to support their opinion, they look for agreement from the interviewer. Usually they get it. Then they back-track, and say, “But, on the other hand, the other guy is capable of winning too.” Okay, let’s move on.
This mega fight on May 2 at the MGM in Las Vegas is going to break all money records. That alone has caught the public interest. Mega bucks bring out the media, not just some of them, but all of them. It’s like the super bowl and world series wrapped into one. With those major events, there’s media day. Players make themselves available for questions. The totality is a max of a few days. With this mega fight, we’re well over a month away, and the media is already in a feeding frenzy. They’re looking for any hint of scandal, or an unknown strength or weakness (drinking your pee). These two combatants have been through it all before. They’ve been under the microscope, and the likelihood of something new surfacing is remote.
Times change as well as adversaries. Although, it seems like every quality or trait is already known about both of these men. It’s still necessary to formulate a list of all these (disputable) facts and position them according to their level of importance. Then, like puzzle pieces, they are moved around until they can be put into what is a hoped for proper place. Throw in understanding of the intangibles and you’ve got a winner, right? You’ve got 30+ days to figure it out.
What really matters is whether you are fooled by all of this. The reality might be that none of the above matters? As much as people hate to consider it, what is being presented as one of the most exciting match-ups ever, might turn out to be a stinker. Most of us have experienced it. No names, please. On the other hand, some of the most exciting fights ever came about as big upsets and under the media radar. Remember James “Buster” Douglas’ knockout win over Iron Mike Tyson? Pre-fight expectations zeroed in on a Tyson kayo. Lot’s of fans and media didn’t bother tuning in. Buster was given no chance. One big difference with this fight, there can’t be an upset. Both have more than just a slim chance.
Nothing would please fans more than a knock down drag out fight. Use your Imagination to envision the following: Manny winning the early rounds big, surprising TBE with his speed and power. Picture TBE going down once from punches, and a second time strategically just to help him clear his head. TBE is in excellent shape, so he recovers and gets on his bicycle. Manny chases him, and has further success, but he can’t land the possibly historic kayo punch. TBE gradually works his way back into the fight. Manny is drained, arm weary. He has spent a lot of energy trying to end the affair. TBE uses his speed to counter and pot-shot Manny. He lands a particularly hard right hand to the head. Down goes Manny, and as he climbs to his feet, he takes his left glove to wipe blood away from a cut over his left eye. TBE smells the gore, and goes on a full-fledged attack, thinking he might be able to stop Manny or at least get a TKO. He spears a left jab to the gut, hoping to bring Manny’s hands down. As he bends to his right, moving forward with the punch, Manny senses it. His instinctively parries the blow and fires a straight hard left to TBE’s exposed chin. The punch catches enough of TBE’s left jaw to put him down for the third time in the fight. He beats the count just as the bell rings. In the corner, his father tells him to quit being careless, and to stop trading blows. He tells him to box cautiously, and that his chance will come. Target the cut Floyd, Sr. says. In Manny’s corner, they’re concerned about the location of the cut. The bleeding has to be stopped, or Manny vision will be obstructed. As the middle rounds begin, TBE is rejuvenated with the sight of Manny’s blood. He sets traps, so he can attempt to land his right. Manny knows what he has to do, increasing his movement. He attacks the left side of TBE, and is content with hitting whatever he can. He buries leather in a kidney. He freezes TBE’s elbow and shoulder with paralyzing blows. He feints TBE into the bent over to the right posture again. This time Manny bounces one off the top and back of TBE’s head. He gets a warning. Manny acknowledges the warning, but doesn’t touch gloves. TBE realizes, tired or not, he has to move more. The cut over Manny’s eye has stopped bleeding and Manny has been able to pick up on TBE’s counters and lead rights. As a result, Manny steps up his aggression. He feels he’s got TBE on the run, and he wants to keep him there. But, TBE’s a master at taking advantage of what’s given to him. He realizes Manny is over extending, missing shots, leaving himself out of position. For fraction of a second he is open and unable to punch. TBE starts catching him with short shots, snapping Manny’s head back. Foolishly, Manny pounds his gloves together and bears down even harder. It looks as though Manny is making a mistake, falling into TBE’s trap. But, instead of getting out of position, he shifts his stance (mid combination). First he lands a right, forcing TBE back. Then he throws a straight left, but rather than over extending himself, he follows it with his left (back) foot sliding forward. TBE backs away even farther, but now he is against the ropes. From the orthodox position Manny fires another right. TBE bends to his right, but Manny’s ready with a straight left. This time the punch lands flush on TBE’s chin. Down he goes for the fourth and what might be the final time ……….? Now, that’s the type of fight everyone wants. Will we get it?
Fill in the blank with your desired modifications. Complete your fantasy, I mean opinion. Who will win?