Champ´s Corner

Ron Champ Miller

03.02 - Hello fight fans!!! After a long time off (again) I am back on the scene. Good for some, not so for others. What happened?

After getting numerous emails and calls, I can only say that well, boxing has really well, been horrible in the last yr or so. Not that many good fights, and well, it makes one "lazy". Also "burnout" and well, the old saying, "too much of a good thing". One site wanted me to write for them only. Funny but "their" writers wrote for other sites as well. Also there was this certain website I used to write for. I'm not going to give this site any publicity, but the owner asked me to write for him. Then he gave me an ultimatum of either writing exclusively for him or not. I said not. I have been writing for other sites for years, before this guy. Those sites gave me a chance to write. I'm not going to turn by back on them. Just so you know what happens behind the scenes.

So I was AWOL, too much drama. Not anymore.

I'm all for the fans. My column will run on various sites, so everyone can read it, not just a few. Not everyone has access or knows all the sites, and this way they can read my work. Why limit it to one site? The more, the merrier. I will try to make this a weekly column at best, maybe even more than once a week. Remember, there is only one "Champs Corner", and even more important only one writer. I'm the Howard Cosell of boxing, I "tell it like it is", whether you like it or don't like it, learn to love it, cause like Jordan....I'M BACK!!!!!!!!

Lots of ground to cover. I'll start with Lennox Lewis. Seems the haters/bashers are saying LL is not going to fight Hans or Frans (Klitschko bros). This is not correct. Neither fight is officially off, so chill. It's a shame LL will never get the credit for being a great fighter. The detractors will make excuses, but the bottom line is, Lewis is not American, and thus the problem lies. A shame.

I'm not so sure Vlad or Vitali are the future in the heavyweight division. I'm not big on giving guys "heir apparent" titles. Remember Michael Grant? What about David Tua, or Ike Ibeabuchi? All flavors of the month. At least Lewis has longevity. You could even say he is a career killer. What did Oliver McCall or Hasim "Hasbeen" Rahman do after Lewis beat them? Thats right, NOTHING. Something for you to haters to ponder. Sure he didn't fight Chris Byrd or Johnny "Louise" Ruiz. Boy, the public was waiting for those fights. Of course I am being sarcastic. It's all about money. And Tyson is the "cash cow", like it or not. I don't, but at this stage in Lewis career, its time to pad the ole' checkbook. If he doesnt fight both Klits. then I will question him. Until then, I will reserve judgement, something perhaps the bashers can do.

Great weekend of boxing passed, and another one is coming up. Juan Manuel Marquez looked like the goods. Too bad he never fought the "prince" (Hamed). I get tired of Marquez and Ronald "Winky" Wright, claiming everyone "ducked" them. It seems like that is their claim to fame. Nonsense. Get in the ring and prove it. Talk is cheap.

Miguel Cotto looked good in his win, but lets face it, Cesar Bazan is "toast". Meaning he is old and slow and well, shot. Cotto will need to step it up.

Rocky Juarez looked good as well, as he may turn out to be the best prospect. Francisco Bojado on the other hand well, won, but it took him a while. I haven't given up on the kid, yet but it may be time to step up.

I hope Johnny Tapia is doing better now. Having met him, he is a good person, who hopefully will defeat the inner demons. I pray for him.

Shane Mosley returns to the ring after two defeats this weekend. Shane has been dragging his feet regarding a possible rematch with Oscar Delahoya. A big mistake in my opinion. Oscar is the hotter fighter right now after his win over Fernando "Fernandomania" Vargas. Although Shane did beat Oscar in a close decision, that seems like eons ago. Shane has lost twice. He needs to get in the ring and beat DLH again to get some of his luster back. I never thought much of Shane, as he was annointed the next big thing. He was even compared to greats such as Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard. Well, Shane is more like Nutrasweet than sugar compared to these legends. The man is talented but so is Roy Jones Jr. Speaking of the man who defeated him twice....

Vernon Forrest was brutalized by a amateurish fighter named Richardo Mayorga. Mayorga has great power, but Vernon fought the wrong fight, choosing to trade hands, then outbox him. I good fight for the fans, but stupid matchmaking by HBO. Vernon seemed distracted, with his new found fame, and contract. His ring entrance was unusual. He may have underestimated or even undertrained for Ricardo. I think the "viper" will outbox Mayorga next time, but then again, I picked Shane in the rematch. I never really thought much of Vernon. His chin was suspect, and I had a feeling he would get beat soon by an inferior fighter. Right on both counts. This makes Shane look even worse.

Looks like the RJJ vs John Ruiz is going to happen. Wow. Thats news in itself. I think Roy was backed into this fight, as Ruiz took all stipulations. Roy couldnt back out and look bad, so he really had no choice. Look for Ruiz to cut the ring off, and knock out ole' Roy. Too big. Nothing to do with talent but everything to do with size. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Roy might still tweak an ankle, or "hurt" a hand. So is the fight really, "on"? Stay tuned.

Well thats all fight fans!!!!! Keep your hands up and keep punching for the stars!!!! Enjoy the fights this weekend!!!