The Wrath Of The Snake Bite – Part 2

Mike Samuels

13.02 - The ole’ sang, "Every great fighter loses" (unless you’re the Rock) echoed more crisp in the air of gyms all across the world a few weeks ago when Vernon Forrest was destroyed by the hands of a 10-1 underdog in Ricardo Mayorga. The fans reaction is also interesting and sometimes controversial, and in the second part of the "Snakebite" theory, it’s time to take a look at some of the best scars left on fighters after losing their "shield of invincibility" during their careers.

Muhammad Ali – The self proclaimed "Greatest of All-Time" burst on to the scene after winning a gold medal in the 1960 Olympics. Ali was the loudest mouthed pretty boy the boxing world had ever seen, and the question of just how good this ‘kid’ was would soon be answered by a seventh round stoppage over then champion, and most feared fighter of his time, Charles "Sonny" Liston. But close fights with Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Jimmy Young, Earnie Shavers, Ron Lyle, and Leon Spinks would wear on his legacy from a fans standpoint as the years passed. What’s different about Ali being attacked is the fact that he was viewed the "Greatest of All-Time" – or at least a top three of all-time – up until the middle 90’s to present era. Now, the so-called "boxing-know-it-alls" of the press and internet (mostly) have attempted to butcher Ali for his greatness. Often times even questioning wins in his biggest fights, his chin, and his racial standpoint and beliefs since becoming a Muslim after beating Liston in 1964.

Is the badgering legit, or are new era fans just crying over split milk?

Mike Tyson – "The Baddest Man on the Planet" cleaned out an old and uninspiring bunch of fighters and past champions during the eighties. Tyson brought new life – and meaning – to the art of knocking an opponent out. After winning the WBC heavyweight championship at just 20 years old with a dominating second round knockout of Trevor Berbick, Tyson went on to unify the division with wins over James "Bonecrusher" Smith and Tony Tucker, while also knocking out the legendary Larry Holmes and destroying Michael Spinks in 91 seconds.

A mega star and marketing world’s dream, Tyson went into Tokyo Japan with thirty seven consecutive victories, carrying thirty four of those by spectacular knock out. Tyson was in his prime and making the tenth championship defense. The fans loved him, his ruthless approach to the sport, and his cold gaze that put fear into the hearts of fighters like an old time Sonny Liston, only worse. The love that was surrounding Tyson at this time all came to an end when a 42-1 underdog, James Douglas pounded Tyson with jabs and combinations for nine rounds on route to the most impressive knockout of his young career. He didn’t knockout anyone. He knocked out Mike Tyson.

After Tyson was embarrassed by a nobody boxing unleashed it’s snakebite in brutal fashion. Suddenly Tyson was a bum who didn’t train, a guy who fought a bunch of "cracked-out Don King paper champions" and a fighter that proved he couldn’t take a punch once he was hit. The people didn’t see Tyson as the champion who took Douglas’s best shots, including the most lethal uppercut in the history of the sport – so devastating that it would have most likely broken a normal persons neck – or as the young fighter who was carrying boxing on his back for three and a half years. Mike Tyson was finished in the eyes of the world and two hard wars with Razor Ruddock couldn’t even sway the tide.

And this was all BEFORE Tyson severly ruined his image.

Evander Holyfield – Boxing’s "Real Deal" started his career outside of the heavyweight division, but soon transformed himself into one of the greatest heavyweights of all-time. After Buster Douglas spoiled plans of a prime Tyson-Holyfield showdown in 1991, Holyfield settled for the ballooned Douglas and knocked him out in three rounds – without really trying. He went on to fight three wars with Riddick Bowe, showing his true warrior-like intensity in every battle and always giving the fans their moneys worth. Only winning one of the three wars with Bowe, the Holyfield crowd started to shift. Following his career with lack luster wins over an over-the-hill Larry Holmes and Ray Mercer. Also mentioning the fact that Holyfield was defeated by Michael Moorer, retired from a bogus heart condition – according to doctors – and came back to TKO Mike Tyson when everyone had counted this kid from Georgia out a long time ago.

The list of fighters who have had their backs turned on them by the fans continues to grow as each pound-for-pound fighter is knocked off. Is it fair that so many people have lost their loyalty to fighters they once worshiped? Maybe not, but all of these waves add to the character of the sport, and in a sense make boxing just what it is today.