Boxing: Gaining Perspective

By Phillip Przybylo

01.02 - Seldom does a week come along where fans and media alike would not mind a small "off season" in boxing. This is one of those weeks (even after a nearly dormant December). Whether it was because they were glued to a television screen or computer monitor in shock and horror, all eyes need a chance to rest, maybe even a chance to blink once or twice. With that being said, a look back and a look ahead (re: Jirov) might do us all some good.

The Week That Was

While the events of the Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis press conference largely loom over any other news in the sport like a dark cloud, two fighters proved they had what it took to make it to the next level. That's right, last weekend produced two outstanding performances by men who many had written off.

Arturo Gatti and Antonio Tarver.

Not exactly the most likely choices, right? Even if the biggest upset of the year may have taken place last weekend, these two deserve their just due. Arturo Gatti had just come off a loss to the Golden Boy and a life and death struggle with Joe Hutchinson. Antonio Tarver had just been schooled by Eric Harding not too long ago. Gatti had obviously seen his better days behind him and was labeled a "has-been." Tarver was a "never was." Yet, somehow, these two men find themselves on the cusp of another championship fight after their dominant victories.

Gatti was supposed to go away quietly after his loss to Oscar De la Hoya. He had his seven figure payday, and now could live off the fat of the land. Gatti had other plans. He chose to continue on with his career, which had seen too many losses over the last four years. He regrouped with a new trainer in the classy Buddy McGirt and signed up for a showdown with Terron Millett, which was an even money fight in this humble scribe's opinion. No doubt the odds would tip in Millett's favor after Gatti would revert to slugging and help contribute to a Picasso-like profile of himself. Once again, Gatti had other plans. Using a delicate mix of boxing skills and brawling techniques, the thunderous one knocked out the former champion inside of four rounds to the delight of the New York crowd. And to the delight of cutman Joe Souza, he did so with nary a scratch. I'll give it to you straight, again, as this is big news: the charismatic 29 year old did not have one cut on him! Possible fights with Kostya Tszyu, Mickey Ward, or Jesse James Leija are only a couple phone calls away for Gatti (34-5, 28 KO's).

Antonio Tarver had a less celebrated reentrance into the upper echelon of his division. In Rosemont, IL, USA, the light heavyweight thoroughly beat two-time champ Reggie Johnson. In one of the best chess matches I have seen over the past year, the 1996 Olympian and Bronze Medalist systematically pummeled Johnson with heat-seeking left hands throughout the contest. While Johnson would score a knockdown over Tarver late in the fight, he would have flashbacks of his unification fight years ago as Antonio seemed to only come back and punish him harder than anyone since Mr. Jones. In one fell swoop, Tarver has erased memories of his fight with Harding and saved us from an apparently dreadful Jones-Johnson II. Tarver upped his record to 19-1, and in the process, has a legit claim to fight Roy.

On a personal note of sorts, with everything being said about a Mr. Vernon Forrest and his victory over Shane Mosley, I wish not to over-saturate the market with a take on the fight. But I will say this: I was thoroughly warned by fellow Eastsider Cliff Clark over the weeks with his intelligent defense of Forrest and by my brother who saw Forrest winning by knockout. Other than that, I can only extend my congratulations and feelings of admiration for the Viper.

In other news, Mike Tyson was denied his license this past Tuesday by the Nevada State Athletic Commission on a vote of 4-1. Commission member John Bailey's questioning and statements reminded everyone of the havoc Tyson has caused over the years and how Tyson has tarnished the sport for American sports fans. To put it simply, if the Lewis-Tyson bout does not come off, who cares? Lewis-Byrd and Lewis-Klitchsko fights are far more intriguing and likely more competitive. If the Lewis-Tyson fight does come off, good for them. Look for more from Eastside and from me as it develops.

The Week That Is

Only hours away, pound-for-pound entrant Vassili Jirov will take on veteran Jorge Castro in Phoenix, AZ, USA. While Juan Carlos Gomez may have some people recognize him as THE cruiserweight champion, there is little doubt that Jirov is easily the most captivating cruiserweight since Evander Holyfield.

American audiences fell in love with the 1996 gold medalist when he knocked out IBF champion Arthur Williams two and half years ago. Since then, Jirov has done nothing but take on and take out the best available competition in the 190-pound weight class. Unfortunately, the best competition is not available. James Toney, Juan Carlos Gomez, and Roy Jones (note: to be fair, Roy's not leaving out the possibility of fighting Jirov later this year) have all ducked Jirov in way or another.

The import from Kazakhstan has run down the likes of Saul Montana, Terry McGroom, Aldopho Washington, and Julian Letterlough in the past two years. He has done it with the most lethal body attack in the sport. When Vassili unloads that patented left hook, observers almost expect the punch to come out through the other end of the opponent's body! The man's power is truly awesome. Though, it his ability to come back after taking a hard punch which almost equals his other noted abilities. In fights with Dale Brown and Letterlough, Jirov was noticeably shaken by nice shots only to reverse the tide within mere seconds. The champion may have a semi-questionable chin, but he has an unquestionable heart.

His fight with the former champion Castro should be no different from the rest of his fights. Castro is a tough guy, but is not ready for world class opposition at this late of chapter in his career. He has been with the best (Terry Norris, Roy Jones, Roberto Duran to name a few), but has lost most of the bigger fights of his career. He can add Jirov to both lists: the best fighters he's been in the ring with, and the fighters he's lost to. Expect a late round knockout by Jirov in this 12 round affair.

Also of note, 1a and 1b of the top fighters, pound for pound, in the world will both fight mandatory challengers. Unified champions Roy Jones, Jr. and Bernard Hopkins will take on Glen Kelly and Carl Daniels, respectively. Hopkins' "challenge" will mark the 15th defense of his middleweight crown. Upon winning it, he will surpass the late Carlos Monzon's record. Roy may not have anything special to shoot for in his fight taking place in Miami, but no off night of earthly proportions will stop him from winning. American fight fans can witness the two smartest fighters in the sport (at least in the ring) on HBO Championship Boxing this Saturday.

With those two fights, maybe we actually are in an off season.