15.08.04 – By Adam Zee: Why are people complaining about Vitaly’s first proposed title defense vs Monte Barrett? Perhaps the talent rich decade of the 1990’s has spoiled us as fans. Great fighters such as Holyfield, Tyson, and Lewis captured public imagination in and out of the ring. All three men fought each other, and beat a host of colorful contenders along the way, defining the 1990’s as a great era for heavyweight boxing. I realize this decade isn’t the 1990’s in terms of talent, but why must the media be as relentless as the male impotency commercials that pollute our beloved sporting events by reminding us this, again, and again, and again.
Looking back at Bowe and Holyfield had easy first and second defenses. After winning the title from Buster Douglas, Holyfield fought Foreman, Bert Cooper, and Holmes. Foreman was 42 years of age, Cooper came into the title fight with a 26-7 record beating no one of note, and Holmes was even older than Foreman when he meet Holyfield.
Bowe’s first defense was vs a 35 year old Mike Dokes who had drug problems. His next defense was vs 36 year old Jesse Ferguson who came into the match with a 19-9 record.
Now considering the above names, and ages Monte Barrett is not a bad choice at all for a first title defense. Barrett is in his prime. He has a decent record at 30-3, with some quality wins under his belt. Barrett has beaten some X champs, and some prospects. Barrett decisioned X champs Tim Witherspoon and Greg Page. He defeated prospects such as Erik Kirkland ( 17-1 ), Dominck Guinn ( 24-0 ), Robert Wiggins ( 17-2-1 ) and Robert Davis ( 25-2 ).
Although he lost three times, two of the three losses were very close. Had the Joe Mesi fight been 12 rounds, Barrett would have certainly been the first man to defeat Joe Mesi. Instead he lost a majority decision as Mesi struggled mightily to go the ten round distance. Barrett also lost a split decision to Lance Whitaker. One judge had it 115-113 in favor of Barrett, and my score card also read 115-113. Personally I feel that Barrett was robbed in this fight.
In closing, Barrett has only had one bad loss. He is coming off a win over a top ten contender. Considering the era, and past history, Barrett isn’t a bad choice at all for a champion’s first title defense.