24.05.05 – By Chris Acosta: That seemed like a reasonable title to this piece until I remembered that John Ruiz was reinstated as WBA champion thanks to the failed drug test of James “Way To Go ” Toney. What made me hold firm however, is that the very real possibility looms of great action ahead in boxing’s most visible division. While Vitali Klitschko heals from his back surgery, Hasim Rahman and Monte Barrett will engage in a fight that may just turn out to be a barnburner, for the “interim” WBC title. Barrett, as blood and guts as a summer at Camp Crystal Lake, has gone through his own hell to get this opportunity and will fight like it. Rahman is a classic underachiever but luckily, has a history of only fighting hard when seriously threatened or provoked, two things Monte certainly plans to do.
What’s more irritating than a guy who doesn’t punch enough? A guy who punches really hard- and doesn’t punch enough. Thankfully, Lamon Brewster decided to see what happened if he did against Andrew Golota and now he’s the talk of the division.
If you’re only as good as your last fight then Brewster is a prime Mike Tyson. With his power, chin and toughness, and more importantly, motivation, Lamon is in the position to make some deafening noise. There is no reason why this nice guy can’t beat anyone as long as his fists are moving.
Will he be vulnerable against a talented boxer? Absolutely. But remember that he kept his composure in the face of a terrible pounding from Wladimir Klitscko before prevailing. Similarly styled Samuel Peter from Nigeria may lack the technical nuances of the game but carrying a bowling ball in each hand can render that deficiency moot. Peter is a tank of a fighter with big time power and aggressiveness. He is admittedly a bit untested but in terms of how he matches up with the rest of the division, should give his management reason not to tread too lightly. If he gets a shot with Ruiz, he’ll make it count right now.
We’ll take a break from gurney -filling punchers for a moment and examine the case of Calvin Brock. This 2000 Olympian is not great in any one area as evidenced by his decision against Jameel McCline, but he knows how to fight and he isn’t content to lay back behind a jab. Brock has the moxie to mix it up in the trenches and enough pop in his short punches to wobble the legs of the careless. Could he handle the power of Peter or Brewster? Yes if he doesn’t absorb more than one punch at a time and he has the benefit of being able to box intelligently if things get a little too heated and he needs to
regroup.
The division’s biggest mystery, Wladimir Klitschko, has been exposed for what he is but I am not going to let that spoil it for me. Hey, Thomas Hearns had a shaky chin and so did the prime Roger Mayweather. That’s part of what made them such exciting fighters. Why should Wladimir be judged differently? Offensively, he’s the most versatile puncher in the division and he can box too. He’ll always be in danger when facing big hitters but they’ll have to be able to take some heat as well. What he needs to do is learn to protect that chin better and discipline himself to sustain his boxing over 12 rounds.
Right now, he’s a pretty safe bet to beat Byrd and Ruiz, he’d repeat the trick against Barrett (style-wise Monte stands a bit straight up – suicide against taller opponents) and if he beats Rahman to the punch, who knows? Don’t count him out yet. Vitali Klitschko would probably make his trainer more happy if he were to fight entirely at a distance but as he’s said before, he’s out to please fans and it shows. The elder of the two Klitschko brothers is much more aggressive than most big men, partly because of a (so far) trustworthy chin and solid stamina. His only drawback is a lack of explosive punching power
but Vitali possesses a remarkable accuracy which makes up for it.
Is Chris Byrd capable of adding his own brand of excitement? If you’re a purist, then he’s your man. Chris is a superb defensive specialist with a huge heart and a small man syndrome kind of determination. Long underestimated, Byrd knows that his days are nearing the end and he just might be able to hold off one or two young tigers before he’s overtaken. For a division that is in such dire condition, there sure seems like some good days ahead.