07.10.05 – By Michael Montero: Boxing “experts” and fans alike all argue over various topics when it comes to the heavyweight division: who’s the best fighter? Who’s the next rising star? Who has the best chin? Who has the most power? Etc. But one thing is almost universally agreed upon – it’s almost as if there’s an unwritten rule that everybody understands subconsciously – Don King owns the heavies. Another opinion that will get little resistance, even from King Supporters, is that Don and his fighters haven’t brought us fans much to get excited about lately. Contrary to what many boxing writers will tell you, there are good fighters in the heavyweight division. The problem is that they almost never fight one another and it’s not all their fault – much of the blame goes to the promoters.
There are others at fault (sanctioning bodies, networks, etc), but I want to focus on the promoters right now – mainly the one who has the most control over the heavyweight division. In my opinion, King has given us a recycling act in recent years by putting his champs and contenders up against the same guys over and over on boring cards – without any unification.
What’s even more frustrating is that he seemingly won’t match his top fighters against other promoter’s top fighters without asking for options – perhaps in order to avoid losing control?
Among his current stable of heavyweight fighters, I’d have to say that Lamon Brewster is at the top of the heap. His other two “champs” are quickly running out of fans – and out of time as they’re getting older and fading. In my opinion, the only reason people even watch John Ruiz fight is the hope that he will lose so we can finally be rid of him – and Chris Byrd just treated us to possibly the most boring heavyweight title fight in history last weekend against (can you guess?) yet another King contender.
Speaking of contenders – who does Don have right now that is a serious threat to any other the top guys? Monte Barrett, Larry Donald and Jameel McCline have turned into nothing more than gate keepers used as stepping stones for up and comers – a win against one of these guys and you’ve moved up into the top ten of the rankings. DaVarryl Williamson, Owen Beck & Ray Austin aren’t exactly striking fear into anybody right now. There’s always the guy who keeps getting title shots – a while back it was Fres Oquendo, more recently Andrew Golota. Oh, and let’s not forget Evander Holyfield – whom I think we’d all agree, should have called it quits years ago – somehow King has felt the need to keep putting him out there and for what reason? There are others that I’m forgetting right now, I’m sure – but that’s because they’re not really worth remembering. The best “contender” King has right now is Hassim Rahman, and he’s going up against the heavyweight division’s best fighter, Vitali Klitschko, on November 12th. Let’s see how that one goes…
Back to the recycling act – the heavyweight scene has turned into the “Don King Division,” in my opinion, as we are treated to watching the same guys shuffled around on boring cards over and over. One promoter, his fighters, his cards – NO unification!!! Need some examples? Both John Ruiz and Chris Byrd have fought Andrew Golota, Fres Oquendo and Evander Holyfield (if Ruiz manages to hang onto his WBA strap, expect to see him in there against either Jameel McCline or Davarryl Williamson in 2006 – both of whom have already lost decisions to Byrd). Larry Donald also had his shot at a shot Holyfield back in November, 2004 – only to draw with Ray Austin in his next fight. Speaking of Austin, he just beat Owen Beck in a horrendously sloppy bout last month. Beck lost his other fight this year (back in February) to Monte Barrett – who just lost another terribly boring fight to Hasim Rahman in August – who lost to John Ruiz in 2003 (oh yeah, don’t forget – “The Rock” also fought Holyfield back in ’02). Hopefully, I didn’t lose you there. For those of you who are still with me – are you seeing a pattern here?
Look, I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be a complainer, but this crap has to stop. We’ve had four belt holders for a while now, and we’ve been promised a tournament by the man who holds control over the division, but somehow it hasn’t materialized. He can blame Vitali Klitschko for not wanting to participate all he wants – but you can have a tournament without him, Mr. King! Seriously, if King put his guys in a tournament and ended up with a unified WBA/IBF/WBO champ – he would have MORE control over the division, as he would promote the unified, undisputed champion of the world. Klitschko would be forced to come to the table make a deal with King at that point to get a meaningful fight and prove that he is the man amongst the heavies.
I see King a lot on TV, hear him on the radio and read him in magazines – but I can’t remember the last time I caught one of his heavyweight fighters in any mainstream media outlet. His most technically sound fighter, Chris Byrd, has been misused, underused and underpaid, in my opinion – and has lost almost all marketability. He tries to market John Ruiz, but there’s one problem – Not many people appear to take “The Quiet Man” seriously as a quality fighter or considers him to be the legit champ! I can’t speak for everyone in that regard, but if a poll were taken, that would be my best guess of how people would see Ruiz. From the way I see it, not one of King’s heavyweight champs or contenders have had a memorable fight in some time, except Lamon Brewster – and he’s not exactly being thrust into the American public’s eye. Don’s best heavyweight fight this year (featuring Brewster against Luan Krasniqi) wasn’t even held (or televised) in the states.
Fact is, there’s several quality fighters out there right now, not promoted by King, and one thing’s for sure – this is their time to shine! There are up and coming European fighters, contenders like Samuel Peter and Calvin Brock, and of course, the Klitschko brothers. Hopefully, we’ll see these “non-King” guys get a chance to mix it up with King’s guys over the next couple of years, and breathe some life into boxing’s glamour division.
We’ll see King’s top contender (Rahman) in the ring with Vitali Klitschko next month, and we’ll hopefully see his hottest champ (Lamon Brewster) fight Vitali Klitschko’s little brother, Wladimir, in April or May of next year. A fight between Ruiz and the 7’ Russian, Nicolay Valuev, is planned for this December – and there are rumors once again of a match between Byrd and James Toney on the horizon, as well. Those fights (if they all ever materialize) are a step in the right direction – but there’s more work to be done. In King’s defense, I must admit that it’s not all on him – the other promoters need to step up and work with him to bring the fans the best possible match-ups. But the fact remains – King has the most pull and if he puts his best foot forward, he can make the big fights happen. Please, Don – keep your word and give us a tourney – the recycling act is getting old.