09.06.08 – By Vivek Wallace, photo by Peter Mark Heintzelman – Last Saturday night showed many in and outside the boxing world exactly why so many love this sport so much. In the N.F.L. they say “Any Given Sunday”. In Boxing, there’s no special saying of any true relativity, but a couple fights on the tab gave us a perfect example of the fact that on any given night, the odds, predictions, and experts can all be shown exactly how much they really know. One day it’s a name that’s rarely heard, then a few rounds later it’s a daily word!
Who would’ve ever thought that Juan Manuel Lopez would’ve knocked out Ponce De Leon? All the questions about his ability to conquer seasoned elite fighters as well as take their punches were answered quicker than they could be asked. Chalk it up as another home run for the island of Puerto Rico who lately has seen it’s stock rise in the world of boxing. Kinda funny how an island so small continues to spit out this caliber of fighters.. When you consider all the greats of ‘yesterday’ from the island, then consider the ever evolving skill of Miguel Cotto, the near perfection of Ivan Calderon, and the promise of Juan Manuel Lopez, it’s hard to dispute any argument that views this as the top spot for pure talent in the sport, per capita.
Another name that found himself in the midst of newly garnered attention at the end of the night was Sergio Mora. Vernon Forrest, as solid as he has been in the past when not injured, found out the hard way that sometimes no matter how hungry you are, you can never underestimate the next man in the serving line who just may have a little extra room on his plate based on a simple hunger for more. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of Forrest, but the tears in his eyes in the end showed exactly how humbling this sport can be when things don’t go according to plan. Mora took shots, he gave shots, he showed heart, he outboxed, he showed strength, he showed speed, and a judge-gift he would not need. In the end, he proved he would simply not be denied. But if you thought that was something……
Did you see that demolition by Paul Williams?
Coming into the fight I had a hunch Williams would come in with a chip on his shoulder but I had no idea it would result in a complete 360 that would send Quintana to the shower in less than 180 (seconds). People continue to talk so much about who’s victorious in the welterweight division. I’m beginning to find a helluva trend when assessing those that have lost. Both Margarito and Williams have stood directly in the face of that adversity and shown the world what they’re about when skeptics felt safe trying to calling them out.
What makes the victory by Williams even more intriguing is that it gives an already turbulent welterweight landscape a few more bumps to conquer. He now holds the WBO strap. You have Judah/Clottey about to decide on the IBF strap. Next you have the soon-to-be-reality acquisition of the WBC strap by the young Andre Berto, and in a fight we all await, Margarito and Cotto will decide on the final divisional strap, owned by the WBA. Meanwhile, lurking somewhere in the dark is Oscar Dela Hoya who – despite the old age and inactivity – is still somewhat a darkhorse in the division. As much as it would be great to see him in the mix, speaking in the best interest of Oscar, the ‘Money Man’ and ‘Two Pound’ are no longer here to play around. If Oscar jumps in the sandbox with either of these potential last men standing (Margarito/Cotto/or Williams), he’ll learn fast that it’s a totally different story when you’re in the ring with a guy more concerned about winning than the amount of digits in his fight purse.
Speaking of which, my thoughts on the sudden retirement of Floyd Mayweather Jr…..Based on his pure athletic ability, there’s no fighter I currently enjoy watching more, but I’ll believe it’s real only when I see Roger Mayweather take on another welterweight protoge’. I find Roger to be the key in this whole scenario. If Roger doesn’t find work somewhere in the division or close by, -(despite all the formidable talent lacking a solid trainer) I’ll firmly believe that the plan for Mayweather Jr. to return is pending, predicated on some unknown action yet to take place. Think about it…..just over a month ago, Floyd strong-armed Roger into leaving the corner of a fighter who had the potential to “ruin his payday” – (forbes). Now, all of a sudden Floyd has decided not to take that same payday he was protecting? I love his talents in the ring and would never question his motives, but to quote OutKast lyricist Andre 3000, If this is “forever…forever ever….forever ever”!?!, we’ll see Roger find some moldable talent in the sports deepest division without worrying about his nephew resurfacing. Just my thoughts on the retirement of the sports pound for pound great.
Last but not least, this weekend gave us a huge glimpse into the evolution of a fighter who has slowly etched his name in the sand as the sports quickest rising star. Fight after fight, Kelly Pavlik continues to impress and as I watch his skills continue to evolve, it’s hard not to see this guy eventually sitting in the sports Hall-of-Fame. The fact that he is able to do so much damage with sub-par speed (compared to other greats in history) is a full testament to not only his power, but also his skill. If there’s ever been a blue-collared fighter on a white-collared stage, he’s the guy. Not one for the antics and machismo, and not one to try living outside of his skin, this guy is just a monster waiting to put the bam on the next man his team puts in front of him. I remember nearly a year ago stating that I’d love to see him move up in weight and pair his skills with Joe Calzaghe, only to receive fan emails stating that I was the proverbial ‘butt’ of the joke. Similar to the state of the sport of boxing, I end this article by asking aloud, “Isn’t it funny how some things completely turn around”? (Wink)
(Got Questions or Feedback? Write ESB’s Vivek Wallace at vivexemail@yahoo.com or show some love at www.myspace.com/anonymouslyinvolved)