By Ezio Prapotnich – If the great Max Schmeling was to give his advice to the Klitschko brothers today, he would probably tell them that in order to succeed you don’t necessarily have to go to America, as long as you get TV exposure. Fact is that society has evolved quickly in the past 50 years on the technological level, although not always in a positive way, and our lifestyle changed accordingly. All forms of art are but an expression of the society of their time. The Noble Art is no exception..
We can probably track down to the emergence of Ali the moment where fights started to be fought, if not yet completely won, on television way before the opponents climbed into the ring. The Greatest set the blueprint for a new breed of fighters who make their way through the rankings by way of trash-talking, publicity stunts, good looks, and media skills, as much as or even more than actually fighting. David Haye rise to the WBA title is a perfect example.
Another fact to be recognized is that the media, TV specifically, gained an almost scary authority in matchmaking, basing it on viewing figures rather than merit. Without going into the perversions of HBO, let’s just think of the highly successful “Prizefighter” format: it would have been preposterous only 20 years ago to think that winning three 3 rounder in a night against opposition ranging from good-but-old to good-but-green, or from average to very poor, could propel a fighter career straight into a serious and recognized title shot. But, it does work. Ask a fading talent like Audley Harrison, or an emerging one like Patrick Mendy, who could have fought Brian Magee for the Super-Middleweight European title after his victory in the tournament, if only eligible by the EBU.
In every field of entertainment, from writing to music, what gets published is good writers/singers/whatever that sell, and bad writers/singers/whatever that sell. Do you get the bottom line? Things are the way they are, not the way they should be, therefore it would be silly not to acknowledge and deal with reality for what it is, instead of trying to take advantage.
On Friday the 10th of September at London famous York Hall, English Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and former Commonwealth Welterweight southpaw champion John O’Donnell, big names of the UK domestic scene, will have a chance to raise their media profile to international level by featuring in Showtime’s ShoBox. This is a spin-off of the pay-tv giant own Showtime Championship Boxing focusing exclusively on quality prospects. Airing since 2001, the format has proved refreshing thanks to the clever matchmaking that primes the younger stars for tougher competition, providing invaluable exposure at the price of facing a legitimate threat at a point of a fighter career where he would usually be fed soft opponents.
Luke Tyson Fury’s career, 11(9)-0-0, has been blazing in spite of its shortness. After knocking out a bunch of non-entities, he was able to land an English title shot in less than a year from his debut, controversially out pointing John Mc Dermott, and silenced all doubters by regaining the same title knocking out the former champion in a re-match in June. Still, there are lots of questions for Tyson to answer. It’s undeniable that his outspoken personality and his looks played a big part in his quick rise to prominence. Fair play to him for being a good self-promoter, an asset that is proving essential in the sport of late as already discussed, but many still question whether he actually has the skills to go all the way. In Jason Gavern, he will face his toughest opponent yet. The 33 years old American heavyweight, although sporting a 19(8)-7(1)-4 unflattering record, mixed it with world level fighters in the last year, losing a decision to Denis Boytsov, winning the WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation title against Arreola victim Manuel Quezada, and drawing with Jonathan Banks for the NABF belt.
John O’Donnell, 23(11)-1(1)-0 is a different specimen. Debuting in 2004, he took him 3 years and 14 fights before he got his shot to the English title, which he won against then unbeaten Stuart Elwell. After suffering the first loss in his USA debut in 2008 and taking a year off, he piled 5 straight victories before claiming the Commonwealth title from Craig Watson with a controversial split decision that most observers think he did not deserve. His chance to erase his American loss and silence the critics comes under the name of Terrance Cauthen, who, standing at 35(9)-6(3)-0, being a former Lightweight Bronze medal at Atlanta 1996 Olympics and NABF Light-welterweight champion who fought the likes of Paul Williams, poses a more than legitimate threat.
So, here we have 2 fighters whose greatest victories so far have been surrounded by controversy, but that, in spite of this or may be thanks to it and their personalities and looks, are very marketable, taking their chances in a TV format that, according to how they do on the night, might get them the opportunities they crave much faster than fighting their way up the rankings. And that’s the way it is. Love it or hate it, Friday the 10th of October at York hall, IT’S SHOWTIME!
Tickets are £35 for unreserved seats and £60 for ringside and can be purchased from the Ticketline Box Office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.hennessysports.com.