Pacquiao-Marquez prediction; Remembering Joe Frazier

By Reni M. Valenzuela: Predictions generate a buzz of varied reflections. But where are they not so important? Predictions are probabilities that can’t go beyond the conceivable. They are mere likelihoods of what might transpire in the future within the reach of what is humanly possible. While predictions matter to bettors who gamble in perpetuity only to always win what they’ve lost, predictions don’t mean much to those who dare set forth to “unknown” heights to capture true winning without plunging. No wonder, eagle wings are for humans too who have within themselves what it takes to soar.

Hard training for both camps is over. Three days to fight night, the battle has now shifted to where it matters the most – mind, heart, soul and spirit.
Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez have just entered the remaining “quiet and inactive” days heading to their “air-strike” combat on Saturday. And more often than not, it is at this lull stage where the “miracle of upset” takes place for the underdog after both boxers have equally disposed of their best in training.

The fighters are gravely mistaken if they think they are well and done preparing for the bout because the rigors of gym stretch and efforts have passed their tight schedules. It is here where complacency, nervousness and overconfidence usually set in. Before any one of these inner “beasts” rears its ugly, bloody head during a most heated grisly fight, a surprised boxer normally finds himself at the mercy of a sudden “twist.”

Realize that training and preparation are synonymous, but they are essentially different requisite in a fight or in any earthly endeavor for that matter. The two-month “wild and crazy” physical training is to ensure premium performance but it is only about 60% of the total drill. While the other 40% which completes the course to seize the prize depends on the mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual buildup being undertaken or experienced by the person few days prior to the actual contest. And lest one gets so tense, excited or distracted, he might fail to humbly pray which transcendent act seals the victory and brings forth deep joys that make winning truly glorious and God-honoring.
Solomon, the wisest man who ever walked on the planet, has this piece of thought for Marquez and Pacquiao to heed: “I looked throughout the earth and saw that the swiftest person does not always win the race, nor the strongest man the battle” – Ecclesiastes 9:11.

Fasten your seatbelts.

renimvalenzuela@yahoo.com

WHAT I REMEMBER MOST ABOUT “SMOKIN’ JOE

By Jim Amato: The sport of boxing lost a true legend with the passing of former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier. So much of my early days following boxing had to do with Joe Frazier. I was only ten years old when he won the Olympic Gold Medal in 1964. I remember how impressed I was seeing a photo of a smiling Frazier with his hands raised above his head in the sports page.This was after halting the rugged George Chuvalo in 1967. This was the same Chuvalo who went the distance with Muhammad Ali in a title fight the year before. I knew then Frazier would be a champion one day.

I remember when Ali was stripped of his title and Joe was held out of the WBA Eight Man Elimination tourney by his astute manager Yancey Durham. Joe would then beat the large but clever Buster Mathis to win title recognition in New York and Pennsylvania. When the dust settled in the eight man box off,Jimmy Ellis had emerged as the WBA champion. In February of 1970 Frazier stopped the courageous Ellis to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. BUT…Muhammad Ali was coming out of exile. For Frazier to be regarded as the true champion he had to defeat Ali. The table was now set for the “showdown” between Ali and Frazier.

After Joe Frazier defeated Muhammad Ali in their March 8, 1971 classic, in my eyes he was never the same. He had future moments, the win over Quarry, the “Thrilla in Manila “but for all intents and purposes, Joe left his soul in that Madison Square Garden ring. I have followed boxing for over forty years. In that time I have seen so many game warriors.

I’ve seen men die in the ring, become disabled or suffer post career dementia. For all the horrible things I’ve seen one fight will always stand out for me. The first bout between Frazier and Ali was the Fight of the Century. Please have no doubt about it. In that fight I have never seen a boxer with such a will to win then Joe Frazier had that night. He was NOT going to be denied. Ali could have had a tire iron and a billy club in the ring with him that night and he still would have lost. That night Joe Frazier could have held his own with any heavyweight that ever lived. On that glorious evening Joe Frazier was GREAT ! That is how I’ll always remember Joe Frazier.

Lewus Gets Serious About Comeback

Former Featherweight Contender Drops 20 lbs, Ready to Make Run at World Title

Fans of Chicago-based professional boxer Johnny Lewus (25-4-1, 21 KOs) better get used to seeing a lot less of him.

Lewus, who will face Saint Paul, Minnesota’s Allen “The American Boy” Litzau in the eight-round lightweight main event of Hitz Boxing’s “Thanksgiving Eve Belvedere Bash”, on Wednesday, November 23, at The Belvedere in Elk Grove, Illinois, will be coming in a full 20 lbs lighter than when he began his comeback as a junior middleweight last year.

“I feel great,” said an energetic Lewus on his way to the gym. “I feel like I’m 25 years old. I can move better; everything is much better. Heavyweights put all this weight on and they’re fine, but we little guys get slow and sluggish. I’m fast again now. I’m back to Johnny Lewus. I’m back to a world-class fighter and I feel good about it.”

An in-shape Johnny Lewus could still have a lot to offer the boxing world.

Fighting from featherweight to lightweight before taking a decade off, 40-year-old Lewus’s only losses came by decision to such names as the great Orlando Canizales, Vuyani Bungu (for the IBF Super Bantamweight Championship) and former world champion Kennedy McKinney (He also dropped a four-round decision very early in his career).

Lewus says his reawakening as a serious fighter came from fighting to a draw with a less-skilled, but much larger, opponent and from watching his 13-year-old son train for an amateur fight.

“I had a draw against a guy that was just too big and I felt terrible in there. Believe it or not, somebody showed me a picture of the fight and I said that’s not even me. I decided right there that if I’m going to make a comeback, I’ll have to do it the right way. You can’t fight bigger guys like that. You’ll get hurt. Plus, I have a 13-year-old son who also fights and what kind of a role model am I if I’m a fat fighter? He’s got a six-pack stomach and I have a kegger around my waist.”

The new/old version of Lewus says he is looking forward to the test that Litzau has to offer him.

“This fight should be a good step up. Litzau is a tough kid, but I’ll go in and do what I’m supposed to do and get him out of there. While it lasts, there should be lot of action. He throws a lot of punches and so do I, so it’s going to be action-packed fight.”

Lewus appreciates his long-time promoter Bobby Hitz and all of his loyal fans for their loyalty and would like to pay them all back by giving boxing his all one more time.

“I have to give this a real shot. I’ve got to take care of my family. I have my mom with me, my dad passed away. I’m the man of the house now and it’s time for me to step up. I know I’ll be an underdog on the way up, but whatever you put your mind to do you can do. I tell myself that all the time and I truly believe it. I don’t feel forty. I’ll be too old when I say I’m too old.”

Tickets for the “Thanksgiving Eve Belvedere Bash” are $100 Ringside and $35 G/A and are available at fanfueled.com or the HITZ TIX HOTLINE: 630-442-4203. All bouts are subject to change. On fight night, doors open at 6:30 pm and the action starts at 7:30.

The Belvedere Banquet is located at 1170 West Devon in Elk Grove.

Visit www.hitzboxing.com for more information.