Philippines, 27 Nov 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Invisible Collazo


PhilBoxing.com




After months of preparation and a steady yet losing early couple of rounds, an invisible Luis Collazo started to emerge for the first time in the third round. He started to close the gap by cutting off the ring while his undefeated opponent, a power puncher and knockout artist, oddly enough, started to veer away to circle around the ring. He would come up with a number of combinations but the tide kept moving forward and he had to fight as he might never had to against Collazo, who could not be accused of not having fought the best opposition during his prime. Keith Thurman must have been glad to be fighting an older version of the fighter as he kept up a circuitous fray.

The former world champion kept pressing the action in the following round, hitting and not being bothered at all if he missed a punch or two, which showed the amount of energy he has in reserve and was willing to expend, that showed a glimpse of how hard he had trained. Luis Collazo's tattoo covered body gleamed in the spotlight as it had when he became a champion a decade ago, saying something, roaring, wanting to be heard- as it had not been probably since he fought Ricky Hatton in 2006- a fight which in his mind he should have won. He planted a booming counter punch with his left hand that almost cut down Keith Thurman after an industrious work to the body.

Luis Collazo is now heard and seen, and it was an ominous sight.

Keith Thurman did not fare too well since Collazo had started to lobby his case but bravely fought even in backing up. It might not have made things easier for him knowing that he had so much to lose at this surging stage of his career. He knows he has the advantage in youth and brute strength but suddenly Collazo's jabs started to find its target. Thurman was no longer as invincible as the media have painted him to be. He could also see that Collazo's sharp cuts started to swell up his right eye.

The hardest punch is one you do not see. Luis Collazo fought by instinct, rhythm, with a limited view from his left. He could not see from his swollen right eye and dripping blood that seeped in and disrupted his sight. Volleys from the right flank were all ghost punches now and came harder than it normally does. Keith Thurman, who prides himself for his power, now capitalized on the situation with left hooks to Collazo's head. The latter still tried to move forward and set up traps but has become an easier target and a tad slow to react to lateral movements, especially towards his blind side. It was all red darkness in the drowning din of the arena. Luck, if a man of faith ever believes in it, has ran out. His punches at certain angles were prayers that were responded to with hard combinations. It was all Keith "One Time" Thurman now in a slightly rejuvenated state.

By the end of the seventh round, when asked if he wanted to end the fight, Collazo responded "I can't see..."

There were cheers and some that used to be for him had turned to boos as Keith Thurman celebrated his victory up on the ropes. They now say the fighter who could barely see his opponent was a quitter, although he had never quit in a fight before; even if he had fought Shane Mosley for twelve rounds with an injured left hand that required surgery afterward. He was no longer brave enough in just moments after he was actually winning it. The fifteen year stoical veteran who has always fought as a perennial underdog, whose resilience and integrity I would not question was once again becoming imperceptible.

"You fought well my friend. Chin up. I hope you'll be okay soon." I said.

"I'm sorry about the results." replied a plaintive Luis.

"I suffered two bad cuts. I could not see in the last round from the right eye."

I told him what many wanted to know. "People are saying you quit back there against Thurman. But I've never seen you quit before and that gives you integrity. It is for you and no one else. You don't have to answer to that."

But Luis Collazo answered anyway, albeit indirectly " Yeah, hey! People are going to say what they want at the end of the day. It does not matter. I know who I am and what I represent."

Life does not give favors even to good men. It does not matter if one has done much good one gets it just the same or even worse if you are mistaken. While a known criminal deserves a day in court, good men are ipso facto guilty until proven otherwise.


Mark F. Villanueva
www.boxinginsight.blogspot.com

Follow Mark via Twitter @MarkFVillanueva


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mark F. Villanueva.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • The Past Week in Action 25 November 2024: Papot KOs Wagner; Guerfi Stops Le Couviour
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 26 Nov 2024
  • El Presidente, Grand Maestro, Kamatyas, Flash Arca and Gwapings to grace the 49th IIEE ANC and Golden sports on November 28 to 30 at SMX Pasay City
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 26 Nov 2024
  • DC judokas win 3 golds, 1 silver in Batang Pinoy
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 26 Nov 2024
  • Emirates NBA Cup Updates: Warriors Only Team With Clear Path to KO Round
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 26 Nov 2024
  • Taduran defense in limbo
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 26 Nov 2024
  • Nisa Rodriguez to return to ring Dec. 17th on “Holiday Fight Night 3” at Sony Hall in Times Square
    , Tue, 26 Nov 2024
  • Lopez-Ataev main event leads international spectacular at IBA Champions’ Night Dubai
    , Tue, 26 Nov 2024
  • WORLD NINEBALL TOUR ANNOUNCES THREE RANKING EVENTS TO CONCLUDE 2024
    , Tue, 26 Nov 2024
  • HIGHLY COVETED TEAM GB OLYMPIAN PAT BROWN SIGNS WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
    , Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • NM Inigo rules Philippine Batang Pinoy Blitz chess championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Davao futsal scores 1st win
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 25 Nov 2024
  • Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
    , Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
    , Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
    , Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
    , Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
    , Sun, 24 Nov 2024
  • Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 23 Nov 2024
  • Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 23 Nov 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.