Yup, you read my headline correctly.
In an age when too many boxers act like businessmen inside the ring, when we’ve been so conditioned to lower the bar on what an entertaining fight is (where more and more we say ‘Well, that wasn’t as rancid as we all expected’ as if somehow that makes it good) and when the sport is fighting for its share in the marketplace versus MMA – thank God for the Mexican fighters.
I know, I know, it’s politically incorrect and it may rankle some of you out there, but as Bill Belichick would say “It is what it is.”
In this country, Mexican fighters and their fan bases are the backbone of the boxing industry. Without them this business is completely irrelevant. And just as importantly, the fights they participate in are the ones that not only retain fans but create new ones. It’s them – and the little guys in general – that give us our most memorable moments.
You can have all your “boxing matches” (a newfound euphemism for “boring”) or Quinton Jackson-Chuck Lidell. Gimme two world-class Mexican fighters doing what they do.
And they usually do it for less money than their other colleagues for whatever reason. Maybe it’s because they don’t always speak fluent English and are thought of as foreigners. Perhaps they don’t have the correct “advisor” for certain networks. Maybe they should act like malcontents, make outrageous financial demands and act foul and belligerent to get respect.
But as George Lopez said about Mexican workers, they just put their head down, shut up and work harder – which was shown once again this past weekend in Hidalgo, Texas and Rosemont, Illinois (near Chicago) as a pair of promotions headlined by Mexican and Mexican-American boxers gave the sport and it’s followers a fantastic night.
Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez did something very difficult at the Dodge Arena. They actually raised the ante on what was one of the best fights of 2007 by putting on what has to be the front runner for ‘Fight of the Year’. Rounds one through seven were outstanding, rounds eight through 13 were even better. It was violent, brutal and passionate. A beautiful combination when put into this context as Vasquez and Marquez swapped leather throughout the heated rematch.
But the action wasn’t just emotionally stunning; it also had a degree of skill and science that was breathtaking to watch. Marquez with his master skills from the outside landing hard, whistling right-crosses and body blows from in close, and Vasquez using subtle movement to close the gap and work over both sides of his opponent with a two-fisted attack. As the rounds mounted, you could see the battle scars on both men, who were cut, bloodied and bruised. Round three should be put into a time capsule as it could the most remarkable round this reporter has witnessed since the tenth frame of Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo I back in 2005.
The first encounter between the two was defined by the technical precision of Marquez from the outside. The rematch should be remembered for the will and ‘want-to’ of Vasquez, who had to call it a day back in March because of the condition of his nose which left him unable to breathe properly. You get the strong sense on this particular evening, you could’ve decapitated him and he would’ve kept coming all night long. While he was stung more than once from the blistering punches of Marquez, he seemed to react much better to those shots in the return bout.
With the aid of new trainer Rudy Perez, whose stock is rising fast, Vasquez did a better job of keeping his hands up and working off the jab. But what was really key was smothering Marquez on the inside, not allowing him to unfurl his long limbs. It was here in this landscape where Vasquez was able to impose his superior size and strength on Marquez.
Marquez, who lost for the first time in seven years, is very close to being the perfect prizefighter. But while Achilles had his heel, Marquez has his chin. Not that it’s a terrible chin, but it can be punctured and Marquez is no stranger to the canvas. In the sixth round a short Vasquez hook would send him to the seat of his trunks. From there Vasquez would unleash a furious assault, while Marquez gamely fought back off the ropes. But it was clear, this was going to be Vasquez’s fight. Marquez’s legs were unsteady and as he stumbled along the ropes and when he proceeded to crouch down, referee Lupe Garcia would halt the action. Some have criticized the stoppage as being premature. It says here that the stoppage was right on time and saved Marquez from further undue punishment.
Besides, don’t you want Marquez at his best when Round 14 of this trilogy begins?
It wasn’t too long ago that Vasquez was considered by pundits as just another nameless, faceless title-holder, just another guy with a belt but certainly not an elite fighter. If guys like Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera were A-listers, he was a character actor. You saw him on a lot of shows, but you never really knew who he was. Well, with wins over Oscar Larios (twice), Jhonny Gonzalez and now, Marquez (all in entertaining fashion) it’s clear, he’s no longer just a supporting player.
In Chi-Town, the curtain would close on one of the game’s featured attractions in Erik Morales, who was valiant in coming up short in his bid for a major world title in his fourth weight class versus David Diaz. It was feared that Morales would get overrun by this Chicago Bull but instead it was ‘El Terrible’ playing the role of matador in sending Diaz to the floor at the end of the first round and out-boxing him over the first half of the bout.
While it was evident that Morales’ skills had diminished it was clear that his craft and guile were troubling Diaz. But unfortunately youth would be served in the second half of the fight as Diaz would crowd Morales and his fading legs were unable to hold off his charges. The reigning WBC lightweight champion would basically sweep rounds seven through 12 on all the judge’s scorecards to win the contest by the scores of 114-113, 115-113 and 115-112.
But even in defeat, Morales was gallant. Once again in front of nearly 10,000 fans at the Allstate Arena, he gave the partisans another memorable night. It was feared that Morales was a “shot” fighter, one whose health was at risk. But not only was his health intact, so was his dignity.
I’ll never forget Morales, who announced his retirement after the Diaz fight, in the midst of perhaps his most bitter defeat on Thanksgiving weekend of 2004 against his arch-rival Barrera, stating with a sense of pride that once again, as usual, it was two Mexican fighters that put on a great fight.
You know, he was onto something.
PROSPECT WATCH
Did anyone see young featherweight prospect Argenis Mendez lead off the Telefutura broadcast this past Friday night? He would blowout Daniel Lornezano in two, showing good technical skills and the ability to go to the body like a 10-year veteran.
There are a lot of insiders who are sky high on this 21-year old, who hails from the Dominican Republic, who represented his country in the 2004 Olympics and won a host of other international tourneys as an amateur.
With his most recent win he improved to 6-0. He is promoted by Top Rank and managed by Cameron “Bird Dog” Dunkin.
He’s certainly a guy worth keeping an eye on.
KINGPIN CREED
I’ll say it again, the fighter that heavyweight Kevin Johnson reminds me of is not Larry Holmes, but Apollo Creed. It’s almost errie. I’m just waiting for him to come out to one of his bouts like a black George Washington crossing the Delaware, with an Uncle Sam top hat, waving to the crowd.
He still needs to work on adding more facets to his offensive arsenal.
By the way, was that Isaac Hayes in his corner?
THE PLAYMAKER
For the second straight weekend, one of my all-time favorites was inducted into a Hall-of-Fame, in Michael Irvin, aka ‘the Playmaker’.
I can still see him streaking down the sideline at Doak Campbell Stadium against FSU, spearheading Miami’s thrilling 26-25 comeback win over the Noles that eventually led to the 1987 national championship. Or him beating OU’s Ricky Dixon like a drum on the skinny post and catching a frozen rope from Vinny Testaverde in 1986 and then celebrating his TD with the west end zone crowd at the Orange Bowl.
And yes, who will ever forget his mink coat he wore to court when his troubles mounted in Dallas? What can you say, the guy had a style that was all his own.
For my money, he was the best receiver in the NFL not named Jerry Rice (the GOAT) during the ‘90s.
There are a lot of playmakers, but there was only one “Playmaker”.
Michael Jerome Irvin.
TOP RANK PRODUCTION
Top Rank put on another good production in Chicago. From what I could see on the tube and what I was told from folks in attendance, the atmosphere was very lively throughout. Other promotional firms should take note, this is how you keep and cultivate boxing fans.
It’s good see that there are still promoters out there who care if their shows are about as lively as morgues and are willing to spend their own money to do something about it.
Also, they did a great job in pounding the pavement and pressing the flesh in really promoting this event. It seemed that everyday there was something going on in Chicago- that involved the public- to push the fight.
That’s promoting.
FINAL FLURRIES
I thought Jean Pascal got through his test with Kingsley Ikeke very well. I love the idea of a showdown with Allan Green….OK, after 2007, I think there should be some pressure to step up Julio Cesar Chavez Jr……I don’t think WBA 122-pound titlist Celestino Caballero did much to help his cause in retaining his belt against Jorge Lacierva. The guy I’d like to see on U.S. airwaves is IBF belt-holder Steve Molitor….That was one helluva right-hand that Ulisis Solis landed on Rodel Mayol to retain his WBC jr. flyweight title in Chicago….Free ‘Dog’ Chapman!!!
