THEY don’t make them like Genaro Hernandez anymore. On the canvas after having been fouled by Azumah Nelson, the challenger was assured of victory by disqualification if he had elected not to continue. However, Hernandez’s conscious would not allow him to do that. “Nelson is too great of a champ to lose his title that way” said Hernandez. Genaro got up and continued the fight, winning the title in a more appropriate fashion. Hernandez’s actions could be labeled anywhere from stupid to heroic. What all will agree on is that it was the height of supreme sportsmanship which today is sadly lacking in so many quarters.
What was more unsportsmanlike, David Haye showing off his little toe as an excuse for his defeat by Wladimir Klitschko or Floyd Mayweather sucker punching Victor Ortiz even though it was his legal right to? Perhaps Abner Mares should join the conversation as well for sinking his most effective punches under Abner Mares’ beltline and then feigning innocence. While we are at it, let’s give some recognition to the head master Andre Ward who used his as a battering ram when he fought Mikkel Kessler.
In no other sport but boxing do the competitors spend so much time bad mouthing their opponents beforehand and then making excuses afterward.
To an extent, you can justify lousy sportsmanship before a match as trying to gain a psychological edge or to promote the fight. However, it is afterward where the true character of the fighter can be measured. Does he accept accountability for what happened or will he blame his loss on something or someone?
Just as technology has improved greatly these last few decades, attitudes and morality have taken a backward step. This reflects in fighters attitudes which in general are not as gracious as those in bygone eras. It is time to hold them accountable with a conduct grade based on how they acted after their fights.
Lets grade a dozen fighters of the last few decades using the Boxing News Star Rating scale of one to five. One is absolutely rubbish, two is poor, three average, four good, and five outstanding. Based on this scale Haye would get a one, Hernandez a five.
The Klitschko Brothers: They keep talking about sportsmanship, but theirs could use a bit of improving.
That You Tube video that Wladmir did of David Haye was a bit mean spirited. Wladmir had already proved his point in the ring. When Wladmir lost to Lamon Brewster he hinted at foul play rather than give his opponent credit. In general though, Wladimir tries to be complimentary toward his beaten opponents.
As badly as Vitali wanted a rematch with Lennox Lewis he never bad mouthed the Britisher or claimed his fight ending cut resulted from a butt. Unlike Wladimir, he does not throw many compliments a beaten opponent?s way. When Odlanier Solis was pulled out after suffering a horrific knee injury in their fight, Vitali started to taunt him thinking the Cuban had quit. When it later became obvious that the injury made it impossible for Solis to fight on, Vitali acknowledged it’s seriousness but did not apologise for his prior conduct.
Klitschko report card grade: *** for each.
Sugar Ray Leonard: Outside the ring Sugar was a real jerk which he so refreshingly detailed in his recent book. As a sportsman he was superb. Forget about the way he would sometimes taunt an opponent. It was always part of his strategy to give him a psychological edge. It was the way that Leonard handled disappointing performances which is impressive. He did not cry about the decision in the first Roberto Duran fight even though it was close enough to have gone either way. And after he had humiliated hated rival Duran in the rematch he did not badmouth him afterward.
What made Leonard the ultimate sportsman is what he says about his draw against Tommy Hearns in their rematch. Sugar claims the draw was unfair and that Hearns deserved the nod. How many other fighters would have admitted that?
Leonard report card grade: *****
Manny Pacquiao: Considered the ultimate good guy for all the charitable things he does. Has always acted graciously toward opponents, but did show a chink in his armor by criticising Shane Mosley after their fight. The Pac Man’s beef was that Mosley never tried to exchange punches with him, thus depriving Manny of a knockout. The warmth he showed toward Mosley beforehand was not evident when it was all over. No doubt that feeling stemmed from Pacquiao’s frustration over not having one upped Mayweather and accomplish what he was unable to, which was to stop Mosley.
Pacquiao report card grade: ****
Tommy Hearns: Joins his great rival Leonard as the ultimate sportsman. Has never made an excuse. Did not complain about the draw with Leonard or a close decision loss to Iran Barkley in their rematch. Complimented Marvin Hagler very graciously after their fight and has never deviated from that praise. The original ?Hit Man? does not know what the word excuse means.
Hearns report card grade: *****
Bernard Hopkins: It all comes down to whether or not he has won. If so, he is extremely kind and compassionate toward his beaten opponent only saying encouraging things, never degrading them. However, if the ?Executioner? is on the wrong end of the verdict a bigger whiner does not exist. What more can we say that the talkative Hopkins has not already?
Hopkins report card grade: ***
Marvin Hagler: Bob Arum once said about Hagler that he still continued (in attitude) the fight after it was over. That is how wound up Marvin was in his destruct and destroy mission. Hagler left his opponents well beaten and rarely uttered a kind word about them afterward. And his bitterness over the Leonard loss making it out to be the great brinks robbery was a bit over the top.
Hagler did show a better side to himself when interviewed about the draw with Vito Antuofermo. Marvin thought he won it, but admitted that the fight was close. Making that acknowledgment probably hurt the Marvelous one more than any punches he had ever taken.
Hagler report card grade: **
Amir Khan: The Dmitry Salita fight alone guarantees him a high grade. Jew against Muslim had the potential for some ethnic overtones. Although none of that came into play in the pre-fight buildup, Salita’s boast that he would destroy Khan could have made things a bit testy. Khan dispatched of Salita in a round but did not boast about it afterward.
He was pretty complimentary to Zab Judah after defeating him, but a little testy about Paul McCloskey.
Khan report card grade: ****
Muhammad Ali: His incessant berating of Joe Frazier and lying about an incident with Ernie Terrell reflect poorly on Ali. Terrell refused to call Ali by his chosen name referring to him as Cassius Clay. Ali later claimed on at least a couple of occasions that after he punished Terrell and they were in a clinch, Ernie muttered his correct name. All indications are that the claim is bogus.
Ali cried for years that he was robbed in the first Frazier fight, a claim that is absurd. However, the Greatest redeemed himself when his career was over admitting that yes, the decision was a fair one that rightfully went to Frazier. He also did not dispute the close decision loss of the heavyweight title to Leon Spinks. Ali was often gracious after defeating an opponent.
Ali report card grade: ***
Ricky Hatton: Complained a little about referee Joe Cortez’s work in his fight with Mayweather, but basically took the high road. No excuses for the disaster against Pacquiao where others would have had plenty. Allowing his then trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr to trash former one Billy Graham was shameful.
Hatton report card grade: ****
Floyd Mayweather Jnr: Grading him is quite difficult. Mayweather is like the student who scores the highest exam grades, but is absent from class more than anyone else. You really have to juggle the criteria in his case.
That sucker punch of Ortiz was terrible sportsmanship, legal or not. Is very obnoxious in lead up to fights and in speaking about potential opponents. However, is surprisingly gracious when all is said and done speaking well of opponents and trying to give them due credit. Going off on HBO’s Larry Merchant after the Ortiz fight went a little overboard. If and when he finally loses we will get a better read on what type of sportsman he truly is. I suspect it will be better than people think. For now though he rates poorly.
Mayweather report card grade: **
Carl Froch: Has a chip on his shoulder but has seemed to mature with age. Complained a little about the Kessler setback, but did not go over the top about it. Calling out a retired Joe Calzaghe was classless, but later made peace with him. Also developed a warm friendship with Jean Pascal after they fought.
Froch report card grade: ****
