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Philippines, 06 Feb 2025 |
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This Time it's Coronavirus Pandemic, Not Politics That KO Big Fights By Ralph Rimpell PhilBoxing.com Mon, 04 May 2020  For the past 4 weeks, life as we know in our communities and around the world has been different. Prior to 4 weeks ago, an illness, that many in the United States heard about called “Corona Virus” also known as Covid-19 had been causing people in foreign countries to become ill and die. Eventually Corona Virus made its way to the United States and this is now a world problem (pandemic), not some other country’s problem, but our problem as well. Our local and Federal government struggled to find the best solution do deal with this problem. “Social distancing”, shutting down schools, shutting down non-essential businesses in many states, the best scientist in the world collaborating to develop a cure, etc. The available information seemed to change daily. First, the public was told, “You should only wear a face mask if you feel sick”, now in many US states, “All should wear face mask”. Some Governors in certain states have called for all “nonessential businesses to close their doors” while others had allowed all business to remain open. Some Officials began closing schools immediately, while others kept schools open and defended the decision only to later realize the best course of action was to close schools. People have cancelled weddings, parties, travel, and other family events because of the guidelines that government officials following the recommendation of agencies such as Center for Disease Control, World Health Organizations, Department of Health, etc. have given to the public. The 2020 Olympic Games will likely not happen on schedule and most if not all professional sports, including boxing has been postponed or cancelled. There was some talk of boxers competing with only limited media, necessary personnel, and TV crew for broadcasting. Folks that is not a real boxing match. One thousand to 15,000 screaming fans rooting for their favorite fighter is part of a real boxing match. Keep in mind fight fans in attendance who purchase tickets to live events generate millions of dollars in revenue for fights. No one knows when the US gov’t will open back up or go back to normal. When will it be safe for us to stop “Social Distancing”? Will it be in mid May 2020, six months from now, or a year and a half from now? Are the “Pound for Pound” fighters staying in the Gym training? Are they staying in shape? Most fighters fight for different Promoters who often time are not willing to work together. As a result, the “Big Fights” have not been signed often. There are boxing matchups fight fans craved to see in 2020 because they were not signed in 2019. Some of those fights should have been signed since 2018 for that matter. Fights such as Crawford-Spence, Joshua-Wilder, Fury-Joshua, Canelo-GGG 3 , Lomanchecko-Davis, Lomanchecko – Mikey Garcia, Lomanchecko- Beltran, Davis-Beltran, Lomancheko - Ryan Garcia, and Davis-Ryan Garcia. Some fighters clearly do not want to fight each other, so the fights are not signed. Other fights are not signed because Promoters are unable to come to financial terms with one another. Other fights are not signed because both fighters are encouraged to build their professional record so that the fight can be properly marketed when it is eventually signed to maximize revenue. That’s a good strategy. For whatever reason fights were not signed prior to the current pandemic, there is a possibility that the aforementioned fights may never materialize. Why? When “Social distancing” ends, will people be so quick to fill arenas for “big fights” as they did 3 months ago? Will people be so quick to get on airplane as they did for a “big fight” 3 months ago? Will at that time a proposed “big fight” make financial sense to sign as the economy is in recession? Many people are currently unemployed. That includes fight fans. The live gate (fans in attendance at the arena or stadium) plays a part in what all involved with the fight promotion will earn. For the sake of this argument, let’s say in 3-6 months the pandemic is over. Will the “Big fights” get signed? Have those with the power or influence to make the “Big fights” learned from the gov’t shutdown? That is, “in life anything can happen” and “to strike while the iron it’s hot”. We will have to wait and see hoping for the best. The good news is certain news outlets have reported that a vaccine for Corona virus may be available as early as September 2020. Let us hope and pray that does happen so a lot more suffering and loss of lives can be avoided worldwide. It would be nice to knockout Corona virus instead of Corona virus knocking out the “big fights”. Boxing notes Mike Tyson said in a recent interview that he would come back to boxing to fight in a few exhibition matches. He also says he trains every day. That is very believable, as he appears very fit. Judging by recent videos posted of Tyson doing mitt work, he also appears very fast. If he does comes back for exhibition matches, THIS WRITER IS ONLY INTERESTED IF KEVIN ROONEY, TYSON’S ORIGINAL PROFESSIONAL TRAINER, coaches him. After Tyson dismissed Rooney, Tyson was not the same fighter he was. Rooney had remarked that only he could properly train Tyson. I think only Rooney could ignite the spark of the late 80s and 90s of a prime Mike Tyson. Years ago, Mike Tyson once said he is the youngest heavyweight champion ever and he would be the oldest. I Wonder how much Mike Tyson has left in the tank at 53 years old...Errol Spence recently said that he could beat a prime Floyd Mayweather. No disrespect to Spence, but not only does this writer disagree but I think Mayweather at the age of 43 could beat Spence now via unanimous decision if Mayweather came out of retirement… I wrote an article, “Can Deontay Wilder Be Great” some time ago for this site. I concluded that Deontay could be great, but his coaches (who are very good coaches) have taken him as far as they can. A different Coach is not a bad idea at this time. Not a celebrity-boxing trainer, but a committed known full time boxing trainer. Someone who will not do a complete overhaul, as Deontay has been very successful. Deontay has had a lot of success because of God given natural ability, heart, and hard work. However, another Coach may be needed to minimize his weaknesses. Coaches with a proven track record like a Freddie Roach, Able Sanchez, or Buddy Mcgirt may be able to help him improve. Contact writer: RLuvsboxing@aol.com ***Ralph Rimpell is a writer based out of New York and is a Boxing Correspondent for Philboxing.com. Ralph holds an undergraduate degree from City University of New York. He has been a Boxing Writer for over ten years having written for several top boxing websites on the World Wide Web. Before becoming a writer, Ralph's passion was for professional wrestling until he realized professional wrestling was entertainment and not a real sport. It was at that time the 1984 US Olympic team made up of future stars such as Evander Holyfield, Meldrick Taylor, Pernell Whitaker, etc. entered the professional ranks and signed with promotional outfit Main Events.It was also at that time a young exciting Heavyweight originally hailing from Brooklyn named Mike Tyson also turned professional and became the face of boxing. Young boxing fan Ralph just couldn't get enough of boxing as a large part of it was being broadcast on "free TV". As time went on, Ralph felt boxing writers were not being forthcoming with their boxing coverage, opinion pieces, interviews, etc. So Ralph decided to write an article and submitted it to a Boxing website thinking it would be deleted and ignored by the Editor. To Ralph's surprise his article was posted on their website and the readers embraced it. The rest is history. "I thank God for the Internet because it has created opportunities for writers like myself who likely would not have been given an opportunity to write for print publications. I hope someday soon to expand my role in Boxing on different levels." -- Ralph Rimpell Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ralph Rimpell.  |
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