FROM THE KIDDY POOL TO THE DEEP BLUE SEA
This Saturday night on HBO PPV Jermain Taylor, 2000 U.S. Olympian, will either be the next middleweight champion, or an over-hyped and over-matched hotshot. Early in Taylor’s career, fans criticized his opponents as blown up super-welterweights. Victories over Alex Bunema and Raul Marquez, former 154 lb. threats didn’t seem to merit a top five ranking in the middleweight division for Taylor. After dominating a semi-retired William Joppy, who was taken apart by World middleweight king Bernard Hopkins in his previous outing, Taylor finally faced a young hungry contender in Daniel Edouard whom he quickly dispatched. A victory of Edouard on paper may not seem like much, but this was a blow out win on the undercard of Hopkins’ lackluster victory in February over Howard Eastman. General boxing fans considered Eastman and Edouard at the same level, and when Taylor blitzed through Edouard, they considered it a bigger accomplishment than Hopkins’ 21st defense.
YOUTH & TALENT VS GREATNESS
Those who picked Jermain Taylor base it solely on his last fight with Edouard. Taylor, who’s a fresh 26, is 14 years younger than the grizzled Hopkins. Taylor has power, an excellent jab, and good technique, proving he has the tools to become a great champion. For Hopkins, it’s about cementing his legacy in the boxing world. His two biggest win were against two of the most popular and decorated champions in this generation, Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad. In those fights, Hopkins had to prove himself to the masses because he was the other guy to Trinidad and De La Hoya. Now, Hopkins is the main attraction in this PPV match-up. Hopkins needs to prove to the boxing world that he can put a great show all on his own, defeating a rising prospect.
HEAD SAYS GO WITH HOPKINS
It’s difficult to find any aspect of the fight where Hopkins cannot be successful here. Hopkins can adjust and re-adjust to anything put in front him, not having a difficult fight in almost five years. Taylor, who’s never had any trouble in any of his fights either, will probably chase and track down Bernard, who will likely land and hold for the most part of the fight. Those who feel Hopkins is sliding and is past his prime, remember that for Hopkins, he looks to win first and look good later. Should it be difficult for Hopkins early in the fight, especially against a young bull in Taylor, look for Hopkins to stink out the joint, making it difficult for Taylor to land anything powerful.
HEART GOING WITH TAYLOR
Having heard the many interviews of Jermain Taylor, he’s shown class and more importantly a personality the boxing world needs. Should Taylor win, he could easily be the cover-boy of boxing. The humble yet hungry middleweight wants to achieve greatness. Jermain wanted to fight Hopkins, where as his promotional team wanted to hold Taylor back a few more fights. Can the Taylor make the seemingly impossible leap, as Ricky Hatton did against Koysta Tsyzu?
LARIOS-McCULLOUGH II FOLLOWS VIOLENT CLASH
On the undercard, a rematch between WBC super bantamweight (122 lbs) champion Oscar Larios faces a man he defeated just six months ago, the ?€œPocket Rocket?€? Wayne McCullough. Larios, making his seventh defense of the green belt, will try to out work and out hustle the granite chinned writer, McCullough, once again. The first match-up was closer than the scorecards read, so expect another action-packed slug fest. Larios is never in an easy fight, although Larios’ stock in the business is quite higher than McCullough. Wayne will play the spoiler once again, hoping to realize his new dream of winning the world title after being held out of boxing due to alleged health woes some years back.
PACQUIAO CARRIES A NATION WITH HIM
With the obvious (an far too often) turmoil within the Philippines government, Filipinos look to boxer Manny Pacquiao as a symbol of themselves. Pacquiao has defeated his big bad fired promoter Murad Muhammad, and has avoided a possibly ugly media war with his former manager. Now he has to concentrate on his boxing career, which is hanging in the balance. A September 10th tune-up against Kevin Kelley will finally get Manny some easy money, but the proposed rematch between himself and Morales could make or break Manny’s run at the elusive tag “greatness.” There is no boxer in the world right now, who has to not only face difficult fights against great boxer, but the rabid fans and the pressure the media puts on the “Pac-Man” to succeed for their country. And beleive me, the last thing Manny Pacquiao wants is to disappoint a whole country and race.
ESPINOSA NEEDS HELP?
Seeing Pedro Fernandez brought this up on “Ring Talk Radio” Sunday night, coupled with the fact I’m receiving many email from Filipinos?€™ airing concern for fallen legend and two-division champion Luisito Espinosa, I’ve always responded by saying he did a lot of it to himself. I understand that Espinosa was robbed of $130,000 when he fought in the Philippines back in 1997. Fans demanded that Rod Nazario pay Espinosa the money he deserved. Nazario claims that he was only the promoter by name because he?€™s the one with the license. It should be noted that Carlos Rios demanded his purse before his fight with Espinosa, or he would walk out. However, this event happened back in 1997.
GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO PAY
This matter was brought up again in 1999, when Espinosa flew back to the Philippines with his new management team, which included Boots Aniel, and Mike Guingona (Daly City, CA Councilman and host of a popular Fil-Am show), couldn’t convince the government to pay Espinosa. Now in 2005, it’s hard to believe that the government, or the true promoters of the fight will pay Espinosa because he has no money left.
DEBTS AND A VERY CONTROLLING WIFE
Even after his controversial lost to Cesar Soto (who ironically hasn?€™t won since), which denied him his big money fight with Naseem Hamed, he still had an opportunity to earn good money. Coming into his fight with unproven Guty Espadas, the boxing insiders already had Espinosa winning the fight. Erik Morales, who respected Espinosa, wanted to fight him, should he defeat Espadas. Promoter for Morales Bob Arum envisioned a blockbuster event between the two. However, Espinosa had a horrible camp with only one sparring partner. Before the fight, he didn’t warm up and by the time he hand his wraps put on, he entered the ring. “King Louie” had two chances to make big money fight and failed both times.
AFTER GETTING BURNED, LOUIE MADE SOME MONEY
Receiving over a hundred thousand dollar purses in both fights, Espinosa had to pay his step-mother, who flew to El Paso just to collect, and was controlled by his wife, Mariecherrie. Instead of retiring back in 2000, Espinosa continued to fight for less and less money, this as the debts continued to pile mup. So although it saddens “The Pinoy” every time I read about another Espinosa loss and how far he’s fallen, it should be understood that since 1999, no promoter or manager robbed him of thousands. He blew his chance, twice.
Jason Aniel
“The Pinoy” can be reached at [email protected]
