I’m sure it’s been on the minds of faithful Tuesday readers as 2009 approached 2010.
“Sure… we know Fitz likes Floyd Mayweather Jr. And sure… we realize he’s a champion of the IBO and its computerized ratings system. But gosh darnit, we can’t go on for another minute if we don’t find out what were his picks as the best moments of the year gone by.”
Rest assured, huddled masses… I hear your calls.
And as a brief interlude to wading through logic-sopped e-mails replete with the always-popular “Gayweather” and “Nuthugger” lines of reasoning, I’ve decided to answer those calls.
Don’t worry “Mananimal 101” and “Anubis7275,” I’ll be back to your missives soon enough.
But first, enjoy the initial BoxingScene.com offering of… FitzHitz and Misses – 2009.
The envelopes, please:
Fighter of the Year – Manny Pacquiao Based on the comments that follow a lot of my columns and the e-mail I get from those who decide to take commentary a step beyond, you’d think I rate Pacquiao no better than a four-round club fighter.
But nothing could be further from the truth.
On the contrary, I’m amazed by what the Filipino dynamo has done in the five years since dropping a 12-rounder to Erik Morales at 130 pounds. I thought he had little chance against Oscar De La Hoya when that fight was announced, and, while I picked him in subsequent showdowns against Hatton and Cotto, it hasn’t cut into the amazement level at how dominant he was against both men. And while I still think Mayweather beats him if and when their superfight ever happens – I think it will, maybe in December – he was clearly the best of ’09.
Fight of the Year – Marquez-Diaz While I can’t imagine a lot of otherwise-directed consensus on the previous award, this one is prone to more dissent. Still, of the several fights that I’ve seen mentioned on this and other sites, none for me tops the sustained action of the WBA/WBO title clash last February in Houston.
Though he’d firmly established himself as an elite through two battles with Pacquiao and elsewhere, Marquez hadn’t been through the grind at 135 beyond an impressive – if not exactly punishing – TKO of a fading Joel Casamayor late in 2008. In Diaz, he was meeting a guy just two fights removed from a three-belt reign at lightweight and one sure to provide a hectic night with all-out pressure. As it turned out, the matchup didn’t disappoint. Each had their moments, but Marquez had more, scoring the win and earning a well-deserved – if not ultimately successful – payday with Mayweather.
Elevator of the Year (Going UP) – Andre Ward “Sure, he won a gold medal, but who’s he fought?”
Such was the standard qualifier applied to Andre Ward as the 2004 Olympian headed into his fifth full year as a professional in 2009. But it’s been replaced this year by a slightly better tagline – WBA super middleweight champion. Few experts gave Ward much of a chance to rise in class and handle once-beaten Dane Mikkel Kessler, but the 11-round clinic the Californian put on served notice that he – as much as Carl Froch, Arthur Abraham or anyone else – is the man to beat in Showtime’s “Super Six” event at 168. And in my opinion, it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy. Sure, his religion-first mantras may rub some the wrong way, but there’s no denying he’s a solid human being in spite of the violent nature of his full-time gig. That’s to be celebrated, no matter your worship of choice.
Elevator of the Year (Going DOWN) – Roy Jones Jr. A single loss to a world-class belt-holder in one’s first foray into a new division isn’t usually indicative of an awful year. But in the context of “Superman,” it was.
Just a tune-up away from an overdue rematch with Bernard Hopkins, Jones went to Australia to sell a few seats, sign a few autographs and swipe Danny Green’s IBO cruiserweight title before returning home to prep for “The Executioner.” Instead, he was rudely dumped in a Chuck Woolery Special – 2 minutes, 2 seconds – and left to claim that it was unfairly manipulated hand wraps, and not the bigger man’s punches, responsible for doing him in.
Now going on 41 and with legacy secure, there seems little reason for him to continue. And while I still think he could beat 95 percent of the pros out there, I just don’t see a need for it.
“C’mon, You’re Not Really Serious…” of the Year – Evander Holyfield Let me be the first to say, I have zero issue with guys like Holyfield – and Jones – continuing to fight after most have deemed them in danger of damaging legacies. I’ve always believed that argument to be nonsense, so long as a prison term or other nonsense isn’t involved – see Simpson, O.J. and Rose, Pete.
That said, hearing a guy who’d toppled names like Douglas, Bowe and Tyson to win heavyweight titles in the past now claiming that he’ll get No. 4 with a win over Francois Botha is a bit hard to digest. “I am going to win and I will cherish the WBF title. I’m very much looking forward to going to Uganda and I expect a tough fight against Francois Botha.” Ick.
While I’m all for following a dream and refusing to surrender and all the other tenets upon which “The Real Deal” has made a claim for greatness, this one has me feeling the need to shower. Sure, I hope the guy wins… but anyone using the term “world heavyweight champion” alongside his name for a defeat of Botha ought to be pummeled to death with his own keyboard.
I Hope At Least Some of This Happens in 2010 1.) Manny and Floyd… Drop the lawsuits, stop the posturing, get in the ring. 2.) Bernard Hopkins… Fight someone worthwhile – Chad Dawson, for example – or go away. 3.) Kelly Pavlik… Glad to hear your hand’s better. This is Paul Williams. Please sign a contract. 4.) Nate Campbell… Get a title shot and win a belt. It’s getting boring without you. 5.) Eddie Chambers… Win a title, bring it back to Philly and keep being a great role model. 6.) Timothy Bradley… Keep beating the drum. I think people are starting to notice. 7.) Ed Levine… See No. 6. 8.) Chris John… Fight someone not named Rocky Juarez or risk perpetual anonymity. 9.) Klitschko Brothers… C’mon, at least consider it, huh? 10.) Ring Magazine… Please cancel my subscription.
* * * * *
This week’s title-fight schedule: MONDAY WBA super featherweight title – Tokyo, Japan Juan Carlos Salgado (champion) vs. Takashi Uchiyama (No. 3 contender) Salgado (21-0-1, 15 KO): First title defense; Won two straight in first round Uchiyama (13-0, 10 KO): First title fight; Five defenses of regional (OPBF) belt Fitzbitz says: Salgado in 7
WBA super bantamweight title – Tokyo, Japan Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (champion) vs. Satoshi Hosono (No. 10 contender) Kratingdaenggym (39-1, 28 KO): First title defense; First fight in Japan Hosono (16-0, 12 KO): First title fight; First fight at 122 pounds Fitzbitz says: Kratingdaenggym in 10
Last week’s picks: No fights scheduled Overall picks record: 65-25 (72.2 percent)
