“He does lack confidence as a fighter”…”I think the winner will be Andre Ward”…”I’m too old to be running”…all recent comments made by some of the biggest names in the sport. Looking back at this week’s key quotes of note, Boxing Scribe Vivek Wallace offers his own unique perspective, giving fight fans “a little something to think about”. Check it out!
“I think Haye has a great opportunity if he goes out there early and uses his power, and tries to take Wladimir’s confidence away. Being forced anywhere outside his [Wladimir’s] comfort zone is his greatest weakness. He does lack confidence as a fighter and we discussed it when I trained him.” – Freddie Roach on David Haye vs. Wladimir Klitschko
Perspective: No truer words have ever been spoken in the history of the sport. When you look at Wladimir Klitschko, of the two K-Bros, he’s the one who has the most flaws to exploit and Freddie Roach just laid the blueprint for the few people who still don’t seem to know it. The most prized attributes of David Haye is his speed and power, but if I can quickly remix the old classic, “They don’t mean a thing….if he won’t take that swing!” No question, a furious version of Haye would, to a far lesser degree, be likened to the heyday of Mike Tyson as it’s hard to remember the last heavyweight who actually boasted this level of speed and power.
Where the plot thickens is that despite the deep animosity, Haye and Wladimir appear to have one thing in common as Haye has appeared, at times, to lack star confidence too. Beyond that, stamina has surfaced more than once as a possible issue for him as well. The “guns blazin” approach may be Haye’s best shot at winning, but we’ve all seen questionably conditioned fighters after they’ve thrown a rapid fire and rarely has it ended well.
This beckons the million dollar question: Now that we know the best approach for Haye to take, what happens if that attempt fails and his energy level fails with it? Just something to think about as we approach what could be the sports biggest mega-fight of the year.
“I think the winner will be Andre Ward. I have faced both Ward and Froch and I know their abilities. And I give my preference to the American sportsman.” – Arthur Abraham speaking to Aysor.am about Andre Ward vs. Carl Froch
Perspective: The much anticipated showdown between Englishman Carl Froch and American Olympic Gold Medalist Andre Ward has been viewed from several angles around the sport, but none more pointed than that of German native “King” Arthur Abraham. Most fight fans, media, and fighters have scaled the fence, stating that they “think it will be a competitive fight”, or that they “see it pretty evenly”, but Abraham is one of the few to give a clear and concise vision of who he views to be the last man standing when the two men square off in a few months.
Abraham’s position is pretty interesting when you consider that both men practically shut him out on the scorecards, but a deeper analysis provides all the answers one needs in solving why he leans towards the skilled American. In the sport of boxing, we’ve seen several perennial contenders face the wrong stylistic matchup and suffer a loss. Typically, when a loss is encountered, a return to the ring comes equipped with more skill, more focus, and a better understanding for strategical execution.
When Abraham returned to the ring after two subsequent losses (Froch and Dirrell), he felt there was no obstacle big enough to derail his return to supremacy. Feeling he could not be denied, what he learned in the ring the evening of May 14, 2011 was that even on his greatest night, the talent across from him was far superior and there was only one possible conclusion. At first glance, the insight on Ward is that he’s a crafty fighter who can do a few things good, but isn’t quite great, and can even foul when he feels necessary to punctuate his presence.
The reality about Ward is that this perception couldn’t be any further from the truth. Not only is he a master craftsman, but one so refined that he has practically mastered the art of winning at nearly all (ethical) cost. When faced with a roughhousing opponent, he can get down and dirty. When faced with a skilled fighter, he can often out-think them. When faced with a rugged opponent who likes to brawl and is very durable, he can stand in the pocket and rumble. On any given night, any man who we’ve seen rise can fall, but in the case of Ward, lets just say it’ll probably take a lot more! Froch enters the showdown cocky and confident. Will he walk away from it the same? Just a little something to think about.
“I’m 42 years old, so right now, I feel like this: I’m too old to be running. I don’t have time to be running around the ring. I’m gonna stand my ground. I’m gonna punch with him.” – Antonio Tarver on his upcoming clash with Danny Green
Perspective: In recent times, we’ve seen Bernard Hopkins and several other aging wonders work their magic on a level that few felt they could. Anxious to toss his name on the list and accomplish something grand is the 42-year-old Antonio Tarver. When you think back on the career of Tarver, his most notable victory in the ring came against archrival Roy Jones Jr.
At a point when Jones was considered to be absolutely invincible, Tarver not only stripped the once impenetrable veil away, but also offered a prelude of sorts in the infamous “do you have any excuses tonight, Roy” pre-fight barb where he gained what would become an insurmountable mental edge only seconds prior to the bell. This was a career defining moment that would forever keep Tarver on the map. Trouble is, a quick skim down the resume reminds us that this was also perhaps his last career milestone, and it doesn’t help that it came a half decade ago.
At this stage of his career, what should we really expect from Tarver? Since the Jones victory, when you look at his bids against more notable competition, he split a series with Glen Johnson, lost to Hopkins, defeated Woods, and lost twice to Chad Dawson. Not quite sure how Green would stack up against these men, but what we do know is that the fights probably would have been more entertaining as Tarver arguably failed to show up in nearly all of of them.
Like any other “Magic Man”, all it takes is one solid “act” to put ones self at the tip of every spectators tongue again. We can never rule the talented Tarver out, but what most will do is eagerly watch to see which “act” the “Magic Man” will display next? There are two obvious choices: an act of personal redemption…or what could be a final disappearing act. He’s known to talk a good game and so far, his words are going…and going…but by the end of the night, will he and those words be gone? Just a little something to think about.
(Vivek “Vito” Wallace can also be reached at [email protected], Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEKWALLACE747), Skype (VITO-BOXING), Facbook, and Myspace)
