One constant criticism of this column is the overdose of reportage and commentary on boxing?s only two true superstars, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.
I hear you, carping critics. I don?t have a tin ear, my auditory canal receives the message that the Pacman and ?Money? coverage often grows wearisome to some.
But this is one rap I?m not pleading out to. It?s not my fault that beloved boxing only has two worldwide megastars, one from America and the other from the Philippines.
This paucity of super-duper superstars is pertinent now and it?s one reason why I?m actually openly rooting for chrasimatic loudmouth David Hayemaker Haye to strike heavyweight gold on July 2 in Hamburg against a very good champion and productive citizen named Wladimir Klitschko.
England needs Haye to back up his annoying but amusing chatter and threats. Although he?s got a huge heart and discernible talent, the UK and its ardent fight fans have yet to take super middleweight Carl Froch to their collective bosoms.
There is also an ambivalence in Old Blighty towards shining star Amir Khan, some of it no doubt derived from prejudice as to Khan?s religious faith.
But let me return to the USA and discuss Sergio Martinez, the Argentinean middleweight champion who should be a superstar, should be fighting on PPV but seems stuck at the HBO main event level, where he makes decent purses but is far from the $20 million plus PPV jackpots Mayweather and Pacman routinely take down.
Martinez?s problem, frankly, is the lack of engaging opponents. He seems destined to be stuck fighting mildly-talented fighters such as Britain?s Darren Barker.
Martinez is too big physically for true welterweights Floyd and Manny. That topic has rightly disappeared from the chat rooms and the boxing websites.
It?s useful to compare and contrast Argentina?s greatest boxing superstar, also a handsome fellow, the late Carlos Monzon.
Monzon has long been considered an all-time great, worthy of mention at 160 pounds right below the incomparable Sugar Ray Robinson. Some list Monzon, who finished with a sterling 87-3-9, 59 knockouts record and who ruled the middleweight roost for seven years, right above or right below Marvelous Marvin Hagler. Advertisement
But, just as Larry Holmes was saddled with so many who cares foes coming along as he did when Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Smokin? Joe Frazier were retired or should?ve been, Martinez sees only ordinary opposition in front of him.
Look at Monzon?s roster: Rodrigo Valdez; Australia?s Tony Mundine; all-time great Jose ?Mantequilla? Napoles; tough Frenchman JC Bouttier; all-time great Emile Griffith; always formidable Bad Bennie Briscoe and extremely popular Italian hero Nino Benvenuti.
Monzon, who was a real woman-beating and woman-killing loser outside the ring, was blessed with a stellar lineup of solid foes.
Styles makes fights, yes, but sizzling matches make superstars.
When Martinez crunches Barker, fight fans will give a collective yawn.
If only Martinez could land one Rodrigo Valdez type…I?d love, as I?ve often mentioned, love to see Martinez exchange punches with 46 year old legend Bernard Hopkins, but it does not look doable any year soon.
Maybe a Martinez miracle can happen. I mean, it took them 16 years but the FBI finally nabbed Boston gangster James ?Whitey? Bulger in Santa Monica Wednesday night.
So, let?s root for Haye without being against either Klitschko. I think all of Haye?s talk about quitting the ring is meaningless if and when he does dethrone Wlad because he will then surely fight Vitali next.
Let?s cheer the steady progression of Canelo Alvarez and other wunderkinds.
Twinkle, twinkle, budding stars?we?re pulling for you all.
And so is Senor Martinez.
