Can’t we all just get along? Floyd Mayweather and 50 Cent’s Twitter beef that hit the internet over the weekend is nothing more than a foolish attempt by 50 Cent to gain publicity for his promotional company. It’s truly unbelievable to see all the stupidity and hatred that those in the boxing world have for one another. At the end of the day, it all comes down to money, but if you don’t play the political game, it’s pretty much over before it begins. It’s amazing to think how many times fans were deprived of the best fights being made because of stupid beefs involving everyone except for the people who actually mattered…the fighters themselves. Maybe it’s a publicity stunt, but it’s a piss poor attempt to get some attention. If fighters want attention, they should tell their promoters to make the best fights for the best possible money. In the end, the cream of the crop will truly rise to the top. End of story. Until boxing has some sort of union or association, the unimportant people will continue to ruin what should be the best fights for the fans. I’m not a big advocate for the government getting involved in sports because I think they have more important things to worry about, but maybe, just maybe, someone should get the United Nations on the phone to fix this terrible issue. The U.N. may be the only one to squash the egos like cockroaches.
Amir Khan needs to stand up like a man and take responsibility for his actions. I’m not criticizing him as a boxer, nor will I ever criticize a boxer because I’m not the one who steps in the ring and takes the punishment, but I am criticizing his character. Khan’s comments earlier this week insinuating that Freddie Roach’s declining health was one of the reasons for the his change in trainer and lack of preparation is far beyond comprehension. Khan didn’t lose to Lamont Peterson and Danny Garcia because of Freddie Roach. He lost because he was too stubborn to do what he does best…box. Khan is not a brawler, but he has been trying to prove that he has an iron chin ever since he was knocked out by Breidis Prescott. It almost cost him against Marcos Maidana, and it finally caught up with him against Garcia. Khan has the talent to be very special in this sport, but if he doesn’t have the mental makeup to look himself in the mirror and see what he needs to improve about himself, he will always be labeled as “unfulfilled promise.” Not even Virgil Hunter can change Khan’s mental makeup. That must come from within, and if Khan isn’t willing to change, it will be the same old thing sooner or later. It’s not always the trainer’s fault.
This weekend brings a great slate of fights to fans in all parts of the world. In Germany, Wladimir Klitschko defends his heavyweight titles against the very game Maruisz Wach. The always fan-friendly Humberto Soto returns to the ring in Mexico. HBO will be airing what should be a great main event between Erislandy Lara and Vanes Martirosyan in a title eliminator for the right to face Canelo Alvarez. Mikey Garcia being showcased as the appetizer is an excellent choice. Showtime has the Fight of the Night between junior featherweight champions Abner Mares and Anselmo Moreno, with the always crowd-pleasing Leo Santa Cruz and Alfredo Angulo as the featured attractions. It should be a fantastic night of boxing with some great action. I truly cannot wait for Saturday to get here. Mares vs. Moreno is one that I have been looking forward to for quite some time.
Did I read it correctly that Timothy Bradley passed up $2.3 million to face Lamont Peterson again? Whoever is advising Bradley better have a damn good reason for that blunder. Even though he technically beat Pacquiao, and I think the guy is truly a class act, Bradley has absolutely no drawing power right now. If you ask 100 people on the street who Timothy Bradley is, 99 of them probably wouldn’t know. Sometimes it’s better to swallow your pride and take the opportunities presented to you, especially when it’s $2.3 million to face a guy you dominated a few years ago at a lower weight class. Bradley is making some very head-scratching choices, and I hope he knows what he is doing.
I’m glad to see Yuriorkis Gamboa is finally getting back into the ring…that is unless his representatives somehow piss off Bob Arum to the point of getting him expelled from the Pacquiao-Marquez undercard. If you aren’t sure what I’m talking about, just read the separate articles by Fighthype’s Ben Thompson and BoxingScene’s Rick Reeno about IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib to catch yourself up.
Nonito Donaire and Guillermo Rigondeaux are finally going to be on the same fight card. December 15th should be a showcase fight for both fighters in the hopes they finally step in the ring with one another in early 2013. I am still under the impression that Donaire will win the fight, but it would be an excellent battle nonetheless. Let’s just hope all goes well in December for both Donaire and Rigo.
Oh, Oscar De La Hoya, you’re such a tease. Seemingly anytime De La Hoya puts a meeage out on Twitter, it makes waves. Last week was no different when he tweeted that he could still beat any of the jr. middleweights in the world, with the exception of Canelo Alvarez. I’m sorry Oscar, but I’m pretty sure the WBA champion, Floyd Mayweather, already one-upped you in that category. Or did we forget? I actually wouldn’t mind seeing ODLH back in the ring at some point. I think it would be a great boost to boxing, but until it happens, he needs to stop teasing people. The fishnet stockings were enough.
Frankie Gomez reminds me of Mike Tyson. The young, troubled welterweight prospect has the makings of something great, but his problems outside the ring may end up being his biggest detriment. Inside the ring, however, Gomez is a flat out beast. He is economical with his punches, and every punch is thrown with malicious intent and ferocity. He made a very game Manuel Leyva look like an over-matched sparring partner. Gomez’s nickname suits him well, “The Pitbull.” I just hope he can keep his bite strictly in the ring and stay away from the problems away from the sport. He can be a great one if he chooses to be.
Was anyone impressed with the performances of both Lucian Bute or Marco Huck? Bute is trying to get ready for a rematch with Carl Froch and looked completely underwhelming. Huck is trying to setup a fight with the Klitschkos. Both men have a lot of work to do to make the boxing world believers once again.
Fernando Guerrero still peaks my interest. I don’t know how I feel about the young middleweight. He was on the fast track, and has very heavy hands, but he fights uninspired. I don’t get the feeling he wants to be in the ring. I want to see a killer instinct out of Guerrero. I haven’t seen it yet, and I hope it comes out soon.
Each week, I feature an email from a fan on Observe and Fight. This week’s email comes to us from Brandon B. regarding my comments last week on Canelo Alvarez’s progression up the ladder…
“I see you brought up the point about fighters being brought up slowly, yet i see a flaw in that response to Dulomore’s defeat. The difference between Dulorme and Canelo is the fact that Canelo is a world champion still being protected. Dulorme was just a prospect, not a champion. I don’t feel that JCC was protected as much as Canelo though, but how i feel is that if your a World Champion; no matter the age, you should defend your title against some of the best in the division, not guys past their prime or guys just coming up in weight to fight you for the hell of it. You should not be prepping yourself to fight next level comp. while you already hold a title. I’m pretty sure Ray Robinson and Joe Frazier and all the greats of the past are turning over in their graves right now.”
I definitely see your point about Canelo. The thing with him is that he turned pro when he was like 15, so his amateur background is pretty much non-existent (as was Chavez Jr.’s for that matter). I do believe that Canelo’s competition has been a bit lacking at 154 lbs, but look at who is out there. They wanted him to fight James Kirkland. That would have been a legit war. Then Paul Williams was the fight before he hurt in the accident. Then Ortiz before he lost to Lopez. They fought Lopez because they already had the date secured. Golden Boy was trying to secure a December 8th fight between Canelo and Miguel Cotto, but Cotto went in another direction. I think we could see Canelo vs. Cotto in May if Cotto beats Austin Trout. If Trout wins, I think we see Canelo vs. Trout. Then, nobody will be saying Canelo is protected. It’s hard to remember that the kid is only 22 years old and he is still getting better.
