Rocky Balboa came back. Evander Holyfield wouldn’t leave. Zab Judah shouldn’t have been given a choice. In a year marked by comings and goings, entrances and exits, boxing finished 2006 in much the same manner as it started — as a splintered sport in search of a soul and a new superstar to re-energize its aging fan base.
Boxing also found a new foe in 2006. Instead of the medical community nipping at its heels, calling for the sport to be banned, it’s the latest craze in fistic entertainment — ultimate fighting — that’s threatening boxing now. At the box office and in pay-per-view popularity.
That’s not to say the year was without its highlights. Here’s one man’s view of the highs — and lows — for 2006, both locally and nationally:
Fighter of the year: Manny Pacquiao.
San Antonio got a good look at this pint-sized punching machine in 2003, and the “Pac Man” has only enhanced his reputation since.
Pacquiao went 3-0 in 2006, posing two convincing victories over legendary Mexican Erik Morales and one over the respected Oscar Larios.
If he’s not the best fighter in the sport today, he certainly is the most exciting.
Fight of the year: Israel Vasquez (TKO-10) over Jhonny Gonzalez.
In Vasquez’s first world-title defense at 122 pounds, he got off the canvas twice and rallied to stop Gonzalez in a bruising battle on the Rocky Juarez- Marco Antonio Barrera undercard in September.
Comeback of the year: Oscar De La Hoya.
When boxing needed a boost, the “Golden Boy” delivered. His victory over Ricardo Mayorga in May might have been predictable, but it also showed why De La Hoya remains the sport’s most popular attraction.
Clown of the year: Zab Judah.
First came an upset loss to Carlos Baldomir in January when Judah clearly lacked focus and was out of shape. Then came the near-riot against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in April that got him suspended.
When is this guy going to get the message that talent won’t overcome bad behavior, even in boxing?
* * *
Locally, the Evander Holyfield-Fres Oquendo fight card dominated the scene. The fight and the promotion were somewhat disappointing, but it was great to have big-time boxing back in the Alamo City.
Local fighter of the year: Raul Martinez, who edges out Golden Johnson for the award.
Johnson can make a strong case, based on quality of opposition and his stunning TKO of local prospect Oscar Diaz on the Holyfield undercard. But Johnson fought only one other time in 2006, a 10-round draw against Larry Mosley in Houston in May.
Martinez was 5-0 this past year and, while his opposition wasn’t always the best, he did record three knockouts. His best showing was a first-round TKO of world-rated Alex Becerra in June in Las Vegas.
Local fight of the year: Can there be any other? Johnson-Diaz was a classic, a back-and-forth thriller the likes of which we haven’t seen involving local fighters on a national stage since Robert Quiroga-Kid Akeem Anifowhoshe or Mike Ayala-Danny “Little Red” Lopez.
Black Eye Award: First time given, this award goes to Roger Flores, Roland Gutierrez and the rest of the City Council for their boneheaded decision to rename San Fernando Gym for “Jesse” James Leija.
Although Leija certainly is worthy, Flores and Gutierrez should have left well enough alone and found another way to recognize the former champ.
In the end, the change was more about politicians seeking to pat themselves on the back than to honor Leija. I doubt if Flores or Gutierrez ever set foot in the gym before the name change — or have since.
Yes, their intentions were good. But, in at least one way, the move has backfired. People still refer to it as San Fernando Gym. Always will.
Leija deserves better.
* * * VIEW FROM THE CORNER
Looking ahead to 2007 in the world of boxing:
Texas rejects Evander Holyfield’s request to renew his boxing license, citing his contract with promoter Murad Muhammad as evidence Holyfield has taken too many punches to the head.
More San Antonio businesses claim unpaid bills by Muhammad after the Nov.10 fight card at Alamodome: Wienerschnitzel hot-dog stand, Dollar General Store and Mission Drive-In Theater.
Carmelo Anthony gives up basketball, then signs to fight Hector Camacho Jr. “He’s the only guy who’s more of a coward than I am,” Anthony explains.
Bob Arum, upon hearing he’s the subject of another investigation, takes drastic measures in effort to avoid the feds: he changes his name to Don King.
Oscar De La Hoya barely lays a glove on Floyd Mayweather Jr., losing a 12-round decision. At the post-fight news conference, Floyd Sr. KOs his son with one punch.
After the De La Hoya- Mayweather bout sets the all-time record for revenue, boxing devises a plan to clone both fighters.
During HBO broadcast, Jim Lampley’s hair actually moves.
Sylvester Stallone retires, then hires Arturo Gatti to play the lead role in his next film. “Finally, a real Rocky,” Stallone says.
Laurence Cole learns of his punishment for telling Juan Manuel Marquez he was ahead on the scorecards during a recent fight. Cole is fined $6.50 and sentenced to 10 years of refereeing low-budget, mixed-martial-arts fights.
Golden Boy Promotions signs 12 more fighters, bringing the total up to 3,487. A day later, King steals all 3,487.
James Toney, after six months of training with Tae Bo guru Billy Blanks, announces plans to fight Manny Pacquiao for the world super featherweight title.
Pacquiao signs a contract with Michael Miller and “Jesse” James Leija, the only two people in boxing who haven’t managed or promoted him.
After knocking out Mike Tyson for the third time on Tyson’s exhibition tour, Austin’s Ann Wolfe decides her future no longer is in women’s boxing.
San Antonio’s Raul Martinez wins the world bantamweight title. Upon hearing the news, Kathy Duva comes down from the ledge.
Tim Sylvia beats Wladimir Klitschko in a boxing match, then defends his UFC heavyweight title — on the same night.
Tyson is arrested for impersonating a fighter after police find two boxing gloves in his car.
During an HBO broadcast, Lennox Lewis utters his first insightful comment.
Jermain Taylor beats Winky Wright in a rematch, then quits boxing to focus on his first love. “Bill Parcells called,” Taylor says, “to let me know there’s an opening at wide receiver.”
Mayweather balks at a rematch with De La Hoya until Floyd Sr. threatens to recite poetry.
De La Hoya beats Mayweather in a rematch. “I was in the best shape of my life,” Richard Schaefer says.
Sacha Baron Cohen chooses heavyweight Nikolay Valuev to co-star in his next movie: “Borat Meets Bigfoot.” Says Cohen: “Maybe we make sexy time. Ver(y) nice.”
