With the New Year upon us, I can?t help but write a column that looks forward to boxing in 2007. I figure I can approach this in one of two ways. I can write about the things I want to see. Or I can write about the things that I don?t want to see. I think I will indulge my reformist impulse and do the latter. I hope I don?t sound too much like a nag.
No More De La Hoya Posse – I understand that De La Hoya is a promoter and that he carries a lot of weight in boxing and that he has perhaps the biggest name in the sport. But I?m getting tired of seeing Barrera, Mosley, Hopkins, and De La Hoya, standing around and crowing about their fighter having just won. I especially felt this way after De La Hoya nemesis Fernando Vargas was knocked out by Shane Mosley. If there is one thing sadder than seeing a shot fighter taking a beating it is seeing his rivals gloating. I say Vargas should?ve had his time in the ring with his vanquisher Mosley without hearing the loud hollers of De La Hoya, who did not throw any punches but only promoted the show. After all, boxing is not wrestling. Or is it? This leads to my next suggestion.
