?When I was around you had one of the greatest era?s of boxing! The fighters then fought for different reasons and I?ll give it to you in this order ? for yourself, your country, your honor, and your family. Now they?re fighting strictly for money. The Promoters do the politics and the Networks control everything. Back then you fought, and the best fought all the time.? ? Roberto Duran
Time seems to fly by and it?s time for another back-to-back long weekend with Canada Day and the United States big July 4th Independence Day. I am once again up North at our Georgian Bay sanctuary: one thousand feet of private beach and forest, spring fed ponds, evenings of Fireflies and deep layered stars unseen in the city.
I am lying down by the beach watching a few white puffy clouds and sailboats way off in the distance. In my hands, the book, ?The Gods of War?, by a gentleman described as a ?warrior poet? and that he is.
There are certain individuals, so cleanly sublime in their gifts, in their given fields of endeavor, that they could, if you were of that personality, induce immediate jealousy. There are certain individuals whether by way of diligently following a path of studied skill, or by sheer force of raw talent, as if placed ever so by gravity itself, find their perfect place. Author Springs Toledo is one such individual in the field of writing.
Forget Floyd?s ?T.B.E. (The Best Ever)? Nonsense as Springs Hope Eternal
I am fully engrossed in Springs Toledo?s book ?The Gods of War? as he takes us on a wonderful journey, as a renaissance man of boxing, with the likes of all time knockout king Archie Moore, Sugar Ray Robinson, at one point 128-1-2, the masterful Harry Greb, and Willie Pep 134-1-1.
Toledo?s sense of sentimental yesterday is vividly painted, by word, all over his wonderful book as he searches for grander days of boxing?s tomorrow from yesteryear. And what of one of yesterday?s warrior, the fifth god of war, Duran? Of that Springs tells us that ?Leonard?s loss to Duran has been cleverly spun, repackaged, and sold at a reduced price. Its time to find our receipt and exchange a fable for the facts. And the facts begin with this: When both fighters were at their best, Duran was better?. Duran, in fact, at the point of the first Leonard fight had already engaged in a long title reign as Lightweight Champion and was already entering that first Leonard bout at age 29 with 72 fights. When it was over Duran was 72-1 with 56 knockouts.
Duran?s truthful comment, that ?back in the day? the best fought the best resonates as one considers Pacquiao and Mayweather today. Of that Springs Toledo tells us that ?Pacquiao and Mayweather are knocking on the gilded door of all time distinction and a place for them will have to be prepared at the fistic table of the great and terrible. Legendary fighters, living and dead, are watching. Old boxing debates have reignited in a new media where millions have an instant platform to weigh in. Their exposure is unprecedented. Their greatness is not. History has much to teach us?. That it does and in Springs Toledo?s top twenty greatest fighters of the modern era you will find neither Manny nor Floyd.
Floyd?s ?T.B.E.? is an insult! Nonsense!
I have consumed, and that is the word, this wonderful Springs Toledo ?The Gods of War? literature in one sitting. I drowse off and wake up about an hour later to the sound of a distant clang of a rope to a sailboat pole off in the distance. As Springs would tell us, page 13, June 27, 2010, ?Time stops under a blazing sun, and then begins again?. Mr. Toledo, like many us, I suspect yearns for those days that Duran speaks of. Of the best facing the best, trainers whose skills and knowledge were passed on by legendary elders, and of fighters who learn their subtle and not so subtle craft by way of, not only knowledge passed down and taught, but by way of astounding activity, measured against the best.
Times have changed and along with change time has come different economic and social climates. The glory of boxing yesterday I?m afraid is lost but as I sit down by the beach, pondering numerous items, a tinge of excitement creeps into my boxing mind. There are and will always be those special moments of magic and electricity. This past long weekend it was two wonderful fighters, accepting the challenge, those being of course Crawford and Gamboa, and the same can be said this coming weekend with Lara and Canelo putting much on the line career wise.
In consideration of Springs Toledo?s top 20 ?Gods of War? it would be fair to agree that Floyd Mayweather does not belong in that group. He is not! His repeated ?T.B.E.? mantra is an insult in comparison to those legends that history holds true.
I get up out of my lawn chair and take a walk from the beach up to the cottage to put the T-Bones on the grill and watch the sun set. I don?t know Springs Toledo other than to tell you I met him briefly at the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Inside my copy of ?The Gods of War? Springs inscribed ?To Mike ? One of favourite boxing writers?friend Springs Toledo June 7, 2014?. On the opposite side of the inscription is a layout print of what looks like a charcoal black and white sketch ?Stillman?s Gym? (Holiday, September 1947); ?Stillman?s Gym training here daily?. As I said, I don?t know Springs Toledo but I feel like I do know him having read ?The Gods of War? boxing essays. You too should get to know Springs Toledo! As for that inscription to yours truly, I can only say that Springs Toledo is much like the best sport of all, boxing. He will trigger a memory, of places, faces, and times gone by, and times to come, which will place a smile. Next up ? Canelo vs. Lara!
