Hooray for Boxing by Dr. Ferdie Pacheco
May 1st, 2001
Just when everyone was yowling about the predictability of boxing, how anyone can pick the winners from the top boxers, boxing jumps up and bites them in the butt.
What a great few months we've just been through unstoppable Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya gets zapped by Felix Trinidad and Shane Mosely. Goodbye Golden Boy, see you around Hollywood and Vine.
Then, following the longest entrance in history, Prince Naseem Hamed shakes off all the Hoo-do and has to look reality in the eye, and gets his showboat sunk within sight of millions of gleeful fans. Does this mean the boxing authorities can quit sucking butt and impose sensible regulations on Hassem's freak show. How about just coming in, taking the robe off, touch gloves, and bing, go to it at the bell. Wow, what a refreshing thing that would be.
Well, Prince got deposed by Barrera. He is no longer royalty, let him walk in the ring like the rest of the champions.
Of infinite joy to all of us who have been fortunate to know boxing is full of wonderful surprises is the thrilling news from South Africa. All of the experts, busily telling us nobody can beat Lennox Lewis, can now eat their copy. What a strong breeze of freshness. What a gift from South Africa.
To me, this is what makes boxing great!
You can't really predict it. The Prince was in with an equal fighter in Barrera. That wasn't an upset. But Rahman? 20 to 1? How about 100 to 1? I exhaust in the victory for the absolute joy of seeing the roly-poly Cedric Kushner climb to the top of the pile of boxing promoters. He is a living example of a man persevering by simply doggedly keep plodding forward. Congratulations to Rahman! A big hug for Kushner.
Have I seen a better upset? Hell yes, I worked in Cassius Clay's corner when he beat an "unbeatable" monster: Sonny Liston. Eight out of 200 newsmen picked Clay.
I think fat, diabetic, weak hearted Buster Douglas' KO of unbeatable Mike Tyson, a 100 to 1 shot in Tokyo was next. I hate to say Ali again, but, if you had been in Zaire that hot night, and heard the reporters all speculating on what round Foreman would catch Ali and kill him, only to see Foreman run out of gas and splash down to a 10 count. Ali Boom-a-ye! It was a big upset. And boy, was it fun to be there.
The closest to a big upset was tiny 169 pound Billy Conn beating unbeatable Joe Louis for 13 rounds, only to lose his head and try to KO Joe. No one stood toe to toe with Louis and survived. But, my oh my, that would have been the upset of the Century.
So, I lay in my bed, too happy to sleep. The whole boxing picture is open to mix and make. As I was about to fall into a satisfied sleep, I broke out into a laugh.
What if, mind you it's a long shot, what if George Foreman saw a chance of beating Rahman what's his name, and announced he was ready to put his tux aside and go for the Championship for the 20th or 30th time? Want to bet Foreman and Rahman would draw a big rating? I fell into a troubled sleep and awoke with a start. My God! I forgot.
Somewhere in Georgia Holyfield is already running 20 miles. Rahman Holyfield? It has a ring to it.
See, folks boxing never dies. It just keeps shocking and amazing you, as Ali always said.
Hoo-rah for boxing: I'm still laughing!!!!!!!! |
