"Boxing is a sport at its most brutal, most primitive, and most natural. Two men defending their honor and courage, in a ring surrounded by observers, whose love for the sport is essentially spiritual. Boxing is the last refuge of the modern day warrior." -Thomas Donelson
The purest of warriors in boxing are truly rare.
For the last week or so, I have read and heard about the frustration of watching Joshua Clottey not letting his hands go against Manny Pacquiao, instead settling for going the distance. Should we really ask ourselves what was going on in the mind of any prizefighter that doesn't want to open up? Should we ask Victor Ortiz why he didn't argue to continue against Marcos Rene Maidana? Ortiz declared in the interview given by Max Kellerman, "I don't deserve this." Does anyone? The warrior does not question himself. The warrior cares little about risk. The warrior seeks the ultimate challenge. And to the warrior, there is no greater test than the test of who he is inside the ring with. He is alone until the bell sounds for the fight and he has to force his will upon another man and inflict bodily pain on him.
Does anyone think that Edwin Valero would not risk it all against Manny Pacquiao? Was there any doubt that Fernando Vargas would not allow himself to go easy against Flex Trinidad even after suffering two knockdowns in the first round? Why are there certain fighters who will bravely go out on their shield and ones who will not?
Let's backtrack a bit.
On May 7, 2005, Diego Corrales waged war against José Luis Castillo for the WBC lightweight title. To this day, I consider it the best fight I have ever seen. Both men stood in front of each other, trading hard combinations and power punches throughout the entire fight and displayed such courage, will and desire.
Finally, in the tenth round, Castillo knocked Corrales down. Seconds later, Castillo knocked Corrales down again. To my eyes, it appeared that Corrales was done. Once on the ground, Corrales managed to beat the count and, after a point was taken away for excessively spitting out his mouthpiece, somewhere from the depths of his soul, Corrales connected with a punch that Castillo later called "a perfect right hand." Corrales then trapped Castillo against the ropes and landed numerous punches, causing the referee, Tony Weeks, to stop the fight.
Supernatural stuff. And neither fighter was ever the same. That is the price the warrior is willing to pay. The warrior is willing to leave a piece of himself in the ring; a piece of himself he will never recover. And with full knowledge of this sacrifice, the warrior will brave on and continue further combat.
It would be great for the game if all fighters had the heart of the late Diego Corrales. Boxing would be the top sport in every country. But the TRUTH is most fighters aren't cut from such cloth, which is what makes the likes of the late Diego Corrales, Arturo Gatti, Evander Holyfield, Jake LaMotta, Shane Mosley, José Luis Castillo, Micky Ward, Marvin Hagler, Fernando Vargas, and Joe Frazier (fill in whom you like) – the purest of warriors.
At times, they appear willing to give their life inside the ring. No matter the barrage of left hooks, straight right hands and the amount of blood that poured from their wounds, they believe victory could still be theirs. Win or die!
Still, professional prizefighters are quite simply human beings. And like any human being, they have limits. Only they know how far they are willing to go to push those limits. How much they are willing to sacrifice. How high is their threshold of pain? How deep is their resolve? What is the depth of their souls?
The warrior is always willing to walk through fire and brimstone to obtain his glory, no matter the possible tragic aftermath in life after boxing.
Look no further than HBO Legendary Nights: Chavez – Taylor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFQ2oJ3asaM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dylwo0CPKKw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4fkqBvP244&feature=related
Ask yourself would you be willing to pay such a price?
SATURDAY'S SUPER SIX SHOWDOWN IN DETROIT
I have read that people think the World Boxing Classic has lost some of its "super" momentum, no pun intended. I would disagree to a certain degree. I think the tournament will heat up again this Saturday as Andre "The Matrix" Dirrell will seek to remind people why he was chosen to participate in the first place and "King" Arthur Abraham looks to conquer America. Will it be a beatdown in Motown? I think Abraham-Dirrell will be a hotly contested bout. Which man can impose his strengths on the other? Abraham's physical strength and tight defense vs. Dirrell's speed and quickness! King Arthur has been my pick to win it all since the World Boxing Classis began. He has shown an uncanny knack to break down fighters. Still, if Dirrell can stay focused and not allow the negative talk about him not fighting Carl Froch enough to creep into his head, he has a good chance to win. This is what boxing is all about. A fight in which you have no idea who will win.
Side-bar: Showtime boxing boss Ken Hershman should be given a big hand for staying on course with this tournament.
A SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISON
After Eddie Chambers was snuffed by Wladimir Klitschko like a candle in the wind this past weekend, there are certain people wondering if we need a Super-Heavyweight Division. What for?
Like we need another division to dilute the boxing landscape. It is a horrible idea, one that I wish would go away. The problem in the heavyweight division is not size, but rather the lack of skill, dedication and focus.
The Klitschko brothers are not unbeatable? They can be beaten, even with their current formidable form, size and skill set. However, I don't see any current heavyweight contender who I believe can ask them questions they can't answer.
Guile, movement and flair are being sacrificed on the altar of excessive bulk and fat. A prime Evander Holyfield would do quite well today. There is no need for change.
ENOUGH!
Erik Morales was once one of the game's purest warriors and now he wants to fight Manny Pacquiao again? It won't ever happen, but I am more worried about Morales ending up in a pine box by wanting to fight again as a welterweight. Having wrote that, if Morales wants to lose more brain cells, it's his life.
FROM THE BOXING BOOK SHELF
Sweet Thunder: The Life and Times of Sugar Ray Robinson by Wil Haygood
Product Description:
From the author of the critically acclaimed In Black and White: The Life of Sammy Davis, Jr., comes another illuminating socio-historical narrative of the twentieth century, this one spun around one of the most iconic figures of the fight game, Sugar Ray Robinson.
JONES – HOPKINS II:
Why is this fight happening? It's simple. Bernard Hopkins wants to beat up Roy Jones Jr. I have always believed that Hopkins would could never retire and be at peace with himself until he got a chance to settle his personal score against Jones. I never thought they were friends. There was always the resentment and distain hovering between them. We all know about the whole 60/40 and I will kick your ass. Hilarious stuff! Jones still has fast hands and while Hopkins is not an old Hopkins he is not Hopkins of old. The problem is Jones no longer has his legs and this will betray in the second half of the fight. Jones is no longer a speed demon and we have found out that he has no chin either.
THE FINAL BELL:
Why do fighters continue to sign with Don King?
Will Shane Mosley turn over the apple cart and spoil the grand plans of Pacquiao & Mayweather? All this talk about a Pacquiao & Mayweather super-fight: It's insulting, disrespectful and damn foolish. If there is one thing we have learned about boxing is this: the best-laid plans are often blown the fuck up!
You say: Jim Lampley. I think four words: Press the mute button.
For Questions or Comments, e-Mail John Herndon at jherndon@fighthype.com
[EDITOR'S NOTE: FightHype would like to welcome the talents of John Herndon to the team.]