As much as some of us lament the woes of the sport of boxing and all of the misnoma's and reincarnation of its stars. It can be said that unless there's a veritable reason for watching a bout many of us will just treat the sport with the disdain we think that it deserves.
Bernard Hopkins seen in training here for his upcoming fight against Joe Cazalghe at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday , 19th April. picture courtesy of reuters/lasvegassun/Steve Marcus .........
In many respects some of the most ardent fans of the sport can no longer identify themselves with the sport in one form or another. It's somehow devoid of character and many of its stars fight with ever decreasing regularity that it's extremely hard for even a layman to find some interest in the sport. At a time when interest in the sport is at an alltime low one would think that the governing bodies and the promoters would be all the more aware of the situation and the apparent death knell that awaits the sport of it can't raise itself out of the doldrums and back into the public's consciousness.
Joe Cazalghe of Wales greets fans at the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas after a workout for his upcoming bout against Bernard Hopkins. picture courtesy of reuters//lasvegassun/Steve Marcus .........
Last weekend saw some of the top talent within the light heavyweight division take aim at one another in order to show their superiority and lay claim as to who's the best fighter within the division . We had Antonio Tarver take on Clinton Woods and we also saw Chad Dawson defend his version of the tilte against former champion Glen Johnson. One of the more apparent problems of the sport in general are the all too numerous championship belts within a division. Gone are the days where the champion was easily recognizable from the mere factr you could say that here's the undisputed champion of the world . Nowadays there's an array of champions within each weight category. Which in effect makes it all the more confusing for many a fan.
Hopkins makes imprints for memorabilia items that'll be kept at the Planet Hollywood Resort Hotel & Casino . Alongside Hopkins are publicist for the resort Kelly Swanson (l) and Carmen Hemus (r) the memorabilia coordinator for the resort. picture courtesy reuters/ Steve Marcus .....
The respite will not have stopped within the division as the eagerly anticipated fight between Bernard Hopkins and Welshman Joe Cazalghe is due to take place on Saturday in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center. What makes this all the more intriguing is that the fight itself though not for a recognized title is seen as perhaps the justification for what many consider to be the two best fighters within the division . Between them they have over thirty title defenses . Cazalghe's record is all the more impressive as he's unbeaten in his career as a professional . Hopkins has but three blemishes on his record and his status as one of the best middleweights of his generation is without question. So what'll amount to be a winner take all match will undoubtedly be more of a fascination to the most avid followers of the sport , no matter how small that faction might be.
Cazalghe on the podium with his own imprint and draped in the Welsh flag gets his picture taken by photographers. picture courtesy of reuters/Steve Marcus.....
And whilst many have felt that the popularity of the sport of boxing has been on the wane. It can be said that when the more prestigious fights do come about there's decidedly a peeked interest as to the goings on within the sport. That may well be due to the fact that it's a rarity to get two such highly skilled fighters into a ring at the same time. And the other problem also is that when fights of this magnitude do take place it's at the expense where not all of the fans can see it. The vast majority of the time these title bouts are placed on the PPV system that's normally priced out of the range of the average fan. As will be the case for this particular bout. At $ 49.95 it certainly isn't a price to be scoffed at for the privilege of seeing the main event as well as the supporting undercard. But such are the machinations of prize fighting in its current climate that it's easy to understand why some fans have gone elsewhere for its sporting entertainment rather than endure what can be at times some rather dull entertainment.
In no doubt as to who in his mind is number one Hopkins declares his intentions with a gesture. picture courtesy of reuters/ Steve Marcus ......
On the other hand fighters of the pedigree of Cazlaghe and Hopkins normally put on an entertaining fight. Such are their styles and the fact that both like to entertain the fans. They know what it takes to bring the crowds out to a venue and the fact that the fans will want their money's worth at the end of the day. This won't just be about the fight itself but whether or not the sport can remain healthy within a climate where despite the popularity it has seen its influence wane while the likes of the UFC and the mixed martial arts genre has reached unprecedented heights in popularity all across the world at the expense of the sport of boxing. If the sport is to regain its focus and capture the attention of the general public and fans alike then bout such as this has to be made all the more accessible and less expensive for the fans instead of the obvious extortionate and exorbitant prices that are all too often being charged. The fighters themselves are handily paid and with residuals it can be said that they're very well taken care of financially at the expense of the paying public.
Cazalghe acknowledges the fans and press alike upon his arrival at Planet Hollywood for a press conference to publicize the fight. picture courtesy of reuters/Steve Marcus ......
The bout itself ought to go a long way in telling us who may well be the best light heavyweight alive today but the title holders Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson may well see things differently. They're the ones on the outside looking in. While it is Cazalghe and Hopkins that've garnered the limelight and attention of the press because of their showmanship. Notwithstanding the fact that they've been prepared to take on allcomers throughout their careers. A fact that neither Dawson or Tarver have ever lived up to. It can be said that if the latter want to be a part of the main event then they too ought to think about squaring off against one another. Rather than the usual calling out we've all so use to come to seeing when in effect nothing ever usually materializes from it. When we want to see a childish show one normally attends the circus to the see the clowns . We don't expect to see fighters posturing like they're ready to do battle and then cry off when they're unable to get their way.
Chad Dawson (l) and Antonio Tarver (r) show off their respective light heavyweight title belts having successfully defended them at the St Pete Times Forum in Tampa recently. Dawson defended his WBC title against Glen Johnson. Whilst Tarver successfully defended his IBO title belt but also defeated Clinton Woods for the IBF title . It's felt that the two will be soon meeting each other in a unification bout. However the timne and venue have yet to be set. picture courtesy of getty images/ John C Gichigi .........
The winner of the bout'll go a long way in cementing their legacy as one of the great fighters of this era. And in many respects they're deserving of the accolade. In Cazalghe you have a fighter who's equally skilled and adept and who may well give Hopkins a lot more than he'd hoped for in terms of contest. Form Hopkins' standpoint he's just out to prove that the skills he first brought to our attention as a middleweight are just as good if not better as a light heavyweight. And their tussle in the ring will go to show who's the superior of the two. To my mind it's too close to call but I'm expecting it to be a fight where those in attendance will have thought it well worth watching live . For those viewing it from afar it's hoped that it was money well spent for the event itself.
Say what you will about the sport of boxing but when the fights that do take place that are worthy of our interest. They do tend to be the bouts that are well worth watching and that are entertaining at the same time.
I would be a boxing fan if I made enough money. I do my best to get to an establishment that shows the fights, but in a football craved state that I live in, no one cares for boxing to spend the money to order it. The De La Hoya v. Mayweather fight was on tv, but thats the last one that a store has bought.
Its all MMA now.
Boxing was dead until about three years ago when the top fighters started fighting each other on a regular basis. Roy Jones was carrying the sport on his own. Then we saw the emergence of several new fighters and some great trilogies that kind of rescued the sport from obscurity. Only the Heavyweight division sucks now. Jermain Taylor has a good run until he ran into Pavlik who is the truth. Mayweather has dropped everyone that his come his way including a great fighter in Hatton. Winky Wright is one of my all-time favorites to watch. I used to be a Zab Judah fan until his chin got suspect. I love Manny Pacquio and Jeff Lacy is pretty good, but not as good as Calzaghe which is why B-Hop is headed for trouble. I know that B-Hop likes to use that smothering style to take opponents of off their game and then try to steal fights in the last couple of rounds but Joe ain't having it. Hop stuck around for one fight too many. It's a testament to the revival of the sport when Mayweather can be draws on dancing with the stars AND WWE. There are a lot of fighters in the lower weight divisions that make the sport relevant again. But I think the biggest reasons for the sport's resurgence has been the quality of match-up the past couple of years.
bamaboy22
The real problem with the sport is the likes of promoters Don King and Bob Arum have alienated the fans over the years as they've chased nothing but money. And whilst this has been going on they've become so corrupt that they could teach the politicians in Waashington a thing or two and vice versa . But other than that I still love the sport. It's something I grew up with and still appreciate to a great extent.
Oh yeah, I saw Tarver at the press conference the other day. Does he think he's fighting Roy again? I'd be surprised if this fight goes beyond three rounds. Tarver looked mediocre in his last outing and it was against a mediocre opponent. Chad will have his luinch. Even though I'm not a big fan, MMA is probably the future of contact sports as far as television viewers are concerned. I'm surprised to see network t.v. jump all over it so quick. I mean Kimbo went from You Tube to the big time in what three fights. It's said though. Boxing is still the Sweet Science and while I know that you are a martial arts guy. You have to appreciate the history and pagentry of boxing. It's gonna be said watching the sport go, but fans want more blood and more fat guys in the ring. Go figure. p.s. I like up and comer Andre Berto watch our for him.
nbaistheworst
The PC witin the forum are getting to be a proverial pain. So it'll be little sprinkling here and there when it comes to the scantily clad females . As to boxing I grew up with it's become a part of my training regimen to an extent. Martial arts is my first love...... karate to be exact. I'd normally be writing a soccer piece within this site. I'll be doing that more likely than not before the weekend is out. But I'll be heading to DC with come vet friends of mine. We're riding up there from Central Florida and spending a week there seeing the sites.
Curly Mo
When it comes to alltime favorites then Marvellous Marvin Hagler was the guy for me. One of the very best middleweights of alltime. To this day I felt he was robbed of the decision against Sugar Ray Leonard . That to me is when the sport started to take an irrevocable nosedive from which it hasn't totally recovered. It may well have sunk even further after Iron Mike Tyosn decided he wanted to become a cannibal at Holyfield's expense . It's got some stars and it's encumbent on these guys to carry the torch if it's to succeed.
I'm not sold on the whole "boxing is dead/dying" cries of "fans" and the media. Action from light weight through welterweight has been incredible for a number of years now.
You had/have the DeLa Hoyas, the Mosleys, the Trinidads, the Mayweathers, the Cottos, the Barreras, the Morales', the Marquezs, the Gattis, the Wards, the Vargas, the Mayorgas, the Camachos, the Cesar-Chavezs, the Diazs, the Judahs, the on and on and on...
I think many "fans" and the media have become disillusioned with the sport for two major reasons; the weakness of the heavyweight division, and the lack of a real American presence in that division.
If you want to dig deeper, you could say that the American public doesn't seem to care about Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Englishmen, non-American Blacks, and whatnot dominating those competitive divisions.
If you would have been with me during the Cotto-Gomez and Cintron-Margarito cards last Saturday, you'd see there is still plenty of love for the "sweet science."
Oh, almost forgot to add...Calzaghe is the real deal, and will most likely win a decision, but I'm pulling for ya B-Hop! One more time!
Last edited by ElGalloGigante on April 16th at 1:46 PM.
Curly Mo
The problem with Tarver is that his mouth writes checks that he can never cash and all the excuses in the world won't save you when you're exposed as a fraud . He'd better watch himself against Chad Dawson as he could be in for a serious hurtin' and beatdown. As a matter of fact he's due for one soon ! So why not Dawson to hand it down ?
As to the fighters who impress at the moment there's Money Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, B-Hop' and Cazalghe . They're amongst the very best of the best out thre at present. Mind you I do love the MMA genre and that of UFC and as a practicing martial artist it's good to see that the sport is now coming to the fore.
rampant' aka tophatal ...
Last edited by rampantfanatic on April 16th at 1:51 PM.
ElGalloGigante
The Mosley's , de La Hoya's and others were needed. As the sport had all but fallen off the face of the planet. As it is it's now got the deal with rise of UFC and the whole MMA genre . And because of that they're having to pull their fingers out of their ####.
As to Cazalghe I know he's the real deal as he's from the UK like myself .
I've seen his all too rpaid rise up the ladder and it's been worth watching. As to the fight against B-Hop I for one feel that it could go either way. I don't underestimate B-Hop at this juncture as he so adeptly proved against Tarver age is nothing but a number. Calzalghe will have to more than prove himself against what'll no doubt be something of a hostile crowd.
Fallen off the face of the planet? I wouldn't say that. DeLa Hoya was becoming a star when boxing was still relevent. He carried the torch, with Trinidad and Mosley, after the Cesar-Chavezs, Camachos, and Whitakers were on the tail end of their illustrious careers. Those older fighters were mixing it up when the Tysons and Hollifields were still reigning over the heavyweight division.
And now we have the Cottos, Mayweathers, and Quintanas carrying the torch; plus the Pacquiaos, Marquezs, Barreras, and Morales' ensuring that everything from lightweight to middleweight is both interesting and important.
If anything, as much as I love MMA, I'm really glad that it's popularity has made boxing's governing bodies and promoters push for making better fights. I don't think without MMA's pressure, we'd ever see the upcoming Cotto-Margarito fight, or a clash between Cotto and Mayweather (if Cotto beats Margarito).
The fight game, whether in the ring or the Octogan, is alive and well. Thank goodness.
I like B-Hop, don't get me wrong. He's a smart fighter. I just don't think Calazaghe is gonna stand for that 'maul' style tactic that Hop loves so much. My fav fight of all time was Hearns-Hagler. Tommy had the cruelest right hand I ever saw, evenif he had a glass chin. Now that we know that Sugar Shane was a Balco guy does that take away from his legacy. I say it does. Hitman Hearns was my man growing up. It's a shame Tyson got lured into oblivion by Don King, he could've passed Marciano's record easily. I still watch the sport regularly. I've always loved it and I used to fight PAL in NYC until I discovered I was a bleeder. Which is why I had to stop. I took Taekwondo until I was 12 reaching green belt status, but I always preferred boxing. My nose just wasn't down. lol
Curly....I'm with you on the alltime favorite fight! Hagler/Hearns was blow for blow throughout the fight. I wish I had that on video.
Rampant...I'm hoping Tarver toughs it out, even though he has that smack talk. I HAVE to root for him now since he was the first to embarrass Roy Jones. I gotta show love for the Floridian fighters...I wish Winky Wright had more punching power.
But does anyone know why Hopkins never got a chance to avenge his loss to Roy Jones? Hopkins got better as he got older and Jones went south.
ElGalloGigante de La Hoya's relevancy now should be as a promoter not as a fighter . If he says he wants to clean up the sport and make it respectable once again as he says he does. Then it's in that part of the business that'll be his forte' . He's certainly not the fighter he once was and he's been exposed first by Strum even though the decision was somewhat dubious and then by Mayweather and Hopkins . He's proved himself a gallant fighter but it's now time to call it quits .
The current fighters you've mentioned one hopes they'll be round for a long time serving the sport well.
God knows the sport is in need of an infusion of great talent as the heavyweight division has become a complete anathema and laughing stock . Seeing a bunch of oversized East Europeans with the talent of a newborn baby doesn't exxcite me one bit . In their prime the likes of Tyson , Holmes and Lewis would've eaten these guys lunch and still have time to go for a brisk run afterwards.
Curly Mo
The reason I love B-Hop is because he reminds me so much of Hagler . The two were cut from the same cloth and they're endemic of what's good about the fight game .
They each came from a tough background and went 'bout doing things in the ring the right way which is more than can be said of others.
ATTITUDE70
I live in the Central Florida area and get to put with a lot of the cr*ap that comes out of Tarver's mouth that he doesn't always back up. If and when he does face Chad Dawson he'll more than have his work cut out for him. As for Jones and B-Hop having not faced one another . That was 'cause Roy cried off in chase of what he thougt'd be more lucrative pickings in terms of money and fights . Fighting and defeating someone like an overbloated John Ruiz for the heavyweight title while impressive was about it for Roy . He now knows the mistakes that he's made over the course of his career and is now trying to make up for lost time , money and lack of overall effort on his path.
That's what happens when you choose to manage yourself and you don't know enough about the business side of the sport .
I agree with you, and I wasn't stating that DeLa Hoya is still the fighter that he once was, but there is currently fighters worthy of continuing the fine legacy left in by fighters like DeLa Hoya.
The heavyweight division is just terrible, and unfortunately boxing's history is so rich with talented heavyweights that it looks to be a long time before we see any big improvement in this division. Personally, I've always prefered the lighter divisions, moreso welterweight, since a majority of the Earth's men fall in this range. Its a personal bias, but so long as those divisions stay as exciting as they have been the last 15 years, boxing will always find itself at the forefront of my sporting life. :)
ElGalloGigante
It's such a travesty to see the likes of the heavyweight division become such a mediocre category and then we're being told by the likes of King and Arum that it'll change as it's their goal to unify the division . As it is the division is completely deviod of any real talent . The guys there today would have their lunch taken from themm by the likes of Holyfield, Tyson, Holmes , Lewis and Foreman in their heydays . Now all we're left with are a bunch of scrubs. As to de La Hoya I do believe that it's now time for him to quit. He's almost got nothing left in the tank and as it is he's got to be running on empty . The fumes may well be the only thing keeping him on his feet.
Hopkins-Cazalghe is what boxing needs. While Hopkins is a stud, I've got to go with Cazalghe to win the fight. Based strictly on age and speed. But you never know with Bernard.
Props calling out Hagler, my all time favorite also. I agree Leonard stole the fight by showboating in closing seconds of each round. Never liked Leonard, especially after that rip-off.
Magic 53
Whilst Leonard was good for the sport of boxing. I think that he if anything showed that even with a modicum of talent and little else you could go a long way .
More than anything else what really griped me was the favoritism shown to Leonard over Hagler .
In many ways Hopkins reminds me so much of Hagler in a lot of ways. They're cut from the same cloth and alike in so many other ways.
rampant' aka tophatal .........
Last edited by rampantfanatic on April 17th at 4:39 PM.
Guys unfortunately for B-Hop he's gone to the well one too many times. And this last bout proved the fact. When Father Time comes a knocking at your door......you can't tell him to 'go and take a hike'. As he'll make sure that your #### is 'toast'.
It's now time for him to finally retire and leave it to the younger guys to take care of 'business'.
An avid martial artist and fan of Jet Li. Possessing a black belt in karate (2nd degree Black Belt) I'm of Caribbean parentage born in the UK and have lived in the US for the past 14 years. A lover of sports in particular Soccer, NFL, NBA and MLB.
Slowly getting use to NASCAR but I prefer F1 Practices martial arts, karate and wu shu kwan , muy thai -kick boxing) College grad BA in Int'l Fin and BA in Economics.
I've recently received my MBA here in the US
Teams Chelsea (EPL) Patriots,Spur s, Marlins..LaDa nian Tomlinson & Roger Federer favorite sports personalities
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