Articles of 2004
Vitali Klitschko fights Williams: Does Anyone Care?
On December 11 Vitali Klitschko defends the heavyweight championship of the world against Danny Williams, but does anyone care? They might if Klitschko had been marketed properly.
“Marketing” is a much abused term, but in a world with Internet bloggers, 24-hour news channels and all sports networks, image is very important – especially if you’re in the public eye. Klitschko is the heavyweight champion of the world. For lack of a better term, he’s simply “The Baaadest Man on the Planet,” yet he’s been so poorly exposed that nobody really knows who he is, and the public doesn’t care if he wins or loses.
How is this possible? Klitschko won his first 27 fights by knockout, picking up the nickname “Dr. Iron Fist” in the process. He quit against Chris Byrd, after suffering a torn rotator cuff, but he certainly redeemed himself when he gamely out-slugged Lennox Lewis, before he was stopped because of a horrible cut. Lewis retained the heavyweight championship, but wisely retired from the ring without giving Klitschko a rematch.
In a racket full of pretenders, Klitschko has proven he is the best heavyweight in the world, not so much by stopping Corey Sanders last April for the WBC crown, but by the way he sledgehammered Kirk Johnson, Larry Donald and Vaughn Bean into submission before that title bout. This soft spoken 33 year-old giant has wrecking balls for hands – and a PhD. In the history of boxing, in the annals of sport, who better exemplifies “Brains and Brawn” than Klitschko?
He’s a publicity man’s dream, yet he’s anonymous to the general public.
It’s hard to believe. Klitschko’ a good-looking guy who photographs well. He’s the first bonafide white heavyweight champ since Ingemar Johansson won the crown from Floyd Patterson 1960. Yet Vitali’s invisible in the media and can't get any endorsement deals. Why?
Laila Ali can hustle cars. George Foreman can pitch grills. Oscar De La Hoya had a slew of endorsements on Hispanic TV. Don King’s mug is everywhere.
Why are endorsements important? Because the media is like an echo chamber. Exposure reverberates. A freak like Dennis Rodman showed up in a wedding gown and it greatly added to his NBA marketability, but a class act like Klitschko, who is the heavyweight champion of the world, doesn’t get any exposure, even though he holds the most primal title in sport.
Who’s the imbecile handling this guy? Reports were that the William Morris Agency, the show business people, were doing Klitschko’s business. If that’s true, the “suit” making Klitschko’s deals ain’t got the smarts to find his way to the men’s room.
In a celebrity obsessed culture, why can’t they sell someone who has physical prowess and brains, when basketball players like Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant get $100 million endorsement deals? Sure, Bryant lost all his accounts when he was accused of rape, but basketball legend Michael Jordan made more money doing endorsements than he ever did playing for the Chicago Bulls.
Yet Klitschko, who should be the antidote to Mike Tyson, or Sonny Liston, or any semi literate thug that can barely mumble a comprehensible sentence, has simply been ignored by Madison Avenue. It’s incredible!
Vitali Klitschko should be the face of boxing. He could have carried this red light district of a sport and made sure it reared its head out of the muck and mire. Klitschko should have been on the cover of People magazine. E, the “Entertainment Network,” deifies celebrities. Have you ever seen Klitschko there? What about Sports Illustrated?
We live in a world where people are constantly clamoring for role models; where college athletes are functional illiterates; where kids getting high school diplomas can’t even read. Klitschko, a poor kid from the Ukraine, is downright inspirational. How many heavyweight champions have a PhD? But for some reason, Vitali Klitschko is an invisible man . . . while the public overdoses on “celebrities” like Paris Hilton.
Articles of 2004
2004 Boxing Pound for Pound List
The final boxing pound-for-pound list of the year for 2004.
1. Bernard Hopkins: The top guy from beginning to end, Hopkins took care of Oscar De La Hoya with a body shot in the biggest fight of 2004. Now, he'll wait for Jermain Taylor to progress a little further, or he'll go the rematch route with Felix Trinidad. Either way, Hopkins stands to earn a lot of money in 2005 and extend that all-time middleweight reign.
2. Floyd Mayweather: How long has it been since we've seen Mayweather in a meaningful fight? Certainly not in 2004, when he outpointed the difficult DeMarcus Corley. He's slated for a January outing against a no-name. Enough stalling, already, “Pretty Boy”. Fight someone we care about (preferably Kostya Tszyu), or you'll lose your #2 position sometime in 2005.
3. Felix Trinidad: “Tito” stormed back with a magnificent knockout of Ricardo Mayorga in 2004, and now hopes to capitalize on it with big money fights. He'd like nothing more than a rematch with his only conqueror, Hopkins, but he may also opt for old nemesis Oscar De La Hoya. Either way, Trinidad is sure to fight a big fight sometime in the coming year.
4. Kostya Tszyu: What a difference one fight makes. As recently as late October, the boxing world was wondering whether Tszyu was even serious about the sport anymore. We found out with a second round demolition of Sharmba Mitchell. And that made the junior welterweight division very attractive. Tszyu has several options now, including Arturo Gatti and Mayweather or even a hop up to welterweight to challenge Cory Spinks. Let's hope one of them happens in 2005.
5. Manny Pacquiao: Pacquiao fought twice in 2004, and what a fight the first one was. His thrilling war with Juan Manuel Marquez was the best brawl of the year, and there is a chance that the two rivals will go at it again in 2005. If not, Pacquiao has a list full of options: Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, etc. Pacquiao will fight one of them in the next year.
6. Marco Antonio Barrera: Another guy thought to be washed up when the year started, Barrera resurrected his career for the second time with a masterful victory over Paulie Ayala and a close decision over rival Erik Morales in another great fight. Barrera is obviously shooting for a return with Pacquiao, who decimated him in November 2003. Barrera says it was an off-night. Hopefully, we'll find out if that was the case.
7. Winky Wright: Winky entered the “superstar” realm in 2004 with a pair of decision victories over Shane Mosley. The first was very impressive, as Wright practically shut Mosley out. The second was closer, but proved once again that Winky was the superior fighter. He'd like a shot at Trinidad or Oscar De La Hoya, but neither will happen. He'd probably be best off shooting for a name like Fernando Vargas or Ricardo Mayorga.
8. Juan Manuel Marquez: After several years on the outside looking in, Marquez is finally in a position to make some money after his courageous performance against Pacquiao. He rose from three first-round knockdowns to wage the fight of his life in a fight that was ruled a draw. It would also be interesting to see Marquez against countrymen Barrera and Erik Morales.
9. Erik Morales: “El Terrible” fought another great fight against Barrera, but, again, it was in a losing cause. He has now lost two of three to his fierce rival, and probably wants nothing to do with him anymore. But, eventually, talk of Barrera-Morales 4 will come up again. In the meantime, Morales could shoot for Pacquiao or Marquez.
10. Glencoffe Johnson: The newest entry, Johnson pumped some life into boxing in 2004 with a pair of upsets of Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver. Now, he's set to make some really big money in rematches with either, or a shot at old conqueror Hopkins. Either way, Johnson is better than anyone imagined.
11. Jose Luis Castillo: Castillo made some comeback noise of his own in 2004, beating Juan Lazcano for his old vacant title and decisioning Joel Casamayor for another big win. He says he wants Kostya Tszyu next, and if that materializes, boxing fans will be in for a treat. If not, Castillo vs. Diego Corrales is a great fight.
12. Oscar De La Hoya: Hard to erase that picture of De La Hoya grimacing in agony courtesy of a Hopkins shot to the ribs, but the “Golden Boy” had no business fighting at 160 pounds. He should drop down to junior middle or even welterweight again if he has any hope of regaining his past form. But 2005 could be the final year for one of boxing's all-time great attractions.
On the brink: Antonio Tarver, Diego Corrales, James Toney
Articles of 2004
Heavyweight Joe Mesi Bringing Lawsuit
As reported by the Buffalo News, Joe Mesi is suing the New York State Athletic Commission and the MRI center that conducted tests on the heavyweight boxer after his bout with Vassiliy Jirov. Mesi reportedly suffered brain injuries in the Jirov bout, which has left his boxing status uncertain.
The lawsuit alleges Mesi's medical records were improperly released to the NYSAC. The records, the lawsuit goes on to allege, were then released to the media, prejudicing Mesi's right to have his status reviewed by the appropriate boxing authorities.
The lawsuit does not seek specific monetary damages, as the extent of damages will be affected by whether Mesi is able to resume his career as a leading heavyweight contender.
Mesi hopes to have his status reviewed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission within the coming month. The ruling of the NSAC promises to be key in whether Mesi will be able to resume his boxing career.
Articles of 2004
The Best in Chicago Boxing Returns
Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum's Top Rank Incorporated along with Miller Lite presents SOLO BOXEO DE MILLER, THE ARAGON RUMBLE, another installment of The Best in Chicago Boxing on Friday, January 14th, broadcast live internationally as part of Telefutura's Friday night professional boxing series.
The newly remodeled Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. near the corner of Lawrence and Broadway in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood and is easily accessible, just 4 blocks west of Lake Shore Drive and just 4 miles east of the Kennedy expressway. There are three large parking lots located within a 1/2 block of the Aragon Ballroom. Additionally, the Howard Street Blue Line stops just across the street. Doors will open at 6pm with the first bell at 7pm.
Headlining the action packed card is the American debut of super-bantamweight Ricardo “PIOLO” Castillo, 12-2 (6KO's) of Mexicali, Mexico as he squares off in a scheduled ten rounder against WBO Latino Champion, Edel Ruiz, 24-12-3 (13KO's) of Los Mochis, SI, Mexico. Castillo will be accompanied to the ring by his brother, World Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo.
In the co-main event of the evening, one of Chicago's most popular fighters, middleweight “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez, 14-1 (9KO's), battles hard swinging local veteran “MARVELOUS” Shay Mobley, 7-4-1 (2KO's), of One In a Million Inc.in a scheduled eight rounder.
The huge undercard bouts include;
Carlos Molina vs TBA, six rounds, junior middleweights
Frankie Tafoya vs TBA, four rounds, featherweights
Ottu Holified vs. Allen Medina, four rounds, middleweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. LaShaun Blair, four rounds, bantamweights
Rita Figueroa vs. Sarina Hayden, four rounds, junior welterweights
Said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, “it was a terrific evening last month and our fans were thrilled to be at the Aragon to watch David, Speedy and Luciano. David Diaz's fight against Jaime Rangel was a fight people will talk about for a long time. Our commitment to our fans is to make every event of ours better than the last one. This main event is terrific, both guys are very tough Mexicans who won't take a step back.
The fans love Miguel and Mobley figures to be a very tough opponent. Him and David Estrada had a six round war last June at our show. And the undercard showcases a lot of new, younger talent that is coming out of Chicago right now. Tafoya and Holifield have both had very successful beginnings to their careers and Francisco Rodriguez comes with fantastic amateur credentials and David Diaz says he has all the talent to be a great pro.”
“We've got big plans for 2005 and this show should take up right where last months show left off. The huge crowd loved the action last time and I'm sure they'll say the same thing this time.”
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