Connect with us

Articles of 2007

Lamon Does A Duran, Says 'No Mas'

Published

on

Would've been nice if he let us knew that his desire to compete had diminished to the point where he didn't know if he'd continue in the ring.

Would have been good to know that Lamon Brewster would be committing the nickname “Relentless” to the scrap heap, and would be open to quitting on his stool when things weren't going his way.

It would have been nice for Brewster to let the fans know that he wasn't the same sort of athlete who weathered a fierce storm of punishment from Wladimir Klitschko in 2004, and persevered, and battled on, until the giant Ukrainian's stamina crumbled.

It would have been good if Brewster let the suits who put up the dough for his purse  know that when the going got tough, he would pursue the safe path, rather than fire every last bullet, and at least try to land a lucky shot.

It would have been good for Lamon Brewster to bark back at trainer Buddy McGirt after the sixth round of his fight with Wladimir Klitschko in Koln, Germany on Saturday, and promise that he'd show the same stubbornness he showed in 2004 and he'd go out for round seven and show Dr. Steelhamer who had the brass balls, once again.

Instead, the boxer capitulated, and faced with another three, or six, or 18 minutes of thudding jabs, shocking rights and indefensible left hooks, he folded up the tent, and waved adios.

“I'm gonna pull the plug,” trainer McGirt said after the 18th minute of one-sided action. “OK? Talk to me baby. I'm gonna pull the plug. I know you're trying , you hear me? You hear me? Alright?”

The moment called for a fiery retort, and if the scene had been written by Stallone, or starred Diego Corrales, or even the Brewster of old, a fiery retort would have flown back in Buddy's face.

But this Brewster, the one who called it a career in Koln, the 34-year-old one who needed one more payday to give he and his family a little financial cushion, offered no words.

He could only nod his head, and agree to let his corner wave the white towel of surrender.

You can't argue with the trainer, who saw the writing on the wall, saw an overmatched, undermotivated shell of a fighter absorbing a considerable load of punishment from minute one.

McGirt, a family man, like Brewster, can't be faulted for offering Brewster the out.

The trainer had warned the boxer, who hadn't gloved up for real since his April 2006, and was looking to continue in this field even though he'd needed a surgeon to stitch together his torn retina, that he didn't like what he was seeing after the second round.

“Do what we worked on, let's not let it go out the window,” McGirt said to a listless looking man who looked like he was heading out to work a double shift emptying septic tanks. “Look at me,” McGirt demanded, as he gave Brewster two wake up mini-slaps. “Let's not let it go out the window, baby.”

In the third, a round in which Brewster looked like he was being paid to act as a sparring partner, a round in which he looked like a clueless Toughman as he launched a left hook to close the round, McGirt warned Brewster that he needed to get into gear, quick. “I'm not going to get hurt too much more, you understand me?” Buddy said.

It was more of the same in the fourth, but the hopeful analyst Larry Merchant recalled Brewster's stirring 2004 performance.

“Let's remember, Klitschko won 14 of the the first 15 minutes of the last fight, and lost the fight,” said the 76-year-old commentator, who's seen more than his share of stunning turnarounds.

McGirt still talked the talk after that fourth frame, imploring his man to not look for the walkoff launch. Brewster came out with an urgency in his stance, but his short arms, and Klitschko's brilliant command of technique (which will be overshadowed by Brewster's less than stirring mode of warfare) quickly took the spring out his step.

“Answer one question for me and you got to be honest,” McGirt queried after the session. “Are you feeling it yes or no?”

“Yes, I'm feeling it,” Brewster answered, with the zeal of a man on death row who'd just learned he'd won the Lotto.

“I'm gonna give you one more round, Lamon, I'm not to see you take those shots, you hear me? Give me one more round to show me you can do what we worked on, if not baby,” McGirt said, “we're gonna stop it, you hear me, OK?”

The sixth was like the fifth, and the fourth, and so on, with Klitschko operating with surgical precision, with sterling ring generalship, and a sky-high level of confidence. Brewster was the home run king on his last legs, still carrying the XXL Louisville Slugger, but barely able to lift the lumber off his shoulder, let alone take a meaningful hack.

McGirt had seen enough, almost, and gave his man one last opportunity to go out guns a blazin.' “I'm gonna pull the plug,” McGirt said, and he did.

Brewster, at 34, having had his fill of the savage science, the most dangerous game, showed why this is a sport best left to the young.

It was his No Mas moment, and will likely be the capper on a mediocre career which was highlighted by one night in 2004 when he truly lived up to his nickname, “Relentless,” when he was determined and dangerous, when Lamon Brewster exemplified the resolve that fight viewers cherish and adore.

But this is 2006, and his four kids and wife are now at the forefront of Brewster's head when he contemplates going for broke, and trying to storm castle Klitschko with a meager ration of weapons. Those familial considerations, while admirable and understandable, are not the building blocks for stunning comeback victory in the boxing ring. I'm certain that decision, to throw in the white towel, will earn the boxer formerly known as “Relentless” many hugs and kisses at home, but for viewers who tune in to be entertained by the awesome deeds of sweet scientists, not so much.

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles4 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles3 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles4 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles5 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Gibbons
Featured Articles23 hours ago

From the Boondocks to the Big Time, The Wild Saga of Manny Pacquiao’s Sidekick Sean Gibbons

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles3 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles4 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles4 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles5 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles1 week ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending