Connect with us

Articles of 2010

They Fought Like Business Partners, Not Rivals

Published

on

Note to self: Never again pay $50 for a PPV boxing match that none of television networks dare to support.

This past Saturday night it cost fight fans fifty dollars to watch Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones dance in a ring. It was supposed to be a bout between the greatest rivals of this era. But the fight turned out to become a disgrace to anyone that calls themselves a boxing fan.  

And I know a friend of a friend of a friend that knows a guy who watched the fight on the internet for free. He told me that he used an S-video cord to hook his laptop up to his 60’ inch flat screen TV with a perfect image. Although he watched the fight for free, he still did not enjoy the fight.

Some fighters who become promoters have grown a business-like, old-school mentality in the sport. Where is the loyalty to fight fans? Where is the loyalty to the growth of the sport?  

That was not a fight between Hopkins and Jones, it was a sparring session. As a matter of fact, I have seen plenty of gym rats connect with much harder shots than what Hopkins felt dizzy from on Saturday night.    

We should not even call that fight a sparring session. It was a dancing contest between two business men — associates who call themselves enemies.

 Golden Boy sold Hopkins vs. Jones II as a bout between sworn enemies, finally settling a score. However, we saw them feint more than punch and foul rather than genuinely compete. “This is a real fight. This is personal,” said Hopkins before the fight.  

It was personal huh?

Most people don’t dance in a circle with a rival they have wanted to get in the ring with for almost twenty years. The 300 or so people who ordered the fight and I need to realize one thing. The day Bernard Hopkins, De la Hoya, Mayweather, or any other promoter/fighter threw their hat into the promoting game they became promoters first and fighters second.  

At that point, it became less about who is the best fighter in the world and more about how they could make the most money.  

This bout was being compared to the second fight between Thomas Hearns and Ray Leonard by some boxing people. But Hearns and Leonard fought like adversaries, Hopkins and Jones circled each other like scared amateurs.  

It is no secret that Hopkins continues to fight to make as much money off of his name as possible. Why else fight Jones if he got knocked out in the first round four months earlier? Hopkins and Jones pulled it off because they sold their names more than their diminishing fighting skills.  ?
Many hesitate to knock a man like Bernard Hopkins, who tries to make as much money as possible. But it is wrong to take money out of the pocket of hard working folks who still consider boxing to be the greatest sport in the world.

To Hopkins, or any other fighter trying to make a buck and run, respect the game of boxing. If you expect fight fans to buy your fights, please attempt to give us a show.  

Sometimes fight fans forget the deficiency of becoming a true boxing fan. We disregard the fact that we have to pay for the best fights and the biggest events. We have become accustomed to shelling out the PPV money. Football, basketball, and baseball fans don’t pay extra money to watch the Super Bowl, NBA Finals, or the World Series.  

What makes them any different than fight fans? Boxing fans pay to watch a good show. But mainstream sports fans watch a good show for free. Boxing fans who order a PPV fight that turns out to be a dud, like the one this past Saturday get stuck with a bill regardless. At least the football fans could change the channel if the game turnout to be a blowout, without thinking twice.  

In the aftermath of this fight, it is my belief that Hopkins and Jones are much more business partners than they are enemies.  

What type of person who calls himself a fighter would hesitate to throw a punch at his adversary unless they have some sort of understanding before the fight?  

Mr. Bernard Hopkins, if Jones was your true enemy, and you call yourself a fighter, then you should have done something to competitive to defeat him. As a matter of fact, Hopkins, I challenge you to a fight. I mean, if I all I have to do to make a million dollars is get into great shape, dance around the ring, and hit you with a low blow once in a while then we could sell the fight right?

I could probably last for twelve rounds because you would cry on the floor for five minutes each time I got close enough to hit you.

This message goes out to Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones, or any other so called promoter/fighter;  next time you decide to dance around the ring, don’t try to steal our money. Unlike most of you, the average boxing fan thinks $50 is a lot of money.  

No wonder why most sports fans have turned the other cheek when it comes time to discuss boxing. We die hard boxing fans look past all of the garbage in this sport sometimes. Maybe we should take a step back to see the truth.  

The promoters who build some of these fights between so called enemies are doing nothing but laughing straight to the bank. Actors, punks, thieves, or cowards, we could call them any name in the book. But the bottom line is that the nearly 7000 people in attendance at the Mandalay Bay and the many that bought the fight on PPV were fooled by some smart business men who called themselves enemies.  

They are looking at their paychecks laughing at us, waiting for the next moment to laugh some more.    

Contact Raymond.Markarian@yahoo.com

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles20 hours ago

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

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles7 days ago

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

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

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

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles17 hours 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 Articles20 hours ago

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

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

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

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles3 days ago

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

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

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles7 days ago

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

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles1 week ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending