A Fallen Floyd Fights For Life After Death

Published

10 years ago

March 12, 2015

This year’s Oscar-winning film Birdman is an exploration into the fragile ego of a performer whose finest days are resolutely behind him. Michael Keaton’s character is driven to prove the world he is capable of a deeper art than the Hollywood kitch he made his name in, as he struggles with his mortality and everyday failures. We see him constantly mistake praise and acceptance for love. In the end, it’s a portrait of fading masculinity that symbolizes the dents sustained to male heroes in between 2015 and when Keaton himself made millions playing Batman.

In the interim we’ve seen countless fallen men parade through sports: Barry Bonds, Joe Paterno, A-Rod, Lance Armstrong, Aaron Hernandez to name a few; and we’ve also seen a culture of sexual assault and domestic violence in arenas where young men are put on a constant cycle of praise laid bare. Hanging by the slimmest of threads in the fallen man category is Floyd Mayweather Jr., a one-man dynamo of brilliant boxing and loathsome character. Mayweather appears youthful but tells his 38 years when he opens his mouth: he’s a relic of an age where the male athlete could go unchallenged on social issues, and his current role in 2015’s spotlight is an uncomfortable one.

Watching CNN’s Rachel Nichols’ interview with Floyd last fall is just painful to watch. If boxing had an organizing body of control like one of the major league team sports, chances are excellent he’d be relegated to some quiet corner of the world burning the remainder of his athletic skill in relative obscurity. Instead he’s the best boxer in the fight game and world’s highest-grossing athlete.

One can forgive Floyd his third-person narcissism because it serves as insight into a man who has spent about thirty years in nonstop training mode, crafting his body into an eponymous but seperate extension of himself. In between fights, Floyd Mayweather rests from all the work that Floyd Mayweather has done, but he keeps training. Getting paid more money than any god for practicing a constant and devout form of self-worship seems like an even-handed trade off, but it’s shameful to suggest he be forgiven his acts against women on the same grounds. No, Floyd hasn’t cheated or lied or killed anybody, but he did beat up his children’s mother in their presence at least once, and no good vibes over his long overdue sanctioning to allow Floyd Mayweather to fight Manny Pacquiao should forgive that. That kind of thing sticks with you.

We know that Mayweather is obsessed with his undefeated record, with his branding of “TBE”, willing himself somehow to the dais of Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Archie Moore. But when his fighting days are done, he’ll be remembered as one of sport’s most cynical superstars; a man who built a brand out of a self-centered misanthropy he felt compelled to establish in order to get rich. Like Shakespeare’s Richard III, mistaking a chip on his shoulder for a 4 x 4; “determined to prove a villain, and hate the idle pleasures of these days.”

I suppose you can’t argue with money, even if you have a bone to pick with Money. It’s hard to tell the line where shrewd marketing meets sinister politics, so for his part in the self-management of his brand and arc, he’s approaching a class of business art we haven’t seen since Muhammad Ali. The man who has been nothing but a pseudo-rival all these years until now, Manny Pacquiao, builds his brand out of a practiced humility that somehow remains relatable across time, culture, and language. But Pacquiao’s considerable fortune doesn’t even come close to Mayweather’s.

But give him this: Floyd earned every cent.

The biggest money in boxing has been in the heavyweight division since the 60s featuring stars with violent knockout power. There’s something very natural about the curiosity around who the baddest man on the planet is. Even though boxing entered a dark age of heavyweights, it’s damn near miraculous that a 5’8” welter who really hasn’t knocked anyone out since 2007 has achieved what Mayweather has. His success isn’t only due to his endless self-promotional shenanigans, he’s taken the “defensive fighter” label to new heights of marketability. It’s not just that he doesn’t get hit, it’s how he doesn’t get hit and how manages to land brush-stroke counter shots. His head movement, hand speed, and blocking are peerless. His performances are masterpieces. Even if most viewers tune in to see if Mayweather finally gets beat, his athletic skill is universally recognized. He’s never really been hurt in a fight, but the moments where we’ve seen him uncomfortable are amazing enough that rematches become valid possibilities.

On top of his ring prowess, you have to also hand it to Mayweather on the business front. He handles his own promotions and he’s careful who he let’s into his circle, avoiding entirely the rancorous disputes between fighter and promoter that’s woven into the sport’s fabric. He doesn’t pay rent, he owns.

For years we’ve been hearing the story about Floyd ducking Pacquiao, about him being scared of the Filipino Congressman. We all needed some story to explain to ourselves why the most lovely of matchups in recent fistic history couldn’t happen, but it’s a load of mularkey. Champion boxers don’t live in fear of punches or losses; a boxer who fights scared or timid has usually already lost before the first bell. The real reason, only Floyd could tell, but having this fight always in the background helped TMT promote his more useless fights against Guerrero, Maidana, and Ortiz. It kept the Mayweather-Pacquiao question in a constant hot-take rotation that made most self-respecting boxing writers virtually boycott the topic.

We haven’t seen such aged fighters duel each other at this level possibly since Manila, the city Pacquiao may one day preside over as president of the Phillippines. Of course it would have been great if they had fought closer to their primes five years ago, when Pacquiao was a dervish of pain and Mayweather was knocking people out with left hooks, but there’s zero reason to turn your nose up at this one. Even in their late thirties, both are still top five in pound for pound rankings. And they’re both fighting for their entire legacies, the only thing besides money to comfort them in the years ahead as the world slowly forgets about them.

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME^®

Post Views: 0

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Aaron Lowinger

Stephen Fulton Nips Carlos Castro in a Prelude to Canelo vs Berlanga

Published

3 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Arne K. Lang

Stephen-Fulton-Nips-Carlos-Castro-in-a-Prelude-to-Canelo-vs-Berlanga

In his first fight back after being dominated and stopped by pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a fight for super bantamweight supremacy in July of last year, Stephen Fulton nipped upset-minded Carlos Castro, improving to 22-1 (8) in his first start as a featherweight. The verdict was split, with Fulton prevailing by 96-93 and 95-94 with the dissenter favoring Castro 95-94. The decision seemed fair although not in eyes of the predominantly Mexican crowd which booed the decision.

This was an entertaining 10-round fight between two evenly-matched 30-year-old campaigners. Long-time Phoenix resident Castro (30-3) put Fulton on the deck in round five with a counter right hand and Fulton rode his bicycle to shed the cobwebs as the round played out. But the Philadelphian, with new trainer Bozy Ennis in his corner, recuperated well and had a strong sixth round.

In round eight, Castro buckled Fulton’s knees with another straight right, but was unable to press his advantage. The bout served as the “main” prelim to the four-fight PPV card.

—

In a welterweight contest slated for “10,” Mexico City’s Ricardo Salas, a 6/1 underdog, scored a second-round stoppage of Roiman Villa. The end in this slam-bang and all-too-brief skirmish came at the 2:06 mark of round three when Salas, fighting off the ropes, nailed Villa with a perfectly-placed, short right hand. Villa went down for the count.

Salas, whose de facto manager is the ubiquitous Sean Gibbons, improved to 20-2-2 with his 15^th win inside the distance. From Colombia by way of Venezuela, Villa (26-3) was making his first start since being stopped by Boots Ennis in July of last year.

—

In the opener on the PBC YouTube channel, super featherweight Jonathan “Geo” Lopez, a 21-year-old Pennsylvania-born southpaw, won a wide 8-round decision over rugged San Antonio campaigner Richard Medina. Lopez pitched a shutout, winning 80-71 on all three cards, but this was hardly a stroll in the park for him.

Lopez, who improved to 17-0 (12), simply had too much class for Medina. A 20/1 favorite, the Eddy Reynoso-trained boxer hurt Medina at the end of round seven and put him on the canvas in the final round with a straight left hand, but Medina (15-3) kept on plugging away and maintained his distinction of never being stopped.

Also

In an off-TV fight, super middleweight Bek Nurmaganbet, a 26-year-old Kazakh, won his eighth straight inside the distance, improving to 12-0 (10) with a second-round stoppage of SoCal’s Joshua Conley (17-7-1).

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 0

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Rocky Hernandez Improves to 36-2 with a Controversial TD in Hermosillo

Published

24 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Arne K. Lang

Rocky-Hernandez-Improves-to-36-2-with-a-Controversial-TD-in-Hermosillo

Matchroom was in northwestern Mexico tonight in the city of Hermosillo for a card that aired on DAZN. In the featured bout, super featherweight Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez was awarded a technical decision over Thomas Mattice when the bout was halted by the ringside physician at the start of the seventh round because Hernandez had severe cuts around both eyes. The first cut, over his right eye, developed in round four. Replays showed that the second cut, over his left eye, was caused by a right uppercut. However, in the eyes of veteran Texas referee Mark Calo-oy, the damage was caused by an accidental head cut. That sent the bout to the scorecards where Hernandez was deemed the victor by tallies of 59-55, 58-56, and 58-55 per ring announcer David Diamente who had trouble reading the results submitted to him by a boxing commissioner.

Hernandez, who turned pro at age 15 in Mexico City, is best known for his rumble with defending WBC 130-pound title-holder O’Shaquie Foster. Rocky was leading that fight with 30 seconds remaining in the final round when the roof fell in on him. He trained for tonight’s bout at the DLX and Top Rank gyms in Las Vegas under Kay Koroma and Brandon Woods, the latter of whom trains Trevor McCumby. Neither Koroma nor Woods was in his corner tonight.

It was the first fight outside the U.S. for Cleveland’s hard-luck Thomas Mattice who had won five straight heading in and appeared to be turning the bout in his favor. Mattice declined to 22-4-1.

Semi-wind-up

Twenty-four-year-old Hermosillo knockout artist Sergio Mendoza showed that he is a rising force in the flyweight division with a third-round stoppage of stocky Ensenada southpaw Angel Ramos. Mendoza crumpled Ramos with a short left uppercut in round two. Ramos attempted to rise, but it became a moot point when the match was waived off.

Mendoza improved to 24-0 with his twenty-first knockout. Ramos, a 12-year pro whose career has been slowed by injuries, falls to 30-2-2.

Also

A 10-round super middleweight contest that shaped up as a slugfest proved the opposite. Local product Julio Porras (12-0, 8 KOs) won a wide decision in a snoozefest over Venezuelan import Isaac Torres who had won all 10 of his previous fights by stoppage, none of which lasted beyond six rounds.

Torres turned timid after Porras decked him with a left hook in the second frame. He fought off his back foot for the reminder of the bout, seemingly content to simply last the distance. The scores read 100-89 and 99-90 twice.

It was hard to get a good read on Porras who trains in Seatle with David Benavidez and Diego Pacheco, but at age 22 he appears to have a bright future.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 0

Share The Sweet Science experience!

Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2024

David A. Avila

Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More

Never underestimate the Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry.

Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico has fought Puerto Ricans before and should know it is never easy. But this time he chose to toe the line against a young hungry Boricua.

Will this fight be his reckoning?

Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) defends the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles against Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) on Saturday Sept. 14, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. PPV.com along with Jim Lampley will stream the loaded TGB Promotions card. It’s also on DAZN and Amazon Prime.

Mexico’s Canelo has been the face of boxing ever since Floyd Mayweather officially retired. And though he lost to Mayweather in 2013, the dividends from that experience have boosted the redhead to a skill level not seen since Salvador Sanchez.

Not many Mexicans or Puerto Ricans fight at super middleweight. So, this is a first for the rivalry at this weight class. But in the lower weights war has been ongoing between the two countries for decades.

My up-close introduction took place with Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez against Sanchez in Las Vegas in August 1981. At the time the Puerto Rican was considered the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world with 32 wins and 32 knockouts.

Gomez was a Mexican killer and dispatched two future Half of Fame fighters in Carlos Zarate and Lupe Pintor. Only Sanchez could beat the Boricua and he was an underdog to the mustached fighter from Santurce, Puerto Rico when they met.

Never underestimate anyone.

Now Berlanga is attempting to do what no other Puerto Rican has been able to accomplish in defeating Canelo.

It’s a big task for the taller fighter.

“I could be the face of Puerto Rican boxing after Saturday night,” said Berlanga, 27, who hails from Brooklyn, New York.

The taller Berlanga has yet to face anyone that compares to Canelo, He’s defeated contenders like Jason Quigley and Padraig McCrory who formerly held the IBO light heavyweight title. But a killer like Alvarez he’s never faced before.

But he’s eager to find out.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Team Berlanga,” Berlanga said at the press conference.

As a professional fighter he needs to take the opportunity.

“We’re gonna make history and become legends,” said Berlanga.

Alvarez has been in this situation dozens of times before. He’s heard all the rhetoric and the boasts and the predictions over the years. After facing the likes of Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin and so many others, he’s almost immune to the itchy nervousness of potential danger.

The Mexican champion has his jacket of confidence woven over the years from dozens of battles endured since the age of 15. Now he’s 34 and has he passed his limit?

“I always put 100 per cent into my fights and into training, no matter who I’m fighting. It’s the same mentality every fight. This is no exception,” said Alvarez, who is fighting on Mexican Independence day for the 11^th time in his career.

This, however, is different. This is Mexico versus Puerto Rico and the history between the two countries is fraught with upsets and fierce bloody battles in boxing that have mesmerized the boxing world.

Berlanga’s trainer said it best:

“Believe me, we are grateful to Team Canelo for the opportunity, because it’s the opportunity to knock the king off the throne,” said Marc Ferrait. “as I told Edgar, he’s not going to want to give it to no Puerto Rican, and if we think Canelo doesn’t have it, oh he’s coming. We want the best of him.”

It’s power versus power. All it takes is one punch.

Other Bouts

WBA middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara (30-3-3) defends against Philadelphia’s Danny “Swift” Garcia (37-3) in the semi-main event at T-Mobile Arena. It’s been four years since the Cuban southpaw faced elite competition. Now 41, does he still have it?

Garcia, 36, a former welterweight and super lightweight world titlist, has only fought once above 147 pounds but found success when he defeated Jose Benavidez at 153 pounds two years ago.

Both are experienced, skilled and dangerous.

Super middleweight contenders Caleb Plant (22-2) and Trevor McCumby (28-0) meet in a 12-round clash for the interim WBA title. Whenever Plant fights there is always extra personal incentive thrown in. McCumby knows it.

“I just go in there and handle business,” McCumby said.

Plant seems eager to return to the ring.

“We’ll see on Saturday,” said Plant.

Another former world titlist performing is Rolly Romero (15-2, 13 KOs) meeting Manuel Jaimes (16-1-1, 11 KOs) in a super lightweight match set for 10 rounds. It’s the first time I recall seeing Romero against someone bigger. Interesting.

A super bantamweight battle between former unified world titlist Stephen Fulton (21-1) and Carlos Castro (30-2, 14 KOs) is set for 10 rounds in a featherweight match. Fulton was stopped by Japan’s Naoya “Monster” Inoue a year ago. He’s eager to return.

Fights to Watch

Thurs. DAZN 5 p.m. Ardreal Holmes (15-0) vs Hugo Noriega (10-2).

Fri. DAZN 5 p.m. Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez (35-2) vs Thomas Mattice (22-3-1).

Sat. DAZN 3 p.m. Roiman Villa (26-2) vs Ricardo Salas (19-2-2).

Sat. PPV.COM, Prime ppv, DAZN ppv 5 p.m. Saul Alvarez (61-2-2) vs Edgar Berlanga (22-0); Caleb Plant (22-2) vs Trevor McCumby (28-0); Erislandy Lara (30-3-3) vs Danny Garcia (37-3); Stephen Fulton (21-1) vs Carlos Castro (30-2).

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Post Views: 0

Share The Sweet Science experience!