Connect with us

Featured Articles

“Making Those Fights Never Seemed To Be That Tough”…FOLSTAD

Published

on

TSS LOGO!It wasn’t long ago when the best fighters in the world sought out the other best fighters in the world to find out who was the best of the best. It was a natural, easy thing to do, a way of finding out which fighter was the undisputed featherweight, bantamweight or heavyweight champion of the world. There was no need for discussion because we had watched the best fighters fight each other. We knew our champions.

Making those fights never seemed to be that tough. They just seemed to fall into place, as natural as the two best teams playing in a World Series or a Super Bowl.

To put those fights together, one guy from each camp – usually the fighter's manager – would meet with a promoter and after a little negotiating, they would agree on a time, a place and a purse. They’d end the conversation with a handshake and the nod of a head. A few months later, we’d turn on the TV and watch the two best welterweights in the world duke it out.

If the fight was close, if the outcome wasn’t obvious, they’d usually do it again, have a rematch, the same type of negotiating bringing us a second big fight or even a third or fourth.

But the thing was we never doubted that sooner or later, the best fighters would meet in the same ring to settle things. We didn’t worry about promotional ties, or protecting fighters or mandatory drug testing. We didn’t have three or four different world champions because that was like saying we had three or four different World Series champions.

It was all pretty simple, really. It’s why Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali fought three times. Why Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta kept showing up in the same ring. Why Willie Pep and Sandy Saddler were usually mentioned in the same sentence. They put on great shows and no one could predict the winner. But whoever it was, he was considered the best in the world, at least until the two fought again.

But then something ugly happened. Somewhere along the line, we lost touch with the truth. Promoters, cable TV, politics and greed started elbowing their way into the fight game, and the simplicity of the two best fighters in a division actually facing each other became almost obsolete. Promoters didn’t want to risk losing their champions, their money cows, and some fighters worried about losing their titles.

It became easier and safer to duck the top contenders or ignore another champion in another alphabet organization, and fight someone a little ways down the list of top contenders.

What do you think would have happened if Sugar Ray Leonard had never fought Tommy Hearns or Marvelous Marvin Hagler? If Aaron Pryor and Alexis Arguello had never fought? Those fights helped define their careers, completed their legacies. Without those fights, they would not have reached the level of greatness they did.

Maybe that’s why it’s so hard to understand why Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., have never fought. Say what you want, if they were fighting 25 years ago, you can bet the house they would have already fought each other. Probably two or three times.

But things are different now, and promoters like Bob Arum seem to cradle and shelter their champions. The reason Pacquiao and Mayweather haven’t fought is because Arum doesn’t want them to fight. It’s as though he wants to protect Pacquiao for as long as possible. If he did want the fight, you can be damn sure he would have found a way to make it work by now. After all, he is Bob Arum.

Arum recently said there is “no development” in the talks about the fight. Speaking from the Philippines, he said they are waiting on Mayweather and if the fight does come off, it wouldn’t be until late May.

“The problem remains the same in that no one from Mayweather’s side would guarantee his purse,” Arum was quoted as saying in a Manila newspaper. “I can only guarantee Manny’s purse, but if Floyd wants to make a deal with me, then I’m open to that. I can guarantee his purse but then I will have to have a share in his revenue.”

Pacquiao, meanwhile, sounds ready to step up to the plate as long as it’s an even split in the purse between him and Mayweather.

But that’s how it should be. It’s Pacquiao’s legacy that’s at stake, not Arum’s. If and when they fight, we’ll remember who won and how. We won’t remember or care how much they were paid or who the promoters were.

Comment on this article

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
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 Articles2 weeks ago

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

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 days ago

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

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 Articles4 weeks ago

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

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles3 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  

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 week ago

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

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

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 Articles6 days ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles5 days ago

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

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

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

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 days ago

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

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles20 hours ago

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

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles20 hours 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 Articles2 days 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 Articles2 days 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 Articles4 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 Articles5 days ago

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

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles6 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 Articles1 week 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 Articles2 weeks 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 Articles3 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 Articles4 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

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending