The Avila Perspective, Chapter 23: Heavyweight Thunder

When WBC heavyweight world titlist Deontay Wilder and lineal champion Tyson Fury step in between the ropes with their monstrously long legs those fans in attendance will be witnessing a rare and scintillating event.

Heavyweights are a different breed.

As the late great Muhammad Ali once described the division he once reigned over: heavyweights are like massive and destructive dinosaurs.

Wilder (40-0, 39 KOs) and Fury (27-0, 19 KOs) meet for the true heavyweight championship on Saturday Dec. 1, at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. The winner truly is the real heavyweight world champion.

In this day of fractured titles and multiple belts the boxing fans finally get to see the real heavyweight champion emerge from the atomic blast that takes place in Los Angeles. This will be a treat for boxing fans.

I’ve been lucky enough to cover hundreds of world title fights over the years but only a few dozen heavyweight world title bouts. Each and every time heavyweight championship fights take place, expect thunder and lightning.

Though I never got a chance to see the great Ali fight in person I did get to talk to him many times over the years. I also sat next to Joe Frazier during a fight card and spoke to him as well. Heavyweight champions have a mythical aura about them.

Back in June 2000, Oscar De La Hoya and Sugar Shane Mosley met in the very first boxing card ever held at the Staples Center. Both Ali and Frazier were in attendance that special night. After the fight a celebration party for Mosley took place at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in West Hollywood. Overcrowding took place and L.A. County Sheriffs were called to break it up. One person trying to get in was Frazier and deputies would not allow him to go further. I told the deputy “hey, that’s Joe Frazier.”

The deputy sheriff took a look at Frazier who was wearing a hat and said “oh yeah, you are Joe Frazier” and guided him through the ruckus.

Heavyweight champions leave an indelible impression.

The best heavyweight world title fight I ever witnessed in person also took place at the Staples Center in 2003 when Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko met. That was a fight.

Two massive heavyweights battered each other for only six rounds but there was enough action to spread out over 20 rounds. Southern California fans are accustomed to great boxing, but not very familiar with heavyweight fights. That night fans discovered the true magic of a heavyweight world title fight.

Lewis won the fight by technical knockout because Klitschko suffered a bad cut that forced the referee to call the fight. That turned out to be the last fight ever for Lewis who retired.

Fans left the arena excited about what they had just seen. Back then LA Live did not exist so the throng of people after the fight was forced to drive long distances to find dining establishments. We walked a couple of blocks to the Pantry where knowledgeable people of the area talked about the heavyweight fight they had witnessed. L.A. fans have not seen a fight like that since.

Don’t overlook the fact that the fight can end early.

Years earlier I covered Mike Tyson against Orlin Norris at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Tyson knocked Norris to the canvas as the bell sounded ending the first round, Norris injured his knee as he fell and the fight ended after only one round. Some fans were upset at the quick ending. But that’s always a danger with heavyweights. They can all punch.

Hurd and Others

Super welterweight titlist Jarret Hurd leads the undercard of past notables and current prospects on the Staples Center boxing matches.

Hurd (22-0) is an extremely tall 154-pounder with neither extraordinary speed or boxing skills, but his overall strength and grittiness poses problems to everyone he faces. Ask Cuba’s Erislandy Lara who was floored and lost by split decision.

The Maryland native meets Jason Welborn (24-6) in the semi-main event and most expect Hurd to run over his foe. He reminds many of another tall strong super welterweight with similar traits named Jaime Munguia.

Hurd versus Munguia would be a very interesting clash.

A bevy of other heavyweights are included on the boxing card including Cuba’s Luis Ortiz (29-1) meeting Travis Kauffman (32-2) in a 10 round bout. Ortiz has been clamoring for another shot at Wilder or the winner of the main event. Kauffman, who stands six-foot-three and weighed in at 229 pounds, always gives his best. He’s improved over the years and if Ortiz takes him lightly he will get lit up.

British heavyweight prospect Joe Joyce (6-0, 6 KOs) with only a handful of fights meets heavyweight slugger Joe Hanks (23-2, 15 KOs) in another heavyweight clash. Joyce won the Olympic silver medal in the Rio Olympics in 2016 and is expected to run over Hanks.

Tickets are still available. Saturday’s card in Los Angeles can also be seen at local theaters and on Showtime pay-per-view for $74.99.

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