Turmoil Continues But Boxing Holds Steady

Turmoil Continues But Boxing Holds Steady

Much of the news in 2020 thus far has been negative, sad, shocking, and downright scary. Any recap is painful to read.

Social unrest exploded following the killing of an African-American man George Floyd. Cries of “I can’t breathe” rang out.

After a rancorous U.S. presidential race, people felt shell-shocked. Pro-Trump people faced off with pro-Biden people, but violence thankfully was held in check. Finally, after listening to TV analysts who seem to talk in circles and repeat themselves, it’s presumably “over.” On November 6, tensions seemed to deflate like a Tom Brady football. The election results are being contested but the rancor has subsided.

Hurricanes, wildfires, and a record heat wave in California produced more anguish.

“Someone told me that there is no climate change; we’re just at the end of an ice age….” — Joni Edelman (ravish)

All this turmoil played out against the backdrop of Covid 19 which continues to kill Americans at a tragic rate—over 240, 000 at last count. Total cases in the U.S. alone have exceeded 10,000,000!! And the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide now exceeds 51 million! “Super spreaders” became a new phrase.

There is much, much more, but there are glimmers of a bright blue sky for the first time in a long time. Pfizer offers hope and so do others. Still, the prospect of contending with a pandemic is daunting.

A cold, dark winter looms.

It is what it is.

BOXING

Despite fighting in and out of “bubbles,” boxing has remained remarkably resilient with enough compelling fights having taken place or scheduled to take place to satisfy the appetite of even the most ardent fan.

When Alexander Povetkin took out Dillian Whyte, it underscored that a super fight could be made without thousands of fans in the seats.

Teofimo Lopez’s remarkable win over Vasiliy Lomachenko rearranged everyone’s pound-for pound list, and exposed Loma as being human.

Naoya Inoue’s aura of invincibility was dented somewhat in his war with Nonito Donaire, but he lived up to his nickname “Monster” in his return with another thrilling win.

Oleksandr Usyk’s foray into the heavyweight division was successful but not exceptional, begging the question, “Is he big enough?”. Dereck Chisora is plenty tough but he has been through too many wars. Tyson Fury thinks that when the Ukrainian fights a big man who can punch, “it will be like a lamb to the slaughter.”

How about Luis Ortiz vs. Usyk? Or Andy Ruiz vs. Usyk?

The always thrilling Gennady Golovkin needs a big win to restore lost luster. An upcoming fight with Poland’s light-fisted but slick Kamil Szeremeta (21-0) will give him that opportunity.

A promotionally freed-up Canelo is finally coming back to fight Caleb Plant or Callum Smith and affirm his top-of-the-heap status.

Errol Spence Jr. has already stopped Kell Brook and now Terence Crawford gets his chance. In keeping with Covid prevention steps, Saturday’s 12-round welterweight clash will take place behind-closed-doors at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. Is Brook looking for a final payday or does he have something else in mind?

After their recent wins, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada are now positioned for an epic rematch.

Beterbiev is plagued with injuries and Manny won’t fight until 2021—if he fights at all.

The heavyweight division is quickly and almost imperceptibly approaching the Golden Era of the 70’s, as new prospects seem to make their mark on a weekly basis and top- tier guys offer juicy possibilities. Super-exciting Deontay Wilder has been knocked out of the limelight (pun intended) by top dog Tyson Fury as Anthony Joshua knocks at the door. Parker, Ruiz, Pulev and Povetkin all have their eye on the prize as well.

Meanwhile a second and third tier of heavies are bursting out. In fact, just this past weekend, Frank “The Cuban Flash” Sanchez (16-0) looked like a real up-and-comer as he destroyed Brian Howard. He might be the beginning of a fourth tier.

There are many others on the cusp of a breakthrough. Any fan who thinks the heavyweight division needs an infusion of talent is wearing very dark glasses.

The Uppercut

Photo credit: Esther Lin / SHOWTIME

Povetkin’s shocking KO of Whyte clearly was KO of the Year; that is, until the scary and lethal uppercut by Gervonta “Tank” Davis on the chin of Leo Santa Cruz on October 31. Like a hot brand on livestock, it affirmed that boxing is doing just fine these days.

Ted Sares can be reached on Facebook or via tedsares@roadrunner.com

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