Avila Perspective, Chap, 254: Canelo, Jim Lampley and More Boxing

Avila Perspective, Chap, 254: Canelo, Jim Lampley and More Boxing

Back to Vegas! Back to Vegas!

I’m sure those aren’t words philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau would have uttered in his “back to nature” days.

Prizefighting’s whirlwind circus returned to Las Vegas last weekend with its leading toastmaster Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez leading the charge and defending the undisputed super middleweight championship.

Jermell Charlo, the undisputed super welterweight champion, dared challenge Canelo at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and nearly 20,000 fans showed up to witness. The arena was packed and so was the city.

One added wrinkle to the boxing event was having former HBO boxing announcer Jim Lampley return as a reporter. “Back to Vegas. Back to Vegas,” must have been his battle cry when asked to cover the event.

Lampley said he had been teaching classes at North Carolina University where the tranquility of green forests and solitude served his daily life. After accepting the boxing assignment for PPV.com following a five-year absence, the reality of Las Vegas hit him like a Canelo left hook when he entered the MGM Grand. A crush of people greeted Lampley.

That’s Vegas.

Everywhere you go traffic greets you. Every store you enter has unofficial greeters standing by the entrance. Inside each casino thousands of people mill around looking for fortune in monetary or social form.

Bells are ringing and people are breathing down your neck.

It’s maddening.

Along those terms it was maddening to see Jermell Charlo criticized for challenging Alvarez after the fight. The Texas champion has proven himself on many occasions and dared rise two weight classes to try and usurp Canelo from his throne.

It reminded me of Canelo trying to dethrone Floyd Mayweather 10 years ago. Fans harshly criticized the Mexican fighter back then for even attempting. Sure he lost, but he gained incredible knowledge that served him well.

Mayweather actually attended the Saturday fight and he and Canelo greeted each other warmly. The torch was passed long ago, but respect between the two kings remains.

Also seeing Lampley back among the boxing brethren was a reminder that each generation of boxing comes and goes like wind blown sand.

My first boxing assignment in Las Vegas took place in 1995 when Oscar De La Hoya fought John John Molina at the MGM Grand. After covering boxing for 10 years, I finally got approved for a credential and covered that fight. At the post-fight press conference, I sat next to Roberto Duran. He was still fighting and wanted to debate the fight with Bob Arum.

My next assignment was De La Hoya’s unification match with Rafael Ruelas at Caesars Palace a few months later. I sat next to the late great sportswriter Allan Malamud who basically taught me the ropes. That night my assignment was to speak to winner Gabe Ruelas who had battered Colombia’s Jimmy Garcia. It was not a happy occasion. Thirteen days later Garcia would die in Las Vegas from injuries sustained from the fight.

The sport of boxing changes every generation.

Female Boxing

Women’s boxing has finally transcended from being considered a nuisance to a money-maker.

Ironically, HBO’s final boxing show that Lampley covered, involved two female co-main events. Undisputed welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus fought Aleksandra Lopes. On that same card, Claressa Shields bewildered Femke Hermans with speed.

“I’ve always liked women’s boxing. I felt it was baffling that anyone could not appreciate their talent and work,” said Lampley.

It was Lampley’s last call for HBO. He did not cover another boxing assignment for five years until this past weekend.

“I would not have predicted it would take another five years,” said Lampley of his absence from boxing.

Braekhus is back too and will be challenging Terri Harper for the super welterweight world titles on Saturday in England.

Since that moment in time a lot has changed, especially when it comes to Las Vegas. The Covid-19 pandemic arrived and re-arranged people’s lives. Boxing was hit hard too.

Today, Las Vegas streets, hotels and casinos are packed seemingly more than ever before. The arrival of women’s professional basketball, men’s pro hockey and football is soon to be joined by Major League Baseball. Can the desert city handle it?

One thing remains from five years ago is that Canelo remains the king of box office appeal for the sport of boxing.

“I love f——g boxing,” said Alvarez.

Fights to Watch

Sat. DAZN 11 a.m. Leigh Wood (27-3) vs Josh Warrington (31-2-1); Terri Harper (14-1-1) vs Cecilia Braekhus (37-2).

Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Zurdo Ramirez (44-1) vs Joe Smith Jr. (28-4).

Photo credit: Al Applerose

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