Because of the length of my last article ("Larry Merchant Reflects on Douglas-Tyson), I didn’t really get a chance to comment on what took place this past weekend in boxing and beyond. And with the way it’s snowing all across the country (by the way, it’s about 75 degrees and not a cloud in the sky out here in Southern California), I’ve decided that it’s more appropriate to call these blizzards and not flurries.
So here goes...
- I think Gerry Penalosa, alongside Glen Johnson, are the two hard-luck fighters of this past generation. I, like the overwhelming majority of you out there, thought that the crafty old Filipino southpaw did more than enough to outpoint the ever-reluctant Eric Morel in their bantamweight tilt. Penalosa, after a slow start, began to walk down Morel and hit him consistently with body shots. And take away the two clashes of heads, and Morel never really landed anything of significance.
Yet, inconceivably, judges Duane Ford (115-113) and Paul Smith (116-112) tabbed Morel the winner. The look on Penalosa’s face as he walked back into his dressing room said it all. A man who had always given an honest effort in this sport seemingly can’t get an honest call in Las Vegas. This is the second time I think he’s gotten the shaft in “Sin City,” as he was jobbed against Daniel Ponce De Leon a few years ago.
Just look at Penalosa’s record; it’s littered with close, controversial losses on foreign soil. I’m not sure that this fine technician will ever get the credit he deserves but he was certainly a pioneer for fighters out of the Philippines.
- Speaking of judging in Nevada, that’s already three highly suspect decisions in 2010, as far as I’m concerned. First, it was Vanes Martirosyan getting a questionable call against Kassim Ouma, then the horrendous call in the Beibut Shumenov-Gabriel Campilllo fight and, most recently, Morel-Penalosa. All three decisions had some head-scratching margins of victory on certain scorecards, all favored the “house fighter” and were, once again, judged by the same suspects we’ve seen for years (Seriously, Duane, is one Ford that needs to be traded in).
During the period when I was pushing Pacquiao-Mayweather to take place in Dallas, I got some emails telling me how Texas didn’t deserve any big fights because of the presence of Dickie Cole, the man who botched the first bout between Paulie Malignaggi and Juan Diaz. Well, the way I look at it, Nevada goes three-deep in Coles and if you believe that fights should be kept out of jurisdictions where questionable calls have been rendered, well, pretty soon we’d have to stage fights on Mars and Venus.
- Speaking of the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium, just looking at the set-up, which hosted over 108,000 fans for the most recent NBA All-Star Game, just how in the world was Pacquiao-Mayweather not going to land in that venue? It’s funny how other professional sports actually promote newer venues that are state-of-the-art and modern and- get this- actually allow some real fans to enjoy the events live and in-person. If the powers-that-be who run boxing were running the NBA, they would probably try and stage the All-Star Game at the old Reunion Arena before realizing, of course, that it was demolished.
Then they’d just settle for the Thomas and Mack Center.
- “Latin Fury/Pinoy Power III” wasn’t that bad in the beginning; in fact, I enjoyed the first two fights, but the last two bouts were an abomination. I found Bernabe Concepcion holding off Mario Santiago’s late charge rather entertaining and I enjoyed the performance of Penalosa (regardless of the result) but Fernando Montiel beating up on an overmatched Ciso Morales and Nonito Donaire beating up on a midget, Manuel Vargas, was anti-climactic, to say the least. What I found interesting is that if you would have reversed the order of the fights, you might have thought this show gained momentum. Instead, the last two bouts really left something to be desired.
- Speaking of “The Filipino Flash,” it’s time for Donaire to rematch Vic Darchinyan. Bottom line, since knocking off “The Raging Bull” in 2007, his career has actually meant less than the guy he beat. While Darchinyan has gone up in weight, won major titles and remained a Showtime staple, Donaire has become “Mr. Pinoy Power.” Was he better off with Gary Shaw?
But enough with the no-hopers and facing Vern Troyer next, make the most meaningful fight possible and become relevant once again. That would be Darchinyan and nobody else. And no Montiel for Donaire. Let “He Wears Short-Shorts” Montiel take care of Morel for once and for all. It should be Darchinyan-Donaire II or bust.
- I’m becoming a fan of Ji Hoon Kim and, no, he’s not related to me in any way. But because he’s a rugged, fun, television-friendly fighter, as he showed once again by stopping Tyrone Harris in five (in a stoppage that was just a tad premature). My friends call me Steve “Mexi-Kim” because I spend so much time in the Montebello/East LA area and eat so often at Rafael’s, but looking at this guy, I think I have to give him this honor. Just look at his career. No amateur pedigree, took losses early and often, but has rebounded strongly and has an aggressive two-fisted attack and should stay away from slick boxers.
Yeah, this guy is the real “Mexi-Kim.”
- This past weekend was the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and, for about the 18th straight year, I didn’t watch it. When the Michael Jordans, Dominique Wilkinses and Clyde Drexlers of the world decided it was beneath them, it was no longer worthy of my viewership. But I write this because, on the same day that Buster Douglas shocked Mike Tyson and the rest of the world in Tokyo, Japan, Wilkins was winning his second dunk contest in Miami, Florida.
But I was wondering, is Spud Webb toppling “The Human Highlight Film” in the 1986 contest in Dallas the dunk contest version of Douglas-Tyson? Think about it. Webb, was thought to be a novelty, a short little guy, who came in at 5’7”, given virtually no chance of beating the likes of ’Nique, his brother Gerald, and Terence Stansbury. In fact, he probably would’ve been listed as a 42-1 underdog.
Yet, somehow, Webb executed every slam to perfection and upset a guy who was perhaps the greatest dunker of all-time. And like Buster, Webb, never re-captured that magic he had that afternoon at the Reunion Arena (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUXYaf-0rw).
To Wilkins’ credit, he never suffered a free fall quite like “Iron Mike.” But he was eventually traded to the Clippers.
- Two more thoughts regarding the dunk contest: First, I think Jordan getting the nod over Wilkins in 1988 was a hometown decision that boxing could be proud of. If it wasn’t in Chicago, Wilkins would be a three-time champion. And speaking of which, is Nate Robinson (who just won his third dunk contest) this realm’s John Ruiz? I’m not saying he isn’t explosive and all that, but c’mon, Dominique only won two in an era when the game’s best players routinely participated in the event.
- Am I the only one who really isn’t all that excited by a possible Amir Khan-Paulie Malignaggi match-up? Seriously, can you tell me why this bout will be exciting? In fact, I wasn’t all that high on Khan facing Juan Manuel Marquez, which would’ve been a hook-up of two counter-punchers. But Malignaggi is a guy who’s never really involved in entertaining affairs and he may not hit hard enough to exploit the shaky beard of Khan.
- Saw a great documentary on VH-1 as part of their “Rock Docs” series, “Soul Train: The Hippest Trip in America” that chronicled the history of this groundbreaking dance show. This show was truly revolutionary in many aspects. When I grow up, I want to be Don Cornelius.
Any questions or comments can be sent to Steve K-nelius at k9kim@yahoo.com... You can also follow me at twitter.com/stevemaxboxing… You can now become a fan of Maxboxing at facebook.com/MaxBoxing…
Source: secondsout.com
***
No comments:
Post a Comment