Bleacher Report - Articles by Vitali Shaposhnikov

Roy Jones Jr. Is Now Ready For Hopkins, But Is Hopkins Ready For RJJ?

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:42:24 -0400

Jack Handey, a professional humorist, once said: “To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other” That’s a very funny quote, but it's far form being right. Let me explain:

True, there is no music during the bout, at least nothing that we as fans and viewers can hear. But make no mistake, there is a whole symphony going on in the fighter’s head. They have their own rhythm that they work to, and their own timing.

According to the dictionary, choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Boxing, as a whole, as an art form, is not made up of choreography and other pieces, but essentially boxing is choreography.

Every movement has timing, precision, angle and form. A fighter has a certain way to come into a combination, and a way to retract when needed in the safest and quickest way possible. All those things are learned with vigorous instruction and repetition.

Ballet is a show, a form of art, which has a planned start, end, and a way to get from one to another in a certain way. Boxing has the same mechanics.

A game plan, a fight plan, a defensive plan in case things don’t go right, etc. It’s this plan that boxers value the most. They work for months with their coaches and trainers to come up with their own customized story.

One thing Handey hit right in the bull's eye: They do hit each other, and quite a lot.

There are two incredible, top notch “ballet dancers” that we have in boxing. When they get on stage, and are prepared the way they should be, we are entertained. They put on a great show, mesmerizing us with their grace, technique, skill and heart. Those fighters are no other than Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins.

Now that RJJ has shown us that he is not yet all the way in the skill gutter, and that he is still able to do what he was born to do, we're excited, aren’t we? Many fights jump into out minds, but what’s the first fight that excites us the most?

Rematches are always a hit. Especially those rematches that every boxing fan expected to happen a long time go, but it never did. Now, we have a chance to see that rematch. We have an opportunity to close the box on: “Who is a better fighter now? Is it still Jones or has Hopkins outgrown him with time?”

While Jones was able to come back into the world of boxing, Hopkins never really left. He was never dominated, never knocked out, and never really hurt. Hopkins is always prepared, always inspired, and is never short for words.

Jones is a character that is here to stay. He is a showman, an entertainer, and one hell-of-a fighter. He is back, and somehow I think he wants to see his old buddy glove-to-glove one more time.

Speculating on an outcome if this fight ever happens is exhilarating at the least. Jones has the speed, which we can all agree with. But Hopkins has the solid defense, so far impenetrable from the beginning of his life in the ring.

Hopkins can move and be an aggressor if needed, but Jones’s footwork can be overwhelming. Hopkins can counter like no other, but guess what? Jones has shown us in the past that he too has some of that skill.

All I can is that this fight will unlikely end in a knockout. It will be a UD, and I see it going Bernard’s way.

Guys, we are waiting for one of the greatest “ballet” performance of our lives, and I think it’s being choreographed as we speak.

Thank you for reading.

Boxing: Why Do We Like Such a Violent Sport?

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 12:15:25 -0400

Generally, most people are good natured. The majority of folks out there would stop and help someone in trouble on the street. They would give change to the poor Vietnam veteran, and they would break up a fight between a couple of middle school kids. By ourselves, as a single unit, we are prepared to do well and be an example to our society.

As a group, we are a pack of wild hungry wolves. We will tear to pieces those very same people we would try to help before. We become violent, explosive, and unpredictable.

Looking back in history, we can surely remember some groups of people who made a mark on society and on the press, such as the Black Panthers and the Hell’s Angels. We all know who they are, and why they were so “famous.”

But notice this: it’s the violent individuals who made the big splash. There are too many to mention, but the individuals are always covered more. We like hear about one person causing havoc, and what all kinds of psychologists and analysts come up with about them and their reasons.

The above mentioned reason is exactly why we like the sport of boxing. Following a team is different than following an individual. You get more details and more emotions emitting from one source than scattered from many.

When we pick our favorite boxer, we can know everything we want about him. We learn his tactics, his familial relationships, his likes and dislikes, and can even predict their next move. When they speak, they speak for themselves and not for the team. When they screw up, we know exactly where to direct our anger and blame.

We start to like a certain fighter for his style. Looking at Mike Tyson, he was loved for his acute violent tendencies. People just couldn’t wait to see what he does in the ring and what he will say after knocking out that poor bastard. Muhammad Ali was a clever but brutal conversationalist, and people were attracted to his personality. James Toney could offend anyone and everyone, and we loved it.

Those boxers have certain skills to excite us into one singe pack. They can walk up there on the podium, spit some fire, and start a blaze. We are the blaze. And then, at that point, we no longer want the sweet science of boxing: we want a brutal, bloody, embarrassing knockout, with the loser falling through the ropes onto the judge’s table.

Why do we want this? So we can say: “I knew he will do it again, this guy is a total monster. I can’t wait to see him fight Mayweather Jr.!”

Klitschko To Fight Chagaev: A Wasted Match

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:02:26 -0400

Recently, after Ruslan Chagaev was unable to pass certain requirements in Helsinki, his fight with Valuev has been called off. I would say that this is a very disappointing outcome, due to the fact that both fighters were prepared for each other, and both seemed to want this fight.

David Haye, the anti-Kitschko spokesman, has recently suffered an injury, and is unable to face Wladimir.

So, what now? Klitschko is going to face Chagaev instead of Haye on Jun. 20. For boxing, this fight is an absolute waste. Chagaev is a good fighter, but facing Klitschko is not the same as facing Valuev. More power and speed will be against him. I give Chagaev no chance at victory.

Why didn't they put him up against Valuev? Nikolai is a bigger guy (Klitschkos never fought a bigger fighter than himself), and their fight would bring on real interest.

As a matter of fact, I can see Wladimir struggling to hit Valuev. With his reach, Valuev can keep Wladimir at bay, and that’s something that no fighter has been able to do before.

The point is that it is very disappointing to go from an exciting fight driven by drama and controversy to a fight that is predictable and has very little meaning.

I think that most of us would rather wait for Haye to recover than to see this upcoming fight.

Boxing's Lack of Competition Is a Silent Killer

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:22:17 -0400

As you can see, weight is one of the most important aspects of boxing. Notice in the picture above what Freddie Roach, Hall of Fame boxing trainer, is looking at with great concentration! (Maybe OScar's underwear, but most likely the scale).

There are 17 weight divisions in boxing, all given different names by different boxing authorities. That’s a lot of ground to cover with a razor-thin weight difference.

In some cases a three-pound gain or loss will move a fighter into a completely different weight class, but in other instances it has to be about eight pounds to compete in another weight division.

Of course there is a good reason why so many classes were created: because every person has their walking around (comfortable) weight. Some of us, after gaining as little as a couple of pounds, feel “off” and notice a day-to-day difference in energy levels. Boxers, because they are people just like us, have the same physiological effects if an overwhelming weight misbalance occurs.

In any case, every boxer finds their best weight to fight at, and they try to dominate their opposition there. The problem is that once a fighter goes through all the top competition there is no room to grow in their weight class, so moving up in weight is the only logical choice available.

Involuntary weight gain does happen, and fighters have to move up in weight even though it was not necessarily planned. A good example would be James Toney. He went from a 157-lbs. fighter to his record high of 257 lbs. against Samuel Peter. This could not have been his idea, and I would think that he felt much better in the 160 lbs. region.

There are fighters who move up in weight and succeed there as well. Oscar De La Hoya would be a great example of that. He held world titles in six different weight classes and was able to sustain his status for some time. Of course, moving up too far against natural middleweight Bernard Hopkins was disastrous, just like it should have been.

In most cases, fighters who move up in weight lose a lot of their natural abilities. We have seen that plenty of times in many modern fighters. Roy Jones Jr. went from the mid-150s to mid-170s, having to carry around 20 extra pounds. He was doing great until he fought John Ruiz at heavyweight. He won the fight, but has not been the same since.

Moving up in weight seems to have two implications. One is that once a fighter moves up, they never want to move back down, even though sometimes the only thing they see from this weight move is constant disappointment.

Second, if a fighter does end up returning to their natural weight, they are never at the same level they were before. They seem to lose speed and footwork, as well as energy.

Here's the first ultimate question: Is it better to dominate one weight class and stay there even if the competition is frail, or risk moving up in weight to continue one’s journey of professional growth?

The second question is, are our boxers just too good, or is proper competition lacking in most weight divisions?

Thank you.

Evander "The Real Deal" Hollyfield Must Keep His Dream Alive!

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Sat, 23 May 2009 12:21:51 -0400

Dear readers,

The following article will not be written from an analytical point of view, or from a predictive perspective. The following will come from the heart, and will express true feelings of respect and understanding. I want to discuss a certain individual in boxing, a fighter who for me is the ultimate definition of heart and determination. No other fighter in the history of boxing had such fire inside them.

I can list a pretty decent number of fighters who have made boxing what it is. From Ali, Frazier and Marciano, to Tyson and Julio Cesar Chavez. Those were just some, a tiny spec from a huge filed. All of those fighters who we will always remember and praise had skills, an entertainment factor, and the determination to fight and win. They were, and are, all winners and true champions.

Only a few that could be remembered for their display of poetic and dramatic “heart” and determination however. The following fighter is one of those boxers who is the ultimate example of that, and the reason why I love the sport of boxing.

Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield is a superb human being and a legendary fighter. Without him, boxing would simply not be the same.

As a human being, he is a devoted religious follower. Preachers have become his best friends, and God is his answer to problems. He is a supportive father and grandfather, with many kids who are well taken care of. He is a gentleman, and has never disrespected anyone to my best knowledge. Keep in mind, all those things are not common with many boxing champs.

As a fighter, there are too many words that can describe his greatness. I don’t want to go into his detailed boxing history and astonishing boxing skills. We all know that he is a warrior, a determined boxer with no interruption in life. I have never seen him slack off. He always comes prepared, in shape, and focused on the fight, always!

The main purpose for this piece is to express how I feel about him nowadays. While I am all for his retirement for safety reasons, I can’t help but respect what he is doing. The reason I called him a poetic individual is because of his overwhelming and deep inspiration that he has on me and many others.

Here is a man, a boxer, who is almost 47 years old, but keeps his eyes sharp on his dream of retiring a champion. At that age, he comes in yet again ready (as much as can be at his age) and fit, sharp, and determined. After losing a number of fights in a row, he keeps his chin up, and eyes on the prize. He doesn’t give up, and he doesn’t lose his cool.

When I am in the gym tired and uninspired, he comes up a lot in my mind. I think to myself how hard it must be too keep going when the whole world doesn’t believe in you, recent history proves that you might be done, and time is working against you. When I think of that, and the fact that Evander is not affected by all that junk, I feel the fire too!

I hope that Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield does indeed retire a champion. His last fight with Valuev was supposed to be that day, but no worries, he will get another shot. If Evander does complete his dream, it will not only be a huge personal and global boxing accomplishment, but it will be something much more: it will become a true American inspirational story. It will be a story that will be inspire anyone, in any situation.

Good luck Evander, you are truly the Real Deal!

Thank You For Reading.

Food For Thought! Dude Where Is My Shirt?

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:58:37 -0400

Why did we switch to engine starters in our cars? Well that’s a very easy question to answer! The reason is because without the starters, we would have to come out and turn that handle outside of the engine (like they did in the 30’s) to start the car. The advantage is not only in looks and comfort, but also function. An elderly person would not be able to turn that “thing” hard enough to start the vehicle. Now you can easily see 99-year-old person cruising the sidewalks in a Cadillac!

There are many things that have changed over the years, whether it be medicine, electronics or astronomy. Boxing has also changed a lot over the years, and some changes I need help understanding.

For example, in the 1800’s, it was very common for boxers to wear shirts when they fought. Nowadays, all boxing occurs bare chested. Why is that so? Sure a boxer could hide something under the shirt, like a bulletproof vest, but why not check it in the ring and then let the fight go on? Why have the shirts disappeared?

Many years ago, boxing gloves used to be filled with horse hair. Gloves were about the same weight, but were a bit harder. Fighters used to cheat, by dipping the glove into water, making the hair soak it up thus becoming that much heavier, and then they would be wearing bricks on their hands!

I think that’s not the best idea, because the heavier the gloves the faster the fighter would get tired. Some glove manufacturers still use some horse hair (like TopTen brand), but most don’t. In any case, that has also changed, and the question is why? Did the horses get mad for us balding them? Or is it actually much cheaper?

Even the technique of weight loss changed. Nowadays if someone needs to make weight soon, they go into the sauna, or try running to lose all that water weight. Those things of course make sense all the way, and are pretty effective, but some old school tactics have disappeared.

One thing that old legends used to do all the time right before a weight in (heard this from an old timer), is not only those things mentioned above, but they would put a copper penny in their mouth, which would make them salivate/spit. I thought it was funny. I mean how much could you possibly lose in one day by spitting? What he told me was that it was not all that little. First of all you spit, and second of all it makes you somehow sweat. So, why are current boxers not eating copper coins?

There are a couple more things that boxers do mush less nowadays than they used to before. Running, used to be optimal in the sand along the beach, because the sand resistance was offering more of a workout. Nowadays, fighters run on paved roads up and down the hill. I have asked many trainers which one is better for the stamina, and every single one said that running in the sand is overall more beneficial.

After reading on a bunch of different websites (will find them again if you guys need sources), boxers in the earlier times didn’t spend as much time on weightlifting as fighters nowadays. I can understand why they did that: they were more interested in technique and stamina of the bodies as well as arm muscles.

But why has it become such an important part of boxing in the twentieth century? There are still a few boxers who almost never hit the weights (Mayweather Jr. for example!)

Any more you guys can think of?

Thanks For Reading!

Mayweather Jr. Is Juan Manuel Marquez's Most Important Fight!

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:41:17 -0400

On May 8th 2004, Juan Manuel Marquez had a shot at the future worldwide sensation: Manny Pacquiao. The fight was amazing: it was as competitive as fights get, but unfortunately nothing was resolved as the decision came to a draw. This was not the end of their professional relationship; they would meet again in 2008.

Before his second meeting with Pacquiao, Marquez had a couple more fights. Unfortunately, most of those fights had no competition for him, and offered him nothing in the advancement department. The fights that did provide fame and competition were the Barrera and Rocky Juarez fights. Marquez won both those fights by unanimous decision. Even though they were great fights for the fans, I don’t think that they were the most important fight of his career at all. It was after the Juarez fight in 2007 that Marquez had his second most important fight of his career, the Pacman rematch. Before getting to the re-match, lets see what happened to Pacquiao in-between their first and second showdown.

Between their rematches, Pacman also stayed busy, defeating names such as Erik Morales (2 times), Oscar Larios, Jorge Solis, and Marco Antonio Barrera. Pacquiao’s fights were a bit more impressive, as was the competition.

In March 2008, Marquez and Pacman met again. This was the fight that Marquez needed to win. Pacquiao was already a sensation, and a very admirable opponent to beat. It was a war of a fight. Both fighters came prepared, and both went to work from bell to bell. At the end of the fight, Pacman’s crowned the victor, and once again, Marquez was unable to get the job done (even though as of now, he gave Pacman more trouble than any other fighter).

After that, Marquez beat Casamayor and Diaz, but those fights, even though pretty exciting, were leading him towards the retirement speech. They were a step down in competition, and nothing was looking good ahead. That was until another fighter, someone that the boxing world holds “sacred,” was coming out of retirement and needed a tune up before he went after the Philipino sensation.

That fighter, the one who is untouchable and supposedly unbeatable, with lighting fast hands and awe inspiring defensive maneuvers, is Floyd Mayweather Jr. The Philipino sensation, the Pacman who destroys everything in his way must be stopped. Floyd, along with a tremendous amount of boxing fans and analysts, thinks that he can get that job done.

All that may very well be true, but Mayweather Jr. should not look past a superb technician in Marquez. Marquez will come ready, as he always does, and nobody so far, was able to defeat him without an extreme amount of difficulty that he imposes in the ring.

Mayweather may be making a mistake in thinking that this will be an easy tune-up fight, but Marquez will come ready with the belief that he can win the fight. I think that this is the most important fight of Marquez’s career.

Here is why I think this is the fight Marquez must win: Not only would a win over Mayweather Jr. be an astounding achievement and something that no other fighter has had the pleasure of achieving, but it would also put him on the very top. Possibly, it can even put him higher than Pacquiao is right now. The reason for that is because the boxing fans, wanted to see Mayweather Jr. fight Pacquiao for as long as Pacquiao was on top, and with Marquez taking that win, Pacquiao would have no other way to go but to beat the man that beat the man. A win for Marquez, would also allow him the right to challenge any fighter he wants, and manipulate his options the way he likes.

It will be a whole different world for Marquez if he can pull this off. Beating an unbeaten boxer is always good for the record and self-esteem, but beating an unbeaten legend must be a feeling that written words cannot communicate. Good luck Marquez, Mayweather will be a shaky bridge to cross.

Thank you for reading.

When was Executioner's Prime? Has It Gone Away?

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:16:27 -0400

Prime is a 2005 American romantic comedy film starring Uma Thurman, Meryl Streep & Bryan Greenberg. It was written and directed by Ben Younger. But that’s not what I will be talking about in the following paragraphs. “First in excellence, quality, or value” is the prime I want to discuss!

Fighters and their primes. That’s all we hear about nowadays when comparing possible fights, and recent results. We try to take away one fighter’s victory with an excuse of their opponent’s prime behind them.

We bash a fighter even more for losing to a prime deprived fighter. Those are all proper things to do, because after all, there is only one true champion, and that’s because their prime physical and skill condition allows them to be.

Sometimes prime is very easy to spot (Mike Tyson, Evnader Holyfield, Arturo Gatti etc), and sometimes it’s much harder (Vassily Jirov, Glen Johnson, Bernard Hopkins, etc).

We have to look at who they fought, how decisively they won, and how long they lasted on top. Other factors such as their sportsmanship and ability to intimidate are not part of the prime calculation.

Bernard “Executioner” Hopkins is a wonder of boxing. He is at an age where most would retire, or diminish in skill significantly. He seems to be breaking all the rules, and keeps going strong. Looking at his career, it’s hard to understand whether his prime is over.

Some say that from 2001 (Felix Trinidad) to 2004 (Oscar) is when he was at his very best. It was when he performed best, and fought some of the more exciting fights.

But what about now? Sure he lost a few times (Taylor, Calzaghe), but it was not by a knockout, and some of those fights were very controversial (many would argue for him in the Taylor fight).

In-between and after those losses, Hopkins kept coming for the best. He destroyed the man who beat his former victor, Kelly Pavlik. He showed the world that even though “Magic Man” Tarver annihilated Jones Jr. he was no match for the Executioner. Winky Wright had to take a loss to Hopkins, because he could not find a way to get to him.

All the names mentioned above, are no tomato cans. They are all former champions of the world, and all beat their preceding champions. As a matter of fact, many would argue that they were in their prime at the time of their fight with Hopkins fight (Kelly Pavlik for example).

As of this moment, personally, I am going to abstain from calling Hopkins’s prime. So far, he is going strong, and the competition has been top notch. If he can fight Dawson or Froch and go past either of them, then I would say that he is still enjoying his sweet science prime!

Thanks For Reading.

Ricky Hatton At Crossroads: Stop Or Walk Into The Pit Of Unknown?

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:15:48 -0400

Recently, I wrote a piece on the timing of retirement. When to hang up the gloves is an interesting concept but a vague one. There is a spectrum of things that make up a decision. Monetary and the crowd factor seem to make the biggest impact on the decision not to retire. Right now, I have a perfect example: a fighter who is at a crossroads, and needs to decide whether he is ready to take on the risk of trying, or play it safe.

Ricky Hatton, who recently lost via a second round KO to Manny Pacquiao, is the fighter that I was referring to above. The question is: Should he retire, or should he try to redeem himself? I am sure that I will hear many opinions about this, and in this piece I will provide both sides of view, followed by a conclusion.

He should definitely retire! There is a good reason behind that statement. First of all, we have seen that while he is a good fighter, he is simply not good enough to be top shelf material. He had a chance to fight two great champions, and lost pretty conclusively to both of them by being knocked out twice. He should know by now, that becoming a champion might be something he will not achieve in his life.

As far as money goes, he made his buck! There is a huge number of British people who will flock to his gym, or any promotional event. He or his family will not be starving anytime soon. To keep trying for him would be a decision that will cloud every fan’s mind. Who can he possibly fight and beat to redeem himself, and get another shot for the title? Have we seen him put up any decent competition for the top fighters?

He should keep fighting, and redeem himself! This statement can also work. Sure Pacman sent him flying for the very short amount of time that they did spend in the ring together. Floyd also gave him a pretty brutal beating in the ring. At least in the Floyd fight, Hatton did not look all that bad. He was able to back Floyd up, and pressured him. The last fighter that gave this much trouble to Floyd was Castillo. What does he lose if he keeps fighting? One thing he will not lose is the crowd. The British fans are very loyal, and will go to see him fight anytime, anywhere! After all, styles make fights, and maybe there is a fighter that likes to trade, which would be perfect for Hatton.

Conclusion: In my opinion, the benefit or retiring from professional boxing outweighs the risk or continuation of pursuit, a now distant dream. Who can Hatton fight that likes to stand and trade? Well, there is only one fighter who “likes” to trade, and that fighter is a tad bigger. Miguel Cotto loves to trade, but Hatton would stand no chance at all. In his weight, Hatton could potentially fight Casamayor, but why would he want to fight Hatton? Where is the benefit for anyone to fight Hatton right now? There is none. Hatton needs to retire, manage his gym, and hold local benefit exhibition fights, which will feed his crowd factor. He had a good run, and showed heart and dedication. Let’s hope he does well in his future.

Thanks for reading.

Manny Pacquiao: Stay a Superb Small Guy or Try To Become an OK Big Guy?

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:48:50 -0400

Given the state of prime is equal in both men; a good big man will always beat a great small man. This is something that I believe myself, and something that we hear a lot in boxing. While time has proven that this concept is very questionable, as a whole it makes sense.

While size may slow a fighter down, there are other factors that play to their benefit: like weight adding power to the punches, and of course the ability to take more punishment from the smaller fighters.

There is also the concept of comfortable/natural weight. Every fighter knows what weight they feel the best in, what weight gives them the most comfort with their abilities and optimizes them.

Moving out of that weight class and into the next one in boxing may be a little tricky, as certain abilities might be lost, or one would simply not be able to deal with the next power level.

Manny Pacquiao keeps shocking the whole world with his achievements. Competition fighters look like sparing partners when in the ring with this Philippino sensation. They are unable to offer anything to Manny to make him work: the Pacman destroys everything in his way.

There was only one fighter who gave Manny the fight that the fans wanted to see, and that was Juan Manuel Marquez. In a couple of weeks, JMM will be facing the ultimate fighter, a fighter that we are all waiting for: Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In any case, whether Floyd wins his next fight or not, his next showdown will be with the Pacman. So what happens of Manny is able to destroy Floyd the way he did the rest of the fighters? Rematch with JMM? I see that as being very unlikely.

After Pacquiao annihilated Hatton, I watched an interview with Freddie Roach regarding the future plans of his and his student. I heard a couple of names being thrown out there such as Miguel Cotto and Sugar Shane Mosley.

When I heard those names, I got a little excited, but thinking about it, I am starting to think that maybe it would not be such a good idea.

Can Manny really withstand the pressure that Cotto would put on him from round one? Does Manny have the power to cause any damage to Cotto? I think that the answer is no to both of those questions. I think that Cotto would pummel the “little man” all the way to a knockout or a stoppage by the corner.

We all know that Manny is fast, but so is Shane Mosley. Pacquiao is starting to look more and more like a sharpshooter, taking his time to set up and fire without missing. Sugar Shane has been a sharpshooter for his whole career.

Manny has a tremendous hook, but Shane showed that his hook is no worse in the Vargas fight. So can Manny share the ring with Shane and win? No, I don’t see this happening. Manny would end up being caught quite a bit throughout the fight, and sooner or later those “heavy” punches would add up to an undesirable result for team Pacquiao.

In conclusion, while Roach is an exceptional world class trainer, I think he is getting a little carried away with Manny. Taking him to the sharks of the heavier division is a move for a time when there is no chance of retirement and no other fights possible in your end of the sea.

For Manny, there is still JMM III, Joel Casamayor, and of course the result of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao may provide a rematch.

Thanks For Reading

Roach and Pacquiao Train Makes No Unscheduled Stops, Amazing!

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Sun, 03 May 2009 05:27:02 -0400

It is very unusual for a writer to start a piece with the following statement: “I have no words.” Well readers, that’s something I cannot avoid this time. Speechless, shocked, confused, amazed, and even puzzled are some of the things I am feeling right this moment.

Watching Mosley dethrone Margarito a couple of months ago, I was sure that it was going to be the upset of the year. Mosley dictated the fight, until his opponent had nothing else left to offer. After today, Mosley is going to have to take a step down to number two!

Not only was my prediction wrong, it was also very unreasonable. Now, after Pacquiao demolished Ricky Hatton in the first round (I know it ended officially in the second, but Ricky was done in the first), like it was no big deal, I am able see things a little bit clearer.

Again, Freddie Roach comes out on top. In the HBO’s 24/7 Episode 2, we have all seen Roach and Moorer sitting on the couch and discussing Ricky’s wide left hook. Well, Roach was once again right on the button: the fight ended with the punch intended! Roach knew that this was Ricky’s weakness, and that’s where Manny went. And that’s exactly where Manny hit him to seal the deal.

Before going any further, I want to say that I truly hope that Ricky came out safe. After the KO, it looked like he was suffering an instant concussion. I hope he got to the hospital safe, and things are good health-wise.

Manny: a train that cannot be stopped. He carried that power to this current weight, and is still as fast as lightning. He was accurate, responsive, mobile, and very focused. He was able to make Hatton look like a chump. Hatton is not one, but we were unable to see otherwise.

Was Pacquiao too fast? Too strong? Both, he was better in both departments from the bell. How could I have picked Hatton? I was picking an untested fighter, with a suspect chin, and a new trainer, against a dream team of boxing. That was my big mistake, and I can see that now.

So what’s next? Can anyone reading this, say with a solid confidence, that if the Mayweather Jr. fight was to happen, Pacman would lose? I would guarantee that this morning, I no longer can. As the matter of fact, after today’s performance, given Roach and Manny don’t part ways, I would pick Manny by a UD, or maybe even a KO.

Sounds crazy I know, but who can blame me? Manny beat all odds, fought all the fights, and never had to adapt to any other fighter’s game. The fight against Marquez was his closest one, and if a rematch was to occur, I think this time Manny would win in a more definitive manner.

Roach is a boxing wizard, able to create magic. Pacquiao is a boxing perfection, with attributes at a legendary level. Together, they are a very powerful unit, with potential to go all the way. How far is all the way? With the way they are performing, there is no end!

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: December 20, 2009! For some reason I like this date for them to meet. Boxing history is at a climax. Let’s see where 2009 takes us there!

Thanks for reading.

Freddie Roach's Phenomenal Attention To Detail

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:34:51 -0400

Buddy McGirt, Floyd Mayweather Sr., Kevin Rooney, Teddy Atlas, and Emanuel Stewart.

The aforementioned trainers had the pleasure and experience of training fighters such as Mike Tyson, Jab Judah, Ricky Hatton, De La Hoya, Lennox Lewis and the Klitschko brothers.

Most of us know a lot about those trainers. We have seen them at work—in the gym training their next champion as a pupil.

Their dedication, heart, and ability to radiate knowledge to their fighters is what made them who they are today. They are all professionals in the full sense of the word.

Boxing fans have waited for a mega—fight event to see two of the great fighters out there go to war. Those fighters are not only trained physically to hurt the opponent, but are also mentally agitated to “hate” them in the ring.

They are fighting for the glory.

One thing many fans fail to recognize is the fact that the trainers are fighting for glory as well. The fighters are like the NASCAR beasts: revving in anticipation of a fight. But the trainers are at the wheel, making sure that the fighters do everything optimally and without too many mistakes.

Trainers spend countless hours, days, weeks and months molding their next project into perfection. It’s a battle for them just as it is for the boxers in the ring.

One trainer I would like to mention separately. Freddie Roach was my favorite trainer by far. Since he tried doing well for Tyson, I liked his dedication. It is obvious that he knows the game and is very capable of delivering a fighter with full confidence.

He has trained great fighters such as Oscar De La Hoya and is now in the process of molding Manny Pacquiao into the top fighter ever.

Before today, I liked him for all the reasons mentioned above. But as of about two hours ago, my opinion of him not only escalated, I consider him nothing less than a boxing trainer genius.

I was watching the first episode of HBO’s 24/7 Pacquiao vs. Hatton and I noticed something that Roach said. It caused my jaw to drop.

He was sitting in front of a red background, talking about the Pacquiao—De La Hoya fight. While talking about the preparation, he mentioned that, right before the fight he noticed an I.V. puncture hole where fresh blood coagulated on Oscar’s arm. This meant that they had very recently hydrated him with saline.

This was a bad thing, because it was too late for hydration—causing the fighter to slow down considerably. After noticing it, he instantly told Pacman (the video showed him saying something into Manny’s ear right before the bell rang) to go right after Oscar without any hesitation.

First of all, not only did Roach notice the I.V. hole, he also knew exactly what to do with it right away. His attention to detail and instantaneous decision—making skill is awe inspiring.

Of course, Pacman did exactly what Roach wanted. He went in.

The result was more than pleasing for the team. After knowing that, I am placing Freddie Roach on the very top of the list in terms of boxing trainers. As a matter of fact, (and I might get pummeled for this) knowing what I know, I think he is one of the most successful and inspiring figures in boxing history.

By the way, how Mayweather Sr. looks so ripped and fit for a 56 year old is a mystery to me. It looks like Jr. got the genes from daddy.

Thank you for reading.

Stoker's Truth: Time Is Money, And Hopkins Is Taking His!

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:03:45 -0400

Recently, Bleacher Report’s top boxing writer and analyst, Stoker, wrote a very interesting piece. Stoker’s writing is quite unique, in that sometimes there is a hidden meaning that could be extracted from his work. I am sure that, subconsciously, even he himself finds new meanings after re-reading his work. Every writing of his has an agenda, or a hidden point, that we are supposed to see, and sometimes it's not evident just from reading the piece.

One of his most interesting pieces was on Bernard Hopkins and Tito Trinidad. Most of you will instantly think that there was nothing hidden in that piece when reading this. That’s exactly what I thought at first: It seemed to be a regular article with a given opinion.

After finding out that the fight was actually very close to being confirmed, I went back and re-read his piece. What strikes me in it, is the fact that it digs deep into Hopkins’s state of mind at this present time. Five years ago, given the same fight options, would Bernard have taken the Tito fight over Dawson? No chance.

Bernard Hopkins, as much as I love him as a boxer, is starting to convert. He is becoming a prizefighter, rather than a boxer with an agenda and heart. Him beating Dawson would be a breathtaking, inspiring, and pleasing accomplishment. By beating Tito, he is stepping down in the eyes of the fans, losing his image, and becoming something we don’t want him to become: a sell out. He will gain one thing from this fight with Trinidad: a not-so-much-needed paycheck.

This point and very deep meaning of what Hopkins just did is what I derived from Stoker’s piece. It’s not just a stupid decision, or an act of self preservation, its something colossal: a loss of a legend to modern “unnecessary necessities”.

I think I see what Hopkins is trying to do. Time is money, and he thinks he has the time to make more money. Maybe he is thinking that he can get an easy-earned paycheck from the Tito fight, and then advance to Dawson. This may be a hope of his, and a way for an even bigger buffer in his bank account, but it may cost him many years of effort to become who he is for the sport of boxing.

We know Hopkins as the "Executioner", the one who takes on the top-dog and tears him to pieces. He used to look the alpha fighter in the eyes through his mask and intimidate the fight out of them. What happened, Bernard? What made you turn away from the top-dog to face an old, prime-deprived retiree?

Thanks for reading.

Manny Pacquiao: The Killa From Manila Threatens Ali's Legacy

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:15:46 -0400

I’m sure that my title sparks up a certain point in boxing history, when excitement was limitless. That title, and what it means, is something a boxing fan will never forget or overlook.

Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier made that specific geographic region go through everyone’s mind. Manila was the direct source, from where the extreme excitement radiated to out TV’s, radios, and hearts. A tremendous amount of people, were interested and emotionally attached to Manila, where on October 1st 1975 the two biggest boxing names went to battle.

Today, the Manila region is back. It’s back in our minds, hearts, and is radiating that same excitement as in 1975. Except this time, there is no actually fight in the city of Manila; there are no cameras and radio personnel there for any events as well. What the Manila region gave to us this time, is a fighter who stands 5’6”, weighs 140 pounds, and goes through competition like a freight train; that boxer is Emanuel Pacquiao.

I am not going to go into details about his record, and style of fighting, but what I will do, is tell you about what I think of his past, present and future.

The first fight I saw Manny in was against Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003. After the win, I thought nothing of it. Sure he was good, looked fast, and beat Barrera in the 11th round, but I thought of it as nothing more than a slip up for the loser of the fight.

Since then, “Pacman” has taken down Marquez on more than one occasion, Erik Morales had the pleasure of facing him a few times with bad outcomes, David Diaz, and of course the latest victim, Oscar De La Hoya.

Think about, Manny took out the very top of the competition, some on numerous occasions, in about five years time.

Not only that, but he keeps going. He looks better with every fight.

Manny seems unstoppable these days. He has the attributes, trainer Freddie Roach, and his prime to count on.

In the past and recent present, only a few fighters were able to put up some sort of a fight. Most legends were dominated, and beaten fast without chance or mercy. So what’s next?

There are a few more fights that he needs to win. First of all, let me say this: if he is able to beat the fighters that I am going to mention in the upcoming paragraph, he will become the greatest of all time. Move over Ali, Marciano, etc.

In just about a week, Manny will be taking on a very dangerous fighter in Ricky Hatton. Hatton is aggressive, fast, and really wants to win this fight. I don’t expect Manny to do as well as other people do. In any case, if he beats him, he will have to face the undertaker, Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather is the only fighter who, in my opinion, is way more advanced in every single attribute that Manny possesses in his arsenal.

Floyd Mayweather is unbelievably fast, blessed with unparalleled defensive skill, and has the age and trainer on his side. Stepping into the ring with him will be a different experience. The ring will not feel like home and it will not feel comfortable, because the boxer on the other side is top shelf material.

Discussing how I see the fight going is not of importance just yet. Beating Mayweather though, is all Manny would need to earn the “greatest of all time” tag from me.

I have heard people saying that he needs to face JMM again, and fight Cesar Chavez Jr. and Casamayor.

No, I strongly disagree.

Not only is the weight class different, but he would also be stepping down from the top. Except for JMM, the other two fighters mentioned above are far from being top dog in their division. There is no need for Manny to fight either.

Muhammad Ali was a superb and memorable fighter. He had it all: skill, humor, and determination. He always took the best fights out there. By doing that, he fulfilled what he wanted to do, which was to be remembered forever as the greatest.

To me, it seems Manny is after the same thing. The problem is; there is only one greatest of all time. Right now Ali still holds the title, but Manny is working his way to it, and he is not stopping for a coffee break.

The Killa from Manila is coming.

Pacquiao doesn’t stop and he doesn’t rest. As soon as he takes one fighter out of the picture, he instantly wants the next guy in line. He doesn’t play games, doesn’t joke, and takes everyone seriously. He has a plan, and he is looking forward to achieving the goal of finishing what he began.

He’s got it all at this point, but will he be able to cross the line into enemy territory to face Floyd Mayweather Jr.? We will find out real soon, that is if Hatton lets him go any further.

Thanks For Reading.

Genetics Vs. Teachings: The Ultimate Question

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 12:55:53 -0400

We, the humans, are made up of too many things to mention. But to be perfectly honest, we are all initially made of nothing. A long time ago, the physicists thought that the smallest subatomic particle we were made up of was an electron. Then, an electron accelerator was created, and an electron was cracked open. Inside it was something else, called the Quark.

After the quark was cracked open, inside we found nothing: just energy, no particles. Physicists have tried everything: light micron microscopy, UV, bulking and measuring with a radiation detectors, but they were unable to find anything measurable or visible inside the quark.

The word “genetics” is used quite a bit these days. People like to pin success and failure on different things, but genetics is the prevalent one in many cases. If there are three generations of doctors in a given family, and another one passes their M.D. exam, everyone says that it’s in their genetics to be a doctor.

If a parent is an alcoholic, the son must be too, because he is genetically predisposed. In reality, genetics is something that has been researched a lot, but no one can give any solid proof on the role of genetic predisposition.

All of us boxing fans thought about this at some point in time. Looking at fighters like Mike Tyson, Spinks family, the Ali family, and people like the Mayweathers. Some would argue that boxing is in their genetics. Mayweather has a family of boxers, the Spinks have boxing on their minds, Muhammad Ali’s daughter seemed to take after her father as well.

But what about Mike Tyson? Not only that there is no boxing blood in his family, but he is also predisposed to obesity due to his familial genes. Still, he managed to look extremely fit, and box like no one has ever before or since. How does that work? Is he just a freak example?

No, not at all. Boxers such as Arturo Gatti, Micky Ward, and even Muhammad Ali himself never had any boxing in their family. Many would start arguing that we don’t know if that’s true, that there may have been someone from generations back, but I would disregard that, since there is no proof of that, and there was no boxing as a sport back then.

The point of this piece is to discuss the genetics vs. teachings case. Personally, I think that an individual can be genetically predisposed to having more short acting muscle fibers for heavier lifting, or long firing muscle fibers for endurance. The physical attributes have been shown to be genetic by the science community. But I also think, that when it comes to any sport, a person can only be instructed to certain perfection.

There are plenty of fights out there, where it is very easy to notice that a fighter has not been properly trained for a fight. Either they are way too sloppy or flat footed, etc.

Mike Tyson, is genetically and physically a strong person. He is fast, and has great reflexes. But would he have become the world champion if Gus D’Amato did not get him there? My answer would be no.

The main role that is played in a boxer’s future success is their direct dedication to the sport. At first, no one will have Freddie Roach or Emanuel Stewart; instead they will have anyone they can get for free. But if they show heart and hard work, they might have a chance to make something out of themselves in the sport of boxing.

Manny Paquiao came from practically nothing, to becoming a world wide boxing sensation. We all know that he is a very hard worker, and is fully immersed in the sport.

An argument could arise, by someone saying that looking at Oscar De La Hoya, “boxing” can run in genetics. His whole family was into boxing, and he was introduced to boxing at a very young age. So let's say he was introduced to boxing at the age of twenty four instead of the age of five; would he still be as good as he was? No, I would strongly deny that notion.

The reason he was so good, was because he was introduced to boxing early on, and started sparring with friends in parent’s backyard before I even know what boxing was. He was taught boxing, and perfected it with professional instruction and self esteem.

In my opinion, in boxing, there is no such thing as racial genetics, predisposition for boxing, and blame on physical attributes. Champions in the past have been of all sizes and weights, fast and slow. If you want to box, get your gear, put into a bag and go to the boxing gym. Once there, carefully wrap your hands, put on your gloves, and go to work.

Thanks For Reading

Consistent UD vs. Explosive KO: Pick your Character

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:06:54 -0400

When picking our favorite fighters, we rarely look at the fighter's personality attributes, or their professionalism outside of the ring. What we as boxing fans look at are their skills inside the ring. Everything else comes second. Some of us need that one punch KO, others love to see a consistent high volume fighter go to work, and a certain population respects combinations more than anything else.

There are fighter like Muhammad Ali, with his speed and ability to showcase incredible footwork. There are fighters like Mike Tyson, who can break bones and pile up KOs like it is no big deal. There are also fighters like Bernard Hopkins, who are the chess players of boxing, learning their opponent and disabling their strategy. Fighters like Gatti or Ward can go all 12 rounds, with heart and glory.

Still, after mentioning all of those names, I cannot think of other fighters with similar skill set at an instant. Those are the household names for their skills.

Personally, I am a fan of deductive, smart fighters. Bernard Hopkins, to me, is a perfect fighter in all aspects of the game. He is capable of a knockout, 12 round UD, as well as being defensively keen. He can manage any opponent, and can come up with a new strategy on the fly. Basically, he is one of the only fighters who thinks as he fights.

Sure, anyone can like Mike Tyson, and people will always remember Muhammad Ali. But they were just fighters, people with polished physical skills and attributes. Fighters like Hopkins are rare, and almost never make it to the top.

While most fighters can lose to anyone, you never count Bernard out. There is no fighter out there whom I could confidently believe would beat Hopkins.

To compliment the title of this piece, I would lastly like to comment on the skill set required for the outcome. To me, a 12 round UD is always more respectable than a KO. I understand a KO is not an easy thing to achieve, but stamina, heart, and adaptation is a lot harder to display.

So who do you like? Is it Marciano and Tyson, with unstoppable power and train-like offense? Or is it Roy Jones Jr. and Pacman, who can throw a combination and be out within a blink of an eye ? Maybe even James Toney, with impressive Philly style defense and a rock hard chin?

Executioner Targeted For Execution By The Punisher!

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:07:58 -0400

I am positive, and most of you would likely agree, that most fighters within weight limit would like a chance to step into the ring with a legend. There are many kinds of legends: some that had a few mega fights, some who stand for their home country, and some who are just a popularity bomb.

The person I am talking about here is a person who is at the very top of the list. Bernard Hopkins is a man who has nothing to prove. He fought the best, beat the most, and is loved by all.

He defended his title many times, and ducked no one. He is known for his ring smarts, experience, and adaptive skill. He can take his opponents apart before the fight, and finished them off in the ring. The Executioner is a very good name for him; it explains his career pretty well.

Paul “The Punisher”Williams, who recently demonstrated himself against Winky Wright, is now coming close to the center of attention. Everyone has seen his stamina. He can go, all the way, with the same consistency. He rarely takes breaks, he rarely fights backs up, and has a heart of fighter.

After beating Wright, he announced that Hopkins is next. He predicted a win for himself based on a few factors. Hopkins lost to Calzhage due to the punch output that Joe threw at Hopkins. Williams thinks he can do the same, if not better. Can he?

I think not. Joe is a bigger guy, he pressures, and he can trade. Williams can punch, but can he trade? Can he take a shot? There is no solid proof of either one.

I can see Williams trying to chase Hopkins, and getting a little too cocky resulting in getting caught by Hopkins. Bernard, while a low output fighter, does know how to flurry, and is still capable of doing that. If he can get Paul into a corner, he can keep him there.

In any case, I would love to see the fight happen. I think it would be full of action and excitement. We all know exactly what Paul Williams will do, but what will Bernard think of for this guy?

Thanks

Fight of the Year Candidate! Why?

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:37:30 -0400

For the Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson fight in 1996, I was at home, hung-over from the birthday party the night before, watching the tape my friend had recorded for me the night before.

I was eating a hard boiled egg, trying not to throw up, and gawking at the fight in front of me, on a 26” Magnavox TV. I knew this was going to be the fight of the year.

In 2002, I was being progressively impressed with the work-rate of Gatti and Ward, while sitting on a green leather couch at my co-worker’s house. The wine was terrible, but the fight made up for it. I knew it was going to be the fight of the year.

It was a beautiful day on May 7, 2007. I went swimming in the outdoor pool, had some beers, ate lots of food, and had a pretty action filled day. By the end of the day, I was extremely tired and sleepy.

Around 5 PM, I got a call from one of my friends, who was calling to remind me of the Corrales vs. Castillo fight. I really didn’t feel like going, but decided to go just to hang out with some of my friends. After I came home that night, I was stunned in every sense of the word.

Fight of the year? How could it not be: non-stop action and a surprise ending.

I can distinctly remember, the days where I was watching fights of the year. I remember where I was, who I was with, and what beer I was drinking that night. I also remember saying to myself that the particular fight I was watching was going to be a fight of the year.

Thinking about it, I wonder what exactly makes up a fight of the year? I am sure that the factors are different for everybody, and that’s exactly what I would like to know. Everyone wants to see action, knockouts, and even some showboating. But what else makes it fight of the year for you?

Personally, beside those factors mentioned above, I look for a few more things. First of all, I look for the “against all odds/upset” results. For instance, the knockout that Corrales was able to produce against Castillo was one of those cases.

Basically, the surprise factor is very important for me, because it’s something unexpected, something that shocks you instantly. That becomes a memorable moment right away.

Secondly, I like to see competition. If I see a fight, where one fighter beats up another round after rounds, and then gets a knockout, that does not impress me at all. Oscar vs. Pacman was one of those fights that will never be remember the way it should have been.

I like to see two boxers, with close to equal skills, fight for every point. Gatti vs. Ward is a good example of that. Neither of the fighters had it easy, both worked hard, showed their heart, and gave it all.

That kind of competition is very important to me, with or without a knockout. In Pacman vs. Oscar, there was plenty of action, and almost a knockout, but there was no competition.

Thirdly, I like to see improvisation. Sometimes a fighter gets hurt in the middle, or even the beginning of a fight, most likely suffering a hand injury. When that fighter can make adjustments, struggle, and win the fight, to me that’s beyond amazing.

That shows not only the heart the fighter has, but the professionalism and wit. I can name a couple of fights where I have seen this happen, but I would rather name one fighter who I see being able to pull this off more likely than anyone else. That fighter is Bernard Hopkins. He is ring smart, and extremely adaptive.

In any case, those are some of the things that I try to look for in a fight, before labeling it as a fight of the year. We see a lot of great fights throughout the year, and that’s why picking the best one is not easy sometimes.

Competition is fierce, and not only in the things you see, but also the things that are not so apparent. Lightweights will always show us more action, while heavyweights will show much less. But its important to look at all the factors that make up the fight, and not only the apparent things such as the work rate of the fight.

What makes up your fight of the year?

Thank You For Reading.

California Bans Amateur Boxing

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:07:15 -0400

Story

Couple of weeks ago, the California Athletic Commission, decided to ban boxing in the whole state of California. It all started with Bay Area/San Francisco county.

Numerous investigations, showed a lot of illegal activities happening at the underground boxing scenes, such as: underage fights being bet on, drugs, prostitution, etc. Thus, the commission felt that "amateur boxing" was being perverted into something else, a "show" instead of a sport.

I can see where the officials are coming from. They are after the illegal aspect of the whole thing. They need to clean up the scene that surrounds those events, such as the drugs and the prostitution.

But why are they banning amateur boxing in the whole state? This would be like banning driving with increased instances of DUIs. Those events, have nothing to do with boxing.

Just because there are two kids in the ring, wearing boxing gloves and trying to hit each other, doesn't mean they are "boxing", they are simply show fighting.

Boxing events have referees, medical staff on site, and the art itself in the ring. these events had none. I think it it ignorant for them to assume what they are assuming.

And that is the fact that this is how many amateur boxing events go down; in an underground fashion. As we all know, that's not true at all. Most amateur boxing events are held in proper rings, with officials and rules. There are no illegal activities present in such events.

If this ban holds out, and does indeed become a long term deal, this will be very devastating to the whole state. Not every young amateur can pack their bags and go to Vegas, or another state where boxing is abundant.

What will happen to all those kids who have been working years on end, improving their skills, elevating their hope, and preparing for the fight that will make them a name in the world of boxing?

Their hopes will be put on a very long hold, and they will have no option but to keep their dream alive in their own garages or backyards.

Thanks for reading.

Mike Tyson: The Character We Created and Food For The Press

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:06:09 -0400

When O.J. Simpson was accused of murder, the world watched the court ruling like a religious cult. Glued to their sets, they impatiently awaited the decision, hoping for the judge to say: “Guilty.”

When Michael Vick was found sporting dog fights, his name was the main topic in millions of households, proclaiming their disgust for him and what he had done, waiting for his sentence to be approved.

There are more cases like this, when famous people, whether it be movie stars or sports icons, are sentenced for their acts. Most of the time the public wants to see them go to jail, and “rot” in jail for their disobedient acts.

The reason for people acting this way is simply the fact that “we”, the public, want entertainment.

For years, criminal cases, terrorist attacks, and violence has been the primary topic of entertainment and discussion for people in America. If there are people on the stand for their lives, we will watch, discuss, and hate together.

The aforementioned sports cases, and characters, have built themselves. Michael Vick and O.J were both athletes in their own field, and had done something wrong. After that something was done, our attention went to them.

The person I want to discuss is a character that we created—a character that we took by the hand, and walked into the abyss. That person is the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world: Mike Tyson.

By becoming a world champion at age 20, he shocked the whole world. All eyes were on him at that point in time.

“Who is this young black fella by the name of Mike Tyson? We are all so proud of him: the youngest champion ever, representing the American spirit. But who is he? Let’s dig up some information about him.”

That’s when it all went bad.

Tyson was raised by a single mother in Brooklyn, New York. His father left them when Mike was just a little boy. As a kid, he was a real troublemaker (oh-oh, press time!), getting into fights, stealing, and assaulting people. He was in the juvenile hall before, and had been back to the hoodlum ways.

While incarcerated, Gus D’Amato, the “white” old trainer, decided that Mike was going to be a world champion (something the press can definitely spin in any way they like!). After a while, Gus adopted Mike (perfect!), and Mike became an official family member. During the training, Mike was still a troublemaker, stealing, getting into fights, and running away for days at a time (Ah, that’s what we need, slowly becoming the villain!).

Mike did become the world champion, after Gus died.

Nevertheless he made Gus’s dreams come true. He became the most feared fighter in the world. He was vicious, destructive, rude and violent, inside and outside of the ring. His face was constantly all over the media—newspapers made cartoons, Mad magazine made fun of his looks and voice, and television was carefully creating a villain. Drugs took over, as well as lavish spending and excessive negative exposure.

His only real relationship was with Robin Givens. She was a beautiful lady, who loved Mike and tried to help him. But Mike was a criminal. How could anyone help him?

He constantly “beat” her, and embarrassed her in front of other people. She, of course, married for “love”. She didn’t know Mike used to be a Brooklyn hoodlum. After numerous TV show appearances, and news coverage hours, the divorce came.

In just a short while, Mike was being sued for rape by Desiree Washington, a 17-year-old black girl (what a monster). He was sentenced for such a heinous crime and went to prison. Of course he said he never raped her, but why believe him?

Of course, after his lawyer dug up some “very relative” information that made it seem very unlikely that Tyson did rape her, he was instantly released.

After being released, Tyson was still solid on the fact that he did not rape her. And, of course, Desiree’s friend told his lawyer that Desiree did in fact lie, and was mixed up in a few cases just like this before.

Too late. Mike Tyson was already labeled as a rapist, in addition to many other things the media placed on him over the years.

“What? Mike bit Evander’s ear?” That’s what I said.

Sure Mike complained to the useless ref about Evander head butting him constantly, and ref did nothing. But to bite? What an animal.

The news world was filled with different explanations, and fun making pictures filled the Internet. Not only pictures, but games where Mike bites someone were created, songs, videos, etc.

Next Tyson decides to get a nice tribal tattoo on his face. Why not? He is already a laughingstock of the entire world.

So he gets the tattoo. Instantly, his apparent insanity lever goes up a few. When rockers and dirt bike racers are covered with tattoos head to toes, it’s OK. When mike gets one, it’s a crazy man’s move.

Then some minor things occurred to him over the past few years. He lost some fights. He crashed into a police car while driving drunk, high, with a bag of cocaine. He gained a few pounds making him seem obese. Nothing too crazy.

And now he is a star. James Toback makes a biographic movie, and receives a standing ovation at the Cannes film festival.

Was that because James was such a good director? Maybe.

More likely it was because the movie was about Mike Tyson—a crazy, violent, drug-using, rapist felon who beats his wife and bites people in public.

Sorry, Mike. To me you are a boxing superstar. A man with unparalleled boxing skill and a good heart. We made you who you are, and put you on display in front of the whole world. It was done for our own entertainment, at the cost of your life and your family’s well being.

Only now, it may be time that you get the respect and love that you deserve. Maybe now people will take their time to see who the real Mike Tyson is, and what he thinks and feels.

Like some of the best artists and personas in history, you will be more appreciated as your story gets closer to the end. Be well Mike.

June 30, 1966 - Mike Gerard Tyson is born in Brooklyn, New York to Lorna Tyson and Jimmy Kirkpatrick.

1978 - Tyson, 12, is arrested in Brooklyn for purse-snatching and sent to Tryon School for Boys.

1979 - A boxing instructor at a New York State correction facility for boys brought Tyson to the attention of Cus D'Amato, who had guided Floyd Patterson to the heavyweight title.

1982 - Tyson is expelled from Catskill High School for a series of transgressions.

Jan. 1986 - "When you see me smash somebody's skull, you enjoy it."

Feb. 1986 - "I try to catch them right on the tip of his nose because I try to punch the bone into the brain."

"Real freedom is having nothing. I was freer when I didn't have a cent. Do you know what I do sometimes? Put on a ski mask and dress in old clothes, go out on the streets and beg for quarters."

March 1988 - "I love to hit people. I love to. Most celebrities are afraid someone's going to attack them. I want someone to attack me. No weapons. Just me and him. I like to beat men and beat them bad."

March 1988 - "When I fight someone, I want to break his will. I want to take his manhood. I want to rip out his heart and show it to him."

June 1988 - "Anyone with a grain of sense would know that if I punched my wife I would rip her head off. It's all lies. I have never laid a finger on her."

Sept. 4, 1988 - Tyson is knocked unconscious after driving his BMW into a tree. Three days later, the New York Daily News reports the accident was a "suicide attempt" caused by a "chemical imbalance" that made him violent and irrational.

Sept. 30, 1988 - Givens says in a nationally televised interview that Tyson is a manic-depressive and that she is afraid of him. Tyson sits meekly next to her.

Dec. 12, 1988 - Sandra Miller of New York sues Tyson for allegedly grabbing her, propositioning her and insulting her at a nightclub.

Dec. 15, 1988 - Lori Davis of New York sues Tyson for allegedly grabbing her buttocks while she was dancing at the same nightclub on the same night as the incident with Miller.

April 9, 1989 - Accused of striking a parking attendant three times with an open hand outside a Los Angeles nightclub after the attendant asked Tyson to move his Mercedes-Benz out of a spot reserved for the club's owner. The charges are later dropped due to lack of witness cooperation.

July 22, 1991 - Washington files a complaint with police accusing Tyson of rape.

March 26, 1992 - Superior Court Judge Patricia Gifford sentences Tyson to 10 years in prison, suspending four. She orders him to serve the term immediately.

May 8, 1992 - Tyson is found guilty of threatening a guard and disorderly conduct in prison, adding 15 days to his sentence.

June 28, 1997 - Tyson is disqualified after the third round of his rematch with Holyfield after he bites Holyfield twice, once on each ear. Tyson claims he was retaliating for a head butt inflicted by Holyfield that opened up a gash above his right eye. Referee Mills Lane ruled the butt was accidental.

Aug. 31, 1998 - Tyson's Mercedes is rear-ended in Gaithersburg, Maryland. According to subsequent lawsuits, Tyson kicked one driver in the groin and punched another in the face before being restrained by his own bodyguards.

Oct. 1998 - "I know I'm going to blow one day ... My life is doomed the way it is. I have no future. I feel bad about my outlook, how I feel about people and society, and that I'll never be part of society the way I should."

Feb. 5, 1999 - Tyson sentenced to two concurrent two-year sentences for assaulting two motorists after a traffic accident in 1998. Judge Stephen Johnson suspended all but one year of jail time. Tyson was also fined $5,000 and sentenced to two years' probation after his release from jail. The decision could lead to more jail time for violating parole in Indiana.

May 19, 2000 - Tyson is accused by a topless dancer in a Las Vegas nightclub of punching her in the chest and hurling expletives at her. Police were called to the scene, but after interviewing witnesses, including Tyson himself, they decided not to press charges.

Jan. 2, 2002 - Tyson checked out of a Havana hotel after witnesses said he tossed glass Christmas ornaments at journalists trying to interview him. There were no reports of injuries, arrests or serious damage.

Jan. 29, 2002 - "I'm not Mother Teresa, but I'm not Charles Manson either."

July 11, 2003 - A bodyguard files suit against Tyson, claiming that the boxer punched him twice in the face, breaking his left orbital bone.

Aug. 1, 2003 - Tyson files for bankruptcy in New York.

When Does a Student Become a Teacher ?

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:50:10 -0400

In sports, as well as in any other professional aspect of life, we start at the bottom and work our way up. Students become teachers, managers, CEOs, and PhDs. And like anything else, there is a professional beginning, and an end. When a student can comfortably teach a given skill to others, they have progressed to the top.

In boxing, we see a lot of that. Boxers becomes professionals, and they no longer need any more instruction, because they have developed their own style with a spectrum of skills. Some fighters decide to switch their trainers, in hopes of gaining something new, but I think that almost never happens. A trainer cannot teach a formed fighter anything new, they can simply re-arrange their skills in a different order, and advise how to optimize that particular order.

At what point can a fighter say he is ready to become a trainer? This question has been going through my mind for some time. It’s hard to come up with a good answer, because skill is not the only thing that is required for a successful trainer.

There are a few things a fighter needs to be able to do in order to display themselves as a trainer.

First of all, concentration and attention to minor detail: most great trainers can watch a fight, and pinpoint mistakes or habits that the fighters present. Being able to see that, is the main aspect of strategy formation.

Second of all, patience is a must. A trainer must be able to spend countless hours coming up with a strategy. Their fighter might get frustrated with the commitment they require, and might even get offensive and walk out. That cannot be taken to heart, and a good trainer always knows that sometimes a fighter needs a break.

Third of all, a trainer must be able to be honest with their fighter. Anyone can be inspiring by saying that their fighter is doing great, but sometimes saying that will reduce their work rate, making the fighter think that they have a sufficient buffer. Freddie Roach, for a example, is upfront with his fighters, making them worry, thus chasing their victory. Sometimes that very important, because we have seen this being the case (Corrales knocking out Castillo in the late rounds). Corrales knew that he was losing, and would lose unless he got a knockout. That being a fact, he got his adrenaline to kick in, and went out on a limb to get his victory.

Last but not least, a trainer needs to have a system of transferring information to his fighter. Every fighter needs a different explanation, and takes a different amount of time to get things right. A trainer must be able to cater to their fighter, teaching him in a way most suitable to him.

Those, in my opinion, are the four main characteristics that are needed for a fighter to become a trainer. I honestly cannot think of too many current fighter who I would expect to do better with training. Evander Holyfield and Bernard Hopkins are very skilled, composed, and patient people. I think of all available fighters, they would make the best trainers. People like Mike Tyson, Manny Paquiao, and Oscar De LaHoya are too unstable, and would not have the patience to teach. Fighters that don’t have respect for their opponents would also be bad at teaching; they would expect their fighter to pick things up right away, and if that didn’t happen, frustration would kick in.

Thanks for reading. I would love to hear some of your opinions.

They Say “When It's Time,” Is It Time Yet?

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:14:20 -0400

For decades, the term “retirement” has been changing rapidly. In the 80's, retirement age was 65, and most of the population was able to conform. People knew exactly what is waiting for them, and were able to make future retirement plans without much hesitation.

Nowadays on the other hand, the term “retirement” has a completely different meaning. People retire when the time is right—that the magic date will shift with circumstances, such as monetary problems, medical issues, personal choice, and family. In any case, that date has been pushed further and further over time. People are retiring much later, primarily due to the global financial situation.

Boxing, like any other sport, gets hit by the economy too. Money starts shifting faster, and it becomes harder to save. Of course, there is also the lavish lifestyle that contributes to that, but that used to be less of a problem.

My question is: What makes the boxers lag in their retirement? I wrote a piece on this before, but am now coming from a different angle. I am not trying to discuss why the boxers stay in the game after a number of years past their prime, but instead am trying to brainstorm the ideal time for a boxer to hang up the gloves.

There are a few names, such as Roy Jones Jr. and Oscar DeLa Hoya that pop into my mind when thinking about past prime boxers who are still in the mix. I think that financial situation and the crowd effect will always make a difference, but there must be a time when retirement is perfect.

After how many loses should a boxing superstar hang up the gloves? Should they ever come back? Should they redeem themselves?

Personally I think that a superstar boxer should retire immediately after losing their second or third fight. The reasoning behind that is the fact that a superstar, is supposed to be an image of an indestructible person. Losing is not an option, and winning must only be done in the most entertaining fashion. Once a superstar loses, their name is instantly tarnished. The more they fight, the more damage their image takes. After a couple of losses, a fighter may lose all his historical significance and become a laughingstock of the fan base.

Looking at Roy Jones Jr. and his recent fight, I think most of you would agree that his win is of no significance. The superman in him can no longer be recovered after the Tarver and Calzaghe losses, and nothing can bring him back.

In conclusion, a fighter needs to retire as soon as one or two fights are lost—Kostya Tszyu is a great example—no matter what their self image is.

Is Intimidation Necessary in Boxing? It Depends on Results

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 13:51:31 -0400

There was a time when boxing fans rushed home from work, swerved through post-work traffic, and risked getting pulled over by the police, just to run through the door and turn on their television sets.

Why would they go through all that? The reasonable answer would be that a fight was on that day, and it was a big fight as well. But instead, it was the much-anticipated press conference that built all the excitement.

Think back to Mike Tyson press conferences, Sonny Liston, George Foreman, and even James Toney. The conferences became a full show, where viewers were able to witness their favorite boxer mentally dismantle their opponent before the fight even started.

Boxers would come up with the most unique ways of threatening each other, providing for a scuffle and a name calling ceremony.

Can you remember Tyson intimidating others with his cannibalistic words, or Sonny Liston with his murder driven promises, and even James Toney was able to embarrass his opponents by saying things that dug deep.

We watch those conferences for entertainment, to see our favorite boxers use their intimidation skills to prep the other guy. It also adds to the fight excitement. Impatiently we waited for the fight, hoping to witness those words become a reality.

But things have changed. Vulgar intimidation is no longer the standard in boxing. Being polite and professional is what is considered the right way to meet.

Sure there are some instances where boxers would throw in a few words, and might even create a scenario (Ricardo Mayorga eating chicken or smoking a cigar at a conference), but the fire in their words is missing.

When Vitali Klitschko promises to knock someone out in the ring, and to teach them a valuable lesson, this provides no extra excitement for the fight. The fight might still end up being very interesting and explosive, but the boxer's character gains no fire.

Humans are naturally attracted to violence, and we want to hear about it and see it. But most importantly, we want to expect it from our boxers. We want them to be naturally aggressive, mean, and destructive in the ring.

When Tyson made a statement, people knew that he meant what he was saying, and he would primarily try to hurt the opponent in the ring before knocking them. That’s what contrasts the fights and the fighters before, from the ones we have now: authentic expression.

That does not mean we don’t have any fighters with real skill and intimidation. One of those fighters who can still do a decent job at talking and delivering is Bernard Hopkins. He is very keen with words, and intimidates in a different way.

He can present himself in a certain way, where his opponents would think of him as more than he might actually be. Still, they are all friendly after the fight, hugging and posing for the press. This was not how things were before.

We need villains and enemies in boxing, because only they can start a fire in out hearts.

I like villains because there's something so attractive about a committed person—they have a plan, an ideology, no matter how twisted. They're motivated.

WBC Announces Vitali Klitschko: Best Puncher Ever!

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:34:48 -0400

The WBC has declared reigning heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko to be “the greatest puncher ever in the heavyweight division.”

Official WBC Statement: “[Vitali] Klitschko proved that he is the best fighter in the world nowadays, pound for pound, after defeating Juan Carlos Gomez who had a record of 35 knockouts in 44 wins and only 1 loss.

"Klitschko has outdone all other fighters, no matter what division they belong to. The heavyweight world champion is the only one who can claim he is the greatest champion in the world of boxing as nobody can defeat him.

"With Vitali´s extraordinary wins, in fights that have been stunning to world fans, showing absolute control and power, our king of the heavyweights has silenced many mouths and media that had unfairly attacked him without any evidence, and been disrespectful to him, considering the great class he is showing.

"Jose Sulaiman, president of our organization, stated today that Klitschko is the pride the WBC as well as he is the pride of world boxing. Vitlai Klitschko’s record is now: 37 wins; 36 of them by knockout, and including his last win by KO, his percentage in this specialty went up to 97.2%, fact after which Klitschko is placed as the greatest puncher ever in the heavyweight division.” Fightnews.com

Here we have a read debate opportunity on our hands. WBC, while not the spokesman for the average boxing fan, is still an authority. When something like the above mentioned is stated to the public, proof and legitimacy is expected.

The question is: How do they (WBC) designate a puncher? Is it by the fighter’s knockout record? Or is it by the ability to cause a certain amount of damage with any given punch?

The difference between the above stated, is basically whether a fighter can get a knockout by multiple connects, or by a single punch.

Vitali was never a knockout artist, but instead just a big guy who can get the job done. He is capable of finishing the fight if he sees he has hurt his opponent. That is a very good skill to have, because finishing is a problem for many fighters nowadays. Vitali is sharp, aggressive, and very smart in the ring.

Personally, I think he is the best fighter right now in the heavyweight division. I also give him lots of credit for being able to come back after such a long lay-off, and still be able to dominate pretty good opponents in the ring, this displaying very little ring rust.

To call him the greatest puncher ever in the heavyweight division might be a tad too far fetched. He is no doubt a great puncher, but the word “ever” is not very practical to use in this case.

A puncher has to be looked at from a few different perspectives. For example: a knockout artist is only as good as his opponents. If a given boxer fights chumps for most of his career, than it is wrong to put them into a category of great punching boxers.

Now, I am not saying that Vitali is not one, but what about Joe Louis with 75 percent KO numbers of total 68 fights? Or what about George Foreman with 84 percent KO number of 81 fights? How about Rocky Marciano with 88 percent KO number of 49 fights?

Let’s not forget Mike Tyson.

All the above mentioned fighters in my opinion were harder punching boxers than Vitali Klitschko. I do see that none of them had 97.2 percent KO rate, and that is a very good point made by the WBC people.

But I must come back to my other argument, which is the fact that those guys had competition not comparable to Vitali’s. The class of fighters in those years was much higher than it is today, at least in the heavyweight division. Could Vitali have knockout out Ali in his prime? Or Mike Tyson is his?

I would have to say no to both of those.

WBC has made a very bold statement, and is offending to a lot of greats, in a wide spectrum of ways.

Vitali is a good fighter with a successful return. If we look at percentages, then yes, Vitali does hold that record. But let’s, in our minds, create some dream matches with a mixture of past champions, would he still hold that record? I think not.

A better way of phrasing Vitali’s record KO numbers would have been to state that Vitali has the highest KO percentage of fights fought and won.

In my honest opinion, the greatest puncher ever, is presently touring the world with director James Toback!

Thank You!

Hopkins Vs. Adamek: Risky Business

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:37:44 -0400

We have all heard the rumor. Supposedly, even though nothing has been signed, Bernard Hopkins is getting ready to step in the ring with Thomaz Adamek.

I give Hopkins all the credit in the world for taking this fight. Adamek is a great fighter with a good chin and amazing stamina. Hopkins is definitely picking the harder fights.

Strategically, Bernard would have to try and conserve energy, using counter punching as the main move. Adamek will try to work Bernard like a punching bag, not giving him a single breath. Hopkins is definitely at a disadvantage in this fight. He is older, slower, and his stamina is not up to par.

If Bernard can knock Adamek out, he will, in my eyes, be in the top five fighters of all time. I would not advise Hopkins to go for a K.O., though. He should attempt to stay more or less active for the entire fight and try to take it on points.

One thing Hopkins is good at is adapting and learning his opponents. He should definitely use his ring experience to expose something in Adamek, while being very careful.

In any case, I give Bernard all the respect for taking the fights that actually challenge him and give a good name to the sport of boxing.

Mayweather-Pacquao a Probability

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:36:41 -0400

There have been rumors, that Floyd Mayweather has been training in Las Vegas, and is ready to go very soon.

He was quoted saying that he is willing to fight almost anyone.

“He's itching to go. The way he sounded, he is willing to take on whoever they throw in his face. He would do the Pacquiao-Hatton winner, Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez. The only one he doesn't have an interest in is (a rematch with) Oscar De La Hoya. But in Floyd's mind he knows there is one Godzilla, and that's a fight with Pacquiao."

I am not sure what he was trying to say with the Oscar statement. Why would he mention that? Oscar did great against him. And Mayweather got paid more than he could possibly expect from that fight. Sure Oscar looked pretty bad against Pacman, but that was something unusual. That a very rude statement, but he has the right to free speech.

As far as all those names mentioned above, Pacman is of course the most exciting one. This would be a great fight, and Mayweather would win it. It’s the best fight for both fighters, in terms of a payday, as well as a skill match.

Hatton already got a chance, and he blew it. So the only way he can get revenge on Floyd is to beat Pacman. A Shane Mosley fight is also a great idea. Shane looked great against Margarito, and showed that he can still mix it up with the best. He should be taken very seriously by anyone who steps in the ring with him.

Sources claim that the Mayweather team asked HBO about the possibility of a July 11 date. I am not sure why they are looking into this date. Neither Hatton nor Pacman will be ready to fight that soon. Maybe they already secured someone (Shane Mosley), and are planning on a surprise announcement.

In either case, as everyone thought, Floyd will fight yet again. I am very glad about this, because he is a very talented fighter, and it would be a waste of a talent if he stayed retired for much longer. I’m sure he misses the crowd, the ring, and the payday.

As far a prediction approximation, here is what I would say.

If he fought Pacman, it would be a long fight, there would be no knockdowns, but Mayweather would likely take almost all rounds. Pacman does not have much to offer when it comes to offense against someone as slick and quick as Floyd.

If he fought Shane, I think that Shane would have a shot at a knockdown or even a knockout, but yet again, a UD win is likely for Floyd. Fighting JMM or Hatton, would be an easy fight for Floyd, the the result would be devastating for either of the two opponents.

James Toney “SuperSizeMe” Promotions

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:35:16 -0400

“Former multi-division world champion James Toney says he has split with longtime promoter Goossen Tutor and will launch his own promotional firm, Light Out Promotions. Toney’s manager/cornerman John Arthur will run the new group, which plans a kickoff in the second week of May at a venue to be named. Fittingly, Toney will headline the debut card.” Fightnews.com

I am totally ok with James being a promoter. As the matter of fact, I think he would be a great promoter for boxing. He knows how to talk, and how to spice up fights. I can imagine him making a mess of things in a very exciting way, and bringing more fire to fights.

The problem is that I predict we will see a lot more Toney fights against opponents that have never held boxing gloves before. And if they are able to demonstrate good skill and pull off a win, we will yet again witness James winning the fight in some magically mysterious, and unexplainable way. God forbid he will start asking for serious fights.

Basically, what I am trying to say, is that I am excited about his promotional work, but am disappointed that he will try to climb up the boxing ladder again.

Roy Jones Jr. Wins, We Lose, But Ya'll Must've Forgot!

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:34:18 -0400

Everybody get on your feet
Right now, for Roy Jones Jr.
The best pound for pound fighter in the world
Whoever don't agree, you know what, I guess
Ya'll Must've Forgot
When they stole my gold medals in Seoul, Korea
That's lookin back at my whole career
Cause, Ya'll Must've Forgot
The best pound for pound is mine
Hit Percy Harris with 4 hooks at one time
Ya'll Must've Forgot
When I beat Bernard Hopkins and won the IBF
The right was hurt beat him with the left
Ya'll Must've Forgot
You remember the left hook James Tony got?
Sucker move I stole from a game cock
Ya'll Must've Forgot
Will there ever be another Roy Jones?, probly not
Stopped Virgil Hill with a body shot
Ya'll Must've Forgot
I got disqualified in March of 97
After giving a whooping to Montell Griffin
Late hit, my title, they had to take it
(Why) I guess that's the only way I could lose
5 months later, rematch, I needs my crown
1st round, 1 punch and he sat down
Don't get me mad cause I'm amped already
Took titles from fighters who was champs already
The heart and sould of boxing on HBO
What these other fighters take me for, A Joke?
Ya'll Must've Forgot
And they got the nerve to say I aint fight nobody
I just make'em look like nobody
Ya'll Must've Forgot
And David Telesco he really asked for it
So I beat him with a fractured wrist
Ya'll Must've Forgot
(Remember that)
In the ring I BOX, there is none higher
When I use these they call me SIRE
To burn my kingdome I must lose FIRE
And I wont stop Boxing till I retire
I'm Roy
Ya'll Must've Forgot (x2)
When I beat Reggie Johnson
And took his Light-Heavyweight title from him
Ya'll Must've Forgot
That I'm nice with these
Ya'll Must've Forgot
This is what I do
We could go on and on
Mike McCallum, Vinnie Pazienza

Just recently, Roy Jones Jr. was able to defeat Omar Sheika via an impressive fifth-round TKO. Not only that, but he pulled that off in his hometown, which had to be a huge confidence boost for him. I am very happy for him as a person and as a fighter, but I am afraid of what he will try to do with this victory.

Now Jones will ask for big fights yet again, and yet again he will lose them. He looks great, and seems to be in shape. Nevertheless, I would not like it if he got cocky and started demanding championship fights. After beating Omar, he asked the crowd if they want him back, and the crowd responded with a roar. Of course they would, how else can they respond?

There are a couple of big fights out there for Jones, but I don’t think that he should just jump into a big fight that he cannot win. I wish him all the best, but I do not want to see a Roy Jones with a speech impediment.

The only fight that I think would make a huge amount of money, would be Jones vs. Hopkins. But even with a fight like this, we would be putting Jones in harm’s way.

Hopkins is not only in shape, but he is also offensive throughout the fight. Jones would take punishment and lose in a very embarrassing manner.

There is no way Jones is going to retire now, so I just hope his next fight is not too insane. Good luck Roy.

Byrd Is Reaching for the Sky, Again!

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:33:18 -0400

Chris Byrd (41-5-1, 22 KOs) won a fourth round TKO over little-known Matthias Sandow (4-4). As you can tell, my title is a sarcastic one. What does this fight do for Chris? Will he now ask for a belt fight? Payday fight? Respect or credit?

As far as credit, well I'll give it to him, he (a well known champion, who had a great career) was able to easily handle another fighter with a decent record (4-4). This is a disgrace in my eyes, and I hate to see Chris doing this. It seems as though he is suffering from the so-called Evander Syndrome, where retiring is not an option.

Why take this fight? He should have a little more respect for himself, and take fights that correspond with his name and skill level. I know that he has aged, and that he is no longer part of the press, but taking a fight like this, will not provide any positive feedback from anyone. A professional fighter should not fight an amateur at any point of their career.

What is he trying to do? Is Byrd trying to get a hold of the belt before he retires? As a fighter, I understand that he wants to be in the eye of the media, and heat the roar of the crowd as he enters the ring. But there is a time, when he can enter the ringside seating area as a retiree, and still get that same coverage and respect form boxing fans. Fighting fight like this, makes him lose his credibility and tarnishes his name.

Vitali Klitschko Displays Skill and the Work of Mother Time

Vitali Shaposhnikov — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 04:32:04 -0400

On Saturday, Mar. 21, Vitali Klitschko took on Juan Carlos Gomez. This was supposed to be a competitive fight, but most boxing fans knew exactly what was going to happen. Klitschko scored a ninth-round TKO. This result was what we all expected, but how Klitschko got to it was not expected at all.

Klitschko, who fought Lennox Lewis, is no more.

Gomez, was not only able to give Klitschko trouble, but he exposed Klitschko ’s decline in stamina. Klitschko had to huff and puff all the way through the fight. He was not sharp with his punches and was unable to finish Gomez on numerous opportunities.

Had this been the Klitschko from the Lewis fight, Gomez would have been taken care of within three rounds. He lost his finishing touch, which I guess is the result of mother time. This was not what I was looking for from this fight.

In any case, a win is a win, so what now? Who will Klitschko get to fight next?

I have mentioned this before, but I think that Nikolai Valuev is the only good and credible fight left out there. If Oleg Maskaev is given a chance, I will trash that fight with all I have. Maskaev is no threat, and thus makes for a lousy fight.

Right now, after seeing this past fight, I can tell that Klitschko’s career is coming to an end. He needs to end it the right way: with a big fight and a big win. Valuev is the man for this job.

There would be a few complications for Klitschko in that fight, such as Valuev’s height and reach. So I think it would not be an easy fight to win and it should give Klitschko a chance for a favorable retirement.