15.06.06 – By Yousef Faroniya: Thank you to all who read and responded to “As the World Turns…The On-Going Story-lines of 2006.” In the ongoing tradition of interactivity at boxing247.com, I’ve reviewed some of the best comments made to the article on the site and to my e-mail, and here is your mailbag ESB..
Surely Calzaghe’s dismantling of Lacy rates up there?
-Duane
To Duane. Calzaghe’s ruthless domination of Lacy was one of the biggest and most important matches of the year, but my article was more on the trends of the year rather than singular events. I considered adding the newfound superstar-status of Calzaghe, but unfortunately for us, he hasn’t even scheduled a match yet (mostly due to events out of his control). If he wins one more big fight this year, (maybe Clinton Woods, Glen Johnson, or further unification with Mikkel Kessler), then he will be there sure-fire fighter of the year and THE breakthrough star of 2006.
e of Wladimir Klitschko? Well, yes he’s got the IBF belt now…The problem is he’s not seen as the fighter he was before Sanders, Brewster (with help from Mr. King), Williamson had him troubled, Sam Peter caught him…I loved Vitali’s style, but Wladimir just isn’t as impressive as his brother. I think any heavyweight (apart from Toney) who can hit will believe they have a chance. Wladimir just doesn’t have that air of invincibility. I honestly believe he’s the most talented heavy, he just doesn’t believe in himself. The problem I have is when he’s caught with anything he’s in trouble – he looks very hard to hit, but as soon as a good puncher does…He needs to clear his record IMO, fighting Brewster, Sanders (if he’s still fighting), possibly Williamson and Peter also….I wanna see Wladimir PROVE that he can take the headshots, and PROVE his chin. Against Byrd he was great, but what about the young, hungry fighters like Ibragimov. I really hope he’ll get his throne and be undisputed, he looks incredible at time. Good luck Wlad. Tell Vitali to come back.
-Leif
Leif, you bring up a lot of the reasons why many fans are still not sold on Wladimir, and I don’t blame them. He’s inconsistent and has shown flaws, but I don’t necessarily believe that he has to “prove his chin.” Maybe after his losses (and with the guidance of Emanuel Steward), he knows his body better and can suit a style to his strengths and away from his weaknesses. He’s never going to be a brawler or a Marciano-type of heavyweight, but with his skills, it doesn’t have to stop him.
With that being said, I agree he must avenge his losses. Those are all winnable fights, and it will help to fully rebuild that shattered confidence you alluded to.
The author nails it in the head time after time. What a range of boxing subjects with great comments and insights on each one. Except the Klitschko one. The heavyweight picture is still blurry. Klitschko might emerge as the one true champion, but that would mean he is the best out of a bunch of mediocre fighters. The heavyweight division is still boxing’s biggest disappointment, with no relief in sight.
-Easydraw
Thanks for the kind words. I definitely wouldn’t say that Wladimir is the heavyweight savior yet, but he definitely is the only one capable of being the undisputed champ. And the most notable thing about Wladimir’s last 12 months isn’t that he is a titlist, but more that he stuck to his trade, worked hard, and came full circle from his crushing knockout losses to Sanders and Brewster. Eliseo Castillo was no threat, he looked less that spectacular in beating Davarral Williamson, but he is steadily getting better and I think the best is yet to come.
Huevos, por favor. (Paul) Williams is muy bueno con mucho corazón!
-Ted the Bull
Lo siento mi ‘mano! Paul Williams es un gran boxeador, y si, tiene mucho corazón y huevos!
Nice article but everything crumbles down when the author believes that the Thai dude Pong as a flyweight star!!! Common, this Thai dude is fraud!! Arce-Darchinyan and Villoria are the current and future stars of the flyweight division!! Any combination of the trio is surely an explosive fight!!
-Kobeyn
While Arce, Darchinyan, and Viloria are bigger stars right now, Wonjongkam is not a fighter to overlook. He has been the most consistent titlist of the last five years, and has beaten many top-10 flyweights, including being the first to beat Hussein Hussein, the first to beat titlist Malcolm Tunacao, and the first to beat top Japanese contender Daisuke Naito. I think many times his calm demeanor is taken for weakness, but he does not a premier fight against Darchinyan or Arce to truly make a name for himself, and I’m confident this will happen within a year.