By Vivek Wallace: Yesterday morning started out pretty normal. After breakfast, a workout, and meditation, I did what many of us do when we finally settle in to our daily comfort zone…..I fired up my Twitter account to see what the rest of the world had to talk about.
Prior to logging in, I knew certain things would be a given, like any other morning on “Twitter”. I knew that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad OchoCinco would probably have a picture of breakfast at some local spot posted with a few interesting words to the fans……I knew rapper 50 Cent would serve up some outlandishly eye-poppin’ street vernacular that would make me thank God that I’m ‘following’ him, rather then experience having such a (clearing my throat) wonderful guy ‘follow’ me……and I knew that P-Diddy would offer a few words of wisdom. What wasn’t normal was the absence of a fellow ‘tweeter’ who literally always has something to say. I mean, even if he was traveling abroad, surely we’d see a pic of him jumping on the leer, stackin’ his papers, or standing on the yacht……but there was nothing!
Taking a few moments out to deplete a full voice mailbox moments later answered more questions than Kobe Bryant at the podium after a clutch shot victory!
An age old adage tells us that “any press is good press”. Good news, bad news, happy news, sad news……any news which keeps us saying a particular name is said to be a good thing. Oddly enough, there’s one particular name in the sport that has found a way to stay at the tip of all of our tongues, lately. Some would argue that the agenda was to create a buzz that would follow him into his next ring endeavor. Trouble with that theory? There’s none planned. And if the latest news to cross the blotter has an ounce of validity to it, that “none planned” could elevate to “may never be planned”.
Few things in life have the power to stop a talking man from talking, but for this guy, it’s a been a long two months. From Top Rank’s misleading deadline, to his decision to “take his talent to South Beach” with a ‘King’, to a rant before the world on U-Stream, to an infraction that could land him in the ‘cling-cling’; Seems every step he takes, this ‘Prettyboy’ has found himself in a rather ugly situation.
A close look at the story of this young man gives much to consider, but far more to lose. The product of a broken home…..an offspring of a drug-dealing, yet very talented Dad, and a lineal pedigree with talent as rich as Bill Gates. To rise above those ashes and make it to the top of the sport, only to allow things he never had in his distant past to suddenly flood his world and block his focus…..how could he possibly lose sight? Each of us are to some degree a product of our environment, but most of us learn to change that environment before we become a product that nobody desires. Of all the lessons learned throughout those tough childhood years and bad business decisions, why step back after you’ve finally moved forward? Just one of the many questions that come to mind as I look at the life of this man.
Thinking about the recent events in the life of this man, I feel compelled to separate myself from his ‘yes-men’ and simply say no way! Although the audience is broad and this message can be applied to many reading, the true recipient knows who he is. Throughout this entire piece I’ve yet to say his name, but like the other million shoes around the world that he chose to spend money on, this one for free happens to fit too, and I hope he also plans to wear it!
My message to him, since no one else around him dare say it: “YOU’VE COME TOO FAR (IN LIFE) TO STOP YOURSELF THIS CLOSE”. There’s very little left in the sport for you to accomplish. You’ve done more in a few years than many will do in a lifetime. The end is near, and the goal line is clear. You want to be the best? Start by being a better example to your children. Us fight fans have enjoyed you create your legacy, but the real one will be the one you create and one day leave on this earth for them. Make the most of this opportunity, for it won’t be here forever. Right now, you’re down on the cards in the final round. You’ve never been a KO artist, but you’ve got the skills to pay the bills, and enough will to help you chill! You’re blessed by God to be undefeated, and I know you want to stay that way, so in short…..DON’T BE A LOSER!
(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, 954-292-7346, Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEK747), Facebook, and Myspace).