By Joseph Herron: It was May 18th, 2002, when “Irish” Mickey Ward “laced ‘em up” in preparation for a scheduled ten round fight against the “blood and guts warrior” of boxing, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. There were no belts to be won on this night, no bad blood to be avenged, and no long time rivalry to be settled. Simply an opportunity to put on a show for the great fans of the sport and for the love of the craft, Irish Mick was preparing himself for possibly his final fight; or so he thought.
This was a “crossroads” fight between the two warriors, one which connected obscurity and possible stardom. “Thunder” Gatti was two fights removed from a devastating knockout loss at the hands of future hall of famer, Oscar de la Hoya, and Ward had just suffered a devastating technical decision loss to Jesse James Leija in San Antonio, TX. According to the boxing media, both men were considered fringe contenders and past their primes. It appeared as if the Lowell, Massachusetts, resident had something to prove in this fight after all.
When you think about it, every man has something to fight for; whether they do or not is the real question. Think about how different the recent history of boxing would be if Mickey Ward had decided that he really had nothing more to fight for on May 18th, 2002. What if Irish Mick had decided that the world of boxing wasn’t worth his heart, courage, and selflessness? What makes a prizefighter put his life on the line, fight after fight? Is it the thought of immortality through a truly memorable bout? Is it the endless glory that follows a truly classic performance which defies logic, yet defines bravery and valor? Whatever “it” is, it is becoming more scarce year after year in American boxing.
Too often are we, the lifeline of boxing, foolishly duped into believing that “this fight” will be different. This is the highly publicized and anticipated fight that will fulfill our heightened expectations…this will be the fight when an American fighter recaptures the imagination of the casual fan and inspires us. It was easy to believe that boxing was, for the first time in a while, on a roll and was going to come through with a great performance as advertised. On January 29th, 2011, we were all very disappointed boxing fans.
2010 had ended with a resounding bang, starting with the Argentine fighter Sergio Martinez’s “shot heard ‘round the world” on November 20th. “Maravilla” became an instant star and one of the most respected fighters in the sport, as a result of having the courage to stand in front of one of the best fighters on the planet and throw his home run punch. Martinez wasn’t thinking safety first in his fight versus the Punisher. If he had, the Argentine fighter would have probably lost the much anticipated rematch and his title of Middleweight King.
A week later, on an HBO triple-header, Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez turned back the clock and put forth an inspired effort against Australian toughman, Michael Katsidis. In this “fight of the year” candidate, JMM had to fight through the adversity of being floored by a perfect left hook in the 4th round of their fan pleasing slugfest. At the age of 37, Marquez showed not only the heart and courage to get up off of the canvas, but knocked out the younger opponent in the 9th round to retain his WBO and WBA Lightweight titles.
On December 11th, 2010, British fighter Amir Khan was defending his WBA Jr Welterweight title against the dangerous, hard-punching Marcos Maidana. Some members of the media felt that Khan was incapable of staring into the eyes of a legitimate puncher and coming out victorious. But, King Khan showed a true warrior’s mentality by “walking through fire” and winning a unanimous 12 round decision to retain his WBA title.
January 29th was supposed to be our turn. Two young American combatants were fighting for the WBC and WBO Jr Welterweight titles. This was supposed to be a sure fire winner. The aggressor versus the counterpuncher…the matador versus the bull…whatever you called it, “it” was supposed to show up on January 29th. But alas, the true spirit, or lack of, American boxing showed up and resulted in a lack-luster performance from both fighters. The HBO panel was trying to make excuses for the lack of action, but the boxing fans at home knew what they had just witnessed: Two American fighters, not trying to win, but trying not to lose, yet again.
American boxing comes from a proud lineage of brave and heroic fighters who captured the imagination of the American public and inspired us to greatness. By their examples, we learned that any adversity could be overcome through hard-work, grit, and determination. Joe Louis, by coming back from his devastating knockout loss to Max Schmeling, showed America how to react from failure. To never surrender is the American way. Joe Louis became the poster child for American tenacity. The late, great Joe Louis, rolled over in his grave last Saturday night.
Mickey Ward could have easily packed it in and prepared himself for retirement on May 18th, 2002. Why not? He was earning a paycheck regardless of what his performance looked like. The media had already counted him out of legitimate contention. He wasn’t fighting for a title. Mickey Ward realized something that most American athletes, in today’s sports world, don’t: Just because you can, doesn’t mean that you should. Irish Mick wasn’t about to give up for anything. He understood that being an American fighter meant something to so many people for so many years. He understood that he was merely standing on the shoulders of the great boxers who fought before him. Being an American prizefighter is a much grander concept than the idea of one’s own best interests.
That’s the moral dilemma that today’s U.S. pugilists face. The American fighter of today doesn’t recognize their responsibility. Until the American boxers of today understand that their performances affect the fighters of tomorrow, we will never inspire boxing greatness in this country again.
Memo to the American pugilist: Inspire us once again…we don’t request this of you, we expect this of you!!
O T H E R H A P P E N I N G S
Just a moment while I get down from my soapbox…Ok…that’s better.
I think that’s what makes this last Saturday so disappointing. There are no stellar match-ups until February 18th, when the “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire faces hard punching Fernando Montiel. I guarantee that in this bout, we won’t see an uninspired showing from either fighter. Don’t misunderstand me though…there is still great action this weekend and next.
Tonight on ESPN 2 is the best show on TV: Friday Night Fights. This week they are in Ft Worth, TX….you think it’s coincidental that ESPN is airing the show from Ft. Worth, which is a couple of minutes away from Dallas, TX, home of this year’s Superbowl? Anyway, this week’s main event should be a fun scrap. It’s Sergio “the Latin Snake” Mora versus Brian Vera. Both men made a name for themselves on the hit show The Contender, and should provide us with some very much needed action. On the undercard is Dallas, TX native Charles Hatley, a Welterweight or sometimes Jr Middleweight prospect who defeated the drunken master Emanuel Augustus in his last fight, who boasts a perfect record of 14-0 with 9KOs. He faces Jr Middleweight Chris Chatman. Chatman has a 9-1 record with 4 KOs; his only loss was to American hopeful Demetrius Andrade. It should prove to be an excellent night of boxing on ESPN.
Also on Showtime, Shobox is showcasing a doubleheader on Friday night. First bout is between two featherweights: Luis Franco 8-0 faces Leonilo Miranda 32-2, and in the main event, Cruiserweight Lateef Kayode (15-0 with 14 KOs) faces Nicholas Iannuzzi (16-1 with 9 KOs). Should be enough to temporarily quench our thirst for boxing.
R E A D E R M A I L B O X
Dear Joseph Herron,
Just read your article about the top ten greatest fights and knockouts of the turn of the century. Great article! Your articles give me a nostalgic feeling of classic writing, like during the Howard Cosell times! Your article was a great read, thanks! Your top ten list of greatest fights since the turn of the century brought back good memories, loved all of those fights, wish I could go back in time and watch them all again in “real time” live again…and I agree with your list. Coralles/Castillo and Diaz/JMM fights are my favorites on the list. The KO list was terrific also. I personally think the Sergio Martinez knockout of Paul Williams is the greatest KO in the history of boxing, most vicious KO I have ever witnessed…scary KO!
Joseph Herron, I have a question for you…I watched the Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley fight last Saturday, and was quite disappointed because I was hoping Alexander would win…so my question is, what do you think the future holds now for Devon Alexander? especially after losing his first professional fight ever, and losing it that way. Also, what do you predict in the near future for Timothy Bradley?
Thanks again for your top ten lists, your insightful article, and for your great style in writing!
Anthony from Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Thanks for writing, Anthony.
Wow…I’m very humbled by your kind words, and I’m pleased that you enjoyed my article. I had a lot of fun writing it. It really took me back to when I originally watched each bout. What’s amazing is that I can remember how much enthusiasm each one of those bouts gave me at the time…that they still give me, who am I kidding. I guess that was the point of the article…a kind of “time-capsule” piece for die-hard boxing fans, like me.
I agree with you about the Paul Williams knockout…it still is kind of hard to watch. It’s like a train wreck…It bothers you but you can’t turn away, can you? I honestly thought he was dead when I saw his eyes open, as he hit the canvas face first…brrrrr!! Still gives me chills just thinking about it.
Concerning the two fighters from last Saturday, It makes me wish, somewhat, that Andreas Kotelnik would have received the decision instead of Devon “The Green” Alexander back in August of 2010. Kotelnik/Bradley would have more than likely been a much more entertaining scrap than the bout we were forced to sit through. I feel that the stock of both fighters fell, Alexander’s more so than Bradley’s, and as a result I am not anxiously awaiting their next fights.
I would like to see, however, a Bradley/Maidana match-up or a Kotelnik/Bradley match-up…or even a Berto/Bradley match-up at 147. For some reason I get this feeling that a Bradley/Khan fight would disappoint all of us exactly like this past Saturday’s bout. Don’t really care to see it…maybe that’s the real reason why Arum cringed at the idea of both men fighting each other.
Alexander, judging by his last two performances, just isn’t ready for the elite of the division. I would like to see him face guys like Mauricio Herrera, Julio Diaz, or Paul McCloskey before jumping into the 140lb frying pan again.
Again, I am really glad that you appreciated my work. Thanks for reading.
As always, feel free to send your thoughts, questions, and ideas to herron.joseph2112@att.net
More next week…