And They All Came Tumbling Down

One by one it seems, the very ones billed to be boxing's savior(s) have all of a sudden, like the myths that they were, disappeared into thin air. For the past few years we were told or sold (however you look at it) the notion that Antonio Margarito was the "Most Dangerous Man in Boxing," only to find out we'd been had by none other than the man who conjured the myth of Antonio Margarito, Bob Arum. You're good, Bobby, oh so good. And it didn't hurt to have your blathering chorus line at HBO echoing you either. Indeed, Antonio Margarito makes for great television: the size, the granite chin and that stubborn will which seems to be the calling card for all Mexican prizefighters. Couple this with the Arum razzle dazzle and the public bought it hook, line, and sinker...on dry land. There has never been anything in Margarito's career, save for Arum's imagination, to even warrant such exaltation. And with sorely mediocre outings post the hand wrap scandal, fan or not, one must be honest and question the validity of anything he has ever done. Margarito might very well be the welterweight version of Primo Carnera. For sure the pride of Tijuana is not the only fighter in modern times to receive such unwarranted adulation. As if a domino affect is at hand, merely a week following Antonio Margarito's bludgeoning courtesy of a man he out weighed by nearly 20 pounds, Paul "The Punisher" Williams, considered by the chorus line at HBO to be "The Most Avoided Man in Boxing," would find himself the victim of this year's front runner for Knockout of the Year. Jermaine "Bad Intentions" Taylor,  who was granted a figurative red carpet into the professional ranks, seems lately to be looking for an exit, following consecutive knock out loses. In the sport's much understood desperation to find a charismatic American heavyweight, because Lord knows those cerebral Eastern Europeans ain't cutting it (although they do win), like a lamb led to the slaughter, Cristabol Areola was actually put forth as America's best hope. He's now fighting on ESPN2.

What each and everyone of these fighters have in common is that they are all fundamentally incomplete, despite their natural gifts. Who doesn't marvel at Margarito's and William's grit? Who can't appreciate Taylor's piston like jab or Areola's power? Yet, even a genius must acquire technical mastery or that which makes that genius so special will eventually betray him. Margarito's grit may make for a great highlight reel, but, had he learned to bob and weave, perfect his jab, acquire some balance and coordination, he and his handlers might never have had to demean themselves by resorting to less than sportsman like tactics. Paul Williams, a near freak of nature, who is blessed with a toughness that belies his wiry frame, might want to consider fighting like he is the bigger man, as opposed to placing himself within range of most of his shorter opponents. Especially when you consider the fact that he has a nasty habit of leaning in when he punches, while his defensive hand hangs notoriously low. A smart fighter might just time him coming in and....wait that already happened. Let's hope the lesson has been learned. Taylor's fundamentals and conditioning might just be too far gone to grant him any significant change from this point. Even after his close victories over Bernard Hopkins, I always thought it best for the Arkansas star to take a good year off and connect with the likes of a Bouie Fisher and retool, it has been done by other fighters, think Marco Antonio Barrera. Cristobal Areola by his own admission is a testament to the jealous nature of the Sweet Science. No matter how gifted you are, a complete commitment to the craft is not an option, it is a requirement. In addition to his absolute lack of defense, telegraphed right hand (also a famous Jermaine Taylor flaw), Areola's lack of discipline has become a visual study in what not to do, if you're going to succeed in the sport.

Indeed, these fighters have enjoyed some measure of success. No way could they get this far if they did not possess something special. In my humble opinion for anyone to enter the prize fighting profession and make  even a minimal name for themselves is an accomplishment in and of itself. No sport, I repeat, no sport exacts more from you than that of prize fighting. You play soccer, you play basketball, you don't play pugilism. Thus, in that spirit the trainers, the promoters, the managers, and networks should not "play" with the careers of these fighters. If the goal is for the fighter to have a career that doesn't end him then it would behoove all concerned to not exact premature demands from that fighter. Perhaps all concerned might very well take a lesson from the handlers of Super Middleweight Champion Andre "S.O.G" Ward. Critics from every corner of the sport paned them for being "too careful" with their charge. At the time of this blog's publication, that "careful" fighter remains undefeated and is far and away the leader and break out star of Showtime's Super Six Tournament. Let the lesson be learned, greatness must be groomed.

© 2010