Introducing Sparkle Lee

"Reet petit the finest girl you ever want to meet..." howled the great Jackie Wilson. Upon first glance, the diminutive beauty might send most men into a tizzy. She emits charm as effortlessly as breathing; and when she flashes that dimple-laced smile you'll find yourself completely defenseless. Her grace is so illuminating it follows her inside the most treacherous arena in all of sports. Even Larry Merchant found himself captivated by her. Gushed the legendary commentator: "She moves like a dancer..." However, when it comes to Sparkle Lee, the adage "don't judge a book by its cover" rings vibrantly true.
Born and raised in Harlem, Sparkle could scrap with a zeal that belied her girlscout manner. "I have a twin sister who would get picked on a lot. So whenever someone wanted to fight her, they got me instead," she laughs. "Believe it or not I was a huge wrestling fan." That was until one fateful night at Madison Square Garden when, she says, "I discovered it was just 'entertainment.' I was devastated"- and like a jilted lover she strayed into the arms of another, the sweet science. "I was hooked..." and the rest is history, literally.

In 1998 she became the first woman to officiate in the New York Golden Gloves. In 2001 she became the first woman licensed by the New York State Athletic Commission, and in 2007 she became the first woman licensed to officiate in New Jersey. Almost sounds like a fairytale , but like many participants in this business her road was hardly paved with yellow bricks. Initially, she set out to become a fighter. However, being a single mother of three would make it impossible for her to meet the demands of a boxing career. Instead she joined the New York Police Department and spent twenty years patrolling some of the city's most notorious neighborhoods. But neither her love for the sport nor her desire to participate in it would ever diminish. A member of the USA Boxing Federation since 1983, she'd been judging amateur bouts for quite some time. Then, in 1991, she decided to reenter the squared circle, in a capacity not often occupied by a woman. "Obviously, there were naysayers who had their own issues with women being in authority." She discovered that attitude resonated inside the ring as well. "My first time out was rough. I got no respect from the fighters."

However, this fall, as she officiated for Abner Mares vs. Damian Marchiano in her HBO debut, Sparkle was anything but that bumbling amateur official grappling for "respect." "She's very strong," lauded Larry Merchent. "She doesn't overuse her authority." Interestingly enough, Ms. Lee had no idea she was officiating for Mares-Marchiano until she arrived at the venue. "I couldn't believe it. I was so excited, I started texting my kids," she laughs. "But, I was ready. I felt great that night." That focus and readiness is a testament to her unwavering commitment to her craft. "I'm in the gym five days a week. I'm always learning. I never want to allow myself to get comfortable, because when you think you know, you don't."

Listening to Sparkle talk about the sport she loves is inspiring, much like hearing someone talk about a new love , and like someone rapturously in love, she hardly gives a second thought to the negative things she's encountered. "Genereally, I have been very well received in this sport. Obviously I feel the pressures of often being the only woman in the ring. Believe me, I've had some outrageous things said to me during fights, but I won't give anyone an excuse to say I don't belong here. I've come too far to allow others to define me. I didn't set out to become the 'first female' anything," she says. "I just love this sport." The budding deaconness goes on to profess the greatest joy of her endeavors. "I love the fact that what I'm doing just might be an inspiration to someone who might be watching me. God doesn't give you blessings to hoard, but for your cup to overflow and bless others."

These days Sparkle Lee's cup is indeed overflowing. She's come a long way since the days when her dreams had to take a backseat to obligation. Now she radiates with pride, haveing raised three college-educated children; and this fall she became a grandmother for the very first time. "I've officiated over some of the toughest fighters in the world, but babysitting my grandson wipes me out," she laughs. "I love that my family is able to share this dream with me. This would have been impossible and worthless without their support."

© 2008

Originally published in BOXING DIGEST - April 2008

Tommy Morrison: Will The Band Play On?

 “Listen, it’s quiet isn’t it1?” This was the question posed by the fictional Apollo Creed to his nemesis Rocky Balboa still reeling from a brutal knockout at the hands of the menacing Clubber Lang. Humiliated, Balboa quietly decided to retire. One somber day in 1996 a budding heavyweight star, who acted opposite Sylvester Stallone in the fifth installment of the famous Rocky franchise, stood before a legion of flashing cameras and anxious scribes and announced anything but a quiet exit from the sport. Tommy David Morrison, known to the boxing world as, Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, (a moniker in tribute to his supposed granduncle, the legendary Hollywood icon John Wayne) was an Oklahoma native blessed with matinee idol looks, substantial boxing ability, including a murderous left hook and a promising and lucrative future, but days before his fight with Arthur Weathers, the once legitimate White Hope tested positive for HIV. By his own admission, Morrison had more than indulged his appetites amid the spoils often afforded world class athletes, the most coveted of all being sexual excess. Five years earlier, the sports world was equally devastated by a similar disclosure by none other than basketball great Ervin “Magic” Johnson. A cautionary tale Morrison obviously ignored.

In the immediate aftermath of these revelations, Johnsons’s in particular, the press, elected officials, and the public engaged in an emotionally driven dialogue and campaign surrounding the matter of HIV/AIDS. Schools across the country enhanced or incepted Sex Education programs to address the situation head on. Programs included the famous Magic Johnson and Arsenio Hall video, plays, lectures and the controversial distribution of condoms to school children.  An entire industry blossomed around HIV/AIDS. Oscar winning films such as “Philadelphia,” hit songs and music videos were in heavy rotation, the musical “Rent” ruled Broadway and HIV/AIDS charities came out of every corner. And with breakthroughs in medical treatment and management of the virus, extending the life span of HIV/AIDS sufferers, the very stigma that once shadowed so many, like Lightweight Champion Esteban de Jesus, the first to best the legendary Roberto Duran, was virtually stalled. This was now the Post Magic Johnson era of HIV/AIDS when we discovered compassion.

But, alas, like Seasons, such moments always pass and their lessons go unheeded. Lifestyles of the reckless and famous, the infamous, and even the not so famous and reckless continues, as we gleefully applaud an obvious crisis, as if we’ve entered a disease free Utopia. Not so, according to the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention well over 20 million new cases of STD’s (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) are reported annually. Their studies show that there is an estimated 110 million known cases of STD’s in the United States, which is an estimated burden of $16 billion in medical cost. It’s 2013 and the band still plays on.  Even with the accessibility of contraception, numerous individuals including many of our most revered athletic stars mistake the adage “it takes a village…” to mean, “let’s make a village.” Fathering multitudes of children with multiple women is not only an ill regard for the children bred, but, the very sanctity of ones own health.  Unfortunately, far too many lives, enveloped by excess and abandoned by self-control reflect the sentiment of the Proverbs: “And you mourn at last, when your flesh and your body are consumed, and say: ‘How I hated instruction and my heart despised correction!1’” 

“Listen, it’s quiet isn’t it? The tragedy of the recent passing of Tommy Morrison, at the young age of 44, wasn’t his death or the complete obscurity he fell into following that dreaded diagnosis for which he himself did not want to acknowledge. It’s the quiet, the apathy that has become far too common. It’s the quiet that has no place in the sports community at this hour. The story of Tommy Morrison and other athletes, who have paid and are paying the steep price of excess, ought not be quiet but echo through out every locker room and gym. The lives of Morrison and others should become standard points among every scout, coach, manager, agent, and parent. For it is well known that our champions have long been ill equipped to handle the allure and trappings of a high profile existence and therefore, are in need of a community whose concern for them exceeds their ability to post great stats, garner ratings or throw concussive left hooks, but nurture and protect them, especially from themselves.

© 2013

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1 Rocky III

1 Proverbs 5:11-12

http://www.boxing.com/tommy_morrison_will_the_band_play_on.html

ROCKY On Broadway is a TKO: Theatrical Knock Out

 I admit it, when the idea to bring the story of the fabled Italian Stallion to the Great White Way was announced the cynic in me howled bloody murder.  It was enough that the zenith of the theatrical universe has become a Disney playground and thus opened the door to a slew of pop culture favorites designed solely for their marketability as oppose to their theatrical credibility. Never in all my life have I gladly eaten crow.  Rocky on Broadway is a must see.

The artistry of the creative team, led by director Alex Timbers that brought the tale of the Philly slugger to the stage was just as captivating as the actors themselves.  An argument can be made that the set, designed by Chris Barreca might very well be the star of the show.  Of all the theatrical experiences I’ve known, few have ever brought the audience into the world it attempts to convey like Rocky and the very mobile, well choreographed, finely constructed set which includes those famous stairs Rocky ascends, literally draws you in. You can almost smell the stench of Mickey’s Gym, dressed to the nines, surrounded by stunning beauties and posh digs, you have no doubt that Apollo Creed is the Heavyweight Champion of the world, Rocky’s training sequence is as galvanizing as it is on celluloid and the climatic championship fight between Creed and Balboa evoked one of the most frenzied exaltations from a theater audience I’ve ever seen. We were at a fight. From the commentators positioned on a giant screen, to the ring announcer to the first four rows of the audience being ushered on stage to sit “at ringside,” to the fighters’ respective and flamboyant ring walks, to the ring being positioned in the audience to the meticulously choreographed fight itself, with Ring card girls, frantic corner men and “blood” Rocky on Broadway delivers a TKO: Theatrical Knock Out. 

Much like the fight game timing is everything. This theatrical event, as lyrical as the story of Rocky is, would not be possible with out the accessibilities of today’s technology.  Yet, much like the original story the heart and soul are its characters.  To take on such a universally recognized icon such as Rocky Balboa is a mammoth undertaking and Andy Karl pulls it off brilliantly.  Not to be out done is Margo Seibert who completely embodies Adrian. She floored the audience with one of the show’s most soul stirring selections, “I’m Done,” where she famously let’s Paulie have it after he attempts to ruin their Christmas in one of his famous, jealous, drunken stupors. Other endearing scenes include the duet, “The Flip Side,” between Rocky and Adrian during their first date at the ice skating rink and Rocky’s rousing “Fight From the Heart.” That one was so inspiring I bought the $15 mug that read “Fight From the Heart” at the concession stand. 

Rocky triumphs in every conceivable aspect, in particular, it reminds us once again and quite emphatically, that boxing is alive and well.  Run don’t walk to a Knock out night of theater.

©  2014

*Available at Boxing.com

http://www.boxing.com/rocky_on_broadway.html

There's Something About Marcos Maidana

"Don't write checks, your ass can't cash," goes the adage. Such was the case for Adrien "The Problem" Broner vs. Argentine strongman Marcos "El Chino" Maidana, who clearly and brutally solved The Problem. For someone touted as the heir apparent, Broner was never, ever in a position to pull off what everyone, obviously except Maidana, thought would be his coming out party. It was more like an exposition. On paper, Maidana had no business winning this fight, needless to say by unanimous decision. But, boxing is a strange sport. You can always expect the unexpected. Broner like Naseem Hamed was exposed as nothing more than hype. Obviously he's talented. You don't win three titles in three weight classes and not have some substance. However, the whispers were in the air as late as his previous fight with Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi. "Where's the power at Welterweight...He doesn't look as effective at the weight...he doesn't seem as explosive vs. elite competition." However, the character outside the ring eclipsed the whispers: the rapper, amateur porn star, and world-class antagonizer became bigger and it appears, far more groomed than the fighter. Boxing is a jealous sport and if you desire to be a showman, you better be on your game. There in lies the difference between Mr. Broner and his "big brother," Floyd Mayweather. For all his braggadocio and bombast, Mayweather is clear that he is a boxer first. 

There’s something about Marcos Maidana. At first sight there’s seemingly nothing special about him and no reason he should be as far along as he is. No frills, no extravagance, stoic to the core, as real as they come, not a tinge of hype. Perhaps that's his magic. Perhaps that's how he seduces these budding superstars to see him merely as a stepping-stone. He draws them in only to find they're in a struggle with an immovable mountain. He was suppose to be Victor Ortiz' warm up act, instead it set his career ablaze. He was suppose to be Adrien Broner's entry into the big time, but, alas Maidana, not Broner found himself elevated. In the talent latent Welterweight division, Maidana stands firmly among the divisions best; and he did it the old fashion way. No head games, no sex tapes, no rap albums, just an unapologetic commitment to craft. Maybe good guys do finish first.

© 2013

*Available at Boxing.com

The Most Feared Man In Boxing?

Photo by Tom Casino

 I’ve never been one for memes. I’ve always been of the belief that they were designed to tap into the sheep in us all. The fight game and its personalities, like Hall of Fame promoters, Bob Arum and Don King, have effectively utilized memes to arouse interest, even massive mainstream interest in their promotions and for their fighters, leading us like sheep to message boards to corroborate or dispute claims made by such Svengalis, even managing to seduce an expert talking head or two. We all remember when Antonio Margarito was The Most Feared Man In. We all remember and some of us bleated our support or ire on those famous message boards; and we were in great company as some of the sport’s most noted experts bleated along, particularly those affiliated with HBO Boxing. However, I think it’s safe to say that the commentators of HBO Boxing uttered far more than the sheepish bleats of the masses, rather the knee slapping, Holy Ghost, speaking in tongue affirmations of conspiring Deacons, as the very Reverend Rabbi Arum spun his own brand of gospel. But, alas the illusion of the Mexican powerhouse, known as the Tijuana Tornado came crumbling down, much like the Plaster of Paris spotted in his hand wraps courtesy of, Brother Naazim Richardson, who just as he had when Bernard Hopkins faced off against Puerto Rican icon, Felix “Tito” Trinidad, was able to spot something rather peculiar and as we would later learn unsavory about the hand wrapping method’s of his fighter’s foe (at the time Richardson was training Sugar Shane Mosley); and like Trinidad, Margarito’s manufactured invincibility would take a vividly mortal turn, rightfully calling into question the validity of past victories and the inspiration for the gospel according to the good Rev. Rabbi Arum. The wizard had drawn back the curtain or in this case showed his hands and revealed a ridiculously average fighter for all to see.

One of the greatest of all memes hammered into our innocent imaginations as children, “if you work hard and do a great job, success is inevitable.” Maybe, dad and mom should have warned, “that pertains to all save for prize fighters.” The sport of boxing is littered with “He could have been…” tales of fighters revered by their peers and feared by their peers’ handlers. Wondrous wizards of their crafts relegated to the “Risk too high, reward too low” class, whose unforgivable sin was their inability to get noticed by the public. If not for his dogged determination to not allow, then boxing superstar Felix Trinidad, guided by Don King to skip past the Middleweight division collecting a meaningless strap, full steam ahead toward a showdown with then Pound for Pound King, Roy Jones, Jr. Bernard Hopkins would have been long forgotten.    

Cuba’s masterful Erislandy Lara could use some of that dogged determination right about now because as it stands right now despite his stellar record, sound skills and recent and impressive outings versus the formidable Austin Trout whom he dominated effortlessly and the menacing Alfredo Angulo, against whom he displayed epic heart having been dropped twice, only to come back and end matters via a TKO, Lara’s promoters seem either inadequate or uninterested in assuring their gifted and exciting charge be recognized by the boxing press and public as a logical and legitimate opponent in a major showdown with the stars in or round his weight class.

No one denies the prize in prize fighting, so when Saul “Canelo” Alvarez opted for a match up with the worn Alfredo Angulo, fiscally who could blame him? However, a victory over Angulo at this stage of his career adds nothing to further Alvarez’ legacy, save for high light reel immortality.  Sergio Martinez, now in the twilight of his career is likely looking to cash out. The conveniently talented Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. seems more content with enjoying the spoils his name affords him, as oppose to maximizing his potential. Manny Pacquiao is in the midst of reestablishing himself and cannot afford the risk. Besides, it won’t help those massive tax debts. We get it, Floyd: “if it don’t make dollars it don’t make sense.”  But at least for credibility sakes, Lara should not be missing from anyone’s short list as to fighters who could conceivably fill one of those remaining spots on the Money’s contract.  Bottom line, Erislandy Lara is The Most Feared Man in Boxing and that’s no meme, just the truth. The most concentrated talents in the sport reside between 140 and 154lbs., particularly at 147, and yet, it’s becoming increasingly obvious that Lara is the guy to be avoided, unless it is unavoidably necessary. Perhaps Lara is his own worst enemy. He’s highly skilled, dangerous, and worst of all nobody knows him. He’s high risk, low reward. Much like the avoided greats of yesteryear, Lara will have to just keep to the business of winning and hope someone at Golden Boy Promotions will come down with a severe case of Barnumesque genius to arouse the interest of us sheep for a fighter who desperately deserves the hype and a few big dances.

© 2013

*Available at Boxing.com