They Got Them Moves Like "Money"

It is said that impersonation is the highest form of flattery. If this is true then it should come as no surprise why Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is so flattered by himself.  Many will argue Mayweather’s place among the all-time greats, but few, if any of those greats, have ever had their genius become a trend. Much like Michael Jackson’s Moonwalk, Elvis Presley’s gyrating hips, and James Brown’s, well, everything, Floyd Mayweather’s shoulder roll is all the rage. True, he didn’t invent the shoulder roll, just as Michael Jackson didn’t invent the Moonwalk, however, his utter perfection of it essentially makes it his, and from the looks of it he’s got fans, and I don’t mean we out of shape fanatics with Herculean internet courage, the fans I speak of are his fellow pugilists. It’s the famed Wanna Be Like Mike meme, only now, they Wanna Be Like Floyd, and this is no meme, it’s literal. Would be rivals and former rivals alike are paying homage to his Moneyness every time they step in the ring. Ricky Hatton, Zab Judah, even perpetual nemesis Oscar De La Hoya spent the latter part of his career in search of that Mayweather Mojo. That may explain their contentious relationship. I guess if you can’t beat him, be him. 

Like every fad or craze, there seems to always be a supposed heir apparent who appears to be as good as its originator. For Mayweather it is none other than his uber talented doppelganger, Adrien Broner, who, due to their deep and abiding bromance, refuses to entertain the slightest possibility of him getting in the ring with his mentor, save for a poor attempt at the Soul Train Line at the Mayweather Boxing Club. Thus, fight fans may have to wait until Floyd retires and passes the torch to his would be heir. Shame on us fight fans for expecting Broner to do what warriors and wanna be kings would do, stage a coup and take a swipe at the throne, not merely wait for his Highness to step down at his leisure. That’s the lot of a prince, a child, a little boy content to linger in the shadows, mimicking his Majesty and Master until the appointed time.  Strange, all this time I thought “if it makes dollars, it makes sense.” Can you honestly think of a bigger Pay Per View draw following the Saul Alvarez blockbuster that would make sense? This is prize fighting, and as his Moneyness is fond of saying, “if it ain’t about the money, then what’s it about then?” Hopefully, the bromance will be set aside, a faux Beef will ensue and they can get to the business of what will be good for both the sport and its fans, needless to say each fighter’s respective bottom line. 

I strongly suspect that despite his recent tribute to Floyd during his decisive victory versus Juan Manuel Marquez, where he employed the famed shoulder roll and dropped a few Mayweatheresque right hand counters, Timothy Bradley, Jr., will not be courting Money May for a bromance, vying for membership amongst the coveted Money Team. Bradley is all business and serious about ascending to the throne as his sport’s best. Considering his pristine record and abilities, we can only hope he is being heavily considered to help fill Mayweather’s contractual obligations, as oppose to the spectacle of Bernard Hopkins dropping nearly twenty pounds for a handsome pay day. For Timothy Bradley’s sake and ours, let’s just hope boss Arum shares his ambitions. Then again, the hungry champion could always stage a coup.

© 2013

*Available at Boxing.com

Sergey Kovelev: It Ain't Necessarily So

Photo by Scott Heavey

Power is king and the Knockout reigns supreme as the most definitive happening in all of sports. No touchdown, no home run, no hole in one or buzzer beating basket can compare to the concussive annihilation of one’s foe. As heavyweight great George Foreman articulated, “Boxing is the sport to which all other sports aspire.” So one can understand how our collective interests peak at the sight of a talent like Sergey Kovelev, even to the point of hyperbole. He who possesses high light reel power tends to be referred to in mythological terms. He and his abilities are exalted to ethereal status. Hence, power is king, better yet in the sport of boxing power is god. This is the buzz surrounding Sergey Kovelev and he’s smart enough to recognize it, which is why one would have to commend his efforts to learn English. He understands that if he can live up to the hype, he’s as good as gold and he’s going to want to communicate with the English-speaking world where his pot of gold lies. 

For the moment, Kovelev is all the rage, and the fury and the glory. As Max Kellermen and his cohorts would have us believe, as they have on so many occasions, with so many fighters that they’ve prematurely anointed in a desperate attempt to erect a star for their network, this guy is the most dangerous man in boxing. I’ve heard that tune and its remixes one too many times before, but, as the great George Gershwin penned for the conniving character, Sportin’ Life in the classic Porgy & Bess, “It Ain’t Necessarily So.” Indeed, Kovelev is a power puncher par excellence and purports himself with an aura of unwavering assurance in his abilities. He makes for good bar stool chatter and message board face offs, in addition to dutifully providing HBO with reel worthy footage. Thus, the cock sure Kovelev has given them something to believe in.  Rumor has it that the Superman, Adonis Stevenson may very well have found his Kryptonite and has opted to stay far, far away. At least this is what Max Kellermen would lead us to believe. And it looks as though Sergey has taken to his own hype, having even called out Super Middleweight King Pin and most observers second Pound for Pound boxer on the planet, Andre “S.O.G” Ward.

But, alas boxing always brings us back to the truth. No matter the hype, no matter the anxious zeal of a network, no matter what a fighter believes about himself, the truth will always find its way inside that squared circle. Power is king, but this is still the Sweet Science, and if one is going to be king he’d best acquire and understand the full arsenal of his trade. Sergey Kovelev’s ambitions are commendable, but he should be careful for what he wishes for.

© 2014

*Available at Boxing.com

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez Has Some Weighty Issues

Following his pugilistic master class at the hands of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez is set to return to the ring versus the dangerous, yet cement footed Alfredo Angulo. This event, whose promoters have the audacity to place on Pay Per View is far more hype than fight. The fact is, Saul Alvarez has absolutely no reason to lose vs. the formidable, yet battle worn Angulo. He is far more talented and unlike Angulo possesses more than one gear. Yet, is Alvarez serious? As the weigh in indicated "Canelo" failed to make weight, an "ailment" which seems to plague would be star fighters of late, most recently the talented, yet underachieving Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. Failure to make weight indicates that there's a strong possibility of conditioning woes, that will likely show up in the fight; and as gifted as Alvarez is, as seen in his contest with Austin Trout and Floyd Mayweather, the Mexican idol tends to lose steam in the late rounds. It will be interesting to see if Alvarez has merely outgrown his division or if he's legitimately out of shape. It is likely he's not as conditioned as he should be, even against a limited foe as Angulo. One wonders if he is taking this fight seriously. Is he more enamored with his celebrity then he is with the vocation which brought him to prominence? Boxing, like circus is a "jealous wench" as Henry Ringling North once quipped. It demands your full attention and will not, under any circumstances play the side piece. This is "Canelo's" opportunity to assert himself as elite or just a matinee idol with a punch. Judging by his failure to make weight, it may take him sometime before he understands the difference.

© 2014

Marcos "El Chino" Maidana: The Right Choice

 “All roads lead to Mayweather,” his Moneyness is fond of saying. The road trekked by Marcos Maidana has been long and hard, featuring crushing disappointments and inspiring, even surprising triumphs. His story reads like a Hollywood script. A rough and rugged Argentine fighter who spends years trudging and struggling in obscurity is suddenly thrust into the spotlight courtesy of murderous power in both hands and an unearthly toughness that would make the late great Arturo Gatti blush; and just like a Tinseltown scribe would pen, that long, hard and brutal road leads to the biggest name in sports and the greatest boxer of the age, Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Jr.

No matter what the cynics spew this fight makes the most sense in every conceivable way. First, Marcos Maidana is the right choice and very much deserves this shot. True, others like Erislandy Lara and Danny Garcia have definitely scored performances worthy of a dance with Floyd, but, let’s keep it real Marcos Maidana is simply the better story, he has more than paid his dues, in addition to posting those huge and unexpected wins. Maidana was not even in the conversation a year ago as a potential foe for Mayweather. That in and of itself is astounding. He got to this point legitimately, no promotional hype needed, just his fists. Second, thanks in large part to Marcos Maidana’s last performance and of course, Mayweather’s star power, particularly his ability to seduce his many detractors into dropping that hefty Pay Per View fee in hopes of him losing, this will likely rank among one of Mayweather’s greatest Pay Per View events. It reeks of that feel good, underdog tale fight fans and mainstream fans the world over can’t get enough of. The stoic, hard luck journey man done-good, versus the very embodiment of American brash and excellence. Lest we forget, Mayweather himself has traveled an arduous road of his own, and despite his renowned swagger, braggadocio and wealth, he approaches his craft as one with everything to lose. Finally, Maidana brings a dangerous presence that belies his record. He’s not built to merely fade away even against the wondrous ability of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. This will be a fight worth watching and its questions are glaringly obvious. What happens if Mayweather feels Maidana’s power? What happens when Maidana realizes Mayweather is not Broner, he’s the original make and model? Speaking of the once heir apparent, Adrien Broner, news of El Chino’s big break appears to pose a problem (pun intended). Win or lose, especially win, redemption vs. Marcos Maidana is out of the question, all thanks to his idol.

May 3^rd and the events leading to it are bound to generate the excitement expected of a Mayweather fight; and whatever the outcome, Marcos Maidana’s hard fought journey proves that sometimes good guys do finish first and in this case, might even win. Now that would certainly be the stuff of a Hollywood ending.

© 2014

Timothy Bradley: Got to Give it Up

       

What a difference a win makes. Following his early Christmas gift last June 2012 via blind judges versus Manny Pacquiao, Timothy Bradley was boxing's pariah. Two solid victories later and his name is being tossed around to fill Floyd Mayweather, Jr.'s contract obligations; and rightfully so. Bradley is the real thing, occasionally reckless, but when he wants to be, thus far he has been unstoppable. Unfortunately, Bradley has aligned himself with Mayweather nemesis, Bob Arum, thus, a showdown with Mayweather, Jr., though deserved is likely to never come to fruition, as the Hall of Fame promoter has become fond of protecting his fighters from Mayweather. Time will tell if Tim Bradley is as bull stubborn as he likes to portray himself and awaken to the reality that unless he dumps Arum, he'll never get near his Moneyness and his own stated mission to be recognized as the world's #1 boxer will be deferred. However, Floyd or no Floyd, Timothy Bradley has options and they're plentiful and competitive.

         Tonight after a clear and decisive victory over the great Juan Manuel Marquez, even amongst the jeers of the pro Marquez crowd, Tim Bradley has got to be given his just due. Then again, that kind of thing might do more harm than good, as it seems the Desert Storm draws his formidable drive from the naysayers, doubters, haters. As of this evening, Timothy Bradley is, in my humble opinion among the top Pound for Pound boxers on the planet.

© 2013

A Day At The Romanza

Recently I journeyed to the legendary Romanza Gym in Mexico City. A modest facility, equipped with the bare basics for building some of Mexico's finest pugilists. Heavy bags, speed bags, and a ring, with coaches like the passionate, yet gentile Oscar Ortiz aka Tin Tan shouting instructions, conducting mitt work, keeping time for a sparring session and even finding a moment to offer guests his philosophy regarding the Sweet Science. An obvious dynamo of multi tasking, Ortiz believes deeply in the life lessons of boxing. "We're not bums...this sport is not about two guys trying to kill each other." The truth of that is felt and seen immediately upon entering this quaint pugilistic haven. The decorum of the great Romanza Gym is its spirit. Knowing that you are in the very place where champions like Ricardo Lopez and Juan Manuel Marquez, among others, were molded under the masterful tutelage of Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain gives one a holy reverence for the ground for which you stand. For it is in the most humble and modest of places where greatness is conceived, born, honed and at the proper time, exalted.

The great error of the present age, bemoaned by many, is the seemingly approved dismissal or shunning of the process of excellence. No one has to be tested or proven. Anyone, as is supposedly evidenced by the milieu of reality television shows, is entitled to the spoils of success once reserved for those who paid the steep bounty via their blood, sweat, and tears. Sacrifice is an oddity, even an offense. There as I stood on the hallow ground of the Romanza Gym, it was clear, enveloped in a merciless cauldron of thrust, grunts, and corse, yet, sage exhortations demanding perfection from every single participant, be they novice or champion, that the shallow ideal of the age had yet to reach the legendary gym and its occupants.

My compadres and I were hoping to get a glimpse of the great Juan Manuel Marquez, training for his upcoming clash with the formidable Timothy Bradley. The Romanza Gym is where the Mexican great was reared and where he continues to train, despite his Hall of Fame credentials, yet, another testament to the significance of this pugilistic sanctuary. Unfortunately, seeing the great Marquez never materialized. However, I'd like to think this may have very well been a good thing. A star of such massive appeal, in that setting, would have likely caused one to miss out on the budding stars and otherwise captivating nuggets that orbit such a place. "Star" struck, I would have likely missed an encounter with an up and coming talent from the States who has made Romanza his new home, as he prepares to re emerge with a vengeance upon the ranks, despite, according to him, having once made The Mayweather Boxing Club his mainstay. We would have missed the Femme Fatales sweating it out with as much grit and grace as the hombres. Most regrettable would have been us missing out on a young charge who not only packs a wallop, but one of the most beautiful voices I've ever encountered. It was a sudden beckoning which stopped everyone cold - fighters, coaches and guest a like. It was the voice of Cainn Cruz. I suggest you look him up via YouTube. He's going to be a star. There it was two of my favorite past times, music and the Sweet Science, embodied in this one beautiful child. A bold endeavor indeed. For any serious musician or pugilist will concede that their respective crafts are very jealous.

I wish the young Mr. Cruz much success in his pursuits, but more importantly, I thank him and his fellow fighters at the Romanza Gym for reminding me the that despite the climate of the present culture, the proper pursuit of excellence is always en vogue.

© 2013

Adrien "The Problem" Broner: Do You Want the Keys to the Throne?

"DanielSan never fought Mr. Miyagi." Those were the disparaging words of none other than Floyd "Money" Mayweather after imploring the media not to encourage an encounter with boxing's latest phenomenon, Adrien "The Problem" Broner. This Saturday, June 22nd Broner steps up two weight classes to face the verbally infectious Paulie Malignaggi for the WBA Welterweight title; and by this time tomorrow barring the coming of the Lord, I largely suspect Broner will be the newly crowned WBA Welterweight Champion.

Interesting, "Mr. Miyagi" resides at 147lbs. and has five bouts to fulfill his obese contract with Showtime, after which his Moneyness has declared will conclude his stellar career. The question I have and I am sure fight fans will especially be buzzing about this time tomorrow, assuming Paulie Malignaggi doesn't suddenly discover how to fight with both hands, is "Does Broner want the keys to the throne? Or Will 'DanielSan' obey Sensei Miyagi and merely wait his turn as Massa Mayweather takes his rather expensive victory lap? I am not a member of the press nor of the infamous Money Team, thus, "Mr. Miyagi's" pleas do not pertain to me. By trade I am a rabble rouser. My profession requires that I be a catalyst for the impossible, the daring, even the absurd. In that respect I am merely doing my job.

Rarely has boxing been gifted this kind of potential crossroads moment, where the universally recognized kingpin of the sport, still equipped with his faculties and abilities, is on a collision course with a young, primed upstart, who many say is a younger version of himself. Joe Louis was long past his prime when he was eviscerated by Rocky Marciano's right hand. By the time Muhammed Ali squared off against Larry Holmes he wasn't even a shell of himself. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is still fresh and dangerous. A showdown with the young and viciously skilled Adrien Broner would be exceedingly beneficial for combatants, fans, and the sport. Everything from the promotion to the actual showdown itself will not merely resurrect the sport, but cause it to ascend to heavenly heights putting it center stage in the sports universe and Pop culture at large, particularly Hip Hop culture. I will dare say that its significance could easily match that of Muhammed Ali and the late great Joe Frazier's first encounter. The question however is simple, does Adrien Broner want the keys to the throne? No one doubts Broner is destined for a Hall of Fame career, barring some unforeseen misfortune inside the ropes or uncheck self destructive habits outside the squared circle. The question is how does Broner wish to ascend that throne? Does he snatch the keys or do as he's been told...wait? "The Problem's" answer will determine future events within the sport, assuming Mayweather does away with four of his next five foes, saving the best for last, Adrien Broner.

The assumed obstacle to all this is the fact that both Mayweather and Broner are managed by the brilliant Al Haymon. But, as the Holy Bible declares, "...money answers all things." Boxing and much of life in America has a way of adjusting for big numbers and a Mayweather vs. Broner scrap will without question generate some seriously huge numbers. It doesn't matter that the mainstream fan may not have a clue who Broner is. Once upon a time they hadn't a clue who Floyd Mayweather was either. However, television is magic and has a way of converting the obscure into the omnipresent. Broner, like Mayweather is blessed with the kind of personality that will indeed cause you to love him or hate him, either way you're going to watch him. The verbal sparring that such an event would encourage is  Reality TV gold, needless to say, it would be Al Haymon's managerial coronation. What better way for Mayweather to punctuate an already glorious career then to do away with his assumed heir? What better way for Broner to ascend boxing's Pound for Pound throne and usher in his own reign then giving the smack down to an all time great of Mayweather's caliber? It takes two to tangle, but it takes one to instigate. Yo, Adrien, do you want the keys to the throne?!

© 2013

*Ecclesiastes 10:19