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

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