Boxing: Champs corner

Hello fight fans! As I have said before, boxing takes one step forward, and two steps back. Why?

The disgraceful act of James Butler was inexcusable. I screamed at the television when I saw it. I have never seen anything like that before.

Richard Grant had embarrassed Butler again, outboxing him and making Grant look like the one punch wonder that he is.

Then the unthinkable happened. Grant, who had won the fight, went to congratulate the loser. He extended his hand and wham, he was sucker punched by a thug, a punk.

Unbelievable!

James Butler is a gutless coward who should be banned from boxing and put in jail. We need to make an example out of this man. (I use that term loosely.)

Worse, it was premeditated, as Butler had a while to think about it. That makes it even more despicable.

If it was in the heat of battle, immediately, it would have been wrong, but a case could have been made. This idiot had time to think about it, plan it out in his pea brain, and then act.

Inexcusable.

Some have tried to make it a racial issue. I can't see that. Both men are African-American.

When I saw the incident, I didn't think white or black. I thought what an animal. I could care less if he was black, white, red, blue, purple or yellow. That act was vial, and Butler needs to be taken cared of. It overshadowed a great night, and a great night of boxing. It was for the victims of another vial act, September 11th.

Thank you James Butler for ruining a great night with your actions. You have given the bullets to the critics who hate boxing.

Just one week after a great night of boxing as Lewis regained his belts, I see this unspeakable act on ESPN and other stations. This is the kind of coverage boxing doesn't need. And I thought Bob Papa and Teddy Atlas's commentary was fine. They were thinking what most of us were. I hope Richard Grant is ok. That there are no long term effects. I see a good lawsuit here.

One last thought. Isn't it funny how Zab Judah, Butler and Tyson are from the same area. Things that make you go hmmmmmm...

Speaking of the new champ...

Lennox Lewis, I am still amazed people bet Rahman. Of course, people bet on Zab Judah as well. I still see the preview of the fight on the PPV channel. Funny stuff. Lennox Lewis was born to be champion. For seven months it was weird not seeing the Brit with the title. Rahman is back in the journeyman pool, while Lewis is looking to cement his legacy. Things are back to normal. Tyson, hopefully, will be next for the champ.

It looks like Tyson will fight Merciless Ray Mercer in January. Don't count on it. Although Sarge is shot, he still has a good chin. It is a risky fight for Tyson. So it probably won't happen. Or, if it does, look for Sarge to be paid off to take a dive.

I still don't think the Lewis-Tyson fight will happen, no matter what Tyson says. Like I have said before, he wanted no part of Lennox Lewis then and I'm more sure he wants no part of Lewis now. I will believe it when I see them in the ring.

Interesting fights this week on HBO. Fres Oquendo vs David Izon and Lance Whitaker vs Jameel McCline. Not pay per view material, but intriguing none the less. I like Izon over Fres. I think Izon is old, but can beat the no chinned Oquendo. In the other bout, take Goofi over McCline. Looks like Whitaker is coming into his own. Again these bouts could go both ways, so beware. Even fights are hard to predict.

Julio Cesar Chavez won on Saturday night. Big deal. He beat a 37-year old union laborer who was fat and unknown. It must have been like old times for Chavez, reminding him of the days he used to beat up on unknown taxi cab drivers from Tijuana. He wants to fight two more fights. He even brought up Kostya Tszyu name. I really wish Julio would quit, before he is injured or embarrassed again. He is tarnishing his legacy.

I will remember the great Chavez, of course, but I will also be reminded of his quitting against Delahoya, his loss to Kostya Tszyu and Willy Wise. It's human nature though. We remember the last things we see. I'm afraid it will take a serious beatdown to get through to Julio, ala Terry Norris-Sugar Ray Leonard. This goes for not only Chavez but for all other old fighters. Fighters like Evander Holyfield.

I will preview the illegitimate WBA title match next week. Boy I cant wait for this bout. This is a farce, a joke. Not just this fight but the WBA in general. I could care less about this match, but betting wise it has some value.

Johnny Ruiz is a live dog. I would even venture to say a lock. I made a grave mistake betting an old and shot Holyfield. I won't make the same mistake again. The public has always bet Holyfield, ala Tyson. The price on Holy is dropping, which means you will get good odds on John. Perhaps 2-1.

People are living in the past with Evander. (Same with Tyson.) Look for Ruiz to knock out Holyfield this time, perhaps early. Holy is shot. There will be no warrior-like comebacks here. Only a cruel reminder of how boxing is a unforgiving sport, even to a legend like Holyfield.

Ruiz will put him out to pasture. We all know who the real champ is. The linear champ. He is Lennox Lewis. Lewis would destroy both Holy and Louise, perhaps on the same night.

That's it fight fans! Keep your hands up and keep punching for the stars!