Boxing: Champs Corner

Hello fight fans!

After a long time off (again) I am back on the scene. Good for some, not so for others. What happened?

After getting numerous emails and calls, I can only say that well, boxing has really been horrible in the last year or so. Not that many good fights, and well, it makes one "lazy." Also "burnout," and as the old saying goes, "too much of a good thing." Not anymore.

I will try to make this a weekly column at best, maybe even more than once a week. Remember, there is only one "Champs Corner," and even more important, only one writer. I'm the Howard Cosell of boxing, I "tell it like it is," whether you like it or don't like it, learn to love it, cause like Michael Jordan... I'M BACK!!!

Lots of ground to cover. I'll start with Lennox Lewis. Seems the haters/bashers are saying LL is not going to fight Hans or Frans (Klitschko bros). This is not correct. Neither fight is officially off, so chill. It's a shame LL will never get the credit for being a great fighter. The detractors will make excuses, but the bottom line is, Lewis is not American, and thus the problem. A shame.

I'm not so sure Vlad or Vitali are the future in the heavyweight division. I'm not big on giving guys "heir apparent" titles. Remember Michael Grant? What about David Tua or Ike Ibeabuchi? All flavors of the month. At least Lewis has longevity. You could even say he is a career killer. What did Oliver McCall or Hasim "Hasbeen" Rahman do after Lewis beat them? That's right, nothing! Something for you to haters to ponder. Sure he didn't fight Chris Byrd or Johnny "Louise" Ruiz. Boy, the public was waiting for those fights. Of course, I am being sarcastic. It's all about money. And Mike Tyson is the "cash cow," like it or not. I don't, but at this stage in Lewis' career, its time to pad the ol'checkbook. If he doesn't fight both Klits, then I will question him. Until then, I will reserve judgement, something perhaps the bashers can do.

Great weekend of boxing just passed, and another one is coming up. Juan Manuel Marquez looked like the goods. Too bad he never fought the "prince" (Hamed). I get tired of Marquez and Ronald "Winky" Wright claiming everyone "ducked" them. It seems like that is their claim to fame. Nonsense. Get in the ring and prove it. Talk is cheap.

Miguel Cotto looked good in his win, but lets face it, Cesar Bazan is "toast." Meaning he is old and slow and, well, shot. Cotto will need to step it up.

Rocky Juarez looked good as well, as he may turn out to be the best prospect. Francisco Bojado on the other hand won, but it took him a while. I haven't given up on the kid... yet, but it may be time to step up.

I hope Johnny Tapia is doing better now. Having met him, he is a good person, who, hopefully, will defeat the inner demons. I pray for him.

Shane Mosley returns to the ring after two defeats this weekend. Shane has been dragging his feet regarding a possible rematch with Oscar Delahoya. A big mistake in my opinion. Oscar is the hotter fighter right now after his win over Fernando "Fernandomania" Vargas. Although Shane did beat Oscar in a close decision, that seems like eons ago. Shane has lost twice. He needs to get in the ring and beat DLH again to get some of his luster back.

I never thought much of Shane, as he was anointed the next big thing. He was even compared to greats such as Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard. Well, Shane is more like Nutrasweet than sugar compared to these legends. The man is talented, but so is Roy Jones Jr. Speaking of the man who defeated him twice...

Vernon Forrest was brutalized by a amateurish fighter named Richardo Mayorga. Mayorga has great power, but Vernon fought the wrong fight, choosing to trade hands, then outbox him. A good fight for the fans, but stupid matchmaking by HBO. Vernon seemed distracted, with his new found fame, and contract. His ring entrance was unusual. He may have underestimated or even under-trained for Ricardo. I think the "viper" will outbox Mayorga next time, but then again, I picked Shane in the rematch. I never really thought much of Vernon. His chin was suspect, and I had a feeling he would get beat soon by an inferior fighter. Right on both counts. This makes Shane look even worse.

Looks like the Roy Jones Jr. vs. John Ruiz is going to happen. Wow. That's news in itself. I think RJJ was backed into this fight, as Ruiz took all stipulations. Roy couldn't back out and look bad, so he really had no choice. Look for Ruiz to cut the ring off, and knock out ol' Roy. Too big. Nothing to do with talent, but everything to do with size. However, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Roy might still tweak an ankle, or "hurt" a hand. So is the fight really "on?" Stay tuned.

Well, that's all fight fans! Keep your hands up and keep punching for the stars! Enjoy the fights this weekend!