Boxing: Champs corner

Hello fight fans!

Mike Tyson is misunderstood. Roy Jones Jr. is the best thing since sliced bread. Oscar Delahoya is the real Mexican legend. John Ruiz is underrated. Evander Holyfield is not shot. Lennox Lewis is not the best fighter in his era. The Micky Ward-Arturo Gatti trilogy rivaled M. Ali-J. Frazier.

The End.

How's that? Is that what you wanted to hear? I didn't think so. I find it boring to agree with the main press or other writers. I like my views. I also find it funny that some of you will just repeat one thing I said and latch on to it. I stated Roy is a great athlete, skilled and talented. He is my number one p4pder (pound-for-pounder-er). I have a problem with his competition. I have also stated Dariusz Michalczewski suffers from the same problem.

I think DLH is not a legend like Tommy Hearns, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard or Roberto Duran, due to the fact he never had a career defining fight. I do think he beat Trinidad but couldn't close the show. You could argue he is 0-3 in big fights(Ike Quartey, Pernell Whitaker, Trinidad) although I had him winning the Tito, Pernell and Quartey fights. He lost to a old and shot Julio Cesar Chavez. I think a prime Chavez beat DLH. Watch some early tapes. Sure there may have been some Tijuana taxi cab drivers on his resume, but he was quite the fighter. His forward, "come at you style, take three hits to get one," and granite chin was quite a sight.

And, yes, I think Julio Superstar is the greatest Mexican fighter. I have him over Sal Sanchez, who like Ike Ibeabuchi and Tony Ayala a bit" over romanticized" when it came to their "legend". Not what was, but what could have been. Ward-Gatti? Two journeymen fighters who are tough, but not very skilled. "Human punching bags," comes to mind. Gritty, yes. Hall of Famers? No. Does color help them? You betcha.

Again if you don't like the column, don't read it. Seems pretty simple to me. I have a lot of respect for fighters, and just because I may say something negative, it doesn't change that. If anything I am more concerned about their health. I write MY opinions, not the fans. I'll leave it at that.

This weekend's action was ok, but PPV? I don't think so. Lets face it, if this was the men's division this fight would not have happened. I am talking about the Laila Ali-Christy Martin fight. Christy is old and past her prime, not to mention Ali outweighed her, and was taller. If these fighters were both in their primes and the same size, I think Christy would have given Ali a run for her money. Its a joke. I don't consider this really a big deal for Ali. Again, Martin was basically in there for a payday, and even if she did ham it up, she knew she probably was not going to win. All in all I think Ali needs to step her competition up. I'm not impressed when you beat down a girl smaller than you.

As far as Roy Jones Jr. goes, I am not looking forward to the Antonio Tarver show down. I don't think much of Tarver. Roy himself was hesitant on this matchup, and now is ok with it? What happened to Corrie Sanders? Roy is a heavyweight now, no less a "titleholder." He should fight at that wt. Why go down? Chris Byrd seems like a good choice to me. Or if Fres Oquendo wins, take on him. What about the winner of James Toney-Evander Holyfield? Jones can fight someone his own size. I am not asking that he gets in the ring with a superheavyweight like Lennox Lewis. What about Mike Tyson? Roy has plenty of fights that COULD be made. For one reason or the other (MONEY) he doesn't. Just don't be surprised if this fight doesn't happen. That's all I have to say about Roy.

Rumors are floating around that Tyson is scheduled for a fight soon. Even K1? Against Big Bob Sapp? How pathetic is that? Hopefully not. Its bad enough I have to see him in against tomato cans. Tyson just cant beat any big names anymore. I am against him back in the ring, as I really think he needs mental help, but each man has to make a living. I guess the parasites and leeches will live off the Tyson name a bit more. A shame, really. And if I were Kobe Bryant, I wouldn't want Mike speaking for me, or about me or with me. Don't get your name attached with this convict.

I guess the Klitschko brother are back in action. I have never really thought much of either brother. I thought the Vitali was underrated after he lost, as he was supposed to be the next big thing (Godzilla if you will) and lost. Then baby brother was the "man." Then when Wlad lost, my opinions were validated. Funny thing is they are the future of this division, as no one has stood out to take the mantle from Lewis. The division is so weak, even Lewis wants to stick around and pad his bank account. I cant blame him, although the end may be near with Lewis. He could be waiting for one more big pay day with Tyson. I still think a unknown will come out of nowhere to rule. Don't know who or when. Just a hunch.

Why did the world want the brothers to succeed? National pride? Sure, but more than that. What about a white heavyweight champion? Racist? No. Just the facts. Ever since Gerry Cooney, no one has been able to do it. Sure Tommy Morrison had a run, but I think we all want to see a white heavyweight rule the division. A "Rocky." Will we see it? Perhaps now more than ever, as again the division is so weak.

And speaking of national pride, why do we back "our" own? I am not Mexican British, Euro or black, but my favorites are Delahoya, Lewis, Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather and Jones Jr. I guess we root for those who look similar to ourselves. I never got that, but I always root for America, so perhaps I can relate.

I'm a bit surprised the Delahoya-Mosley fight hasn't been postponed. I guess Delahoya is going through with this. We are still about two weeks out, so it wouldn't surprise me whether this fight went on or not. Either way I am looking forward to it. Although I am not that big on Mosley. I thought he was not another "Sugar." His claim to fame was beating DLH in a close decision. He fought no one before that or since. He was the next big thing (ask Michael Grant), until he was exposed by Vernon Forrest (another guy I was not impressed by). Since losing twice to Ricardo Mayorga, this really hurt Shane. Mayorga can easily be outboxed, so why Vernon couldnt do it is a mystery. I wouldn't consider Mayorga a top pound-for-pound fighter, would you? But Shane lost to the Viper twice. The similarities are eerie to say the least. Perhaps styles to make fights. We will see if history repeats itself. I think it will.

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