OP-ED COLUMN
By Eric M. Deadwiley
September 20, 2011
70’s. From the first time I watched a Boxing match–“I was hooked” on the sport–which some
affectionately call the “Sweet-Science.” Over the years, I have become a faithful fan to many
fighters like Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Muhammad Ali, Alexis Argüello, Julio Caesar
Chaves and yes, Mike Tyson. These great fighters and others personified the best in athleticism
and perseverance in a sport that can literally end a person’s life with one well-placed blow. We
didn’t care about the “ethnic background” of the fighter back then. The days of applauding an
athlete for their skills and talent are long gone.
What we are seeing today is an over emphasis on an athlete’s national origin and the abandonment of a natural love for the sport. This dichotomy was openly showcased in Saturday night’s Welterweight fight between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz. Floyd Mayweather came into the fight as a heavy favorite because of his experience and speed–matched up against an experienced slugger who is 10 years younger. The fight started off just as many boxing analyst had expected, with Mayweather “peppering” Ortiz with straight right hand shots and using his defensive skills to avoid counter attacks by Ortiz. It was in the second round that Referee Joe Cortez first warned Ortiz about leading with his head. To put it plain, Ortiz was attempting to head-butt Mayweather early on in the fight. The was obviously a strategy being implemented in the Ortiz camp.
In all of my years watching boxing matches, I have never seen a fighter “literally” launch himself into the air like a missile to head-butt another fighter. Joe Cortez “rightfully” took a point away from Ortiz for the intentional head-butt. What was not readily seen or recognized by all of the analyst which included Emanuel Steward, Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant, was Mayweather rubbing on his bottom teeth which could indicate that a tooth may have been knocked loose from the head-butt. Floyd Mayweather rightfully scolded Larry Merchant for–not only looking past the intentional head-butt of Ortiz, but also not giving him any credit for the knock-out victory. This is not the first time Larry Merchant dismissed the opponent Mayweather just beat, and disrespectfully match him with a new opponent which Merchant and others are claiming Mayweather is “ducking.”
When Mayweather fought and easily defeated Juan Manuel Marquez, Larry Merchant, Jim Lampley and others quickly dismissed the victory with claims that Marquez was a “smaller” man which prompted Merchant along with Shane Mosley to approach Mayweather after the fight to press Mayweather to fight Mosley–who they said was a naturally big Welterweight. After Mayweather defeated Mosley, they quickly dismissed that win–claiming that Mosley was a “washed up” fighter; as seen in the 24/7 HBO special where Oscar De La Hoya (Golden Boy Promotions) was talking to Victor Ortiz, telling him that when Mayweather fought Mosley and him, they were past their prime. These bogus claims were never made against Pacquiao who also fought them and other fighters Mayweather had defeated around the same time. There appears to be a blatant disrespect for black pugilist like Floyd Mayweather Jr. Sports analyst Jim Gray also often denigrated the accomplishments of black fighters in his post-fight interviews. Floyd Mayweather Jr earned the right to demand respect from any person who would have the audacity to step in a ring, after he just put “his” life on the line and dismiss his victory. Larry Merchant deserved to be chided by Floyd Mayweather.
Everyone wants to see a “Super-fight” between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao because they are pound-for-pound the best fighters in the sport. HBO need to stop promoting racially charged matches where “petty nationalism” accounts for 99% of the fans enthusiasm for a fighter. We must go back to respecting the “art” of boxing. These men and woman put their lives on the line when they glove-up and enter into the ring for our entertainment. They deserve our utmost respect. What will happen if Floyd Mayweather eventually defeats Manny Pacquiao? Who are they going to say he is ducking then, Wladimir Klitschko? I would still be a fan to both fighters no matter who wins the fight. In the meantime, Golden Boy Promotions, HBO and Larry Merchant should clean up their acts.
Eric M. Deadwiley is a Freelance Op-Ed Columnist and Author
Contact: Eric M. Deadwiley
http://civildeathinnewyorkstate.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment