| |
The
Square Ring
by Howie Reed
(SEPT 1) ‘Tiz the first Sunday of the month, which translates to lots of
fights around the world and up your block.
One fight that won’t take place is German-based IBF middleweight
champion Arthur Abraham against mandatory challenger Edison Mirand at
the EWE-Arena in Oldenburg, Germany. The reason? Bad flu. Don’t ever
recollect a “good flu” but that’s just me. Jeeves lately has been struck
by the “bottle flu” and blames it on something he ate.
“Naturally, this not a nice situation for me,” said
IBF middleweight champion Arthur Abraham. “I had felt since Friday that
there was an infection in me, but I thought it wouldn’t get so bad. This
morning, however, it became clear that I won’t be able to fight on
Saturday.”
That cancellation doesn’t exactly leave the cupboard
bare as there’s still a couple of really good fights
on Sunday, one in “Merry Ole’ England” and then
finally James Toney-Samuel Peter in Los Angeles USA.
At the home of the Bolton Wanderers, (who at press
time have 4 points after winning at home 2-0 over the Spurs and drawing
on the road at Fulham), Clinton Woods (39-3-1) and Glenn Johnson
(44-10-2) meet for the third time. If this writer had any ability he
would have written, “They meet in the third leg of a light heavyweight
trilogy.” Some things just aren’t meant to be.
This great indoor facility is next door to the Reebok
Stadium which will be empty with the Wanderers having the week off,
before entertaining Watford. The two boxers met first in 2003, battling
to a “very
disputed” draw. “Very disputed” in this case
translates to “lousy”, with the local judge having it
for Woods (116-112), one for Johnson (115-113) and a third official
scoring it 114-all. The second time
around Johnson won easily 116-112, 115-113 twice.
Take Johnson.
The WBC has decreed that the winner of
James “Lights Out” Toney (69-4-2) and Samuel “The Real” Peter (26-1)
will fight the newly crowned WBC champ, Oleg Maskaev next. That should
add a little more spice to this match that already holds the appeal of a
dance palace when the U.S. Fleet’s in town.
Many remember Burt Sugar as the former editor of Ring Magazine, and if
not for that then for his great
sports coat in the Howie Reed mode. “I think that
James Toney is the best American heavyweight around and he’s not a
heavyweight. He has the best skills.”
When Mr. Sugar was making that remark he hadn’t seen Evander Holyfield
destroy Jeremy “Master” Bates in 2 rounds last Saturday night in Dallas
,Texas. Holyfield has more skills than Toney ever imagined.
“My Lord I don’t like that Mr. Toney. He seems like
such a crude person lacking even the basic social
skills. I would like to see Mr. Peter take him to the
woodshed and give him a good hiding.”
Jeeves has got it right about Toney but it’s doubtful
that Peter has the skills necessary to deliver.
Beating Toney when he’s on his game is like trying to corner a “second
phase male” after your wallets just been lifted while strolling down the
beach after
midnight. Toney’s Achilles heel is stamina, which
along with movement also plagues Peter. Love to see Peter win as a match
between he and Maskaev would be dynamite.
Little “chin wags” are still going on about
Maskaev - Rahman. Good guy referee Jay Nady has come under attack for
his “stop holding command” when in fact there was darn little. The Lord
of the Square Ring opined that maybe Nady was told by ‘someone’ to stop
the holding at all cost.
I must have hit a nerve as I got the following e-mail
from the WBC’s Senior, Mauricio Sulaiman: “With all due respect, we
think that Jay Nady’s performance in the Rahman vs. Maskaev fight was
sensational and prevented a fight full of holding, that only makes
heavyweight fights boring and dull. He guided them to perform in one of
the best heavyweight fights in a long time.”
All that may be true, (here comes the “butt monkey”), except that a
referee’s duty is not to “guide a fight” or make it better. A referee’s
job is to enforce the rules. Period. End.
Maybe if all organizations would stop “real holding”
then boxing would regain some of the luster that’s
been lost over the years.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission had a chance to do something
meaningful in boxing by tossing the book at Jose Luis Castillo. Instead
they tossed a page. Castillo as you may remember failed to make weight
for his title fight in June against Diego Corrales. The Commission fined
Castillo US$250,000 and suspended his license until January 1, 2007.
Very seldom do I agree with Corrales promoter Gary
“Gas Bag” Shaw but this is one of those times: “Have these people ever
heard of victim’s rights?” Shaw said. “This is an outrage.” He’s right,
the fine and suspension was ridiculously low considering that Castillo
took the money for the fight with no
intention of making the weight. Why did this happen? Some will cynically
point out that this sets up a mega fight with Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas
next year where everyone will make piles of money.
Both outgoing Commission chairman Skip Avansino and chairman-elect Tony
Alamo said they were moved by Castillo’s sincerity: “I know it’s
difficult to
understand without having been in the room and seeing his passion and
emotion,” Avansino said. What a load of crap.
Jeeves how about the local boxing news?
“Right My Lord: WBC #1 straw, Oleydong Sithsamerchai, (22-0) kept his
WBC youth straw-weight title at the 4th Wing of Royal Thai Airforce in
Nakorn Sawan, Thailand on Wednesday. Filipino Ryan Bito (8-2-1) trailed
throughout, losing 100-89, 100-91, 98-91. This is the Thai’s 16th
defence and sets up a fight next year against Japan-based Thai, Eagle
Kyowa. “Muangfahlek Kiatvichean, (13-7, 8) won in 10 over Klachana
Jockygym, (1-8) to capture the Thai super-feather title at Rachadamnern
Stadium in Bangkok. Kiatvichean has fought Jockygym 3 times and is 2-1.
“Pornsawan Por Pramook, (16-0, 12 KO’s) won easily over WBE champ, Jun
Arlos (33-19-4). My Lord, what is a WBE champ? I’ve never heard of one.”
Me neither.
“My Lord, you’ve received an-mail from Mr. Brook at
the Island Lager Bar in Katone Beach. Would you like me to read it? It
begins, ‘Glad to see Jeeves has the common sense to order Phuket Island
Lager Beer - must be a good guy to tend his Master so well. Just wanted
to let you know that Phuket Lager Beer has been awarded the Gold Medal
at the 45th World Beer Selection 2006 by Monde Selection (The
International Institute for Quality Selections) held in Prague. Quite a
mouthful, but so is the beer ... will have a few to celebrate this
evening. Mr. D. Brook.’ That Mr. Brook must be a fine gentleman.”
“My Lord did you read that Ricky Hatton got mugged in China? I was
reading the Daily Mirror and it said, ‘The Hitman’, who was walking
alone in Shanghai after becoming separated from his friends, was
accosted by a gang of thugs who, after a scuffle, made off with Hatton’s
£4,000 Rolex watch.’”
What is this world coming to Jeeves? An email from Mr. Brook, Ricky
Hatton mugged in Shanghai and you losing your umbrella on Beach Road
walking home from the TQ.
It’s a dangerous world Jeeves. Perhaps you could
provide me with a few Island Lagers before you venture out with your new
friends to party the night away. |
|
