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Hopkins
and Wright: two wrongs can make a Wright.
By Mike Cassell/The Philadelphia
Boxing Report
(JUN 30) A few years back, it amazed me to listen to who I thought were
knowledgeable boxing writers talk about Ronald Winky Wright (51-3-1 with
25 KO’s).
They said the 35-year-old south paw was boring. They said he wasn’t good
enough to handle the upper echelon of his division. It seemed to be the
general consensus of everyone, including the fans. The funny thing about
that, was that he was not really seen enough to make such an abrasive
assessment.
Ronald Winky Wright never got the respect he deserved, so he got on a
plane, went around the world a few times, and just beat the hell out of
everybody. By the time he came back our way, he not only demanded
respect, he made a damn good case for being crowned, pound for pound,
the best fighter on the planet. Oscar De La Hoya, very wisely, never
really looked in his direction. But Felix Trinidad, Shane Mosely and
Jermain Taylor did. All world-class, possible future hall-of-fame
inductees, they paid dearly for it.
Bernard Hopkins (47-4-1 with 32 KO’s) may be making a critical mistake.
He demolished Antonio Tarver and defeated a seemingly unbeatable Felix
Trinidad. Even after all he has accomplished, Bernard seems to looking
for the money he missed out on early in his career.
Wright, on the other hand, is still under-appreciated and terribly
underrated. I personally think he is one of the best fighters in the
world. Making comments like that five years ago made some of us at The
Philadelphia Boxing Report easy targets for the bandwagon jumpers and
the fans easily swayed by the mainstream media. This fight will
vindicate Wright. He needs it more than Bernard Hopkins.
What was that great line that actor Burgess Meredith (Mickey) had in
Rocky 3? He told Rocky: “The worse thing that happened to you was, you
got civilized.” That is exactly what happened to Hopkins. He became a
businessman first and a fighter second.
Bernard Hopkins was disrespected on so many levels, until he beat Felix
Trinidad and destroyed Antonio Tarver. He got the money, the fame, and
all the “Oscar”-like adulation he had chased so feverishly in his
outstanding career. But at this point in time and boxing history, he is
not the same fighter he was. It is not an age thing. It is a heart
thing.
Winky Wright is still one of the hungriest fighters to ever step into a
boxing ring. He is willing to put it all on the line. Is Hopkins? This
fight is a very good fight. It is a fight that boxing people want to
see. It will be competitive and hard fought. Both of these fighters know
what it is like to look through the store window at the fortunate ones.
They were both ignored and dismissed by the mainstream. They were both
considered over achievers.
Of the two, Hopkins has silenced his critics, and all eyes are now on
him. This seems like a perfect time for Ronald Winky Wright to show the
world exactly what he has known all along. He is more than ready for
prime time. And while most eyes will be tuning in to see the great
Bernard Hopkins, I think they will get a look at what they have been
missing - a rugged, hungry Winky Wright, who has not lost a fight in
eight years, and who is seeking to steal the newly-found respect Bernard
Hopkins has earned.
If you buy this fight, don’t blink. Respect, as well as Bernard’s final
retirement, is only one right hook away for Ronald Winky Wright. |
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