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TALKIN BOXIN
by Howie Reed
February 16, 2003
"Hi Howie, Just wanted you to know that I enjoyed your last column. Keep up
the good work...or whatever it is that you do... Keep Happy. Larry." Name
withheld to protect the guilty.
MOM always use to say, "Always finish what you start." In those day long
past every command was wrapped with a message. "Eat everything on your
plate. Clean it up. People in Europe are starving." "Then send them the
cauliflower." As I was picking myself up off the floor of our small dining
area at 1921-105 Avenue in Oakland California I realize that "Mom is always
right." So Mom if you’re looking down I will finish what I started last
week.
After listening to the "Braying Asses’" on HBO during the Mosley
"encounter", can’t call it a fight, I was questioning my very own ability to
see and or think clearly. "Braying Ass’s ?" That should be read in the
context of Diane
Chambers asking Sam Malone, "Do you know the difference between a Braying
Ass and you ?" "No" "The Braying Ass does." I though that Shane Mosley
looked lousy. Finally confirmation in the writing of Kevin Iole of the Las
Vegas Review-Urinal. " Shane Mosley came to Las Vegas and took a $4.25
million gamble. The former welterweight champion didn't do much Saturday to
support his case that he deserves more money for a proposed fight against
Oscar De La Hoya. Mosley's bout, before a crowd of only 4,942 at Mandalay
Bay, was stopped at 2 minutes, 41 seconds of the third round when his
opponent, Raul Marquez, was cut around the eyes and could not continue."
Point taken.
Point two. "Mosley said he would have to consult with promoter Barry Frank
about a course of action in regard to a De La Hoya fight. But Top Rank
president Bob Arum, De La Hoya promoter, said Mosley no longer is in the
picture. Instead, the focus now is a rematch against Fernando Vargas, Arum
said." I had to wonder why I would want to pay a guy $4.25 million when he
hasn't won a fight in a year-and-a-half and he fought like that," Arum said.
"Let me reiterate that there is no deal. Barry and I had agreed, and it was
there for Shane to accept. He didn't, so there is no deal. I'm going to talk
with Vargas."
.
"No matter who was to blame for the cuts along Marquez' eyes, there is no
doubt that Mosley did little to enhance his value for a De La Hoya fight. He
failed to sell out an arena that had been scaled down to hold fewer than
6,000 people, and he couldn't stop a fighter many thought was finished."
Thank you Mr. Iole. He’s one of the honest reporters. That and the fact that
he hates Penn State and Notre Dame makes him "aces in my book". The problem
with Mosley is his Dad and reality. Dad said that a punch caused the cut
that stopped the fight. TV replay showed that not to be fact. "Denial" is
alive and well with the personable Mosley’s. One that seems to have his feet
planted on the ground is Mosley promoter Barry Frank." I'm quite certain
there is no more money there," Frank said. "Just standing here and saying,
`I'm not going to do it,' is not going to change anybody's
mind. I'm sure De La Hoya has a lot of options, as does Shane. Shane's might
not be as profitable as Oscar's, but he has options." Mr. Frank isn’t too
Chablis in the understatement department either.
THIS bring us back again to the fact that these super star’s of boxing are
not selling tickets. Let’s say that Mandalay Bay sells 3,500 tickets (The
rest comps). Of those sold ticket 100 people come in and stay at their
facility. Let’s pretend, cause I have no idea, that they loose $500,000. In
gaming. Is it worth 1 million dollars to bring in $500,000 ? Silly question.
Boxing has few super stars. It’s like the PGA (Professional Golf
Association) they have Tiger Woods and the rest chasing. The PGA is going to
get Anika Sorrestram (lady ball hitter) to play in an attempt to hype
interest in the Colonial Open. Boxing has Oscar/Tyson and a lot of bluster.
All sports have has problem that they never encountered before.
During a radio interview a big time Basketball writer said, "The NBA has
priced itself out of the middle class market." he went on, "In Milwaukee and
Atlanta teams don’t get a lot of local support." Heck I would guess not. The
teams are lousy and a tickets cost $75.00. $75.00 bucks to watch a bunch of
"athletics" who many times "mail in" their performances. Baseball and
football are on shaky financial ground . They wanted parity and got it. All
teams are average. There in lies one of the disturbing facts about boxing.
We have parity. A lot of average fighters getting super star money. Yet
promoters and venue’s decry the lack of fan support. Where is it written
that because I like boxing I’m obligated to work 40 hour’s per week, try to
raise a family while using all "recreational" income to support the average?
It’s not and I don’t. As with all sports I don’t need some poorly dressed so
called journalist telling me "You have to support the local team." Yea right
so said journalist doesn’t have to find real work.
The up side, at least in Vegas , is that after paying too much for a boxing
ticket you’re also not soaked for $20.00 for parking. That of course is
adequately made up for with $6.00 dollar beers. Let’s dispel another myth,
the first being that boxing is a major sport, Las Vegas is not the fight
Capital of the World. It may have rented the privilege for a short time,
when Oscar or Tyson is in residence, but their is no capital for the world
of boxing cause there’re ain’t no world. The sport has become insignificant
expect for a cult following. If something isn’t done it will go the way of
Polo. When was the last time you loaded the family in the car for an
afternoon at the Polo matches? Gotta love the action in the final chuckers.
(Wanna have some fun? Spell the word POLOPONY and ask someone to pronounce
it. IT will come out "Po LOP ony" and other combinations. Then you answer,
"It’s polo pony. It’s good clean fun.) I know I’m getting Bi Polar again.
RECENTLY Teddy Atlas on the Friday night fights brought up the fact that
Tony Alamo Jr. was appointed the vice chairman of the Nevada Athletic
Commission. The appointment was made by Chairman Luther Mack. I applauded
Teddy for bringing the obvious to the attention of the world as we know it.
Alamo Jr.’s Dad is the Head Honcho for the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. As
everyone knows the Mandalay Bay presents boxing so in turn is somewhat
"regulated" by the Nevada Athletic Commission. I typed in "somewhat" cause
any regulation of the gaming industry in Nevada is an illusion. Should the
son of the regulated be one of the regulators ? NFW. OK let’s try this on.
Should the son of a person that does the regulating excuse himself when
matters concerning his father’s property are to be regulated ? Yes. Has that
been done in this case NO. In the words of Dicky V, "This is sophistry baby.
It’s sophistry".
The ever expanding story which has expanded in the past 7 days would be
perfect for the A & E’s "City Confidential. But then with one already shown
maybe once is enough. ("The Murder of Ted Binnion." ‘She was a titian haired
seductress who met Teddy at one of the many strip clubs that dot the Las
Vegas landscape like locus in a cornfield. He was one of the rich of Las
Vegas where everything and everybody is available………. for a price. She was
down on her luck but that was all about to change. At the same time Good
Time Teddy’s luck was also about to change.)
What actually did Atlas say? Even though the remarks were made a couple of
weeks ago it was only last week that the story saw the light of day in Las
Vegas. Royce Feour ( Las
Vegas Review-Journal) broke the story on Thursday last The story probably
would have remained dead except for Mandalay Bay Executive Tony Alamo Sr. He
wants Atlas, ESPN and HBO to apologize for Atlas remarks. As ":Chick "
Reed use to say, "People in hell want Holy Water too.". Guess my late Pappy
figured that being in hell he had plenty of cigars, a nice adult beverage,
plenty of scantly clad Demimondaine’s and 24 hour’s sports so the only thing
missing was ice water.
"ESPN boxing commentator Teddy Atlas said he stands behind his comments that
a conflict of interest exists involving Mandalay Resort Group executive Tony
Alamo Sr. and his son, Dr. Tony Alamo Jr., the vice chairman of the Nevada
Athletic Commission. "Of course I do, 100 percent," Atlas said Wednesday
from his New York home. "I would never work another day (in the broadcast
business) before I would retract one word. I am not irresponsible. I am
responsible. I am passionate about the sport. I have been in (the sport) way
before these people ever got around the sport. "I think anybody would see
the obvious conflict. I have never accused them of any wrongdoing. All I
have said is that the conflicts are obvious."
Of course Atlas is correct. But that doesn’t count in the World of Nevada.
The State of Nevada is run for one purpose. That purpose is to support
gaming in any and all forms. The gaming industry can do no wrong. They have
taken over a state and run it as their person fiefdom. Where gaming is
concerned Banana Republics are more democratic. At least in the early days
of Vegas when the Goom Baghs ran things they left a little on the table,.
Not
these modern corporate crooks. They are in the mold and of the mid set of
the thief’s from ENRON, Global Crossings and Tyco. Nevada politicians are
bought and paid for lock stock and barrel. The Mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar
Goodman, made his fame as a Mob Lawyer. You may remember he played himself
in Casino. The highlight of his term in office, so far, is advertising a
Vodka which according to him is his liquid of choice.
The Governor is an empty suit named Kenny. How could anyone vote for a clown
named Kenny? He ran for reelection against ":No One". He was reelected.
Surprise, Surprise. On election night he said, "My mandate has dictated a
tax increase." "NO Kenny your election indicated that you’re lucky not to be
flipping burger’s at Micky D’s." He told the people of Nevada, "You’re a
coward if you don’t want a tax increase." And don’t start me on the two
phony Senators from Nevada. One of each party. But I digress.
Alamo Sr., acting like bully’s everywhere, has written to ESPM demanding
that they retract the comments made by Atlas and Bob Papa. Rumor also has
him writing HBO wanting an apology for God knows what. "The comments and
inferences intended by them are absolutely defamatory, and demand is now
made for their retraction and correction," a letter from Alamo's attorney,
Fred Gibson III, to ESPN said. Now is the time for B. Bunny to say, "What a
maroon." No where at anytime do Atlas’s comments do anything but state the
truth. Funny that Mr. Alamo Sr.’s lawyer didn’t raise any fuss about other
things that Atlas said. Like what ? How about. "Something is rotten in
Denmark." Atlas continued, "I mean, this is ridiculous. First of all, the
Mandalay Bay is a co-promoter in Las Vegas for big fights. Talk about
conflict of interest -- are you crazy? Now the situation is you have the son
of the vice president of the Mandalay Bay ... he's the guy who's now as you
said the vice chairman of the commission, he's going to be making decisions
on who officials are for fights, approving, disapproving officials. It's
just incredible, so I want to scream to somebody. The governor (Kenny Guinn)
appointed Tony Alamo Jr., so I want to scream to the governor. Guess what, I
can't scream to the governor. You know why? Because I did a little checking,
and guess who was the biggest contributor to the governor's campaign to get
(him) elected? Mandalay Bay -- can you believe it? So the governor, you
can't cry to (him)." Teddy the Governor don’t care.
Alamo's letter to ESPN said that statement and others by Atlas and Papa are
not simply expressions of opinion. "These statements are allegations of
criminal conduct on both federal and state levels," Alamo's letter said.
"They comprise some of the most damaging accusations that can be raised
against an individual or business licensed by the State of Nevada, and place
Mr. Alamo at great financial risk. The accusations and inferences are, of
course, utterly false and absolutely fantasy." Alamo's letter demanded that
ESPN have no further comment that Alamo Sr. acted improperly, stating the
cable network does not have any evidence that the Alamos acted illegally or
improperly. If ESPN does not respond by 3 p.m. today (Thursday which they
didn’t), the letter noted that other legal options might be pursued (They
weren’t). "The magnitude of the accusations and allegations made by the
commentators cannot be excused as hyperbole or heat of the moment mistakes,"
Alamo's letter said. "The positions articulated by Atlas demonstrate a
calculated effort to harm Alamo (Sr.) and promise a continued effort to
achieve that goal, regardless of the truth or reality." To quote from Mr.
Shakespeare. The writer Mr. Shakespeare not the fishing pole guy, "Me think
he do protest to much."
I am a big fan of the Chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission Chairman
Luther Mack. I received an unsigned e-mail that implies wrongdoing on his
part and makes charges against the gentleman. They are patently false.
"Recently Mandalay hotel and casino CEO Mr. Alamo Sr. had a very special
guest, who by the way got a rate on a suite that would put the discount dot
com’s out of business and make Robin Leach pop his Champagne cork. How about
$115.00 penthouse suite, are you ready for the distinguished guest ? It’s
the Nevada State boxing commissioner Mr. Luther Mack." One would expect this
from those that see a conspiracy behind everything that’s done in the world.
This falls under the no harm no foul rule. For the record Mr. Mack ALWAYS
pays for his own travel and lodging.
Executive Director Marc Ratner has jumped in the fray as he must. "Dr. Alamo
has served on the Commission with distinction for almost two years. His
voting record proves his integrity for the sport of boxing. You should know
that before accepting his appointment on the Commission by our
Governor, Dr. Alamo received and continues to follow legal advice from the
Nevada Attorney General’s Office regarding his ability to serve on the
Commission and vote on its matters." Gee Marc everything you say is either
true or falls into the realm of "So ?" MY gosh Mr. Alamo has served on the
commission for two year’s ? That must make him an expert. Knowing the State
of Nevada as I do, my favorite portion of the letter is "You should know
that before accepting his appointment on the Commission by our
Governor, Dr. Alamo received and continues to follow legal advice from the
Nevada Attorney General’s Office regarding his ability to serve on the
Commission and vote on its matters." This would be the same Attorney
General’s office that saw nothing wrong with one commission, no longer
there, that was extorting money from Casino’s. Got the picture. Regardless
of the attempt to make chocolate éclairs out of road muffins the entire
situation is unseemly. Never has the basic premise been challenged. Alamo
Jr. was appointed jumping over at least one more qualified candidate (Dr.
Flipper), he (Alamo) has voted on matters that affect Mandalay Bay and the
latter was the biggest campaign contributor to Kenny’s Boy campaign. This
situation give the "appearance" of inappropriate behavior. Where the hell is
the Orkin Man when you need him?
Dan Quinn, a ESPN Spokesman cut to the chase. I would have simply repeated
his words but need the words to inflate my legacy. "At no time did any of
the commentators accuse anyone of illegal behavior. Rather, their opinions,
clearly stated as such, were that the circumstances they reported on gave
rise to at least the appearance of a conflict of interest on the part of the
officials involved and therefore were detrimental to the public's perception
of the integrity of boxing in Nevada." Bless Ye ESPN.
AS this column is called "Talkin Boxin" maybe we should. What a refreshing
idea that is. Best weekend coming up for those that get their dose of the
sport via the television. It’s a Joe Starke (sports announcer in the San
Francisco Bay Area) moment for next week. Joe Starke? "Yep, " WHAT A
BONANZA". The cruiserweight division is kinda like Opera. Either you like it
or you don’t. The difference is there’s no fat lady singing to let you know
when it’s done. ESPN has Wayne Braithwaite (18-0) defending his WBC Crown
against vs. Ravea Springs (25-2). I don’t know squat about Springs but I do
know that he was sparring with Laila Ali and not dominating. After here
impressive appearance last Friday night in Louisville that may not be as
negative as it reads. Braithwaite with the Bagel record (14-0) could develop
into something interesting. This just sets the table for Saturday nights
really big fight in Memphis.
THIS fight either will or will not happen at press time. It’s a Tyson thing.
Anytime Mike Tyson steps into a ring it’s news throughout the world. Make it
6/5 that they’ll be watching from the four corners of the earth. For better
or worse boxing in the year 2003 is still Mike Tyson. The question on the
Showtime telecast is not will Mike win The question that has to be answered
is "How does he look?" If he looks like a fighter then the sky’s the limit
once again. Oh how many times in Tyson’s career have those words have been
written ? In boxing writing 1A it’s taught that record’s should always be
included. For the record, Tyson has a couple of jail terms, two divorces, at
least 6.5 million in debt, a couple of topless dancers slapped around and
49-4 in the ring stat. His opponent, Cliff Etienne (24-1-1) is made to
order. He’s brave, doesn’t take a punch very well and comes forward.
Also on TV as the undercard is Jeff Lacy (12-0) maybe the cream of the last
Olympic team that isn’t a Hispanic. He takes a step up against Jimmy
Crawford (37-3-2) with the world best referee Elmo Adolph doing the honors.
Not on TV but part of a very good show is Michael Moorer (43-3-1) and
Diego Corrales (34-1). At press time both were fighting members of boxing
premier family the TBA’s. Tough dudes. Just a guess but if Tyson looks good
he’ll probably be back in the ring against Michael Moorer before he fights
The Imperial One (aka Lennox Lewis) sometime this fall. I disagree with Max
Kellerman ("Go figure"). I think that a Diego Corrales with his head on
straight, moving up in weight can and will be something special again.
Member you read it first here.
Next. What the heck is going on here? "Previously unbeaten IBF bantamweight
champion Tim Austin looses his title to Rafael Marquez, Alex "Nene" Sanchez
looses the IBF jr. flu title to Jose Victor Burgos while no longer unbeaten
Olympian Ricardo Williams Jr.is taken to the wood shed by
late minute substitute Juan Valenzuela? Two things. First a promoter that
was able to pick his fighters opponents and get them beaten. The two new
champs belong to Bob Arum. The losers to Don King. Think Bob Arum wasn’t
living it ? The thing to remember is that parity is alive and well in
boxing. Lots of average fighters.
CHICK fights stuff. IF you want to know what's wrong with women’s boxing I
give you Laila Ali(14-0) versus Mary Ann Almager. The latter took a body
punch, not hard enough to be called a shot, in the fourth and quit like a
dog not qualified for the Westminster Kennel Show. Then she had the
unmitigated gall, as opposed to mitigated gall, to prance around the ring
holding up Ali's hand. Terrible. I was told prior to the fight, by a female
boxer, that, Almager had no chin. Wish someone would have told me she had no
heart either. Got back to the roots of boxing by watching the ESPN fights at
the bar of the Pioneer Inn on the banks of the Colorado River. Besides the
dollar MGD the cruiserwieght fight between Chad Van Sickle (8-0-2) and Josh
Jones (4-1-1) was a heck of a fight. Write the name Van Sickle down. He may
be something in the future.
One lady boxer that didn’t disappoint this weekend was Vicious Vaia "The Lil
Darlin" Zaganas climbing back in the ring after riding the pine with an eye
injury. The IFBA minimum champ laid a whipping on Stephanie Dobbs ( 59-55,
58-56, 60-54) over 6. One wire service said, "The fight was appeared to be
close." Not so. The LD had her from the "get go." Trust me.
SOMETHING else you read first here is that NBC (which does not mean Nothing
But Commercials) will televise a short series of Saturday afternoon fights
in May. The first dates are May 3, May 10 and May 17. If the date May 3
rings a bell the fights will be televised just prior to the "Run for the
Rose’s." For those that don’t vote on Horse’s that the Kentucky Derby. The
May 17th card will precede the Preakness the second crown jewel in the
triple Crown. There is some though that boxing will find a "over-the-air"
home on NBC. That seems doubtful. NBC is going to look at the ratings and
make a decision. Scheduled to fight are Francisco Bojado, Juan Diaz and
Rocky Juarez. "Not a woody in the bunch."
Gosh I hate it when I'm right more than once a year. Now we've got twice in
one week. "Where will it end ?" I mentioned that Shamrba Mitchells folk
after the sorry performance of Emanual Augustas a week Friday were beating
the drums for a Mitchell-Gatti match with the eventual winner facing Kostya
Tzysu. The IBF "kind of" mandated it. I wrote using my Dana Carvey voice
doing George the One, Not going to happen. Never. Nope." Now comes the
official response.
"Quite frankly, I don’t see how a Gatti-Mitchell box-off enters the picture
because Gatti is worth a lot more to the promotion than a 75/25 split would
equal to in becoming a mandatory," said Main Events matchmaker Carl Moretti.
"In addition, the IBF mandatory for Tszyu isn’t due for another year." Now
the rest of the story. Mitchell is promoter by Gary Shaw. Gary Shaw once
worked for Main Events and no longer does. There is no love lost between
Main Events and Mr. Shaw. In short, "Gary Who ?" Nice try guys.
AND finally as everyone knows the Saturday night Tyson fight is "iffy" at
best. Jeff Fenech came from Australia to help and hauled "A" back home. Team
Tyson, Finkel and Shaw who need only Moe to fill the triple, spend all
weekend in Vegas and have "nothing to say of any substances." Of course that
shouldn’t surprise anyone. What is facts is that Mike got a tattoo on the
right side of his face. Trainer Freddy Roach, who has said that Tyson in no
condition to fight. Roach said of the Tattoo "The source of Tyson's troubles
might be his new tattoo. It’s an African tribal thing," Nothing left to be
said.
(Opinions and editorials of
HotBoxingNews.com is the opinion of those writers and may not be the
opinion of HotBoxingNews.com)
Want to make contact or comments to Howie Reed
Go Here! mailto:reed@hotboxingnews.com
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