TALKIN BOXIN 
by Howie Reed 
March 25, 2003

FUNNY old deal is this writing sports stuff. Just
Yesterday I got an e-mail from an old college pal (at
my age I don’t have any young college pals) suggesting
that I spend some time talking about the various
Ranking organizations. There is such a thing as "too
much inside" stuff. So I set my mind to the task. I
would try and unravel the various "major" ranking
organizations. OK so I gave up due to "extreme
boredom" but I did try. I did make the effort , poor
as it may have been. As Mom use to say, "Just try your
best Howard."

The primary reason for any ranking organization is to
rank fighters (DAH !) by their ability’s. That would
be ability to fight, ability to pay sanctioning fee’s
or ability to earn. Most organization also establish
rules, appoint officials, set medical standards, hold
conventions, play God and collect sanctioning fee’s.
The latter two they do best of all. Therefore the
organization with the most popular fighters can
collect the highest fee’s. Sanctioning fee’s usually
come directly come from the purse the fighters
receive. These fee’s can vary . They can run as high
5%. The norm is 2 to 3 %. A fighter that holds a
"unified title" therefore pays multiple fee’s on each
fight. The marquee fighters bring in the bucks. You
want to get answer’s, "Follow the money trail."

TAKE, por examplo (He typed showing off his 10th grade
Spanish taught by Billy Jean Haste who looked like
your typical English School Mom and acted like Atilla
the Hun) , the two "major’ championship fights next
weekend. In Philadelphia Bernard Hopkins (41-2-1) will
defend his WBC, IBF & WBA Middleweight belts against a
Frog named Morrade Hakkar (28-3). One would hope
that he doesn’t take a dive before the first bell.
It’s in the genes. As there are three title on the
line each sanctioning organization will extract it’s
"pound of flesh" from each fighter. The "pound of
flesh" is an attempt to inject a little Shakespeare
.in this effort. Some of course are of the opinion
that a little is more than enough. In Germany on the
same date Dariusz Michaelczewski (47-0) defends his
WBO Light heavyweight belt against. Derrick Harmon
(23-3) of Las Vegas. They would pay a single fee.

On September 13 of the year 2003 Oscar de La Hoya will
fight a rematch with Shane Mosley. Mosley won the
first fight via a "majority decision". The first fight
was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles which
is in the running for Gold Feast II. The other site
mentioned is the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. But alas I
digress. The will be fighting for the World Boxing
Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) super
middleweight title. Oscar will get 12 million and
Mosley 4.5 in basic purse money. If those figures are
accurate and each organization gets a 2.5%
sanctioning fee that amounts to $412,500. When you
"follow the money" it’s easy to see why some
organizations play games with their rankings.

WELL, that would be the Jack Benny kind of "well",
Monday morning low and behold the following headline
hit me right between the coffee and the toast.
‘SANCTIONING BODY FOR SALE !". The first response of
course was "So what’s new ? Aren’t they always ?"
Cynical bastard that I am. With the second and third
response I realize that there may be something here.
I actually read the story. The International Boxing
Union (IBU) was up for sale. Now as boxing fans have
known for years that in itself isn’t headline causing.
They were so far out there that fringe would have been
a compliment. Making it public and not sub rosa may
be news. This is the first time in my memory, a
faulting organ at best showing the effects of age and
demon rum, that someone sold a ranking organization.
Some have claimed that a change in officers in any
sanctioning organization is a "sale".

In this case the founder/owner of the IBU ,Don Lewis
,was willing to sell the Georgia- based organization
along with it’s website, its’ championship belts and
all merchandise. What’s it’s worth is anybody’s guess.
What will someone pay ? There’s a big bonus in that
the IBU is a sanctioning body recognized by the
Association of Boxing Commissions. That accounts for
something. Should the Federal Government step in to
regulate boxing and actually do something about
organizations outside the USA then the IBU, being
American, would be more valuable. "Howie can you name
any IBU champion or fighter ?" "No" although the
story mentioned Richie LaMontagne, Gary Balleto, and
Scott Pemberton. The last name rings a bell but
darned if I can figure out why.

ONE of the better known organization is the World
Boxing Association (WBA) which has an interesting
background "to write the least" which we try not to
do as our pay comes via lots of words saying nothing.
I do that good. "The organization was born as the
National Boxing Association (NBA) in 1921, in Rhode
Island, as an entity devoted to the government and
control of this professional activity, with limited
jurisdiction in the United States. Boxing was the
breach of the world at the time it worn out by wars
and the economic crisis. During 41 years the National
Boxing Association developed a very interesting and
unquestionable work for the benefit of boxing."

In 1962 the name was changed to the World Boxing
Association. No I don’t know why. I do know that in
1974 the Organization "elected" it’s first Latin
American president. Yes elected was in "Quotes" as a
elections in regard to ranking organizations are a lot
like elections in a banana republic without Jimmy "The
Ass" Carter there to supervise. Since then the
organization has been centered in Latin America.
Current President Gilberto Mendoza has served since
1988. Most "World Organizations" have regional
organization for the purpose of promoting local
fighters and yes making money. The WBA has: Latin
American Boxing Federation (FEDELATIN), the Pan Asian
Boxing Association (PABA), the Bolivarian Boxing
Federation (FEDEBOL) and the Central America Boxing
Federation (FEDECENTRO), North America Boxing
Association (NABA), World Boxing Association
International (WBAI) and the Pan African Boxing
Association (PFBA). It goes without writing but the
more "splinter" sanctioning organizations the more
money.

THE WBC (World Boxing Council) is a major player.
That’s the case mostly because of it’s charismatic
President and founder Dr. Jose’ Sulaiman. The
organization was founded in 1963 and now has about 164
member country’s and 9 regional organizations. I know
it’s bad news to use a term like "about" but can’t be
helped. I went to their web site for more accurate
information. It was "under construction" so "about"
is about as accurate as I can get. Dr. Sulaiman is in
complete control of everything that goes on within the
WBC.

At the annual convention you speak when Dr. Jose’
deems it ":necessary". In 2001 the annual convention
was held in Pattaya Beach Thailand. Using any excuse
to visit my second home I attended. During one meeting
the ranking committee went division by division. There
was a gentleman at the back of the meeting hall
standing by a microphone trying to get the good
Doctor’s attention. Finally after about 2 hour’s he
was finally recognized. "Mr. President I wish to speak
about…" "Sir we have already discussed that. You much
speak up when we are discussing the division." "Sir I
have been trying to get your attention for two
hour’s." "As we were discussing…" With that the
gentleman at the microphone, which mysteriously went
silent, realized that his cause was lost. He turn,
lifted his middle digit as he walked out of the room.

Dr. Sulaiman demands complete loyalty from those
involved in the WBC. This is especially true with
referee’s and judges. You are a WBC judge or referee.
Period end. Top notch referee Joe Cortez found that
out the hard way. As most in the sport know Cortez’s
daughter was in a horrific accident leaving her
paralyzed for life and Joe with mounting medical
bills. Dr. Sulaiman saw to it that Cortez worked a lot
of WBC title events which helped with the bills.
Cortez took an assignment to work a title fight for
another organization. No more WBC fights. Cortez wrote
a letter explaining why he had to take the fight, "To
pay medical bills." No problem. No more WBC fights
for Cortez. Eventually the Cortez Family won a
lawsuit against a tire company and no loner have
monetary problems. He also doesn’t work WBC title
fights.

In late 1997 Roy Jones flirted with the idea of moving
up to the heavyweight division. As a major WBC
champion he would be giving up the WBC Light
heavyweight title. Not letting any grass grow under
the WBC’s feet , Dr. Sulaiman declared the title
vacant. The WBC further mandated that a fight for that
title would be held between Graciano Rocchigiani and
Micheal "Better Than" Nunn. The fight was held on
March 21, 1998 in Berlin Germany. Rocchigiani won a
split decision (118-111,115-113,113-116) and was
awarded the belt. Whoops. Jones decided that he didn’t
want to be a heavyweight. "I want my title back", he
said. A statement without the power of , "I want my
Maypo" but still not bad. No problem. "In June 1998
the WBC suddenly declared this bout an "interim" title
fight." Rocchigiani sued and was awarded $31 million.
Collecting is a different matter. Whoops.

The WBC has done an outstanding job of "talking" about
safety. They have put their money to studies that are
meant to increase safety for boxers. The problem is
that sometime their deeds do not follow their words.
They suspended Indonesia for failure to practice
almost any safety measures. The WBC issued statements,
injected a couple of thousands dollars to the family’s
of fighters that died in Indonesia rings, run a couple
of training programs and then lift the ban. The
resulted ? Two more deaths in that country. The WBC
has the most impressive list of champions. They
include Lennox Lewis, Roy Jones, Bernard Hopkins,
Oscar De La Hoya, Kostya Tzysu, Flody Mayweather Jr. and
Eric Morales. They the major player thanks to the good
Doctor.

Most only hear about these organization when someone
needs a whipping boy or a champion is given an
"ultimatum" which actually doesn’t amount to a hill of
beans. The WBA last week has given that "Order" to Roy
Jones. He must fight #1 ranked Vitali Klitschko
(32-1, 31 KOs) by late August. According to an
official WBA statement released last week. , "...in
case Jones opts for keep holding the WBA Heavyweight
title, he must defend it within no more than one
hundred and eighty (180) days, counted from the date
he obtained the title, and against the Official
Contender. In this case, the Official Contender is
Vitali Klitschko, after he beat Larry Donald in an
Official Eliminator bout held [on] November 23, 2002
in Germany." Slight "Time Out Baby" here for a
little background. When the WBA made Larry Donald
(managed by Don King) the "mandatory for Klitschko
there was a "hue and cry". Got to watch out for them
"Hue’s & Cry’s". Donald for NO reason was jumped up
from # 12 to top# 2. How could this happen ? Magic and
Don King. The jump resulted in the WBA calling a press
conference and saying, Gee we made a error but won’t
do it again.". Just a guess but Jones may decide to
fight the "No Hearted" Ruskie. If he does he’ll knock
the "waddpop" out of him. True fact.

"THE big men of boxing" in the words of the
quintessential announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr. have
suddenly become very interesting. Interesting in that
there is something to report and pontificate about
other than will Mr. Lewis fight, will Mr. Tyson do
something stupid or is there a next great heavyweight
out there. Roy Jones Jr. and Corrie Sanders took care
of that with back to back performances. At least one
promoter, Rodney Berman, thinks he’s got IBF Champ
Chris Byrd and WBO Champ Corrie Sanders "almost"
signed for a bout in South Africa sometime late spring
or early summer.

Even with the WBA giving Roy Jones an extra month
before he has to decide if he’ll fight V. Klitschko or
"TBA" it looks more and more like it’ll be Evandler
Holyfeild-Roy Jones Jr. probably in Madison Square
Garden. In New York for a press conference, for which
he was on time which prompted journalist to ask for
the direct 800 number for Guinness, Jones indicated
that Holyfeild would be his first fight. This may be
because contrary to "public" statements Don King
probably holds the rights to his first defense. A
fight against Evandler would allow King to do a little
"double dipping". What about Lewis-Jones ? Single dip
for King. Jones may be giving some hints when he says
of the second Lewis-Holyfield fight (in Las Vegas) "I
though Evandler won." HBO is on board as they are over
the moon that Ruiz-Jones did 525,000 PPV.

Of course what would the Heavy’s be without The
Imperial One, aka Lennox Lewis, dropping in his two
cents. Reports are that Mike Tyson has until late
this week to agree to a rematch with the heavyweight
champion. The date that Lewis wants to fill is June 21
for Showtime. Now should Mike take a pass…well then I
have no flipping idea what might happen. Tyson said
after he took out "The Black Rhino" that he needed two
or three more fights before he was ready for a rematch
with Lewis.' As they use to say in the Western Movies,
"Meanwhile Back at the Ranch" Kirk Johnson basking in
the glow of his defeat of Lou Savarese has said, ""I
want Lennox Lewis, it's plain and simple. My message
to him is let's do it for Canada and the world. I
respect Lennox for being 'the man' right now, however
I am confident I can beat him."

Dino Duva, Johnson’s promoter think that, "It (a
Lewis-Johnson fight) would be the single biggest
sporting event in Canadian history." That may be a tad
bit of an overstatement but it would be the first time
two Canadians fought for the heavyweight championship.
In fact it would be the first time that two Canadian
that now live elsewhere (Lewis in London and Johnson
in Dallas) have met for the title. Will it happen ?
Nope.

THE WBO is also flexing their muscles, as they view
them, by "demanding" that newly crowned WBO Heavy King
Corrie Sanders make a "mandatory" defense of the
title he won a couple of weeks ago. This is somewhat
an unusual move on the part of the WBO as in the past
they have gone "years" without making such a demand.
Sanders can’t fight Tua as he’s engaged against Rahman
on Saturday next. That leaves # 2 Lamont Brewster or
ex champ # 3 Wladimir Klitschko. The world is
breathless as they awaits a possible Sanders-Brewster
contest. If you think you’re going to get some
information on the WBO here, not going tio happen.
Went to their web site and found "under construction."

"A purse bid for the mandatory bout between new WBO
heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders (39-2, 29 KOs) and
mandatory challenger and NABO heavyweight champion
Lamon Brewster (29-2, 26 KOs) will take place at The
Crown Plaza Hotel in Hamburg Germany on March 28 at
11:00 AM.", WBO President Francisco Valcárcel said." We
are very proud to have Corrie Sanders as the WBO
heavyweight champion, and look forward to his first
title defense. Surely a bout between him and NABO
champion Lamon Brewser will be an exciting match."
Senior Valcacel is somewhat of a comedian.

ENOUGH of this ranking organization stuff. Let’s move
on. Next Saturday’s HBO’s fight between David Tua
(42-3)-Hashim Rahman (35-4) has got to be on the "Must
see TV list". The pair first fought on December 19,
1998. By all account’s Rahman was clearly ahead until
the bell rang ending the 9th round. The bell rang but
Tua landed one more punch. As the boxing knows a Tua
punch can do a lot of damage. It did in this case as
Rahman never regained anything and was TKO’d in the
10th. Lots of water over the dam since then. Tua has
fought for the title and come up way short. Hashim
Rahman on the other hand fought Lennox Lewis and
winning the fight via a KO. The rematch was all Lewis
as he won by KO. In loss’s to Chris Byrd and Lewis Tua
has indicated that he just can not or will not learn
to move with some semblance of agility. One of the
mystery’s of boxing is why a fighter (Tua) with such
outstanding power, which you can’t teach, will go the
extra mile to stay one dimensional. If he could move
just a tad no one would ever beat him./ He has heart,
a great beard and can "hit like the kick of a mule."
Hashim Rahman is the preverbal "million dollar airport
with a ten cent control tower." His background both in
and out of the ring is spotty. The fact is that if he
can stay away from Tua’s power, he’ll win. My heart
say’s he can’t avoid the Tuaman’s power…..my head
say’s he can. Always go with head.

ONE thing about boxing no one would or could write a
script that follows the plot lines that the sport
sometimes follows. Bernard Hopkins was residing in the
penthouse of the sport after his decisive win over
Felix Trinidad. The new King Bernard has always been
his worst enemy . Most notably his ability to run his
mouth almost as fast as his rapid fists. One of those
case’s caused Promoter Lou DiBella to sue. Hopkins
lost the case and about $600,000 in folding green. Next
Saturday night on HBO Bernard Hopkins (41-2-1) fights
Morrade Hakkar (28-3) for his WBC, IBF & WBA
Middleweight belts on a card promoted by Mr. DiBella
in Hopkins hometown of Philadelphia. The former King
was to have been the undercard for Rua-Rahman. Don
King came in, paid DiBella a fee and now Hopkins is
the top of the card. In fact he’s still the undercard
as he fights Hakkar a Frenchman in the home of America
Democracy. It’s Barry Timpkins time, "Who would have
thunk it ?"

Also Saturday night, sans American TV, Dariusz
Michaelczewski (47-0) defends his WBO Lightweight
Title against good guy Derrick Harmon (23-3). The
fight in Germany is being billed as Michaelczewski’s
coming out party now that Roy Jones will probably stay
at the heavier weight. Mr. M and his camp might be in
for a surprise as Harmon’s best performance to date
was against Roy Jones in February of 01. Granted
Harmon lost via a 10th round TKO but all in all a good
showing. The problem for Harmon is that he sometimes
doesn’t work as hard in the gym as he should. That’s
one explanation for his sub par performances since the
Jones encounter. Could be interesting.

TRAVELING Yanks had mixed results last weekend. Cory
Spinks won the IBF welterweight title via a unanimous
decision (117-111,117-112,115-113) over now-former
champion Michele Piccirillo at Campione d'Italia,
Italy. The first time they met Spinks, he be the son
of 6-10 split Leon, lost a highly controversial
decision Not as lucky was Wayne McCullough who
traveled to Glasgow from Las Vegas, via Belfast, in an
attempt to win the WBO featherweight title against
champion Scott Harrison. Taws not to be as Harrison,
making his first defense of the title, lead all the
way for a unanimous (120-108,119-109,119-109)
decision. While the scores may indicate a "easy" fight
Harrison corrected a British "Commentator" after the
fight. "Did you think that this fight would be that
easy ?" "It wasn’t easy. He has a great chin. He’s a
very good fight", said Harrison.

AND finally. I viewed the McCullough-Harrison while
also keeping an eye on the worlds first fully
televised war. As someone that thinks boxing needs
more like Wayne McCullough, I was shocked to hear more
utter rubbish out of the mouth of Showtime Announcer
Steve Albert. At ringside for the fight was Johnny
Tapia with his wife Teresa. They were sitting next to
Cheryl McCullough who serves as Wayne’s manager as
Teresa does for her husband Johnny. The two couples
are friends and neighbors in Las Vegas. There was a
shot of the two lady’s chatting between rounds.
"Probably exchanging information. Both their husbands
have had troubled careers." It might behoove Mr.
Albert to only move his mouth when his brain is
engaged. To compare Wayne McCullough with Johnny’s
Tapia is not only wrong but displays the ignorance of
which Mr. Albert is well known. Johnny Tapia’s run ins
with the law and drugs are well documented. Tapia
calls his life, "Mi Viva Loca." To equate that to
Wayne having a "cyst" on his brain and some managerial
problems is deplorable. He besmirched the character
of a gentleman who he should feel honored to be
around. Mr. Albert is beneath contempt. But then you
knew that…………….

(Opinions and editorials of HotBoxingNews.com is the opinion of those writers and may not be the opinion of HotBoxingNews.com)

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