TALKIN BOXIN by Howie Reed October 6,2002

JOHN TAPIA is in the news again, which should elicit the response, "Soo, What else is new." This time he’s been stripped by the IBF (International Boxing Federation) of his Featherweight title. The IBF Championship Committee "Voted" (anytime you’re dealing with a sanctioning organization quote marks are required when the word "vote or voted" is used. It’s such a relative thing.) that because Tapia refused to defend the IBF title and because he refused to ask or apply for a exemption his title was removed.  Mad Max Kellerman went into orbit about how unfair this would be before it happened. He was wrong. Dead wrong.

It was Tapia’s decision to pass up a mandatory title defense, which had to be done before October 27th. Please notice the word mandatory. IT means "must". Now even though the IBF is head quartered in New Jersey, unlike the Democratic Party in that state, they are playing by the rules. Imagine that ? Playing by the rules in a state that is famous for crooks, chemical waste and even worse politicians is something.. The Sopranos ’s couldn’t be set in the heart of Nebraska and be believable. Back to J. Tapia. Tapia
"diss’d" the IBF for a big money fight against Marco Antonio Barerra on November 2 at the MGM in Las Vegas. That was his decision. For the IBF, and this may surprise some folks, they were doing what was correct. They have a Champion (Tapia) that doesn’t want to defend their title. They have a Champion (Tapia) that doesn’t want to pay the $20,000 application fee for the exemption from the title defense. Guys this is simple stuff. "Bye Johnny." It’s unfortunate that Johnny’s manager, his wife Teresa, couldn’t
have just shut her yap. Her statement prove that husbands, wife’s, fathers or sons should never manage a boxers career.

"The IBF thinks Johnny should pay them a nonrefundable fee to consider allowing this fight? Then, if they approve, they'll take a percentage of Johnny's purse. Well thanks for that. What is there to think about?" Those that see themselves as "victims" have no trouble misstating the facts. The part where Teresa should have though was before she said anything. It is not unreasonable for the IBF to want a sanction fee for "allowing" Tapia to fight for a higher purse. IBF President Person Ms. Muhammad followed with a
letter to Tapia’s attorney warning that his client would likely be stripped for failure to make his mandatory defense by October 27. "You chose to insult the integrity of the IBF and accuse it of violating its own rules, however you cite to no rule." Of course Muhammad. didn’t reference her emarks either so it’s probably a standoff in the "she said", "she said" department.

The IBF also has the responsibility to "all" it’s fighters that if they reach the number one ranking they’ll get a title fight in a reasonable amount of time. Johnny Tapia is a great fighter and has been so for a number
of years. He’s also been a giant pain in the ass to every promoter (some three or four times in some case’s) and sanctioning organizations around the world. In this case he and his wife make a great team. How good a team ? How about "two peas in a pod" ? Mom use to say that a lot.

COVERING boxing is fun if for no other reasons that it is impossible not to have a chuckle or 20 at the stupidity of man and women. This "mind in the clouds" attitude is prevalent in all sports but in spades in the "sweet science". Most of this attitude has come from "advisors" who are dysfunctional which doesn’t stop them from telling boxer’s what to do. Of course boxers listening is another problem. DANGER. The latest to prove that the "gene pool’ needs cleaning is Jameel McCline (28-2-3-), of the not often changing sands of the heavyweight Division. McCline became HBO’s flavor of the moment when he KO’d Michael Grant in one. The geniuses at HBO failed to notice that a strong breeze from the west would have KO’d Grant in one at that time. "The Drums were beating heralding the next great heavyweight." Bunk.

McCline’s two losses came to Greg Pickrom and Gary "Ring My Bell" Bell whom have been beat by the best, some of the worst and most everyone in between. Here is a heavyweight with less power than a Republican in Boston. He had to go the distance to beat Shannon Biggs, Lance Whitaker (the fighter formally known as Goofi), Al Cole, Sedrick Fields and Sherman Williams. Regardless the press "lapped up the HBO McCline stew". This strategy was all meant to set up a title defense between WBO Champ Wladimir and McCline. Done deal. Well almost. McCline was offered 1.1 million by HBO for the fight. He turned it down. "I am the best in the world and demand compensation", he might have said. "I want 1.5 million or no fight". Guess what ? No fight maybe ?..

Klitschko’s promoter Klaus-Peter then turned to the second option. That is Kirk Johnson. (The fight is penciled in for December 7 on HBO but remember pencil’s have eraser’s the size of a porn star’s "what evers". That big.) He turned to Johnson, another "wannabee", after leveling a blast at McCline.. "Jameel McCline knows exactly that he can’t win a fight against Wladimir. He would suffer a devastating defeat which would mean the end of his career," Klaus-Kohl said. "That’s why he uses dubious purse demands as excuse. HBO made him a very fair offer. I don’t think he hesitates to accept the money. I believe he hesitates to accept the risk." So now the excitement builds for Kirk Johnson-Wladimir Klitschko in December.. McCline ? He’s probably mulling over a chance to clear his record by beating Pickrom and "Gary "Ring My " Bell. For much less than 1.1 million. The difference between what you’re offered and what you’re worth is reality.

After writing the above "low and behold" someone got the information, brilliant thoughts and insights, guess what ? He’s back. Word is that Jameel McCline has reduced his asking price for a fight against Wladimir Klitschko (December 7 as part of a Mayweather double dipper) and has re-entered negotiations for a WBO title shot. Where does that leave a whining Kirk Johnson ? " He’s still in the running, but Dino Duva may be faced with a request by Universum for future options" wrote a scribe. Time out here for a moment. You are probably axing yourselves, "How the hell did Dino Duva get in this story ?" That "fear driend" is a great question. Answer ? You bet. He, Dino, won a bidding war to take control of Johnson’s career, such as it is. Now may we proceed ? Thanks. So ? For Johnson it’s either get a title shot, accept the options or fight for food stamps. McCline is the mandatory and should not have to give up any options. Yea right. " HBO is rumored to prefer McCline but has also approved Johnson."


Those that study every word and look for mistakes in this column have probably come up with a couple in the preceding section. Actually there are many but the most glaring is "But I though that Roy Jones was going to fight on December 7th against John Ruiz. "Naw naw", I typed. If it happens it will be in January. Jones lawyers have "signed off" on the fight. Jones has signed a agreement to sign a contract IF the money is right. Jones wants $10 million plus 60% of the profit. With Ruiz is scheduled to get 5 million and 40% of the profit. A "Sugar Venue" is going to have to be found. Just a guess but the PPV will not be a Bonanza. Still a couple of pigeon’s here in Vegas that may step to the plate. Maybe the week between the last NFL playoff game and the Super Bowl traditionally the slowest weekend in Vegas. It’s now up to Roy. "He wants to make the fight happen ?", says a spokesman. What a load of rubbish. My guess "NO FIGHT". Jones will use money as an excuse.

Does anyone care that heavyweight Vitali Klitschko will take a tune up fight on November 23 in Dortmund, Germany ? "NO". OK does anyone care that he’ll fight Lennox Lewis in February or March ? Me neither. "But Howie, Lennox said he was going to quit unless he got 30 million for his next fight ?". "I know Billy but Mr. Lewis was just telling "porky’s" so that all the fans that love him could have the chance to send in cards, letter’s and e-mails saying. "No Lennox. Don’t quit. You are our idol. Without you as heavyweight champion there would be no England, there would be no sun, no moon and no life. WE would be just empty shells without you to lead us. For you Imperial One are the greatest Fighter on the Planet." "That’s what happened ?" "Well not yet but heck it has until March to make it happen."