Rahman, Ruiz, general boxing stuff.... Yes, another boxing thread.

[CpUltravox]

Littering Netshrine with more boxing discussion (Sal, are you out there?)...

Is anyone else starting to shake with excitement over De La Hoya/Vargas? I can't believe I've waited this long for it, but it should be teriffic. Although... I'm not sure.. I could be shaking over Mayweather-Castillo 2, or the recently announced Tapia-Morales or Ayala-Barrera fights. Wow... good stuff there.

About the heavyweights - looking over them, there's only one fight left in the division that would really get me pumped up - Tyson-Tua. Showtime will protect Tyson, because they won't want to screw up another payday, and Tua would be a huge threat to Tyson - so I don't see it happening - but that may the most interesting possible fight out there.

But there's a few fights I'd like to see....
Ruiz-Byrd - I want to know how good a fighter John Ruiz really is. Beating Byrd would prove it to me. I'm convinced he beat Johnson, even without the DQ and I've got a sneaking suspicion Ruiz pulls it off. Byrd would stick and move like there's no tomorrow - but Ruiz is faster than everyone thinks, stronger than everyone thinks, smarter than everyone thinks, and is more clever than just about everyone out there. Ruiz may be a terribly boring fighter to watch, but he's also darn effective.

W.Klitschko-Holyfield - This Klitschkomania needs to be put to rest, or be proven. Holyfield may be the best p4p fighter of the last 15 years. If Dr Wladimir could take out Evander, we'd have proof that he had the goods. I think Evander is still too good a fighter for Klitschko. But THAT would be a hyped match.

Rahman-V.Klitschko - Perhaps Rahman's only chance to get himself back in the picture after two consecutive terrible losses, and with a guy he can beat, if he's perfect.

Tua-Tyson - The world waits for this one. Could be a fight-of-the-century type for about 2 rounds.

Is there anything else out there that the world needs to see? Moorer-Tua is 2 weeks away! Please.

My skewed Heavyweight listing-
Champion - L.Lewis
1. C. Byrd
2. J. Ruiz
3. W. Klitschko
4. E. Holyfield
5. D. Tua
6. V. Klitschko
7. H. Rahman
8. M. Tyson
9. F. Oquendo
10. J. McCline

Anything upcoming that anyone is excited about?

[Sal Maglie]

Yeah I'm out here somewhere. :) Been traveling lately, and it's nice to be back talking boxing.

I'd have to say at the top of my wish list is Ward-Gatti, although it looks like it's going to keep getting pushed back(latest is November and it could get bumped from that month). Can't wait to see those 2 hook up again! I know these 2 can live up to the hype, but I'm not sure Oscar DLH and Vargas can. Tyson I just can't get excited about after Lewis reduced him to compliant pile of goo in that post fight interview. I think the guy is done as a fighter, but I'm sure he'll keep climbing into the ring for the paydays. I'd like to see more of the Klitschko brothers where they step up to some real competition instead of hitting the bag with 41 yr old Army has beens. Enough with the wet nursing, it's time they fought a meaningful fight.

We might never know how good Ruiz is since he does more acting than fighting. Oh sure it's effective, but unwatchable! A rumor I heard was a Ruiz-Oquendo fight in the near future. One heavy you don't have listed that's worth mentioning is Juan Carlos Gomez, the former crusierweight champ. It might take him another year or so to grow into a bigger body, but he definitely is a talent.

Any word on what Bernard Hopkins might be up to in the near future?

[Skip]

Sorry guys. I really do appreciate the sport of boxing on those few occasions when it seems to be relevant in a bout, but otherwise am totally at a loss for giving a hoot. I think boxing has so shot itself in the foot, that serious work is needed to make the public realize what a "sweet science" it really is, at least outside the heavyweight ranks. Unfortunately, boxing is tainted by a lot of negative images, all of which must be overcome. My pessimism is already documented here on NetShrine, so I wont go further.

In another thread, I called boxing a pox. That was probably too strong. But the business of boxing certainly is a pox, and that I will not back down from.

[CpUltravox]

Sal-

The word right now that I'v heard is - Hopkins is going to sign with Showtime for a 3 fight deal, first with a mandatory, then William Joppy and a third PPV with Joe Calzaghe (assuming both Hopkins and Calzaghe get there undefeated). Those second two fights would be entertaining, but I can't see Calzaghe as ready for Hopkins unless he does some serious maturing beforhand.

I like Gomez - as a matter of fact, I've always been far more enamored with the quick, slick boxers than the big ones. I've always liked the Byrds and the Johnsons more than the Klitschko/Lance Whitaker-types. I've yet to see a full-sized 6-7 boxer with decent skills... Klitschko has hope, but I've got to see him beat a real guy first.

Ruiz-Oquendo would be a good fight - I like Ruiz. He's frustrating. I may be the only guy who enjoys watching his fights - but I like watching how his opponents break down when they get frustrated.

Ward-Gatti II... I don't know... supposedly it's tentatively set for November or December, but I can't see how it could possibly live up to what I expect. Did you hear about Kostya Tszyu-Jesse James Leija? That could be fun.

Hmm... Skip! It's not THAT bad! You're right though. I think what we see on TV isn't fixed, but the paths to get there are. I think big fights are generally clean, but the promoters behind them aren't.

The big problem is that Tyson is the name everyone knows - the name everyone will pay to see, and the biggest drawing card there is. Remember Tyson-Holyfield 2? Millions of people watched that fight, and it soiled boxing. That was the night it could all have turned for the better - but Tyson was out of control, and it ruined perceptions of what boxing is. People think it's wrestling - which is a pox.

The heavyweights are what people see, but the real fights - the real thing to enjoy is the sweet science at middleweight down to bantamweight. That's where the real fights are. Right now, there's so much talent at Jr. Welterweight that I consider myself lucky to be alive at a time like this. Tszyu, Lejia, Sharmba Mitchell, DeMarcus Corely, Ben Tackie, Zab Judah, Ward, Gatti... Heck, even Omar Weis! Maywether, Spadafora, Stevie Johnston, Manfredy, Dorin, and Jose Luis Castillo are sitting 5 pounds below, while Vernon Forrest, Shane Mosley, Ricardo Mayorga, and Six-Heads Lewis sit 7 pounds above. It's tremendously rich in talent, but it's tough to get casual observers to get excited about Welter, Jr. Welter, and Lightweights - when they only way 147-140-135 pounds.

I don't know how close we are to getting a national boxing league or something formed to clear things up - but in a 1 on 1 sport, where you can't have tournaments because the time between fights is so long and the weights so variable, you need sanctioning bodies, promoters, matchmakers, and networks like HBO to make it work.

[CpUltravox]

Skip- Do you have a commodore-64 yet?

[pwdennis]

I think that a Holmes-Butterbean rematch is a must. If it could be booked we'd be able to obtain a complete accurate measurement of how gullible the American sporting public is.

Let's bring it on

[KCBOOMER]

The HW division just sucks right now. Maybe if Klitschko turns out to be half decent we could look forward to Lewis-Klitschko. All other HW's are either way over the hill or guys that only have a puncher's chance.

Is Hopkins-Jones a possibility?? Either Jones would have to come down in weight or Hopkins up. Probably end up being a non-title bout.

Still not convince De La Hoya - Vargas is going to come off. Not real sure that Oscar really wants this fight.

Ward-Gotti II would be a must see.

[CpUltravox]

From maxboxing.com
Lewis Vacates IBF Crown
In a follow-up to a newsbrief posted here yesterday, heavyweight champion
Lennox Lewis has vacated his IBF heavyweight title (rather than defend against Chris Byrd), apparently clearing the way for a three-fight HBO deal which will pit him against both Klitschko brothers, Vitali and Wladimir, sandwiched around a rematch with Mike Tyson.......As for Byrd, the IBF mandatory contender will now have the opportunity to face number two contender Evander Holyfield for the vacant title. - Gerbasi

[KCBOOMER]

I'm with Max whatshisname from HBO. The only champion is the one anointed by Ring magazine.

[KCBOOMER]

I'm with Max whatshisname from HBO. The only champion is the one anointed by Ring magazine.

[CpUltravox]

I agree - but this is significant - for the second time it means that for one reason or another, a fighter moved to a high ranking position, and Lewis opted not to fight him. First Johnny Ruiz, and then Chris Byrd.

That's fine, and preferable to making Roy Jones-style title defenses, and frankly, I don't care to watch Lewis-Byrd or Lewis-Ruiz - but it is significant.