Even though the Golf Channel and the Tennis Crowd would like to depict boxing fans as a horde of knuckle-dragging troglodytes, some of the smartest people in the world are involved in boxing.
In a sport that can bring in $25-$40 million dollars from a single matchup, it's only natural that smart people would follow the boxing fans into the arena. One such smart guy is Bob Arum, who promotes Manny Pacquiao's fights.
Arum was asked recently why Manny Paquiao, who has fought fourteen professional fights in Nevada or Texas, bringing in tons of revenue to those states, suddenly decides to fight Brandon Rios in Macau? The question is particularly relevant when you consider that the overall purse was smaller in Macau than it would have been in the U.S.
Bob Arum has the answer:
"Manny can go back to Las Vegas and make $25 million but how much will he end up with-- $15 million?"
If you never think of these things when you're watching boxing, consider that the tax rate in Macau tops off at 12 percent. Compare that with the U.S. at 39.5 percent and if you come up with the right answer, you may be a contender. Another factor Pacquiao's people consider: Texas and Nevada have no state income taxes.
The Arum quote, by the way, is from the Wall Street Journal today.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Pacquiao v. Rios was a 'Deja Vu All Over Again'
The major reason I didn't buy last night's Rios v. Pacquiao fight was the sense it might turn out the way it did, with Rios being the showcase punching bag for a guy with superior boxing talent.
So it was what it was, and I still stand behind my blog yesterday in worrying about permanent damage to both fighters, but especially to Brandon Rios who uses his head as something like a third fist.
What amazes me most about the fight, though, is that Bob Arum managed to sell it and managed to sell it with a degree of genius. What was the promotional strategy?
We knew that before though, didn't we? Call this fight the way Yogi Berra might have, that is, a 'Deja vu all over again."
So it was what it was, and I still stand behind my blog yesterday in worrying about permanent damage to both fighters, but especially to Brandon Rios who uses his head as something like a third fist.
What amazes me most about the fight, though, is that Bob Arum managed to sell it and managed to sell it with a degree of genius. What was the promotional strategy?
- You enlarge what's there already, which was the Paquiao was so sensationally KOd by Juan Marquez that fight fans might think PacMan was still out there in the regions of space. Expounding on this scenario, and magnifying it by comments to the sports press, incites the general boxing fan to believe they will see Brandon Rios 'shock the world.' In fact, the only shock fight fans will get will come when they see they 60 dollar cable bill.
- The second embellishment is that you portray a Manny Pacquiao who is distracted by the typhoon in his country, by his political life, and by a long layoff. That anyone would consider this any more than a fleeting thought astounds me. Professional fighters may get sick, injure themselves, do foolish things as Mike Tyson did in his first loss to Buster Douglas, but they are not any more distracted when they step into the ring than a football player who does a tap dance in the end zone. This scenario would only have credibility if Manny Pacquiao had his legs tied together. You have to remember, even with the hard partying that Mike Tyson did in Japan, he still put Buster Douglas on his butt with a big uppercut that almost ended that fight.
- Of course, the enlargement of Brandon Rios as an opponent is necessary to a good fight promotion. Today, most sportswriters and fans speak of his slowness last night compared to Pacquiao's speed. Perhaps some people, with the exception of the ENTIRE WORLD, had not noticed that before. But Arum's crew, and Paquiao's crew, stitched together through comments, hints, suggestions, and various innuendo the idea that Rios was a force to be reckoned with rather than a symbol of courage in the public mind.
- HBO boxing commentators are fairly decent people, but even decent people are swept up into the sweepstakes of big money, big celebrity, and a sense of self-importance. It's all part of promotion, and they work for HBO so they will contribute to drama even when drama is lacking. When you heard Jim Lampley and Max Kellerman talk about Rios last week, you'd think they were talking about Floyd Mayweather Jr.
We knew that before though, didn't we? Call this fight the way Yogi Berra might have, that is, a 'Deja vu all over again."
Brandon Rios Versus Manny Pacquiao
Gordon Marino writes a sports column in the Wall Street Journal and covers boxing. He may not be your go-to guy for the hardcore boxing fan but he's very professional and writes in a way that offers boxing knowledge in a broad, easily digested human interest fashion.
I like the hardcore boxing stuff, okay? But I'm up to here with its repetitive conventions. You already know this much:
Brandon Rios is the hard-punching, straight forward marching, punishment taker that he always has been. It's hard not to like a guy in the tradition of Mickey Ward, Carmen Basilio, Jake LaMotta -- and I like him.
I like him so much that I hope he takes big earnings from this fight and goes home to take care of his wife and family-- like forever. Not only does Rios take punishment well, he prides himself on putting his head right in the lion's jaw.
He does this for the crowd's pleasure, not for mine. Even if he enjoys it, and many people say he does, he shouldn't be allowed to pursue his masochism beyond ordinary, acceptable limits.
Which means yeah, I get it. I appreciate that Brandon Rios can take a beating and keep on fighting. I can take a beating too, but I know that's not exactly the best recommendation for a career in the ring.
However, when a beating becomes a primary motive, more primary than winning, I vote the other way. A beating is not the point of the exercise is what I'm saying.
On the other hand you have Pacquiao. Let me confess that, in most of Pacquiao's fights, I leaned the other way. I cheered Marquez' KO victory that would have allowed the referee to have "counted to 600," as Marino says in his column.
Most of Marino's column is aimed at the toll knockouts take on its victims. Some fighters are capable of rising from the ashes; others seem locked into the limbo of an eternal ten count.
Unless Rios steps in early with KO power (and I don't think Pacquiao will let that happen), he's in for a rough night. A merciful ref would stop it in the 7th as the fight settles into a sustained beating.
I give Pacquiao credit for foregoing the easy tuneup and taking his chances with a guy like Rios. There is always the puncher's chance, especially with a game fighter like Brandon Rios.
I wish there were some middle ground between "with your shield or on it," as the Spartans used to say. For fighters like Brandon Rios, there isn't.
I like the hardcore boxing stuff, okay? But I'm up to here with its repetitive conventions. You already know this much:
Brandon Rios is the hard-punching, straight forward marching, punishment taker that he always has been. It's hard not to like a guy in the tradition of Mickey Ward, Carmen Basilio, Jake LaMotta -- and I like him.
I like him so much that I hope he takes big earnings from this fight and goes home to take care of his wife and family-- like forever. Not only does Rios take punishment well, he prides himself on putting his head right in the lion's jaw.
He does this for the crowd's pleasure, not for mine. Even if he enjoys it, and many people say he does, he shouldn't be allowed to pursue his masochism beyond ordinary, acceptable limits.
Which means yeah, I get it. I appreciate that Brandon Rios can take a beating and keep on fighting. I can take a beating too, but I know that's not exactly the best recommendation for a career in the ring.
However, when a beating becomes a primary motive, more primary than winning, I vote the other way. A beating is not the point of the exercise is what I'm saying.
On the other hand you have Pacquiao. Let me confess that, in most of Pacquiao's fights, I leaned the other way. I cheered Marquez' KO victory that would have allowed the referee to have "counted to 600," as Marino says in his column.
Most of Marino's column is aimed at the toll knockouts take on its victims. Some fighters are capable of rising from the ashes; others seem locked into the limbo of an eternal ten count.
Unless Rios steps in early with KO power (and I don't think Pacquiao will let that happen), he's in for a rough night. A merciful ref would stop it in the 7th as the fight settles into a sustained beating.
I give Pacquiao credit for foregoing the easy tuneup and taking his chances with a guy like Rios. There is always the puncher's chance, especially with a game fighter like Brandon Rios.
I wish there were some middle ground between "with your shield or on it," as the Spartans used to say. For fighters like Brandon Rios, there isn't.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Amir Khan: Business is Boxing
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Amir Khan: Business is Boxing
The jist of this article by boxing news is that Amir Khan doesn't belong in the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Who knew?
It's a little arch, the way it's written, but good, a little on the intellectual side. I only partly agree with the "boxing is business" first opinion. The real fight fans appreciate real talent.
It's not that Khan is without. It's just that he was EXPOSED -- which is what boxing does. So he'll go down in four, I think. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't go down myself in four, or three, or two, or really (why not tell the truth) the first shot?
I love Mayweather Jr. . I do. I always did. I don't know why exactly but I always knew the guy was history. History in the same way that Ali is history, and Joe Louis, and well, there are many.
But right now Mayweather is living history and it's just great to watch the ring savvy, the intelligence, the capturing of the other guy's spirits, and the breaking down.
I never did understand those Mayweather haters, but I suppose it all good b/c they made Mayweather rise to his destiny as one of the all-time greats.
The jist of this article by boxing news is that Amir Khan doesn't belong in the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Who knew?
It's a little arch, the way it's written, but good, a little on the intellectual side. I only partly agree with the "boxing is business" first opinion. The real fight fans appreciate real talent.
It's not that Khan is without. It's just that he was EXPOSED -- which is what boxing does. So he'll go down in four, I think. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't go down myself in four, or three, or two, or really (why not tell the truth) the first shot?
I love Mayweather Jr. . I do. I always did. I don't know why exactly but I always knew the guy was history. History in the same way that Ali is history, and Joe Louis, and well, there are many.
But right now Mayweather is living history and it's just great to watch the ring savvy, the intelligence, the capturing of the other guy's spirits, and the breaking down.
I never did understand those Mayweather haters, but I suppose it all good b/c they made Mayweather rise to his destiny as one of the all-time greats.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
More bad news for boxing? The weight is over with Chavez Jr.
More bad news for boxing? The weight is over with Chavez Jr.
Meanwhile, an angry Ronnie Shields — Vera’s trainer — told BoxingScene.com late Wednesday night that an agreement for the fight to be contested at 173 had been reached, and that Vera was going to be financially compensated for putting up with this garbage.
That’s fine. But to jerk Vera around like this just because you are Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and you can get away with it because there is no way Vera is going to back out of a fight with the mighty “Son of the Legend,” is just rotten.
Meanwhile, an angry Ronnie Shields — Vera’s trainer — told BoxingScene.com late Wednesday night that an agreement for the fight to be contested at 173 had been reached, and that Vera was going to be financially compensated for putting up with this garbage.
That’s fine. But to jerk Vera around like this just because you are Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and you can get away with it because there is no way Vera is going to back out of a fight with the mighty “Son of the Legend,” is just rotten.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Boxing: So Simple A Child Could Do It.... - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
Boxing: So Simple A Child Could Do It.... - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com
That's my former boxing coach, Jesse Harris, working with little Joey D., aged 5 going on the big 6 at the time this clip was taken. Worth watching. Give it up, y'all.... :)
That's my former boxing coach, Jesse Harris, working with little Joey D., aged 5 going on the big 6 at the time this clip was taken. Worth watching. Give it up, y'all.... :)
Monday, September 16, 2013
Nevada boxing boss defends judge in Mayweather fight
Nevada boxing boss defends judge in Mayweather fight
The link above connects to the comments and opinion of a Nevada Boxing Commission chief who defended the scoring of judge C.J Ross in the Mayweather vs. Alvarez fight this past weekend. Ross had is scored an even match, a draw.
Everyone now is asking the obvious question. How could anyone score the fight a draw?
In the early rounds, Canelo kept the fight competitive and had some scoring flurries so you might have given him a couple of rounds there if you were generous and liked the style, the red hair, the appearance of aggression.
Some judges and spectators simply like a guy who appears to trudge forward in a menacing fashion. It wouldn't be fair to say that was all Alvarez was capable of doing because he's an excellent boxer, too, with quick hands, serious power, and as much savoir as a 23 year old could have against an accomplished veteran like Mayweather.
But there is aggression and the appearance of agression. To me, Mayweather was the more effective aggressor because the idea of aggression is to break your opponent down and get him under control. If that involves taking a step back or sideways before delivering your combinations, then you do that.
And Mayweather did exactly that, again and again, at will, and if you think Canelo's big punches that didn't land or ever freeze Mayweather were a reason to award scoring points, then you don't belong as a judge on the Nevada SAC.
After 4 or five rounds, Mayweather had the measure of his man and drilled him repeatedly with punches that would have dropped a lesser man than the young Alvarez.
In short, the "draw" judge was b.s. and should be removed. As for the idiotic justifications by the Nevada Athletic Commission bureaucrat, he should be removed too for insulting the intelligence of the fan-in-the-street.
No way was the fight a draw. And no way was C.J. Ross a judge of boxing.
The link above connects to the comments and opinion of a Nevada Boxing Commission chief who defended the scoring of judge C.J Ross in the Mayweather vs. Alvarez fight this past weekend. Ross had is scored an even match, a draw.
Everyone now is asking the obvious question. How could anyone score the fight a draw?
In the early rounds, Canelo kept the fight competitive and had some scoring flurries so you might have given him a couple of rounds there if you were generous and liked the style, the red hair, the appearance of aggression.
Some judges and spectators simply like a guy who appears to trudge forward in a menacing fashion. It wouldn't be fair to say that was all Alvarez was capable of doing because he's an excellent boxer, too, with quick hands, serious power, and as much savoir as a 23 year old could have against an accomplished veteran like Mayweather.
But there is aggression and the appearance of agression. To me, Mayweather was the more effective aggressor because the idea of aggression is to break your opponent down and get him under control. If that involves taking a step back or sideways before delivering your combinations, then you do that.
And Mayweather did exactly that, again and again, at will, and if you think Canelo's big punches that didn't land or ever freeze Mayweather were a reason to award scoring points, then you don't belong as a judge on the Nevada SAC.
After 4 or five rounds, Mayweather had the measure of his man and drilled him repeatedly with punches that would have dropped a lesser man than the young Alvarez.
In short, the "draw" judge was b.s. and should be removed. As for the idiotic justifications by the Nevada Athletic Commission bureaucrat, he should be removed too for insulting the intelligence of the fan-in-the-street.
No way was the fight a draw. And no way was C.J. Ross a judge of boxing.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Adonis Stevenson Scores 1st Round KO of Chad Dawson.
HBO's Boxing after Dark this past weekend put Canadian Adonis Stevenson against Chad Dawson in the Super Middleweight division and the result was explosive. Dawson got knocked out cold in the first round, as everyone knows, and everyone should also remember the old John Dunne rumination:
"Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee."
Okay, that's not the entire quote but it's the part most remembered. People in the fight game may not be steeped in Olde English, but they know what it means anyway. If you have never been KOd, then you've never been hit hard enough.
In boxing, everyone knows how to punch, and all it takes is one. Adonis Stevenson is a particularly heavy puncher but the task could have been accomplished by any decent puncher trained in the 'sweet science." And if Dawson caught Stevenson cold, the KO might have gone the other way.
I've got two points to make here. I like it that a 35 year old ex-con Stevenson made it back into a redemptive space. He seems an interesting, colorful boxer with a long half-life ahead of him in the sport of boxing. I hope he doesn't turn into a one-hit wonder like Buster Douglas b/c I'd like to see more of him--in a regular boxing match where his opponent sticks around for a little while.
The other thing, and most importantly, is that there will be a tendency for boxing fans to write off Chad Dawson. Agreed, he might be finished. Having been taken apart by the great Andre Ward, and being dropped three times during that fight, Dawson could easily have a confidence problem, as anyone of sound mind would.
And the Stevenson KO only adds to the mental burden, coming out of nowhere as it did. Being dropped, KOd, or even hit hard does something to you and, if you're anything like me, makes you realize you might not be ready for prime time boxing.
If Dawson wants to continue in the game, he's going to have to look down into himself and find the pieces of his soul, say 'screw them all' and put his pieces back together again. He's got to ignore the boxing writers and the blood-hungry fans who will now say he wasn't much to begin with.
Boxing writers are always welcome to get in the ring with even a has-been fighter, but their theories never hold when faced with such invitations. It's all bullshit, anyway.
Andre Ward is a boxing genius, a safe-cracker. He's beaten everyone so should all his previous opponents just give up their dreams and fade away?
And anyone who's been caught cold knows what can happen to you. Boom, hello-goodbye! After all, it's boxing, and the amazing reality of it, the courage, the painful drive hidden deep down in the fighter is what makes us love it.
Be kind to Dawson in his struggles. The bell tolls for thee, brother.
"Never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee."
Okay, that's not the entire quote but it's the part most remembered. People in the fight game may not be steeped in Olde English, but they know what it means anyway. If you have never been KOd, then you've never been hit hard enough.
In boxing, everyone knows how to punch, and all it takes is one. Adonis Stevenson is a particularly heavy puncher but the task could have been accomplished by any decent puncher trained in the 'sweet science." And if Dawson caught Stevenson cold, the KO might have gone the other way.
I've got two points to make here. I like it that a 35 year old ex-con Stevenson made it back into a redemptive space. He seems an interesting, colorful boxer with a long half-life ahead of him in the sport of boxing. I hope he doesn't turn into a one-hit wonder like Buster Douglas b/c I'd like to see more of him--in a regular boxing match where his opponent sticks around for a little while.
The other thing, and most importantly, is that there will be a tendency for boxing fans to write off Chad Dawson. Agreed, he might be finished. Having been taken apart by the great Andre Ward, and being dropped three times during that fight, Dawson could easily have a confidence problem, as anyone of sound mind would.
And the Stevenson KO only adds to the mental burden, coming out of nowhere as it did. Being dropped, KOd, or even hit hard does something to you and, if you're anything like me, makes you realize you might not be ready for prime time boxing.
If Dawson wants to continue in the game, he's going to have to look down into himself and find the pieces of his soul, say 'screw them all' and put his pieces back together again. He's got to ignore the boxing writers and the blood-hungry fans who will now say he wasn't much to begin with.
Boxing writers are always welcome to get in the ring with even a has-been fighter, but their theories never hold when faced with such invitations. It's all bullshit, anyway.
Andre Ward is a boxing genius, a safe-cracker. He's beaten everyone so should all his previous opponents just give up their dreams and fade away?
And anyone who's been caught cold knows what can happen to you. Boom, hello-goodbye! After all, it's boxing, and the amazing reality of it, the courage, the painful drive hidden deep down in the fighter is what makes us love it.
Be kind to Dawson in his struggles. The bell tolls for thee, brother.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Rigondeaux Outpoints Donaire in Game, Set, Match
Okay, I like Rigondeaux. I like Donaire. I agree with the decision, though I thought the HBO announcers did indulge themselves too much in their overly enthusastic account of the match--crediting Rigondeaux with more than he displayed.
Roy Jones was the best of the three, providing an honest account. Max Kellerman used to be better when he was new to the sports announcing game. Lampley was just OK. They had it right. Rigondeaux did jump out to an early lead. Donaire appeared listless, unfocused, and his body looked a little soft if you ask me.
Rigo displayed a lot of really great stuff, a sense of timing that Donaire couldn't counter, power in the straight left, and power in the right hook (he's a southpaw). His punches were unpredictable and truly explosive, as he described himself. But what Rigo didn't display was a determination to get Donaire out of there.
Getting Donaire "out of there" is a boxing fan decision, and it was in contrast to what Rigo wanted to do--which is to win. To win against Donaire, what do you do? You avoid getting knocked out, for one thing. You use your legs to control the distance between the fighters. Rigo's great at that, moving like a shadow, and interrupting Donaire's rhythms. Rigo's own rhythms set the pattern of the fight the whole night long.
Donaire expected more fighting, so did the fans, but Rigo blasted powerful shots and then ghosted away. Donaire was following him all night, and walking into blasts as he tried to score the kill shot.
There was a look of great satisfaction on Donaires' face during the later round when he put Rigo on his ass. But a moment of private satisfaction did not lead to victory for the Filipino champion.
True Confession: I'm one of those guys who appreciates a technical fight. If I had such skills, I'd do it the same way as Rigondeaux did. You get the belt and the money that comes with the title matchups. It's a business. Rigondeaux worked too hard in his life to be a fool now at the moment of his greatest opportunity.
Donaire? He spent too much time figuring out what to do about Rigo's style. The clock ticked. The punches hurt. His corner might have been a little meaner with him and told him he lost too many rounds early.
It's a pussy thing to say but I like it that he was waxing so large about his pretty wife and expected baby. You couldn't say that Rigondeaux took the fight to him--he didn't. You couldn't say he lost so much as you could say he didn't win.
Rigondeaux, what I know of him, is good. Good to have him in America. He's gifted with skills you can't pick up from training, no matter how hard you train. He looks like a guy with good work habits, great focus, a winner.
Down the road, I see exciting fights, more exciting than last night.
Roy Jones was the best of the three, providing an honest account. Max Kellerman used to be better when he was new to the sports announcing game. Lampley was just OK. They had it right. Rigondeaux did jump out to an early lead. Donaire appeared listless, unfocused, and his body looked a little soft if you ask me.
Rigo displayed a lot of really great stuff, a sense of timing that Donaire couldn't counter, power in the straight left, and power in the right hook (he's a southpaw). His punches were unpredictable and truly explosive, as he described himself. But what Rigo didn't display was a determination to get Donaire out of there.
Getting Donaire "out of there" is a boxing fan decision, and it was in contrast to what Rigo wanted to do--which is to win. To win against Donaire, what do you do? You avoid getting knocked out, for one thing. You use your legs to control the distance between the fighters. Rigo's great at that, moving like a shadow, and interrupting Donaire's rhythms. Rigo's own rhythms set the pattern of the fight the whole night long.
Donaire expected more fighting, so did the fans, but Rigo blasted powerful shots and then ghosted away. Donaire was following him all night, and walking into blasts as he tried to score the kill shot.
There was a look of great satisfaction on Donaires' face during the later round when he put Rigo on his ass. But a moment of private satisfaction did not lead to victory for the Filipino champion.
True Confession: I'm one of those guys who appreciates a technical fight. If I had such skills, I'd do it the same way as Rigondeaux did. You get the belt and the money that comes with the title matchups. It's a business. Rigondeaux worked too hard in his life to be a fool now at the moment of his greatest opportunity.
Donaire? He spent too much time figuring out what to do about Rigo's style. The clock ticked. The punches hurt. His corner might have been a little meaner with him and told him he lost too many rounds early.
It's a pussy thing to say but I like it that he was waxing so large about his pretty wife and expected baby. You couldn't say that Rigondeaux took the fight to him--he didn't. You couldn't say he lost so much as you could say he didn't win.
Rigondeaux, what I know of him, is good. Good to have him in America. He's gifted with skills you can't pick up from training, no matter how hard you train. He looks like a guy with good work habits, great focus, a winner.
Down the road, I see exciting fights, more exciting than last night.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Floyd Mayweather Predicts Bob Arum Screwing Manny Pacquiao To Lose In An Old Interview - YouTube
Floyd Mayweather Predicts Bob Arum Screwing Manny Pacquiao To Lose In An Old Interview - YouTube
Ha, I love this guy.... He tells the truth.... Not to mention he's right up there with the gods of boxing...
Ha, I love this guy.... He tells the truth.... Not to mention he's right up there with the gods of boxing...
Monday, January 21, 2013
50-year-old fighter stopped in 1st round - Yahoo! Sports
50-year-old fighter stopped in 1st round -
At least the bout was more entertaining than watching Obama's Coronation. Where's the film?
Guerrero is a tougher fight than Pacman would have been for Mayweather. Still, I pick Mayweather to beat anyone out there--until he's 50.
At least the bout was more entertaining than watching Obama's Coronation. Where's the film?
Guerrero is a tougher fight than Pacman would have been for Mayweather. Still, I pick Mayweather to beat anyone out there--until he's 50.
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