In the past we have become quite conditioned to just accept certain things as being out of our immediate control. Our destiny to some extent can find itself negotiating certain twists and turns that we did not bank on dealing with, we make choices that don't always turn out for the better, but that is just fate.. Ill health and hard times can hit us from the blind side and that we have no real solid control of; it is some may say, how our cards are dealt.

In boxing I have also grown to know certain do's and don't's; they are not right by any means, but neither are natural disasters, they can devastate our lives, but they just happen to occur so we just live with them and try to work around them.

"Never take your World Championship to Italy to defend it," that was one from the late eighties into the nineties... When Judging in Europe was pretty colourful, its kind of the fear now that some boxers may have about fighting say ... a Dariusz Michalczewski in Germany. Dariusz is a dangerous fighter to face on his own without the fear of outside forces becoming an issue ... It is just a danger that resides in our subconscious. The judging in Germany may be spotless these days but it's just long term defence mechanisms kicking in, reminding us of those bad old days when there was no stringent controlling of World Championship judging within the home countries of local heroes like Michalczewski, or even the Klitschko brothers.

It's easier to either have them travel to a town near you, or not travel at all and just steer clear. I remember instances that set these precedents years ago... The night when Nigel Benn went to Italy to fight Mauro Galvano for his world championship, and even when the decision was announced they did not acknowledge it and in a giant melee Nigel's camp had to physically go and wrestle the belt away from the now ex-champion's waist because he really believed he was untouchable enough that he could still possess the belt even after losing it .. Strange, isn't it?

I always remember my father jokingly saying to me as a kid, "you need to knock the feller out twice in Germany to even get a draw!" One old adage I had grown to hate was, "Watch out for those strange old decisions you can expect to get in Las Vegas." I especially hate that one because I love this town. I romantically wanted this to be so untrue, but try as I might, the decisions kept on appearing so incredulously that I actually found that yes, some decisions from the dark past were extremely sinister.

Hagler v Leonard is one that has become hard core boxing's debate points, while I suppose this one is not as clear cut as some, many from ringside that evening still swear to this day that Hagler did win by a good wedge, no thanks to judge (Jo Jo Guerra). Hearns v Leonard is another one up for debate. Hearns was edging it and did also have a knockdown registered in his favour. Can I throw up another? Mike Spinks v Larry Holmes I and II; odd calls, quite odd. But some may say it is only a sport, get over it. In fact I would get over it, if it was just a sport but it isn't. It is Boxing. Fighters strive, starve, bleed and risk their lives to chase shadows that one day they may become a world champion. Each and every day a fighter goes through the tough regime of running, punishing his body in rugged gym workouts, sparring numerous rounds with relentless and tireless sparring partners with dreams of their own of one day becoming the next Lennox Lewis or Mike Tyson. Boxers put their lives on the line in order to eat and earn their living, it is work and sometimes dirty work, often paid for with their life.

Only when they finally get a chance of fulfilling that illusive dream, and winning a world championship they have some dozy ringside peer, just on a whim, turn all those tireless days of pain and punishment into a nonsense and make it all seem pointless. While chasing shadows many men have lost their lives and each and every time this shady ongoing saga is allowed to continue to infest our wonderful sport. Think of those brave warriors who are not with us anymore because they wanted that decision to go their way so much they paid the ultimate price. Las Vegas reminds me of many lost brothers like Kid Akeem Anifawashe, Johnny Montanes, Al Williams, fellow British fighters Bradley Stone, Steve Watt. Rest in peace, those too who paid a similar price in the pursuit of excellence Mike Watson, Gerald McClellan, Greg Page... so when you hear a bad call, remember it isn't just a sport. I wish it was.

Here is a quick pause for thought... If a man in the ordinary world goes out and works as say a builder, he reads his plans and goes about his job in the same structured manner that a fighter would; plies his chosen trade diligently and starts to build a house. He makes sure the foundations are sound, like a fighter may train and make sure he is fit and his tools are strong enough to set the foundations to build his fight plan around; then he will start to put his physical energies into effect and actually build the house to the set specifications to the plans, like a fighter may box at his best in order to achieve what his blueprints may say, hit his opponent effectively more times that his opponent can effectively hit him in return, sticking within his set of written rules, no low blows, no rabbit punches, no hitting after the bell, obey the referee at all times, and box to the best of his ability over the amount of rounds that he has been appointed to apply his task to, 8 rounds, ten rounds or at best over 12 championship rounds. The builder has his task well in hand; he and his workmates have their own strategy to complete the task and build the structure over a given time following the plans to the inch.

Ok so the house is completed, four walls the plans stated and four walls the house has. The final bell Dangggggs.. and the fighter too has done exactly what was expected of him; he clearly out worked his opponent within the time and rules and is now awaiting payment and a decision and the positive accolades that come with the victory... But the Boss arrives and looks at the plans and tells the men on site, I am sorry fellers but I cannot pay you for this job; the plans have now changed, they wanted five walls and not the four that you were instructed to build. Immediately they would down tools and the Unions would be called in to take over the argument to assure the builders would receive payment and apologies so they can resume normal life and go feed their families; it's out of the builders hands and in the safe hands of those who watch their backs for them in such infidelities.

The boxer however is waiting with sweaty palms to learn that finally he too has had his goalposts moved by the powers that be. He has lost by some strange means or another and even though he was leading by a massive margin on thousands of onlookers opinionated scorecards he won't be taking home the belt or the assurance that next time the pay won't be that great because he is not carrying the name champion with him any more... but where are the bodies that watch the boxer's back? Where is his backup? Who is going to regulate the atrocity and step in and make sure the boxer can have the justice he deserves? Let's keep in mind the boxer is a working man just like the builder was, yet he even lays more than bricks and mortar, he lays his life on the line in order to earn his wages. He builds his home with blood and teeth. Pause for thought indeed. Where is his Union? HE DOES NOT HAVE ONE!!! I rest my case.

The recent fortnight of boxing has been controversial yet it's not the first time and it won't be the last. I don't put the blame for any of what I refer to on any fighter on the planet. Shane and Oscar are innocent really, so too more recently were Fres and Chris... It's those who continue to make the lives of those beloved brothers who passed away pointless and almost in the chase of an illusion ... it truly is your call.

09-20-03