You’re a fight fan … been following the game since way back during the
great Joe Louis era - and as a kid you thought he’d stay champ as long as
able to navigate the four steps to the ring.
And why not, once claiming the bauble back in 1937 by eight round KO over
Jimmy Braddock, you watched as he reduced a formidable field of
challengers to "Bum of the month" status, before losing the crown to
Ezzard Charles in September of 1950.
You’re a fight fan and you yearn for the old days … when a single title
belt per weight class was the rule … and you could rattle off the names of
the respective champions - Ortiz, Pep, Montgomery, Robinson, Zale,
Lesnevich … and those that followed.
You’re a fight fan and recall the epic battles of yesterday … Zale-Graziano,
Pep-Saddler, Basilio-Tony DeMarco, LaMotta-Robinson, Moore-Durelle. And
Marciano-Walcott, Rocky and Charles, Frazier-Ali, Leonard-Hearns.
You’re a fight fan and you remember … but today is a whole different
ballgame with multiple straps at each weight class, WBA, WBC, IBF … WBO
anyone?
You’re a fight fan … and you remember when valor was a common virtue - was
St. Valentine’s Day 1951 … round 13 … LaMotta defending against Robinson,
and Jake helpless against the ropes and refuses to fall - referee finally
halts the massacre.
You’re a fight fan, and you recall Marciano and Charles in their second
meeting … and Rocky returning to his corner at end of seven. Freak punch
had split his nose wide open … ring doctor wants to call a halt - Rocky
begs for one more round - he then starches Ezzard in stanza eight.
There were others … too many to recall. Was the way it was in this
demanding sport of professional boxing - and continues today as the
toughest job in all pro sports - even with the many changes.
You’re a fight fan … and remember when championship rounds were 13 thru 15
… and Louis behind on points to Conn after twelve. Date was June 18, 1941
… and Louis turned out the lights in candle thirteen.
And LaMotta-Dauthille … September 13, 1950 … LaMotta trailing after 14 and
then closes the show with KO in round fifteen to retain the title.
You’re a fight fan, and have adjusted to the changes … like the April 2000
Lewis-Grant "unification" fiasco … the one that became a 2/3rd share
affair after the WBA heisted the belt from Lewis.
The HBO hacks toutin’ Grant as special … and bathing the big guy in
accolades … was picked up by the print media as well - hearts, guts,
desire … and the new one that surfaced during the turn of the century -
"Athleticism!"
You’re a fight fan, and refused to be had - and swept aside the nonsense
that a beizboler, roundballer, footballer makes for an advantage in a fist
fight.
You’re a fight fan … and come the opening bell you witness an amateur in
style tossing punches as if in panic … and the champ Lewis only a hair
better but scoring. And the bigger "special" one resembles a yo-yo - and
the heart, guts, desire go AWOL.
For were they at his disposal, he surely would have done more than merely
rise after the early trips to the canvas … he would have gotten up firing
- and died with his boots on, instead of in some fetal position.
You’re still a fight fan … and you bite the bullet … the talent is out
there for all to see. With fingers crossed you sit and wait for the cream
to rise to the top. As in one champion per division - as in king of the
hill!
GEL
