With the media overdose lessened a teeny bit, and most precincts
already heard from, I opted for the HBO week after presentation of
Pretty Boy besting the Golden Boy of yesteryear.
The Fight: Opening six proves competitive enough - maybe a standoff
in rounds - in style not close to what the pre-fite hype promised -
for the most part a chess match of counter punchers.
Oscar claims early rounds with sudden bursts of flailing with both
hands - more a fite version of burp gun opposed to heavier duty
batteries - and with it the pace would slow come the critical
championship rounds.
Mayweather picks it up during the run to the wire - Hoya no longer a
punching threat - more a hold-n-hit brawler attempting to mug,
instead of putting together combinations. Floyd satisfied to pick and
choose with a combination here and there, and avoid catching any
incoming.
Bottom line, what we got was entertaining - more a yesterday Garden
main event than the insulting "World Awaits" come on.
The cast: Lampley - Instead of slapping around his sweetie - maybe
should go the S&M bondage route - as a client. Credibility long gone
for the company man smoothie.
Merchant - maybe pulse slowed but still top dog
among the rest in both interview and color commentator crew -
unafraid to let his feelings known.
Steward - the years of going the Kronk Gym route
developing champions and quality fighters came through loud and
clear. The Manny hint carried the message - repeated references of
Hoya never before looking so "determined" hinted of rest of the
story.
Final comments: No need or point, other than a sucker punch
Mayweather-Hoya return. Oscar pulled a successful "Brink’s" job -
gave it his best - but failed. No logical reason for a do over -
guess is Mayweather would jump through hoops for a repeat. The
$$$$$$$$ doesn’t talk - it shouts something akin to "Yo Sucka."
Sad part is it would work.
Promoter fallout - the purveyors of pugilism never sleep - there's a
Hopkins-Wright PPV and other assorted rip-offs waiting in the wings.
Semper fi,
GEL -
5-12-07
