Didn’t take the bait and buy into the MSG pay per view Battle for Supremacy
thing the other night … and from what I’ve been reading there was no real
surprises to speak of.
Past special one Evander Holyfield loses to Larry Donald … end of story …
decisively beaten and should close the book on a great career.
See where Chris Byrd persevered through early going to win split decision over
Jameel McCline … only thing Jameel has for himself is size - bigger and heavier
in boxing translates to better only when skills are included.
John Ruiz decisions Andrew Golota in ugly affair that saw Ruiz dropped early but
did enough things better in the eyes of the judges. Stormin’ Norman Stone must
have thought he was managing a baseball team … gets himself banished during
inning seven for verbally abusing the referee.
Wasn’t there to see it up close and personal, but have caught Neuman’s third man
in ring act before. Bad choice for a Ruiz-Golota assignment. Neuman is past NYC
Golden Gloves champion … good amateur fighter covers it … as referee amateur
also covers it.
But back to Ruiz-Golota … fact is Ruiz can thank the today system of
one-two-three-four title belts out there … and has found a sanctioning body to
compete in. Unfortunately for Foul Pole Andrew, he’s still searching for one
after a couple of tries via the connection route.
And then the Hasim Rahman-Kali Meehan mismatch … and I think we found another
belt for Hasim … it’s the one Lamon Brewster is currently holding hostage after
a tough outing with Meehan.
And so the circus has left town … maybe Byrd, Ruiz, Rahman can tread water until
another Battle for Supremacy surfaces … like out in the desert of Vegas country
… and Vitali Klitschko and James Toney are included in the mix.
Forget "supremacy" … I’ll settle for one heavyweight champ and ten others ranked
below as top contenders.
For now, if I yearn for a circus, it must include four-legged elephants, sword
swallowers, fat lady, two headed guys and things like that. Otherwise don’t call
me.
****************************************************************
Good pairing come Saturday noche
over HBO … Winky Wright (47-3, 25 ) defends super middle titles against
challenger Shane Mosley (39-3, 35). Judging by initial meeting expect spirited
action from start to finis. Wright a solid technician that works from the port
side … no wasted movement … solid pro sums up this veteran.
Mosley had superb early ring life … thus the sparkling résumé … and the media
quickly became mesmerized. Then a stranger named Vernon came calling … no
reported body count when the bubble burst and the joint was flooded… and after a
Forrest double dose it was Wright doing the tutoring.
Expectations here is Winky by decision … but don’t bet the rent money … neither
fighter has been busy since last meeting.
GEL
Questions? Comments? Email George Elsasser
11-14-2004
