Took in the HBO week after replay of
Mayweather doing the expected with Ricky 'The Hitman' - no
surprise here going in on several counts.
A) Mayweather the more complete fighter - as
in skills coupled with proven durability - the age 24 version
with the then undefeated Diego Corrales the hint we had
something special brewing - that one saw Corrales corner tossing
in the towel after its charge was down for the fifth time.
B) The odds - the books rarely speak with
forked tongue - the early money had Floyd Jr. the favorite at
2-1 - were there any later changes it would merely reflect those
that bet the odds and not the fighters - I call them folk more
crap shooters than knowledgeable boxing fans.
C) A prime Mayweather vs. a prime Hatton
translates to quality over blood and guts - a 50 caliber vs.
burp gun without pig sticker attached.
The Referee:
The Vegas company man selected - or, perhaps the unlucky fool
drawing the short straw, good ol’ Joe Cortez.
Just about every precinct heard from - print,
electronic, internet - reported “remember guys, I’m a fool but
I’m firm” botching the assignment from the opening bell to the
TKO finish.
Nothing really changed with my belated
viewing over the magic lantern - no sooner the opening bell
there’s Cortez diving into the fray like a defensive linesman
after a fumble - thought at first I had the wrong cable channel
and watching tag-team event.
The fool repeated laughable pleas for good
sportsmanship - what, I ask, has this clown learned over a
decade of Sin City versions of ring officiating?
Somebody, awaken this dumbo, we’re talking professional
championship boxing at the top level - mucho dinero on the line
and this imposter wants amateur version of sweet science. Had I
not known the end result before peeking in at the taped replay,
the uneducated guess would’ve been a late round Hatton “DQ” had
it gone to deep water - not to be, point deduction
not-with-standing, Floyd erased the possibility with that
explosive round ten finishing demolition.
Mayweather Jr. - has the mechanics and tools
to reign supreme with still young body of age 30 - complete
package. Remained calm and collected over opening three stanzas
with the awkward, energizer bunny Hatton on the attack with
assorted small arms fire - come the later stanzas “Pretty Boy”
was far the fresher, and it showed nearing the big finale.
Polished and proven, with only a budding future in Miguel Cotto
waiting in the wings down the proverbial pike.
Hatton - referee had a negative impact on the
game plan - still, before “fool & firm” stalled the tempo, it
was clear the Brit bulldog had zero rhythm, or clue to punching
in combinations. When at the doorstep the key was MIA. A must is
return to 140 - at friendly Manchester country while sharing the
ring with the Witter, Reese, Malignaggi, Torres clientele.
Commentators: Merchant, Steward a “DP”
combination second to none. Lamphead overly talkative but best
quarterback among the HBO-Showtime-ShoBox competition.
Punctuation: Feelings here is Cortez be shipped out to pasture -
on a stud farm without a mare in sight.
GEL -
12-16-2007
