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RESPECT..
My opening compliments have to go to Joseph Calzaghe for the
way he handled a tough challenger in Jeff Lacy with such
ease last weekend at the Manchester Evening News arena in
Manchester England. Joseph has been involved in many quality
championship thrillers in the last few years of his reign,
but even the Byron Mitchell, Chris Eubank and Charles Brewer
classics couldn’t match Saturday's victory for signifying
his dominance at Super Middleweight. Jeff was made to appear
out of his league from 1 through 12 but in all truth Lacy
was still the only threat Calzaghe had to worry about on the
world stage. Joe is badly running out of competition and the
severity of Lacy's beating will not aid his plight in
finding worthy challenges. Credit has to be given to the
brave way Jeff hung in for the full scheduled 12, many a
lesser man would have taken an earlier exit rather than
suffer the bludgeoning he endured.. More power to his
gallant bravery. Jeff’s future is still very
bright. Joseph's greatness is on its way to being
solidified.
SAD NOTE...
I was shocked to read recently about the death
of a fighter that gave many a decent heavyweight a run for
their money in the 1990s. Mike 'The Bounty' Hunter was a
colorful heavyweight that mixed in solid company throughout
the mid to late 90s. He boxed out of and lived in Las Vegas
until the recent break up of his marriage when he moved out
to California.
On February 8th Mike was shot dead at the Saint Moritz Hotel
in Hollywood where he was said to have been living at the
time. He became involved in an altercation with two Los
Angeles police officers on the rooftop of the hotel. Hunter
wrestled with one officer and then apparently pulled a
replica firearm. The officer's partner shot directly, hitting
Mike in the arm and chest killing the ex-fighter at the
scene.
Mike did have a reputation for erratic behavior and a
history of substance abuse. The incident is under
investigation. One week prior to this he was said to have
been arrested for being under the influence of drugs.
Mike is survived by his 3 children who still live in Las
Vegas with their mother; the eldest, Mike Jr,. is a favorite
to win the Super Heavyweight section of the Nevada Golden
Gloves next weekend.
Mike had 35 pro fights, winning 26 losing 7 and drawing two,
with only 8 stoppages. Mike was known for craftily out-
boxing his opponents with an unorthodox style. Amongst his
opponents of note Mike defeated Tyrell Biggs, Dwight Qawi,
Pinklon Thomas, Ossie Ocasio and Oliver McCall. I only
brushed shoulders with Hunter a handful of times in 1993
when he was preparing for a fight at the Union Plaza while
training under the charge of Tyrone Boone at the Ringside
Gym on Charleston Blvd in Las Vegas. He was a pleasant man
who always had a smile on his face, he sparred regularly
with James Broad and was confident of rejuvenating his
career. In 1993 The Bounty Hunter was the USBA Heavyweight
champion.
Mike was 45, he will be sorely missed by many.
TESTING TIME FOR
'WHITE TYSON'
On Saturday,
March 11th, the unbeaten self-proclaimed “White Tyson”
Ruslan Chagaev faces his toughest
test in the form of the huge, heavy handed and unbeaten
Vladimir Virchis on the Felix Sturm v Masoe show in Hamburg,
Germany. Ruslan, who holds a win over the legendary Cuban
Felix Savon Fabre, has a solid walk forward action packed
style; while the much larger Virchis will have to take the
bull by the horns if he is to take control in this one.
Chagaev is a very strong fighter who is one of the most
diligent trainers that I have ever encountered, he was based
for many years in the States and was trained for a short
time by Kenny Adams who told me that he would do exactly
what you asked of him and more, without question. I only
ever saw Ruslan in trouble once in all the time I spent
around him in his early career and that was in sparring with
Friday Ahunanya when the Nigerian was a fully established
top contender. I expect Ruslan to outgun the heavier man but
not without some stubborn defiance. This mini classic
would hold top billing in any other circumstance but it
takes a well deserved chief support position on this huge
night of quality boxing in Germany. Many boxing pundits
have isolated Chagaev as the one true prospect that may
emerge onto the Brock/Peter level. This is the first real
step for both men to face the music if either is to step up
to the top level of the Heavyweight picture. Expect the
Victor to make some noise in the coming months. Chagaev is
19 - 0 (16 K0’s) 1 NC. Virchis is 20-0 (17 KO’s).
The fight is scheduled for 12 rounds and is for the WBO and
WBA Intercontinental titles.
FORGOTTEN
BIG MAN GETS ANOTHER WIN...
6 foot 10 inch Henry Akinwande solidified his
status as a live contender with a points victory over the
equally mammoth-sized Cisse Salif in Germany last weekend.
Akinwande dominated the stubborn New York based Mali fighter
after dropping him briefly in the 3rd. Cisse is not
considered that much of a pushover, in reality having lost 6
with 2 draws in 26 outings, the last of which was a close
points affair with a returning David Tua. Henry has to be
included amongst the players with 2 solitary losses and a
draw in 52 fights, both losses to former World Champions
Lennox Lewis and Oliver McCall. The draw a controversial one
to Axel Schulz in '92.
Henry was the WBO heavyweight champion
in 1996 following a KO victory over Jeremy Williams..
Interesting point… Henry weighed 210lbs for his debut in
1989, quite a feat for a man who stands at 6 foot 10 inches.
I once spent the day with both Michael
Grant and Henry in the MGM hotel the day Henry was to face
Alex Zolkin in a title defense.. Henry and Mike tried on
similar suits in Bernini's men's wear store as I looked on.
The store manager stared at both men who stand tall towards
the 7ft region and asked me which basketball team they
played for. I say no more!!
SAMUEL PETER RETURNS APRIL 28TH
Once-beaten Nigerian heavyweight contender Samuel Peter
returns for the second fight since his loss to Wladimir
Klitschko when he faces the huge Detroit-ased Julius Long.
Julius stands around the 7 foot mark and will be remembered
mostly for his loss to Olympic medalist Audley Harrison in
the UK. Long's bark is really worse than his bite, he
fell tamely when tagged by the first real solid shot the
Londoner threw at him. The bout is scheduled over 12 rounds with Peters NABF belt at stake. The
site is to be The Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville,
Connecticut. Samuels last outing was a positive one where
the tenacious Nigerian dropped the cagey Philadelphian
Robert Hawkins en route to a one sided points victory.
Samuel seems to be back on track and aiming towards a shot
at one of the divisions more capable belt holders, he is not
one to be picky with opposition and openly states that he
would be more than willing to face anyone that fancies the
challenge. Unfortunately, some who have previously thrown out
challenges to the Duva promoted fighter later failed to back
up their call, (e.g.: Shannon Briggs).
By the way Shannon Briggs is due to
face Dick Ryan.. Isn’t that a thriller we have all been
waiting desperately to see?!? (Hmmmm...)
OFF ………. ESPN2 March 17th,
Boston - Vince Phillips v Neil Sinclair.
ON ………. ESPN2 March 17th,
Boston - Vince
Phillips v Jesse Feliciano
The British Champion Sinclair received
a cut eye in training and pulled out early in the week.
Jesse fills the space. Phillips (48-9-1) the former World
champion who holds a victory over Kostya Tszyu is currently
the WBC Continental champion.
JAMES TONEY
Funny.. I was looking recently at some
of James Toney's early career fights and many clips of his pre-fight interviews. James really did come out with many
classic one liners.
One reporter whom shall remain anonymous for his own safety
hollered..
“You are not a heavyweight, you are just a fat
middleweight.”
To which JT replied, “I’m a middleweight with heavyweight
nuts!!”
I say no more...
More recently James Toney's latest foe, Hasim Rahman, made a
few amusing comments of his own whilst drumming up interest
for the pair's upcoming WBC grudge affair. When asked to
comment on fighting a short fighter like James he replied,
”My young son is close to James' height, and I gave him a
spanking before I left.”
Only in boxing..
BIRTHDAY WISHES...
Happy Birthday to Clifford Etienne who celebrates his
34th birthday this week. The Louisiana based heavyweight who
holds a win over WBO Heavyweight champion Lamon Brewster
will not be celebrating that much though, he faces his
toughest fight to date on March 20th when he goes on trial
charged with attempted first degree murder, armed robbery ,
second degree kidnapping, Illegal use of a weapon and
attempted carjacking. Clifford learned to box while serving
a previous term in prison and turned pro in 1998. Many
happy returns Clifford and good luck.. You just may need
it..
I hope this issue of 'The Mouthpiece' serves its purpose as a
light-hearted look at the world of boxing. I hope no parties
are offended by any of the content of my report , Much
respect is given to all of those brave warriors worldwide
who risk their health year round to bring us our fascinating
and wonderful sport.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you once again for tuning in to the Mouthpiece. I am ever grateful for the
messages you send, be it questions or feedback from the
episodes contents, or just a quick guess at the "Who Is This Man?" photo. You
make the writing worthwhile...
My address once again is
themouthpiece1@aol.com
Until the next Episode...
Good luck, Good health and God Bless.
Stephen Jones
AKA The mouthpiece.
9-17-2004
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