-From left: trainer Sam Sheppard, Teddy Atlas and Ed Ludwig-

All the tools are there for the one time heir apparent of the heavyweight division but the downward spiral for Dominick Guinn (28–6–1 19 KO’s) shows no signs of slowing down. During Thursday’s press conference in Vancouver, BC Guinn sounded very confident that his fight with Robert Hawkins was the one that would put his career back on track. 

As we all witnessed Friday night the complete opposite happened. Guinn is mentally shot and there is no other way to put it. He is afraid to engage and thinking too much before reacting. Guinn simply let Hawkins come to him and have his way. Guinn did not press the action, throw punches and work the angles like he should have. The question needs to be asked, why is Guinn still even in the ring? I’m sure deep down he does have the heart but that alone does not win fights. 

Trainer Ronnie Shields was clearly frustrated with what has turned into an all around disaster with Dominick Guinn over the last couple of years. Props to Shields for seeing something in him still to work with him again. Not only is Guinn losing but he is losing big on the scorecards and that does not bode well for him to keep from falling into journeyman status. Guinn had plenty of opportunities to save his dwindling career but he simply let late sub Robert Hawkins (23-10 7 KO’s) fight his fight. 

Teddy Atlas was bang on when saying that Guinn has the tools but for some reason he is just not using them. From my vantage point at ringside Friday Night the former contender Guinn looked lost. Deep down he believes he does have what it takes but actions speak louder than words and we haven’t seen that from him in some time now except for the Zuri Lawrence demolition and you can take that for what it’s worth.   

In a perfect world Dominick Guinn needs to step away from the sport for a year or two and perhaps even see a sports psychologist. Guinn had a big monkey on his back with having the tag as the saviour of the heavyweight division. The hype around him was intense and the pressure got to him when he lost to Monte Barrett in his adopted state of Arkansas.  

For Guinn to walk away is easier said than done as he is already thirty two years of age but time off regardless of how long, is clearly what he needs. Many athletes in various sports use a sports psychologist as do teams and not just individuals. When Guinn’s path did not go smoothly as expected the rapid decline began. In my personal opinion it is not too late to save his career. 

When you don’t have your mind, heart and skill working together in the ring there is no point in competing. Like I said earlier it is a mental thing and physically Guinn still has what he needs except that spark. He could once again be a well oiled machine but Guinn needs to learn and accept his failures before he can learn to achieve and appreciate success.  

Guinn sounded extremely confident leading up to the fight and talking about getting himself in the title mix and I’m sure he really believed he could, but until he clears his mind and finds himself the future of his career is in doubt. The human mind often plays tricks on us and we sooner or later start thinking and believing that we can do this or that and in a sense it is like listening to your own lies and living in a fantasy world. Guinn needs to act now before time runs out and he looks back and asks himself the question, what could have been? 

I speak from experience albeit it from a non-boxing surrounding. To reach the holy grail Dominick Guinn simply needs to take care of what is bothering him once and for all for however long it takes. He has not been seriously hurt during his career so the hiatus should pay off when and if he decides to return. The wheels on the once hyped and through no fault of his own Guinn express might be a bit flat right now but far from being blown to pieces.  

Congratulations to Robert Hawkins for coming in on short notice and scoring a well deserved victory. Hometown hero Louis Sargeant deserves kudos as well for coming in last minute and upsetting veteran Darrell Woods. In closing, as long as you keep the faith regardless of your situation, anything is possible and I believe we will see the the best of Dominick Guinn somewhere down the road.