|
THE MOUTHPIECE BOXING
REPORT: (Episode 10) |
 |
|
THE MOUTHPIECE BOXING
REPORT: (Episode 10) |
|
|
GOMEZ FALLS
PREY TO FRIDAY 13TH JINX... Former WBC Cruiserweight champion and WBC #2 contender at heavyweight Juan Carlos Gomez, better known as 'The Black Panther,' lost his unbeaten record and ranking in a shocking first round blast out by little known Yamplier Azcuy in Laredo Texas this past Friday, 13th August. Azcuy, a Las Vegas based Cuban as is Gomez, took his chances with an early overhand right that physically shook Gomez, who as Cruiser champion defended successfully on ten occasions, but had found himself all at sea from the early ambition of the underdog. Twelve unanswered punches later a bemused Juan Gomez was being rescued by referee Rafael Ramos. Gomez and Yamplier were both successful Cuban amateurs, Azcuy in fact had a tally of 191-14 before defecting to Mexico in 2002. Now, at 28 years of age is 11-1 (7 KO's) as a pro. These things are shocking but as
we have recently found out with heavyweights (Tyson - Williams) they happen and
Gomez will just have to regroup and come back a stronger fighter. Gomez
falls to 37-1 (31 KO's). I won't even mention the Black Cat
theory and Friday 13th superstitions... 'POCKET
ROCKET' AND CEDRIC BOSWELL RETURN... Boswell will face former IBF Cruiserweight champion Imamu Mayfield (24-5-2, 18 KO's) while Wayne will face an opponent soon to be announced. Cedric 21-1,
(16 KO's) lost his unbeaten record last October to Jameel McCline in Las Vegas
in a fight he was leading before succumbing to Jameel's heavy artillery. This
quite impressive card gives James Toney a chance to fistically back up his bold
statements toward fellow heavyweight contenders... Rydell Booker, BEWARE!! ROBERT
QUIROGA PASSES Quiroga, a happy go lucky man who hadn't actually boxed since 1995 was reportedly stabbed several times in his vehicle on Interstate 10 in his hometown of San Antonio Texas, the kind of ending I definitely wouldn't have had said was synonymous with Quiroga's friendly nature. Robert was reported to have been drinking with friends locally only hours before being discovered. Local police are investigating this out of character killing. Robert, who won the championship in only his 15th fight and
retained his title 5 times, was renowned for his fast paced, furious, action packed
style. Robert's career met tragedy in his 1991 fight with Nigerian Kid Akeem
Anifawashe, when after a brutal twelve rounds Kid Akeem collapsed and was
treated for severe brain swelling that led to Akeem's life declining and finally
passing after tragic surgery in his native Nigeria. God Bless to his family and all
who were close to him. Robert definitely deserved better. BREWSTER vs
MEEHAN CONFERENCE CALL ... TOO TAME... WHERE IS WHY... The little known New Zealander was reportedly Brewster's sparring partner for the match and both seemed too 'pally' for their championship tear up on September 4th. Kali didn't really seem to be able to justify his qualification for such a highly publicized bout and I was tempted to ask Meehan what opponent from his past 5 wins he draws most confidence from. I didn't ask such a question because I have more class than that, and Kali's last 5 really aren't recognized foes. I felt that Kali was doing a Joe ('I am just so glad to be here') Bugner, and was simply overawed due to his lack of top drawer experience. Yet, I still stand by the criteria that Lamon Brewster v Kali Meehan is a pretty evenly matched heavyweight bout, by default, i.e. neither men belongs in a Championship match. Brewster got a lucky break, which does happen, and Meehan is just a friendly face that Lamon can realistically hope of a successful defence against. I like to see a classy, no hatred, solid championship bout. But I do like to see a good quality Championship fight containing 2 really respected and proven combatants. Remember Kali hasn't beaten a top 10 fighter ever, and Lamon has been soundly beaten twice, once by Charles Shufford and once by Cliff Ettiene, and on no occasion before his collapsing of the inflatable Vladimir, has he beaten a top class fighter. WBO, please review your Champions, you are fast losing public credibility, at a time when we are all looking for a legitimate Governing body to familiarize with. Meehan and Brewster, tough men, but by no means CHAMP material. Unification please, and SOON.
I would just like to give a mention to the wonderful showing of fledgling British Olympic boxer Amir Khan who went to Athens to become an educated 17-year old future Medalist and came home a proud Silver medalist losing out only to a 33 year old legendary Cuban, Mario Kindelan. Amir is a softly spoken college student from the small Lancashire town of Bolton, and he really can't take in the adulation he has received on his return to Britain. He had previously had less than 20 senior amateur fights and now
literally has the world in his hands. Former World heavyweight champion Evander
Holyfield had
some very encouraging words for Amir following his win. 'Vander told the youngster
that the wisest thing he could possibly do to prepare him for what may lie
ahead in his distant future is stay focused on obtaining Gold in Beijing in
2008, even then Amir will be just turned 21 years of age. What an amazing
story... HEAVY SHORTS... Former Heavyweight champion of the world Riddick Bowe was due to return to the ring on the 25th September at The Fire Lake Casino in Shawnee (Oklahoma) against the often beaten Jeff Lally but today I have learned that Mister Lally has pulled out of the bout due to a lack of testicular fortitude, sorry, I meant broken foot. All joking apart, I do wish Riddick would reconsider the comeback. After almost 7 years out of the ring and after a bunch of extremely hard fought wars in the late nineties, I do fear that Big Daddy may not be able to do the things that his body once allowed him to. I was, and still am, a great Bowe fanatic, but I remember an interview a friend of mine did with him following his last ring appearance, an interview that Riddick slurred and staggered his way through. I don't want to see one of my all time favorite hero go out in the same way Muhammad Ali did against Trevor Berbick in the Bahamas. Bowe is worth much more than a side show in some circus tent in a mid western State. I have no doubt Riddick
will find a suitable opponent on the 25th but I just hope he reviews his
situation before one of the current young guns decides to try to make a
disrespectful show out of a man who once had the whole world at his feet.
Riddick Bowe, good luck...
This Episode's Birthday Shout goes out to Kostya Tszyu.
Kostya's solo loss came at the hands of tricky Vince Phillips in 1997, via a dramatic 10th round TKO, which at the time was valued as Ring magazine's Upset of the Year. Kostya won his first world title in his 14th fight with a stoppage of rugged Jake Rodriguez in 6 rounds; he then made his first defence against the great Roger Mayweather, followed by four successful defences of his IBF belt before the Phillips shock. Two years and six months later he would emerge over Miguel Gonzalez via stoppage in 10 to claim the WBC title followed by three defences before taking the WBA version from Sharmba Mitchell in 2001. Two fights later Kostya would hand Zabdiel Judah his first taste of defeat, embarrassing the Brooklyn native via two round KO. Judah went on to publicly disgrace himself in that notorious attack on referee Jay Nady. Zab's lack of self-control would be the sad shadow beneath the greatest night of Kostya's life that would see him a three belt champ, and with the IBF - WBC and WBA belts he would be regarded as the Daddy at Light welterweight. Two defences later (Tackie and Leija) he would
find himself ready to once again do battle against old foe Sharmba Mitchell
on the 6th November with the IBF title on the line. WHO IS THIS MAN?
I just wish us all to spare a thought in eight days time to the many people who lost their lives in the horrendous events of September 11th, 2001. We can only pray that such events can never occur again. We can neither forgive or forget, yet only gain strength that the power of courage and love for our fellow brothers and sisters can carry us through times like those. The true spirit of GOOD can never be broken.
Good luck, good health, God bless. Photo Credit: Stephen Jones 9-3-2004
Brought to you by Saratogamist
copyright 2001-2004 |
