Boxing is a cruel enough sport for fighters without crass sniping from commentators like me but the news Alex Arthur has been awarded full world champion status by the WBO left a sour taste. I’m sure it did for Arthur too, a proud fighter and one who, publicly at least, yearned for a shot at the genuine big time. Not the pretend big time, but the real, genuine big time. His proposed fight with now abdicated champion Joan Guzman would have been just such an opportunity. Continue reading ““World title belts, get ya belts ‘ere, fiver a pair!””
Battle of the Som-brero; give ol’ Gomez a chance
Matchmaking is a funny business. Not funny “haha”, funny “ooh”. As my Grandad would often say. There is simply no right and wrong methodology or barometer for matchmakers. If the house fighters wins, you’ve got it right. If the house fighters wins easily you’ve got it right but perhaps too right, because the audience want competition not a procession. In fact, getting it ‘too’ right can sometimes be wrong. But still better that, than simply getting it wrong. Are you keeping up?
Continue reading “Battle of the Som-brero; give ol’ Gomez a chance”
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So Near So Czar: Katsidis ‘defends’ Interim belt
Australian strongman Michael Katsidis, one of a host of fighters to expose British champions in recent months, makes the first defence of his interim WBO Lightweight title against Czar Amonsot this weekend. A sentence which will dumbfound the boxing purists; how does boxing create a scenario where interim champions defend the belt simultaneous to the activity of the real champion, in this case Juan Diaz? Continue reading “So Near So Czar: Katsidis ‘defends’ Interim belt”
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The Michael Gomez Story: The Movie
Every fighter has a story. A few take on mythological proportions, from Sonny Liston’s rise and fall to Johnny Tapia’s regular dance with death. British fighter Michael Gomez’s own story may lack the gravitas associated with the former’s professional success but it has a similar sprinkling of pain and misfortune. Of course, Gomez isn’t finished yet, despite the death knell being sounded on his career more than once – and he returns to action again soon, but a low budget British film based on his life this far is being promoted on his website. Continue reading “The Michael Gomez Story: The Movie”
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Archive: British Boxing’s Road to Redemption
An article plucked from back in the summer of 2004, in the days preceding Danny Williams’ challenge to Mike Tyson. With a perspective on the significance of the bout for British boxing as a whole and specifically its hope of sustaining significance and resonance with the next generation of sports fans. Continue reading “Archive: British Boxing’s Road to Redemption”
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Boxing is a brave man’s sport
And the sky is blue, grass is green. An obvious statement of course, but the weekend corner retirement of Acelino Freitas brought down the curtain on a distinguished career and it would be sad if the hard-punching Brazilian is remembered only for quitting versus Diego Corrales and young Juan Diaz at the weekend. It would be unjust to overlook his longevity and the knockout streak of his youth.
Continue reading “Boxing is a brave man’s sport”
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