HE came, he saw, he conquered and he did it all in under a minute. That about sums up Mike Tyson’s one punch victory over Cliff Etienne. Fortunately I ate my popcorn while waiting for the fight to begin or it would have been to late. Maybe now the “experts” will shut the F up. For two weeks we’ve
read and heard from every segment of the population. Mike shouldn’t fight—-he’s not in shape. No difference he won. Good night and drive home safely.
Etienne, at the end, looked like the old photo of Jack Johnson lying on his back shading his eye from the Havana Sun when Ko’d by Jess Willard on April 4, 1915. Many in the crowd felt the same way as Etienne had to fight his way to his dressing room being bombarded with taunts (“Sticks and Stone will break my bones”) and other object of a more substantial nature. Had this of been Vegas the two dufas’s (Duo Steve’s. Albert and Farwood) would have ridden that horse until it dropped. Speaking of Steve Farwood, who was subbing for a vacationing Bobby Czyz, has anyone ever seen he and Woody Allen together? They could be one in the same.
Vacationing Bobby Czyz? I made that up. He wasn’t on the telecast and no explanation was given so one put one and one together and got four. Bobby was arrested from “allegedly ” driving under the influence of demon rum a couple of weeks ago. Bet he was a pleasant “allegedly drunk” as he’s a pain in the fanny when sober. If true then it prove that Bobby, a Mensa guy, couldn’t do two things at once. WE all know the drinking and driving is bad. On the other hand it does make the trip go faster as I found out on trips home from college to allow Mom to do laundry. “Howie how far do you live from school ?” “Three quarts of Oly and one pit stop.” I almost got in MENSA. Filled a test out in the back of a delta Airlines flight magazine. The results came back. MENSA didn’t want me but the Delta Frequent Flyer Club did.
Back to the fight and Tyson’s comments. Jim Gray did a good job of interviewing Tyson after even though Gray looked like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. “I’m not ready to fight Lewis now. If I did , I’d get beat up and I don’t want to get beat up. I need three or four more fights to get ready for Lewis. I got to get my s**t together. My life’s a mess.” I have the feeling that Mike Tyson is crazy like a fox. A reply of the fight will be shown on Showtime Tuesday, I think.
NOW that we’ve got Mike Tyson out of the way for at least a while let’s turn our focus, such as it is, on the “REALLY” big fight next Saturday Night at the Thomas & Mack on the Campus of UNLV in Las Vegas, Nevada. It’s a PPV deal and promoted by a casino that has “86’d” your fearless writer with the words, “Don’t ever try to attend one of our fights.”. So I myself won’t see the fight live. “Poor Howie”. Trust me he’ll live. While a couple of other championships will be contested Saturday Night (Winky “44-3” Wright – J.C “25-4” Candelo IBF Jr. Middle, Jean-Marc “28-2” Mormeck -. Alex “32-1” Gurov WBA Cruiserweight Of course we root for Gurov hoping that the Frog gets his ass kicked. “Going to war without France is like going Bear hunting without your accordion”.) it’s John Ruiz (38-4-1) vs. Roy Jones (47-1) for the WBA Heavyweight belt that is suppose to do the heavy lifting, sell PPV so that Ruiz can make a buck. He so wanted this fight, or was talked into it by Don King, that his money comes from PVP. Jones jr. got his up front. One of the hooks here, advertising lingo, is that Roy Jones was a middleweight (won the title in 1993 from B. Hopkins) and is now challenging for the heavyweight title. Whilst sitting ringside, but of course, at the Aladdin Casino’s initial “reasonably price fight card” on Friday Night last a gentleman axed, “Can you name the only middleweight that ever won the heavyweight title?”
Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission Marc Ratner didn’t know? Nevada Sportswriter of the Year Kevin Iole of the Review Journal didn’t know. Benny Ricardo really smart Sports Director from 103.7 in San Diego didn’t know Guess who had the answer ? The one and only, Ruffles and Flourishes please, Mr. Wonderful. The very same who writes under the pen name of Howie Reed. Yep and damn proud. Wonder if that makes me a journalist? Probably not. I should have gotten who was the defeated champ but choked and didn’t have a darn lifeline. Where the hell is Regis when you need him. The only man ever to move up from Middleweight Champion to heavyweight Champion was “Ruby” Bob Fitzsimmons (57-8-16). Now you young
“whippersnappers” probably don’t know the name, too busy snapping your whipper, but Ruby Bob won the heavyweight title in Carson City Nevada on March 17,1897 via a 14 round KO. Fitzsimmons weight 167 and Gentleman James Corbett 184. For those that were forced to use our public schools that’s a 17 pound difference. When Jones enters the ring against Ruiz the “Conventional wisdom” is that he will give up as much as 30 pounds.
Ruby Bob is an interesting guy whose career in the ring covered the period of 1883 to 1914. His first 40 or so fights, poor record keeping leads to the term 40 or so, were held in and around Sydney. Australia. That may lead you to ask if Fitzsimmons was an Aussie? Nope. He was actually, as opposed to allegedly, born in Helston, Cornwall England but called Timaru New Zealand his hometown. (Sorry Smitty but facts is facts. Smitty, boxing commentator extraordinary who also didn’t know the answer to the middle to heavy question, tossed in “He was from New Zealand.” Nice try and I bought it until I went to the old record book. Heck of a job Howie.) In fact he fought for the heavyweight title before the Carson City encounter.
From Boxingrec.com. comes the story of his fight in February of 1896 in Langtry “near” Texas against Peter Maher (29-4-2). “This bout was billed for the world heavyweight title. Held near Langtry, TX in Mexico. Judge Roy Bean was responsible for bringing Maher and Fitzsimmons together. Bean thumbed his nose at the Texas Rangers and Mexican authorities by holding the bout on a sandbar in the Rio Grande river. This was done to thwart the authority of the Rangers and made it impossible for the Mexicans to gain access to his location. Spectators were brought in on a special train and a footbridge was constructed to allow easier access to the sandbar. Alcohol flowed and the wagers were made. This elaborate scheme was put together for about one and a half minutes of boxing by the main eventers as Fitzsimmons was KOed in the first round.”
Later in 1896, December to be accurate, he tried for the title again. No we don’t know why the “Near Texas” fight didn’t count. He fought Tom Sharkey (22-0) in San Francisco. Boxingrec. records the story. ” This bout was promoted as for the Heavyweight Championship of the World due to Fitzsimmons previous victory over Peter Maher. This bout had a controversial ending when Fitzsimmons knocked Sharkey flat on his back; Referee Wyatt Earp ruled that Fitzsimmons had fouled.” Yep that Wyatt Earp who was a sportswriter in San Francisco having married a high class society chick and settled into the good life.
Fitzsimmons won the world middleweight title in 1891 at the Olympic Club in New Orleans when he KO’d the original Jack Dempsey (46-1-7) in the 13th round. I toss that in case anyone ax’s you if you know when Fitzsimmons own the title. Ruby Bob win’s the Heavy title in March of 87. Defends it the first time in June of 1899 against James J. Jeffers (10-2) and loses via a 11th round KO. The San Francisco rematch in 02 results in a 8th round KO.
With that Ruby Bob says adios to the heavyweight division until December of 1905 when he fights Philadelphia Jack O’Brien (87-1-15) in San Francisco in what is called a world light-heavywieght title bout but is really a heavyweight eliminator. Fitzsimmons is KO’d in 13. If I wrote that Fitzsimmons had fought Philadelphia Jack O’Brien (78-3-14) in Philadelphia to a NC ND 6 on July 23. 1904 you would probably scream , “ENOUGHT ALREADY”. Message received.
NOW to Jone-Ruiz. Yes this is a fight for the heavyweight title. No it is not Billy Conn (63-11-1) against Joe Louis 1941 or 46. It is not Bob Foster (56-8) against either Muhammad Ali (1972) or Smokin Joe Frazier (1970). It is not Archie Moore (182-24-9) against Rocky Marciano (1955), Floyd Patterson (1956 or his non title shot against Ali (1962). OK if it’s none of those fights then what is it ? It’s a overblown super middle weight with an inordinate amount of talent that has been squandered (Jones) against one tough SOB (Ruiz). The books and the wise guys are going big time for Jones. Why? Good question and I don’t have the any idea why.
Maybe like fawning sportswriter’s they have bough into the Jones mystique. Ruiz on the other hand has never backed down from a challenge. There is no way on Gods Green Earth that Roy Jones jr. will win this fight. Ruiz will make it ugly and ugly wins.
IT’s sad when one of the great fighters of all time passing and it’s treated with a “Oh By the Way.” That was the case two weeks ago when Kid Gavalin passed away. He died the same day as legendary Jockey John Longdon. A very wise person said, “We must remember history as it has a way of repeating itself.” Boxing for some reasons seems to run from it’s history of fighters fighting for a way to escape from poverty. Somehow it’s been lost that boxing is one of the three sports where’s it’s just you against an opponent.
(The Ernest Hemingway believed the others two sports were “auto racing and bull fighting.”) The sport has darn few treasurer’s and losing one is sad. Boxing lost a treasure with the passing of Kid Gavalin. The Kid had a career that spanned 15 years (1943-1958) that included being a staple on TV in the mediums Golden Age. Whether it was Wednesday Night (Pabst Blue Ribbon, “What’ll you have ?”), Friday (Gillette, “To look sharp ever time you shave, to be sharp ever time to shave use Gillette Blue Blades.” ) or Saturday (White Owl Cigar where Edie Admas sang, “Why don’t you pick one up and smoke it sometime”) the Kid made his name know in every household.
The Camaguay Cane Cutter had 143 fights with a record of 107-30-6. In the six year span from 1946 to 1951 he would have 76 fights with a record of 62-10-4. He spanned two wars and never slowed down until his last fight in June of 1958 against Yama Bahama. In his prime, pre 1954, when there was no one left in either the Welter or lightweight division he moved up to fight for the middleweight title. In 1954 he fought Carl “Bobo” Olsen and lost a 15 round majority decision. After that the years took their toll as he was “just” another good fighters although he continued to fight but now loosing to the likes of Johnny Saxton(55-9-), Tony DeMarco(58-12) , Chico Vigar (93,20), Gasper Ortega (130-39) twice, Del Flanagan (105-22) and Ralph “Tiger” Jones (51-32). Most of whom would be “Undisputed champions” today with the multiple rating organizations.
In his prime he beat them all except his nemesis Sugar Ray Robinson (173-19-6) who got him twice. Both wins by decision. He also lost to Ike Williams (125-24-5) , Those loose’s came at a weight that really wasn’t his. He tossed a bolo punch that became his trademark along with his ability to always give everything he had. At the end he didn’t have much but heart. Finally that gave out. RIP Kid.
THERE are times when you have to wonder what world some of the modern athletics are living on. There is also no argument, except from teachers who are collecting money under false pretenses, that the schools in America leave a lot to be desired. That aside even those factors can’t explain the action of one Shane Mosley. The personable Mosley doesn’t seem to comprehend the real world. On Monday last he walked away with a 4.25 million dollar contract to fight Oscar De La Hoya next September. Mosley hasn’t won a fight in two years and is turning down the biggest payday of his career.. “Nothing surprises me anymore,” Bob Arum said. “All of (Mosley’s) people, his advisers — IMG, a very substantial company — all told him to take it, that it was the best deal he could get. Instead, he listened to his wife (Jin). So that’s it. Boom. Goodbye. I’m sick of talking about him anyway. It’s on to Vargas.”
Top Rank’s Bob Arum reveled that the contract could have been worth up to 11 Million to Mosley with a win and decent pay-per-view. It seems that everyone tried to explain to Mosley that he was acting like he was taken deep with the stupid stick. His promoter, Barry Frank, said he had tried to convince Mosley to change his mind. Mosley was “adamant” that DeLaHoya should receive less than the guaranteed 12 million. “We had a long and very frank conversation, but Shane was not prepared to accept that dollar amount,” Frank said. “He felt he deserved more. He never once changed his position. He felt Oscar was getting too much and he was getting too little.”
If you wonder how Shane Mosley could be so ignorant of life listen to his father Jack. “Believe me, Shane might not be as popular as Oscar, but it’s very close,” Jack Mosley said. “The Mexican fans love Shane, the black fans love him, the whites love him. He’s very popular in Australia. Shane is a very popular fighter who also happens to be one of the world’s elite fighters. He should be paid that way.” BullSTUFF. Note to Jack Mosley. “Your son can’t sell out a 6,000 seat venue. Oscar does that in hour.” Case closed..
OK no more Mr. Nice for “Moi”. I’ve had it up to here he typed pointing to the top of his head where once there was a natural covering. Note to Senator John McCain (A-Arizona). “Shut the “F up”, mind your own business or reregister as a whinny-empty headed stick your nose in everyone’s business do nothing democrat. You are an embarrassment to all but a bunch of gutless news people and your own self serving ego. You tried to become a nominee for the President of the United States. U got your Ass kicked. Resident Bush never broke a sweat taken you to the woodshed. The people tossed your hat back out of the ring and raised in your honor “half a victory sign.” Like Shane Mosley and Larry King you need a reality check.
I know you’re sitting there folks sayings, “What’s he on about now.” Now a brief recap. The sleazy Governor of Nevada (That would be Kenny Boy Gwinn.) appoints the son (Tony Alamo Jr.) of Mandalay Bay casino executive (Tony Alamo Sr.).to the Nevada Athletic Commission. Teddy Atlas, Friday Night Fights, points out that this gives the appearance of a “conflict of interest”. In addition Mandalay Bay just happens to have been the largest campaign contributor to Gov. Kenny . Here comes a little inside Nevada stuff, to thwart the political ambitions of the sitting Vice Chairman of the Commissioner Dr. Flipper Homasky (“The most dangerous place to be is between Dr. Homasky and a microphone or a camera”.) the Chairman (Luther Mack) doesn’t reappoint Homasky but selects newcomer Alamo Jr. as Vice Chairman. The “spin” is that now the Vice Chairman has become a “rotating’ job. Of course that’s pure BS but remember here we are talking about the “Peoples
Republic of Nevada” or as some call it “WE B Gaming”.
Most of the furor would have died down except Mr. Tony Alamo Sr. (Mandalay Bay) decides to “demand” an apology from Atlas, ESPN and HBO through his paid liar (aka Lawyer),threatens legal action and like the UN sets a meaningless deadline. Atlas, nicely of course, tells Mr. Alamo Sr. and his Lawyer to “take your liquid waste and make it climb a rope.” Enter Senator Windbag two weeks late. As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee he sticks his nose in where ever there’s a chance for some headlines or to extort someone or somebody for campaign contributions. His animosity towards Nevada is long standing and is based upon getting votes. His pet
project has been to eliminate Nevada’s “RIGHT” to accept wagers on college sports. Why ? “If there is no legal college sports betting it will go away.” Bet his pals in Arizona would love that.
McCains letter to Gov. Kenny states that if there are violations it would be , “further evidence of the need for broader federal oversight of boxing. These allegations are particularly troubling in light of the historically high regard in which the Nevada commission is held.” As reported by Royce Feour of the Review-Journal Gutless Gov. Kenny answered, “”I’ll take this under advisement. I’ll address this at the appropriate time. I appreciate Sen. McCain voicing his opinions on ethics.” What a whimp. Too bad Teddy Atlas isn’t Governor. Even Atlas has faults. He thinks Senator Windbag is a great man. Heck Teddy be right all the time.
The fact is that if Mr. Alamo Sr. had done like “Mike & Mike” in the Morning on ESPN radio advise, “Just Shut Up” this would have been a two day story. Attending the initial “responsibly priced” Friday Night Fights at the Aladdin there was no Tony Alamo Jr. (Brief time out here. U will notice that twice I’ve mentioned the Aladden and their “reasonably price boxing shows. Well yes three times now. Had to. They gave me a genuine blue plastic pen to record stuff.) There was no Tony Alamo jr. “He’s probably at home waiting to see what Atlas says on ESPN”, came the answer from a high placed Nevada Commission person. Want my sense of what’s going to happen ? he did show up after the card started. Here goes. Alamo Jr. resigns to accept a very important post with Governor Kenny. “This new position is one of the most important to the State of Nevada . We needed an individual who can bring the knowledge and background for this position of leadership.” As a veterinarian Dr. Alamo Jr. will be charged with redesigning the new dog tags for
statewide use.
COLUMNIST Dean Juipe (pronounced Dean) of the Las Vegas Sun is of the opinion that Mike Tyson’s antics will assist Senator Wind Bag with a Federal Boxing Law. Juipe reports Promoter Bob Arum saying, “This is hardball. Nevada and the Nevada commission are under a calculated attack by McCain’s forces and his media stooges.”. If true then the behavior of Alamo Sr. is even more questionable. Marc Ratner, Executive Director is quoted as saying, “Anything that reflects poorly on Boxing helps the McCain bill.” He was speaking in regard to Tyson’s fight on Saturday night which should now be a non issue..
Arum agrees with Ratner. ” McCain’s people are going to use the mess Tyson created as justification for passing a boxing bill.” In his column Juipe points out that “Arum doesn’t believe Tyson should be fighting, period, but that’s another story.” Arum doesn’t believe anyone should be fighting unless he gets a cut of the action. Pure and simple. Arum’s been out of the heavyweight picture for year’s and try’s to make folks believe that he doesn’t care. Of course he cares. The big stage is the Heavyweights and he isn’t on it. Boxing is in trouble because of itself. I’ve got a couple of suggestions for boxing but I’m sure the “Do Not Disturb” sign is hung by their chimney with care.
Wonder what kind of fireworks will go skyward next Friday night at the Orleans in Las Vegas when ESPN comes to call. It’s a good card with contenders Humberto Soto (25-5-2, 14 KOs) vs Cesar Figueroa (23-1-2) on top and a newly added match with Heavyweights Friday “The 13th” Ahunanya (17-1, 9 KOs) vs Terrence Lewis (31-12, 21 KOs). Fridays only problem is that he comes from the “W B KO’s Gym”. Their fighters keep getting KO’d. True fact. That aside the real headliner’s will be Teddy Atlas vs. The Nevada Athletic Commission (aka. Mandalay Bay). Stock up on the MGD it’s going to be a barn burner Nellie. Look for me in the front row..