Thursday, October 31, 2013

Halloween Hostilities for the Ages




As air chills and begins to bite, year after year, the boxing "season" tends to heat up. Whatever the reason, the last part of the calendar year tends to be kind to boxing fans. Below are examples of that, and fights that just happened to unfold while the ghouls and zombies were meandering about, October 31.

Joe Gans DQ5 Jimmy Britt, 1904

In 1903, Britt initially refused to fight a non-white fighter for the lightweight title, and instead fought Willie Fitzgerald for the "white" lightweight title. Britt and his camp then went on to demand 60 percent of the purse against Gans win or lose, until lengthy negotiations -- that included $1000 put forth by the Gans camp to make sure that Britt's second, Spider Kelly, would be unable to offer audible advice to Britt while he was in the ring -- finalized the fight in early October. Britt had his way during the fight, timing Gans to the tune of four knockdowns. On the final knockdown in round 5, Gans was sent to the canvas by a body shot, and Britt rushed over to swat at him some more as he was down. When the referee moved to stop the fouling and declare a disqualification, insanity broke loose. Said the AP, "Britt was frantic with rage when he realized he had lost the fight, and he rushed at [referee] Graney, striking wildly. Graney, who is something of a boxer himself, fought back, but the police interfered and separated the belligerents." 


Throwback Thursday - Azumah Nelson Bowls Over Wilfredo Gomez Late

Azumah Nelson, left, whacks Wilfredo Gomez with a left hook; Source

By the age of 26, Wilfredo Gomez had seen more successful title defenses of one belt than most fighters would see in multiple careers. A record 17 defenses of the WBC junior featherweight belt, all by stoppage, and a shiny WBC featherweight prize are what Gomez brought into the ring against "The Professor" himself, Azumah Nelson.

When most press reported Gerry Cooney vs. George Chaplin as the main event of the December 8, 1984 card, Greg Simms of the Plain Dealer called that line of thinking "blatant ignorance of the fight game," as a defense of the WBC featherweight belt by Gomez, not far from home in San Juan, Puerto Rico, against a finely-edged anvil like Nelson deserved top billing. A more somber way of looking at it, however, was that it was a bout between the last two men Salvador Sanchez sent packing prematurely before his demise in a 1982 auto accident.

A pre-fight wire report out of Puerto Rico quoted Gomez, 41-1-1 (40 KO) going in, as saying, "Nelson comes from Ghana with hopes to win, but lamentably, this title will stay here because it belongs to Puerto Ricans. My goal is to win three world titles, and Nelson is not going to block my career." Fully intent on blocking WGomez's career -- and his intention to face a young and newly belted Julio Cesar Chavez -- Nelson, 19-1 (14 KO), said via AP wire, "I won't have a problem. I'll knock out Gomez in the fifth round."

Late legendary trainer Eddie Futch's prediction: "I think Nelson does hit hard enough to knock out Gomez, but I hardly think that's likely. I would have to pick Gomez to win because of his overall ability and punching power."

Mr. Futch was off a tad.


Tuesday, October 29, 2013

TQBR Radio 10/29: Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat Recap, Gennady Golovkin vs. Curtis Stevens Preview


Above, what Karo Murat should've done to Bernard Hopkins, or Steve Smoger; Source


At the age of Abe Vigoda-years-old, Bernard Hopkins continues to crotch-kick the Grim Reaper -- in the ring, anyway. Some loved his showing against Karo Murat, some hated it, and some were perplexed by the subpar handling of the action by the usually solid (if not very good) referee Steve Smoger. But even the hating-est of the Bernard Hopkins haters will reluctantly offer up a "Well, for his age..." concession. This week on Queensberry Rules Radio, James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor take a stab at answering the question plaguing boxing fans the world over since last Saturday night: should Bernard Hopkins scale back on the shuffleboard, on account of his trick hip?

There are other matters to discuss, like what size army could've been marched through the cut that Gabe Rosado incurred against Peter Quillin, or how many more wins Deontay Wilder needs to be considered this week's Heavyweight That Opened On A Showtime Card Of The Week, etc. Also, there's an issue of Gennady Golovkin vs. Curtis Stevens to hold a geiger counter to.

Click this link to tune in live at 12:30 p.m. Pacific/3:30 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Monday, October 21, 2013

TQBR Radio 10/22: Ruslan Provodnikov vs. Mike Alvarado Recap, with Kelsey McCarson

Ruslan Provodnikov, left, in pursuit of Mike Alvarado; photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank




Usually the Queensberry Rules Radio preview post opens up with some nonsensical picture or reference, if not some borderline infuriating non sequitur. But this week, Ruslan Provodnikov and Mike Alvarado should simply get more and more attention, when possible. It was an outstanding fight, and one that in a way kicks off what should be an outstanding late-year run for fans of gloved combat.

As always, James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor will try to make sense of what we saw on Saturday night -- that, or make juvenile jokes that have the well-respected celebrity boxing scribes calling for blogger heads to roll. There will also be some previewing of Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat, Peter Quillin vs. Gabe Rosado, and much more. And joining the Milli and Vanilli of boxing radio is Kelsey McCarson, writer for The Sweet Science and Bleacher Report, and member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

Click this link to tune in live at 12:30 p.m. Pacific/3:30 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Throwback Thursday - Bobby Chacon Rallies to Decision Cornelius Boza-Edwards

Andre the Giant, left, fends off Bobby Chacon; source

There was some outstanding boxing in the 1980's. But as in every other decade of boxing, rankings and sanctioning bodies who created them really mimicked what was loosely considered the fashion of the times: funky, eccentric, and downright embarrassing in hindsight. 

The years have been kind to Larry Holmes and Marvin Hagler in terms of perception and all-time rankings; they usually are, however. But in the early eighties, the World Boxing Council threatened to snatch the rug out from under both great champions and leave them sans belts. Holmes would famously ditch the belt, of course, before the organization could act decisively, but a smaller fighter with less influence might be more easily manipulated. A fighter like, say, Bobby Chacon.

Entrenched in legal matters with Don King and still coping with the death of his wife, Bobby Chacon was lined up to defend his WBC junior lightweight belt in his only fight of 1983. Initially, the WBC refused to sanction the rematch between Bobby Chacon and Cornelius Boza-Edwards, demanding that Chacon instead defend against Hector Camacho, who was actually ranked lower than Boza-Edwards, but happened to be promoted by Don King. That King happened to be pals with WBC president Jose Sulaiman probably made no difference. Or maybe some. 

By May 16, 1983, Cornelius Boza-Edwards was chest deep in a professional boxing career that saw him turn pro not long after representing Uganda in the 1976 Olympics. His short, yet already explosive pro career had seen him to a record of 38-3 (30 KO), including a stoppage win over Bobby Chacon in 1981.

Having already retired a number of times -- memorably in 1976, after barely winning a decision over David Sotelo in which Chacon hit the deck a few times -- Chacon was using his ninth life in taking on Boza-Edwards once more, even if he had won a belt in the meantime. 

After the bout, Chacon said, "[Ringside physicians] kept saying I could go one more round, but they said it for seven rounds. After the 6th round, I knew they wouldn't stop it."

In context, Chacon would need 40 stitches for the cuts over and under his eyes, all told. His left eye was just about completely shut after the 12 rounds were done, his nose was destroyed, and cuts about his eyes likely had a cocktail party. Boza-Edwards wasn't any better for wear, though, having felt the tight grip of the canvas thrice during the evening, during rounds 1, 2 and 12. His cut up physique had no say in the contest.

Richard Steele, who refereed the scrum, would say after Chacon lost his next fight to Ray Mancini in three rounds, that, "The difference there was that Boza-Edwards doesn't punch like Ray Mancini."

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FIGHT IN ITS ENTIRETY

                                                                                *******

Feel free to follow Patrick on Twitter: @Integrital

Monday, October 14, 2013

TQBR Radio 10/15: Tim Bradley vs. Juan Manuel Marquez Recap, Mike Alvarado vs. Ruslan Provodnikov Preview

Frolicking above, one of Tim Bradley's relatives. Maybe; via

By now it should be clear that nobody will be stealing Tim Bradley's Lucky Charms. Not Juan Manuel Marquez, not those bratty kids in the commercial ...and perhaps not even Floyd Mayweather? Discussing the possibility of harnessing Bradley's prosperity, putting it toward winning some type of mega lottery and subsequently buying a medium-sized island will be James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor, per usual. Also on the agenda is Orlando Salido's win over Orlando Cruz, Vasyl Lomachenko's successful pro debut, and eventually Mike Alvarado vs. Ruslan Provodnikov.

Click this link to tune in live at 12:30 p.m. Pacific/3:30 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Throwback Thursday - Simon Brown Rallies to Decimate Tyrone Trice


Some fighters are made to work harder for belts than others -- both in the gym and in terms of political maneuvering. And actual records simply didn't mean as much in eras past, though the term "undefeated" has always shined a bit brighter than anything else in that regard. Still, two once-defeated men fighting for a strap wouldn't lead to any over-batted eyelashes even in today's sport. On April 23, 1988, Simon Brown sported a record of 24-1 (18 KO), while Tyrone Trice was 28-1 (23 KO). And this may come as a shock, but there was funky stuff going on in boxing all the way back in 1988, too. 

In October of 1987, Lloyd Honeyghan lost control of the IBF welterweight belt when he lost his WBC belt to Jorge Vaca in eight rounds on a cut, despite being only the second ever IBF welterweight titlist. Per WBC rules, Honeyghan was deducted a point for the accidental headbutt that caused the cut, which swung the close decision Vaca's way. The situation with the IBF wasn't immediately clear, however, as numerous publications stated that Vaca had also won the IBF belt, while others remained mum, only mentioning the WBC transfer. But a few days later, it was confirmed that the IBF strap had been declared vacant, as Vaca vs. Honeyghan was a 12 round title bout, and the fight was in London, where the British Boxing Board of Control didn't allow 15 round championship fights, and the IBF didn't allow 12 round championship fights. Chicken vs. egg vs. chicken vs. egg...


Monday, October 7, 2013

TQBR Radio 10/8: Miguel Cotto vs. Delvin Rodriguez Recap, Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Tim Bradley Preview, with Alex Barry

When Miguel Cotto stopped Delvin Rodriguez, the above Mark Morrison tune may or may not have become TQBR Radio's official anthem

Miguel Cotto is a mack, in every sense of the word. We think. But it's possible we here at TQBR don't really understand the hip lingo today's kids are using. So we'll just say he's cool and fresh, and give thanks that he's seemingly "back." 

On the other hand, we're also kind of obligated to mention the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Alexander Povetkin travesty. But the antacid tablet to that heavyweight gut bomb should be Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Tim Bradley. There should be plenty of comic relief for James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor to work with, though. And joining the Flotsam and Jetsam of boxing radio this week is Alex Barry of The Boxing Seed.

Click this link to tune in live at 12:30 p.m. Pacific/3:30 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Throwback Thursday - Jeff Harding, Blood Tinged, Pulverizes Dennis Andries

Dennis Andries, left, slams a jab toward Jeff Harding in their first bout; source

At the time this fight was made, nobody really knew that putting WBC light heavyweight titlist Dennis Andries in with Jeff Harding would be like aiming two high-powered jackhammers at each other. But the punches rarely stopped, and they carried punishment with them. 

Andries was to have squared up against Canadian hunk Donny Lalonde. About three weeks out from the June 24 date, Lalonde announced his retirement from boxing, saying that he couldn't even handle beating up sparring partners, much less opponents during a paid bout. The revelation, though strange, was right in line with Lalonde's eccentric mannerisms. It should be noted, however, that Lalonde went back to boxing in 1991. 

As Top Rank's Bob Arum remarked before the fight, Donny Lalonde's oddball personality was a draw, though, and his pullout left a gap in the schedule that ABC needed to fill, and quickly. Unheralded Australian prospect Jeff Harding, who hadn't yet gone 12 rounds -- and hadn't beaten any ranked contenders --  was given the opportunity. Harding's trainer Johnny Lewis would later remark that it was a chance he felt they needed to take.