Of course, THE news of the boxing world concerns the sudden retirement of now-former WBC Heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko and the passing of the crown to Baltimore's own Hasim Rahman, making Rahman a two-time world champion.
On a radio interview today, I was asked whether Rahman should feel cheated because he was given the title as opposed to winning it in the ring. My answer continues to be NO!! Rahman did everything he was asked to do in this situation. He fought the guys that the WBC asked him to fight. He waited patiently for Klitschko to be healed and fought during that time. He earned the opportunity. The bottom line is that Klitschko, for whatever reason, did not want to go through with this bout.
Honestly, I was calling Klitschko "Quitschko" like everybody else until I remembered that Klitschko has a Ph.D in Physical Education. My belief is that Klitschko had an idea that this particular injury was going to be bad. He understood fully what the doctors were telling him and that's when he decided to call it quits.
So where do we go from here? I think the Don King-proposed tournament is the way to go. However, I do have some reservations -- not with the concept itself, but with who will be involved.
You have Rahman, WBA champ John Ruiz, IBF titleholder Chris Byrd and WBO champ Lamon Brewster. With this four, I can't see this tourney drawing flies. These guys are not popular enough. No one cares about this.
King is going to have to catch a break. I, personally, would like to see Ruiz lose his mandatory in December to 7'-2" Nicolay Valuev. If Valuev somehows gets involved, the curiosity of a seven-foot heavyweight might be a draw.
But the idea itself is a necessary one and I am glad that Rahman will be involved. King is saying that he would like to see Rahman take on James Toney for his first defense. That I think would be too risky for Rahman to do.
There are some interesting days ahead for the heavyweight division.
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5 comments:
gary, heavywieght boxing has fallen far these days. when you look at the current champions you wish for tyson,holyfield and even lennox lewis. rahman seems to be the better of the current champions, yet watching him fight doesn't stir the excitement that we were accustomed to seeing in the late 80's to mid-nineties.
now james toney could become heavyweight champion of the world very soon. his skills far exceed anyone else in the heavyweight division except for maybe chris byrd. can you imagine, a former middleweight champion dominating the heavyweight division, that would definitely be historical.
rahman and toney would be a good fight. rahman strength and jab could cause major problems for toney. i would like to see them fight for the undisputed title in a tournament.
chris byrd would give toney problems style wise because they both are counterpunchers and when counterpunchers get together it makes for a somewhat boring fight. toney would emerge victorious in that fight.
with that said i think it is a toss up between rahman and toney emerging as the winner of the tournament.
one who could be a sleeper in the tournament, is lamon brewster. it all depends on which lamon brewster shows up...
monte barrett is shop worn and probably has seen better days. john ruiz, he couldn't beat a one armed james toney. enough said.....
didn't mean to mention monte barret, rahman already disposed of him...
I'm with you slickwalt. I agree with all of your analysies. However, you didn't mention either Vladimir klitshko or Samuel Peter, who in my opinion, could beat any of the above mentioned on any given day. I'm not sure where those two are positioned in the rankings, but they are definately threats. I'd love to hear you and Gary weigh in on these two.
I also agree with you, Slickwalt. It may come down to Rahman and Toney in the long run. If they could, I would like to see Toney in the tourney some way.
Wladimir Klitschko is ranked number one in both the IBF and the WBO. Peter is coming off his first career loss recently.
V. klitschko will get defeated by anybody who puts pressure on him. he folds under pressure and has no chin. he is good for maybe 5 rounds and then he falls apart. samuel peter needs more skills, he looked amateurish fighting klitschko, he displayed no jab and had no clue how to cut the ring off against a guy who moves like a robot. no question he has power and a chin, but i think he is definitely a year or two away from being a champion. my ex-trainer used to tell me one of the most dangerous fighter to face is a puncher with brains. once peter gets smarter and more skillful he could really be dangerous.
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