Mike Tyson was recently called out by USA boxing head Dr. Charles Butler recently of trying to lure amateurs away from chasing dreams of Gold for wads of cash if they turn pro. Butler stated fighters were getting “pennies on the dollar” if any of them actually get an Olympic medal.
Yet what is the biggest deal should not be that Butler said anything at all but more so that he felt compelled to call out Tyson. I have a hard time believing that Tyson is the only one who has looked in the amateur ranks and grabbed a prospect or two. However, while Tyson may be new to the promotional side of the boxing he is also one of the biggest names the head of USA boxing could call out to bring attention to USA boxing.
Truth be told, USA boxing will never be what is was in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and even up until the 90’s. USA has failed to produce a gold medalist since Andre Ward in 2004 and in 2008 USA boxing only could muster a single bronze medal. To make matters worse, the 2012 team failed to produce any mens medalist. While Olympic boxing has fallen on hard times and it’s not the darling it had once been, to call out Tyson for “poaching” possible Olympic prospects is simply a cop out. Brown simply saw a window of opportunity to flex his muscle and have people talk about amateur boxing. It actually is a good move, while calling out Tyson lacked any effort, perhaps now there will be a bigger push and support for amateur fighters from the general public and from fights fans who want to see USA boxing succeed.
And then…
It has been over 2 weeks since Floyd Mayweather dominated Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and the one conclusion I have came up with is that unless you are a boxing fan that has not been to a Mayweather fight live, there is really no reason to pay to see him anytime soon. Yes, he is the best fighter in the game today but he looks so much better than anyone else out there that he may fight from here until he end of his career. Simply paying such high ticket prices for a Mayweather ticket can be used on better fight cards that cost half as much and if the rumors turn out to be true and Amir Khan is his next opponent, it’s a fight that I would stay away from. That fight is better suited to be held in the U.K.-Khan has never been a huge draw in the states and the U.K. fans know how to party, that fight across the pond may be worth it simply for the fans but not for Mayweather.
Weight a minute.
Once again, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr failed to make weight and by failed to make weight I mean he probably didn’t even try to make weight. JCC simply lacks the work ethic to give boxing it’s respect. Yet people love him because of his father. It would be something if he actually took boxing serious, he would actually be pretty decent. Alas, he had most of his career mapped out for him and it has paid him pretty well. Sad really, while the the guy he beat last week Brian Vera has worked his ass off all of his career just to make a decent life for his family he goes into a fight that in the end he earned the victory. Yet from the beginning Vera was in a no win situation-from the weight limit, to the pay to simply getting the fight. Vera did not have the power of Top Rank or the family last name to dictate rules. It is one of boxing dark spots in the sport and it reared it’s ugly head the days leading up to the fight all the way to the decision.
October.
Starting this weekend with Miguel Cotto fighting for the first time since his loss to Austin Trout last December, October should be a fun month, Timothy Bradley v Juan Manuel Marquez, Oct.12th, Mike Alvarado back in action Oct.19th and Bernard Hopkins the 26th. Boxing is busy. It is also worth it to note that not all fights are in Vegas- Alvarado will be defending his title in his backyard of Denver, Colorado and Cotto is fighting in Florida as opposed to his typical Madison Square Garden routine.
Best matchup of October- Alvarado vs Provodnikov
Worst matchup of October-Hopkins vs Karo Murat
Most intriguing matchup of October- Bradley vs Marquez
and finally what does Cotto have left in the tank? I am curious to see if Freddie Roach has anything to give Cotto at this stage of his career. Cotto seemed better at not fading in his last few fights, I wonder if that will change under Roach. If Cotto should lose. He needs to hang em’ up.