THE GREATEST

Muhammad Ali passed away last night and the world lost an icon. The truth about Ali is that he was a figure that transcended his sport. Ali stood up against what he perceived to be an unnecessary war. Ali did not hold back when talking about his beliefs in terms of religion and race relations. Some may have considered him an incendiary individual and some a true revolutionary but everyone spoke his name. Ali was one of Boxing's greatest fighters, his courage and grace were second to none. The battles with Joe Frazer and Ken Norton were part of boxing's Champagne era, the one where 15 rounders and near death experiences where common. Yes Ali was a courageous man, like many others he went one round too far. The thing about Ali is that even after he was no longer the great warrior he had once been, he could still incite a crowd and elicit inspiration. Ali's battle with Parkinson's hindered his speech and motor skills but they never hindered his resolve. Yes the GOAT is no longer here, but the legacy he left behind will never be erased. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see. 

I CAN UNDERSTAND

For years after coming out of prison Mike Tyson was known as a lose cannon whose out of the ring antics were far more newsworthy than his fights. After retiring, following a couple of loses to below par opposition, Tyson continued his Sony Liston like descent into a life that would likely end early. Tyson seemed to change and after appearing in Hangover he began to get in shape, turn his life around and put himself on track for closure. In the past couple of years Tyson has focused on paying his debts, being a good father and husband and making amends for past hurts. This preamble is what brings me to the general substance of this entry.

Tyson has been trending like nobody's business because he called a Canadian host a piece of shit. People are starting to use words like crazy and what have you since the incident occurred. The incident occurred because Tyson's past conviction for rape was brought up in an interview that was supposed to serve the purpose of promoting Mike's one man show. Personally I can understand why Tyson said what he said, I don't think it was the best way to handle it but I can understand it.

The man interviewing Tyson was talking about the Toronto mayoral race and suddenly asked Tyson if he felt that being seen with a convicted rapist would hurt the Mayor, in light of recent controversies. Tyson snapped and rightfully so. Tyson has been a free man for nearly 20 years, he blew a fortune, lost a child and did not really end his career the way most people thought he would. Assuming that he really did rape Desiree Washington, Tyson has paid a karmic price for it and then some. I say assuming he raped Washington because to this day that particular conviction is questionable. I mean let's face it if someone invites you to a party at 2 am in his hotel room you should know it's usually a party of two. Desiree Washington has since run into legal issues of her own, some of which call into question her credibility. I wasn't there so I won't say Tyson is innocent, and I won't say he is guilty either.

I think that if a man is trying to serve as an example that even the worst behaving individual can turn himself around, he shouldn't be put in a position where he is labeled at this stage, especially during a fluff piece about a one man show which should not carry a political discussion. I wouldn't have done the same thing, I would have walked away but everyone's different, still, let's understand why he snapped before we start calling him crazy.

BRADLEY AND MARQUEZ

In keeping with my Sunday government bullshit boycott I have decided to talk about the anticipated battle between Tim Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez. I've been watching 24/7 and Tim Bradley sounds like a man with a hell of a lot to prove, and that can actually be a bad thing. In his last fight Bradley left himself open to too much punishment. I'm not saying that Bradley is damaged goods but he proved that he can hit and he does have a tendency to throw out his plans.

Marquez is a tactician and his ability to keep calm under fire can work as a major plus in his quest to stay near the top of the pound for pound rankings. The interesting thing here is Bradley had major troubles with Pacquiao while Marquez was Pacquiao's biggest problem. Marquez may well unsettle Bradley and Bradley may well dominate Marquez.

Marquez is superbly conditioned but age and battles may be too much for him while Bradley is vulnerable and hittable. This battle is really a crossroads fight for the two men. If Bradley loses he will validate everyone that thinks he lost to Pacquiao and is damaged goods. If Mraquez loses he will likely have to retire. In the end this fight has major implications for both men but chances are that a Mayweather fight is not necessarily one of those implications.

KLITSCHKO: SAFETY FIRST, EXCITEMENT LAST

I like Wladimir Klitschko, I think he is a gentleman and his conduct outside of the ring and focus inside of it is what has allowed him to compile a 22-2 championship record along with a reign that's second only to Joe Lewis' in terms of length. Now let's look at some factors behind everyone's shunning of Klitschko as a champion. The heavyweight division has brought forth classic feuds between fighters like Holyfield and Bowe, Ali and Frazier, and so on. Today fighters in the heavyweight division show up to either get beat or get paid. Klitchko is an intelligent man that knows how to use his advantages in a manner that's safe, smart, and effective.

Klitschko is a superb athlete whose sensational physical condition along with his methodical approach are enough to beat guys into frustration. People call Klitschko a safety first, boring fighter with little regard for excitement and an inability to give fans their money's worth. First of all Klitschko was not always a methodical fighter, in fact Klitschko use to throw as many as 70 punches every round. While Klitschko was put in front of guys like Jameel Mccline it was not a problem for him to plow opposition down with his style. Klitschko was a heavily touted guy until he ran into the late Corrie Sanders and wore himself out against Lamon Brewster. From that point on Klitschko began fighting as a tall guy using his advantages and relying on a laser like jab along with occasional power shots in order to beat guys over the long run.

Fans in the US see Klitschko as a robotic fighter that just likes to maul guys until they either quit, fall over, or just survive enough to lose. The thing about Klitschko is this, he has not been put in a position where he needed to fight back. No one fighter since the once highly touted Sam Peter has made Klitschko fight or at least really attempt to hold on. In his latest fight Klitschko seemed to just act as if he were spending another day in the office. Klitschko used his height an weight to take Alexander Povetkin's legs out and toss him around like a rag doll. Klitschko won ugly but he won never the less.

Klitschko will not be appreciated for winning over guys without real focus. Klitschko is shunned because in part he has no real opposition. There are no great heavyweights coming out of the US and overseas guys play into the Klitschko game plan by fighting too upright and leaving themselves open to continuing one two shots that eventually take their toll. Until Klitschko finds someone that really tests him, he will continue to fight safe, smart, and boring. It may be a losing performance that makes Wladimir more appreciated or it may be his continued winning ways that may bring him some respect in the end. Until one of those things happens, it's livestream online broadcast that will carry Wlad until the end of his reign.

GOOD FIGHT.............BUT

I am tired of government bullshit so I have decided to go ahead and write about last night's boxing match between Miguel Cotto and Delvin Rodriguez. I thought the fight was great, from a showcase perspective. It was Cotto's way back after two back to back losses to Floyd Mayweather and Austin Trout. What was interesting was seeing what Cotto had left after not only after the two losses but also after fighting a murderer's row of punchers such as Pacquiao, Clottey, and Margarito. Common wisdom dictated that Rodriguez would likely extend Cotto because of his advantages in height and rugged nature.

Cotto dominated Rodriguez with a sustained body attack and an incredibly aggressive approach that Rodriguez was not expecting. Cotto went back to a huge left hook to the body that nearly caved the ribs of Rodriguez and a combination that nearly took Rodriguez's head off. Yes I think Cotto has something left but let's put it into perspective.

Delvin Rodriguez does not have an aggressive puncher's nature like upper echelon fighters such as Martinez and, to a lesser extent, Canelo Alvarez. I think Cotto could handle Alvarez and Martinez but he needs to be extremely aggressive and at the same time understand how to wear out and smother the attacks of fighters that will take three to land one.

One thing that Cotto may have against Martinez is the fact that Martinez may well be starting to feel the effects of age and wear and tear. Martin Murray extended Martinez and the punishment Martinez took in his first fight with Paul Williams was something else. The last round against Chavez was also taxing for the aging Martinez. Cotto looks good still and his new union with Roach provides a confidence and line that he needs. Cotto is no longer the boss of the corner and that's vital for a successful last run.

I think Cotto has a good run provided that he stays away from punchers such as Golovkin. Let's see if his last run leads him to the right roads.

REMEMBER THE MACHO MAN

Ever since I had use of my cognitive faculties I was a fan of boxing. Coming from Puerto Rico and being accustomed to fighters like the sensational Wilfred Benitez, the amazing Wilfredo Gomez and the champion of champions Felix Trinidad it's understandable why. With the tragic and untimely passing of Hector "El Macho" Camacho I want to focus a little and what it was that made him an unforgettable figure despite his controversial nature in and certainly outside of the ring.

Like the Macho or hate him you had to give him credit because he was a true warrior. Looking back on his carer Camacho put up incredible performances against the likes of Ray Mancini, Bazooka Limon and many others. One truly sensational display of courage was his fight against fellow Puerto Rican great Edwin "Chapo" Rosario. That night in 1986 Camacho gave Rosario a fight and while many feel Rosario won Camacho came away with the edge. If ever Camacho was defined in his 88 fight career that was the one for him.

Camacho would go on a decline as most fighters do but even in that decline he was still flashy and still a warrior. In losing against Julio Cesar Chavez, Felix Trinidad, and Oscar De La Hoya, Camacho showed he was a game fighter refusing to give up choosing instead to go out on his shield. A three division champion Camacho was the flashy anti-hero and he played his role well, maybe to well for his own good. In later fights Camacho still sought to entertain and attempted to give flashes of the skills that made him great. Camacho's last great performances came in the way of a five round beating of Ray Leonard and two decision wins against a past his prime Roberto Duran.

It's sad that Camacho died the way he died and that the controversy in his personal life will likely overshadow his greatness in the ring. I remember meeting Macho more than once at a gym I frequented years ago. Macho could still move his hands with great quickness and give anyone a severe lesson. Remember the great fighter that he was and not the troubled individual that he became. Forget the attempt at a singing career and think of his dominant performances over 41 straight wins and three world titles.

What time is it? MACHO TIME!