90-Day Progress Report on Boxing's State
By Dave Sholler
South African leader Nelson Mandela once said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” If this is true, what we’ve seen transpire in the first 90 days of the 2008 boxing schedule will surely have a profound effect on many of the sport’s personalities moving forward. How each reacts to wins, losses, controversy, or assorted drama could serve as a major indicator of future progress this year. After all, learning and reflection, as Mandela would concur, are just as lethal as a double jab or vicious body shot.
Roy Jones Jr., for example, showed that even a fading star casts a bright light when it glows over an empty sky. By defeating Felix Trinidad on January 19 in the first major bout of 2008, Jones fed salivating boxing fans with an entertaining, decisive win to start the New Year. While few would argue that Trinidad is as good as he once was, many believe that Jones did enough in the bout to matter again. More importantly, Jones believes he matters again. Thanks to this sense of self-empowerment, the former pound-for-pound king can further delay hanging up the Grants (or Everlasts) and instead search for another mega-bout.
Like Jones, 36-year-old Nate Campbell returned to relevance in 2008 by derailing young champion Juan Diaz earlier this month. Thought by many to be a stepping stone opponent for Diaz, Campbell showed that an experienced matador can tame even the most persistent bull. Now toting major world championship titles, Campbell has put himself in the big money, big fight picture. So much for Campbell being overmatched and old.
For even the most casual boxing fan, stories shaped by the likes of Jones and Campbell are just some of the novels written early this year. Some chapters, like Marquez-Vazquez III, were hard to ignore. Others, like Klitschko-Ibragimov, were forgettable at best. With that said, let’s take a look at some of the best, worst, and noteworthy tales that have occurred in the first 90 days of 2008. As we look in the rear view mirror, we’ll try to dissect what each means as we head toward summer. And, in a return to our grammar school days, we’ll mark each with an Outstanding, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory, or Incomplete grade.
OUTSTANDING BOUT
Israel Vazquez def. Rafael Marquez by split decision
March 1
If education is the most powerful weapon, both Vazquez and Marquez learned that throwing bombs and trading punches endears you to the boxing community. In another epic battle, Vazquez and Marquez proved that it doesn’t always matter who wins or loses. While Vazquez squeaked out a narrow decision, many will remember the grit, heart, and fearlessness that both men displayed.
WHAT IT MEANS: There won’t be worldwide protests if Showtime can convince the two warriors to fight for a fourth time. However, a fourth contest seems unlikely at the moment. Neither has committed to any other fights in 2008, but we’re sure that whomever they fight, there will be an audience to watch.
SATISFACTORY BOUT
Kelly Pavlik def. Jermain Taylor by unanimous decision
February 16
It sure didn’t have the action-packed feel of their 2007 dance, but the mid-February battle between Pavlik and Taylor was quality boxing. Despite whispers regarding his pure boxing skill, Pavlik put on a clinic in the rematch and outclassed Taylor for 12 rounds. Although his combinations were a bit predictable, “The Ghost” executed in a manner that Taylor found tough to quell. Overall, the Youngstown Bomber proved to be more than just a KO artist.
For the Arkansas native, Taylor showed that not even a switch in trainers could help him defeat Pavlik. There’s no doubt that Jermain looked better in the rematch, but there still seems to be an unidentified ingredient missing to his demeanor and approach.
WHAT IT MEANS: For Pavlik, the natural progression towards becoming a dominant, Hall-of-Fame worthy middleweight continues. A pop quiz by the name of Gary Lockett lies ahead in June. For Taylor, the sorting out process continues. A rumored bout with Jones Jr. would be exciting, as would a rematch with Winky Wright. In any case, Jermain needs to see the good that came by way of his second straight loss to Pavlik. He avoided the pitfalls of leaning on the ropes and hiding in the corners, and those are building block improvements.