Editorial by Jake Donovan
Two days ago, I ran an op-ed piece, slamming ESPN2's decision to bring back Zahir Raheem, just one week after torturing us with the latest installment in the crumbling career of Dominick Guinn.
Tonight, I pen this entry to thank the Z-Man for serving me a heaping pile of humble pie.
My stance on Raheem wasn't necessarily a prediction of things to come, but more so raising the question of why the network would remain in the Raheem business after taking a major step backward in his unwatchable clutch fest against Cristobal Cruz last May. With boxing enjoying a movement last year of more fan-friendly bouts as the year went on, it appeared that Raheem's days were numbered, at least as a televised regular, though remaining a top lightweight contender.
Tonight in Tulsa, OK, Raheem didn't just win, but for the first time in a long time (28 months, to be exact), looked damn good in doing so, icing normally durable challenger Ricardo Dominguez with a single left hook, the official time just 78 seconds into the opening round.
It was an emphatic statement by Raheem, who vowed to anyone who would listen that he is not a boring fighter, and that the world would see a different fighter, one who can prove to be entertaining when afforded a full training camp.
Regardless of Dominguez' credentials, Raheem did exactly what should be done against an inferior opponent – run him out of the ring.
With a single left hook, Raheem accomplished just that, and made me eat my words in the process. What a way to ring in the new year, for both Raheem and ESPN2.
Jake "The Jake-of-All-Trades" Donovan is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, and presently serves on the Tennessee Boxing Advisory Board. His column runs every Tuesday on BoxingScene.com. Please feel free to submit any comments or questions to Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com
