By Jim Cawkwell
Following today’s heavyweights is akin to indulgence in some sadistic practice. Like watching blind men walk a tightrope; you know they won’t make it, but you’re compelled to look. They are the perpetually beaten who seemingly refuse to assemble themselves into adequate fighters, and yet, we as fans continue to watch them. It’s hard to tell which group qualifies as the bigger gluttons for punishment. The failure of both Hasim Rahman and James Toney to provide the division some degree of clarity leaves the door open for another batch of pseudo-champions. In our desperation, we’re ready for them to impose whatever presence they have upon this once mighty division; but are they?
Lamon Brewster is a fighter one senses that the masses want to embrace, however, there are several problems preventing this glorious union. Foremost among them is Brewster’s apparent vulnerability. Entertaining as it once was to see heavyweight championships bounce around from fighter to fighter, of late, the necessity to have a dominant champion has become quite palpable.
The iron fist that was Lennox Lewis is but a memory. Zealously, the industry placed its faith in Vitali Klitschko, whom despite a plethora of shortcomings at least seemed likely to withstand his next title defense. Brewster’s mettle would appear to yield under similar scrutiny.
Brewster’s victory over Wladimir Klitschko for the WBO heavyweight title displayed his best and worst traits. He showed heart and power, but also frailty under fire with but a wing and a prayer protecting him from Klitschko’s oncoming assaults. That frailty has remained concealed well enough since his title win.
A game but incapable Kali Meehan pushed Brewster to the limit before Brewster’s good fortune coincided with the colossal beating that Andrew Golota seems compelled to endure once a decade. What happened next illustrates another reason behind Brewster’s inability to fuel his cause as the next top heavyweight: anonymity.
Boxing’s spin doctors can offer a host of reasons why an American world champion takes a title defense in another country. It could be that he’s a fighting champion that wants to prove himself the very definition of the term “world champion.” It may also be that he is fearless enough to venture into hostile territory, or that the perception of greater risk heightens his discipline and instills a greater work ethic.
In most cases, though, an American world champion takes his show on the road because there is scant interest in him throughout his home country. Such was the reasoning behind Brewster’s trip to Germany and subsequent stoppage of Luan Krasniqi.
Though he has yet to lose via stoppage, Brewster suffers much scorn from the boxing media for losing to the likes of Charles Shufford and Cliff Etienne. I find this criticism unjust. Eventually, Time exposed both Shufford and Etienne as inadequate, but they were both notable contenders at the time that they fought Brewster; Etienne in particular was a disciplined and exciting prospect that threw an inhuman amount of punches for a heavyweight.
However, where Brewster is not exempt from criticism is on the question of personal discipline. Of course, few of today’s heavyweights can count themselves in higher esteem in the matter, but even fewer have Brewster’s obvious fighting abilities, a championship, nor are they within touching distance of transcending the overwhelming mediocrity of the heavyweight scene as Brewster is.
Brewster was never renowned for being a superior physical specimen, but unfortunately, it appears that just as winning a championship added to his status, Brewster in turn added to his waistline. Weighing in at a career high weight of 233-pounds today, one senses that Brewster may not be growing into his ideal fighting self, but away from it. Another factor persuading one’s faith in him to remain dormant until further notice.
Clearly, there is much for Brewster to accomplish before he can claim a legitimate stake in the heavyweight division. He must master his physical state and carry himself as a champion. There are rumors of his considerable abilities that find their way from sparring sessions into the public consciousness; Brewster must harness that ability and unleash it in the ring against an opponent not favored to simply fall at his feet; a proposition Brewster has not faced for two years. And the least Brewster can do for now is to dispose of Serguei Lyakhovich in style on Saturday night.
Lyakhovich is nothing if not ordinary. A large, lumbering, pale-skinned heavyweight fighting out of Belarus; “White Wolf” by name lacking the distinction of a “White Hope.” He out-fought Friday Ahunanya in a spirited, albeit messy fight back in 2001. Not one for momentum, Lyakhovich proceeded to have himself knocked out in nine by Maurice Harris - “The Greatest Heavyweight that Never Happened.” Most recently, which in Lyakhovich’s case means fourteen months ago, he defeated once hot prospect, Dominick Guinn.
In truth, Lyakhovich defeated the idea of Dominick Guinn. The moniker of “The Southern Disaster” turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy for Guinn who never seemed the same after his first professional loss. It was as if his very spirit disappeared into the abyss, and no greater expression of frustration at this exists than that etched across the face of trainer Ronnie Shields, imploring Guinn to find himself. There wasn’t much of Guinn left; nonetheless, the “White Wolf” feasted.
What Brewster faces in Lyakhovich is merely another over-sized heavyweight lacking the technical skill to make his size count for anything; separated from the heavyweight pantheon of “usual suspects” only because the ravages of age and punishment have not yet caught up with him. Lyakhovich will land when he can, and look to rest his immense size on Brewster when he cannot. Before a tedious procession of clinches occasionally interrupted by punches can ensue, Brewster must be the dynamic puncher looking to eliminate the target before it envelops him.
Perhaps the best we can hope for from Lamon Brewster is awaiting us somewhere down the line. Perhaps his potential will remain hidden, playing host only to the shadows in those obscure gym environments. From what he is to the realization of what he might become is a journey only he can undertake, and this Saturday’s fight represents only the act of putting his best foot forward.
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