By Alphonso Costello
Mainstream audiences perceive boxing as an unpredictable, shady and zany sport.
During the month of April, those characteristics were prominently displayed in and out of the ring.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. collected his hefty paycheck and a prop known as the IBF belt by dismantling Zab Judah in their April 8 showdown. Meanwhile, Floyd’s uncle/trainer Roger Mayweather unwillingly “donated” his $200,000 payday to the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his reckless behavior.
The tenth round fracas instigated by Judah’s dirty tactics ignited a wild skirmish when Roger Mayweather foolishly jumped into the ring to confront Judah.
Not to be outdone and making it a family affair Judah’s father/trainer Yoel Judah quickly rushed to his son’s aid by throwing a punch at Roger Mayweather. To make matters worse numerous members of Judah’s entourage hopped into the ring turning the 12-round fight into a pro wrestling battle royal.
Mayweather’s romping of Judah didn’t deter the IBF from ordering an unnecessary rematch by citing the tenth round as “one of the most abhorrent displays of unsportsmanlike conduct to occur in boxing.” This statement comes from a barefaced organization that doesn’t follow its own rules.
The IBF falsely billed Mayweather-Judah as a welterweight title fight. The dishonest alphabet soup sanctioning body ignored Judah’s January loss to Carlos Baldomir and continued to recognize Judah as its welterweight champion. This shameless exploit was just one of the many disgraceful actions exhibited by the IBF in recent months…
The World Boxing Association investigated Jermain Taylor’s WBA middleweight championship status last week. A few days later WBA legal director Robert Mack verified Taylor’s championship status.
How about investigating the WBA’s unsavory credibility?
The Heavyweight landscape significantly changed during April with Wladimir Klitschko’s demolition of Chris Byrd and Sergei Liakhovich’s thrilling victory over Lamon Brewster.
Eastern Europe’s heavyweight dominance has received a considerable amount of attention lately. Three of the four world champions at the heavyweight level originate from the former Soviet Union. This unprecedented occurrence stands to threaten America’s heavyweight supremacy with Hasim Rahman being the only American world heavyweight titlist.
When did the heavyweight championship become an American birthright?
According to the Stabroek News in Georgetown, Guyana Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis quit during the seventh round of his April 22 bout because he urgently needed to use the restroom. The former welterweight champion was ahead on all three scorecards when he said “no mas.”
Wonder if Roberto Duran needed a potty break during his 1980 rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard?
Dubious Fact of the Month: Fighters recently stripped of their IBF championship:
Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion: O’Neill Bell
Ring Magazine middleweight champion: Jermain Taylor
Ring Magazine jr. welterweight champion: Ricky Hatton (relinquished)
Super featherweight champion: Marco Antonio Barrera
Former unified featherweight champion: Juan Manuel Marquez
Ring Magazine jr. featherweight champion: Israel Vazquez
It has become a time-honored tradition to sue Don King. Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield reportedly filed a lawsuit against Don King for breach of contract. King must also fend off WBC light heavyweight titleholder Tomasz Adamek who is also suing King for breach of contract.
At this point in his career, Holyfield stands a better chance of winning in a courtroom than in a boxing ring…
Earlier this month Muhammad Ali sold 80 percent of his name and likeness to a marketing firm for $50 million. That is roughly $4.5 million a letter. How much money would WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam get for the rights to his name?
Keep an eye on super bantamweight Jose Magallon 4-0 (2 KO’s). The 20-year old upstart is a showboating, fist pounding eccentric. However, his in-ring extracurricular activities happen to be annoying like John Ruiz’s boxing style…
Rob Calloway update: As part of a televised undercard on ESPN’s Wednesday Night Fights, the “All-American Prizefighter” dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to Jameel “Big Time” McCline.
Chump of the Month honors goes to super welterweight Jose Medina and referee Ramon Navedo. In a televised bout from San Juan, Puerto Rico referee Navedo inexplicably allowed Medina to repeatedly foul his opponent. At one point in the bout, Medina landed three consecutive low blows and kneed his opponent in the groin. The Puerto Rican boxing commission should relieve Navedo of his duties for his inattentiveness…
Oscar De La Hoya’s 19-month layoff will come to an end this Saturday night against Ricardo Mayorga. De La Hoya can undoubtedly box circles around Mayorga. Entering the fight has an underdog Mayorga has the power to pull off an upset. De La Hoya’s boxing skill should neutralize Mayorga’s power and amateurish fighting style. However, several factors can derail De La Hoya’s farewell tour.
Firstly, how much fire and desire does the “Golden Boy” have left in his tank? Secondly, when De La Hoya feels Mayorga’s power will he fold up shop like he did against Bernard Hopkins? Finally, can De La Hoya box at a high level for the full twelve rounds?
A defeat to Mayorga likely ends De La Hoya’s lucrative boxing career and gives Floyd Mayweather Jr. one less excuse to duck Antonio Margarito.
Alphonso Costello can be reached at acostello@boxingscene.com
