By Frank Lotierzo - GlovedFist@Juno.com - Now that the "Battle For Supremacy" is over, what do we know now that we didn't before? Nothing, as in not one single thing. Before the heavyweight card was announced, there were two underlying thoughts regarding the division. One being Vitali Klitschko is the most formidable heavyweight in the world and the fighter to beat in the division. The other being four-time heavyweight champ Evander Holyfield is finished as a serious title contender.
After seeing the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles fights at Madison Square Garden this weekend, WBC champ Vitali Klitschko is still the fighter to beat in the division. And by no means is that a shot at either John Ruiz or Chris Byrd. Despite the controversial decisions in some of their recent title defenses, Ruiz and Byrd are worthy of the titles they hold. However, both would be underdogs against Klitschko.
In the case of Evander Holyfield, anyone who needed to see him get out pointed by Larry Donald to finally realize that he's finished, hasn't been watching with their eyes open. Holyfield hasn't been a special fighter since taking apart Michael Moorer seven years ago. He's an empty package and cannot get off with his punches. In his previous fight with James Toney, it was said he looked so bad because Toney was too sharp and fast. What was missed by those who thought that was, even when Toney did nothing and offered no resistance, Holyfield had nothing and couldn't get off.
The truth is Holyfield doesn't look good shadow boxing or hitting the heavy bag, which is about as telling a sign that there is signifying it's over for a fighter. Donald fought as expected and was nothing special, and even at that had his way in the fight. Luckily for Holyfield, Donald didn't take any chances and fought just enough to win. The scenario in which the fight ended couldn't have been more perfect for either fighter. Holyfield lost and wasn't hurt, and hopefully something or someone can save him from himself so he never fights again. For Donald, beating Holyfield will likely position him for a title shot or big money fight.
Maybe Hasim Rahman was the biggest surprise of the night. He handled his opponent Kali Meehan who lost a disputed decision to WBO champ Lamon Brewster in his last fight. The surprise wasn't that Rahman won, but it was how he won. Hasim showed up in terrific shape and fought with purpose and confidence. He made every punch count, stopping Meehan in three rounds.
The first title bout saw IBF champ Chris Byrd defend his title against Jameel McCline. Prior to the bout the book on Byrd was, he's smart, slick, quick handed, takes a good punch, and is very tough with a strong will. The book on McCline was that despite his huge size, he fights small. He has pretty good basics and if given a clean shot he can do damage. What McCline was most known for is coming up short in a big spot, and losing fights that he is physically capable of winning.
After 12 rounds of fighting, was there anything that transpired during the bout that shocked anyone? After having Byrd down early and fighting with a sense of urgency, both fighters assumed their true identity and roles after the fifth round. Byrd sucked it up and became more aggressive while moving and countering, and McCline faded as the fight went on further proving that he isn't a money fighter. In the eleventh round Byrd hurt McCline, and he won the twelfth to erase any doubt as to who was the better fighter. McCline fought well early. But in the end it was the conditioning, ring savoy, quicker hands, and determination of Chris Byrd that was the difference. Once again proving that heavyweight's need more than just size and weight to be special fighters.
In the final bout IBF heavyweight champ John Ruiz defended his title against Andrew Golota. And just as in the Byrd-McCline bout, Ruiz and Golota lived up to their identity and the fight went pretty much as expected. Before the fight I wrote, "Ruiz-Golota is a contest between Ruiz's grit and determination against Golota's skill and ability."
Ruiz and Golota have both fought pretty much the same regarding style and attitude throughout a majority of their career, regardless whether it was a winning or losing effort. Ruiz has always been more tough and determined than skilled. He grabs, pushes, pulls, and mauls, and occasionally lands some clean punches. Golota usually fights in a measured aggression, while throwing short crisp punches while trying to work inside to throw his uppercut.
Golota started off fast and dropped Ruiz twice in the second round. Early on it looked as if Golota's superior ability and skill would be too much for Ruiz to overcome. Just as McCline couldn't take advantage of putting Byrd down and having him hurt, Golota didn't finish the job and Ruiz got back into the fight. Ruiz did what he does best, pushed and wrestled while occasionally landing some decent shots.
As the fight moved into the later rounds Ruiz kept the pressure on. Golota let what could've been a very winnable fight become a difficult one. Golota just didn't let his hands go enough to take control of the fight. Even when Ruiz was right there and ripe to be it, Golota never cut loose with anything to keep Ruiz from coming forward. In the end Ruiz retained the title winning a controversial decision.
I scored the fight a draw, but the fight shouldn't have been as close as it was. There were more than a few rounds that some will try and argue emphatically one way or the other, but in reality they could've easily gone to either fighter. In the final analysis, it wasn't Ruiz winning it or Golota losing it. It was more a case of Ruiz's rough and unorthodox style that prevented Golota from winning it. Which is exactly what Ruiz has done his entire career, just as Golota has never stepped up and won a tough fight that required him to be just a little bit special for a round or two.
Although it was good seeing some name heavyweights in the ring fighting each other, nothing about the heavyweight landscape has changed. Evander Holyfield is done, and Larry Donald will get a big fight off beating him, and will most likely lose it.
Kali Meehan has to regroup, and Hasim Rahman will be in the mix for a title shot in his next fight. Rahman is capable of winning against either Ruiz or Byrd, but I don't think he could hold the title for more than possibly one defense, two at the most.
Jameel McCline and Andrew Golota both had a piece of the heavyweight title in their grasp Saturday night. In the early going McCline used his physical advantages over Byrd to hurt him and put him down. But he followed suit and couldn't finish and that's why he left without Byrd's title. Andrew Golota did what he always does. Like McCline, Golota had Ruiz down early and was fighting his fight. Once again when confronted by the pressure and resistance that accompanies winning a piece of the heavyweight title, Golota let it slip away.
John Ruiz and Chris Byrd did what they usually do, win. They take what their opponent gives them, and in turn don't give them anything. Supposedly, Byrd is too small and can't punch. Ruiz isn't skilled and could be the washer-woman that Ali labeled George Chuvalo. Yet Byrd has held the IBF title for two years and Ruiz has won the WBA title twice.
Either they are pretty good or this current heavyweight division is awful. Wonder which is the bigger factor? Here's what I do know, if McCline and Golota had a little more of what Byrd and Ruiz have inside, they'd both own at least a piece of the heavyweight title today.
