Is Winky Wright Running Out of Gas?
By Dave Sholler
In every town across the country, there is one gas station that you can count on for the lowest fuel prices. As you cruise down the highway in your 8-cylinder gas guzzler, you know where to refuel when your tanker’s gas light shines bright. If low prices aren’t enough to reel you in, you know the station’s fast service and cheap Quickie Mart make it the gas champion.
On the flip side, there’s always that one fueling station that boasts prices that make you scratch your head. If fuel is $3.01 at your favorite gas pumps, the clueless station down the street is charging $3.09. While we understand each has its own business constraints, is there nothing these particular gas pimps can do to at least compete? Does the business really think it will attract customers willing to pay an extra eight cents? Sitting idly by their empty pumps, don’t the owners and employees wonder why they are being passed over by fuel-hungry folks?
In boxing, Ronald Wright has become the dreaded “other” gas station. At a time when competitors are attracting audiences by agreeing to marketable bouts, “Winky” has upped his prices and become the Quickie Mart whose slurpies aren’t frozen. In essence, Wright has transformed from the trusty corner station that would refill your windshield wiper fluid to the gas conglomerate that is too good to check your oil levels. What’s more, Wright actually thinks he has the right business model.
Today, boxing consumers across the country should tell Ronald otherwise and demand that the old Winky Wright return. Instead of operating “Ronald’s Royal Fuel,” fans should push for the return of the old-fashioned “Winky’s Gas and Pop.” They should remind Wright of the “good ole days” when Jermain Taylor, Felix Trinidad, and Shane Mosley would stop by the station, eager to fuel up and hit the road.
Simply put, someone needs to remind Winky that consumers will find (they may already have) other stores to shop in should he continue on the path he’s charted. By overvaluing himself, Winky is slowly alienating millions who’ve come to appreciate and love his otherwise boring, defensive style. Even though few within the boxing community would argue against the fact that he deserves fair pay, many are wondering where Winky picked up this “pay-me-or-else” diva attitude. Better yet, most are pondering whether it can be fixed.
Truth to be told, repairing the Wright business plan starts with acknowledging the fact that Ronald needs to string together wins. And the key to jump-starting the southpaw’s career begins with reviewing the old Winky manuscript. After losing to Fernando Vargas in 1999, Wright reeled off 11 straight victories before drawing with Taylor in 2006. Utilizing effective counterpunching, a slick left-handed stance, and a penchant for taking opponents out of their game plans, Winky garnered a cult following. This was the man who out-boxed “Sugar” Shane and ascended the pound-for-pound rankings. Ultimately, this was the man that many had come to fear.
Fights that could help Winky instill fear again are out there. Count this writer as one who’s been pinning for a Jermain Taylor rematch since their first clash. A classic war of attrition, Winky gave away the 2006 fight when he took a 12th round vacation. Still, both men are now at crossroads in their respective careers and a rematch makes sense.
Following two straight losses to Kelly Pavlik, Taylor is trying to find himself again in the crowded world of boxing. Likewise, after dropping a summer contest to Bernard Hopkins, Wright is searching for where he fits in. A return bout at a comfortable catch weight would allow both to earn a decent payday all while fighting a TV friendly opponent.
A bout with Mikkel Kessler would make sense as well, if the “Viking Warrior” ever decides to fight a major U.S.-based foe. For starters, there would be an audience to see the fight. Kessler has a great in-ring work ethic, a keen boxing IQ, and the ability to adapt in tight spots. He’d be a nice dance partner for Wright, the 36-year-old who ranks atop the class when it comes to boxing brains.
If Taylor and Kessler don’t oil Wright’s engine, how about a fight with the dangerous Edison Miranda? Before you roll your eyes, wouldn’t a victory against a young, ferocious puncher like “Pantera” be a good starting point? To date, only Pavlik and Arthur Abraham own wins over Miranda. If Wright could add his name to that list, maybe, just maybe, Kelly Pavlik would entertain the thought of fighting the southpaw. After all, at his age, what makes Wright think he can hang with the “Youngstown Bomber” if he can’t get past the power punching Miranda?