Can Lamon Brewster save the heavyweight division?

Can Lamon Brewster save the heavyweight division? from fightnews.com March 29, 2006 By David L. Hudson, Jr. Photo: David Martin-Warr Don King Productions The heavyweight division needs a savior, a compelling champion that can captivate boxing and non-boxing fans alike. Ever since the retirement of Lennox Lewis and, to a lesser extent, of Vitali Klitschko, the division has lacked a dominant figure. IBF champ Chris Byrd is an excellent boxer with great defensive skills but his lack of power hurts him. WBC champ Hasim Rahman and James Toney recently plodded to a boring draw, failing to inspire the public. WBA champ Nikolay Valuev, who recently dethroned John Ruiz in a controversial decision that elicited boos from the audience, remains more of a curiosity and an enigma known more his massive height and size rather than his boxing abilities. John Ruiz still stalks the division, threatening to return as champion again. Power-punching David Tua, who once showed such promise, is only just coming back, fighting weak competition. Who can fill the void? WBO heavyweight Lamon Brewster seeks to become that dominant heavyweight. On April 1st, he makes the fourth defense of his WBO title crown against Sergei “the White Wolf” Liakhovich. Brewster, with eight knockouts in his last nine bouts, has at times been inconsistent but has shown tremendous power and heart in several of his bouts. Everyone knows of his valiant "Rocky-like" come-from-behind kayo of Wladimir Klitschko. In his last defense, he rallied to kayo German Luan Krasniqi in the ninth round in front of a packed house in Hamburg, germany on what would have been the 100th birthday of German boxing icon Max Schmeling. However, Brewster has had a difficult time overcoming skepticism, partly due to his decision losses to Clifford “the Black Rhino” Etienne, best known for losing in 49 seconds to Mike Tyson, and to Charles Shufford, best known for playing George Foreman in the movie Ali. But Brewster says that his career will continue to rise, particularly given that he is working with expert trainer Buddy McGirt, whom he calls a true technician. “This is the best training camp I’ve ever had,” he said. “Working with Buddy McGirt has been a dream of mine for a long time. He’s the best trainer alive and I have confidence in my corner for the first time in a long time.” Brewster says that former trainer Jesse Reid was a great motivator but doesn’t compare to McGirt in terms of teaching technique and strategies. “I didn’t have any problem with Jesse; he’s a great motivator. But, in my heart, I needed more than just a great motivator; I needed a great technician. I came to Buddy McGirt to be sharpened.” Brewster believes that he is the best in the division. “Whoever you think can beat me, put them in front of me,” he says. “Put a man in front of me that you think can beat me.” He admits that he feels underappreciated by the boxing world. “Yes, I feel unappreciated. I’m the most exciting fighter in the division. I’m the only one in the division that is knocking people out. Do you want to see people throwing 1,000s of punches and holding, or do you want to see a monster?” McGirt believes that Brewster will only improve with his boxing skills: “Lamon really doesn’t know how good he really is. Once he finds out, the heavyweight division is in trouble. They will see a great Lamon Brewster next week but there is room to get better. He has so much natural ability.” Brewster is not overlooking his upcoming opponent Liakhovich. “I think Sergei is a good fighter and I won’t take anything away from him,” he said. “It is what you do that night. I’m going into this fight expecting him to fight putting his best foot forward.” Brewster just believes that he will prevail, particularly given his recent association with McGirt. “I’ve been reborn because I’ve been reminded about how good I can be.” Tune in April 1st on SHOWTIME to see if Brewster will show even more improvement to complement his devastating power. * * * David L. Hudson Jr. is a licensed boxing judge and the author of 10 books, including Boxing’s Most Wanted (which he co-authored with prolific boxing author Mike Fitzgerald). Questions or comments? Click here.