Give Collazo another shot!

ENCORE IN ORDER FOR COLLAZO Before we get into the subject of this rant/blog/article/editorial or wherever this one is filed, I would first like to applaud the effort put forth by Andre Berto. Say what you will about what he is lacking, and I have, he put forth a tremendous effort in the championship rounds to pull the fight out against his first world-class level opponent. A world-class southpaw at that. He had his chin checked, he battled through fatigue, and he kept working though at times was frustrated by Collazo’s style, and skill. He didn’t fold and I can appreciate that. I would also like to go on record as scoring the fight 114-113 for Brooklyn, NY native Collazo, but crying robbery is not warranted in such a close fight it could have easily gone either way. The same grit and determination used to compliment the WBC Welterweight Champion, Andre Berto, can also be used to describe the effort put forth by Collazo. You can even argue that this guy was even more impressive, as this is the third time HBO has brought him in as an opponent, and with the exception of his fight with Sugar Shane Mosley, he once again came within a hair of stealing the show. Some even argue that the only reason the Mosley fight wasn’t to hotly contested after 3 rounds was due to an injury Collazo suffered to his left hand early in the bout. Collazo has undoubtedly showed me that he belongs on that top level with the other more pampered and manufactured 147 pounders. If you’re Luis Collazo right now though, you have to wonder, “what next?” He’s absolutely proved himself, but the reality is he has now lost 3 of his last 5 fights(however close) with all 3 losses coming on HBO’s Boxing After Dark series. If you’re on BoxRec and look him up, you draw the conclusion that he either isn’t on that top shelf level, or he has seen better days. And if you’re HBO, do you take that into consideration with regards to any future bouts? The 147 and 154 lb. divisions are stacked right now and it seems to be a very real possibility that we have seen the last of the Brooklynite on the premium cable network. BUT(there haaaaaas to be a but in this instance, doesn’t there?) there ARE absolutely other alternatives. Collazo surely deserves another shot at the top from my viewpoint, and I believe I speak for a lot of hardcore fans of the sport when I say I’d love to see him again. The guy makes for awesome fights and is a throwback fighter in just about every sense of the word. He will fight anyone, which brings me back about 3 or 4 years to a time when, before his signature win against Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito was anointed the “most feared man in boxing,” and seemingly had everyone on his block crossing the street when the prospect of coming face to face with the Tijuana Tornado began to present itself. At that time I would have said, why not Collazo? But as we all know, Margarito is sitting on top of the world at the moment, preparing to go into a fight with future HOF’er Shane Mosley and seems interested in chasing only Names and Money at this point. But the beauty of this division is when 1 guy steps out, 2 more step into the role. That brings me to 2009’s two “most feared men in boxing” that happen to fight in the same division. Joshua Clottey still having trouble getting fights? Paul Williams campaigning two and three divisions up because no one wants him? Hell, Clottey – Collazo, HBO BAD in support of another fight problem solved! Williams – Collazo is another one, who WOULDN’T tune in for those fights? And what would possibly stand in the way of getting either fight done? Clottey and Williams are having trouble getting a top Welterweight, Collazo IS a top Welterweight who I’m sure will fight either man and for the significantly shorter end of the pie. Maybe I’m biased but it makes perfect sense to me and I can’t be the only one. On the topic, why not none other than Floyd Mayweather?! Floyd, if he does return to the ring, would be coming off a 1 and a half year layoff at the very least, so if he decided to go the tune-up route, he has in Collazo a credible Welterweight and a guy that would gladly accept the anything in the lower 6 figures so that Floyd could pocket that lion’s share he so desperately craves. Another crossroads fight, Judah – Collazo anyone? A battle of skilled southpaws from Brooklyn couldn’t hurt, we all KNOW we will see Zab Judah recycled and brought back to us “more focused than ever,” it’s the only thing as inevitable as father/trainer Yoel shadowboxing in his corner and telling him he’s going to lose again if he doesn’t let his hands go, na mean? Hey, maybe I’m reaching. Or maybe this piece will get noticed by some eyes with powers beyond mine. Who knows. But boxing fans would love to see Lou back in there, and with another stellar effort this past Saturday, this guy definetly deserves to have the next break actually go HIS way. BEstrict@hotmail.com