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We've watched Michael Jordan's more than memorable shot over Russell of the Utah Jazz. The reality of the situation is that there was a foul committed by MJ and it wasnt called. Does it make it any less great? Does it take any luster off his career? Does the Jordan we know even exist without bending the rules throughout his career? Can any great sports figure be "great" without slippin one in on the ref? Well as a boxing fan I dont see any way for a boxer to achieve greatness without bending the rules just a bit. Its funny how we as fans call out all the fouls of the fighters we scorn and tend to forget about the exploits of our favorite guy. If its not "Floyd and those damn elbows" its "Bradley's deadly headbutts". Regardless, these same fighters also have something else in common. They are top fighters in their weight divisions and I dont think its a coincidence.
When we look back on boxing, what great champ didnt throw a borderline low blow or two. Boxing followers often say "These young fighters wouldnt have survived with the rules of yester year." True? Its always up for a good debate. I happen to think the opposite. I actually think its the sign of a great fighter when they have a signature rule infraction. Like Grandpa Bernard's head usage and uppercut to the thigh when necessary. There are rule breakers that are senseless like Golota's ball breakers and Maidana's backwards elbows. Even a step further with Mike's bites, Resto's wraps and Mosley's PEDs. Those are not what I'm talking about. I'm speaking of strategically chosen weapons that are just enough outside the rules to get an advantage but are rearly illegal enough to subtract points. We need the backhands of Ali and Hamed, the bullying tactics of Foreman and Duran, the extreme bending and ducking of Whitaker and Tyson, the headbutts of Holyfield and Bradley and the holding and hitting of Robinson and Mayweather, to even use the word greatness to describe them.
I pose a question to you. Who was the best at bending the rules? Really take a look and lets find the #1 champ/cheat in history. Who stayed under the radar and didnt disgust you with their less than legal advantages.
When we look back on boxing, what great champ didnt throw a borderline low blow or two. Boxing followers often say "These young fighters wouldnt have survived with the rules of yester year." True? Its always up for a good debate. I happen to think the opposite. I actually think its the sign of a great fighter when they have a signature rule infraction. Like Grandpa Bernard's head usage and uppercut to the thigh when necessary. There are rule breakers that are senseless like Golota's ball breakers and Maidana's backwards elbows. Even a step further with Mike's bites, Resto's wraps and Mosley's PEDs. Those are not what I'm talking about. I'm speaking of strategically chosen weapons that are just enough outside the rules to get an advantage but are rearly illegal enough to subtract points. We need the backhands of Ali and Hamed, the bullying tactics of Foreman and Duran, the extreme bending and ducking of Whitaker and Tyson, the headbutts of Holyfield and Bradley and the holding and hitting of Robinson and Mayweather, to even use the word greatness to describe them.
I pose a question to you. Who was the best at bending the rules? Really take a look and lets find the #1 champ/cheat in history. Who stayed under the radar and didnt disgust you with their less than legal advantages.
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