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Bernard Hopkins usually makes good on his claims during build-up before his fights, whether it be claiming to school Jermain Taylor on the mechanics of being Middleweight Champion, or making Joe Calzaghe look as bad as he ever has.
However, none were more prophetic than his emphatic prediction that Ronald “Winky” Wright would be on the nearest milk carton after their July 21, 2007 bout.
Since his Unanimous Decision loss to Hopkins, Winky has acquired a status similar to that of Elvis or 2Pac Shakur - sometimes spotted, but rarely sticking around. In fact, the only real gym time Winky’s seemed to put in throughout the past year has been mitt-work for the next installment of the Fight Night game series, where former Heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis held the pads in place of Wright’s longtime trainer Dan Birmingham.
Perhaps even more than Presley or Shakur, Winky Wright has as of late been placed into the same mold of Jerry McGuire, referring to four simple words: Show me the money.
Though Wright (51-4-1, 25 KO’s) has been offered several bouts over the past few months, all of which for one reason or another provided commercial appeal, the St. Petersburg, FL native has seemingly priced himself out of all of them. Though he has maintained star power as a recognizable name in most boxing circles, the defensive southpaw has never been more ignored, even following his 1999 defeat at the hands of former Olympian Fernando Vargas. Apparently, the principal of the matter, well, matters to Winky.
Proposed bouts such as a rematch with Jermain Taylor, a showdown with current Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik, and a showdown with 6’2” WBO Welterweight champion Paul Williams have all been scrapped. Taylor has chosen to favor a match-up with fellow 2000 Olympian Jeff Lacy, which seems to be a “Welcome back your confidence” fight for the Arkansas native. Pavlik has chosen to take on the man who placed Winky on the supposed “milk carton” in Bernard Hopkins, and Paul Williams has favored calling out fellow Welterweight champion Antonio Margarito for a rematch that would be a step closer to unification in one of boxing’s most exciting divisions.
All of the above leave Winky Wright at a crossroads. Should the established name and former undisputed Junior Middleweight champion accept what he feels are less than adequate paydays to get his star shining once more? Perhaps he could seek out a fight with titleholders Arthur Abraham or Felix Sturm, or a stay busy fight while he awaits Pavlik’s eventual return to 160 pounds. Either way, he must make a move as quick as possible, for a fading champion in his late thirties who wishes to regain a spot on the coveted Pound-4-Pound list cannot remain inactive for over a year and expect a blessing from the Boxing Gods.
Perhaps Winky should not focus on finding Mr. Right, but as they say, find Mr. ‘Wright’ Now.
However, none were more prophetic than his emphatic prediction that Ronald “Winky” Wright would be on the nearest milk carton after their July 21, 2007 bout.
Since his Unanimous Decision loss to Hopkins, Winky has acquired a status similar to that of Elvis or 2Pac Shakur - sometimes spotted, but rarely sticking around. In fact, the only real gym time Winky’s seemed to put in throughout the past year has been mitt-work for the next installment of the Fight Night game series, where former Heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis held the pads in place of Wright’s longtime trainer Dan Birmingham.
Perhaps even more than Presley or Shakur, Winky Wright has as of late been placed into the same mold of Jerry McGuire, referring to four simple words: Show me the money.
Though Wright (51-4-1, 25 KO’s) has been offered several bouts over the past few months, all of which for one reason or another provided commercial appeal, the St. Petersburg, FL native has seemingly priced himself out of all of them. Though he has maintained star power as a recognizable name in most boxing circles, the defensive southpaw has never been more ignored, even following his 1999 defeat at the hands of former Olympian Fernando Vargas. Apparently, the principal of the matter, well, matters to Winky.
Proposed bouts such as a rematch with Jermain Taylor, a showdown with current Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik, and a showdown with 6’2” WBO Welterweight champion Paul Williams have all been scrapped. Taylor has chosen to favor a match-up with fellow 2000 Olympian Jeff Lacy, which seems to be a “Welcome back your confidence” fight for the Arkansas native. Pavlik has chosen to take on the man who placed Winky on the supposed “milk carton” in Bernard Hopkins, and Paul Williams has favored calling out fellow Welterweight champion Antonio Margarito for a rematch that would be a step closer to unification in one of boxing’s most exciting divisions.
All of the above leave Winky Wright at a crossroads. Should the established name and former undisputed Junior Middleweight champion accept what he feels are less than adequate paydays to get his star shining once more? Perhaps he could seek out a fight with titleholders Arthur Abraham or Felix Sturm, or a stay busy fight while he awaits Pavlik’s eventual return to 160 pounds. Either way, he must make a move as quick as possible, for a fading champion in his late thirties who wishes to regain a spot on the coveted Pound-4-Pound list cannot remain inactive for over a year and expect a blessing from the Boxing Gods.
Perhaps Winky should not focus on finding Mr. Right, but as they say, find Mr. ‘Wright’ Now.
to your mom..
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