Tweet
Will Tye Fields Ever Fight Again?
Will Tye Fields Ever Fight Again?
by James Slater - Spare a thought for poor Tye Fields. Going into his last fight in June, against Monte Barrett, the big guy was a heavyweight who was beginning to get himself a little attention and respect. Promoter Bob Arum, for one, was telling people that the 6'8" southpaw was a legitimate contender and a capable fighter. Getting it wrong for once, the usually astute Arum must have felt more than a touch embarrassed after seeing what "Two Gunz" did to "Big Sky" in less than a minute..
But think of how embarrassed the previously 41-1(37) Fields must have felt as soon as he regained his senses after being blown into a world of pain almost as soon as Barrett unloaded for the first time. Hype can be a hell of a thing to live up to and Fields, who was hyped up in some quarters as a potential threat to the current heavyweight champions, failed miserably. The question, though many fans will answer with nothing more than a shrug of indifference, is will the likeable 270-pounder ever lace up the gloves again?
As much as people enjoy laughing at a touted boxer who crashes and burns in humiliating fashion, it is worth remembering that the guys who tried and failed at least tried. They had the guts to do what millions of fans watching them from the safety of an easy chair never have, and will never do - get in a boxing ring and fight. So, sure, a fan who pays his money to watch two men go at it can enjoy himself by laughing at the loser, but it should be kept in mind how much courage it takes to climb through those ropes and fight.
Fields, never a man who was known as a braggart who shouted his mouth off about being the next best boxer in his weight class, simply gave it his best shot and came up short in his biggest test. In a way, the fans should be a little grateful to Fields, as it was Barrett's spectacular win over him four months ago that got people talking again about the 37-year-old from New York. And because of this buzz the 1st round KO "Two Gunz" scored caused, David Haye (a fighter who HAS boasted that he is the next best thing in his weight class) wound up with a perfectly suitable opponent for his November bout in which he will make his fulltime heavyweight invasion.
Let's face it, who really cared about Monte Barrett before June 28th? Yes, fans will say his blasting out of Fields meant/means nothing, but the win has earned Monte a load of publicity, a genuinely big fight where a win will very possibly lead him into another world title fight, and a big payday. And for all this Barrett has Fields (or at least his team) to thank for giving him the June fight. Sometimes it's strange how things work out in this sport.
But back to the question, will Fields ever box again? It will take a great deal of character from the 33-year-old to give it another go. Brutally exposed on a big stage as he was, it would be some huge hill for the big guy to climb if he was to win over even the most receptive of fight fans. In short, no - Tye Fields will not be seen in a ring again. This is not to say Fields is a coward, as no man who has the bravery to box for a living ever could be, but he is also no fool.
As such, who could blame him if he chose to make this writer's prediction correct?
by James Slater - Spare a thought for poor Tye Fields. Going into his last fight in June, against Monte Barrett, the big guy was a heavyweight who was beginning to get himself a little attention and respect. Promoter Bob Arum, for one, was telling people that the 6'8" southpaw was a legitimate contender and a capable fighter. Getting it wrong for once, the usually astute Arum must have felt more than a touch embarrassed after seeing what "Two Gunz" did to "Big Sky" in less than a minute..
But think of how embarrassed the previously 41-1(37) Fields must have felt as soon as he regained his senses after being blown into a world of pain almost as soon as Barrett unloaded for the first time. Hype can be a hell of a thing to live up to and Fields, who was hyped up in some quarters as a potential threat to the current heavyweight champions, failed miserably. The question, though many fans will answer with nothing more than a shrug of indifference, is will the likeable 270-pounder ever lace up the gloves again?
As much as people enjoy laughing at a touted boxer who crashes and burns in humiliating fashion, it is worth remembering that the guys who tried and failed at least tried. They had the guts to do what millions of fans watching them from the safety of an easy chair never have, and will never do - get in a boxing ring and fight. So, sure, a fan who pays his money to watch two men go at it can enjoy himself by laughing at the loser, but it should be kept in mind how much courage it takes to climb through those ropes and fight.
Fields, never a man who was known as a braggart who shouted his mouth off about being the next best boxer in his weight class, simply gave it his best shot and came up short in his biggest test. In a way, the fans should be a little grateful to Fields, as it was Barrett's spectacular win over him four months ago that got people talking again about the 37-year-old from New York. And because of this buzz the 1st round KO "Two Gunz" scored caused, David Haye (a fighter who HAS boasted that he is the next best thing in his weight class) wound up with a perfectly suitable opponent for his November bout in which he will make his fulltime heavyweight invasion.
Let's face it, who really cared about Monte Barrett before June 28th? Yes, fans will say his blasting out of Fields meant/means nothing, but the win has earned Monte a load of publicity, a genuinely big fight where a win will very possibly lead him into another world title fight, and a big payday. And for all this Barrett has Fields (or at least his team) to thank for giving him the June fight. Sometimes it's strange how things work out in this sport.
But back to the question, will Fields ever box again? It will take a great deal of character from the 33-year-old to give it another go. Brutally exposed on a big stage as he was, it would be some huge hill for the big guy to climb if he was to win over even the most receptive of fight fans. In short, no - Tye Fields will not be seen in a ring again. This is not to say Fields is a coward, as no man who has the bravery to box for a living ever could be, but he is also no fool.
As such, who could blame him if he chose to make this writer's prediction correct?
Comment