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Matthew Sanderson
07/06/2005 - United Kingdom
“When I was a manager, I tried to avoid southpaws (for my fighters) at all costs.”
Speaking during a telecast of a young Floyd Mayweather, Jr's 1997 fight against Jesus Chavez (not to be confused with the ‘El Matador’ we know), the words of then commentator Gil Clancy – also a Hall of Fame trainer/manager – were understandable.
Despite having an Olympic bronze medal, not even the brilliant Detroit talent was immune to a clash of stances.
Feet tangled, heads cracked - causing a cut on his 'Pretty' left eyebrow - and he didn't look altogether comfortable. Although Floyd handled the situation like a pro, stopping the 1-12 spoiler in five, the difficulty of dealing with a man who punches from the wrong side can affect anyone.
If in doubt, ask Roy Jones, who was clocked and stopped when he moved into Antonio Tarver's thunderous straight left; was perplexed somewhat by slippery Eric Harding in a winning effort; and conceded a few rounds to the unexceptional Derrick Harmon when such a feat was frowned on as an aberration.
While even the most gifted orthodox boxer can suffer, southpaws can be more troubled outside the ropes, especially if they have highly developed boxing skills. Lefties who can make the best textbook boxers look dishevelled, and reduce crowd pleasers to rank amateurs, can be kept out of the picture, and thus aren't always able to make the money or impact they want.
After beating two of the biggest late 1990s/early 2000s boxers in Shane Mosley (twice) and Felix Trinidad, Winky Wright is at the top. It wasn't a quick leap by any means, but despite having made a career-high earner against 'Tito', the man who hates being called Ronald could again find it harder to secure a name opponent than it is to beat one.
The right-handed southpaw, from Florida, demonstrates skill over power, favors defense over slugging, and performs with level headed artistry instead of conceding to the primal demands of hot-blooded fans. He’s a part of the A-list as surely as are the stars he mingles freely with, but it doesn’t, unfortunately, make him a big draw.
After a career that has spanned 15 years, 8 countries, and notched four world titles (WBO, IBF, WBA, WBC junior middle), Winky can't be blamed for wanting to cash in. But in the light of his major victories, it's going to be easier said than done.
For Wright, his biggest wins were long-overdue rewards for a brilliant, hard-working stylist. But from the opponents’ side, facing Winky was an aesthetic and financial disaster. Mosley had lost out on some huge paydays; Tito was dominated and demoralised and sent into second retirement. No doubt Misters Hopkins and de la Hoya, both past their best, have taken mental note.
Fighting Winky is bad for one's career.
With the grit, determination and silky skills he’s shown throughout his career, Winky Wright deserves compensating whether it be against a superstar or not. Especially when men such as de la Hoya remain huge attractions, even when their performances fall short of what the hype would suggest. But, as Clint Eastwood said in UNFORGIVEN, “Deserve's got nothing to do with it.’
The motivations of Wright, 33, are clear. After beating Trinidad on a PPV success (510,000 buys) before a 14,000 LV crowd, Winky wanted the emasculated Tito to join him for a rematch in what would be blatant bullying for bucks. Instead of calling out Bernard Hopkins, he'd prefer the man Hopkins easily beat, Oscar. A keen competitor and fine sportsman, payday is now priority for Winky.
While he’d be favored to beat most anyone from 154 to 160, there are causes for concern: if plans don't work out, he seems serious about retirement; and if he does get the biggie, he could wind up conceding vital terms to names big enough to call the shots.
Winky has just reached the best boxing of his career, surpassing his own excellent standards.
To leave the sport - and he's been talking about this for a while - would be a major loss both to the purists and fellow tradesmen drawn to his skills and personality, and the fans adding to their personal pantheon of greats. After six years of struggling to make light middle, fighting six pounds north has unleashed something extra; something that can plant him among boxing's immortals.
Stronger and sturdier, the more filled out Wright was able to consistently force Trinidad back; a task not even the great Hopkins could do. Winky's bigger than ever arms strengthen his already tight guard, and his energy levels seem improved. Most boxers can't see that right jab coming, and it has more weight behind it now.
Winky hadn't dominated so thoroughly over twelve rounds since peppering British light middleweight champion Ensley Bingham as part of Frank Warren's UK taster for November 1996's 'Judgement Night,' in which Evander Holyfield memorably stopped Tyson. That's how long and far it has taken Winky to get where he is: a testament to his hard work, discipline and self-belief.
Trinidad, whom he fought last May, was made for him. But Winky's win over a class opponent looks better next to the recent exploits involving the brilliant Mayweather, who stopped a weight drained, ageing Arturo Gatti. By these standards, Winky Wright could be pound for pound the best in boxing. His recent form is peerless.
The outcome of the July 16 Hopkins-Jermain Taylor middleweight title fight could do a lot to determine his future: either man could at once pose a lucrative opponent for Winky, a big platform from which to perform, and a mouth-watering test against a skilled pro; but one hopes he doesn't get drawn into the superficially quicker financial rewards that, say, de la Hoya represents.
Oscar’s challenge to Wright is already documented, and negotiations deferred when 'The Golden Boy' stressed his need to spend time with his pregnant wife: effectively deferring till 2006. It wouldn't be surprising if de la Hoya waited until Wright had retired to call him out, or insist on terms that would make Winky have to lose considerable weight and inhibit his performance.
Remember how badly Jones caved in after bulking up to 195 and then dragging down to 175? Winky's toughness has been proven with inside wars against Fernando Vargas and Harry Simon in controversial 1998 and 1999 defeats. But he comes down from 175, and it can't get any easier at this stage.
De la Hoya has a fine roster of opponents, but these fights are seldom made until he feels they are slipping, or if he can engineer a significant pre-fight advantage: Hopkins was 40; Vargas had been thrashed by Trinidad; Ike Quartey had looked beatable against Jose Luis Lopez. Oscar wouldn't fight Mosley again until his conqueror had lost twice to Vernon Forrest.
Would he have challenged a 34-year-old 'Executioner'? I think not.
It all smacks of Ray Leonard's (the ‘80s Golden Boy) calling out of Marvin Hagler (the undervalued southpaw of his day) in 1987.
Fierce 1985 and 1986 fights with Thomas Hearns and John Mugabi had eroded the middleweight king of nearly seven years. Leonard, never willing to fight him before, calculated it to a tee, luring Marvin out of a planned retirement for a share of the $23m gross. Leonard stole the fight on the run against a man in decline.
If he closed strong enough to make the loss controversial, Marvin looked like a man remembering the plot for the first seven rounds. Although acknowledged as a classic, it was a huge disappointment to see anything less than Marvelous.
It’s doubtful de la Hoya could make an impression on Wright: hungry, precise, and one of the cleverest defensive fighters of this era. But the pairing simply does not intrigue, nor does it mean anything to determine the sport’s pecking order. When did de la Hoya last deliver the goods? He against a boiled down Wright would be less than scintillating: a cynical money-spinner, a mundane blockbuster.
Judging by his latest performance, Wright’s natural future seems to be at middle. Given his current high standing and ability to deliver at the very top, a little imaginative matchmaking and promotion can keep Winky thriving. There are plenty of emerging names at 160 such as Kingsley Ikeke; and IBF junior middle champ Kassim Ouma - willing to step up - could provide a better all southpaw fight than the Spinks-Judah rivalry.
If the young, strong, well-schooled Taylor beats Hopkins, Taylor-Wright is a natural down the line.
And if Hopkins emerges the winner, Hopkins-Winky should be worth more than the proposed Hopkins-Roy Jones II at light heavyweight. Jones was seldom a huge attraction, making low-key defences for high key money for the most (fights with Toney, Ruiz and Tarver I notwithstanding). After back-to-back KO defeats it looks as though he can't protect himself, let alone fight anymore.
There are many wealthy boxers desperate to add to their past accomplishments. Take, for instance, the returning Thomas Hearns, or Evander Holyfield; dried up legends sadly unable to walk away.
With his defense, ring generalship and co-ordination, Winky is built for longevity. But after it's gone, it never returns.
If you've got it, flaunt it. While you can.
07/06/2005 - United Kingdom
“When I was a manager, I tried to avoid southpaws (for my fighters) at all costs.”
Speaking during a telecast of a young Floyd Mayweather, Jr's 1997 fight against Jesus Chavez (not to be confused with the ‘El Matador’ we know), the words of then commentator Gil Clancy – also a Hall of Fame trainer/manager – were understandable.
Despite having an Olympic bronze medal, not even the brilliant Detroit talent was immune to a clash of stances.
Feet tangled, heads cracked - causing a cut on his 'Pretty' left eyebrow - and he didn't look altogether comfortable. Although Floyd handled the situation like a pro, stopping the 1-12 spoiler in five, the difficulty of dealing with a man who punches from the wrong side can affect anyone.
If in doubt, ask Roy Jones, who was clocked and stopped when he moved into Antonio Tarver's thunderous straight left; was perplexed somewhat by slippery Eric Harding in a winning effort; and conceded a few rounds to the unexceptional Derrick Harmon when such a feat was frowned on as an aberration.
While even the most gifted orthodox boxer can suffer, southpaws can be more troubled outside the ropes, especially if they have highly developed boxing skills. Lefties who can make the best textbook boxers look dishevelled, and reduce crowd pleasers to rank amateurs, can be kept out of the picture, and thus aren't always able to make the money or impact they want.
After beating two of the biggest late 1990s/early 2000s boxers in Shane Mosley (twice) and Felix Trinidad, Winky Wright is at the top. It wasn't a quick leap by any means, but despite having made a career-high earner against 'Tito', the man who hates being called Ronald could again find it harder to secure a name opponent than it is to beat one.
The right-handed southpaw, from Florida, demonstrates skill over power, favors defense over slugging, and performs with level headed artistry instead of conceding to the primal demands of hot-blooded fans. He’s a part of the A-list as surely as are the stars he mingles freely with, but it doesn’t, unfortunately, make him a big draw.
After a career that has spanned 15 years, 8 countries, and notched four world titles (WBO, IBF, WBA, WBC junior middle), Winky can't be blamed for wanting to cash in. But in the light of his major victories, it's going to be easier said than done.
For Wright, his biggest wins were long-overdue rewards for a brilliant, hard-working stylist. But from the opponents’ side, facing Winky was an aesthetic and financial disaster. Mosley had lost out on some huge paydays; Tito was dominated and demoralised and sent into second retirement. No doubt Misters Hopkins and de la Hoya, both past their best, have taken mental note.
Fighting Winky is bad for one's career.
With the grit, determination and silky skills he’s shown throughout his career, Winky Wright deserves compensating whether it be against a superstar or not. Especially when men such as de la Hoya remain huge attractions, even when their performances fall short of what the hype would suggest. But, as Clint Eastwood said in UNFORGIVEN, “Deserve's got nothing to do with it.’
The motivations of Wright, 33, are clear. After beating Trinidad on a PPV success (510,000 buys) before a 14,000 LV crowd, Winky wanted the emasculated Tito to join him for a rematch in what would be blatant bullying for bucks. Instead of calling out Bernard Hopkins, he'd prefer the man Hopkins easily beat, Oscar. A keen competitor and fine sportsman, payday is now priority for Winky.
While he’d be favored to beat most anyone from 154 to 160, there are causes for concern: if plans don't work out, he seems serious about retirement; and if he does get the biggie, he could wind up conceding vital terms to names big enough to call the shots.
Winky has just reached the best boxing of his career, surpassing his own excellent standards.
To leave the sport - and he's been talking about this for a while - would be a major loss both to the purists and fellow tradesmen drawn to his skills and personality, and the fans adding to their personal pantheon of greats. After six years of struggling to make light middle, fighting six pounds north has unleashed something extra; something that can plant him among boxing's immortals.
Stronger and sturdier, the more filled out Wright was able to consistently force Trinidad back; a task not even the great Hopkins could do. Winky's bigger than ever arms strengthen his already tight guard, and his energy levels seem improved. Most boxers can't see that right jab coming, and it has more weight behind it now.
Winky hadn't dominated so thoroughly over twelve rounds since peppering British light middleweight champion Ensley Bingham as part of Frank Warren's UK taster for November 1996's 'Judgement Night,' in which Evander Holyfield memorably stopped Tyson. That's how long and far it has taken Winky to get where he is: a testament to his hard work, discipline and self-belief.
Trinidad, whom he fought last May, was made for him. But Winky's win over a class opponent looks better next to the recent exploits involving the brilliant Mayweather, who stopped a weight drained, ageing Arturo Gatti. By these standards, Winky Wright could be pound for pound the best in boxing. His recent form is peerless.
The outcome of the July 16 Hopkins-Jermain Taylor middleweight title fight could do a lot to determine his future: either man could at once pose a lucrative opponent for Winky, a big platform from which to perform, and a mouth-watering test against a skilled pro; but one hopes he doesn't get drawn into the superficially quicker financial rewards that, say, de la Hoya represents.
Oscar’s challenge to Wright is already documented, and negotiations deferred when 'The Golden Boy' stressed his need to spend time with his pregnant wife: effectively deferring till 2006. It wouldn't be surprising if de la Hoya waited until Wright had retired to call him out, or insist on terms that would make Winky have to lose considerable weight and inhibit his performance.
Remember how badly Jones caved in after bulking up to 195 and then dragging down to 175? Winky's toughness has been proven with inside wars against Fernando Vargas and Harry Simon in controversial 1998 and 1999 defeats. But he comes down from 175, and it can't get any easier at this stage.
De la Hoya has a fine roster of opponents, but these fights are seldom made until he feels they are slipping, or if he can engineer a significant pre-fight advantage: Hopkins was 40; Vargas had been thrashed by Trinidad; Ike Quartey had looked beatable against Jose Luis Lopez. Oscar wouldn't fight Mosley again until his conqueror had lost twice to Vernon Forrest.
Would he have challenged a 34-year-old 'Executioner'? I think not.
It all smacks of Ray Leonard's (the ‘80s Golden Boy) calling out of Marvin Hagler (the undervalued southpaw of his day) in 1987.
Fierce 1985 and 1986 fights with Thomas Hearns and John Mugabi had eroded the middleweight king of nearly seven years. Leonard, never willing to fight him before, calculated it to a tee, luring Marvin out of a planned retirement for a share of the $23m gross. Leonard stole the fight on the run against a man in decline.
If he closed strong enough to make the loss controversial, Marvin looked like a man remembering the plot for the first seven rounds. Although acknowledged as a classic, it was a huge disappointment to see anything less than Marvelous.
It’s doubtful de la Hoya could make an impression on Wright: hungry, precise, and one of the cleverest defensive fighters of this era. But the pairing simply does not intrigue, nor does it mean anything to determine the sport’s pecking order. When did de la Hoya last deliver the goods? He against a boiled down Wright would be less than scintillating: a cynical money-spinner, a mundane blockbuster.
Judging by his latest performance, Wright’s natural future seems to be at middle. Given his current high standing and ability to deliver at the very top, a little imaginative matchmaking and promotion can keep Winky thriving. There are plenty of emerging names at 160 such as Kingsley Ikeke; and IBF junior middle champ Kassim Ouma - willing to step up - could provide a better all southpaw fight than the Spinks-Judah rivalry.
If the young, strong, well-schooled Taylor beats Hopkins, Taylor-Wright is a natural down the line.
And if Hopkins emerges the winner, Hopkins-Winky should be worth more than the proposed Hopkins-Roy Jones II at light heavyweight. Jones was seldom a huge attraction, making low-key defences for high key money for the most (fights with Toney, Ruiz and Tarver I notwithstanding). After back-to-back KO defeats it looks as though he can't protect himself, let alone fight anymore.
There are many wealthy boxers desperate to add to their past accomplishments. Take, for instance, the returning Thomas Hearns, or Evander Holyfield; dried up legends sadly unable to walk away.
With his defense, ring generalship and co-ordination, Winky is built for longevity. But after it's gone, it never returns.
If you've got it, flaunt it. While you can.
to your mom..
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