Tweet
by Cliff Rold - It’s always the fights first.
Sure, fans might identify their early passion for the sweet science with a particular affinity for their first fistic hero. Dig deep enough and, just guessing, it isn’t the idol that was really the key.
It was a moment the idol provided.
For men of a certain age, it was Mike Tyson leaving bodies strewn about the ring. For others, it might be Matthew Saad Muhammad battling back against Marvin Johnson or Yaqui Lopez; Archie Moore surviving and outdueling Yvonne Durrelle.
It was the fights.
The lasting admiration for the participants flowed naturally from there; the egg before the chicken.
Current IBF Light Heavyweight titlist Tavoris Cloud (22-0, 18 KO) hasn’t had a moment like that yet. He may never. But, as much as any fighter in the sport under age 30, Cloud has begun building a reputation as the sort of fighter who could.
It’s always the fights first.
And Cloud makes damn good fights.
Matched with the mercurial and but typically Yusaf Mack (29-3-2, 17 KO) on the HBO-televised undercard of the Jr. Welterweight clash between Devon Alexander and Lucas Matthysse (a show also featuring a Heavyweight clash between Bermane Stiverne and Ray Austin), Cloud should make another this Saturday. [Click Here To Read More]
Sure, fans might identify their early passion for the sweet science with a particular affinity for their first fistic hero. Dig deep enough and, just guessing, it isn’t the idol that was really the key.
It was a moment the idol provided.
For men of a certain age, it was Mike Tyson leaving bodies strewn about the ring. For others, it might be Matthew Saad Muhammad battling back against Marvin Johnson or Yaqui Lopez; Archie Moore surviving and outdueling Yvonne Durrelle.
It was the fights.
The lasting admiration for the participants flowed naturally from there; the egg before the chicken.
Current IBF Light Heavyweight titlist Tavoris Cloud (22-0, 18 KO) hasn’t had a moment like that yet. He may never. But, as much as any fighter in the sport under age 30, Cloud has begun building a reputation as the sort of fighter who could.
It’s always the fights first.
And Cloud makes damn good fights.
Matched with the mercurial and but typically Yusaf Mack (29-3-2, 17 KO) on the HBO-televised undercard of the Jr. Welterweight clash between Devon Alexander and Lucas Matthysse (a show also featuring a Heavyweight clash between Bermane Stiverne and Ray Austin), Cloud should make another this Saturday. [Click Here To Read More]
Comment