Comments Thread For: “Fighting Words” – Ridiculing the Latest Ridiculousness

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

by David P. Greisman - Yes, this was a weekend with more controversial decisions.

Yes, this was a weekend with more fighters getting highly questionable opportunities to earn title shots.

Yes, Ray Austin was somehow back on HBO.

All of that is ridiculous. But in a week like last, that ridiculousness somehow seems run-of-the-mill.

Those stories played out under the spotlight of national broadcasts. They have been dissected and debated in the days since.

Those stories deserve attention. But we shouldn’t allow the larger controversies to distract us so that the lesser stories escape scrutiny.

Let us ridicule the latest ridiculousness, then, starting with James Toney’s latest fight, shifting into Beibut Shumenov’s latest opponent, and then finishing off with an athletic commission’s latest aggravation.

James Toney to Face Another 47-Year-Old UFC Legend…

…except this time, the legend is the shell that was once Ken Shamrock, whose past decade in mixed martial arts has been on the absolute opposite end of the spectrum from the final run put forth by Randy Couture.

And the fight won’t be an MMA bout under the UFC umbrella, but rather, according to various reports, it will be a “mixed rules” bout that promises to be a freak show of a promotion.

It’s sad, like watching an episode of “Intervention” in which nobody actually gets any help for his or her addictions. [Click Here To Read More]

[RlCKY]

This isn't the first time I saw this particular writer quote Teddy Atlas and count how many times he said a word. Get a life.

[Uncle Rodge]

This isn't the first time I saw this particular writer quote Teddy Atlas and count how many times he said a word. Get a life.

Oh common....

Atlasisms are one of the things that makes this sport great.

[Lorily]

This isn't the first time I saw this particular writer quote Teddy Atlas and count how many times he said a word. Get a life.

Yet you continue to read his articles...

If you don't like it, don't read it. Seems real simple.

BTW, as for the "Get a life" comment - his job is to report on boxing and boxing related material, which is what he is doing. It appears that his life is just fine.

[Lorily]

Oh common....

Atlasisms are one of the things that makes this sport great.

Exactly. Humor is essential when it comes to Teddy Atlas. If you can't laugh at Teddy Atlas, then the alternative is to rip out your own hair. He can be that annoying, and I'm partial to my hair.

[Lorily]

David - a few observations and responses to your article...
(Great article, as always)

1- No mention of the Alexander/Matthyese fight?? Seems polls taken all over the internet have Alexander winning another fight by brutal hometown decision. Your thoughts?

2- @ "cage age"

3- Shumenov - couldn't agree more with your observations of Shumenov's career. Personally, I thought a light was shined on his character when, in a blatantly bias judges decision win for Shumenov in the rematch fight with Campillo, the rumor of his (Shumenovs) promotional company refusing to pay Campillo for the first fight unless he had agreed to the rematch under the Shumenov banner, was reported. Although it may have been a contractually ordered rematch IDK, refusing to pay an opponent who beat you seems pretty chicken**** IMO. When you add in the fact that he's supposively the "first to win a title with only 9 (?) pro fights" and the competition he's fought to keep his title, the man truly is a laughable champion. He's not without talent of course, but his legitamcy is highly questionable at this point IMO.

4 - The mere thought of the BBBC taking disciplinary action against David Haye for a twitter joke is more laughable then the "joke" itself TBH. Although somewhat classless, the joke was completely harmless. What makes it even more humorous is that the BBBC called more attention to it publically then it had in the first place.

5 - Of your 3 choices regarding Kelly Pavlik, I tend to think that #2 is correct. It's crazy to think that Kelly would take on Bute at this stage in his career, especially after a not so impressive appearance after coming back from rehab. The idea of Bute's name being mentioned for Kelly so soon after that unimpressive win against Lopez, is what makes me believe #2 is the correct answer. I mean, we're talking about Bob Arum here, right? The man who has criticized GBP for Ortiz stepping up too soon to fight FMJ. However, atleast Victor looked impressive in his last fight, Kelly didn't. Just my two cents worth.

6 - Your "Atlasisms" are priceless, and give merit to all the other viewers who are frustrated by listening to Teddy Atlas. If they don't put a leash on him soon, their gonna have to rename it "Teddy Atlas FNFs and other stuff". Teddy gets so far off on tangents sometimes that he's missing the actual action in the ring. Teddy makes me miss listening to the the old B&W fights, when commentators acutally talked about the fight that was going on in the ring.

7 - Manny Pacquiao ought to stick to what he does best, fighting. Personally I think his singing is a hobby of his gone global. To think he's on a top list of anything for singing is silly. It's kareoke night at best, but it shows how crazy "Pac Nation" has become. Putting Pacquiaos name any where near Bon Jovi's name on any contemporary musical chart rating is a flat out insult. Just being real here.

[Mr. David]

David - a few observations and responses to your article...
(Great article, as always)

1- No mention of the Alexander/Matthyese fight?? Seems polls taken all over the internet have Alexander winning another fight by brutal hometown decision. Your thoughts?

2- @ "cage age"

3- Shumenov - couldn't agree more with your observations of Shumenov's career. Personally, I thought a light was shined on his character when, in a blatantly bias judges decision win for Shumenov in the rematch fight with Campillo, the rumor of his (Shumenovs) promotional company refusing to pay Campillo for the first fight unless he had agreed to the rematch under the Shumenov banner, was reported. Although it may have been a contractually ordered rematch IDK, refusing to pay an opponent who beat you seems pretty chicken**** IMO. When you add in the fact that he's supposively the "first to win a title with only 9 (?) pro fights" and the competition he's fought to keep his title, the man truly is a laughable champion. He's not without talent of course, but his legitamcy is highly questionable at this point IMO.

4 - The mere thought of the BBBC taking disciplinary action against David Haye for a twitter joke is more laughable then the "joke" itself TBH. Although somewhat classless, the joke was completely harmless. What makes it even more humorous is that the BBBC called more attention to it publically then it had in the first place.

5 - Of your 3 choices regarding Kelly Pavlik, I tend to think that #2 is correct. It's crazy to think that Kelly would take on Bute at this stage in his career, especially after a not so impressive appearance after coming back from rehab. The idea of Bute's name being mentioned for Kelly so soon after that unimpressive win against Lopez, is what makes me believe #2 is the correct answer. I mean, we're talking about Bob Arum here, right? The man who has criticized GBP for Ortiz stepping up too soon to fight FMJ. However, atleast Victor looked impressive in his last fight, Kelly didn't. Just my two cents worth.

6 - Your "Atlasisms" are priceless, and give merit to all the other viewers who are frustrated by listening to Teddy Atlas. If they don't put a leash on him soon, their gonna have to rename it "Teddy Atlas FNFs and other stuff". Teddy gets so far off on tangents sometimes that he's missing the actual action in the ring. Teddy makes me miss listening to the the old B&W fights, when commentators acutally talked about the fight that was going on in the ring.

7 - Manny Pacquiao ought to stick to what he does best, fighting. Personally I think his singing is a hobby of his gone global. To think he's on a top list of anything for singing is silly. It's kareoke night at best, but it shows how crazy "Pac Nation" has become. Putting Pacquiaos name any where near Bon Jovi's name on any contemporary musical chart rating is a flat out insult. Just being real here.

Getting to this belatedly. Apologies, Lorily, it's been a crazy past few weeks:

1. I didn't score Alexander-Matthysse, but I think people should be more careful about delineating the differences between close, controversial and robbery, especially after the robbery that was Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara.

3. I ended up writing a week later that I thought I was a little too hard on Shumenov. I don't know who had been offered fights and turned them down, etc. Would I like to see more from him? Sure. But not all of that is his fault (starting with the unification bout with Braehmer getting called off at the last minute).

4. Sticks and stones (and jabs and crosses) will break bones, but David Haye's words are worrisome?

5. Pavlik, for all his troubles, was hard not to cheer for. I just don't see this one ending well.

6. Atlas at least tries to get into the action of the fight. He just needs better guidance on his role. At this late point in his career, however? Doubtful. Also, he's got a good bit of a fan following. Just drives me nuts...

7. Maybe I can sneak Pacquiao's name into the title of my book and see if that raises the sales...