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By Cliff Rold - After what has truly been a stellar run for ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights in 2011, boxing arrives at what annually is one of its worst times of year.
Are you ready for some football?
Beginning a few years ago, ESPN has drawn the curtain on the sweet science during the fall as America’s Game kicks into full swing.
Brief Aside: Note the use of the term America’s Game. There are some who argue the NFL has become the national pastime, surpassing baseball. It’s not the case. Basketball? Maybe. Average folks can still play in the park. Anybody can play tag football too, but it ain’t tackle. American Football, the real thing, is almost entirely voyeur because most cats just can’t roll that tough. Just two cents from this corner.
But, hey, I’m a Baseball guy first…I’m biased.
Aside Over
That means lots of Chris Berman, and not as much Brian Kelly (at least BK on boxing). There have been years in the past when it wouldn’t be as missed. This is not one of them.
To its credit, the season finale is, on paper, a fitting end and homage to the televised year. In one corner is one of the year’s best stories. 40-year old Grady Brewer (28-12, 16 KO) once looked like he would finish up as Charlie without the Chocolate Factory. The journeyman record masked a serious fighter. In 2006, he won the second season of the “Contender.”
He never cashed in.
Knee injuries played a part in a layoff lasting from 2006-2008, just shy of a full two years, and he has fought only seven times since the reality T.V. tournament. To his credit, six of those starts were wins including a split decision of future titlist Cornelius Bundrage and his last venture to the ring.
On Friday Night Fights in June, Brewer upset undefeated and highly regarded Fernando Guerrero in four exciting rounds. Guerrero was one of many undefeated fighters to taste defeat for the first time on ESPN air this year. Brewer has a chance to swell the ranks one more time. [Click Here To Read More]
Are you ready for some football?
Beginning a few years ago, ESPN has drawn the curtain on the sweet science during the fall as America’s Game kicks into full swing.
Brief Aside: Note the use of the term America’s Game. There are some who argue the NFL has become the national pastime, surpassing baseball. It’s not the case. Basketball? Maybe. Average folks can still play in the park. Anybody can play tag football too, but it ain’t tackle. American Football, the real thing, is almost entirely voyeur because most cats just can’t roll that tough. Just two cents from this corner.
But, hey, I’m a Baseball guy first…I’m biased.
Aside Over
That means lots of Chris Berman, and not as much Brian Kelly (at least BK on boxing). There have been years in the past when it wouldn’t be as missed. This is not one of them.
To its credit, the season finale is, on paper, a fitting end and homage to the televised year. In one corner is one of the year’s best stories. 40-year old Grady Brewer (28-12, 16 KO) once looked like he would finish up as Charlie without the Chocolate Factory. The journeyman record masked a serious fighter. In 2006, he won the second season of the “Contender.”
He never cashed in.
Knee injuries played a part in a layoff lasting from 2006-2008, just shy of a full two years, and he has fought only seven times since the reality T.V. tournament. To his credit, six of those starts were wins including a split decision of future titlist Cornelius Bundrage and his last venture to the ring.
On Friday Night Fights in June, Brewer upset undefeated and highly regarded Fernando Guerrero in four exciting rounds. Guerrero was one of many undefeated fighters to taste defeat for the first time on ESPN air this year. Brewer has a chance to swell the ranks one more time. [Click Here To Read More]
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