Tweet
By Thomas Gerbasi - Boxing’s not dead. Though the aftermath of last Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao bout has the mainstream vultures circling the sport and deeming it finished for the rest of eternity, those who cover and watch it on a regular basis know that the world has been trying to kill off the sweet science for a hundred years, but to no avail.
So remember, boxing is here. It’s not going anywhere. And no one knows that better than Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. Back in 1982, the then-lightweight champion engaged in a punishing bout with Korean challenger Deuk-Koo Kim, and when Kim tragically passed away from injuries sustained in his 14th round loss, boxing was written off, considered too brutal for “civilized” society.
And maybe it is, but it’s still here over 30 years later, and despite the negative aspects associated with it, when it’s done right, there’s nothing better in sports. Mancini knows it, and on Friday night, he’ll be letting viewers of truTV in on this secret as color commentator for the Top Rank card featuring local tri-state area favorites Glen Tapia of New Jersey and Seanie Monaghan of New York in separate bouts.
In a way, it’s the perfect show for Mancini to make his debut on, because what Top Rank is doing is key to not just the survival of boxing, but the ability of the sport to transcend the hardcore fanbase. When Mancini was an active fighter, he didn’t just fight for himself, but for his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. The two were synonymous, and as his manager Dave Wolf guided Mancini’s career, he always made sure that the city’s favorite son always made enough appearances at home to keep Youngstown natives happy and engaged. [Click Here To Read More]
So remember, boxing is here. It’s not going anywhere. And no one knows that better than Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini. Back in 1982, the then-lightweight champion engaged in a punishing bout with Korean challenger Deuk-Koo Kim, and when Kim tragically passed away from injuries sustained in his 14th round loss, boxing was written off, considered too brutal for “civilized” society.
And maybe it is, but it’s still here over 30 years later, and despite the negative aspects associated with it, when it’s done right, there’s nothing better in sports. Mancini knows it, and on Friday night, he’ll be letting viewers of truTV in on this secret as color commentator for the Top Rank card featuring local tri-state area favorites Glen Tapia of New Jersey and Seanie Monaghan of New York in separate bouts.
In a way, it’s the perfect show for Mancini to make his debut on, because what Top Rank is doing is key to not just the survival of boxing, but the ability of the sport to transcend the hardcore fanbase. When Mancini was an active fighter, he didn’t just fight for himself, but for his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. The two were synonymous, and as his manager Dave Wolf guided Mancini’s career, he always made sure that the city’s favorite son always made enough appearances at home to keep Youngstown natives happy and engaged. [Click Here To Read More]