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By Cliff Rold - It’s the weight class where Joe Gans, Barney Ross, Roberto Duran, and Pernell Whitaker were at their very best. That’s boxing immortality.
That’s history.
History can be experienced any time we want on YouTube. Duran’s epic series with Esteban DeJesus is there in all three installments. Whitaker’s unification of the crown? One (well, three) clicks away.
Boxing history is great. Like a favorite movie, it’s there to be treasured and returned to when we want to remember. The only problem with watching the greats of 135 lbs. is we already know the end of every story. Gans will always outlast Battling Nelson in their 42 round marathon. Lou Ambers will always benefit from point deductions to regain the crown from Henry Armstrong. Julio Cesar Chavez will always digest the soul of Edwin Rosario.
The greatest part of those moments is lost to time. One can appreciate, even by thrilled, by looking back in time. Only those who saw it live will ever truly have experienced the rush of the unknown as those events unfolded.
There is no Gans, no Whitaker, no Duran at Lightweight in 2015. With Terrence Crawford off already to 140 lbs., the division again finds itself where it has been for much of the time since Juan Manuel Marquez left the division for good.
Lightweight is looking for an identity.
This Saturday, we’ll see two fighters who can hope to provide it one. Online at ESPN3.com (6:30 PM EST/3:30 PM PST), Jorge Linares (39-3, 26 KO) will attempt his second defense of the WBC title against Ivan Cano (23-6-2, 15 KO). Via tape delay on BeIn Sports Espanol, Terry Flanagan (28-0, 11 KO) will make his first defense of the WBO belt against Diego Magdaleno (28-1, 12 KO). [Click Here To Read More]
That’s history.
History can be experienced any time we want on YouTube. Duran’s epic series with Esteban DeJesus is there in all three installments. Whitaker’s unification of the crown? One (well, three) clicks away.
Boxing history is great. Like a favorite movie, it’s there to be treasured and returned to when we want to remember. The only problem with watching the greats of 135 lbs. is we already know the end of every story. Gans will always outlast Battling Nelson in their 42 round marathon. Lou Ambers will always benefit from point deductions to regain the crown from Henry Armstrong. Julio Cesar Chavez will always digest the soul of Edwin Rosario.
The greatest part of those moments is lost to time. One can appreciate, even by thrilled, by looking back in time. Only those who saw it live will ever truly have experienced the rush of the unknown as those events unfolded.
There is no Gans, no Whitaker, no Duran at Lightweight in 2015. With Terrence Crawford off already to 140 lbs., the division again finds itself where it has been for much of the time since Juan Manuel Marquez left the division for good.
Lightweight is looking for an identity.
This Saturday, we’ll see two fighters who can hope to provide it one. Online at ESPN3.com (6:30 PM EST/3:30 PM PST), Jorge Linares (39-3, 26 KO) will attempt his second defense of the WBC title against Ivan Cano (23-6-2, 15 KO). Via tape delay on BeIn Sports Espanol, Terry Flanagan (28-0, 11 KO) will make his first defense of the WBO belt against Diego Magdaleno (28-1, 12 KO). [Click Here To Read More]