Paris We Are Sorry

I want to say that we are sorry for your pain. The attacks that you have come under should be crushed. One thing I wish would take place. Please let your President Hollande ask NATO to Use Article 5. If our President, yes the U.S. President does not support that I hope that Mr. Hollande will go on the airways to shame him. War against ISIS should not be political and we need to stand by your side just not with words but also with action.

His Fights with the Hawk was easy compared to this.

Alexis Arguello was one of my favorite fighters during the 80's. He would walk you down and not waste a punch in doing it. In the ring Arguello was a very simple man to understand. Don't throw unless it hits and hurts the other fighter. Outside the ring it was more complicated to understand some of his political moves but it was always with a heart of what is best for the Nicaraguan people. When I heard of his death I was saddened that a man I respected supposably took his own life. Well I have done some reading and as it happens in all countries the truth is not so easy to find. It appears Arguello;s opponents resided outside the ring as well. 

This is not going to be a history lesson describing the political forces of the Sandinista's vs. Contra Rebels and others. I will say even those living in the country of Nicaragua would have a difficult time trying to figure out the good guys between these groups. Alexis left his country years ago due to corruption and he became one of the greatest fighters in a division that was full of hard hitting monsters. He returned to Nicaragua after he retired and took a political position as Mayor of Managua. The monsters he sometime destroyed in the ring could not compare to the silent shadowy political creatures who may have took his life. 

This is what he believed. Once again I pose the question to those who lace them up, what do you believe. 

The Future of Boxing

The Future of Boxing

(what does the fan need)

There are so many things to say about boxing. It seems that we are moving toward a crossroads in this sweet science. Czeslaw Milosz said "The child who dwells inside us trusts that there are wise men somewhere who know the truth". Over the years boxing has gone through several challenges. Many have wanted to ban the sport do to excessive violence. This has happened since the early 1900's. (Even today due to the tragic death of Braydon Smith) the Australian Medical Association (AMA) renews its call for a ban on the sport.

Corruption has challenged the early survival of the sport. In Chicago during the early part of the last century " Following a rigged boxing match between Terry McGovern and Joe Gans in December of 1900, prizefighting was banned in the city early in 1901, a ban upheld for more than a quarter century".

We know the stories of how the Mafia weaved it web in the fight game during the 50's and 60's. This was good for the fight fan. We got to see the matches we wanted but it was not the best thing for the boxer. It is pressure to have to fight or end up in some river.

The 70's through the 90's was a very good time for the fans around the world. One reason was we had a great crop of fighters combined with Howard Cosell. How could boxing do anything but grow. Don King and others had a hard time not matching good to great fighters for our enjoyment. Ali, Hearns, Duran, Foreman, etc... So where are we now when

we talk about boxing? Some say its future is dead. The UFC has taken over. I say this, boxing is and will always continue to be a fabric in the lives of American people. Boxing has a future the real questions is, what should we do with the fans.

Why do people get behind certain fighters. What is the fascination? The fighter always has a special place in our hearts, the fans hearts. Through the boxer our fights can be fought. I pray that our desire is a noble one. It is easy for many of us white folks to dislike Floyd Mayweather. Why is that? Would we hate a white champion that talk so much trash. I think not. I do dislike how he acts, but I know that is part of the act and that act is to make money and sell fights. We in the white community needs to always check our heart and make sure we don't act like the racist back in the early part of the 20th century. It is alright to dislike someone because of their behavior but not because they are black. Must I remind you what the Guardian newspaper said, "Yet it was that very symbolism, the public face that Johnson, the son of former slaves, turned with such taunting glee against white supremacists of his day, that not only resulted in the lynching of at least 20 black people in riots that swept the country in the wake of his win over the very white and bloodied James J Jeffries in 1910, but eventually opened the way for black fighters to be afforded their equal standing, and for African Americans to proclaim their champions with pride". During the years when Joe Louis was champion he carried a torch for all the oppressed. The black man could stand tall knowing that Joe was the baddest man on the planet. During the onset of WWII even Mr. Louis fought for all of us as we stood against Hitler. What does your favorite fighter stand for today. Is it the pride of the Philippines? Does your boxer stand in the gap for those that are being held down in Ukraine. Does Guillermo Rigondeaux represent freedom from Castro. I hope that the fighters today know that the causes of the oppressed are still as strong today as always. Look, fighters will get paid, but so do men and women who don't give a damn about anything but money. Fighters, use the platform you were given and take a stand, many believe you are fighting for them.

As I said, boxing and the fight game will always be around. But what does the fan need? I'm not talking about the Boxing Aficionados they/I will get our fix. See the lovers of this sport

will find it. Just like the fans of Football do. When I say fan I mean the man or woman that thinks Manny and Floyd is all that is out there. What does that person need.

Well it is up to the reader of this blog and those who know more than I do about this sport to figure that out. It appears that Al Haymon is bring the sport back to the masses. Is that a good thing? The jury is out on that one. I know Roc Nation is not happy and a few cable companies that have had their feathers ruffled by that situation. What did Don King do and who did he control? Does the sport need a supreme leader? With 22 weight divisions and a alphabet soup of titles it may need someone to take control.

Times have changed. We have YouTube, blogs with far better writers than me filling the airway, HBO, Showtime and now the Premier Boxing Champions on the networks. It appears that the younger generation has adapted to finding what they want to view. In the past the audience had no choice. What came on the three major TV networks is what you were going to watch. This approach worked during that era due to the greatness of the fighters. Now we have to look harder to find that type of greatness. “Look and you shall find”.

Here is what I think the Fan needs. They need what we give them or they need to become a lover of the sport. It is like this in all fields. If cheap crappy music sells, cheap crappy music will be made. The same with the fight game.

If I could speak with all the fighters out there I would tell them to stand up for the oppressed the disheartened. No I take that back, Lets just remind them what Malcolm X said; “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing”. As long as there are people around the world being held back by something or someone, boxing will survive. If you need someone to fight for your cause and lift your spirit, boxing will survive. When the poor or just average masses need to believe that someone is throwing the leather for them, boxing will survive. So in my opinion boxing will be around until we all live in harmony and peace. Wow, boxing will be around forever.

Listen to Malcolm X, Why do we love boxing.

The fighter always has a special place our hearts. Through the boxers our fights can be fought. During the years when Joe Louis was champion he carried a torch for all the oppressed. The black man could stand tall knowing that Joe was the baddest man on the planet. During the onset of WWII even Mr. Louis fought for all of us as we stood against Hitler. What does your favorite fighter stand for today. Is it the pride of the Philippines? Does your boxer stand in the gap for those that are being held down in Ekraine. Does Guillermo Rigondeaux represent freedom from Castro. I hope that the fighters today know that the causes of the oppressed are still as strong today as always. Look, fighters will get paid, but so do men and women who don't give a damn about anything but the $$$$$. Use the platform you were given and take stand, many believe you are fighting for them. 

Don't hate because he is black.

Are we going back to the ways of hatred. It is easy for many of us White folks to dislike Floyd Mayweather. Why is that? Would we hate a white champion that talk so much trash. I think not. I do dislike how he acts, but I know that part of his act is to make money and sell fights. We in the white community needs to always check our heart and make sure we don't act like the racist back in the early part of the 20th century. It is alright to dislike someone because of their behavior but not because they are black. Must I remind you what the Guardian newspaper said, "Yet it was that very symbolism, the public face that Johnson, the son of former slaves, turned with such taunting glee against white supremacists of his day, that not only resulted in the lynching of at least 20 black people in riots that swept the country in the wake of his win over the very white and bloodied James J Jeffries in 1910, but eventually opened the way for black fighters to be afforded their equal standing, and for African Americans to proclaim their champions with pride".

The Future of Boxing! Maybe?

So many things to say about boxing. It seems that we are moving to a crossroads in this sweet science. Czeslaw Milosz said "The child who dwells inside us trusts that there are wise men somewhere who know the truth". Over the years boxing has gone through several challenges. Many have wanted to ban the sport do to excessive violence. This has happened since the early 1900's. (Even today due to the tragic death of Braydon Smith) the Australian Medical Association (AMA) renews its call for a ban on the sport.

Corruption has challenged the early survival of the sport. In Chicago during the early part of the last century " Following a rigged boxing match between Terry McGovern and Joe Gans in December of 1900, prizefighting was banned in the city early in 1901, a ban upheld for more than a quarter century".  We know the stories of how the Mafia weaved it web in the boxing game during the 50's and 60's. This was good for the fight fan. We got to see the fights we wanted but it was not the best thing for the boxer. It is pressure to have to fight or end up in some river.

The 70's-90's was a very good time for the fight fan. One reason was we had a great crop of fighters combined with Howard Cosell. How could boxing do nothing but grow. Don King and others had a hard time not matching good to great fighters. Ali, Hearns, Duran, Forman, ect... So were are we now when we talk about boxing? Some say the future is dead. The UFC has taken over. I say this, boxing is and will always continue to be a fabric in the lives of Americans. Boxing has a future the real questions is, what should we do with the fans.

Boxing and the fight game will always be around. But what does the fan need? I'm not talking about the Boxing Aficionados they/I will get our fix. See the lovers of this sport will find it. Just like the fans of Football do. When I say Fan I mean the man/woman that thinks Manny and Floyd is all that is out there. What does that person need.

Well it is up to the reader of this blog and those who know more than I do about this sport to figure out. It appears that Al Haymon is bring the sport back to the masses. Is that a good thing? The jury is out on that one. I know Roc Nation is not happy and maybe a few cable companies that could be ruffled. What did Don King do and who did he control?

Times have changed. We have YouTube, blogs with far better writers then me filling the airway, HBO, Showtime and now PBC. It appears that the younger generation has adapted to finding what they want to view. In the past the audience had no choice. What came on the three major TV networks is what you were going to watch. This approach worked during that era due to the greatness of the fighters. Now we have to look harder to find that type of greatness. “Look and you shall find”.

Here is what I think the Fan needs. They need what we give them or they need to become a lover of the sport. It is like this in all fields. If cheap crappy music sells, cheap crappy music will be made. The same with the fight game.

You pick what you want.

Don't judge make up your own mind

Max Schmeling is a real man. He was used as a pawn in Hitlers PR scam. He hated Hitler and he rescued over 100 Jewish individuals during the war. We know him as the man that had two fights with the Brown Bomber. What impressed me was he helped pay for the funeral of Joe Louis. We need to dig deeper and not buy what haters are trying to spoon feed to us.