Wilder: Last man standing
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
One of my favorite boxing writers is Lee Groves of maxboxing.com. He also works as a CompuBox punch stat counter for ESPN2 among other things. But for now, I’m marveling at the simplicity to which he describes amateur boxing.
“Amateur boxing has become like fencing.” It’s simple, easy to understand and right on the money. It’s about gettting in, getting your one good shot and leaving. Ugh, it’s so embarrassing.
Cuba brought its least amount of boxers to the Games since it boycotted the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. But as we stand at the semis, the Cubans are guaranteed eight medals. Only one person didn’t qualify.
As for the US, well, less said, the better. That’s not to say some of these kids won’t have productive professional careers, but this has been a disaster.
One boxer will get a medal, heavyweight Deontay Wilder. With such limited experience, nobody thought Wilder stood a chance to be in this position. So that’s the good news. The bad news is how one-by-one, our studs have fallen.
Everyone knows the system is screwed up. But the fighters have accepted that. Still, in the last round, several US fighters didn’t show that sense of urgency. They were allowed to be manipulated by the system.
Anyway, Wilder is a great story. A 22-year-old kid from Tuscaloosa who hadn’t even picked up boxing when the 2004 Olympics were going on. He’s fighting hard for his 2-year-old daughter, Naieya, who is suffering from spina bifida.
Wilder is your prototypical boxer today. He played basketball and football for years and then moved to boxing. It’s one of the reasons why we haven’t seen a dominant heavyweight since Evander Holyfield. The kids today don’t dream of becoming the next Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, etc.
As much as I deny it, when Wilder steps into the ring with Clemente Russo of Italy in Friday’s semifinal, I’ll be watching. Like I said, I’m sick. I have issues.
Ninja Warrior update: Jack in Saginaw, Michigan, gave me his thoughts about Horton and Ninja Warrior. “I’m sure you guys are clouded by the fact that Horton is from Oklahoma. He wouldn’t be able to complete the first stage. He’s a great gymnast, but he wouldn’t stand a chance at Mount Midoriyama. Too small, sorry.”
I disagree, still. To clarify, there are four stages to Ninja Warrior. Stage 3 is easily the toughest, but Stage 1 is the longest and provides the most excitement. If Horton could clear the wall, he’s got it. You can’t change my mind. Stage 3 would be tough for Jon because of the Body Prop where once again, height would be an issue.
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I think that a Police Athletic League (PAL) could revive boxing. Some schools are teaching kickboxing so why can’t I teach boxing. It was formerly known as the “Manly Art of Self Defense”. However, the way gangs fight now it is hardly enough for self defense. If it is to be the “Sport” of boxing and not fighting, then the rules of the athletic game needs to be taught. Starting with the Marquis of Queensberry Rules and then updating to the present. The sport is to hit and not be hit similar to fencing and ballet, a series of moves with precision and a strategy with feints and combinations and techniques for power punching and defense. Give me the tough thugs and I will discipline them to be a good citizens. I am sorry to say that some of our world champions have not had moral character and this has lead a lot of the public to dislike boxing. I think that MMA is not a sport but could be a good self defense form for street fighting, but then comes knives and guns after you can kick and hit your opponent while down. It is a real fight where there are very few rules.
Melvin – That’s an interesting theory about the PAL. Don’t get me wrong, I love a master boxer. One of my all-time faves is Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker, and it’s got nothing to do with his power. I just don’t think the current amateur system helps people when turning pro. And I don’t find it entertaining or particularly full of great technique. While there are some highly questionable moral characters in boxing, I believe there are some in every sport. It’s just too bad great fighters like Kelly Pavlik, Manny Pacquiao and Israel Vazquez to name a few weren’t around some 20-30 years ago. Kelly would be a household name for sure. Appreciate the input.