Hey, they got it right…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
For all the whining and complaining about the amateur boxing scoring system, the system got the right man for the Val Barker Award, presented to the best boxer at the Olympics.
There was no doubt in my mind after watching all of the semifinal and final bouts that Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine deserved to win the award.
He was dominant. He won the gold medal with a ref’s stoppage in the first round at featherweight. Not only that, he’s got a style that will translate well into the professional ranks.
At only 20 years old, he already shows a strong determination to get to the body. He’s not just a head-hunter.
You want to know why it was so easy to give the award to him? Because his opponent in the gold medal match, France’s Khedafi Djelkhir is an aggressive son of a gun. But after being tattooed by Lomachenko, he was backpedaling. And after the third standing-eight count by the ref, that’s it. It’s automatic.
En route to his gold, Lomachenko outscored his opponents 58-13 and his closest bout was a 14-7 win in the first round.
The most notable other Barker winner is Roy Jones Jr. back in 1988. In fact, RJJ losing in that Olympics was what led to the convoluted system we have now. He’s one of only three people to win the award without taking home the gold since the award was instituted in 1936.
Other thoughts from the Olympics: Cuba was guaranteed eight medals. It received them but none of the gold variety. The Cubans were shutout, earning four silver and four bronze.
In contrast, the lone American medalist, Deontay Wilder, was thoroughly out-classed in the semis and took home a bronze.
I won’t forget Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps anytime soon, but being a prideful American, the Redeem Team bringing the gold back in basketball was the sweetest moment.
Boxing is still on a short hiatus in terms of major fights. But man oh man, the fall is shaping up to be great. And put me in the minority of wanting the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar de La Hoya fight to happen. I think the Filipino star can take him (not that I have anything against The Golden Boy.)
We’ll get back to the world of MMA where it’s not looking pretty. From fighters failing drug tests to EliteXC and IFL looking like they’re on their last days, but the UFC is still solid.
And you know me, I’ll be watching the less violent form of boxing, tennis, all these next two weeks for the U.S. Open and praying Andy Roddick or James Blake have once again found their game.
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