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Well folks, Turkey Day is over for those of us who live here in the US and now it is time to get read for the one holiday celebrated world wide, Christmas! That one day in the whole year that is about giving to others for the sheer joy of it. Although I have to admit, I do like getting presents just as much as giving and if I said different, I would be fibbing.
So the other day, I sat down with my two younger kids and helped them write their annual letter to Santa Claus. I have to give the little con artists credit, they know how to build themselves up (maybe a future boxing promoter in the works, ha ha…). In their letter, they reminded the fat man about every little thing they have done over the year that could guarantee them a spot on the good list.
From brushing their teeth every night, to helping mom with the housework. Of course, they did not mention that 80% of the mess around here is due to their handy-work, but hey, that might not help score points so the slight overlook was necessary.
So, this gave me an idea. Since promoters and managers can never give us what we want, maybe old Saint Nick can help us out? Hey, it can’t hurt, right?
So I decided to drop a bug in the big man’s ear and gave him a few ideas on who should get The Coal and who has been nice. Who knows, we could get a few good fights out of it? With any luck, some retribution may come along in the process. So here goes….
Dear Santa,
It’s been a while since you have heard from me so I figured maybe I was due to drop you a line. Rumor has it that on the off- season, you like to watch the pugilistic fisticuffs along with the rest of us, so I am sure that you know what a mess things have been over the last 12 months or so. I was hoping this year that you could help me out and maybe straighten up a few things.
I know this is short notice, but since you are going to be out anyway, maybe you can drop off a few contracts in some of these guy’s stockings and give a few of them what they deserve. Good and bad, maybe then we will have a bit of a better year.
Shannon Briggs: Now I know he has just won a world title and for those of us in America, it is our only home based heavyweight champion. I figured maybe you gave him his Xmas present early by helping him with a last second knockout, but it seems that “The Cannon” is a bit ungrateful.
After fighting a string of no hopers, he comes in averaging three punches a round before getting the Hollywood drama win and then has the nerve to attend the Klitschko/Brock fight and insult two top heavies that have actually earned their keep. This Christmas, I hope you can bring him a contract with a top name on it. Maybe two gifts in one and put Sam Peter on the other side of it. Maybe then Briggs will learn the gift of humility. Hopefully, this can happen soon so we can rid ourselves of yet another paper champion.
Ike Quartey: This guy is hard not to like. Yes, he has a big fight with Winky Wright coming up, but he has been robbed twice over his career. One time against Oscar De La Hoya and then almost a decade later against Vernon Forrest. At 36 years of age, “Bazooka” doesn’t have much time left, so hopefully if he comes up short in the Wright bout, you can give him one good win in 2007 before he retires, letting him know that nice guys don’t always finish last.
Antonio Tarver: He has wins against guys who were past their prime or fighters who were really nothing more than average, but for some reason he feels like he is the greatest fighter to ever lace up the gloves. There is no problem with having such high confidence, but TARVER NEVER SHUTS UP ABOUT IT! So even though he has had somewhat of a lesson in his one sided outing against Bernard Hopkins, I ask that Tarver, in his next fight, ends up on the receiving end of what Roy Jones suffered in his second outing against Tarver. Maybe then, he will understand why at times, silence is golden.
Jorge Arce: This guy is more fun than a room full of slot machines. Not the most well rounded fighter in a scientific aspect, but man he goes all out every time. This mini warrior shows us what heart is all about. Yet due to his size, he has not had the big payday he deserves. How about a mega showdown with a big name that could generate some money for him? Maybe Vic Darchinyan, who resides one division below or Rafael Marquez, who resides one division up? Win or lose, it doesn’t matter, just so he gets what he is worth at least one time. All good things come to those who wait. Unfortunately, titles don’t always make up for it!
Bernard Hopkins: After all these years of excellence, after the records he has broken and the fact that he is going out on a win, you would think that is enough for the seemingly ageless ex-middleweight champion. No, he insists on this heavyweight nonsense. For once, I would like to see a great fighter know when it is time to go. Hopkins still has skill and he still can compete with the best pound for pound, but why? There is nowhere to go but down if it doesn’t work out for him.
Please Santa, give Hopkins the wisdom to know when to exit the spotlight with grace. I ask you give him a hook to hang up his gloves on so he keeps the dignity he always had throughout his career.
James Toney: He is one of the greatest defensive fighters of all time. His ring knowledge is amazing. At super middleweight, he was a KO monster but that time has long since past. He still possesses the ring savvy and defense but doesn’t seem to take it seriously anymore. Toney thinks just because he is James Toney, he can just go in and win. This is not how it works and one would think that if anyone would know better, it would be Toney.
But like many fighters, he has that ego in which is too big. So, if you can put him off till last and drop off a slice of humble pie right before dinner, maybe that will help him come to grips with reality. James sure doesn’t listen to anyone when they speak but we all know he loves to eat and maybe a nice big piece will fix his inflated ego?
That’s it for this year Santa, I hope I get what I asked for. If I do, maybe it will make the year in our sport just a little bit better?
