Boxing Perspective: The 2009 Final Bell

This has been a turbulent year for boxing in so many ways. We’ve seen the return of Floyd Mayweather Jr, the end of Roy Jones as a possible serious contender, the fall of old champions and the rise of new.

This year we were dazzled by Manny Pacquiao, who disposed of not only Ricky Hatton but beat Miguel Cotto into submission. We were impressed as Timothy Bradley demonstrated how the pound for pound rankings were not so far off in his future, we watched Paulie Malignaggi right a wrong in his rematch against Juan Diaz by getting the fight on grounds comfortable enough to garner a fair shake.

We have seen the resurrection of men such as Shane Mosley, who was coming to the end of a hall of fame career until he dismantled Antonio Margarito just hours after Mosley’s trainer Brother Richardson found an illegal substance in Margarito’s handwraps.

Those are just a few highlights of our spectacular year.

Also in 2009, for every great moment we fell upon hard times. Young Masatate Tsuji died from in ring injuries three days after his bout with Yuji Kanemitsu, who was also hospitalized and forced to retire due to injuries. We also seen the almost concurrent deaths of three of our sports most beloved figures of all time: Vernon Forrest, Alexis Arguello and Arturo Gatti, who met their passing in ways undeserving to men of their stature.

While this time of year is one to celebrate our holidays and families, a time of year for giving, a time of year for appreciating what we have be it a lot or a little it is most importantly a time of year to give thanks.

I would like to take a moment to mention all our fallen warriors of past that we lost in 2009, while they are no longer with us what they contributed to our sport will never be forgotten and will forever be appreciated. Some of the names we all know others maybe not so much but be it champion, contender or outside contributor it is because of them and others like them our sport has thrived for so long.

Arturo Gatti, 1972-2009: The human highlight reel was perhaps the most exciting fighter to ever grace the ring. His three bouts with Micky Ward set the standards for all trilogies in the future to come. Though retired at the time of his death, the sport suffered a great blow at news of his passing.

Vernon Forrest, 1971-2009: A two division champion and as skilled boxer one could ever wish to be, Vernon was a pound for pound human being outside the ring, devoting countless hours to his charity Destiny’s Child Inc that helped the mentally challenged receive opportunities in life. He was gunned down by cowards in Atlanta, Georgia while stopping at a gas station to fill his tires with air.

Alexis Arguello, 1952-2009: A living legend if there ever was one, Arguello could do anything and everything in a boxing ring. Alexis was a true testament on the quality of fighters that reigned throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s. He was one of the few fighters to ever gain more popularity in loss when he faced Aaron Pryor in the 1980’s. Alexis will be missed by all and anyone who ever knew him felt blessed for having done so.

Jose Torres, 1936-2009: The former light heavyweight champion was known as a tough hombre in the ring and a gentlemen outside of it. One of the famed Cus D’Amato’s original pupils, Torres, after retiring from the ring went on to become a best selling author and NY State Athletic Commission chairperson. He died of a heart attack in his home.

Ingemar Johansson, 1932-2009: Johansson became famous for upsetting Floyd Patterson and winning the heavyweight title then losing it back to him one year later in his first defense. A former Olympian who was awarded a silver medal 30 years after winning it due to a disqualification for supposedly not giving his best effort, Ingemar had a mediocre pro career outside of the Patterson upset. The former champion passed away from Pneumonia complications and suffered from dementia.

Giovanni Parisi, 1967-2009: A two time world champion as a lightweight and light welterweight, also Gold Medalist in the 1988 Olympic Games at featherweight for Italy, Parisi passed away after injuries sustained in an auto accident.

Greg Page, 1958-2009: The former heavyweight champion who at times was lost in the shuffle of so many heavyweight champions that passed through the 1980’s, had an up and down career that spanned over 20 years. Page was injured in a bout in 2001 that left him partially paralyzed for quite some time, while he did somewhat recover it led to his death 8 years later.

Lou Filippo, 1925-2009: Lou is perhaps best known for his role in Rocky as a referee but was also a renowned judge and true life referee. Lou was also the only judge who had Marvin Hagler winning the fight against Ray Leonard. Lou, a former boxer himself, dedicated his life to boxing and was almost a mythical figure due to his longevity. Lou died from a stroke two weeks after judging his last bout.

Reg Gutteridge, 1924-2009: One of the sport’s best known journalist and commentators, Reg was inducted into the Hall of Fame and had his autobiography “Uppercuts and Dazes” published in 1988, with the foreword provided by none other than Muhammad Ali. Reg is a fine example that shows the sport needs more than just boxers to thrive.

Budd Schulberg, 1914-2009: Budd is perhaps most famous for his numerous novels and movies about boxing. Budd was also the first boxing editor for Sports Illustrated Magazine.

Other members of our sport that will be sorely missed, regardless of their level of participation or how long ago they retired, are Chris Finnegan, Johnny Caldwell, Mario D’Agata, Raul Macias, Saensak Muangsurin, Marc Leduc, Bernard Docusen, Albert Jaramillo, Yama Bahama and Hwan-Kil Yuh.

Rest in peace fine warriors and may your hands forever remain raised in victory!