Originally Posted by
Spicoli surfs 'Nawlins
I was sitting here today and doing the Sunday afternoon ritual of re-watching the big card from the previous night.I have never been a big Roy Jones Jr. fan to say the least throughout the years but at the same time Ive come to realize and appreciate the man's emmense talent.I had a feeling that last night would be an uphill battle for him as the recent years have shown slight deterioration.It was about around the 7th round that I found myself having that sinking feeling you get when someone that you are so familiar with in the sport appears to be in serious trouble....dispair and frankly feeling a bit bad for him.He was fighting in a manner foreign to him during his prime,walking straight in behind a very high guard,soaking up damage in the hopes of snapping off one duplicate type shot that had deposited Calzaghe onto the mat in the 1st round.It was not to be,he was operating on heart,even whooping at Calzaghe,talking himself through while sitting in the corner but never quitting though it was clear...he was not choosing to "not commit,or try" but that simply put,he could not!Every fighter runs the risk of reaching a point when it is no longer unobtainable.In no other sport is it so glaringly obvious and open for all to witness on an individual basis.And then It struck me in kind.
As fans we invest more than money and time into following this great sport.We invest some very real & sincere emotions.Comradely,anger,sadness,bewilderment, are experienced as it is more than just a sporting event for one night,a fighters career is a constant continuum of ups & downs.Victory's & defeats that can really take you for a ride.
Twelve years ago this very night on November 9th 1996 I watched back to back occasions in which two off my all time favorite fighters went in opposite directions,one for good.Evander Holyfield and Nigel Benn.I had first seen Nigel Benn one sat. or Sun. afternoon come over to the States and wreak havoc in brutal fashion on a very durable & respected Doug Dewitt.He displayed the fierce attributes that can only be admired in all fighters.Tenacious,filled with self belief...some call that arrogance Lol.He sold out on what brought him to the dance....power & confidence.I was hooked from that point.He came back to go to hell & back with Iran Barkley in the sum of one round.I was sitting at a friend's house watching that one and while everyone in the room shouted and yelled "He cheated,bullshit,Go back to England ya queer,he should have been DQ'd"I sat there with a grin......I liked Barkley but I had never seen a guy I knew absolutely nothing about come out of no where in such a bombastic,explosive manner.It was early for me as far as watching boxing and Benn was cemented in my following.Just as fast as he had come in,he went back to the Homeland.I read in a paper and an Issue of Boxing Illustrated about his battle with Eubanks and being TKO'd.Not being able to see any of his fights ,(No internet,no cable,etc) you sort of loose touch.One day I'm tuning into Univision,used to be a sensational network airing international fights during the afternoon,and what do you know....Thay were airing (tape delayed) Benn vs. Galvano 1......he was back in all of his destructive glory :fight: and shortly there after SHOWTIME had picked him up with Don King promotions.He bounced Lou Gent out like a yo-yo,battled rival Eubanks to a heated draw (thought he won it),He was showing adjustments with more boxing vs. Wharton and then that tragic meeting with power house McClellan.He was expected by many to fold,to get sparked out....he won,we all know the story.It was impossible for him to escape what had happened but not in any manner as bad as the promising and formidable G-Man.He returned to bludgeon Vincente Nardiello who liked him so much he planted kisses on Benn's cheek prior to Benn planting his fist on Nardiellos jaw.Scored a TKO over late sub Danny Perez,seemed off though and then he met former rival Malinga who had lost a hotly disputed call in 92.Malinga proceeded to out maneuver,out fox & out box Benn.Benn seemed reluctant and could not sustain with effect.It was clear he was on his way out and it all culminated in his final fight and defeat on November 9th against Stevie Collins for the 2nd time.It aired on ESPN 2 on tape delay as I remember and it was every bit hard to watch.Benn had nothing,He was going through the motions landing an occasional crack but in the 6th,he turned and waved,He was Done.It sat heavy with me.At first you feel hugely let down mixed with bruised pride.It is a part of his career,his history but by no means does it reflect him as the entire story.Remember the good.
Pretty wordy on this one,just sort of rambling on.In contrast that same night,Evander Holyfield went in against Mike Tyson and proceeded to pull off what many considered a huge upset against all odds.He was thought to be shot up after Bowe starched him almost exactly one year prior in explosive fashion.He returned against a blown up Bobby Czyz and beat him from pillar to post,but Czyz was anything if not a resilient fireplug and it began to cast many doubts as to what Holyfields chances were against Tyson.Commentators openly questioned Holyfields "Mind" and the people in his camp that would let him go in against a still very threatening Tyson.Even The editors at Ring Magazine predicted Holyfield as having no chance.They wrote that Tyson would KO him in 1 round ??Well,Evander fought the fight of his life and gave me one of my best memories.He shined that 12 years ago tonight,scoring a blisstering 11th round TKO.We may not be effected in such a physical manner as the fighters we watch but let their be no doubt that we feel the highs & lows.
May have gone off track,just running on here.This night stands out big as a fan for me.Sorry for the phone book post/thread.Jones/Calzaghe had me thinking outloud ;D
