The Rebirth of One of the World's Oldest Sports - Boxing
The sport of boxing is one of the oldest sports in history. A sport that originally had very little difference from street fighting in different ways i.e. no gloves used at all. Where there are commonly 12 round matches now, there were anywhere from 14+ rounds fought in early boxing history. Boxing enjoyed a rush throughout the seventies and mid-eighties with fighters like Muhammed Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard dazzling audiences with flamboyance, skill, and especially in Ali's case…attitude! The late eighties saw the rise of a young Heavyweight that captured the attention of the world with his one punch knockout capabilities…"Iron" Mike Tyson.After Tyson's first loss to Buster Douglass in Tokyo, Japan, boxing seemed to be heading in a downward spiral. Heavyweights were the hype then, but many failed to deliver the action that fights including Tyson and Evander Holyfield displayed. I can remember my father always watching boxing, but when I watched fights with him, all I saw were two Heavyweights standing around and throwing punches every once in a while. I stopped watching boxing for a long time.
One of the critical moments for the success of boxing today was the emergence of an HBO late night production called "Boxing After Dark" which began to highlight many up and coming LIGHTweight fighters. And to my surprise, there was a mess of great warriors they weighed even less than myself! I discovered greats like the almighty Julio Caesar Chavez whose career has produced over 100 wins with less than a handful of losses. Several other fighters have come to light in the lower weights of boxing and boxing's best kept secret was unveiled finally and right on time.
Today, the most talked about fights and fighters are not all Heavyweights but are lower weights competitors and this is with good reason. These lighter fighters throw more punches, take more punches, and continue to show something that has been missing for some time in this wonderful sport, character. There are several fighters that could be discussed as being the best in the world, but I will only mention the ones I feel are the best (call me selfish).
Without a doubt, one of the most talked about and sought after opponents comes from the shores of England. The self-proclaimed best fighter in the world, Prince Naseem Hamed. Whether you like him or not (most don't), you can't deny his ability to entertain with his flashy entrances full of fog, laser lights, and dance music, his boxing apparel (leopard print shorts), all the way down to his in-ring antics of front flipping into the ring and his nonchalant boxing style of dancing and throwing punches at awkward angles. What makes him even easier to hate besides his cockiness? His perfect record acquired thus far in his career.
Another great lightweight fighter who is a whole more likeable than the previously mentioned is Belfast, Ireland's own Wayne McCullough. This short, slim built boxer is a warrior in every sense of the word. Often standing less than a full arm extension from his opponents, he blazes away with a barrage of punches that does not let up no matter how many rounds pass. What he lacks in power, he makes up for in heart and endurance. Often taking as many punches as his opponent, a majority of McCullough's wins come from wearing down the opposition. Every match becomes a "war of attrition" with Wayne McCullough, which has gained him the nickname "Pocket Rocket."
Perhaps one of the most, if not the most, marketable fighter is Oscar De La Hoya, nicknamed the Golden Boy. And with good reason. He has a perfect record and wins without hardly getting a scratch on his pretty face. His most recent claim to fame has been his second defeat of his past hero, the legendary Julio Caesar Chavez. Busting Chavez up both times has made him even more popular, if that were possible. De La Hoya has many boxing analysts and much of the boxing world asking, "Will he retire undefeated?" If he continues to utilize his fantastic barrage of punching skills and power led by his sharp left jab, then it may come to be.
Another boxer who could very well end up the #1, 130 pounder in the world after fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in December is the unforgettable Angel "El Diablo" Manfredy. Angel is a fighter who manages to force respect out of the skeptical after demonstrating great technical punching skills, great power, and awsome elusiveness. Coming to the ring wearing a devil mask and dawning a slew of tattoos all over his body, Manfredy is a great intimidator. His greatest victory coming from the stoppage of the real-life Rocky Balboa, Arturo Gatti in the 8th round by a deep, gushing cut on the left eyelid. This is one fighter to look out for in the coming year.
Finally, there's one other warrior that has definitely earned his recognition, yet seems to not get enough. This man is Johnny Tapia.
Johnny Tapia grew up in Alberquerque, New Mexico in a rough neighborhood, suffering many tragedies in his life including the murder of his father before his birth and brutal kidnapping and slaying of his mother at age 8. At age 7, a bus he was riding in went off a cliff, killing a number of passengers but leaving Tapia with only a concussion. If this isn't enough to make you believe in guardian angels and such, then I don't know what is.
He's battled a severe cocaine addiction and problems with the law to add to the tragedies of his life. You may wonder, "So, what happened to this guy anyway?" He emerged from the past a clean and sober man who found God, reconciled differences with his wife Teresa, and became one of ballsiest and most talented fighters to every step into the ring. If there were ever a fighter who could have come from the days of old when fighters used no gloves and fought up to 20 rounds, it would be Johnny Tapia.
Tapia has become a fast and furious competitor who's compiled a record of 44 wins, with not a single defeat, and 2 draws with over 30 KO's. He often taunts his opponents in the ring making them frustrated, which leads to mistakes on their behalf. It is no surprise to see him give a shout out in the middle of match to someone outside of the ring as he did to longtime rival Danny Romero during his title defense against Rodolfo Blanco or to do a backflip after a match. Johnny is a loose cannon that seems to go full speed toward the edge but never goes over. His quick lateral movements and punishing style of boxing has earned him the IBF and WBO Junior Bantamweight Championships and a reputation as rough customer.
The biggest payday came on July 18, 1997 when he stepped into the Thomas & Mack Center to settle the score against longtime rival and favored to win Danny Romero. Once the smoke cleared, Tapia emerged victorious with a 12 round unanimous decision and he looked like he could have fought forever even after all of that.
Smother: For those who don't know much about you, give some background into your life.
Tapia: Well, I was raised in a very rough neighborhood in Albequerque, New Mexico. As a child I suffered many tragedies. One in particular was losing my mother at the age of eight. I started boxing at the age of nine. I simply stuck with it ever since.
Smother: What prompted you to start boxing?
Tapia: At the age of nine I was getting into many street fights. My grandfather took me to a gym to finally put my fighting to good use.
Smother: It seems like more and more, lower weight boxers are taking the spotlight, whereas only about 5 years ago, heavyweight boxing matches seemed the most favored. Why do you think this has happened?
Tapia: Personally, I think it's exciting to see the lighter weight divisions. You always see constant, non-stop action.
S: Are your fights still shown on the Showtime movie channel? What happened with HBO?
T: Yes, my fights are on Showtime. As far as HBO, I switched promoters. And Showtime is who my promoter is with (Don King).
S: Who are some of your favorite fighters right now?
T: That's a good question. I enjoy watching De La Hoya, Arturo Gatti, Raul Marquez, and Daniel Zaragoza—just to name a few.
S: Out of all the misfortune you've experienced in life, what keeps you from dwelling on the negative?
T: I have so many wonderful things in my life that I focus on such as my faith in God, my wife, family, and of course my career.
S: Angel Manfredy has said that his 11th car accident brought him to God, what brought you to Christianity?
T: I've always been a firm believer in God. After picking myself up I've learned that I owe everything to him.
S: You're now well over 40 victories with no defeats in your career…what do you feel has kept you one step above the competition and made you undefeatable, thus far?
T: My faith in God, my survival instinct, and knowing that winning a belt is easy, keeping a belt is the tough part.
S: A lot of people I've talked to think that boxing is very simple. They see it as two guys in the ring throwing punches 'till someone takes the fall. What would you say to someone who thinks like that? How would you explain what boxing is all about?
T: There are a lot of sacrifices, especially having a normal social life and having a "fun" diet. I eat, sleep, and breathe boxing. I am in a sport in which I never know if I'm one punch away from becoming permanently punch drunk or even worse…killed.
S: What kind of music do you listen to?
T: I listen to a variety of music, ranging from Spanish to Hip-hop, to Soul.
S: If you had your choice of boxing anyone in the sport (assuming that a reasonable weight could be decided on), who would you like to fight and why?
T: I'd fight Naseem Hamed. He's an entertainer. People always compare our styles of taunting our opponents in the ring.
S: What's it like having your wife as your manager?
T: I couldn't be in any better hands. If it wasn't for my wife, I would not be where I am today. She is the perfect combination. She is my wife, my best friend, and my manager. What more could I ask for? As a matter of fact, I am dedicating my next fight to my beautiful wife Teresa.
S: In today's world, so many people are pessimistic about spiritual faith, why do you think people seem so wrapped up in negativity?
T: I think that the people who are so focused on the negative are the ones who need to have a spiritual faith.
S: Anything else you'd like to say to everyone?
T: I'd like to think everyone for their love and support. Thank you all, God Bless.
On December 5th, Johnny took on the 118 lb. Bantamweight champion Nana Konadu in a 12 round contest which went through every one with Johnny completely confusing Konadu with his quickness and stinging punches. The challenger gave the champion a quick lesson in boxing that left the champion from Gana more than a little bewildered. Johnny Tapia is now undefeated in 45 fights.
Links to check out:
Boxing.com
Johnny Tapia's Official Site
Angel Manfredy's Official Site