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Hopkins vs. Taylor
Las Vegas, NV
July 17, 2005
I am continually
perplexed, often annoyed and always impressed by some of the shenanigans
professional fighters pull. Perhaps
I’ve grown jaded, too suspicious or maybe just unwilling to believe what's on
the surface. I’ve always relied on my instincts.
I don’t believe Hopkins was beaten by Taylor. Everybody who’s fought,
worked with real fighters, or been around them, knows how they think. Anyone who has been around former convicts knows something
about them as well. They also know
their willingness to take risks. As
a police officer, I was often amazed at their ability to deceive others.
Working around alleged rehabilitated, former prisoners, I was shocked at
how many have taken what they’ve learned in prison, and molded it to serve
them in society. I believe Hopkins did just that in his fight with Taylor.
When Shakespeare said, “the
whole world is a stage”, I don’t believe he had boxing in mind, but that is
where Bernard, “The Executioner” Hopkins staged the deception. I believe
what we witnessed was a “staged performance”. During my years as a solider,
I served with real killers. Not the crazy bastards that chop people up, but the
methodical killers, trained to do the job without hesitation, regret or remorse.
Hopkins learned these characteristics on the streets and in prison.
He is not afraid to push it to the limits, or take a calculated risk.
He’s indifference towards the fans is obvious.
I believe Hopkins has the psychology of indifference. Unlike my
colleagues, I believe Hopkins let Taylor win and set up a bigger pay day, and a
place in boxing history, just like he’s always wanted.
This is not to take anything
away form Taylor; I don’t believe he was a part of the staged performance. He
was an unknowing, unwilling puppet. I
base my theory on years of experience. Hopkins
is not what you might call an exciting boxer.
He goes about his business like a journeyman carpenter. He moves when he
as too, works harder when necessary, does his job, collects his pay, and goes
home. There might have been a time,
when Hopkins was into knocking the crap out of people, but not now.
Like any other veteran carpenter, it’s just a job.
Like any other professional, he sees himself as valuable and wants to
make as much money as possible However, now that he’s hooked up with Oscar De
La Hoya, a veteran at double talking, back room dealer, who’s dump his
trainers like dirty laundry, and makes his own rules, Hopkins now has an
opportunity. Like Hopkins, Oscar
has skeletons in his closet. Oscar
likes to pretend he is a self made man. He
may be calling the shots now, but that's because he stepped on people all the
way to the top. This does not mean
he did not win the fights, he did. However, he failed to thank hundreds of
people he used along the way. Oscar reveals his true character when he forgets
to thank those that helped him become great.
I was disappointed to speak with Oscar’s first amateur coach. The man
never spoke ill of him, which is a testament to his character, but he also never
said a kind word about Oscar. Like
a gangster from the God Father, Oscar did the job on him. He used him, and then
discarded him. I can understand his bitterness.
I tell people, No one ever forgets being screwed over, ever.
Oscar’s good looks and quick
hands have helped him grow rich, but they did nothing for his character.
Outside the ring, Oscar, like Bernard may not be the kind of person
you’d want to associate with. Inside
the ring both of them shine like gold, they move like music and strike like
thunder, its easy to admire them. Which
is why I am convinced that this performance was nothing more than a well
planned, staged event, designed to squeeze millions out for Hopkins retirement,
and Oscar’s greed.
The business of boxing, unlike
other sports only requires one player. It
only takes one man to make things happen. I
believe Oscar and Bernard cooked up this idea. Hopkins wants to retire.
His main objective is to make as much money as possible, and in the least
amount of time. The idea was simple and easy, he’d find a worthy opponent and
Oscar would promote the fight. It
was flawless. Basically they'd copy the Gatti-Ward Trilogy. They included an
immediate rematch in the contract and they guaranteed themselves a huge payday,
twice, maybe three times in a row. It’s
a great money making monster, which includes the fans as unwilling participants.
Their rationalization is that the fans will love it. Like all professional
performers they have a love-hate relationship with fans, and they know most fans
don’t know anything about boxing. Fans come to drink, have fun and raise hell.
I don’t believe what we
witnessed was Hopkins actually trying to win. I believe we watched him trying
not to loose so badly, it could have been called a fraud. If I knew a little
less about people and The Golden Boy, I might believe it was a real fight.
However, as much as I love boxing, I am also very aware of its dark side.
I believe the only way to improve it, is to call it as I see it.
I have to admit Hopkins has not
done anything others have not done before him.
In this country the rich look down on the rest of us.
We tend to measure success by the amount in our bank accounts.
Its no wonder so many bend the rules, lie and steal for their idea of the
American dream. Hopkins is
preparing his retirement. I am not
sure he even told Oscar, if I were Bernard, I would not trust him.
It just sounds a little too good to be true.
I bet, we’ll see Hopkins win back his title in the rematch, making
bigger headlines, and more money, then if he’d simply knocked out Taylor as
easily as I think he could.
I’ve not had the opportunity
to meet Bernard Hopkins, but I’ve met lots of guys like him. I can’t prove
my theory; it’s just my combat antenna buzzing me. My antenna has saved my
bacon more than once, and I’d bet a dollar to your dime I’m right.
We might have to coin a new phrase for what I believe Hopkins did.
He’s hiding in plain sight, much like our Sheriff Baxter Dune in San
Joaquin County. Baxter lied, stole,
misused authority, took bribes, and God only knows what else, then pleaded
guilty to a lesser crime. He’ll do a year in jail, get out, be free as a bird,
plus have his full pension. Unlike
Baxter, Hopkins never swore to uphold the law.
In light of this comparison, I’d rather hang out with Bernard, who may
have been a criminal, but at least can claim self-respect.
Both Hopkins and Baxter can laugh, as they count their money all the way
to the bank. However, the only
thing that keeps Dune from being Dung is one simple letter.
I look forward to the rematch.
I believe it will be bigger than the first fight. Hopkins will regain his title
and join the ranks of men who have avenged a defeat and won honor amongst other
great warriors. Boxing will go on generating millions for those who hold the
strings. Me, sometimes I wish I
were just a simple, sports fan, blind and willing to believe what's on the
surface. Boxing might be more fun.
I have become syndicated and
people all over the world are reading my articles.
I’ve also received mail not so complementary, in fact, several of my
readers are angry. The most recent
is the uncrowned boxing queen of Sacramento.
Like I explained to her, I only write about boxing.
I never attack individuals. I
write about their performance in the ring. Outside the ring they are as
interesting to me as telephone poles. However, A professional performer who
takes offense at my observations is wasting precious energy on something beyond
their control. I suggest better focus. If I point out their faults, I do so
because I love the game, not to insult them. I suggest they get better trainers.
If they choose to ignore me, I still say God Bless ‘em, it’s their butts on
the line. Pain is an equal
opportunity employer. Even with all the negative stuff that surrounds me, I
still love this game, so I gotta say, Thank God for Boxing!
Remember to say a prayer for
our boys in Iraq and Afghanistan. It couldn’t hurt.
Always
in Your Corner,
Jorge A. Martinez
Sportswriter/Trainer/Manager
dancingskyhorse@earthlink.net
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