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HP
Pavilion
San Jose California
August 18, 2005
The
boxing event billed as “The Best Damn Night of Olympian Boxing”, showed us
just how much help our Olympic boxing program needs. Teddy Atlas said it best.
“Our amateur boxing program is just a training ground for the pros. These kids
are just building a name for themselves, they are not receiving the proper
training to compete in international amateur competition”. Teddy dared say
such things because he doesn’t have to appease the big shots at USA Boxing
Incorporated. I’ve been calling attention to their monopoly for years, and
I’ve yet to catch a politician’s ear. This is the only nonprofit, (super
rich) amateur boxing association in the United States. To my knowledge, this
organization has a monopoly on amateur boxing. It controls every aspect, and
outlaws anyone who is unwilling to comply. This has been going on for years, yet
to my knowledge no one has taken a look into their operation. I’ll bet they
also make large donations to several politicians.
Anyone
who believes the Olympics are about sports must be a flying monkey from Oz. Its
about the money, the athletes are incidental. Millions are made on television
coverage, product endorsements, and advertisements, etc. Very little of this
goes towards training poor, talented athletes. The Olympic committee has
repeatedly been found guilty of corruption. They consider accepting brides,
gifts and favors normal. The “alleged” Team Coach is a political appointee
who has jumped through all the right hoops. The Olympics coaches like to brag,
but they only serve as towel boys. They don’t really train the boxers, even if
they knew how. Individual boxers have their own coaches. Being appointed as an
“Olympic coach” is about status and bragging rights. USA Boxing Incorporated
uses it as politics and influence peddling. Teddy is one of the few who will
speak up. He’ll call an inadequate boxer, a tomato can and move on. Our
Olympic program is in desperate need of help, but he’ll never get the job.
He’s got too much brass. They’ll find someone who’ll sing their tune, and
jump through hoops. Americans only say we want honesty, yet whistle blowers are
rarely rewarded for taking a stand. As a matter or record, they are blacklisted,
shunned and alienated. The road to hell is lined with good intentions, because
in America, we only reward results. As much lip service as we pay to good
sportsmanship, it’s all for show only the winner gets attention, everyone else
is forgotten. We don’t like truth-sayers. Any one with brass ones, better get
use to being shunned. The administrators at USA Boxing Inc. set the example, and
like other stuff, it runs down hill.
Local
Amateur boxing is riddled with political maneuvering. It’s like wadding
through a sewer. The smell is enough to drive most well-meaning people away.
Those who stay can only stand it, if they keep theirs mouths shut and don’t
get involved in the politics. You’ve not seen so much brown nosing, ass
kissing, and boot licking in your life. It’s as bad as anything you’d see at
the pentagon. The only worse example I can think of is college professors with
tenure. Most of my college professors were complete assholes. Talk about
bloated, pompous egomaniacs. It’s the same in every amateur association across
the country. Many amateur officials have their noses up so far an USA Boxing
administrator’s crack, it’s a wonder they don’t suffocate. It’s
sickening. I couldn’t handle it, that's why I quit being a referee. Hundreds
of well meaning individuals are disillusioned every year. Even with evidence in
hand, nothing is done to replace individuals or correct wrong doings. Very few
volunteers stay longer than it takes them to learn the real story. They arrive
with their hearts in their hands, wanting to help, and leave disappointed.
Our
2004 Olympic boxing team was the worse in decades. Those that won did so
unimpressively. There were better candidates, but Its not just about ability, it
takes money to travel, many kids, like those form around here, don’t have it.
So it’s not true that only the best get selected. That’s one Olympic Myth,
and there are many. Truth be told, without all the TV hype, it wouldn’t be
such a big deal, but there are millions to be made. Many Olympians are said to
be receiving “assistance” from special interests. The Organizers look away,
they can’t let something like the law, disrupt their money making machine.
I
am not knocking the athlete’s accomplishments, God knows anyone who’s ever
boxed, including me, wanted to go to the Olympics. That being said, we cannot
admire the king’s clothing, if he’s not wearing any. I might as well join
the opposition. I’ve never been a brown nosier. I find those that expect it,
dishonest, and those that are good at it, repulsive. I avoid both as much as
possible and only deal with them at a distance.
As
usual cooperate America does a great job at selling the sizzle. They beat drums,
hang banners, bright lights, and hire celebrities. This Gossen Tutor Production
was a lot of noise, selling the sizzle, and no steak. At the same time, I take
my hat off; it takes a lot of money to put on such a spectacle. It also takes a
lot of gall, but someone said it better. “You can’t fool all the people, all
of the time”. The staff at HP Pavilion did a great and the facility is top
notch, that being said, the boxing was awful. I was not allowed to sit ringside,
so I don’t have pictures, again it’s the politics.
I
can’t believe Mr. Gossen thought the opponents selected for our “heroes”
were worthy. They might have looked adequate on paper, however they fell way
below standard. I know there is a lot of money at stake. I can rationalize a
businessman trying to make a buck, but how do you explain a gold medal winner
who lacks boxing skills. As much as I like Andre Ward personally, he lacks
fundamentals. I’ve said so for years, he swings his arms without using his
weight, making his punches weak. He moves awkwardly, lacks balance, and has no
defensive techniques. Still, Christopher Hold wasn’t in the same league.
He’d had sixteen fights and I suspect little or no amateur experience. Andre
had four pro fights, and over a hundred amateur bouts. I expected Andre to give
Holt a boxing lesson then dust him off with efficient expertise, but it never
happened. The fight was barley interesting, and never measured up to the hype.
Andre won, whoopee.
I
wish I could praise Andre’s performance. I like him. Its a shame his managers
have so little faith. Or maybe they don’t want to kill the goose that could
lay a golden egg. Andre’s promoters are gonna squeeze every dime they can out
of him. To bad his opponent was a bottom shelf tomato can. What’s troubling me
is that it took Andre too long to take him out. Other members of the 2004
Olympic team, who did not win gold, are doing much better, like Vincent
Escobedo. He has not only fought more, he’s torn his opponents in half. He has
destroyed his opponents completely. He’s out boxed and out gunned them so
thoroughly they’ve surrendered. I don’t know if any of them said “no mas²,
but I wouldn’t be surprised. I predict big things for Vicente. He’s got the
passion to make his dreams come true. I believe he’s got more to prove. He is
one of those rare individuals that grew from his failure. Instead of pouting or
wallowing in his misery, he got busier and meaner. It proves his mettle and
demonstrates character. The loss at the Olympics lit a fire within him. He is
angry with himself. This makes him a dangerous fighter, and I suspect, a
dangerous man. He wants to hurt and destroy, not merely defeat, his opponents. I
can relate.
I
first met Andre Dirrell in Reno years ago. He looked exactly as he did tonight.
I predicted he’d take gold at the Olympics, but he only took silver. Even then
he lacked fundamentals. He swings his arms like a windmill, punches without
planting his feet, which makes his punches weak. He is able to eventually wear
down his opponents, but it takes a lot longer. Maybe I’m expecting too much.
What can I say, I’m Sorry, but I am not impressed. He is a good kid, but I
don’t believe he has what it takes to be a world champion. On the other hand,
he is being very carefully groomed. Gossen is feeding him tomatoes. His opponent
Juan Camacho was no contest. The poor guy had nothing. I still can’t believe
Gossen thinks the crowd is so naive. I doubt anyone believed Juan ever had a
chance. Juan was hand picked from thousands of prospects to give Dirrell an easy
win, and provide entertainment. It was the worse match making such Manuel
Noriega declared war on the United States. It was a no contest. I gotta wonder
what Dirrell thinking. He’s got to know these guys are tomato cans. What kind
of explanation are they giving him?
The
last fight to be televised was the main event, Audley Harrison squaring off with
Robert Wiggins. No wonder the heavy weight division has taken so much heat. It
was another disappointment. The hype never got close to what was actually
presented. The lack of action almost put me to sleep. It was dull, then at the
end of the third round Harrison, who is supposedly gonna take the title, stopped
Wiggins. Robert Wiggins did not impress me, neither did Audley Harrison. To bad,
it looked like a pretty good match up on paper. Harrison had 18 wins, and 14
KOs. Wiggins had 19 wins with 12 KOs. I gotta hand it to Gossen, he must have a
great intelligence organization to be able to hand pick these guys, and get the
results he wanted.
The
rest of the fights are not worth lengthy descriptions. Devin Vargas defeated
David Johnson with a unanimous decision. Juan de Dios Navarro defeated Aaron
Robinson with a unanimous decision, and Sean Holley beat Lorenzo Reynolds in a
majority decision. I met have enjoyed the show, if I knew less about the sweet
science.
Speaking
of fighting, I just became a Life Member of VFW post 52 in Stockton. I once
again ask everyone to say a prayer for our boys in harm’s way. Lets keep
supporting our boys, whether we believe Georgie was right in getting us mixed up
in another war, just like his daddy, or not. For a cream puff who’s never
fought a day in his life, he’s gotten us into a mess bigger than his daddy. My
question is, why is gasoline still so expensive?
Fight
fans in Stockton will be happy to know James Grunsky, the youngest promoter in
California, is putting on another show, September 23, 2005 at the Civic
Auditorium. Fans are urged to support it. Fans should also get involved in
writing letters to our Governor, urging him to keep a closer watch on the
commission. Commission members should bare in mind they are only state
employees, not big shots, or tough guys. They are not experts or policy makers,
nor can they bend or change the rules. They have no personal power or authority,
other than what their job title lends them, while they are working. All the
prancing around, like peacocks, is just misguided self-delusion. It’s the
result of poor character and people blowing smoke up their whazoo. Misconduct or
suspicious behavior by any state employee should be reported immediately without
fear of repercussions or reprisals. Screaming matches in saloon hallways are not
appropriate places to resolve differences. Start with your local
representatives. Remember, only the squeaky wheel gets attention.
I
received a death threat. Someone out there decided it would be amusing to
threaten to me. Several sportswriters have been murdered by irate individuals.
All threats are taken seriously and will be dealt with according to the law. As
I’ve said many times before, boxing has many dark sides. Boxers should realize
I only describe what I see; I can not control someone else’s behavior. If
attacked I will defend myself enthusiastically by all means available. I have
contacted the appropriate police departments and taken appropriate measures.
Boxers are entertainers, whether they see themselves that way or not. Boxing is
part of the entertainment industry, if they can’t handle anything less than
positive observations, they should quit. If they seek praise, they must be
praise-worthy. I receive hate mail from boxers who take issue with my
description of their performance. Like I said, being a truth-sayer is not a
popular status, I love this game, in my efforts to do it justice, I must call it
as I see. It may not gel with others opinion that is not my concern.
I
want to congratulate the referees and judges who worked the event. A special
hello to Marty Sammon, Marcos Rasales, Jon Schorle and my old buddy Dave Nelson.
These guys love the game as much as I do. Look for my coverage on referees and
promoters soon to follow. All promoters and referees wishing to share their
experiences should contact me via my e-mail. Once again from ringside. I gotta
say Thank God for Boxing!
Always
in Your Corner,
Jorge A. Martinez
Sportswriter/Trainer/Manager
dancingskyhorse@earthlink.net
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