TalkingBoxing Articles
USA Boxing: Reputation on the Mend
FRI September 30, ANDRES CARRIEDO - USA Boxing has faced derision over the last decade plus because of its failures in recent Olympic boxing tournaments. While this criticism is warranted in terms of the diminishing returns on the medal podiums at the last four Olympic Games, the boxing world has witnessed some encouraging signs over the last month from former Olympians in the professional ranks. Regardless of the outcome of Tarver-Jones III on October 1st, that fight will help USA Boxing continue to thrive in the professional ranks.
Roy Jones Jr. (a silver medalist at the ’88 Games) and Antonio Tarver (a bronze medalist in ’96) have both achieved a great deal of success in their professional careers. Their match on Saturday will lock them into history as the two ranking light heavyweights of this era. The mere fact that their trilogy has received national attention and achieved Pay Per View success demonstrates the triumphs of US amateur standouts in the professional ranks.
The success of this trilogy’s participants in reaching this pinnacle of their respective careers reflects positively on the US amateur boxing system from two angles. The first angle is clear. Two former US amateur standouts of recent vintage have become PPV stars and historically significant light heavyweights. The second angle is that the success of these two will provide opportunities for prospects from the last few Olympic classes and beyond.
Andre Ward, the most celebrated prospect from the 2004 Olympic class, will be in action on the undercard of Tarver-Jones III. The rest of Ward’s 2004 teammates remain undefeated in the pro ranks. Yet, for the most part, they have met very little demand from the television networks and top promoters. However, their success thus far and the success of other former US Olympians may turn the buzz back in favor of the 2004 class.
Afterall, Rocky Juarez aside, their 2000 counterparts have posted some huge victories and begun to establish themselves in the last few months. Three members of that class (Jermaine Taylor, Jeff Lacy and Brian Viloria) currently hold titles. Jose Navarro appears destined to join them in the foreseeable future. Calvin Brock, Rocky Juarez and even Clarence Vinson and Ricardo Williams still have title winning potential.
The 1996 class, which many left for dead after Tito Trinidad got done with David Reid and Fernando Vargas, has redeemed itself in recent years. Both Antonio Tarver and Vernon Forrest won legitimate titles at their respective weights and have taken part in some of the highest profile fights of the last three years. Zahir Raheem and David Diaz have worked their way into title contention, especially Raheem who shocked virtually everyone with his one sided unanimous decision victory over Erik Morales a few weeks ago. Then there is Floyd Mayweather who is…well Floyd Mayweather – the consensus #1 pound for pound boxer in the world.
So, come October 1st Tarver and Jones will not only provide fans to an intriguing fight, but they will also help continue this trend of strengthening the reputation of USA Boxing. Hopefully their success will trickle down to provide a boost in the careers of Rock Allen, Vanes Martirosyan, Ron Silar and the rest of the 2004 team. If given the necessary opportunities, they may surprise us. I would certainly like to see what they are capable of accomplishing as professionals.
Heavyweight Standstill
Also on October 1st, James Toney will fight Dominick Guinn in Reno, NV. On that same card Chris Byrd will defend his IBF title against DaVarryl Williamson. That same night in Germany, Nikolay Valuev and Larry Donald will compete for the right to become the mandatory contender for the WBA title. At the end of the night, we will be no closer to figuring out mess that the heavyweight division has become than we are at this present moment.
At some point, champions need to fight more than once or twice per year. In addition to greater activity some unification matches need to take place. So far this year, more heavyweight PPVs have taken place than heavyweight title fights. What!?!
Forum
