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Not So Random Thoughts About Random Howlings
THU December 21, BUSTER PARIS - I recently read the “Random Howlings” of one of my favorite internet writers – Coyote Duran (DogHouse Boxing.com) and part of what he said confused me – no, not the randomness and quick wit and speed of his fantastic writing style, but of the content of something he said.
As always with his work I had a great time reading, had some good laughs and as usual he got me thinking … and it’s one paragraph in particular that caused my eyebrow to go up and the questions to start stirring – it’s somewhat loaded and well, random – but it’s in regards to Edison Miranda and Max Kellerman.
“When I watch a cat like Edison Miranda deep-six the likes of Willie Gibbs in one round, I can’t help but think that the middleweight division is in some serious trouble….”
For those of you who missed it – Saturday – December 16th, 2006 at the Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami, FL – Edison “Pantera” Miranda (W 27 - 24 ko's & L 1) took on Willie "The Gladiator" Gibbs (W 20 - 16 ko's & L 2) and knocked him out with merely a second remaining in the first round – Gibbs was waiting the count out - and you could argue he was up at what he thought was the count of nine, but it was ten … anyway … Edison won, looked great and is proving to be one hell of a strong and capable fighter.
So - I’m not sure what Coyote means here – does he mean that the Middleweight division is lacking in talent or that it’s boring? – is he saying that if fighters like Edison Miranda are the future of the Middleweight’s, then the division is in trouble of succumbing to mediocrity – or less?
Or is he saying that Miranda is well on his way to being the top dog in the division – that his unexpected and fantastic first round knock out of a good and tough fighter like Gibbs is a wake up call to everyone at 160 lbs … and that even the 168 lb folks should take heed.
I’ve got to assume it’s the later because Duran is way too smart to think that the Middleweight division is lacking any talent with folks like Winky Wright, Sam Soliman, and John Duddy (just to name a few) all weighing in at the 160 lb mark.
Edison Miranda has put the Middleweight division on notice and is well on his way to ruling the roost – aside from Winky and Sam I don’t see anyone better than he is – the key word here is ‘better’ -- and yes that includes current Champ Jermain Taylor.
So – I’ll get an answer direct from Coyote regarding that – next on my list:
“I was rather intrigued to hear Max Kellerman ask Miranda why he’s still interested in IBF titlist Arthur Abraham when the recognized world champion is Jermain Taylor. It’s not that I wouldn’t want to see a rematch between Miranda and Abraham. I definitely do. But it’s nice to see that while under HBO’s employ, the somewhat ignorant mentality of the network hasn’t entire clouded his desire to recognize real champions. I would just like to know why he didn’t mention The Ring magazine by name, though. As much as he carried on about it while at ESPN2, it makes me curious as to what he’s exactly allowed to talk about by HBO’s standards.”
OK – let me take this one piece at a time:
“I was rather intrigued to hear Max Kellerman ask Miranda why he’s still interested in IBF titlist Arthur Abraham when the recognized world champion is Jermain Taylor.
I think this is pretty simple – Miranda has a hard-on for Abraham.
Edison has unfinished business with Arthur Abraham – and it’s not the kind of thing that some fighters can just let go of and go about the business of the fight game.
In their ugly fight on September 23rd 2006 – Miranda had like 5 points taken away for one reason or another and lost on points (his first and only loss). It’s a fight he won, but lost - and one can only imagine how irritating that must be – and Miranda wants to put that right.
Truth be told - I dig that – Edison can wait for the belts and wait for Taylor – he wants payback – that’s a fighter.
Lastly:
“But it’s nice to see that while under HBO’s employ, the somewhat ignorant mentality of the network hasn’t entire clouded his desire to recognize real champions. I would just like to know why he didn’t mention The Ring magazine by name, though. As much as he carried on about it while at ESPN2, it makes me curious as to what he’s exactly allowed to talk about by HBO’s standards.”
I only really have one thing to say about this – I have no idea why he didn’t mention Ring Magazine by name, but I think Max is a man of integrity and I don’t think he avoided it – however – I could be wrong here – I’m not sure what goes on behind the scenes or in the offices of HBO – so I’ll avoid any further speculation on it and I actually have to say that Duran knows far more about such matters than I do … so there might be something to this.
One other thing of importance -- I love HBO’s fight coverage. I think they are the very best in the business and provide a blueprint to how great commentating should be done. Most of the time I’d rather hear Jim Lampley and the team give me the narration of the fight than actually being ringside -- and I enjoy every single member of the team from Lampley, Larry Merchant and Harold Ledderman to that very pretty woman with the headset on that’s always trying to avoid being on camera.
Here is the link to Coyote Duran’s full article - Random Coyote Howlings: http://www.doghouseboxing.com/Duran/Coyote_121806.htm
Give it a read – it really is exceptionally good, enjoyable and beyond a doubt hilarious – and as I’ve said Coyote is one of the best, one of the smartest and one of the funniest in the boxing writing business – once you read him – you’ll become a Howler yourself – I know I am.
HOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWL!
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
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