TalkingBoxing Interviews
Can the Boxing Banker Save the Heavyweight Division?
FRI November 18, JULIUS STECKER - Top ten heavyweight contender Calvin Brock has had a career most wouldn't expect from a former Olympian, unbeaten in the pro ranks. If it were 1976, a seemingly golden era for our sport, 'The Boxing Banker' may have graced the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, but unfortunately it is 2005 and the heavy's hold the lowest spot among all 17 weight classes.
The division is in shambles after Vitali Klitschko retirement debacle last week and still most of the mainstream sports media knows nothing about boxing’s brightest heavyweight. With a college degree to go along with a 26-0 record with 21 wins coming by way of knockout, boxing’s most articulate heavyweight also feels he is the best.
This Saturday, November 19th on MaxBoxing.com, the Charlotte, North Carolina native will be taking on journeyman David Bostice, 35-9-1, in his hometown at the Cricket Arena, in what may be a tune-up for a possible January 28th showdown with hard punching David Tua on HBO.
Brock considers this a showcase, to once again prove himself. “I am hungry right now and I am as happy as I can be,” explained the recently married Brock. “I want to go down one day as the highest paid boxer in the history of heavyweight boxing. Right there with Evander Holyfield.”
When it comes to money, Brock has marketability and talent to hit it rich on PPV. Brock is getting a late start being 30-years of age, but throw in a college degree and the Olympic pedigree and he may get close to stardom.
Brock finds himself taking on veteran Dave Bostice in what many would consider a meaningless fight. Brock is the last person to agree with that assessment, and wants to demonstrate to fight fans why he belongs among the elite.
“I am a proud fighter, and I have the heart and skill of a champion,” stated Brock. Many in boxing won’t soon forget the ‘heart’ he put on display in his performance earlier this year against the respected contender Jameel McCline. At the time, McCline was coming off a controversial loss to IBF Champion Chris Byrd and many considered Brock too ‘green’ to handle a veteran like McCline.
Brock proceeded to prove the skeptics wrong, by climbing off the canvas, to out hustle and beat a much bigger more experienced McCline. After that performance nobody questioned his legitimacy as a fighter. Now they just wanted to see him get his opportunity.
“I think after this fight, I will have one more fight then I will be fighting for a world title... I am getting better and better as a fighter. So fight fans can expect for me to be the future heavyweight champion of the world in the near future.” If this holds true, boxing will finally have a heavyweight champion they can look up to.
Mayweather Boxing’s Best, but Mitchell Stands the Way
This weekend will also be a showcase for boxing’s most talented fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr on HBO Championship Boxing. Mayweather is Boxing’s version of Terrell Owens, as he is brash, underpaid, and doesn’t care what you think about him, but this guy is atop his sport.
Floyd is a virtuoso inside the squared circle and many boxing pundits consider him the most talented fighter of this era. So tomorrow, Saturday November 19th, against Sharmba Mitchell many believe it's a short night for former WBA Jr. Welterweight Champion.
In the words of ESPN College football analyst Lee Corso, “Not so fast my Friends.” Mitchell is a legitimate contender who was fighting to make 140 pounds for years and is now settled in at 147, so look out. While I am not calling for an upset, I could see this being a fight that comes down to the last few rounds. Mayweather’s youth may carry the fight, but Mitchell is a live underdog who should not be slept on.
Tell me what you think. Email me at
knowle22@yahoo.com.
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