In the world of boxing as it now stands there are the have’s and have not’s. In the heavyweight division it has now become about the apathy therein. The fighters there are about as devoid of talent and character as there’s ever been witnessed within the sport. What was once viewed as the most prestigious division within boxing has now become a place where there’s said to be a plethora of boxers who are without talent and even it can be said poise.
Klitschko defends his IBF,IBO and WBO crowns against former champion Hasim Rahman of the United States in the SAP Arena, Mannheim ,Germany. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Daniel Maurer ……………
On Saturday night in Mannheim, Germany Wladimir Klitschko of the Ukraine defended his title against the former champion Hasim Rahman of the United States. Rahman, himself hasn’t been the same fighter who many of us saw dethrone Lennox Lewis for the title in the latter part of the nineties. Since then he’s buffered around the division propping up his record with even less meaningful bouts. The fact that he was a challenger here for Klitschko’s IBF and WBO crowns is even more astonishing given the current scene of the heavyweight division. And less we forget not to cheapen the fact Klitschko’s lightly regarded IBO title was also on the line.
Referee TonyWeekf of the United States intervenes to save Rahaman from futher punishment during the bout in the seventh round. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Daniel Maurer ………………………..
Klitschko is viewed by many as perhaps the best heavyweight on the scene at present. But in reality it doesn’t say much for the talent that’s now out there within the division. Nonetheless things are what they are and fans of the sport will have to grin and bare it. It should also be noted that Klitschko’s brother Vitaliy holds one of the other belts within the division. And as much as some may desire to see both brothers face each other in the ring. It apparently won’t be happening anytime soon. Such was the pledge made to their mother concerning their ambitions.
Wladimir Klitschko takes to offense in landing a shot to the head of Hasim Rahman during their title bout. picture appears courtesy of afp/getty images/Thomas Lohnes ………….
Boxing has known its’ ups and downs and it may well be that the sport is going through one of those languid periods where things’ll sort themselves out. But how long must the paying public be asked to put up with the diatribe that’s now taking place within the heavyweight division ? So political and fractious has the sport become. That in many respects the powers that be are all too oblivious as to what’s happening therein. The governing bodies as they are along with a number of promoters seemlessly feel that as long as their share of the pie doesn’t become too miniscule then the status quo can remain as it is. Were it not for such attractions as Oscar De La Hoya , Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao the death knell would be being signalled for the sport as we now know it. And unfortunately within the heayweight division itself it most certainly doesn’t bode well for the future when you’ve still got fighters such as Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe and James Toney still feeding from the trough and of the belief that they’re the ones who can bring back some respectability to the division.
Both Klitschko and Rahman land punches during the third round of their title bout in Mannheim, Germany. Klitschko would go on to win the bout with a TKO in the seventh round. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/Daniel Maurer ……………….
Saturday’s night bout between Klitschko did nothing to stave off the belief that the sport boxing amongst the heavyweight division is in extreme dire straits. So much so that I wouldn’t put it past some to joke that the Federal government would be at the point they’d enter into the fray to bail out the sport in one form or another. Such as are the machinations of the Federal government as we know it at present. Any self inflicted problem that’s in need of an assist and you can be sure that the government’ll be on hand for the assist. It’s safe to say however that when it comes to the consumer however the help needed when necessary isn’t at all forthcoming. Klitschko for his part proved to many that as champion he’ll do his best to live up to the part. Unfortunately other than what little prowess he has in the persona of a fighter is about as appealing as damp cloth soaked in pig’s blood. For the better part of six rounds we saw that he was technically sound as a fighter. But other than that we learned nothing of him by way of his demeanor in or outside of the ring.
Klitschko showing even more aggression than most are accustomed of seeing from the fighter pins Rahman against the ropes during their bout. picture appears courtesy of getty images/bongarts/ Lars Baron …………………
Rahman during the bout was never able to land a meaningful shot against the champion and what was even more surprising was that he allowed his opponent to dictate the pace and flow of the bout from start to finish. Nonetheless for the German crowd who’ve grown accustomed to treating the domiciled Ukranian as one of their own. They were more than pleased to see him come away with a victory against the American at the end of seven rounds. Referee Tony Weekf had to intervene during the seventh to save Rahman from further punishment when he was unable to defend himself adequately. Part and parcel of what is also wrong in a bout such as this was that Rahman wasn’t even considered by many a worthy challenger let alone the number one ranked contender.
