Boxing News – July 25, 2019

I WAS absolutely devastated to
hear of the recent passing of
my favourite fighter of all time,
Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker. I grew up
in the ‘90s when fans raved about the
explosive knockouts from the likes of
Nigel Benn and Mike Tyson, but for me,
give me a Pernell Whitaker fight any day
of the week! He was simply beautiful to
watch and a master of his trade. He was
the definition of the old saying, ‘hit and
don’t get hit.’ In my opinion, he just pips
Marvin Hagler and Joe Calzaghe as the
best southpaw ever. From the Olympic
gold medal in 1984 to becoming a four-
weight world champion as a pro, he
provided a perfect example to any fighter
out there of how to defend yourself
properly. Pernell was a special, special
fighter and will be sorely missed. Rest in
peace, champ.
Matt Gale

FLIP OF A COIN
FOLLOWING Anthony Joshua’s surprising
defeat to Andy Ruiz Jnr in June, there
is a big risk for “AJ” going straight for

the rematch. I cannot help but think

about what happened to David Price.

He had the weight of the world on his

shoulders heading into his rematch with

Tony Thompson, and the subsequent

turn of events had a catastrophic effect

on his career. History could well repeat

itself with Joshua. A part of me thinks

that Joshua may be able to correct his

mistakes and box the type of disciplined,

controlled fight like he did against Joseph

Parker. However, another part of me

keeps thinking back to the Ruiz fight

and how, once Ruiz adjusted to Joshua’s

power and the pattern of his punches, he

was handling him pretty well. Ruiz is fast,

well-schooled and has deceptive power.

The effect of the Ruiz body attack really

took away Joshua’s legs. This rematch,

therefore, really is a flip of a coin. If

Joshua beats Ruiz, what happens then?

Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are tied

up with each other, and there’s the small

matter of mandatory defences that are

becoming backlogged. Either way, I fear

the murky world of boxing politics will

keep the Ruiz-Joshua and Wilder-Fury

rematch winners apart. How frustrating

for fans of the heavyweight division and

boxing as a whole.

Paul Wickes

HALT THE HOOPLA

THINGS ain’t what they used to be! Am

I alone in wondering why the sport of

boxing needs extra show business to

accompany big fights? Dancers, singers

and masked combatants during a

ring walk are childish. Even some ring

announcers are trying to be entertainers

nowadays! They just need to introduce

the boxers; we don’t need to be asked

if we are ready! What next? Pre-fight

ballroom dancing? Maybe five minutes of

tango dancing for an Argentine fighter?

Or a Flamenco dancing show before a

Spanish boxer enters the ring? In the

old days, dimmed lights and a simple

fanfare of trumpets generated far more

excitement than the concocted nonsense

that fight fans now have to endure. Come

back Jack Solomons!

Max Winberg

FOREVER SWEET

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6 lBOXING NEWSlJULY 25, 2019 http://www.boxingnewsonline.net

UNHITTABLE:
Whitaker at his
peak was one of
the greatest pure
boxers ever
Photo: ACTION IMAGES/REUTERS