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When a highly-touted prospect turns in a performance that is inconsistent with his build-up, certain vociferous folks are quick to claim that he was always over-rated. Jared Anderson’s showing in his homecoming fight with Charles Martin engendered this reaction.
“Prince” Charles Martin briefly held a world heavyweight title, but he won the belt in a quirky fashion – his opponent’s knee gave out – and in subsequent fights was blasted out by Anthony Joshua and out-pointed by artless Adam Kownacki. Anderson, who had won all 14 of his previous bouts by knockout, dispatching all but two of his opponents within the first three rounds, was the younger man by 14 years and Martin, at age 37, took the bout on 11 days’ notice.
Anderson won a lopsided decision, winning nine of the 10 rounds on two of the scorecards and eight rounds on the other, but a common theme in post-fight stories was his defensive shortcomings. Martin hurt him in round five and buzzed him in the waning seconds of the last stanza, suggesting that he, Martin, could have won if he had let his hands go more freely in the early rounds or if the fight had been scheduled for a longer distance.
As several knowledgeable boxing observers noted, those that rushed to judgment, casting aspersions on Jared Anderson, were not well-versed in the history of boxing.
Indeed. Let’s elaborate.
Joe Louis, the immortal Brown Bomber, was extended the distance in three of his first 13 fights including 10-rounders with Adolph Wiater and Patsy Perroni.
Muhammad Ali went the distance in his first two scheduled 10-rounders which were his seventh and eighth pro fights. His opponents were Duke Sabedong and Alonzo Johnson.
The Sabedong fight didn’t erode his stature. Sabedong was “a mastodonic monument to mediocrity” in the words of Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Jim Seagrave, but the six-foot-six Hawaiian was known for his durability; he could soak up a lot of punishment without getting knocked off his feet. Ali’s bout with former sparring partner Alonzo Johnson, however, unleashed a torrent of abuse. Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, won comfortably but did little to impress in a match that didn’t heat up until the final two rounds.
New York Daily Mirror scribe Dan Parker, New York’s most prominent boxing writer and arguably the most influential boxing writer in the country, told his readers that the fight was a hippodrome (i.e, a fake). Perhaps so, but Parker tainted his legacy with this observation: “The superiority of the experienced Johnson over the clumsy, ineffectual Clay was glaringly obvious to anyone with the slightest knowledge of boxing.”
Brickbats in far greater abundance rained down on the brash young fighter from Louisville following his eighteenth pro fight wherein he won an unpopular 10-round decision over Doug Jones before an SRO crowd at Madison Square Garden. “The fight exposed Clay as little more than a rank amateur whose mouth was far mightier than his muscles,” said a reporter from Memphis who was in town for a college basketball tournament and had wangled a press pass. It was a popular opinion. “The kid is a bum,” said more than one disgruntled fan as he left the arena.
George Foreman was extended the distance three times in his first 16 pro fights including 10-rounders with limited Levi Forte, a Miami Beach bellman, and with reputable Argentine campaigner Gregorio Peralta. Reporters were kind to him, however, reluctant to criticize the former gold medalist whose behavior at the Mexico City Olympiad stamped him as a true American patriot, the anti-Ali.
Lennox Lewis was far more advanced than Foreman when he went the distance for the first time in a 10-round fight. Lewis was 18-0 with 17 knockouts when he opposed journeyman Levi Billups at Caesars Palace on Feb. 1, 1992.
This bout was similar in many ways to Jared Anderson’s fight with Charles Martin. Billups buzzed Lewis in the final round with a three-punch combination, but when both were still standing at the final bell it was plain that the “A side” fighter would win the decision.
The hard-to-please British writers were left with the impression that Lennox Lewis would need quite a few more fights under his belt before he was ready to successfully tackle one of the title-holders. Looking back, he needed only three before locking up his first title at the expense of Tony Tucker.
There’s an old saying in boxing that styles make fights. Depending on his agenda, a matchmaker strives to match up fighters who will provide good entertainment or make the house fighter look good, ideally both as these aren’t mutually exclusive. But it’s an inexact science that becomes more of a puzzle when a fight falls out and a fill-in is needed on short notice.
Did Charles Martin expose shortcomings in Jared Anderson? Of course, but Jared is still a near-novice and if history is any guide, his sub-par showing this past Saturday didn’t veer him off the right path. He doesn’t need to take a step back before he takes another step forward.
In boxing, mused the noted trainer and boxing writer Stephen “Breadman” Edwards, the “other guy” is allowed to show up. “Prospects are supposed to have rough nights at the office during their development,” tweeted boxing writer and podcaster Michael Montero….”Everyone relax.”
Amen.
Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images
Arne K. Lang’s third boxing book, titled “George Dixon, Terry McGovern and the Culture of Boxing in America, 1890-1910,” rolled off the press in September of last year. Published by McFarland, the book can be ordered directly from the publisher or via Amazon.
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The Business of Boots (Ennis That Is)
The Sweet Science Rankings: Week of July 3, 2023
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The Business of Boots (Ennis That Is)
In one of his early fights, 2022 Hall-of-Famer Miguel Cotto was in one of the main supporting bouts on a high profile pay-per-view. Legendary boxing commentator Larry Merchant remarked that part of the reason for Cotto being featured was to showcase his talents for both the audience attending the event and the fans watching at home. “We are going to find out if Cotto is going to be the kind of fighter that people are going to take flights, get hotel rooms, and pay for tickets to see.”
For Jaron “Boots” Ennis, his time to transition from a highly touted interim world champion to a legitimate box office draw has arrived. On Saturday night in Atlantic City, live on Showtime, Ennis (30-0, 27 KOs) is being thrust into the main event against Romain Villa (27-1, 24 KOs), a surprise, yet serious contender in an event that from a commercial standpoint relies heavily on Ennis’s name. Originally set to take place in the Events Center inside the luxurious Borgata Hotel and Casino, the venue was changed to the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall. Logistics played a part in the change since both venues have a capacity of around 3,000 fans.
To Ennis, the change of venue was of little concern. “I’ve grown up around this sport since I was a baby. Nothing on that end of things (business) bothers me,” said Ennis, reiterating his history with the sport that he loves.
So far everything else that Ennis has faced throughout his seven-year professional career has been handled with that same calm demeanor that matches his persona both in and out of the ring. It’s a persona that at times has had fans wanting more from the 26-year-old boxer who has shied away from the fiery rhetoric that fans can easily gravitate towards.
It was this character trait that led some to criticize him after his most recent fight in January of this year on the undercard of Gervonta Davis’s fight with Hector Garcia. On that night Ennis defeated Karen Chukhadzhian to claim an interim world championship, winning every round against an opponent who was unwilling to engage in any meaningful exchanges. In going twelve rounds for the first time, Ennis gained the much-needed experience that all top fighters need at some point as their competition level rises, but more was expected of him in terms of “building his brand.”
What some perceived as a lackluster performance wasn’t lost on Ennis. “Going the distance in my last fight didn’t put any pressure on me leading up to his one. I can’t go looking for the knockout, that’s when you don’t get it,” stated Ennis. However as is the case with so many quiet, determined, and focused young fighters, the truth came out when he laced up his gloves for a workout just a week away from fight night.
After countless four-minute rounds on the heavy bag, pad work, and beating up a body shield, Ennis turned and simply said as he shook his head, “he’s going to have a long night.” It’s the type of simple statement that suggests Ennis is aware of the task at hand. He knows that looking spectacular in victory will help to generate crossover appeal that would create huge anticipation from the mainstream sports world as he moves forward toward possible mega showdowns with the winner of Crawford-Spence or bouts against former champions Yordenis Ugas and Keith Thurman who are tentatively slated to square off next month.
What was lost on many observers that night in January was the fact that while the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. was sold out and packed with Tank Davis’s supporters, a sea of “JBE” (Jaron Boots Ennis) shirts flooded both the halls and the lower bowl of the arena. This signified that while Ennis has been on everyone’s radar as the next big thing in the welterweight division from a talent perspective, he might also be the heir-apparent for the division in terms of generating large live gates. When Ennis entered the arena that night, he received a loud welcome not only from those wearing his shirts but also from supporters of Davis.
Just how all of this translates into purchasing power is the ultimate question. With Philadelphia, Ennis’s hometown, being just a little over an hour’s drive away from Atlantic City, ticket sales suggest that the business of Boots is alive and well. “It’s been less than a month since tickets went on sale and (as of Thursday evening) there were less than 150 tickets left,” said Marshall Kauffman, head of King’s Promotions, who is working with PBC to put on this event. Kauffman anticipates a complete sellout while noting that more tickets should be released to accommodate walk-up sales on Saturday night.
Ultimately what this could mean for Team Ennis is that a local following has not only surfaced, but it’s the type of following that with continued success could lead to Ennis eventually gracing the ring inside the main arena downstairs from the Adrian Phillips Ballroom inside Boardwalk Hall, an arena that can hold upwards of 10,000 fans. It’s the arena that the late Hall-of-Famer Arturo Gatti was able to sell out on nine consecutive occasions.
Villa represents an intriguing opponent for Ennis due to his come-forward and press-the-action style. Not only does it give Ennis the opportunity to showcase his versatile skill set, it gives him the chance to solidify his name as an attraction and enhance his profile in ways that matter at the negotiating table. An impressive victory over Villa on Saturday ensures that the business of Boots will continue to move forward towards bigger and better things.
Photo credit: Amanda Westcott / SHOWTIME
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The Sweet Science Rankings: Week of July 3, 2023
It’s all change at 154lbs this week as every fighter on the list gets a move. After fourteen months of inactivity, Jermell Charlo has announced a fight – at 168lbs. The divisional number one is therefore stripped of his 154lbs ranking with everyone below him moving up a slot, with the exception of Brian Castano, his opponent in May of last year. Castano is also 14 months inactive with no fight announced and is also removed. This means that Tim Tszyu becomes the divisional number one, deservedly, but not in a manner he would have chosen. Bakhram Murtazaliev (Russia) and Israil Madrimov (Uzbekistan) assume the #10 and #9 slots respectively.
At 108lbs, South African Sivenathi Nontshinga moves up a slot after a desperately close fight with Regie Suganob (Filipino). Despite the judges’ scorecards, this was close and Suganob continues to hold the #7 position. Moving to #7 at 160lbs is German Vincenzo Gualtieri who edged and replaces Brazilian Esquiva Falcao. Finally, there is a change at heavyweight, Arslanbek Makhmudov (pictured) debuting at #10. Makhmudov (Russia) basically shares the number 10 spot with the usurped Frank Sanchez (Cuba) not to mention Luis Ortiz (Cuba), Michael Hunter (USA), Martin Bakole (England) and Jared Anderson (USA). These six fighters will likely trade the number ten spot as they dominate gatekeepers until one of them matches a contender.
105lbs
1 Knockout CP Freshmart (Thailand)
2 Petchmanee CP Freshmart (Thailand)
3 Oscar Collazo (USA)
4 Ginjiro Shigeoka (Japan)
5 Wanheng Menayothin (Thailand)
6 Daniel Valladares (Mexico)
7 Yudai Shigeoka (Japan)
8 Melvin Jerusalem (Philippines)
9 Masataka Taniguchi (Japan)
10 Rene Mark Cuarto (Philippines)
108lbs
1 Kenshiro Teraji (Japan)
2 Jonathan Gonzalez (Puerto Rico)
3 Masamichi Yabuki (Japan)
4 Sivenathi Nontshinga (South Africa)*
5 Hekkie Budler (South Africa)*
6 Elwin Soto (Mexico)
7 Regie Suganob (Philippines)
8 Shokichi Iwata (Japan)
9 Carlos Canizales (Venezualo)
10 Daniel Matellon (Cuba)
112lbs
1 Sunny Edwards (England)
2 Artem Dalakian (Ukraine)
3 Julio Cesar Martinez (Mexico)
4 Angel Ayala Lardizabal (Mexico)
5 David Jimenez (Costa Rica)
6 Jesse Rodriguez (USA)
7 Ricardo Sandoval (USA)
8 Felix Alvarado (Nicaragua)
9 Seigo Yuri Akui (Japan)
10 Cristofer Rosales (Nicaragua)
115lbs
1 Juan Francisco Estrada (Mexico)
2 Roman Gonzalez (Nicaragua)
3 Kazuto Ioka (Japan)
4 Fernando Martinez (Argentina)
5 Junto Nakatani (Japan)
6 Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (Thailand)
7 Kosei Tanaka (Japan)
8 Andrew Moloney (Australia)
9 Francisco Rodriguez Jnr. (Mexico)
10 Pedro Guevara (Mexico)
118lbs
1 Emmanuel Rodriguez (Puerto Rico)
2 Jason Moloney (Australia)
3 Nonito Donaire (Philippines)
4 Vincent Astrolabio (Philippines)
5 Gary Antonio Russell (USA)
6 Takuma Inoue (Japan)
7 Alexandro Santiago (Mexico)
8 Ryosuke Nishida (Japan)
9 Keita Kurihara (Japan)
10 Paul Butler (England)
122lbs
1 Stephen Fulton (USA)
2 Marlon Tapales (Philippines)
3 Luis Nery (Mexico)
4 Murodjon Akhmadaliev (Uzbekistan)
5 Sam Goodman (Australia)
6 Azat Hovhannisyan (Armenia)
7 Kevin Gonzalez (Mexico)
8 Ra’eese Aleem (USA)
9 Takuma Inoue (Japan)
10 John Riel Casimero (Philippines)
126lbs
1 Luis Alberto Lopez (Mexico)
2 Leigh Wood (England)
3 Brandon Figueroa (USA)
4 Rey Vargas (Mexico)
5 Mauricio Lara (Mexico)
6 Mark Magsayo (Philippines)
7 Josh Warrington (England)
8 Robeisy Ramirez (Cuba)
9 Reiya Abe (Japan)
10 Otabek Kholmatov (Uzbekistan)
130lbs
1 Joe Cordina (Wales)
2 Oscar Valdez (Mexico)
3 Hector Garcia (Dominican Republic)
4 O’Shaquie Foster (USA)
5 Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov (Tajikistan)
6 Roger Gutierrez (Venezuela)
7 Lamont Roach (USA)
8 Eduardo Ramirez (Mexico)
9 Kenichi Ogawa (Japan)
10 Robson Conceicao (Brazil)
135lbs
1 Devin Haney (USA)
2 Gervonta Davis (USA)
3 Vasily Lomachenko (Ukraine)
4 Isaac Cruz (Mexico)
5 William Zepeda Segura (Mexico)
6 Frank Martin (USA)
7 George Kambosos Jnr (Australia)
8 Shakur Stevenson (USA)
9 Raymond Muratalla (USA)
10 Keyshawn Davis (USA)
140lbs
1 Teofimo Lopez (USA)
2 Regis Prograis (USA)
3 Jose Ramirez (USA)
4 Jose Zepeda (USA)
5 Jack Catterall (England)
6 Subriel Matias (Puerto Rico)
7 Arnold Barboza Jr. (USA)
8 Gary Antuanne Russell (USA)
9 Zhankosh Turarov (Kazakhstan)
10 Shohjahon Ergashev (Uzbekistan)
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ESPN, the self-styled “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” has been tightening its belt by laying off a significant fraction of its on-air talent. The versatile Max Kellerman, a longtime boxing commentator, got caught up in the latest round of dismissals. Andre Ward is also leaving the network, although his situation appears to be a bit different as his contract was about to expire. Ward shared the mike with Bernardo Osuna, Tim Bradley, Mark Kriegel, and Crystina Poncher on the most recent ESPN offering, last Saturday’s show in Toledo featuring heavyweight Jared Anderson in the main event. Lead announcer Joe Tessitore was on vacation.
America’s last Olympic gold medal winner in boxing, Ward turned pro in 2004 at age 20 and forged a 32-0 (16 KOs) record before leaving the sport in 2017. In his final fight, he scored an eighth-round stoppage of Sergey Kovalev. Seven months earlier, he had upended the previously undefeated Russian, rallying from a deep hole to win a unanimous but controversial decision. Ward announced his retirement four days after the rematch and was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
To say that a boxer is leaving the sport on top is a cliché, but in Andre Ward’s case it was absolutely true. At the time of his departure, he was rated #1 on the pound-for-pound list of The Ring magazine.
As a boxer, Ward was noted for his high ring IQ. He wasn’t flashy inside or outside the ropes and that kept him from transcending his sport unlike, for example, Floyd Mayweather Jr. “Only in America could a boxer win an Olympic gold medal, be thoughtful, articulate, and a good family man, live his life free of scandal….be recognized as one of the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound, and be largely ignored by the mainstream sports media,” wrote Thomas Hauser in a story that appeared on these pages.
Ward’s announcement that he was hanging up his gloves was conjoined with the news that he was joining HBO as a boxing analyst. He pivoted to ESPN before HBO abandoned its live coverage of boxing at the end of 2018.
For whatever it’s worth, it’s been my observation that elite athletes, with a few notable exceptions, make poor talking heads.
Andre Ward is a notable exception.
I ask three things of a TV sports analyst: (1) don’t mangle the king’s English; (2) don’t over-sugarcoat it; and (3) tell me something I don’t already know. Andre Ward checked every box.
What’s next for the former two-division world title-holder who turns 40 next year? The best guess is that he will move on to a rival network. Showtime would seem to be the most logical destination. A 103-minute Showtime documentary, “S.O.G. – The Book of Ward,” premiered on June 2. And more than a few subscribers to DAZN would be elated if he turns up there.
I wouldn’t be shocked, however, if he returns to the ring. True, Andre is seemingly too level-headed for that, but to say there is a precedent for it would be a great understatement.
Sugar Ray Leonard retired and unretired five times before he had his last fight at age 42. In December of 1980, Larry Holmes, then 31 years old, vowed that he would retire after five more fights. He soldiered on for another two decades and had his last fight at age 52. I could go on and on.
“Tonight’s show was the last fight under my ESPN contract,” said Ward to his followers on Instagram before leaving Toledo. “It’s been a great ride and I’m going to miss the whole ESPN crew that I’ve worked with for the last six years. I’m excited about my future and the chance to work in new projects and endeavors. Great things are ahead.”
We don’t doubt it and we wish him well.
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