By Gerardo Granados: Yes, it is true, in prize fighting the boxers goal is to make as much money as they can, but even if they do make tons of money, they will never find glory, nor achieve respect from fight fans, by chasing easy opponents, because only the true lion kings can be involved in epic battles.
As much as I want to see it as a good match up and to see Robert Guerrero (33-3-1, 18 KOs) win the fight against unbeaten Danny Garcia (31-0, 18 KOs) this Saturday night in their fight at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, I simply cannot do it. Even if Garcia hasn’t looked good since September, 2013, when he defeated Lucas Matthysse. Guerrero hasn’t looked like the same fighter that he once did, and the tear and wear from his many wars in the ring may have finally caught up with him.
Maybe Danny´s father Angel Garcia did pick Guerrero because he sees him as a “Rod Salka”, an easy prey for his son, so he can make money against a low-risk opponent and also achieve a manufactured paper WBC welter belt without much glory in winning it.
Garcia has not looked good in years, he got a controversial decision against Mauricio Herrera, which some might call it a local decision. He faced a brave Rod Salka in a terrible mismatch. Then at a catch weight was awarded an undeserving decision against Lamont Peterson. And beat an over the hill, semi-retired boxing analyst Paulie Malignaggi.
Guerrero looked old against Keith Thurman in his 12 round decision loss to him in March 2015. Guerrero had his moments during the fight.
In Guerrero´s last bout bout against Aron Martinez last June, he looked awful in winning a controversial 10 round split decision.
First the WBC announced a tournament, and then authorized this bout for their welterweight strap, maybe the readers agree with me, it was a horrendous choice made by the WBC. But, the WBC rules allow them to apply such rules at discretion, so they are not breaking any of their rules.
The very same belt that was held by greats, like Mantequilla Napoles, Wilfred Benitez, Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Pernell Whitaker, now could be won by a boxer, whose father doesn’t care about glory but just about money.
I prey to Hares, to make justice for us fight fans and for past greats. I wonder if Guerrero will be able to beat Kronos and turn back the clock to when he defeated Andre Berto and Selcuk Aydin. I am sure the Ghost will show great pride and honor in victory or defeat, and I wish Danny to learn a lesson next Saturday if the Boxing Gods punish him for what his father thinks.
This isn’t new, it has happened in the past, but it cannot keep on happening. Last week we all saw how a new IBF paper belt holder was manufactured and today it was reported that the IBF would give one year to Prince Charles Martin to defend the strap against his mandatory, but they hurried to strip Tyson Fury.
As I said in a previous article, if you take away the pride from the ring warriors, what is left can only be compared with the greed of stock exchange brokers in Wall Street. But, if you also take away the Glory from Boxing, then the only thing left, is a street fight between two unknowns who no one will ever remember.
On Twitter I asked Danny Garcia “Hey @DannySwift is it all about money and not glory for you?” However. he didn’t respond. So, I´ll ask the readers. Is it all money for Danny Garcia or is he fighting for Glory?
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