By Donavan Leonard: Each year brings surprises to the sport, and 2017 was no different. Few pundits would have anticipated losses by Manny Pacquiao, James DeGale, Shinsuke Yamanaka, and Roman Gonzalez, especially in light of the men who would wrest the belt from their waists.
By Donavan Leonard: Unfortunately for boxing fans, there is no yearly playoff to determine the worthy holder of the crown in each division. While a plethora of titles is a boon for creating business (sanctioning organization fees, more bouts with “more at stake”, better paydays for lesser-known belt holders), it is a bane when it creates champions who, through luck or clever management, are not worthy to hold a title.
By Donavan Leonard: 2017 was a banner year for boxing fans in terms of fights that should have taken place, as well as the resulting in-ring action. From one of the great heavyweight fights in recent memory between Anthony Joshua and Vladimir Klitschko, all the way down to the now 49-0 minimumweight Wanheng Menayothin, there were many intriguing bouts that were both wanted by the fans and delivered the action desired.
By Donavan Leonard: On Saturday December 2nd, Miguel Cotto (41-5, 33 KOs) will be stepping into the ring as a participant for what he claims will be the last time. Taken at his word, the result against underdog Sadam Ali (25-1, 14 KOs) will add only a win, loss, or draw to his ledger, with no outcome bearing significance to either enhance or diminish his distinguished career. With his fighting days almost behind him, has he accomplished enough or been “great enough” to be granted induction into the Hall of Fame?
By Donavan Leonard: Boxing is the most unforgiving sport. One minute a gladiator is the king of his domain, a standard of excellence, and the toast of pundits’ pound-for-pound lists. The next minute the pugilist has been castigated as being exposed, overrated, a hype-job, or even lacking heart. Any explanation by the warrior for the loss other than “the better man won” nearly always thrusts the fighter into the ever-growing pile of “whiners”, “quitters”, “poor sports”, and “head cases” that the boxing public finds far too easy to fill. Such is the case with Sergey Kovalev, the “Krusher.”
By Donavan Leonard: In the folklore of many countries, there are tales of an evil creature waiting to carry off children who have misbehaved. The threat of this horror is used to scare children straight–to stop unruly behavior, a bad habit, or a deed before the monstrosity makes its dreaded one, and only, appearance. The message is clear–nobody wants to ever must face the bogeyman.
By Donavan Leonard: The marinating is truly almost over. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 KOs) and Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (37-0, 33 KOs) are only days away from facing off in the ring. It will not be a dog-and-pony show to talk about a future fight. It will not be a wrestling-type promo to introduce the fight.
By Donavan Leonard: On September 16th, 2017, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (49-1-1, 34 KOs) will attempt to climb a hill that few fighters have summited. In this era of multiple sanctioning organization champions, it is a common feat to pick up a belt in several weight classes. However, the feat of a welterweight or junior middleweight defeating the perceived “best” middleweight has only happened in a few rare instances.
By Donavan Leonard: In the span of less than a week, there was a total solar eclipse over North America and a boxing match which pitted an aging all-time great boxer versus a famous mixed-martial arts fighter making his professional debut as a boxer. To the dismay of some, neither event brought about the apocalypse.
By Donavan Leonard: When WBA and IBF junior welterweight champion Julius “The Blue Machine” Indongo (22-0, 11 KOs) takes on fellow unbeaten WBC and WBO champion Terence “Bud” Crawford (31-0, 22 KOs) on Saturday August 19th in Lincoln, Nebraska, the evening promises to answer questions about both fighters.