Bradley-Marquez: Appreciation

By Nick Moore - 06/21/2013 - Comments

bradley17We’ve all heard the simple maxim, “Don’t hate, appreciate!” There seems to be little place for thinking like this in boxing, a sport of all too puffed up egos and rivalries so fierce that we often end up hating our opposition. Albeit there are some fighters that I cannot stand, I learned something by watching Timothy Bradley’s recent interview with Bernardo Osuna of ESPN.

I can appreciate a pugilist that I do not like. In fact, I may even root for Bradley in some cases now.

You see, the reason for so much recent talk about the sport of boxing needing help to get positive publicity is a glaring one, but it’s also all too overlooked. Prima-donna’s pervade the sport, while values are stagnant within boxing. In listening to Bradley’s interview about his upcoming fight though, what stood out to me was that he was not making any guarantees and showing so much respect to what Juan Manuel Marquez brings to the ring, all this before the fight. Yeah, I saw Floyd call Robert Guerrero a true champ after the bout, but what happened between them before. It definitely wasn’t respect.

In Bradley’s case though, you have an undefeated fighter going up against a guy who has lost a few times, yet he still acknowledges the magnitude of the bout and the challenge that he sees ahead. If you read my last post, I certainly don’t think Bradley should be undefeated, but that is the reality. He has a 0 in the loss column, but he stays respectful. Genuinely respectful.

I understand that fighters and promoters need to promote; I get that good and well. The reality is though, that if fighters were genuinely respectful of one another’s skill and talent that result in their work, people would be more interested. I for one, don’t watch boxing to see soap opera type drama. It’s unfortunate that in some cases that sells.

Maybe this is just the outpouring of recent trash talk between Paulie & Broner, Floyd & Guerrero. I think there is definitely some merit to earning your followers. Hopefully some of these fighters grow up, new ones with good minds come up, and boxing is cleaned up. If not, the battle for popularity and recognition will continue.



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