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SOME FIGHTERS NEED A “NASTY” ATTITUDE
New York, NY– Ive been watching a lot of Star Wars movies with my kids the last couple of months. The space opera was never my thing, even when I was a kid and George Lucas first trifecta was all the rage (I would consider his record overall in the series is something like 2-3-1, 1 KO). But because its what 10-year olds are into, Ive given them another look with my offspring. While they still dont do anything for me, there was one theme that appealed to me, and has resonance in boxing the lure of the Dark Side and its power. In the films someones always trying to lure some young hero to embrace his inner thug, and reap the benefits.
HOW DOES A BOXER GET NOTICED TODAY?, Its an era in boxing when its harder and harder for fighters to make an impact on the consciousness of the fans. While television dates slowly increase, the overall audience is shrinking, or at least graying. There is such a proliferation of bogus belts, that a strap around your waist doesnt even guarantee a boxing fan would recognize you on the street. Local fight audiences are anemic, meaning even if you are active (and most fighters arent), off-television performances are like a tree falling in the woods with nobody to hear it. So what is the fighter to do to separate himself from all the other champions, interim champions, super champions and regional champions, not to mention Top 10 contenders (of which there are probably 30 or more per division between all the rating organizations)?
EMBRACE THE DARK SIDE MY FRIEND
Everyone knows that professional wrestling thrives on its good guy versus bad guy (or faces vs. heels for you smarts). But boxing has its own proud tradition of fighters that played the heel and reaped massive benefits. Many people dont realize that Jack Dempsey, remembered as one of the famous and beloved heavyweight champions of all time, was famous and hated much of his career. That didnt stop him from being arguably the greatest draw in boxing history. Only his perceived victimhood in the Long Count incident versus Gene Tunney turned fans back toward him in sympathy.
REMEMBER THE ALI ERA?
If you only had todays news to go by, the most adored man in America would appear to be Muhammad Ali. During his career and suspension (for refusing entry into the Vietnam War), while he may have always had as many fans as detractors, he was probably also the most loathed man in America by large segments of the very same people who would pay to see him fight. Sure, a lot of it was political and racial, but Ali himself has acknowledged that he was strongly influenced by legendary 1950s wrestling heel Gorgeous George.
DURAN TALKED A LOT OF SMACK
Does anyone remember when the now rotund and genial legend Roberto Duran was calling Sugar Ray Leonards wife a whore? Or when he said of vanquished foe Ray Lampkin, sent to the hospital by a vicious Duran knockout, If I was in shape, hed be going to the morgue.
MAYORGA TALKED HIS WAY INTO BIG BOUTS
Now I know what youre going to say, young Jedi, these men were among the most skilled of all time theyd have been living legends even with the demeanor of Minnie Mouse. Maybe, maybe not. But tell that to limited slugger Ricardo Mayorga, who managed to headline two pay-per-view cards (losing badly each time), largely on the strength of his foul mouth and his bad boy antics. And all-time talent Floyd Mayweather, Jr. wasnt a legitimate pay-per-view draw until he spit all over the legacies of the incomparable Sugar Rays (Robinson and Leonard) on his way to declaring himself the greatest of all time.
CORY NEEDS SOME “GHETTO” IN HIM!
So Im putting out my call. I dont think any of the following are really bad dudesbut it would really help their careers if they were. Embrace the dark side, junior middleweight titlist Cory Spinks (36-3, 11 KO). It doesnt matter that you may be one of the ten most skillful fighters in the game, or that your fights with Zab Judah and Roman Karmazin were more interesting than anyone will give you credit for. You may be the most disliked man in boxing (outside of your hometown of St. Louis), thanks to your safety-first style. It should tell you something that one of boxings most reviled, Judah, briefly rehabilitated his image just by fighting you and knocking you out.
TRINIDAD & SPINKS, WILL IT STINK?
So go all the way with it. It looks like you may have lined up a date with Felix Trinidad, one of the most popular fighters of our time. Its a fight I think you can definitely win, but a W alone isnt going to be enough to seize the opportunity of a lifetime. Double the length of your obnoxious ring entrance. Talk more garbage than Terrell Owens. Throw some black beans at Trinidad (oops, forgot thats been done). If you do top the Puerto Rican, make sure you cry like a baby in the ring like you did after beating Karmazan. Your goal is to make fans DEMAND that Shane Mosley or Oscar De La Hoya put you in your place.
ONE BAD FLY COULD SHAKE THINGS UP
Come take a tour of the Death Star, flyweight belt holder Vic Darchinyan (27-0, 21 KO), we know youve got a bit of a chip on your shoulder. Youve been blowing out your overmatched foes on Showtime to the delight of hardcore fans while fellow little man Jorge Arce has been electrifying the entire nation of Mexico and the much larger audience of HBO. Arce flamboyantly rode a dancing horse to the ring last month before outclassing Julio Ler, and Top Rank is talking about matching the cowboy with anyone but you. You need Arce more than he needs you, and March 3rd is your opportunity to make your case.
GREAT CARD MARCH 3 ON SHOWTIME
Of course, youll have to wipe the mat with challenger Victor Burgos, but thats not enough. Your mission is to do nothing less than infuriate the entire Mexican audience tuning in for the fine Israel Vasquez – Rafael Marquez main event. Im sure your people can come up with something good, but may I suggest riding a stick hobby horse to the ring wearing a cowboy hat. Then have your promoter Gary Shaw break the horse over his knee and you can stomp the hat. Oh, and make sure in post-fight interviews you refer to Arce as a coward. It might be a nice touch to learn to say it in Spanish.
JULIO NEED NOW MAKE SOME NOISE
Finally, I know its a long shot, but please fill out this application for Empire membership, newly minted lightweight titlist Julio Diaz (34-3, 25 KO). Youve always seemed like a nice enough guy, but you said it yourself, theres too many Diazs in the lightweight division. And youre never going to out-charm boxings version of the 100% pure Luke Skywalker, fellow lightweight titlist Juan Diaz. I saw some potential for you in your post-fight interview this past Saturday on Showtime. Asking Juan Diaz if the Houston college students mom would let him come out and play after school is a step in the right direction. Its not exactly threatening to eat his children, but baby steps for now. You also pointed out that your opponent Jesus Chavez, stopped by an injury in the third round of your fight Saturday, once went a full twelve with the great Erik Morales despite a severe injury. Now you just have to take it one step further tell everyone who will listen that Chavez quit when faced with your superior talent and power, and the injury was merely an excuse. Oh, and that obviously this makes you greater than Erik Morales. It may be hard to keep track of every Diaz in the lightweight division, but it will be easy to identify you. Youll be the one in the black hat.
TALENTED TRIO NEEDS TO INSTILL FEAR
So Spinks, Darchinyan, Diaz, a trip to the Dark Side can give you power you never knew possible. Now please excuse me, Ive got an important meeting. I think Im nearing a deal to get C3P0 into an IBF junior welterweight eliminator.
Lou Ciaccia
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