WHERE ARE THEY

 

 

AMERICAN FIGHT GAME BADLY NEEDS A HEAVYWEIGHT

March 28th, 2011 By Manny Caballero

Joe Louis

BADEST MAN ON THE PLANET USED TO BE A YANK!
Philadelphia, PA- The USA seemingly always had one outstanding heavyweight boxer. If we look back through history, from the first american heavyweight champion and last bare knuckle fighter John L. Sullivan, champion from 1885 to 1892. The last American to hold any belt was the asthmatic Shannon Briggs (51-6-1, 45 KOs) in 2007. In total, we have had 52 different American champions to only 23 boxers from other countries. In the last ten years we have had seven different Americans with heavyweight gold compared to 11 from other countries. That being said, I don’t see anybody remotely capable in the near future! Where in the hell are our heavyweights?
DEMPSEY WAS A LEGENDARY CHAMP THAT WOULDN’T FIGHT BLACK HARRY WILLS!
Almost every American that’s loves boxing or not, knows of great American champions like Jack Dempsey (66-6-11, 51 KOs) also known as “The Manassa Mauler,” Dempsey was champion from 1919 to 1926. Fans liked him because of his aggressive style and punching power. For the record, Jack was the first to fight before a million dollar gate in attendance. Joe Louis, (65-3-1-51 KOs) also known as the “Brown (never say Black in those days) Bomber,” Joe had the longest title run in history going 12 years (1937-1949) with 25 successful “undisputed” title defenses. When he smoked Max Schmeling in their rematch, this helped Joe empower an entire nation during WW II. Next is a man who changed the sport of boxing forever. Next up in my opinion was the man born Cassius Clay who later changed his name to Muhammad Ali (56-3, 37 KOs). Ali would become the first three-time heavyweight champion. He was both loved and hated throughout the world. Next came a man who was full of controversy Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) the youngest heavyweight champion, “Iron Mike” was always captivating.
AMERICAN CHAMPS WERE HEROS TO MANY!
Those men were not only champions, but heros to many and garnered a lot of attention for the sport. They gave us fights to remember. Not only they came out to beat their opponent, but they wanted the knockout. For the last ten years there has not been an American heavyweight who has even come close to being entertaining or dominating the division.
KLITSCHKO BROS. TURN AMERICAN STOMACHS!
Now the belts are held by two Russian born fighters in WBC champ Vitali klitschko (42-2, 39 KOs) and his brother Wladamir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KOs) who has the WBO champion both Ukrainians, and British big mouth David Haye (25-1, 23 KOs) is the WBA titleholder. The Klitschko’s style of fighting is not fan friendly, unless you are from Germany or Russia, thus I feel they are hurting the sport more than helping it. David Haye’s style is far more pleasing, but can he take a heavyweight punch? On the bad side, I don’t see anybody else making noise in the heavyweight division because the nearly unbeatable brothers have huge size advantages over everybody. With the fighting style of the Klitschko’s, NO major boxing network will even air their heavyweight championship figths.
WE NEED TO LOOK UNDER ROCKS!
For the sake of boxing we need to find an American heavyweight champion. Someone who will want to be great and woun’t be afraid to give fans what we want, knockouts! Through the history of boxing we always had great American heavyweight champions and the lack of it is what’s hurting the sport. We cannot let the Klitschko brothers keep doing what there doing with the belts. HBO, Showtime, they both need to scour our boxing gyms for the next great American heavyweight champion. My advice before things get any worse, start looking!
Manny Caballero