“Toe”tal Eclipse of the Heart

“Toe”tal Eclipse of the Heart

By Wayne Richardson, Doghouse Boxing (July 8, 2011) Doghouse Boxing (Photo © Ph.D. Yuriy Nesterenko)
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By Wayne Richardson, Doghouse Boxing. - Last weekend’s highly anticipated championship matchup between Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye was to be the start of the end of the heavyweight doldrums that has plagued the division since the departure of Lennox Lewis.

After unsuccessfully looking to Sam Peter, Chris Arreola, Lamon Brewster, Juan Carlos Gomez and (insert your choice here) to return boxing’s big men to their former halcyon days by unseating the methodical but effective Klitschko regime, the fans placed their faith in yet another up and comer.

The newest prodigy came in the form of David Haye, a hard hitting Brit who talked his way into title contention with promises of “Champeen” wishes and a division redeemed. Unfortunately, once inside the ring, Haye’s little piggy cried “Wee Wee all the way home” and apparently took David’s heart with it.

Fight fans expect their boxing heroes to be warriors that fight hard no matter the injury, win or lose no excuses are given or needed. Below are five examples of boxers who fought beyond their injuries, showing true heart is the only acceptable excuse.

Muhammad Ali Vs. Ken Norton – March 31 1973

Ali faced a prime 29 year old Ken Norton with a 29 -1 (23ko) record and a big punch. In round 2, the 7-1 underdog backed Ali up with a jab followed by a right hand flush on the jaw causing a fracture that by the end of the fight had a separation as much as a ¼ inch wide and had to be rewired shut. Incredibly while Ali was given the choice to stop the fight by cornerman Angelo Dundee, he chose to fight on a further 10 rounds losing by a narrow split decision.

Jack Dempsey Vs John Lester Johnson – July 14 1916

Considered one of the toughest men in the sport, the Manassa Mauler faced a crafty veteran named John Lester Johnson early in his career. Overmatched and outweighed, Dempsey fought 8 of 10 punishing rounds with three broken ribs after being tagged by a flush right hook to the body in the second round. Dempsey only earned $35 for this match but gained valuable respect sports writers of the time.

Danny Williams Vs Mark Potter – October 21 2000

While Facing Mark Potter for the British Commonwealth title, Danny Williams suffers a dislocated shoulder in the third round that corrects itself by rounds end but in the sixth the shoulder dislocates once again. Behind on all scorecards and with his right arm dangling at his side, Williams throws an uppercut at a charging Potter. The punch lands flush and Potter is sent crashing to the mat in the first of three knockdowns, before the ref finally stops the contest. Williams is taped into a sling and sent to the hospital afterwards.

Donavon “Razor” Ruddock Vs Mike Tyson II – June 28 1991

In the rematch to their controversial first meeting, Ruddock and Tyson resumed their brawl in the same way the last one ended, by launching power punch after power punch at each other for 12 rounds. Afterwards it was revealed that Ruddock who was down in the 2nd and 4^th round had sustained a broken jaw early in the match and Tyson a perforated eardrum.

Arturo Gatti Vs Mickey Ward III – June 7 2003

Now facing Mickey for the third go round of their now historic trilogy, in the 4^th round Gatti throws a right uppercut into Mickey’s hip and his rebuilt hand is shattered yet again. Finishing out the round, he heads back to the corner where the legendary conversation between him and trainer Budd McGirt is overheard.

Gatti: “MY HAND MY RIGHT HAND."
McGirt: "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?"
Gatti: "I’M GONNA KEEP GOING.”

Gatti then adjusts his style, survives a knockdown in the 6^th round and goes on to win a unanimous decision.

In boxing, excuses abound and fans having heard them all, respond with little pity and much derision. While a true fan never wants to see a boxer seriously hurt, they do want to see the heart and soul of a champion who grits it out to overcome obstacles in pursuit of glory.

Perhaps David Haye should review these fight before he chooses to fight again.

P.S. For all those who say that Haye had a lower body injury that prevented him from properly moving or punching. In return I say Craig Bodzianowski.

Questions or comments?

Email Wayne at – boxinggorilla@hotmail.com

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Write for Doghouse Boxing: anthonyc1974@gmail.com.

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