Johnny Tapia, a five-time champion of the world, is dead at 45. What do his crazy life and early death say about boxing and the hard lives of even the greatest boxers?
Manny Pacquiao does not want to murder gay people, but what Manny Pacquiao wants, says, and does matter much less than the financial implications of what people think Manny Pacquiao wants, says, and does.
In New Jersey, and elsewhere, Arturo Gatti became a boxing legend for his capacity, willingness, and seeming eagerness to absorb punishment in the ring. Outside the ring, things weren't much easier.
A wrestling heel seems to be where Floyd gets most of the inspiration for his persona. His moves are calculated to offend, more in the vein of the Million Dollar Man than Muhammad Ali.
If Chad Dawson is a fighter who will do just enough to win and no more, Bernard Hopkins is the type of fighter who will do whatever it takes to win, and nothing less. With Hopkins, it's always personal.
Justice was served, but it was no mere formality. Both of these guys swear that the rematch between Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito was up there for the most profound sports experiences of their lives. Magic stills happen in Madison Square Garden, and it doesn't have to be nice.
I was shocked when Antonio Margarito was caught attempting to place plaster inserts into his hand wraps before his 2009 welterweight title fight with Shane Mosley. No matter what the cranks tell you, things like that don’t happen at the highest levels of the sport. I was shocked, but I wasn’t surprised that the exception was Antonio Margarito.
An exultant Juan Manuel Marquez raised his hands in triumph while Manny Pacquiao prayed somberly in the corner. Then, after it was announced that Marquez had lost by a narrow majority decision, he stormed from the ring as the arena of Mexican partisans and outraged boxing fans rained boos on the winner.
