cgod, what do you make of this article? Are you a fan?
I'm not a fan. He has an boring defensive style where he either dominates or puts a wet blanket over his opponents offense. He is a contemptible human being but I don't hold (and fighters generally aren't held) to the same ethical code as athletes in other sports. The only sins that can push a fighter out of the sport are doping and adulterated gloves. I'm sure that boxing would welcome dog fighters, wife beaters and litters with open arms. I'm indifferent to a fighters sins outside of the ring when they strap the gloves on. I'm also indifferent to who wins as long as it's a good fight. I'm a 'fan' of guys who have fan friendly styles, guys that are going to either leave the ring a winner or on their shield. At the end of the day it's not about who won, it's weather two well matched fighters gave it their all. Floyd is more than capable of knocking guys out but he is content to play it safe in a no action contest and win on the cards. I admire his skill but I'd never buy his PPV. PPV cards are generally not very good. Your average Friday Night Fights on ESPN will have at least one action packed battle that puts the big money PPV to shame. Pawel Wolak vs Delvin Rodriguez is a good example of my favorite kind of fight. Both guys walked away from that match covered in laurels. Floyd has never had a fight that exciting in his life. My heart beat picks up when I think of next weeks match, James Kirkland VS. Canelo Alvarez. I watched Floyd and Manny but can't say I was in anyway excited over it, but I've been thinking about this match up for weeks and weeks. Watch James Kirkland in a round of the year 1st round performance against Alfredo Angulo. Race is all important in boxing. It doesn't matter what vile deeds a fighter has committed. Floyd is the greatest fighter of his generation, fighting in a fan unfriendly style but he can be marketed to the black community as a hero and to every one else as a villain. Change his race and the equation would work just as well. Biggest PPV's are always interracial. Race baiting is an integral part of prize fighting, always has been always will. If Manny had been Mexican this fight would have brought $400mil.