A Gentlemen's Quarrel
"Champions aren't made in gyms... Champions are made from something they have deep inside of them... A desire, a dream, a vision..."
--Muhammad Ali
Gray-beard Makes History: the Legend of Bernard Hopkins
~HISTORY~
by Troy J. Hines 5/22/11
MIAMI--In 1960’s Kung-Fu movies, it was the old blind Shaolin monk who was the most skilled in the Chinese art of combat. Blind even, we all knew the old gray bearded monk was the most feared, and the most fearless. Perhaps the same can be said when analyzing the current situation in boxings’ light heavyweight division.
46 years ago the price of gas was 31 cents per gallon, the Vietnam War was becoming bloodier, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was leading the famous march from Selma to Montgomery, Bernard Hopkins was born, and the Maple Leaf became Canada’s new national flag symbol. Ironically, last night in Montreal, Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2) set a record by becoming the oldest World Champion in the history of prize-fighting , by defeating the young Jean Pascal (26-2-1) and making him look as slow as Maple syrup.
Many boxing pundits agree that this was not the first time, and any discussion about a Part III between the two would be disrespectful to fans with a high boxing IQ. In my opinion, Bernard Hopkins decisively beat Jean Pascal on December 18th of last year, and last night—both on Pascal’s home turf.
>>>CLICK PHOTO TO CONTINUE<<<
MIAMI--In 1960’s Kung-Fu movies, it was the old blind Shaolin monk who was the most skilled in the Chinese art of combat. Blind even, we all knew the old gray bearded monk was the most feared, and the most fearless. Perhaps the same can be said when analyzing the current situation in boxings’ light heavyweight division.
46 years ago the price of gas was 31 cents per gallon, the Vietnam War was becoming bloodier, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was leading the famous march from Selma to Montgomery, Bernard Hopkins was born, and the Maple Leaf became Canada’s new national flag symbol. Ironically, last night in Montreal, Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2) set a record by becoming the oldest World Champion in the history of prize-fighting , by defeating the young Jean Pascal (26-2-1) and making him look as slow as Maple syrup.
Many boxing pundits agree that this was not the first time, and any discussion about a Part III between the two would be disrespectful to fans with a high boxing IQ. In my opinion, Bernard Hopkins decisively beat Jean Pascal on December 18th of last year, and last night—both on Pascal’s home turf.
>>>CLICK PHOTO TO CONTINUE<<<
~ The ORIGINAL Super Six ~
Ward gets past the heavy-handed German... Who will meet him in the finals?
'MEN LIE, WOMEN LIE, NUMBERS DON'T LIE... ALL ROADS LEAD TO FLOYD MAYWEATHER...'
Gamboa hanging out with H.A.N.D.S. founder Troy J. Hines
Cuba's son: El Ciclon de Guantanamo, Yuriorkis Gamboa
The H.A.N.D.S. (Human Aggression Naturally Developed for Sport) Boxing Show is a contemporary boxing "appreciation" that intertwines entertainment with the history and social complexities of the sport. The acronym, developed by founder Troy J. Hines, is one that speaks to the innate biology of man, as well as the civilized desire to confine aggression, and turn it into a positive outlet for the world's viewing pleasure.
Historically, boxing has been a source of National pride for all of the nation's that are producing pugilists. Whether we examine the superior amateur boxing programs in the U.S., U.K., Mexico, Cuba, Phillipines, etc., they all have one common bond-- the love of country and boxing.
Let's reflect and truly think about the influence that the history of boxing has had on the world. An icon of the sport like Joe Louis of the United States, was the world's first recognized African-American hero in 1938, with his defeat of the man that represented Nazi Germany--Max Schmeling. The Lion of Culiacan, better known as Julio Cesar Chavez is a "living God" throughout Mexico as arguably the greatest fighter in Mexican history. As far as Caribbean fighters are concerned, many of us still wonder how great Felix Savon would have been, if he were allowed to fight professionally and not only under the cigar cloud of Fidel Castro. And then there's Manny Pacquiao, "The Pride of the Phillipines", who may very well, one day, become the President of his beloved country.
Do we sing songs dedicated to the athletes of other sports? "There's only onnnnnnne Ricky Hatton!" is "religiously" played and sung by fans of the Manchester native, where ever he happens to be fighting. After all, the birth of "Modern Boxing" is credited to Great Britain via the Marquess of Queensberry Rules (1838; revised 1853) created to outlaw bareknuckle fighting and "civilize" the sport, and therefore society.
In 2010, the global boxing community awaits Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, which will prove to be the highest financial grossing bout in the history of modern prizefighting. The greatest pound-for-pound fighter, Manny Pacquiao, will be facing the world's greatest pound-for-pound boxer in Floyd Mayweather, Jr. This fight has the potential to give the sport, the "shot in the arm" (no pun intended) that it needs to climb out of the periphery and into the spotlight with other dominant sports. As boxers, boxing fans, writers, trainers, promoters, show hosts, etc., let's all pray that this fight is salvaged between the "powerhouse" promoters Top Rank & GoldenBoy Promotions.
H.A.N.D.S. Top 10 Prize Fighters of All-Time
10. Salvador Sanchez
9. Pernell Whitaker
8. Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
7. Roy Jones, Jr.
6. Mike Tyson
5. Ray Leonard
4. Rocky Marciano
3. Joe Louis
2. Ray Robinson
1. Muhammad Ali
"I am the greatest...
I said that even before I knew I was."
--Muhammad Ali
9. Pernell Whitaker
8. Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
7. Roy Jones, Jr.
6. Mike Tyson
5. Ray Leonard
4. Rocky Marciano
3. Joe Louis
2. Ray Robinson
1. Muhammad Ali
"I am the greatest...
I said that even before I knew I was."
--Muhammad Ali
"The April 1968 Esquire cover of Muhammad Ali posing as the martyr St. Sebastian was one of the most iconic images of the decade, tying together the incendiary issues of the Vietnam War, race, and religion." --Associated Press
H.A.N.D.S. Historic Highlight:
An American Hero: Joe Louis aka "The Brown Bomber"
Louis vs. Schmeling Weigh-In 1938
