FAIR PLAY
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Oct 2011
It has been two weeks since that fight and I cannot shake this restlessness out of my system. A lot has been said about the Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz match last September 17 from all corners of the boxing world but it still bothers me to this time. I said I don't want to write about it anymore, as a lot has been written of it already, but this galling feeling persists. Just like most you, I have learned to love boxing because of my dad. He likes sports; basketball and boxing are his two favorites. I can still remember whenever a super fight comes on, that we will be sitting in front of our black and white television in the Philippines on Sunday mornings and patiently wait for it to be shown through a local TV station. I still remember watching Muhammad Ali in his final fights especially the one against Larry Holmes, I can still recall how Daddy was in awe of Mike Tyson and his reign of dominance in the ring in the late 80's. I remember the four horsemen in Leonard, Hearns, Duran and Hagler. Their fights were all must see in our house. Sometimes my dad's friends will come over and over bottles of beer and yummy "pulutan", they will come to cheer and laud their own "manoks" (favorites) and make fun of the others if their fighters lose. It was hours of fun for them indeed.
But one fight sticks to me, and that is the Larry Holmes vs. Gerry Cooney fight in 1982. And it sticks to me because of one thing. The low blows Cooney inflicted on Holmes in that fight. I remember how disgusted Daddy was over those repeated low blows. And I remember him saying to me, that those were unacceptable in boxing or any sport. My dad values sportsmanship. He coached the Feati University ECE team on the side. And I can never recall any instance of fights with the opposing team with him or his players. Dirty fouls are rampant then, and it always ends up in "labo-labo" or free- for alls between players of both teams and more. He always preached sportsmanship to them and me. I was rooting for Cooney then because Holmes defeated the great Ali. And I was rooting for the challenger and then underdog of course as Holmes was the favorite. But those low blows by Cooney and my dad's reaction changed it. I did not care for Cooney losing the fight even if I cheered for him before and during the fight until when he played dirty.
The Mayweather - Ortiz fight has the same effect to me. The fight is anticipated by my friends and family especially my Filipino friends and family. Ever since the rivalry that is Mayweather against Manny Pacquiao was created. Every Filipinos, regardless if they are a boxing fan or not, will not only follow Pacquiao's fights nowadays but Mayweather's as well. Mayweather - Ortiz was anticipated in the Philippines and here as well. Of course we all knew what the Filipinos sentiments are about regarding Mayweather. It is because of his antics outside the ring and his never ending verbal stabs at Pacquiao. But, he is still someone that they will watch just because of his off ring rivalry with Pacquiao. And the result to the fight did not change their opinion of him. It just made him worse in their eyes. The punch, despite everyone in the sport, saying it was legal, will not change their view that it was a sucker punch. "Madaya talaga, Magulang talaga." (He's really a cheater and an opportunist.) was their reaction to it. I don't blame them. We Filipinos value fair play in our sports. We hate the dirty players of the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association). We don't condone foul plays in their games, be it the pro, amateur, college and in our small leagues in our barangays. It is why there is general dislike of Mayweather's action among majority of us.
Everyone in the sport says it was a legal. Everyone in the sport says no rules were broken when Mayweather sneaked in that punch at Ortiz. That it was a valid punch. I agree that it was but does everyone agree. You see, not everything legal is acceptable. Not everything valid in this world is tolerable by all. And that is why this will not create any positive points for the sports. Boxing attracts its biggest payday on super fights such as these. It is not only the boxing aficionados who will tune in but their wives, girlfriends, moms, daughters and sons too. It is this casual fan that creates buzz for the sport. House parties will be organized around any super fight. People will be buying PPV's because of this. A boxing guy will bring his girlfriend to the bar where it is shown or to the arena where it is held. She might not necessarily be a boxing fan but she will be there for the sport that his man loves. That is two tickets already as opposed to one. That is a pay per view revenue of $70 as opposed to none. They will appreciate a good fight when they see it. They want to see fair competition even in boxing. In a sport filled with violence and aggression, such cheap shot is like adding salt to the wound. Boxing is the only sport where it is legal to bash one's head into oblivion. The last it needs was unsportsmanlike behavior like head butts and sucker punches. This is a sport where one can die and get injured for life. What if that cheap shot put Ortiz in a coma. Will everyone who thinks that shot was legitimate be condoning it? If we want to sell boxing and build up what critics of the sport say as dying. We need to not only cater to the hardcore fans of the sport but to others as well. Nothing about Mayweather - Ortiz did that.
Boxing will always be a father and son sport. I have introduced the sport to my little boy as well just like how Daddy got me into it. It is great that the best fighter of this time is someone we Filipinos can relate at in Pacquiao. It has been easier for our Pinoy kids to like the sport because of him. I have brought him to two live fights already. Despite him falling asleep on both, he remembers the events around it. Our vacations included trips to Las Vegas and Dallas because of it. He watches the sport with me on televisions. He is with me as a fan asking for autographs and having pictures taken with stars of the sport. He knows boxers by name. And he is only 6. I have not watched the Mayweather - Ortiz fight with him yet. But I plan to this weekend. In it I will point to him why that head butt by Ortiz is a no-no. I will tell him that the punches Mayweather hit Ortiz with for the knockout despite being legal was unacceptable. I will reiterate the value of sportsmanship in him as we watch the fight .Because just like how my dad imparted to me the importance of fair play in sports and in life in general. I will do the same to him as well. Because boxing like any other sports, needs sportsmanship of everyone involved. No ifs, No buts.
Please send your comments to the author at rrmaze24@aol.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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