Erik Morales: Comeback?

Erik Morales has recently decided to return to the ring after 2 and a half years out of the game. Yet at 33 years of age, he is far from the oldest campaigner around, and some might not question his desire to enter the ring a few more times. Unfortunately, Erik is just 1 of many fighters who come out of retirement in the hope to taste glory once again. Most fail.

When a boxer does come out of retirement, they are usually competing in weight divisions higher than when they first left the sport – testament to the shape they needed to be in to be successful first time round. The lure of being announced the world champion in-front of 15,000 screaming fans must be a hallucinogenic antidote for the gruelling and tedious workout regime and lifestyle required in order to compete at the highest level.

In the last few months, we all pondered whether Ricky Hatton should hang ‘em up, or continue fighting. When questioned on this himself, he admitted to feeling the kind of hunger I spoke of in the previous paragraph. But can this hunger be the undoing of many a great boxers’ legacy and even health?

Further to those who come out of retire, are those that just stay in the game for too long. For financial reasons or in blind delusion, we have seen once great competitors in the ring reduced to a shadow of their former self, slumped in the corner of the ring with a distant and lost look on their face as they taste defeat.

Many say Ali went on too long, and thus suffered defeat against Holmes and Berbick – 2 men he would have breezed past in his pomp. There is also a case that his parkinsons condition is maybe a result of the extra years he unnecessarily spent in the ring.

In more recent times we have seen the likes of De La Hoya beaten up at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, Roy Jones demolished inside a round by Danny Green and Marco Antonio Barerra stopped by young Amir Khan. Just last weekend Mexican warrior Jose Luis Castillo was humiliated by Alfonso Gomez signalling the end of his career. Gomez also ended the career of the tragic Arturo Gatti in 2007.

Gatti’s final fight against Gomez defines what this article is all about. As Gatti took a beating in the ring, the camera panned to his wife in the front few rows in attendance. She was in tears, and trying to clamber over the security barrier, begging the referee to stop the onslaught and potential health damage being sustained. Her screams and pained look was haunting, and it is these kinds of beatings that will haunt a fighters career forever.

These are all examples where once great fighters have lost fights they maybe should never have been in. Some fight on for the glory while some do so for the financial rewards. Boxing is a tough sport, but it also pays generously at the highest level. Many boxers become millionaires, and live a lavish lifestyle, in many cases making the most of their rise from the slums of inner city life.

Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Hector Commacho, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Azumah Nelson and Jeff Fenech are just some of the more high profile names who have fought in their 40’s and 50’s in some cases due to financial struggles. It is a sorry case that they have all blown their wealth, and have no other option but to step through the ropes to earn some cash in the only trade that they know.

How do we know when a fighter is finished? Many times it isn’t until a devastating loss. A fighter can’t be denied a license based on age either. They should have a right to fight on if they so wish. Bernard Hopkins is a perfect example where age is no barrier. At 45 he is still performing exceptionally at the very top level. His style has allowed him to fight on, effectively, for so long.

Bernard Hopkins: Active at 45

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Erik Morales and Ricky Hatton. While both are much younger than Bernard, they are very old and shop worn in boxing terms. Their fighting styles have resulted in them being in many brutal fights, each of which takes its toll on the body.

Fighters will no doubt think they still have what it takes to compete as they get older, and we will always see them fighting on beyond their means, but maybe more could be done by their families, friends, critics and fans to dissuade them. Barry McGuigan is just one former boxer who quit at the right time, with his health in check and also shows concern for some fighters continuing to fight. He recently wrote about his concerns about Frans Botha fighting Holyfield and also Roy Jones, who is set to fight Bernard Hopkins in a rematch which should have happened 16 years ago.

McGuigan is just one man who people feel left the sport at the right time. Lennox Lewis, Joe Calzaghe and Rocky Marciano are 3 others who all quit while they were on top. They are all healthy, have their legacies secured and have lived or are living a good life etched out from  their wealth made from the fight game.

No one can stop a boxer competing. Its what they know and love best of all. But they need to understand better their limitations as they age and that they are just mere mortals after all. The strain these fighters put on their family was perfectly demonstrable at ringside during the Gomez/Gatti fight as mentioned earlier. Boxer’s are also responsible for their own actions. If they choose to squander their money, climbing back in the ring isn’t always the answer. Is that feeling of glory really worth putting your family through all that pain. Furthermore is it worth the long term health risks? I think the answer is no. And the sooner that boxers understand this, the better.

This is a tribute to “King” Arthur Abraham. He’s the former IBF middleweight champion of the world and stepped up in weight to participate at Super Six World Boxing Classic tournament. In the first round of the tournament he knocked out Jermain Taylor in the 12th. His record is 31 (25ko) – 0 – 0. Arthur Abraham is famous for his blood fight against Edison Miranda in which he suffered a broken jaw in the 4th round and defended his belt via a unamnious decision. At their rematch in Florida, USA, Abraham knocked Miranda out in the 4th round. After that he wanted a unification bout with Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik to become Super champion in the middleweight division. After several excuses from Team Pavlik and problems to make the weight at middleweight he decided to move up to the Super middleweight division. Arthur Abraham’s idol is Mike Tyson. His next fight will be against Andre Dirrell in the United States at 23th of January 2010. Edited by: Christian Beck Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – Summer Overture ( Requiem for a dream )

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Only two boxers can claim victory over Genaro Chicanito Hernandez, who ruled the 130-pound junior lightweight division from 1991 to 1998 until he lost to burgeoning star Floyd Mayweather Jr. Hernandezs only other loss was to Oscar De La Hoya after a total of 41 pro bouts. A few months back, the humble former world champion was diagnosed with a form of cancer detected behind his right eye. Hernandez is now undergoing both chemotherapy and radiation treatments in hopes of eradicating the deadly tumor. The World Boxing Council and a number of other boxing organizations are hosting a benefit on Saturday, Jan. 17, at the WBC Legends of Boxing Museum in San Bernardino. An auction, dinner, and entertainment are planned. WBC representative Rudy Tellez said that a number of artifacts will be auctioned and hopes that people can bring canned goods and other donations to raise money for the now retired fighter. Hernandez was working as a color commentator for both boxing and mixed martial arts. Then, last October a bump near his eye formed and when he saw a physician it was diagnosed as a rare form of cancer. Many people like his easy-going demeanor and humble personality and when word spread of his ailment, the boxing world has rallied on his behalf. Inside the boxing ring, he slugged it out with a number of the biggest names in boxing, such as Mayweather, De La Hoya, Jorge Paez, Carlos Famoso Hernandez, and fellow Hall of Fame inductee Azumah Nelson. Hernandez, 42, was voted into …

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