Musings: Thoughts on Linares, Haye, Wolak, and more!

By Keith Terceira

MP8.PH

Tonight the “Believe it or Not” or “buy it or save it” event will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. If not for the fact that Jorge Linares is also on the card, my interest would be at a minimum.We have watched Jorge over the last few weeks as he trained, sparred, and formed a vast friendship with Manny Pacquiao, because of that the desire to see him succeed is building for me as a fan of Pacquiao and now of Linares.

The same  occurred within me when Amir Khan joined the ranks of “Roachdom”, because after his display of solid judgment by joining the Wild Card crew   he took a step up in interest factor. Then the fact that he began forming a working relationship with MP made watching him even more intriguing.

One of the basic principles in business and success is to surround yourself with successful people, folks that have the same drive, work ethic, and desire that you have or those that you wish to learn it from.

Though I am sure that Antonio DeMarco is a great person, the involvement with Manny gives Linares my vote tonight, also the fact that he held his own in sparring with the best in the world makes this a no brainer.

As far as Hopkins-Dawson is concerned, well frankly neither fighter has that much time remaining in the top level of the sport, Hopkins due to father time and Dawson because I don’t believe he has the required focus to remain a champion for too long. Dawson’s “ Achilles  heel” is his mental game and not his skill level.

David Haye

The news today that David Haye wishes to become an action hero in Hollywood was no surprise to this boxing scribe.

Did we not just see his first audition against Wladimir?

Was he not all show and no go, as he danced, faked injury, and threw volumes of punches at the dead air space between himself and the champion. His retirement was disappointing though because I did desire to see him face the better of the two brothers, Vitali Klitschko.

Calling it quits is probably going to be short lived as soon as the purse money fades and the contracts to face Vitali continue to be waved. The sorry state of the heavyweight division requires that the Klitschkos continue to pester him as they did Lennox Lewis for years.

Pawel Wolak;

After Pawel’s and Delvin’s great first fight, I am definitely, chomping at the bit to see the rematch. It has been some years since a Polish fighter has caught the attention of fight fans here in the USA, the last being of course Tomasz Adamek, who trains in New Jersey. Prior to that there was only Andrew Golota for my wife’s family to support.

A New Jersey trainer told me before the bout that Pawel had trouble with boxers of Delvin’s style and thankfully I went with my heart instead of the info and tuned in for the bout.

I would shell out the money for the rematch, even if that was the only fight on the PPV.

The Dewey Bozella story and his opportunity to finally box as a professional at age 52 is compelling and any man should have the right to work and make his dreams come true no matter what his age.

What is unfair is the fact that Dewey is allowed to box and a great many boxers younger than Dewey and more experienced are turned down by this same commission based on age and won/loss records.

All men should have a right to ply their trade and make a living, not just the ones that have a great story line for the media.

I wish Dewey the best this evening, and should he win or lose he should be treated like all the rest of the fifty year old fighters.

Wonder why some commissions tell matchmakers to not even think about proposing an over 37 and above fighter then turn right around and approve others even older. Guess it’s about who you know.

For those English professors out there that love to point out my failings, thank you for your reminders. It has been some time since my class room days and often I rush to get out my thoughts and don’t pay enough attention to details. I do ask your forgiveness. Then again, those that can’t, teach!

Ciao!