Opening Bell: On Freebies and Sanctioning Bodies
Editor’s note: Yes, we could call it “Note from the the editor” or something similar but come on, this is a fight paper. This will usually be on Mondays, but it may vary. We have a full-time job people. Deal with it.
A couple housekeeping notes: we’ll update the masthead eventually but it looks like we’re bringing on a ring fashion correspondent along with the new gym diary series. Also, Stiff Jab is now a member of both the International Boxing Research Organization as well as an accredited media member of the World Boxing Council (WBC).
With regards to the latter, readers may have noticed my name as the winner of the monthly giveaway, namely two tickets to the upcoming Nonito Donaire vs. Fernando Montiel fight in Vegas as well as a two-nice stay in one of Las Vegas’ fine hotels. I was thrilled, but due to intellectual vanity, not a love of freebies.
As much as we appreciate the warm welcome we’ve received from Mr. Sulaiman and the rest of the WBC family, our editorial policies prevent staff members from accepting gifts of significant value from a sanctioning body, promoter, or representative of a fighter. While we’d love to be at the Donaire-Montiel fight, it would have to be as journalists covering the fight from ringside like every other card we attend.
Unfortunately we’re also planning to be ringside in Salisbury, Md. the night before to watch Fernando Guerrero on Friday Night Fights, so a trip to Vegas appears to be out of the question this time. Here’s hoping we can make it for Amir Khan in April.
One note on sanctioning bodies: our fellow boxing writers and fans complain about them incessantly, the latter often for good reason. Their actions are often inscrutable and explanations usually nonsensical. But few major athletic commissions are without major flaws- just look at the International Olympic Committee.
Of course I cover politics for a living, so I’m used to a certain amount of absurdity from high-ranking officials. In terms of responsiveness and professionalism thus far we’ve got no complaints about anyone we’ve encountered from any sanctioning body; rather they’ve been exactly the opposite: extremely helpful at every juncture.
If only we could say the same for the major promoters, who seem to believe the best way to enhance their sport is to ignore the independent journalists who have access to mainstream publications that may help widen the potential audience for their fighters.
Anyhow, on to the weekend, which featured an unexpectedly entertaining Friday evening between ESPN 2 and Showtime, with every fight exceeding expectations for a change. Glad to see whoever is in charge of matchmaking is finally willing to give some of these prospects a decent test.
Special kudos to “The American Showstopper” Nick Ianuzzi, who was the victim of the weekend after two abysmal scorecards tarnished what should have been a close decision against Freddie Roach-trained cruiserweight phenom Lateef Kayode. A full report is still to come, but suffice to say we may have been a bit too high on the Yoruba Warrior. He looks at least a year away from true contender status at the earliest.
Wednesday brings another Broadway Boxing card from promoter Lou DiBella at B.B. King’s Blues Club in Times Square. Brooklyn headliner Gabriel “Tito” Bracero (13-0-1, 1 KO) is tentatively scheduled to face Christopher Fernandez (19-11-1, 12 KOs) at 140 lbs., while light heavyweight prospect Mark Tucker (14-0, 7 KOs) looks to stay undefeated against Ray Smith (9-4, 3 KOs). Also in action: Lightweight Ryan Kielczewski (8-0, 2 KOs) and junior middleweight prospect Steve Martinez (7-0, 6 KOs).
We’ll do our best to make it up to the City, but Amtrak is showing zero tickets home on Wednesday night which doesn’t help. If you’re looking for a freelance assignment, shoot us an email.
That’s all for tonight kids. Hit the sheets and come out swinging.
– Gautham Nagesh, Editor.