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Vinny’s Views: Danny Garcia Is Way Overrated, Tyson Fury’s Struggles, Andre Ward Vs Sergey Kovalev, Roy Jones, JR RETIRE! & More…

306071_426606090728255_989534889_nBy Vinny “Glory Days” Lucci

Let me start by saying I love the sport I cover even in spite of itself. Seems almost every boxing writer has uttered those words sometime in their careers from decade to decade, generation to generation. Presently the fall of ’16 is littered with reminders of all that is wrong with the game and why we cling to precious heroes who remind us what the passion for boxing is all about.

Shooting from the hip several big name matchups have been mired in ambiguity and political strife while many a fan favorite is sitting out the remainder of the year. Abel Sanchez still has high hopes that the WBA mandated fight between his charge Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs comes to fruition for December. Jacobs’ rants this year have run the gamut from declaring he will be unable to make fight happen until spring of 17 to hand him the contract to sign, all the way to balking at proposed payday.

The official deadline to get fight signed and delivered has elapsed on 10/12. The organizations committee reviewed the requests and deemed “GGG’S” split of 75/25 both fair and correct. He has made 16 title defenses compared to just 4 for Daniel. Until “GGG” decides to head north this is the best middleweight fight that can be made right now with Canelo Alvarez still hiding out at junior middleweight and nursing a fractured thumb. The WBA has given promoters another ten days to to make it happen with a 10/22 deadline. Does Jacobs go for the glory or allow the hand that has been feeding him to strip his version of the title? If so, his hardware goes to Gennady as he aims for last belt in closet rack, the WBO version owned by Billy Joe Saunders who takes on Artur Akavov on 11/26.

Speaking of fractured hands Deontay Wilder and Amir Kahn broke theirs too. Deontay has a torn bicep to compliment his, most likely from not turning his power punches over. Roy Jones, JR. also suffered a torn bicep. The miracle injury that just might force him into retirement at his advanced age and signal good news for his true fans who fear that he may be seriously injured if his forays into the ring aren’t halted.

The injury I question the most is on Amir Kahn who literally had to have his hand rebuilt with five two and a half inch screws implanted and sealed and bone grafts. I can’t image any orthopedic surgeon allowing him to continue training and saying, “yes, go hit a heavy bag a thousand times a week and ruin the good work I just performed!” Can you possibly imagine the pain of knuckles clashing on skull even covered by leather? These operations are for returning the hand back to normal activity not ring wars regardless of Amir’s high hopes. Also on the mend is the mighty Kell Brook who took on Golovkin five weeks ago in a failed title bid by stoppage. Kell suffered a fractured orbital socket. Now in retrospect his trainer Dominic Ingle not only saved a promising career but very well may have saved his life by throwing in the towel. The good news is that Kell has returned to training on 10/16 with high hopes of facing some big name competition next year. Perhaps both he and Kahn should finally get together and make their match up first on their respective lists. As of this writing, Kell who intends to campaign at junior middleweight still holds the IBF welterweight crown and has yet to vacate.

His number one contender waiting in wings for title shot is Errol Spence, JR. The number two ranking is “blank” and I detect the smell of bullshit in the air. As if the rest of the IBF’S rankings were porous and suspect enough, there is now a convenient opening for any name to be dropped into place for Spence, JR. to feed on should and when Brook vacates. Onward, gym rats have been telling me Tommy Morrison’s kids are for real and true prospects with great potential. Kenzie and Trey are reported to bang like dad. Ringside Report wishes both a glorified career that isn’t rushed where they etch out a legacy all of their own.

The proposed matchup of Danny Garcia and John Molina, JR. challenging for Danny’s WBC welterweight crown has been called off with no variable reason extended. Many fans and writers accused Danny of once again cherry picking opponents. I personally give more credence to an upset than the casual viewer envisioned. An overrated Garcia and a healthy over looked Molina made for an intriguing matchup. At 147, Danny has failed to capture anyone’s imagination. He is highly predictable and telegraphs every punch. The dynamic roll call of foes and exhibition of superior skills have been missing for quite some time.

Add Molina’s power and durability and a lightly regarded challenge could have made waves at 147. Danny and his Dad took to making a music video on YouTube where they poked fun at the notion of his cherry picking. Next up for Danny is Samuel Vargas who was stopped in four rounds last year against Errol Spence, JR. This non tile bout is scheduled for 11/12, and is actually the smart move to make. Fighters need to get “old school” and take more warm up fights from time to time.

Anything is better than the WBC giving its blessing to a title challenge that isn’t deserved. At least Molina, JR. had just reproved his worth in recent win against Ruslan Provodnikov. Garcia is scheduled to unify against Keith Thurman in March. Early prediction here and remember I said it first, Thurman wins by stoppage. Last of the scrap pile Tyson Fury who cancelled his rematch with Wlad Klitschko for the second time has tested positive for both steroids and cocaine. On 10/13 he was suspended, and rather than be stripped of his two titles chose to vacate them. While he has never exhibited any class in the ring or good will to any opponent we wish him well on his road to recovery. Fury is claiming a victory of sorts by announcing a big comeback in March. Not sure if anyone cares as the boxing world has moved on already without him.

The final hurrah of the year comes in five saving graces sandwiched inside a month and a half which should leave fans in frenzy as year comes to a fistic end. First up, Manny Pacquiao faces Jessie Vargas on 11/5 on a quest to prove he’s not ready to be eliminated to any young upstart. Next up has fight of the year potential as it features two of the sport’s biggest names. Andre Ward challenges Sergey Kovalev for light heavyweight supremacy.

While Kovy seemed a tad bored in his last defense, Ward seemed less sharp and dominant in his two forays into the 175 pound division. Purists and casual fans alike will be tuned in to see who can impose their style upon the other and walk away victorious. The following week Nicholas Walters challenges Vasyl Lomanchenko in what promises to be an all action fistic brawl disguised as a boxing match. Promoter Eddie Hearn has promised to salvage Klitschko’s comeback by pairing him with Champion Anthony Joshua on 12/10. Both men were in training and looking to secure a dance partner before years end. While Wlad’s inexplicable loss to Tyson Fury caught the world by surprise nobody believed it was truly a changing of the guard. With this fight we’ll get an answer as Joshua looks to be the goods in the division.

Last up and possible best match up in the exciting fall lineup, HBO has reserved the same date for “GGG” and hopefully it’s against Danny Jacobs for middleweight glory. Should Daniel balk, fans and haters can’t blame Gennady for accepting a lesser challenger. No fiscal reason to leave money on the table or waste conditioning. “GGG’s” resume is not star studded simply because the biggest names have avoided him for three years already leaving a resume that begs for name recognition. Golovkin has become the most feared and avoided middleweight since the Ezzard Charles / Charley Burley era.

As the year winds down seems so is Premier Boxing Champions. Al Haymon’s enterprise has proved to be short lived and out of steam and cash in just a year and a half. Many of their fighters were put on the shelf while good match ups were few and far between. What appeared to be a bold move to corner the market has simply fizzled out. In its inception fans rejoiced at the prospect of more entertaining boxing matches filling up the calendar but in reality it was nothing to write home about.
Finally, as reported here last week in comprehensive detail the boxing fraternity mourns the loss of Hall of Famer Aaron “the Hawk” Pryor who passed from heart disease at age 60 on 10/9.

Stay tuned …

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