If he was a stripper, they might compare pudgy Odlanier Solis to Chesty Morgan (Top Rank/Chris Farina Photo)
Fight fans, for the most part, live in a different world than I do.
I’ve been absorbed in boxing since I was a starry-eyed kid sending monthly letters to Cassius Clay in Louisville, Ky.
I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly of boxing as a scribe, as a public relations person, as a manager of world champions and even briefly as a ring announcer in my misspent youth (I wore the same green tuxedo for three straight St. Patrick’s Week cards in Las Vegas, suffice to say I was no threat to Jimmy Lennon Sr. or Johnny Addie.)
I live not in the romantic world of boxing but in the real world of the sport/business in which the business side often drives the train.
Let me explain the difference.
In the romantic world, Juan Manuel Lopez, happy survivor of a surprising war against Tanzanian Rogers Mtagwa, would next fight Panamanian Pipe Cleaner Celestino Caballero.
In the real world, Bob Arum is rightly protective of the Puerto Rican whiz kid. Fighting Caballero makes no financial sense because CC brings little to the money table. Let Juan Ma fight Yuriorkis Gamboa and then look to the Explosive Thin Man.
In the romantic world, Queens resident and heavyweight journeyman would have pulled off a stunning upset despite taking the bout on a few days notice against Cuban banger Odlanier Solis.
In the real world, Three Card Monte got paid a mere $30,000 and took a $50,000 beat down by the pudgy (271 pounds and a chest which could use a Maidenform bra) Solis. Solis’ sagging physique makes Chris Arreola look like a sculpted Evander Holyfield. Barrett, meanwhile, was trim and ready. I told you guys that being in shape is way overrated when you can whack like Solis can. Cuba libre!
In the romantic world, some American contender is coming along who can beat one or both of the Klitschko Brothers.
In the real world, the Cuban refugee Solis looks like the only Klitschko destroyer extant and he’s not ready for either Wladimir or Vitali just yet. Give Solis another six to eight months and turn him loose.
In the romantic world, Irish John Duddy’s return to trainer Harry Keitt would work some ring magic and he would go on to great victories and riches.
In the real world, Arum views Duddy as mere cannon fodder to build up the resume of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
In the romantic world, Mtagwa would be granted a rematch against Lopez based on his heroic effort at the Garden Saturday night.
In the real world, Russell Peltz’s gamester heads back to ESPN level bouts and meager purses…if he can find foes with the courage to take him on.
In the romantic world, Golden Boy’s budding Golden Boy Jorge Linares would get an immediate rematch with Juan Carlos Salgado and pulverize him. It would be instant ring redemption.
SEE JAMES SLATER, EASTSIDE BOXING, ON SALGADO'S TOKYO STUNNER.
In the real world, Linares’ next bout is with his own doubts. Oscar de la Hoya would be smart to give Linares a tomato can opponent in a confidence builder before going back to the Mexican who forgot to read Linares’ press clippings.
In the romantic world, referee Eddie Cotton would have firmly and properly refereed the Lopez-Mtagwa bout.
In the real world, Cotton was terribly erratic and probably not the right choice to handle these two small guys. Hey, a competent ref had an off night, it happens.
I live in the real world of boxing.
How about you?
(mlcmarley@aol.com)
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