Boxing's Clash of Civilizations

July 8, 7:11 PMHouston Boxing ExaminerMarv Dumon

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In 1996, political scientist Samuel P. Huntington published the now-famous book "The Clash of Civilizations."  Huntington argues that after the end of the Cold War, regional and cultural divisions would lead to a clash of civilizations - conflict most visible in wars such as the break up of Yugoslavia, in Chechnya, and between India and Pakistan.

Well, this is boxing, a sport. 

But boxing is also war.

Assumption(s):

These boxers would fight on a pound-for-pound basis - i.e., like in a video game (such as Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat), where fighters may be of different size, but are fighting more on styles.

Tournament results with fighters hailing from the following regions . . .

1st Place:  North America (Canada, USA, Mexico)

combined records of North American fighters:  (135 wins, 9 losses, 1 draw)

Grade:  A

# 1.  Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (USA):  "Money"

# 2.  Juan Manuel Marquez (Mexico):  "Dinamita"

# 3.  Shane Mosley (USA):  "Sugar"

2nd Place (tied):  Asia

combined records of Asian fighters:  (112 wins, 4 losses, 4 draws)

Grade:  B+

# 1.  Manny Pacquiao (Philippines):  "Pac-Man"

# 2.  Nonito Donaire (Philippines):  "Filipino Flash"

# 3.  Chris John (Indonesia):  "The Dragon"

2nd Place (tied):  Europe

combined records of European fighters:  (108 wins, 3 losses, 0 draws)

Grade:  B

# 1.  Vladimir Klitschko (Ukraine):  "Dr. Steelhammer"

# 2.  Carl Froch (United Kingdom):  "The Cobra"

# 3.  Arthur Abraham (Germany):  "King Arthur"

4th Place:  Africa

combined records of African fighters:  (89 wins, 10 losses, 2 draws)

Grade:  C

# 1.  Malcolm Klassen (South Africa):  "Stone"

# 2.  Joshua Clottey (Ghana):  "Grand Master"

# 3.  Samuel Peter (Nigeria):  "Nigerian Nightmare"

Good old Civilization III - brings back time-wasting memories

5th Place:  South America

combined records of South American fighters:  (88 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws)

Grade:  D

# 1.  Omar Narvaez (Argentina):  "El Huracan"

# 2.  Celestino Caballero (Panama):  "Pelenchin"

# 3.  Marcos Maidana (Argentina):  "El Chino"

Conclusion:

North America (USA and Mexico) wins this one, running away from the pack with 3 boxers in the top 5 pound for pound skill level.  We find all kinds of video-game-like 20-punch combinations that remind us of the command "Finish Him!" in Mortal Kombat.  Yes, records can tally points similar to in a game.  However, there is a much heftier talent and skill level at prize fights in North America, making it by far the most competitive region in the world.  Thus, there is no wonder that most pound for pound fighters come from this part of the globe.

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Copyright 2009.  Marv Dumon.  May not be republished without author's written consent.