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It was a refreshing year to be a boxing fan.
We escaped 2003 without any major scandals -- relatively speaking, anyway -- or devastating tragedy.
There were several significant bouts. Roy Jones Jr. made history in beating John Ruiz. James Toney scored a pair of major victories. Bernard Hopkins re-established his dominance over someone we've heard of.
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TIM GRAHAM'S TOP 15 |
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1. Roy Jones Jr.
2. Bernard Hopkins
3. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
4. Kostya Tszyu
5. Shane Mosley
6. Manny Pacquiao
7. Oscar De La Hoya
8. Erik Morales
9. Lennox Lewis
10. James Toney
11. Oscar Larios
12. Rafael Marquez
13. Juan Marquez
14. Cory Spinks
15. Marco Antonio Barrera
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There were plenty of upsets. Lennox Lewis escaped Vitali Klitschko. ... Corrie Sanders obliterated Wladimir Klitschko. ... Ricardo Mayorga beat Vernon Forrest twice. ... Cory Spinks beat Mayorga. ... Manny Pacquiao stunned Marco Antonio Barrera.
A healthy crop of new champions provided us hope for every division south of heavyweight.
And, of course, there were many moments that made us shake our heads in bewilderment and mutter "Only in boxing."
A timeline of the past year would provide us with wide-ranging items -- some encouraging, some poignant, some downright silly. That's boxing.
And this was 2003 ...
A British television station debuted an Ozzy Osbourne-style reality TV show based on flamboyant former super middleweight champ Chris Eubank, who walks around his house with a monocle and a cane. Mr. Peanut is said to be furious over not getting the lead role.
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NAMES TO WATCH IN 2004
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Bernard Dunne, featherweight, 10-0, 8 KOs
Steve Molitor, bantamweight, 16-0, 6 KOs
Samuel Peter, heavyweight, 16-0, 15 KOs
Edwin Valero, featherweight, 12-0, 12 KOs
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No-rules fighting became all the rage in Russia. Well, what else do expect to happen while waiting in those long vodka lines?
Chae Yoon-shik, a 41-year-old Buddhist monk, fought in a Seoul tournament, saying "I initially hesitated, but I dared to put on the boxing gloves after seeing two Mexican wrestling priests on TV."
Prospective minister and featherweight Jason Ingwaldson lost his first pro fight in four tries. What about Ingwaldson vs. Yoon-shik as part of an all-denominational round robin to determine, once and for all, whose God kicks the most ass?
The WBC celebrated its 40th anniversary. Next year, Julio Cesar Chavez will celebrate his 40th anniversary as a WBC champion.
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BOXING FAN RESOLUTIONS FOR 2004 |
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1. Soak up induction weekend at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y.
2. Listen to one of George Chuvalo's heart-wrenching inspirational speeches.
3. Go to an amateur tournament.
4. Don't ever again score a round even.
5. Rent "On the Waterfront" and read "The Harder they Fall," by Hall of Famer Budd Schulberg.
6. Denounce toughman competitions and refuse to patronize them.
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Anybody can get into Mensa these days. Showtime analyst and former two-division champ Bobby Czyz was arrested for drunken driving in Readington Township, N.J. It turns out the self-confessed intellectual had already been convicted over similar offenses in 1998, 1999 and 2000 but somehow was allowed to keep his license.
Don King accepted keys to the city of Managua, Nicaragua. The next morning residents woke up and found their city was gone.
Charles "The Pink Pounder" Jones, a 43-year-old London architect, became the first openly gay boxer, proclaiming "I'm not going as a gay man who happens to box. I'm going as a boxer who happens to be gay and who doesn't give a toss who knows it."
Rafael Marquez claimed the IBF bantamweight title when he stopped the previously unbeaten Tim Austin in the eighth round. Austin was ahead on all scorecards at the time.
Undefeated WBA super flyweight champ Alexander Munoz fought off three assailants but was shot in the knee while jogging in Caracas, Venezuela.
Mike Tyson got a face tattoo right before his fight with Cliff Etienne in February.
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COMEBACKS WE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT IN 2003 |
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Julio Cesar Chavez
Herbie Hide
Don Lalonde
Oliver McCall
Joichiro Tatsuyoshi
Willy Wise
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Etienne wanted to pull out after rumors circulated Tyson was sick and wouldn't show. Tiffany Etienne told her husband he would be sleeping on the couch if he gave up his $900,000 purse. Etienne wound up sleeping on the canvas 49 seconds after the opening bell.
Reports surfaced that former featherweight king Freddie Norwood had been accused of biting his ex-girlfriend. Not sure if Norwood received calls from Marv Albert about the availability of a videotape.
Speaking of sex videos I haven't seen, ahem ... Tonya Harding lost a split decision in her pro debut against Samantha Browning on the undercard of Tyson-Etienne. Harding cried to judges that the laces on her glove broke, but they wouldn't let her re-start her routine.
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WHOM WE LOST IN 2003
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Ben Bril, 1928 Olympian, 91
Bill Cayton, manager and historian, 85
Alexander "Fabela" Chavez, former featherweight contender, 73
Benny D'Amico, Canadian Hall of Famer, 70
Joe Daszkiewicz, promoter, 78
John Charles Elia, Nevada commissioner, 78
Del Flanagan, former middleweight contender, 75
Kid Gavilan, Hall of Fame welterweight, 77
Luvuyo Kakaza, former lightweight, age unknown
Freddie Gimay, light flyweight, age unknown
Rick Manning, light heavyweight, 35
Harry "Kid" Matthews, former heavyweight contender, 80
Maurice Owen, promoter, 68
Laszlo Papp, Hall of Fame middleweight, 77
Tommy Parks, venerable trainer, age unknown
George Plimpton, author, 76
Kid Power, former light heavyweight, 50
Tommy Rawson, Mass. commissioner and Harvard boxing coach, 94
Brad Rone, heavyweight, 34
Bill Sargent, pay-per-view pioneer, 76
Jimmy Sherrer, former welterweight contender, 79
Yoshio Shirai, former flyweight champ, 80
Alexander Vetoux, welterweight prospect, 22
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Roy Jones Jr. made history -- by definition -- for coming up in weight to dethrone heavyweight champ John Ruiz.
Corrie Sanders laid waste to Wladimir Klitschko inside four minutes, knocking down the WBO champ three times and throwing the heavyweight hierarchy into further disarray.
Eyebrows were raised in Billings, Mont., when the "Midget Mania" boxing card came to town. No one gave a second thought, however, when "Mental Midget Mania," featuring a debate between Andrew Golota and Oliver McCall, passed through Missoula.
Springfield, Ore., high school officials grew concerned about off-campus, lunchtime boxing matches that drew as many as 75 spectators at a time. Winky Wright would kill for that kind of fan base.
James Miller, alias The Fan Man, was found dead after committing suicide in a remote Alaskan forest.
Fans again begged for the retirement of former bantamweight champ Wayne McCullough after Scott Harrison destroyed The Pocket Rocket over 12 rounds.
Kennedy McKinney's career came to an ignominious end in a lopsided six-round decision to Greg Torres, who was fighting for only the second time in seven years.
Marco Antonio Barrera ended Kevin Kelley's brilliant career, knocking him down multiple times to score a fourth-round TKO.
The New York State Athletic Commission made sweeping changes. Bernard Kerik resigned and Ron Scott Stevens was appointed chairman in hopes of turning around the office's reputation.
The most heart-warming story of the year: Michael Watson needed more than six days to complete the London Marathon. Watson spent 40 days in a coma, underwent six brain surgeries and suffered permanent partial paralysis after fighting Eubank in 1991. Watson couldn't even walk until less than a year before the race.
And then there was Olympic javelin star-turned-heavyweight Pal Arne Fagernes. The Norseman made his pro debut, winning via first-round TKO over a pug with a 1-19 record, and then got arrested on yet another intoxication charge. Fagernes drank and snorted away his promising javelin career. What do you think Watson could do with Fagernes' physical abilities?
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TALES THAT WON'T HAVE HAPPY ENDINGS |
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Tony Ayala: The convicted rapist and former blue-chip contender was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. ... Charges later dropped. ... Beaten by unheralded Anthony Bonsante in April. ... Arrested in December for third time since released from prison in 1999. ... Violated curfew restrictions imposed as part of 10-year probation for a 2001 burglary. ... Stopped for speeding and discovered to have four outstanding traffic warrants. ... Released on $10,000 bond with electronic monitoring device.
Trevor Berbick: Muhammad Ali's final vanquisher surrendered to Jamaican police in January on charges he stole tools and clothes from his sister-in-law's home. ... Charges dropped after sister-in-law declines to testify. ... Deported from U.S. for second time after serving time for raping the family's babysitter, forgery and second-degree theft. ... Hasn't fought since May of 2000, but plans to make a comeback.
Riddick Bowe: Former heavyweight champ intends to fight again after he's released from prison. ... Sentenced to 18 months in January for kidnapping his ex-wife and kids in 1998 ... His attorneys made plea arrangement based on Bowe having brain damage, although the ex-boxer denied it. ... Arrested for second-degree assault in March while at home awaiting prison assignment. ... Acquitted of hitting his second wife when she and three other witnesses failed to appear at hearing. ... Will be 37 when he's expected to be released and hasn't fought since Dec. 14, 1996.
Frank Bruno: The former heavyweight champ in March showed up for first appearance as nightclub DJ hours late and disoriented. ... Hasn't fought since 1996, but began calling out 2000 Olympic gold medalist Audley Harrison in April, reportedly to finance a divorce bill. ... Checked himself into clinic for depression in July. ... Committed to psychiatric facility in September. ... Started to believe he was horse jockey Frankie Dettori and accused a tailor of putting a straitjacket on him. ... Reportedly spent $750,000 on tents and other equipment to build martial arts center in his garden, where 25,000 students would live and train.
Evander Holyfield: Heavyweight hanger on is 41 and has won just twice in eight tries over past five years. ... Insists on fighting until he can retire as undisputed heavyweight champ. ... Defeated on ninth-round TKO by James Toney in October when his corner threw in the towel.
Johnny Tapia: The five-time world champ spent January weekend in critical condition after losing consciousness at the end of a bizarre sequence. ... Was involved with cousin in a police standoff in Arizona and later charged for possession of drug paraphernalia. ... Went back to his Las Vegas home and lost consciousness apparently from a cocaine overdose. ... Cleared to fight and beat Carlos Contreras in September. ... Wife and manager Teresa Tapia honored by World Boxing Hall of Fame supposedly for keeping him alive this long. ... Admitted to hospital in December under suspicions of another overdose, but claims it was from a mixture of cough medicine and Tylenol.
Mike Tyson: The Baddest Man on the Planet was granted his second divorce in January. ... Ordered to give Monica Turner $6.5 million and their 61-room Connecticut mansion. ... Got a face tattoo prior to February bout against Cliff Etienne. ... Quoted on Fox Sports series "Beyond the Glory" as saying "I'm gonna live my life. I understand this society that I live in hates me. ... I'm gonna live it till they kill me." ... Involved in Brooklyn hotel brawl with two men. ... Filed for bankruptcy despite earning $300 million in ring. ... Bankruptcy records state that from 1995-97 he spent $411,000 on pet expenses and $288,000 on child support.
Pernell Whitaker: Lightweight and welterweight legend was arrested on DUI charge in February. ... Was out of jail on a bond at the time and eventually sentenced to 27 months for violating probation on a 2001 cocaine conviction (he brought the drug into a courtroom during a hearing on a traffic violation).
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The WBC files for bankruptcy to avoid paying Graciano Rocchigiani $31 million in lost earnings for screwing him out of a light heavyweight title. Just being morally bankrupt apparently wasn't good enough.
Reports surfaced that Roy Jones and Richard Hall both tested positive for steroids after their light heavyweight title match in 2000. Bill Romanowski and Barry Bonds declined comment when asked if they have ever experienced Roy Rage.
Perhaps because he's allergic to anabolic antidotes, Yory Boy Campas created a stir prior to his bout with Oscar De La Hoya by drinking a secret potion given to him by an Indian shaman. Once the bell rang Campas looked like he trained on Sauza, getting stomped in seven rounds.
NBC brought back boxing to network television upon reaching a deal with Main Events, providing a glimmer of hope boxing can someday recapture its glory days.
Mike Tyson reaffirmed he did not rape Desiree Washington but said he now wishes he did -- and her mother, too.
Paul Spadafora and Leonard Dorin fight to a draw in their lightweight unification bout. Spadafora would eventually find out breaking even would be the highlight of his year.
George Foreman headlined the 2003 inductees at the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, N.Y. But the best moment of induction weekend came when Aaron Pryor got married on the Hall grounds.
A new heavyweight star began to emerge even though Vitali Klitschko lost to Lennox Lewis on a brutal cut. Klitschko was ahead on all three scorecards.
Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward left boxing fans in awe yet again when they completed their heavenly trilogy. Gatti took the rubber match, but the real winner was the sport.
Russell Jordan delivered one of the most brutal-looking knockouts in recent memory when he starched James Ventry on ESPN2's "Tuesday Night Fights." But that wasn't the worst thing that happened to Ventry that week. He was dropped off at a federal prison on a witness tampering conviction a few days later.
Former junior welterweight champ Zab Judah returned to action and beat former dressmaker DeMarcus Corley on a split decision.
Emmanuel Lucero unsuccessfully tried voodoo to help him against rising featherweight Manny Pacquiao. Not sure if the needles Lucero used on the doll came from Corley's pincushion.
Welterweight firebrand Ricardo Mayorga gained even more steam -- or was he just blowing second-hand smoke? -- when he defeated Vernon Forrest again, this time on a majority decision.
Taking a page from the Freddie Norwood Guide to Gallantry, welterweight Bradley Pryce was found guilty of assault for biting a woman.
Heavyweight journeyman Brad Rone, 34, suffered a heart attack in the ring and died the day after his mother passed away. He accepted the last-minute offer to fight Billy Zumbrun to help pay for the funeral.
Neurological tests alleviated fears that flamboyant lightweight Jorge Paez had been fighting with a brain abnormality. The results contradicted every symptom Paez ever exhibited in the ring.
Former supplement junkie Fernando Vargas got back on track without track marks, beating Fitz Vanderpool. Lyle Alzado would have been proud.
Tyson filed for bankruptcy despite grossing an estimated $300 million in ring earnings. Papers stated he spent $411,000 on pet supplies alone from 1995-97. Hey, those white tigers don't feed themselves. But Tyson could have fed them a magician every month for that kind of money.
Junior lightweight Acelino Freitas survived Jorge Rodrigo Barrios in a potential fight of the year. Freitas was knocked down in the eighth and 11th, while Barrios was floored in the 11th and the 12th.
Christy Martin had weights hidden under combat fatigues when she stepped on the scale before her fight with Laila Ali. Martin should have dropped something in her gloves. Ali stopped her 48 seconds into the fourth round.
A mother and daughter made women's boxing history when they appeared on the same Minnesota fight card at the Pit Stop Bar. The feat was confirmed only after historians determined Hector Camacho Sr. and Jr. didn't qualify.
After four months of extensive police protection, it was revealed British drug lords had plotted to kidnap cruiserweight champ Johnny Nelson. No motive has been found.
Heavyweight headcase Andrew Golota ended his 2 1/2-year layoff. The Foul Pole defeated Brian Nix, who apparently wasn't concerned about emerging from the bout unable to bear offspring.
Loudmouth Anthony Mundine disappointed his detractors by topping Antwun Echols for the WBA super middleweight title. Mundine is the Aussie brainiac who, shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, said the U.S. got what it deserved.
James Page, only four years removed from being WBA welterweight champ, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for three bank robberies. Way to go, nimrod.
Oscar De La Hoya threatened a full-scale investigation into boxing corruption after losing to Shane Mosley a second time. Hmmmm ... maybe Clay Aiken should have tried that when he lost to Ruben Studdard.
Trainer George Benton, 70, was arrested in a national sweep for failing pay $216,919 in child support for a teenage daughter. But before we crucify the guy, let's give him a chance to break out of his carefree phase.
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QUOTES OF 2003 |
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Oscar De La Hoya after losing close decision to Shane Mosley: "I will put a full investigation on this. I feel in my heart that the decision should have gone to me."
Mike Tyson on rape victim Desiree Washington: "Just a lying, reptilian, monstrous, young lady. I just hate her guts. She put me in that state where, I don't know, I really wish I did now. Now I really do want to rape her and her [expletive] mama."
Micky Ward after losing rubber match with Arturo Gatti: "It's mutual respect. In here I want to beat him more than anything in the world, but outside he's a beautiful guy. It's not about who's tougher. We're both tough guys."
Christy Martin on Laila Ali: "She was too big. She was in great shape. She kept on coming. She still fights like an amateur. But all around, she was just too big."
Vernon Forrest before his first loss to Ricardo Mayorga: "Whatever opening he gives me, I will take full advantage of. ... I am going to definitely see if he can really take a lick. We are going to see what kind of chin he has."
Ricardo Mayorga on the unmarried Forrest before their rematch: "I'm going to take his wife and take her back [to Nicaragua] so she can sweep up my backyard."
Mayorga to Cory Spinks before their December bout: "He says his family is pretty much all gone and he doesn't have much else to live for. So I'm going to send you and reunite you with your whole family, who happen to be upstairs with our Lord, Jesus Christ."
Johnny Tapia on whether he wants to live: "Yes, I want to live with my wife and kids and be straight. There's also times I want to go."
Tapia refuting reports he had overdosed in a December suicide attempt: "If I'm going to overdose, I'm going to go for it. I'm not hesitating, you know?"
Clifford Etienne before getting knocked out by Tyson in 49 seconds: "I think Tyson is done. I'm in that one percent he can't beat. ... I'm not scared of anybody. He bleeds like me. He hurts like me. He has to try and get me before I get him."
Wladimir Klitschko on Roy Jones: "I understand boxing is show business and Mr. Jones is a very good entertainer. I have to say, against a really big heavyweight like Lennox Lewis or Michael Grant, he has no chance."
Frank Bruno on prospect Audley Harrison: "Audley has not got the bit between his teeth. I will knock him out, then pick him up, give him a cuddle and tell him 'That's cricket, old bean!' I want to do it for the sake of boxing."
Evander Holyfield after getting beaten by James Toney: "No, I'm not going to retire. I'm going back to the drawing board."
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Boxing ranked the fourth most-hated sport in America, according to a poll done by the Sports Marketing Group. Boxing was listed behind dogfighting, professional wrestling and bullfighting. Boxing couldn't even come close to women's pro basketball, which ranked 15th.
Former heavyweight Tommy Morrison has HIV, but that didn't stop him and his wife, Dawn, from having a son. The procedure consisted of a testicular biopsy, separating infected cells from the sperm and artificial fertilization. None of that would have been possible if Morrison had fought Golota.
Toney followed up his victory over Jirov by obliterating Holyfield to the point Holyfield's corner had to throw in the towel in the ninth round. Holyfield sadly announced he would fight again.
Chuck Wepner sued Sylvester Stallone for the Rocky movies, claiming Sly has continually evoked the Bayonne Bleeder -- who staged a captivating bout against Muhammad Ali -- to promote the film franchise. Of course, Wepner was the inspiration for the original film. Does that mean we can sue Stallone for Rocky V?
A German publishing company produced an Ali biography that is 800 pages long, weighs 75 pounds and costs $3,545. By comparison, the Dead Sea scrolls were recently listed on eBay for $47.
The WBC raised its cruiserweight limit to 200 pounds. That gives us 10 more pounds worth of bad fighters.
The WBC created a major controversy by awarding Inji Chi the victory in a bout for the vacant featherweight title. About an hour later the fight was ruled a draw because of a scoring error.
Paul Spadafora was cited for urinating in public. How embarrassing! Two days later he was arrested for the attempted murder of his girlfriend. He allegedly shot her in the chest.
It was discovered Marco Antonio Barrera has been fighting with a metal plate in his head since 1997. Now Don Zimmer thinks he can take him.
Don King offered the Florida Marlins a 54-acre tract north of West Palm Beach for a new stadium. The Marlins declined, however, because King wanted a provision allowing him to evict them if they lost their title.
"Cock and Bull Story," an independent film about a fighter who enjoys rubbing up against opponents during clinches, was released.
Roy Jones Jr. came back down to light heavyweight and struggled to a majority decision over Antonio Tarver.
Manny Pacquiao turned into a fighter of the year candidate when he thoroughly defeated Barrera, stopping the superstar featherweight inside 11 rounds.
Super middleweight Reggie Strickland won his 63rd fight in November. He also lost his 254th.
Mickey Rourke tells an interviewer he regrets leaving Hollywood to unsuccessfully pursue a pro boxing. You're not the only one, Mick.
ESPN informed promoters in December they will stop subsidizing fight cards. It's a blow that could have serious ramifications for the sport if no other cable company fills the void.
Former middleweight champion Steve Collins was accused of slamming his girlfriend's head in a refrigerator door. Larry, Curly and Moe received subpoenas to testify as expert witnesses.
Heavyweight hopeful Joe Mesi was given the blessing of Rocky Marciano's kin and posed with a cutout of his idol. The Mesi camp opened negotiations to fight the cardboard Marciano, but talks bogged down over paper cut fears.
Vitali Klitschko garnered international favor as the heir to Lennox Lewis' heavyweight throne by pummeling the African-American version of the Michelin Man, Kirk Johnson.
Part-time porn actor Robin "The Reaper" Reid provided a stiff challenge for super middleweight champ Sven Ottke, but lost a controversial decision. Tough luck for Reid. Poor guy has to get back to the grind while he waits for his next big money shot.
Cory Spinks toyed with Mayorga, Bernard Hopkins battered William Joppy and John Ruiz hugged his way past Hasim Rahman on King's ambitious Dec. 13 card in Atlantic City.
Rumors of a Felix Trinidad comeback began to resonate louder than ever.
A judge ruled Halifax police racially discriminated against Kirk Johnson during traffic stops. Now if only Johnson could learn to discriminate against doughnuts.
One month after Nevada Partners Gym announced it could be closing shop, the Golden Gloves Gym in Las Vegas shut down.
Butterbean, Frans Botha and Akebono all lost K-1 martial arts matches on New Year's Eve. Larry Holmes also said he's interested in K-1.
Boxing is going to have a rough 2004 if it keeps losing all its star power.
Tim Graham covers boxing for The Buffalo News and is a contributor to ESPN.com.
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