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Williams Mail Pouch
- April 24, 08
By William Trillo
I'm opening up the mail pouch two
days in a row!! Will wonders never cease?
Hmmm...maybe I should start charging
a monthly membership fee and then put the mail under
lock and key so no one could read them while I inflate
my already bloated ego.
Just Kidding!
Well this Hopkins vs. Calzaghe
rhubarb just won't go away and today I got a couple
letters that stand on their own and don't need me to say
a thing. After looking at the comments on our post fight
videos and going through an assortment of mail I can say
that these two letters are a good barometer of the
comments that have been made post Hopkins vs. Calzaghe.
Here we go, first a letter from
Shaun:
Fans should retire
Will, I hope that all is
well on your side. I just had to release my side of
thoughts, pertaining to a fight that was unequal in its scoring and coverage. Hopkins clearly beat Calzaghe, point blank. It baffles me that a man (Hopkins) who speaks on his inner strengths and refusing to allow a white man to beat him, beat himself by using his so-called freedom of expression. As a Black man, born and raised in Baltimore, City, I am totally keen towards Bernard's inner abilities and ambition on not wanting or allowing the system to beat you. People, I am aware that we live in a country where freedom is more within our grasp, but let us face it, as a nation and a human race, we are not equal in the eyes of the justice system, media, and last but not least, as a whole society. How can you call a man who has rebuilt his life, defeating going back to prison, or back to the inner city streets a racist, when in his mind, it was a racist world that put him there in the first place. The reason why I mention this level of discussion on this topic would be my contention that Hopkins lost the fight, once he became honest with the world. That decision was set out to keep Hopkins legacy in the middle of "solid champion" and "angry champion", titles that would delete from his great accomplishments and center him on the proper title, "a great and respected champion". How can boxing allow this sort of injustice to continue to grow into the boxing fans minds, and push boxing fans away. I think that the rude and bold decision against Hopkins will not only inspire Hopkins to retire, but some fight fans as well. Why would a fan want to see his favorite fighter train, build him mind and the fight, and be judged to lose before the opening bell. Certainly if Bernard gathers some free time to read this, he will gladly accept the notion that he did not lose to a white man, but a system, and what can you say? As long as you know that you tried your best, you will always be a champion, and not hold a in-the-ring interview and flirt with the thoughts that you slipped, when in-fact, you were knocked down. Hopkins inspire the next generation of champions and be proud of your legacy. Continue to cover a wonderful sport, Will. Shaun, New York.
And then I got this letter from
Robert:
B-Hop vs. Souper Joe
Hey Bill,
It’s been a while but I gotta comment on this whole Calzaghe/Hopkins deal. Ok, it wasn’t the fight of the century. I’ll give you that. And yes Hopkins did floor ol’ Joe with a shot in round one. After that all I saw was a bunch of holding. My opinion, and just an opinion of an old PUG, is that Joe chased him down the whole night. And granted, when he did corner him a lot wasn’t done by either of them. I was expecting Bernard to do something every time they got close, but nothing. If Joe was such a sissy, why the hell didn’t Bernard knock him out? I don’ recall Joe holding nearly as much as Bernard was. Slaps or not, he landed more shots (ok punches) than Bernard. I didn’t invent compubox, but that’s what it counted. Landed shots were in huge favor of Joe.
I think
Bernard showed he was still able to rise to the occasion
(as far as being in shape) until the latter rounds. I
think he looked great for a while. And even at 43, ol’
Joe couldn’t take him out either, but Calzaghe is the
one who was undefeated and Bernard needed to come in
there and kick his ass or he must’ve known this is what
the outcome would be. I don’t understand what all the
hoopla is all about. If your going to take the “Top
Dog’s” title, you have to take it and not hope the
judges will give it to you. It’s always been that way.
He’s from the old school and should’ve know. As far as
Calzaghe, well it wasn’t a Jeff Lacy night, but he
didn’t run either. I think he was right there and
Bernard was going to do it, that was his chance. He let
it slip away. Thanks for listening, Robert T
"People, I just want to
say, you know, can we all get along? Can we get along?" |
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