Boxing's Night Before Christmas

By Barbara Pinnella


T’was the night before Christmas,
And this was the year
That a king was dethroned,
That many shed tears.


De La Hoya, he lost,
Well, way more than that,
Manny Pacquiao exploded,
Tough right off the bat.


“Manny can’t win,” many said,
“Oscar, he’s just too good.”
But Manny and Freddie
Just knew that he would.


After eight rounds, all over,
Pacquiao was too strong.
De La Hoya was stopped;
Manny proved them all wrong.


But more boxers are out there
And we can’t forget those,
Different rankings and weights,
All the various foes.


Margarito and Mosley, they’ll give a good fight,
Calzaghe, Nate Campbell, and Hatton, that’s right.
Let’s not forget Pavlik, Marquez, Holt or Cotto,
Or Hopkins, Mayorga, Angulo or Berto.


And young guns are out there,
They’re ready and winning,
On their way to be Champion,
This is just the beginning.


There’s Victor Ortiz,
He packs quite a punch.
And he will go far,
I just have a hunch.


For he’s more than a fighter,
He’s a classy young man.
Brings a lot to the business,
That not many can.


Daniel Jacobs is here,
Also ready to go.
A good record to date,
As a pro, 13-0.


And Danny Garcia,
Fast and quick as a cat.
Also unbeaten,
He lays them out flat.


The Contender’s back on,
For me a big deal,
Though many may say
That it’s just not real.


But it’s thanks to that show
That I now pay attention
To the blood, sweat, and tears
And without apprehension.


The skill that’s involved,
And how hard that they strive.
I see it all now,
The dedication and drive.


So with you I will watch
All those fights that excite.
Merry Christmas to all,
And to all a good night!