Tuesday, May 13, 2008 Quijano: Time to check out By Jingo Quijano Last Round
WITH Oscar’s imminent retirement, this writer is of the opinion that several of his contemporaries should be taking the Golden Boy’s lead and consider riding out into the sunset.
For different reasons, and maybe not immediately for some but nonetheless they should also be thinking retirement in the same manner that Oscar is—fixing a definite timeline and deadline.
The sport also needs an infusion of new blood, and meritocracy will be given its due course if these holdovers move on and allow the young brood to ascend, as they rightfully should.
Five to 10 years ago, these guys were on everybody’s pound-for-pound list. But right now, they should be hitching a ride on Oscar’s exit bus.
1.) Shane Mosley—Oscar’s best buddy is a bit older than him and clearly has lost a step or two. Moreover, Shane is in a difficult position as far as the rankings in his current weight division are concerned.
Shane will be turning 37 this year, and so he can only fight the biggest names out there as there’s no point in fighting up-and-coming prospects eager to make their names off him. Victories over them don’t prove anything and it’s a risky proposition for him.
The three biggest names right now in the 147 to 154 pound range are Oscar, Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Cotto already defeated him and he can’t fight Oscar. And so Floyd is the only option left.
Problem is, Floyd isn’t interested in fighting him. “Money” Mayweather is only interested in making more money by fighting wrestlers such as the “Big Show” or the big kahuna in boxing, Oscar de la Hoya.
To make matters worse, Shane’s scheduled bout with Zab Judah on May 31 fell through after the latter suffered an injury. There aren’t many options left for the “Sugar” man and time isn’t on his side.
2.) Bernard Hopkins. The Executioner doesn’t fight for the full 12 rounds anymore and even then, only for a few minutes in each round.
Maybe one last farewell fight Bernard, so you can properly say goodbye to all the fans. See you at the Hall of Fame
3.) Zab Judah—Yup, he’s still relatively young (30 years old), but he’s 2-3 with 1 no contest in his last five fights. But what was more telling is that he was 0-3 against top opposition.
The loss to Carlos Baldomir suggested that he may never grow into his potential. But subsequent losses to Mayweather and Cotto confirmed that he doesn’t have what it takes to beat top-tier fighters. The problem for “Super” Judah is that his weight division right now is filled with them.
What’s he going to do? Move up to middleweight? I don’t see it happening.
4.) Fernando Vargas—Oh yeah, I forgot he already announced his retirement. Let’s hope macho Fernando sticks to his word.
5.) Felix Trinidad—Tito was last seen plodding around the ring trying to catch up with another future retiree Roy Jones Jr.
The problem was that Jones was older than him and was beating the living crap out of him. Go figure!
6.) Roy Jones Jr.—There’s a very fine line between glorious victory and dark tragedy, and with each fight Roy Jones tenuously walks that line. He probably is still fast enough to beat a handful of light heavyweights out there, but the decline is apparent.
For health reason, Jones should hang up the gloves very soon, and call it a career.
7.) Evander Holyfield—In legal parlance, the Real Deal is “Res Ipsa Loquitor” meaning “the thing speaks for itself”.
LAST ROUND. It’s on my curly-haired baby girl who likes to watch me box—Jenya Mary Louise Navarro-Quijano who turned three yesterday. Happy Birthday baby. Cheers!
