Friday, May 30, 2008 Quijano: Identifying with Z By Jingo Quijano Last Round
SAM Sheridan in his book “A Fighter’s Heart” calls it an “interesting side of masculinity,” the way some boxing fans begin to identify too strongly with a particular fighter after watching too many of his fights.
They begin to know him too well (or at least they think they do), to the extent that some fans demand and expect a fighter to do certain things in the ring.
And when he doesn’t act upon those expectations and succumbs to defeat, we unfairly revel in our so-called boxing wisdom.
I’ve seen it so many times in several internet boxing forums. Me? I’m probably the worst offender of them all.
Sheridan writes: “I had watched his fights in Pride, and you can learn so much about a person by watching him fight that you feel you know him…AJ Liebling wrote about taking a friend to the fights who had never been, and within two bouts the friend was an expert, talking about what the loser should have done.
That’s an interesting side of masculinity, the way male fight fans and writers always know what a fighter should do, how he could win—expertise derived from watching fights on TV. Or a fan will say, “He’s got no heart, about a fighter who has 40 pro fights. I always think, what the _ _ _ _ do you know about heart?”
KNOWING Z? Z “The Dream” Gorres has been unfairly criticized throughout his career for his lack of punching power. Some fans are turned off by the lack of whack and opt to follow the more brutish practitioners of the sweet science.
But yet, you really can’t argue with success. His record stands at an impressive 27 -2, 15 KOs. He lost via split decision to Fernando Montiel, and was lucky to figure in a controversial draw with Vic Darchinyan, but the last time I checked, those achievements looked infinitely better than 90 percent of the boxers that we have out there.
Now comes the news that Z is trying to develop a power punch, arguably brought about by a growing clamor from most fans for him to be a more exciting fighter. By that, we usually mean a more feral approach to fighting.
But would that suit Z?
PRESS CON. During the press conference for his fight with Kenyan Nick Otieno this Saturday, I popped that question and trainer Edito Villamor explained that although they are trying to develop his punch, they are actually focusing more on his aggression.
No, they are not changing his style, Edito clarified.
I’m glad to hear that coach. I for one, think it’s too late in the day for him to start developing a power punch. Some fighters are just not born punchers.
In Z’s case, he doesn’t sit down too much on his punches because he’s thinking of defense. He’s primarily a defensive-oriented fighter and his offense flows from his uncanny ability to make the other guy miss. Z would rather smack you with four-punch combos then get out of the way, rather than land one big haymaker and absorb the counter.
But of course, the fans truly appreciate it when the fighter listens to them, when he tries to adapt and please them. And why not? In the ultimate analysis, the fans pay for the fighter’s purses. No fans, no career. It’s that simple .
So that’s how it will probably play itself out, as far as boxing goes. This strange symbiotic relationship between the beholder and doer.
To fight fans, these boxers are their heroes and so we live our life vicariously through their exploits. We adulate with them when they win. We commiserate with them when they lose.
In the end, it’s up to the trainer to strike a fine balance between preparing his boxer to fight in the most effective manner, and pleasing the fans who identify with their hero.
LAST ROUND. It’s on the pride and joy of Liman and Nice, Deshaughn Patrikjosef Borja who celebrates his birthday this week. Cheers!
