racingmeridian.com

“Let’s get this started,

An invitation to the Dance of Life,

This is Celebration”

-Veronica Louise Ciccone.

It’s fight night.

In Mordecai Richler’s “Barney’s Version” the protagonist, Barney Panofsky, uses past Montreal Canadien games as the catalyst to recall important moments in his life. I didn’t find it far fetched in the least, namely because boxing matches fulfill the same role in my life. What was I doing in 1993? Hang on, let’s type in Box Rec and pull the career record of Lennox Lewis. Bingo. On May 8^th 1993 Lennox Lewis won a twelve round decision over Tony Tucker to retain his WB-whatever Belt. I can tell you who I watched the fight with. Where. What I was doing in life, my state of mind, my outlook, everything - I smile at the thought of friendships still intact and get wistful at the memory of those who have left this mortal coil. All this keyed by the stamp a big fight burns into my memory. It’s how I spoon out the recollections of a life I have thoroughly enjoyed.

Tonight is a “stamp” night, a red hot sizzling impression on my grey matter, freezing all aspects of my life in a snapshot for future reference. The bout features two fighters who I have treasured for over five years. I have watched all their fights and conjured both exultation and dread at the thought of their impending collision. It is my first big fight at the Rail, the best bar in the world, a collection of rogues, characters and beauties I have come to savour (Lenny, the proprietor, couldn’t have been dreamt up by even the greatest fiction writer - nor could the mysterious “hidden” room downstairs which is reserved for, well, god knows what). It’s a night to recollect and thank the Web Master for creating this site (Thanks!) and cherish the Beat Poet, the MadDawg, the J Dawg and, improbably, the hip hop artist McClin who has pushed me into the strangest role of my life; rap poet.

This is all about celebrating. It’s about rejoicing in the moment. It’s about the party people, the madness, the mystery, the magic, the lament and the joy. Tonight’s for my underground soldiers and the people patrolling the edge of the night. No walking dead allowed. Bring it on baby, I’m ready for fight night…

COTTO - PACQUIAO..I started my day with the fight I have been avoiding, the Margarito-Cotto brawl. First reaction; Cotto was brutalized. His face is completely torn up and I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that Margarito’s gloves were loaded. It’s okay to vacillate before a big fight, and I’m doing my fair share of wavering. What concerns me is that Margarito was able to ram his punches through Cotto’s guard on numerous occasions. It sends a chill through your spine if you allow that tonight’s opponent is faster and smarter. Blood is going to be spilled tonight and no one is walking away with a facile win…

I am so sick of Freddie Roach and his slanderous sound bites. Cotto has run a quiet, classy and circumspect camp, neither denigrating nor belittling his opponent. Roach, on the other hand, has lead a camp that descended into “chaos” (you’ll be reading about it in great detail if Pacquiao loses tonight) and has unleashed a non-stop torrent of vitriol at Cotto, possibly as a way to mask his disgust and concern over the events transpiring in his own backyard.

George Willis of the New York Post has come out in favour of Cotto. That’s good. On Second’s Out, their crew of hacks has voted by a wide margin for Pacquiao. That’s also good. Time to carve up the sheep…

Just a note for reference sake; I picked Pacquiao to beat both De La Hoya and Hatton (I’ve noticed some picking against Manny are “serial” haters, doubtless just waiting for an inevitable setback. Not me, lads, I even scored the first Morales - Pacquiao fight for the Filipino. I’ve been a huge admirer of Pacquiao for years and would not be bothered in the least if he wins tonight. I just think he won’t). I scored the Cotto - Clottey fight for the challenger, Clottey, and am well aware of the mindset which thinks Cotto may be finished after the Margarito barbarism. I don’t necessarily think they are wrong. What Margarito did was unconscionable (he should be in jail, not ruminating on foes for a comeback four months hence) but, look, Miguel Cotto is a committed and thorough professional. The Clottey fight had “trap” written all over it as Cotto faced a low profile but superb warrior. While Clottey targeted the fight as the opportunity of a lifetime, for Cotto it was just a chance to stay busy. He showed tremendous grit and, to my way of thinking, should be in far better shape, emotionally and physically, for his chance at an historic win this evening.