Thursday, February 16th, 2012...12:42 pm
Vitali Labours in Obscurity; New Favourite for the Stanley Cup
PONIES…2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom makes his highly anticipated four year old debut Saturday at Gulfstream in an allowance race. His connections had previously targeted a minor stakes at Tampa. The venture this weekend is designed to prep the animal for a visit to Dubai at the end of March…
…Kentucky Derby prospect Empire Way is a full brother to last year’s filly sensation Royal Delta. The son of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Way should become a force on the West Coast as the preps begin to increase in distance…
PUG LIFE…does anyone on this side of the ocean realize that Vitali Klitschko is fighting on Saturday night? He’s fighting, I think, an obese British pub owner but, nonetheless, the man who deserves to be recognized as the finest heavyweight of his generation is plying his trade and in North America there is utter indifference.
On April 1st, 2000, Vitali was comfortably ahead of Chris Byrd when he suddenly quit. A torn rotator cuff was the culprit but a disbelieving American audience has likely never forgiven Vitali for walking out of a fight he would have won comfortably, even if only employing one hand.
On June 21st, 2003, Vitali was accepted as a late substitute and fought Lennox Lewis for the title. It’s the last great heavyweight fight, with Vitali showing appalling guts and initiative while taking Lennox to the brink. The fight was stopped after six rounds with Vitali sporting what is generally regarded as the worst cut in title history. Shamefully, the overrated Lewis never gave Vitali a rematch, a terrible breach of Championship etiquette.
Vitali is unbeaten in the years since the Lewis fight. The stigma of the Byrd fight should have been long since removed. He has divided the meager scraps of the division with his younger brother, Vladimir, and never received the kind of challenger that would let him build his case for greatness.
Questions surround the Klitschko’s. How extensive was/is their steroid use? How good were they? Why did they not actively attempt to penetrate the American market? Are they responsible for the decline of the division? Have they been good or bad for boxing? Why have Americans not warmed to the story of two brothers ruling the division? Will they ever fight each other?
I’ll make an effort to watch Saturdays fight, if only to pay tribute to a past, my past, where a Heavyweight title fight was an event never to be missed…
TURN LEFT…the upcoming NASCAR season is sure to be a classic. The staggering American economy has lead to a cull and the remaining cars promise to be ultra-competitive and cutthroat (I hope Danica knows what is in store). Jimmie Johnson, at 4-1, is the favourite to regain the title ripped from his paws last year by Tony Stewart (8-1). Carl Edwards, the narrowest of runner-ups last year, is the clear second choice at 6-1. I’d look deeper on the page, down to the formidable Kasey Kahne, at 10-1. The “lights-out” driver has moved to Hendricks and, unlike Junior, figures to take his role and responsibilities seriously. I expect a massive turnaround in his fortunes as Kahne is finally given an opportunity to flaunt his talent…
ICE…guess who’s back? Or did they ever leave…The new favourite for the Stanley Cup is none other than your Detroit Red Wings, at a skimpy +375. Also taking money are the Bruins and Rangers, both at +455, and the Vancouver Canucks at +475. Any other team can be purchased at a square price as odds makers increasingly view the top four as certain to produce this years Cup winner…Chicago, mired in a terrible slump, has drifted to a surprising 32 to 1…every wiseguy seems to have a few bucks stuffed on the New Jersey Devils, a clear overlay at 24 to 1…
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