WeeklySA_AdminSPEED VERSUS BRAWN: The fight is and will always be remembered as one of the most controversial decisions in the history of boxing
By Sports Reporter
Thirty-six years ago, that of April 6, 1987, at the famous “Caesars Palace” hotel in Las Vegas, took place a fight is and will always be remembered as one of the most controversial decisions in the history of boxing. After such a long time, in the cordial and not so cordial discussions among friends, there are still points of disagreement.
For some, Ray Sugar undoubtedly won because he put cunning, speed, skill, intelligence, in short, over brute force, over muscle.
However, it is usually remembered that three voices, loud and recognized, such as those of the legendary former world champion of the middleweight, the Argentine Carlos Monzon (RIP) and the famous promoters Don King and Juan Carlos “Tito” Lectoure (RIP), all agreed in describing Sugar’s victory as the best “Robbery of the Century” the split decision that allowed Leonard to win the WBA, WBC middleweight title, his third title after having reigned as welterweight and junior middleweight or super welterweight (he was the first to win 5 titles, the others in super middleweight and light heavyweight), besides having been Olympic champion in Montreal in 1976 in the super lightweight or junior welterweight.
AN EPIC FIGHT
Leonard was returning to action after three years of retirement due to a retinal injury in his left eye and having fought only once before in the last five years. At the age of 30, he had an almost impeccable record, stained only by a setback against the legendary Panamanian Roberto “Hands of Stone” Duran, from whom he took revenge in the rematch.
To fight Hagler, he had to gain almost 10 kilos and for that reason people thought he would be far from being the fighter of singular speed that he was known for. He had knocked out 24 of 35 opponents, with the setback against Durán.
He was a southpaw with a killer instinct in the ring, tearing his enemies to shreds without mercy, with an aggressive style close to savagery. For that reason, the bulk of the more than 13,000 souls in the Caesars Palace Hall gave little for Leonard’s fate, with the bets widely in favor of the champion. The champion had a guaranteed purse of $13 million, plus a pay-per-view percentage, while the challenger would receive $11 million and the usual PPV percentage.
The score of the two judges who saw “Sugar” win indicates that for them he won 7 rounds (70 points) and lost 5 (45 pts.), for the 115-113. In world championship fights only exceptionally are rounds tied (10-10).
The third judge gave 7 rounds to Hagler and 5 to Leonard. Completely disenchanted and furious, Marvin went to the dressing room, between curses, and feeling mocked and cheated. A few days later he went to Italy with his Italian wife to take a walk and to ruminate on his disappointment. That legendary monster of the ring, for many the greatest middleweight world champion of all time, a prominent member of the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, never wore a truss or gloves again. He was then just 32 years old, one more than “Sugar” Ray. Thirty-four years later, on May 13, 2021, he died at his home in Bartlett, New Hampshire, of causes that remain a mystery even though it was rumored that the death had occurred from a Covid shot. Ray “Sugar” Leonard, also an immortal since 1996 and one of the best fighters in history–like his rival of 36 years ago–later made only 5 more fights.
Leonard was the first boxer to earn more than $100 million. After having been cash-strapped, today he enjoys a fortune of some $120 million. The 66-year-old native of Wilmington, North Carolina (he will be 67 in May) is still linked to boxing as an analyst and commentator and gives talks to help the new generations in high schools and universities.
WORLD ATHLETICS
TRANSGENDER BAN
‘UNSCIENTIFIC’
CONTROVERSIAL: Policy took effect on March 31 but does science support the rule?
By Sports Reporter
World Athletics (WA), the governing body for track and field and other running competitions, announced last month that transgender women who went through male puberty can no longer compete in women’s events at international competitions. The policy took effect on March 31.
WA also ruled that to compete as a woman, athletes with differences of sexual development (DSD), who have congenital conditions that cause atypical sex development, must have a testosterone level below 2.5 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) for at least 24 months before an international competition. WA said its rules prioritized fairness and “integrity of female competition.” The organization’s president, Sebastian Coe, said, “We will be guided in this by the science around physical performance and male advantage which will inevitably develop over the coming years.”
But Joanna Harper, a Ph.D. student at Loughborough University who studies transgender athletes’ performance, questions whether the WA fully considered the scientific evidence. “I was disappointed with the decision,” says Harper, who is transgender. “The idea that it was necessary to ban trans women to protect the female category seems so far-fetched.” She says the new rules discriminate against trans athletes and will likely hinder research on transgender women’s athletic performance. Is there evidence that transgender women athletes have a physiological advantage? Not according to Eric Vilain, a geneticist at the University of California, Irvine, who specializes in gender-based biology. Very little research has been published on transgender athletes, and what has been published didn’t provide enough results to create evidence-based policies, says Vilain, who does not identify as transgender. “It’s not black and white.”
For example, a 2021 review found trans women’s muscle mass remains high after transitioning, but their levels of hemoglobin—the oxygen-carrying protein in blood—were comparable to cisgender women’s. Increased levels of hemoglobin facilitate more oxygen transport to muscles when active, and men tend to have higher hemoglobin than women.
The lack of definitive data supports the rule, a WA spokesperson told ScienceInsider. “It is precisely because there is insufficient evidence to prove that the male advantage of male-to-female transgender athletes can be removed that World Athletics has made this decision,” the spokesperson said by email.
Sports: Briefs
SCHOOL SPORT A PRIORITY
Following the Motsepe Foundation’s R150 million donation for the development and growth of sport at primary and secondary schools last month, a further meeting was held on Monday (3 April 2023) to focus on implementation for School Sports. The Motsepe Foundation was present in the meeting also attended by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan and Steve Pila from Schools Committee.
The parties agreed that School Sport should be a high priority and Wednesdays should be used to play. Dr Jordaan said he was happy with the resolutions that were concluded at the gathering.
GREAT BRITAIN OUT OF IBA’S
CHAMPIONSHIPS
Great Britain Boxing will not enter a team in the IBA men’s World Championships that begin in Uzbekistan later this month. The decision comes amid continuing concerns about boxing’s future as an Olympic sport and the participation of Russian and Belarussian teams in the World Championships.
The USA and Ireland are also among the countries not to enter the men’s tournament, scheduled to run in Tashkent from April 30 to May 14. A spokesperson for GB Boxing explained: “The decision reflects ongoing concerns about the future of boxing’s place on the Olympic programme and the recent decision by IBA to allows teams of boxers from Russia and Belarus to compete under their national flags, which contravenes the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) position on the participation of athletes from these countries.
LUKAKU RACIALLY ABUSED
Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has told Serie A to “take actions for real this time” after he was racially abused during Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final draw at Juventus. Lukaku has spoken out against racism on numerous occasions in the past, stating in September 2019 – shortly after beginning his first stint at Inter, having joined from Manchester United – that the situation was getting worse, not better, after being targeted by Cagliari fans.
The Belgium forward was subjected to abuse from the stands on Tuesday evening after being shown a second yellow card for his celebrations in front of the home fans, having converted a stoppage-time penalty to earn Inter a 1-1 draw.
“History repeats… Been through it in 2019.. and 2023 again..” he posted on Instagram on Wednesday, reflecting on the 2019 alleged monkey chants by Cagliari fans which went unpunished.
LEWIS’2008 VICTORY UNDER SPOTLIGHT
Felipe Massa has sensationally revealed he is looking into legal options to overturn the result of the 2008 Formula 1 World Championship – won by Lewis Hamilton. The Brazilian driver, then racing for Ferrari, missed out on that year’s title by a single point in dramatic circumstances at the final race in Brazil as Hamilton – then driving for McLaren – claimed the point he needed on the final lap in wet conditions.
COMMENT: Chaotic Australian Grand Prix reveals the dilemma at heart of F1’s future Yet new remarks, by former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, on that year’s infamous ‘Crashgate’ scandal in Singapore has encouraged Massa to assess all his potential options as to whether the Championship result could be overturned, 15 years on. Massa, now 41, stated: “I intend to study the situation, study what the laws say and the rules. We have to have an idea of what is possible to do.”
PROTEAS MAKE IT TO TOP EIGHT
South Africa have given themselves every chance of qualifying automatically for this year’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup with a commanding 146-run victory over the Netherlands in Johannesburg on Sunday. Star batter Aiden Markram compiled a brilliant 175 from just 126 deliveries as South Africa posted an imposing total of 370/8 and the Netherlands never looked likely in reply as pacer Sisanda Magala (5/43) collected career best figures to ensure the visitors were all out for just 224 in the 40th over.
The victory ensured South Africa claimed the three-match series 2-0, but more importantly moved the Proteas past the West Indies and into the eighth and final spot on the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League standings.
The top eight teams at the end of the Super League qualify automatically for the 50-over World Cup that is scheduled to be held later this year and there were fears South Africa would miss out on a top eight finish and be forced into the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe during June and July.
Published on the 93rd Edition.
