Lost behind a horrid NBA Finals and baseball Interleague play marred by "corkgate" two weekends ago, two warriors stepped in the boxing ring on Saturday with one thing on the line: pride. Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward personified courage in a way that was visually moving, embracing each other before the final round in admiration of the other's will. The final 10 rounds of this 30-round trilogy were as beautiful and grotesque as the first 20. Unfortunately, only true fight fans watched Gatti's victory by decision in what was the sport's finest showcase.
The majority of the public sees the world of boxing as the train wreck that is Mike Tyson and a heavyweight division that is so atrocious that Roy Jones Jr., a true cruiserweight, is the only attraction. Lennox Lewis, a skilled and ignored heavyweight champion, will face No. 1 contender Vitali Klitschko this weekend in a fight that could finally provide boxing with something other than a freak show.
If boxing is to ever become popular again, the heavyweight division must become entertaining. This fight represents an opportunity to reach the casual boxing fan as a non pay-per-view heavyweight championship bout. Now it's up to the fighters to make it memorable.
Reach the reporter at mschube@yahoo.com.
