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05/20/2004 Archived Entry: "A Glimpse Into Boxing’s Future?"
A Glimpse Into Boxing’s Future? Simonyan, Battery, Ramos and Kopytko Bear Witness to Changes in Boxing
By Juan C. Ayllon
There is a profound sea change sweeping the sport of boxing these days. Even as critics in the International community decry America’s brand of diplomacy, their compatriots usurp America’s hold on the sport at its upper echelons.
Within the boundaries of America’s shores, it has long been observed that one could get a feel for the racial and ethnic landscape in the sport of boxing by observing those peopling the ranks of its immigrants, its hungry and disenfranchised. As Rocky Graziano once said, “Boxing is a tough racket.” Heavyweight immortal, Jack Dempsey put it more directly, telling Chicagoan Max Marek—who owned an amateur victory over great Heavyweight champ, Joe Louis—to get out of boxing lest his “…brains [get] scrambled.”
Clearly, there are easier ways to make a living. As a result, the burden of shouldering boxing’s unseemly weight has fallen largely upon those struggling to rise from the depths of the lower social classes. The history of boxing has ebbed and flowed with successive waves of Irish, Italian, Jewish, African American and Mexican boxers cycling through the sport.
Rumor has it that the next major wave will be a mixture of Old and New Worlds, with a potpourri of boxers from Europe and Third World nations. Recent box office hits featuring such luminaries as Vitali Klitschko, Manny Pacquio, Juan Manuel Marquez and Marco Antonio Barrera suggest as much.
This Friday night, a three way collaborative effort between Hitz Boxing Promotions, Art Pelullos Banner Promotions and ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights will present further evidence of this phenomenon. They will showcase rising stars Art Simonyan (Armenian), Fasan 3K Battery (from Thailand), Juliano Ramos (Brazil) and Vitaliy "The Doctor" Kopytko (Ukrainian).
Hailing from Glendale, California, Art Simonyan (13-0-1, 7 KO’s) takes on Fasan 3K Battery, AKA Narongrit Pirang (18-0, 18 KO’s) for the number one status and a mandatory shot at the IBF World Featherweight Title. As such, Simonyan packs a pretty hefty resume. Winner of the USBA Junior Featherweight Title this last July, three time National amateur champion of Armenia, U.S.S.R. champion and winner of the European Cup, Simonyan looks to make a big move this year.
However, Fasan is no slouch either. Rated eighth in the world by the IBF, he brings an incredible 100% knockout ratio into this bout. A native of Thailand, Fasan will be fighting for his first time in the U.S.From the New World, exciting bomber Juliano Ramos (13-0, 11 KO’s), a transplanted Brazilian now living in Corpus Christi, Texas, will showcase his punching prowess versus an opponent to be announced. Then, there will be Vitaliy "The Doctor" Kopytko (23-6, 9 KO’s) representing the Old World. A hit with Chicago’s large Ukrainian population, Vitaliy has electrified crowds in previous performances and will fight an eight round super middleweight bout this Friday against an opponent yet to be disclosed.
Rounding out the multicultural card, heavyweights Malachy Farrell (1-0, 1 KO) will fight a four round heavyweight bout and Guiseppe Kidd will fight a four round debut bout against undisclosed opponents.Yes, there is electricity about the air. Whatever the outcome, make no mistake about it: change is coming and, with it, excitement and thrills for all.
The Hitz Boxing Promotions & Art Pelullos Banner Promotions extravaganza will take place Friday night, May 21, 2004, at the Belvedere, located at 1170 West Devon Avenue in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. Doors open at 7:00 P.M., first fight at 8:00 P.M. Central Time. All bouts are subject to change without notice.
Replies: 1 Comment made on this article
Nice article and a good job pointing out the current melting pot boxing is.
I just hope, from a fan's perspective, that Art Simoyan is not a part of the landscape. His safety first style is the antithesis of the exciting "little men." When I think of excitement & the future of boxing, I think of the aforementioned Pacquio, JM Marquez, Paule Ayala, MA Barera and Mi Vida Loca - Johnny Tapia. All 5 would destroy Simoyan.
The Chicago scene is dominated by Latin fighters. Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count cards are exclusively Latin flavored. With Mexican prospects David Diaz & "Speedy" Gonzales and popular Puerto Rican fan favorite Macho Hernandez showing the best potential. And let's not forget Luciano Perez and his Manos de Piedre. These guys have sold out the DePaul Athletic Center (3,500 +) on more than one occassion.
I can't count Kopytko as a threat. His performance 2 fights ago where he intentionally fouled out (quit) was a disgrace.
If Angel Hernandez can get himself a trainer and a good promoter, he'll always be a title threat. His exciting style is a fan & TV favorite. This guy has never been in a boring fight.
Additionally, I hope what we've been seeing on ESPN is going to change. Mediocre boxers in boring fights can't be good for the future of boxing. The current scandal at ESPN that marked the departure of Bob Yalen (thank God!) is definatly a step in the right direction. How many more appearances by Mike Stewart and other Russell Putz fighters are we going to be subjected to? Rumor has it that boxing is DONE for for good at ESPN in September. If so, you can thank sleaze like Russell Putz & Yalen for it's demise.
I'd love to read a story about ESPN2 and their current situation.
Posted by Boxing Fan @ 05/23/2004 12:42 PM EST
