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06/12/2006 Archived Entry: "Reflections on the Welliver-Van Sickle NWBA Heavyweight Title Fight"
Reflections on the Welliver-Van Sickle NWBA Heavyweight Title Fight
By Greg Beyer
Photos by Michael Beyer
Chauncey Welliver and his corner await the beginning of his bout versus Chad Van Sickle for the Vacant Northwest Heavyweight Title at the Lucky Eagle Casino in Rochester, Washington
ROCHESTER, Wash. - Seven hours is a lot of driving. For me, a former Angelino, who used to drive 30 minutes to get to either the Inglewood Forum or most often the old Olympic auditorium...seven hours is a lot of driving to get to a fight.
Boxing in Washington State is a much rarer commodity so, since I decided to emigrate here, drive it is.
Last night I made the drive with my 19-year-old son, Michael. This was to be the first live boxing card he ever attended. It could not have been a better start. He was seated next to me at press row acting as my photographer with a press pass around his neck and a meal ticket in his pocket.
Michael Beyer at a ringside table
This was the kind of start I would not dare have dreamed of for my first boxing match. Mine was Jerry Quarry-Scrap Iron Johnson, and while they were heroes to me, they were as unapproachable as my being selected to attend school at Harvard.
Mikey was cajoling with main-eventers before and after the fights.
CBZ champ Chauncey Welliver fought Chad Van Sickle for the vacant NWBA heavyweight title. They fought to a majority draw even though I had Chauncey winning 6-3-1 in rounds. Chauncey didn't get a belt last night but he did something all boxers need to concentrate more on doing; he created a new fan of the sport. Chauncey is one of the most fan friendly athletes you will ever meet. When I first approached him for a photo at ringside all he said was " Lets do it." Michael got the shot and then I introduced the two.
Chauncey shook my son’s hand and Mikey wished him luck. None of my son’s favorite NBA stars has ever been so accessible. If Chauncey never takes another step in boxing he will still be special to me. This kid gets it.
Chauncey Welliver: 'Come on, who won?'
After the tough sea-saw battle ended in a majority draw there was Chauncey "Baby Face" Welliver still in the ring, sore jaw and all, posing for photographs and recognizing my son. Holding out his arms playfully and asking Mikey, "Come on, who won?'" Mikey shouted back "you did” and a bond was formed between fighter and fan.
On the way home Michael told me that Chauncey was awesome. No higher praise could have been dealt.
I have told my son all the stories of the great fights I had witnessed in L.A. I taught him to hit a speed bag and even did a little sparring with him. All in the hope that he would recognize the courage and skill involved in being a pro fighter. Somehow Chauncey got the point across where I had failed time and time again.
Imagine your first experience at a boxing card being seated at press row, privy to all the ringside chatter between trainers, fighters, referees and judges. Great start.
Promoter Benny Georgino seems to have found the right formula for casino boxing. This was his 53rd consecutive sellout at the Lucky Eagle. This one had it all. The early whack outs that often take place in pre-lims where someone shines knocking out someone who shouldn't be in there.
The semi-main featured young lightweight Eloy Perez in a rematch with tough Caesar Olmeda. Eloy Perez, reminding me of a young Raul Rojas, throwing combinations that screamed of the potential to go a long way in a sport I am not sure he understands yet. Eloy Perez, confidently stating he is ready to go 10 after one year as a pro going 6-0.
Eloy is a gifted young boxer. If he keeps his head on straight he could be the goods. I have seen many gifted young fighters that could have been huge. I saw Danny Lopez in his first pro fight. I saw Alberto Davila and Bobby Chacon as young up and comers. They, out of hundreds, were gifted yet they learned, unlike most, what Eloy needs to know. Eloy is a knock out puncher who still needs to learn to temper his urge to meet the challenge of an on-rushing opponent head on. When rushed by Olmeda, Eloy engaged and brawled when a half step in reverse would have produced a better result.
I hope Eloy gets a few more 6-rounders under his belt before he starts taking on the grizzled veterans of the 10-rounders. Once you are in that world there is no going back to the polish a few more pre-lims can provide.
So Mikey and I are back home now. He was anxious in making sure that I still had his press pass so he could hang it on his bedroom wall. Something this sport so desperately needs--a new fan. Thanks, Chauncey. Thanks, Eloy.
Chauncey Welliver listens to feedback following his bout
Greg Beyer (left) with Chauncey Welliver prior to the night's festivities
