THIS past week, I received a delayed reaction from one Chabu of Kasama to the article, “Where are you, Kasama businessmen?” published in this column on September 6, 2014.
In the article, I had challenged the business community there to pool resources and clear a K141,000 deficit which stands in the way of Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions’ (OQBP) exhibition tournament featuring World Boxing Council silver bantamweight champion Catherine Phiri and Tanzania’s Asaha Ndele which was scheduled for August 30 in Kasama.
OQBP operations director Chris Malunga said although his organisation had raised K15,000 out of the K156,000 required for the fight, the tournament could not go ahead due to the slow response from sponsors in Kasama.
But Chabu said in a text message: “The failure to host this tournament in Kasama could be blamed on the organisers of this tournament as there hasn’t been any awareness campaign in Northern Province and Kasama in particular concerning this tournament.
“Personally, the only time I heard about this tournament was when there was a tournament in Mongu and thereafter all was quiet until we saw this article. Put (the) blame on the organisers as they seem to be fast asleep.”
Chabu went on to compare the promotion of the recent WBC,WBA welterweight and WBA junior middleweight title fight dubbed “Mayhem II” between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Marcos Maidana, which the American won with a dominant and impressive performance over 12 rounds, handing Maidana back-to-back defeats in four months.
Which brings me to this week’s topic. In my fight preview, I had said the Argentine had promised to take the fight to the champion, but with some minor adjustments. He would try to control the distance between him and his opponent.  He promised to go to knock out Mayweather.
In their first meet, Maidana, 30, used his ugly style to unsettle Mayweather to the extent that a lesser opponent would have buckled. He tried the same pressure last week, but the pound-for-pound king had changed his approach from their first fight, contrary to his pre-fight hype.
I wrote last week that “…but I think it will be foolhardy of Maidana to believe this deceptive statement (Mayweather not changing approach).
I strongly believe that if Maidana fights clean, and not on the inside, (exactly what he did in the rematch) like he did the last time, this will suit Mayweather who is a deadly counter puncher and should be able to pot-shot his nemesis from angles and better still weather the storm if backed up on the ropes with his famed shoulder roll.”
I predicted that Maidana would be out-classed the way Miguel Cotto, Robert Guerrero and Saul Canelo Alvarez were schooled by Mayweather.” And that’s just exactly what happened, although I must admit that Maidana was ever dangerous in his few good moments.
As I watched the fight, with Maidana forcing Mayweather on the back foot at times as he winged his left hook or the right overhand, I was worried Maidana always had the proverbial puncher’s chance which always seemed looming for an upset.
Indeed, he did land a few telling shots, but Floyd has a good chin in addition to his silky skills.
Mayweather neutralised Maidana’s aggressive style by meeting his opponent in the centre of the ring and, each time he felt his back against the ropes, he quickly moved away. Maidana’s style works well with a sitting target.
The American confirmed my assertion last week that he had “an ace up his sleeve this time which could make the outcome largely different from the last one.” He won by a unanimous point’s decision this time compared to the majority decision of their first meet.
Also noteworthy is that as he promised, Mayweather was more active, with more lateral movement, more combinations and, when it became necessary, a few clinches, which are not out of order if not overdone.
I was reminded of the hit-and-clinch tactic that Evander Holyfield so effectively used to the good to defeat the then invincible Mike Tyson in their first bout in 1996.
Having made it 47-0-KO 26 in his 18 –year career, and with only two fights left on his contract with SHOWTIME Incorporated, and as many fights away from equaling Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 record, it’s getting as clear as crystal that when he retires next year as he has indicated, Mayweather could retire unbeaten.
The only two meaningful obstacles at this stage are Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao. It’s unclear if Pacquiao-Mayweather will ever happen, but Khan could be the next opponent. Even with his speed, though, I doubt Khan is the man to beat amazing Mayweather.
Comments: mwale.simon@yahoo.co.uk   0966 755574/0953744074