The event would take place on Christmas Day at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. I’d fly in early Christmas Eve for the weigh-in where the stare down between Mike Tyson and Rocky Marciano would be eerie. The crowd would make Mayweather-Hatton’s weigh-in look like a backyard cookout. Mexican flags would dominate the backdrop with Puerto Rican and Panamanian flags sprinkled throughout the crowd. Chants of “Chavez, Chavez” would cause Roberto Duran to shout obscenities at the obnoxious fans while "Sugar" Shane Mosley’s devious smile would belittle "Pretty Boy" Floyd. It would be mayhem! The type of weigh-in that was so spectacular, it could only be seen on pay-per-view.
Prior to the card, I’d have dinner at Battista’s Hole in the Wall accompanied by Bert Sugar, Al Bernstein and Dan Rafael. We’d discuss each fight in detail, only to disagree on our final predictions.
When I’d walk into the MGM Grand escorted by the gorgeous Minka Kelly, the atmosphere would be scintillating. The arena would be electric… DJ Premier in the center of the ring warming up the crowd playing hip-hop’s finest… Movie stars, singers, personalities everywhere… I’d take my seat with Jack Nicholson to my left and Charles Barkley to Minka’s right. Nothing could beat my viewpoint of the ring. HBO would broadcast this amazing card with the likes of Jim Lampley, Emmanuel Steward and Max Kellerman. Joe Cortez would ref every match and Michael Buffer would announce every fight like it was the main event. This is the preface of my one wish… my one dream.
THE ULTIMATE NIGHT OF BOXING
Ultimate Featherweight Championship
Salvador Sanchez vs. Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao
Fresh off his 15th round TKO of Azumah Nelson, Salvador Sanchez would come into the ring against Manny Pacquiao an overwhelming favorite. Chants of “Me-hee-co, Me-hee-co” would reach decibel levels unheard of. Once the bell rang, Manny would utilize his agile footwork to create odd angles to land his vintage straight left. His hand speed and footwork would confuse the Mexican superstar. The beginning of the fight would belong to Manny with Salvador’s moments coming few and far between. In round 6, and over-aggressive Manny would get countered by a beautiful right hand, landing him on the both knees. Cortez would get to an eight count before Manny rose up. The round would end with both men on their feet, but momentum clearly swinging in Salvador’s direction. They’d battle back and forth… Manny’s one-two… Salvador’s counter right and left hook to the body… it would be the ultimate battle of attrition. By round ten, Manny would slow down just enough for Sanchez to land a barrage of punches forcing referee Joe Cortez to stop the fight! The crowd would erupt!! Sanchez would run to the ring post closest to me with his arms in air, thanking God for this one last opportunity to prove he’s the best featherweight in boxing history.
Ultimate Lightweight Championship
“Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. “Sugar” Shane Mosley
I’ve always dreamt of what a Mosley-Mayweather Jr. matchup would look like with both fighters in their prime. Sugar would be a slight favorite upon announcement of the fight, but the thought of Mayweather Jr. losing would have sports books in Vegas having no choice but to declare the fight a pick-em. From the moment the clock began to tick in round one, it would be evident that we were seeing something we’ve never seen before. The amount of hand speed administered in the ring would be blinding. Mosley’s jab-jab-right would keep Mayweather Jr. at a distance while Floyd studied his opponent for the first two rounds. In round three, Mosley would connect with a flush right hand, too quick for Floyd to incorporate the infamous shoulder roll, and wobble the young champ. Mosley would press and go for the finish but Floyd’s superior footwork and athleticism would allow him to escape near tragedy in the ring. The crowd would be in a frenzy!! The next round would change the course of boxing forever. The young Floyd Mayweather Jr. would come out in round four with something to prove. He’d control the first half of the round sticking Shane with his jab and opening up lanes for his quick combinations. Shane would look for opportunities to counter, but Floyd would be too slick. A flustered Mosley would throw out the countering strategy and box with Floyd. Jab with his jab.. match Floyd punch for punch. A flurry of hand speed would explode in the middle of the ring only to finish with a beautiful left hook ending what would forever be known as “the hook that changed boxing”. There would be no need for referee Joe Cortez to count as the recipient of this beautiful left hook would lie face down on the MGM branded canvas. The face of boxing for coming years would only be known by his moniker…. Sugar.
Ultimate Jr. Welterweight Championship
Julio Cesar Chavez vs. Roberto Duran
If I had to choose only one fight, this would be it. This would be the ultimate battle of will, heart, strength and determination. It’s the type of fight that would be so action packed, you wouldn’t wanna blink! Duran would start off fast! Slipping punches and countering everything Chavez brought his way. Julio would absorb Duran’s punches while working to land his patented left hook to the body. Rounds would pass and each fighter would lose just a little bit more with each passing moment. The fight wouldn’t end their careers, but each fighter would never be the same. There’d be no knockdowns and each round would be incredibly tough to score. Duran’s face would look unscathed but his gasping for air would suggest that his body had gone through war. Chavez’s face would wear a mask of blood with a grimace so rugged, the doctor wouldn’t have the guts to call a halt to the bout. It would be a man’s fight. At the end of round eleven, both men would collapse on their stools, pleading with their corner not to stop the fight. I’d sit there wishing the fight was over because my respect for both fighters is so high, I’d want them to fight another day. Luckily, Chavez’s corner would throw in the towel to the dismay of the beaten Mexican superstar. It’d be a fight so tumultuous, the entire crowd would need an hour intermission to recover from the brutality. Hands of Stone vs. El Cesar del Boxeo… doesn’t get much better than that.
Ultimate Jr. Middleweight Championship
Thomas “Hitman” Hearns vs. Felix “Tito” Trinidad
I love boxing more than any other sport. No sport is more emotionally taxing than the sweet science. My favorite fighter of all-time is Felix “Tito” Trindidad. To get the opportunity to see him fight Thomas “Hitman” Hearns would be boxing entertainment at its finest. The amount of tension in the crowd was so thick, it would look like the fighters were walking in slow motion to the ring. Thoughts of Hagler-Hearns would run through everyone’s mind. We would all know that this fight wouldn’t last more than three rounds, but the action would be enough for three fights combined. Chills would capture my body from head to toe. The bell would ring and I’d be shaking. There’d be no feeling out process, this was war. Hearns would stick Tito with his stiff jab with the pure intention of opening up a lane for his devastating machine-gun like right hand. Tito would eat the jab but fire his off his own version. Tito’s sole intention would be counter his right hand with his award-winning left hook. By the middle of round one, Hearns right hand would create an opening and pull the trigger. No counter, just an explosion of power. Tito’s body would stumble forward as if he was shot by a sniper. In round one?! The crowd would react with a shock! What a right hand!! The same right hand that saw Roberto Duran collapse face first on the canvas! But Tito would rise before Joe Cortez’s ten count. He’d escape the round. Tito’s father, his trainer, would slap him on both sides of his face, pleading with his son to let his hands go. Round two would begin and Tito would be a different animal. Hearns would come out intent on ending the fight, but Tito would share the same intentions. Hearns would unload another vicious right hand at the same time as Tito, but Tito’s landed first with a demoralizing left hook to follow. Hearns wouldn’t know what hit him. He’d crumble to the canvas, only to attempt to rise too quick and fall across his body like a dizzy child. Hearns would make one more attempt to pull himself up, only to rise a second later than Joe Cortez’s ten count. It would be over and the crowd would explode!! Everyone in the arena would look at each other in awe of what they just witnessed. Power… pure power. In the end, while Hearns right hand was the greatest of our era, “Tito” Trinidad possessed lightning in both hands.
Ultimate Heavyweight Championship
“Iron” Mike Tyson vs. Rocky Marciano
What better way to end my ultimate fantasy boxing card then to have toughest man in the sport face the baddest man on the planet! Both fighters would enter the ring to nothing but crowd noise. No entry music. No announcers. Marciano would enter in his old school satin robe and Tyson in his famous white towel, black trunks and black shoes. The fight would end in a knockout, that was inevitable… the question was “who?”… The stare-down in the middle of the ring would be that of a chase scene in a horror movie. We all would know what was about to happen… mayhem in the form of organized boxing. There’s no need to go into the specifics of this fantasy fight. We all know what both fighters are about and that’s hitting with bad intentions. Tyson would knockout Rocky Marciano, giving him his first loss and appeasing his mentor Cus D’amato. The hype, weigh-in and post-fight interviews would all be longer than the fight itself. Either way, the crowd would walk away satisfied.
If only I could play God for one night... The power to create my own fantasy fight card would be heaven for me. My life would be complete! Well, almost complete… is it too much to ask for a Cleveland Browns Super Bowl Victory?
