7/6/07 - Jim Amato WHAT WILL TITO BRING TO THE TABLE ? By Jim Amato article written 6-27-07 If...Felix Trinidad does decide to return to ring wars, how much impact will he have on the current state of the game ? He has not fought in over two years and that was a disappointing shutout loss to Winky Wright. Before that Bernard Hopkins took him to school. What makes him think he can be a factor now ? I know his return would generate a lot of dollars. Felix is very popular with the fans and deservedly so. He is a great people person and he has been a credit to the game. My question is, does he really think he can beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. ? In these last two idle years has he discovered a way to beat Hopkins or Wright ? Rumor has it that Felix is seeking a match with Roy Jones Jr. That is provided that Roy can get by Anthony Hanshaw. No easy task but if he does, will Jones-Trinidad sell ? I'd say yes. Would I favor Roy ? Yes...but, you have to look at the " chin factor ". Tito can tear your head off your shoulders with his explosive power. Roy's chin has become very, very suspect. Felix has been exposed as lacking great boxing skills. Although Roy has lost a step I can still see him giving Trinidad fits with his movement and hand speed. Nevertheless Tito has to be given a solid puncher's chance. How will Trinidad's timing be after a long layoff ? If he can't hurt Roy and get his respect, Tito is in for a long, painful night. Would I buy this fight ? Maybe, but it would have to have a decent under card. I'd top out at $ 29.95. Now though, this would be a good under card fight to a real Super Bout. There will be a definite market for this contest. 
 MIKE NIXON ; SO CLOSE BUT YET SO FAR... By Jim Amato article written 6-29-07 There may have never been a more talent rich period in the heavyweight division then from 1968 to 1978. With Muhammad Ali (a.k.a. Cassius Clay) on the sidelines due to his draft case, other big men emerged. They would compete with each other on an almost equal basis for the next decade. Joe Frazier had risen to the top of the heap but the level below him would remain as mainstays in the ratings for years to come. Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonevena, Floyd Patterson, George Chuvalo and Henry Cooper would eventually give way to Ron Lyle, Joe Bugner, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers and Jimmy Young. All time great champions like George Foreman and Larry Holmes also made their mark and Ali re-emerged to reclaim his throne. Lost among the giants of that time period was a fine heavyweight from Venezuela named Jose Luis Garcia. Although Jose never challenged for the world championship he did meet three who did. He also met three world champions in a career that never seemed to reach its full potential. Jose turned pro in his native country in 1968. He would go undefeated in his first nine bouts before losing a decision to future light-heavyweight champion Vincente Rondon. Three fights later Jose was halted by though Allen Thomas in his first U.S. appearance. The lean Garcia was beginning to grow into a full-fledged heavyweight. On July 2, 1970 Garcia scored the biggest victory of his career. In Los Angeles as a heavy underdog, Jose met unbeaten and upcoming future champion Ken Norton. Garcia’s superior hand speed and deceptive power sent Norton crashing in round eight. The huge upset of Norton landed Garcia smack in the middle of the heavyweight picture. Four months later Garcia halted used up ex-contender Thad Spencer. By now Garcia was going substantial weight. He was, by today’s standards, a cruiserweight when he beat Norton. Now he was ballooning to over 200 plus pounds. In 1971 he moved up in the ratings with wins over veterans Charlie Polite, James J. Woody, John Griffin and Alberto Lovell. Jose opened 1973 with victories over Roby Harris, Florida Al Jones and Johnny Hudgins. It all came crashing down on October 23rd, 1972 when ex-WBA champion Earnie Terrell came to Caracas. Earnie had been written off after late 60’s losses to Thad Spencer and Manuel Ramos. Against Garcia though he looked the part of a rejuvenated former champ as he pounded Garcia into submission in the sixth round. In Jose’s comeback bout seven months later Joe Alexander destroyed him in one round. Next came a crushing kayo loss to Ron Lyle. Jose put together four wins but then lost a decision to Jimmy Young. In his next bout Joe Bugner stopped him in two. Finally on August 14, 1975, Jose got a rematch with Ken Norton. At this time Norton was the top heavyweight contender. They met in St. Paul; MN and this time Kenny took all Garcia could throw at him and eventually wore Jose down in the fifth round of a tough fight. Even in defeat Garcia proved he was still world class. jimsboxing@zoominternet.net
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