It’s called the Texas 4-Step. First the judges are aligned for a predetermined verdict if the bout goes to a decision. 2nd, without prior knowledge of the Trout Team, the under cover of the ring was changed to thick foam to slow down the boxer Trout’s movement and or retreating to angles quickly. Third, It was a hard-core Chicano San Antonio Audience who have no respect for the American Flag or National Anthem that was intimidating…not to Trout but to the judges. Too bad they don’t get all the American goodies by first having to be drafted (Like my generation) into the Armed Services. Look at the olden times when men like Manny Ortega and other immigrants fought for this country and gave their respects just like my ancestors and even me, Semper fi.
Bill Knight confirmed same as he was there and told me the fans were ugly. And fourth is the worst of all. Since some goons in control of boxing decided to weigh in the day before the fight instead of fight day, all kinds of legal ‘chicanery’ and illegal steps have been taken by the nefarious ones to gain a supreme advantage over the innocent or those with little clout.
CASE IN POINT. Trout and Alvarez weighed in around 154 pounds as Light Middleweights. But as soon as that was over, Alvarez is on the juice. Of course to make weight he had to take diuretics. He is a light heavyweight before the diuretics. Then the IV’s begin to replace what the diuretics took away. Some boxers even get a good shot of adrenalin and some blood-doping (Texas is so lax..for a reason). Later, some B-12 and other fluids are pumped in along with some heavy protein and glucose. After a good meal of protein and vitamins, a little more adrenalin and later a pinch of a stimulant(possible) before fight time mixed with a slight dose of pain killer liquids on the stomach and hands and perhaps some internally makes for a surprising finish in less than 24 hours. Really? Yes indeed, Canelo entered the ring at a reported 172 pounds. Trout, like Mayweather, is thin and cut. They can’t soup up their bodies, they are ectomorph’s while Canelo is a mesomorph. And there you have the Texas 4-Step. Trout was knocked down for the first time in his career. Uh oh, but not by a light middleweight…rather a light heavyweight.
Bill Knight and half of the boxing websites I have visited and sites of many former world champions still gave Trout a 115-113 victory and co - incidentally, so did I. Hey, what courage and stamina Austin displayed after the knockdown. All he did was dominate the next 2 ½ minutes of the round. He set the pace for eight of the twelve rounds and he landed many more punches than Alvarez (the giant). He easily took the 12th round to secure a victory that wasn’t about to come because of the ‘bought and paid for judges’ and the sinister circumstances. An aside note: From my viewpoint, that crowd might have caused a shameful riot and massive destruction if Trout even came close to getting the judges nod. Better safe than sorry for the judges might have also been a secondary reason for their sway away from Trout. And Shame on De LaHoya and his greed with his new ‘Cash Cow.”
The ‘Open Scoring?’ Makes me sicker than my chemotherapy.
Mayweather will not fight Canelo because Mayweather can’t even get over 149 pounds when he is not seriously training. Besides, his camp says that Canelo should be fighting Julio Caeser Chavez Jr. or some other light heavyweight. Just “Why” they say “Would Mayweather give Canelo a weight advantage over twenty pounds?” Go figure Frankie. Alkie Nicholson, in one dumb move, ruined Many Ortega’s father from the opportunity to be a world champion. Manny was on a win streak and being looked at as a serious contender. But a so-called promoter in San Antonio convinced Alkie to put Manny against a middleweight in the Alamo City just for a fitness fight. Right, just why do we have weight divisions? Because a fit and experienced boxer is lethal with his guns and conditioning and rarely can one give up one or two or three weight divisions, as in the Sr. Ortega’s case, and expect to be successful. One can be hurt seriously in such a one-sided scenario and that is exactly what happened. Manny at 126 pounds? I liked Alkie but that was stupid and nonsensical.
Alex Guerrero was with Manny in San Antonio and was baffled by the fact that 126 pound Manny was matched in such a wicked manner. It was worse than that. Manny was beaten to a pulp but refused to quit and went the distance. When they drove back to El Paso, Alex said that Manny refused to go to the hospital even though he was brutally beaten inside and outside of his body. Even though he gave some outstanding performances later in his career. He just never could get to the peak he was climbing before the serious beating he took in San Antonio.
Strange, As I write this, Alex’s sister, Maria Abernethy, just e mailed me and she too watched the fight with her husband and scored the fight for Trout. Interesting. Also, former world champion, Eddie Chambers, is furious over the judging as are so many experts. But don’t mess with ‘T E X A S.’
Okay, Oscar and Texas have done it well to ensure the ‘Cash Cow’ will make a few more millions for the team and Canelo. But to call out Mayweather may be just the wrong step. Unless boxing quickly goes back to having weigh in’s on fight day and being fair all around (at least 90%) on selection of judges, ref’s, ring conditions, fair money distribution, drug testing and elimination of pain killers, etc., they will surely watch the continuing Exodus of young people to MMA; and wonder why.
Oh, even Mayweather has fragile hands and uses liquid painkillers on them.
Though a few are enjoying the immediate ‘Cash Windfall’ many more will soon say “Adios” to boxing and the cash flow will slow to a snail’s pace. And MMA will address their shortfalls that turn folks away from the contestants and build up a world-wide base in the next decade or two that will stun the boxing world…unless??????????????????
Congrats to Austin Trout. He overcame huge obstacles to hang tough with the light heavyweight Canelo Alvarez and though his belt is now gone he is still the Champ and deservedly so. He did his part and let the chips fall where they may. He is clamoring for a rematch but I say, “Only if the weights can be even, the money even, a proper ring, reliable judges, and…What Happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.’’
Thomas McKay
www.convictedartist.com