This can't be emphasized enough-- The boxing media controls the narrative of the sport and is the essential buffer between what happens and what we're allowed to know; It's the link between the crap pulled behind the scenes and the assurance that, no matter what, everything will be business as usual. Control the media and you control the only weapon with which fans and … [Read more...]
Pacquiao-Bradley II: The Foregone Conclusion; Magno’s Monday Rant
I find it truly offensive when experienced boxing "experts" pretend that the action in the ring is the only thing to consider when predicting a winner in a bout. Ideally, it should be like that. When the Bears and the Packers play, on-field execution and depth of talent determine the winner ninety-nine out of a hundred times. In boxing, though, the better man doesn't always … [Read more...]
Vivian Harris and the Licensing Lynch Mob
March 22, 2014, Monterrey, Mexico-- Vivian Harris dropped to his knees mid-ring at the Arena Monterrey, overcome with emotion. He had just been announced the split decision winner over Jorge Paez Jr. "Thank you, Jesus," he wept over and over again. The usually soft-spoken Harris then grabbed the ring mic to address the pro-Paez crowd. "Mexico! I love you guys! Great … [Read more...]
Heavy (S)Hits; Magno’s Monday Rant
Whether I'm writing the Rant for one more week or one more decade, the one thing that I want you to take away from this column is the fact that much of what makes boxing tick takes place far away from the ring. If at the end of this bomb-throwing ne'er-do-well's run as boxing scribe just one or two readers walk away with a critical eye and a finely-honed BS detector, I'll be … [Read more...]
Keeping them in their place; Magno’s Monday Rant
Despite a media that rocks kickin' pairs of mandals, sports fanny packs, and is as wishy-washy metrosexual as the male clientele at a Berkeley, CA GAP, there's still plenty of country boy, "keep him down on the plantation" thinking in boxing. As if by promoter-funded osmosis, the boxing media seems to have developed a hard-line stance on labor relations. Even the grandest … [Read more...]