Paul's Press Ups
Boxrec correspondent Paul Foley takes on this week’s press.
Danny Caro of The Jewish Chronicle gets my vote for breaking the week’s most intriguing story. After Amir Khan’s outburst concerning racism from certain quarters of the British public before he took on Dimitriy Salita it now turns out that Salita himself was the target of anti-semitic chanting which may have cost him the fight.
Saltia said, “The chanting left me completely overwhelmed, and the experience of fighting away from home coupled with the crowd being so against me left me shocked.”
Rabbi Dovid Lewis of Newcastle United Hebrew congregation accompanied Salita from the dressing room to the ring and added his thoughts. “We were shocked at the vitriolic abuse shouted at Dimitriy. It was anti-Semitic swearing and spitting with a lot of pushing and pulling.”
I was also told by a top trainer last week of a rumour about Salita being knocked out in sparring leading up to the fight, so it’s no wonder it was over before it began.
Next time a high profile fighter is bombed out I suggest we all take a closer look at the underlining circumstances and their knock on effect.
The Times touched on a promoter who apologised for several poor opponents on his show last Friday.
Frank Maloney got into the festive spirit of goodwill by saying sorry. “It is embarrassing when foreign opposition comes in and folds so easily.”
Maloney didn’t stop there. He went on to make an early new year’s resolution. “I will not be importing opponents from Latvia any more.”
Nice gesture Frank, but if I had paid for that I think I’d far more appreciate a refund or a free ticket for another night’s action!
Yes it would hurt his pocket in the short term but he would win some life-long respect and life-long paying customers.
Considering Frank is said to be planning on running for a UKIP seat in Barking and Dagenham at the next general election, it wouldn’t do his chances of winning some votes any harm at all.
And guess who Frank’s up against? BNP leader Nick Griffin.
No doubt there will be many fans hoping Frank does slightly better than the Latvian’s.
The Guardian voiced Vitali Klitschko’s feelings on David Haye. “He is a world champion trash talker, but if he fights me or my brother he will lose.”
One of them will lose in the ring yet will both be victorious in their pockets because of Haye’s mouth, which even David’s mum agrees needs some muzzling after telling him off for his recent verbal jabs before the Valuev bout.
Yes Vitali, what Haye says doesn’t sit too comfortable with many observers. But what he says and does sells. David has mastered the art of being the champion seat filler.
When Vitali and Haye finally get it on I’m convinced Klitschko won’t be complaining about the pay-per-view figures.
I’ve heard it said talk is cheap, but this talk will help make the fight itself quite expensive for those who wish to see if Haye can walk the talk!
