By Matthew Hurley

Having already ranted about my disgust with Bob Arum and HBO for charging fight fans $49.95 for the Hasim Rahman–Oleg Maskaev rematch this Saturday night I’ve decided to let that previous article stand on its own rather than spending anymore time on it.  Instead I’ve taken out the mental broom and decided to clean out my cluttered boxing mind.

I’m a little surprised at all the gnashing of teeth over Vernon Forrest’s decision victory over Ike Quartey.  I had Quartey up by two points after ten rounds, and that would include the point deduction taken from Forrest for a low blow.  It’s funny how different scoring a fight can be on television rather than live.  Most ringside observers had the bout close while most who watched on television had Quartey up by three, four, even five points.  Regardless, I would definitely watch the two of them again, either against each other or any other 154 pound fighter.

I truly like Lou Dibella and I appreciate his fierce loyalty to his fighters, but his F-bomb tirade at the Forrest–Quartey post fight press conference was a little too much.  I mean, as a reporter how many times am I supposed to repeat the same damn word?  The transcript began to read like a scene from a Quentin Tarantino movie.

With the Erik Morales–Manny Pacquiao rubber match about three months away, I’m astonished at how many fans and writers are predicting a blow out for the Filipino terror.  Sure, after Manny’s second half dominance in the rematch a victory for him in the third go round seems like the safe bet, but when has Erik Morales ever been an easy fight for anyone?  His ego bruised and his fighting spirit recharged I think this is a much tougher fight to predict than people are willing to admit.  Having followed Erik’s career from the beginning, one thing I’ve learned about “El Terrible”- don’t ever write him off.

I like Kassim Ouma, his personal story is worthy of a movie script and he throws a million punches in every fight he’s in.  But somehow, I’m still not very impressed.

Here’s hoping Bernard Hopkins keeps his promise to his mother and stays retired after his brilliant dismantling of Antonio Tarver for the light heavyweight title.  It was the perfect capper on a Hall of Fame career.  Be like Marvin Hagler, Bernard.  Don’t come back.  You have nothing left to prove.

Any state that grants a boxing license to Evander Holyfield should not be allowed to participate in the next presidential election.

The above also applies to Thomas Hearns.

Any boxing fan that has not yet made the June trek to Canastota, New York for the induction ceremony at the International Boxing Hall Of Fame should put it on their calendars for next summer.  It’s an amazing three day weekend and a chance to not only rub elbows with some of boxing’s immortals but have a drink with them at Graziano’s Bar and ask any question under the sun.  Where else could you sit with Carmen Basilio, Tony Demarco, Gene Fullmer, Aaron Pryor, Sugar Ray Leonard, Alexis Arguello and good old Leon Spinks and just sling the bull? 

Floyd Mayweather may well be the most talented boxer on the planet but every time he ducks and dodges a potentially threatening opponent his prime years continue to slip away.  Make your move now Floyd and fight Antonio Margarito and shut all the naysayers up.  Whether you like it or not, Oscar De La Hoya doesn’t need you.  He’s in the position of being able to do whatever he wants, not you.  And the longer you sit on the fence the more tarnished your image becomes.

I don’t know just how good Ireland’s John Duddy will become but he’s exciting and he brings in the crowd.  Boxing has always been an ethnic sport and an Irish slugger in the middleweight division who is based in New York is good for the game.

I don’t know if Antonio Tarver is all done, but the reinvigorated Glen Johnson takes him out before the final bell should they fight again.

If Roy Jones wants to fight fringe contenders on pay-per-view for the next five years more power to him.  But I won’t be watching.

Rocky Juarez finishes what he started in May and beats Marco Antonio Barrera in their September rematch.

And finally, a tip of the hat and a proud pump of the fist to Arturo Gatti and Fernando Vargas.  The two fan favorites went out on their shields and you know that neither gallant warrior would have wanted it any other way.