By Dave Wilcox

I am a heavyweight junkie whose addiction has been tested over the past few years. The heavyweight division has not only been lacking in talent, but also lacking in excitement.

Watching fat middleweights who are called heavyweight saviors has not built my confidence in the division. Nor has seeing guys grab title belts that look as if they would be more comfortable taking a seat next to the bearded lady or jamming into a VW bug with 20 other clowns.

Time and time again, in spite of my displeasure, I always go running back to the Pay-Per View channel to take my lumps and insure that the lovely and talented Deborah Wilcox will give me grief for ordering yet another $50.00 fight.

There is a Heavyweight tassel in Cardiff, Wales this weekend that actually intrigues me quite abit. Tyson killer Danny Williams is taking on Matt Skelton in a rematch of their bout from last February for the Commonwealth Heavyweight Title.

In their first encounter, Danny Williams pulled out a split decision victory in an un-inspiring affair. I guess the question should be asked, why the heck am I excited about it? In part it would be the drama of two big guys trading blows for British bragging rights.

There is something about Nationality that brings out excitement in any sporting event. What else could explain the rabid love of The World Cup Soccer? That sport is almost impossible for me to watch and I make it a point not to. Everywhere else in the world, Soccer is like religion. Don’t you dare and try to convince an Englishman or Hispanic that Soccer is boring.

Save yourself the trouble of asking for an explanation on why the clock ticks up or why players roll on the grass in agony as if they are near death, only to bounce up like Aztec Warriors as soon as a colored card of some sort is flashed. I’ve tried many times to stomach the reasoning from Soccer homers, only to be left more confused than when I started. All I know is Soccer gives me a strong craving for Capri-Sun and Orange slices. I can’t explain it.

Sorry for the digression, back to the topic of Danny Williams taking on British favorite Matt Skelton. Danny Williams is a known commodity in the United States due to his destruction of Mike Tyson and his title challenge of former champ Vitali Klitschko. He would be the guy who would be recognizable to the casual Yankee. Matt Skelton on the other hand is a very interesting guy. He got a late start in Boxing only has 20 pro fights at his advanced age of 39 years. In this day and age of Heavyweight boxing, he is but a pup.

The frenzy surrounding Skelton in England reminds me of the same frenzy that followed former Alphabet Champion Frank Bruno, who was a tremendous fighter in the 80’s and 90’s. He always put on a good show and always brought excitement to any bout. Although he came up short against Tim Witherspoon and Mike Tyson in Title challenges, he did finally manage to secure a belt in 1995 with his decision win over Oliver McCall for the WBC strap. He lost it to Tyson in a rematch his first title defense and retired soon after.

Maybe I see some of Frank Bruno in Matt Skelton. All I know is that the Heavyweight division needs some life and I think Skelton could be the guy. Do I think he is the next great champ? Of course I don’t, but in this pathetic era, you don’t have top be great, you just have to be there. The talk is that the winner of this Williams-Skelton bout will be next in line for a title shot against “Big-Top” Valuev.  That sounds like a good idea to me.

Since my American hopefuls are not filling me with confidence, I think I’ll hop on the British bandwagon and root for my new mates to put some life in the division.

Having said all that, I can only root, because this fight is not available in the states. Instead I’ll have to suffer through a Cory Spinks fight on Showtime. Those are always real exciting. I do however like Uncle Mike. Anyways, I can’t understand why a big fight like this is not available in the states. Yes I said it, it is a big fight and I’m very upset I can’t see it. Maybe one of my mates will send me a copy.

Random thoughts

-The fight itself: I see Williams with a technical advantage, but in the end I’m going with Matt Skelton to pull out a close decision. Williams has a tendency to come to the ring out of shape and unfocused. I believe that will be his downfall.

-Shane Mosey vs. Vargas II: Is this really necessary? Outside of Los Angeles does anyone really care? It will be another one-sided boxing match in favor of Mosley. And no, Vargas was not gaining momentum in the first bout. Sugar Shane would have continued his boxing and won an easy decision.

-Rahman-Maskaev: Come on Rock!!!  We can’t have all Soviet champs. Or is that French? I’m confused

Cheers!! And keep punching

utbdave@earthlink.net