IBR on The Cruelest Sport

“For years Erislandy Lara antagonized Saul Alvarez, slandered both Alvarez’ credentials and the business celebrating the superficial charms of a manufactured heartthrob. One pictures Lara watching the mania that follows Alvarez, flabbergasted at the idea that red hair, freckles, and a winning smile could be more endearing than the tribulations and sacrifices of a Cuban defector’s journey. Alvarez represented first and foremost a seven figure payday for Lara. But beyond that, beating Alvarez, sabotaging the bandwagon and hype-train, would strike a blow for men who gave up more than dessert to pursue their dreams. Last night, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Lara got his much coveted crack at the new idol, and squandered it, losing a split decision in a fight that lined his pocket while doing nothing to alleviate his grudge.”

Read Superficial Charms: Saul Alvarez W12 Erislandy Lara on The Cruelest Sport.

IBR on The Cruelest Sport

“But jaws dropped in awe turned to yawns as Gamboa squandered much of his early success. Last year alone, Gamboa was linked to the Biogenesis PED scandal and charged with domestic violence for striking his wife. None of this would have mattered, mind you, had Gamboa delivered between the ropes, but it has been years since Gamboa did much of that. After bailing on a fight with Brandon Rios in 2012—a fight Gamboa specifically asked for—Gamboa fought just twice in the past two years, winning dull decisions against forgettable opposition that did little but raise red flags about his ability to excel above featherweight. Desperate to regain his lost momentum, Gamboa targeted Crawford, the latest protagonist in the Top Rank/HBO narrative. Crawford, a strapping switch-hitter with good speed and power was more than willing to oblige.”

Read Storm Chasing: Terence Crawford TKO9 Yuriorkis Gamboa on The Cruelest Sport.

IBR on The Cruelest Sport

“A fight for the boxing hipsters, Russell-Lomachenko pitted a fighter who had seen his once burgeoning popularity wane enough that it was again cool to like him against an underground sensation with “the look” but not the mainstream popularity (and the inevitable backlash that accompanies it). Whoever came out on top would be “on trend” if for no other reason than having proved his merits, the hipsters could say they had recognized them all along. But this was not a symposium on fixed-gear bikes or pretentious mustaches: Russell-Lomachenko was a genuinely intriguing fight, regardless of how little attention it garnered.”

Read Grand Designs: Vasyl Lomachenko W12 Gary Russell, Jr. on The Cruelest Sport