Columnist Dean Juipe: Critics find heavyweights easy target

Dean Juipe

Wednesday, April 21, 2004 | 9:59 a.m.

Dean Juipe's column appears Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. His boxing notebook appears Thursday. Reach him at juipe@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4084.

Awash in a sea of negativity, many boxing writers, broadcasters and fans are unable to see past the heavyweight division's shortcomings to realize the caliber of the fighters is no worse than it has been for at least 26 years -- or since Muhammad Ali was champion.

For all the complaints directed toward current champions Chris Byrd and John Ruiz and their many suitors, the heavyweight division hasn't changed much since Ali was beaten by Leon Spinks in 1978. Mike Tyson provided a temporary rejuvenation, but even during his reign(s) the critics sniped at the lack of competition.

If the division is suffering through an inferiority complex, it's the result of having had an era (in the early to mid-1970s) that seems overwhelming in comparison. For a few memorable years the heavyweights attracted an incredible wealth of attention on the strength of having Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman as its catalysts.

That group also had an unusually talented group of "foils" in the likes of Ken Norton, Jimmy Ellis, Earnie Shavers, Ron Lyle and Jimmy Young. Any of those men might seem like superstars if they were fighting today.

But they're not. And people -- including those in the media who help shape public opinion -- need to either adjust or quit caring that the golden age of heavyweights is gone and a new one isn't on the horizon.

To chronically complain, as many in the media do, is self-defeating and lacks compassion for the men who currently sit atop the division or who recently ruled. Lennox Lewis, for instance, was unduly categorized as dull or underachieving even though he was a very skilled fighter who met every challenge.

Ruiz and Byrd are bearing the brunt of the critical remarks these days, Ruiz for his clutch-and-grab style and Byrd for being terminally elusive. Granted, Ruiz can test the fans' patience, but Byrd, for one, is making a conscious effort to shake off his image as a slick, punch-and-get-out light heavyweight who is masquerading in the sport's most elite division.

He came out Saturday in New York and made it a point to stand toe to toe with Andrew Golota in a fight that was scored a draw. Byrd's willingness to fight not only rescued the card and broke the pattern of boos that had been cascading from the audience, it showed real character and heart.

Yet some who were there couldn't resist wondering aloud or in print if Tyson, who was sitting ringside, might resurface as a savior. But I have my doubts whether Tyson could defeat Ruiz or Byrd, were they to fight anytime soon.

Granted, the heavyweights are just dismal enough that ancient warrior Evander Holyfield continues to hang around and may land a title fight in spite of losing four of his past six bouts. And the lack of new blood -- there really isn't a young, viable active contender in the mix -- only accentuates the negatives.

But this has been the division's fate and standing for many years, or since Ali, Frazier and Foreman were trading punches. Successors such as Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe and Lewis endured years of verbal abuse despite their best efforts.

I accept the heavyweights' warts and flaws with a minimum of exasperation and wish everyone else would as well. The division is what it is: Big men inclined to fight carefully with so much money at stake.