By
Kamy Shaygan
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Corruption: (noun) impairment of integrity, virtue, or moral principle.
Perhaps no other word can describe the current state of boxing as well as the word "corruption."
On behalf of fight night fans around the world, I would like to thank promoter extraordinaire Don King for single-handedly ruining the wonderful sport of boxing.
In one of the most controversial fights in recent memory, Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield took on John Ruiz last week in Las Vegas for the WBA portion of the heavyweight championship.
Not only should Ruiz have won the fight, but it should have been a unanimous decision by the judges.
It was clear to everyone in that stadium (yeah, Don, that includes you too) that the underdog Ruiz, who dominated the bout from the very start, was about to pull the upset of the year.
Although it was perfectly clear that Ruiz was about to win the bout, King still had that million dollar smile on his grill.
I mean, Don, why were you so happy?
I mean, you couldn't have, errrr, rigged the fight or anything, right?
As the results were presented to the crowd, everyone, including Holyfield, was shocked . . . except for King.
In a miscarriage of fight justice, Holyfield was pronounced the victor. Not only did the judges have the "Real Deal" winning the fight, but the results were unanimous.
Don, you must have really dished out the cash on this one.
Judge Fernando Biso scored the fight 116-112 in favor of Holyfield. Unless Biso was under the influence of some serious narcotics, there is no way he could have scored that fight the way he did unless he was paid off.
The question now on everyone's mind is this: What did King use to pay off the judges?
I'm guessing some serious cash, above-par prostitutes and legitimate death threats.
Fight fans, including myself, are tired of King's clients winning fights with long odds against them. Is there anyone or anything that can stop King and his horrible corruption of the sport?
In a word, yes. The answer comes in the form of a prince.
Prince Naseem Hamed, that is, who is the WBO featherweight champion and the most impressive boxer in the world not under the promotion of Don King.
Hamed's record of 35-0 with 31 knockouts is almost as impressive as his phenomenal ring entrances.
Because of a deadly three punch combination, Hamed's last opponent had to be carried out of the ring on a stretcher.
Don't get me wrong. For those of you that are familiar with Hamed, you know of his unprecedented cockiness and arrogance.
But when you knock out all but four opponents, you have a right to be cocky.
Unfortunately for King, there is nothing he can do once one of his fighters steps in the ring with Hamed.
Hamed is hands down the best featherweight in the world and, until someone can stop him, destined to go down as perhaps one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Sorry Don. You almost succeeded in ruining the sport, but you have to learn - a promoter can never beat a prince.
