Too much good stuff in 2006 to fit in 1 column
By Glenn McBrady
For the St. Louis American
I wrapped up last year’s “Best of 2005” column by wishing for the continued growth of boxing in St. Louis, and because of the hard work of athletes, trainers, promoters, and officials at the pro and amateur levels, there was enough happening on the scene this year to fill up two columns. So without further delay, I give you the partial list of those who can now bask in the glow of Fighting Word’s “Best of 2006” honors.
Professional Fighter of the Year
It was pretty much of a no-brainer that junior middleweight Deandre “The Bull” Latimore had this sewn up even before he dispatched Leo Laudat earlier this month at the “Battle on the Banks 2.” “Bull” had a busy year, fighting and winning eleven times with only one opponent managing to hang with him until the end of the last round.
Latimore’s power punches terrorized his ten knockout victims, winning him a huge local following that has made him bankable enough to headline a card on January 25 back at the Ameristar Casino. Although he will look to step up the level of his competition in the New Year, he has a terrific team of coaches and handlers in place to guide him towards the ultimate goal of a world title.
In July, “Bull” traveled to Freddy Roach’s Wildcard Gym in Hollywood to train with Roman Karmazin and in November he trained with Jermain Taylor and Emanuel Steward in Miami. The experience gained from working out and sparring with such elite talent will surely benefit him as he continues his march through the division.
A close runner up was Leon Bobo, the slippery southpaw who fought five times this year, including an appearance in April on ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights”. Bobo upped his unblemished record to 15-0, and although his next bout is January 13 in Oklahoma, hopefully local fans will get the chance to see him in person this year.
Escape of the Year
I wasn’t at the weigh-in the day before the first “Battle on the Banks” show at the Ameristar in September, but photojournalist Bob Barton told me that Ernest Mateen, a heavyweight who was scheduled to fight in the main event, was talking trash to anyone who would listen. I got the impression that it was a lot less “Ali – I am the greatest!” and more like “Whoa – my opponent is mean muggin’ me like he wants to leave the ring tomorrow night wearing my teeth on a necklace.”
The following evening Mateen was present and accounted for as the undercard ticked away, but he decided to make a break for it before the knock on his dressing room door arrived. Fans in the smoking section outside of the venue actually saw him head for the exit still wearing his robe, trunks and hand wraps.
Mateen brushed past a security guard and hoofed it to the parking garage, making a beeline for a waiting Hummer. At least he took his gloves off before climbing behind the wheel.
Knockout of the Year
The aforementioned Latimore notched some pretty impressive stoppages this year, but his first round demolition of Hosea Smith at The Spott in March takes the cake, if only for the horror on the faces of some of the fans at ringside who thought Smith wasn’t getting up- ever. A merciless combination by “The Bull’ separated Smith from his senses and sent him into a lifeless trust fall that ended with a hollow base drum thud as his skull met the mat. After a few moments of concern, Smith arrived back on earth and Latimore had his second career knockout victory.
Punch of the Year
Some may assume that the “Knockout of the Year” must have been caused by the “Punch of the Year”, but in late September, East St. Louis’ rising young heavyweight Joell Godfrey landed a perfectly timed and executed shot against Chuck Dillard to win this year’s category and their match.
Over the course of three-and-a-half rounds, both fighters traded some pretty good combinations that had the crowd involved. But Dillard got lulled into a false sense of security in round four, and Godfrey followed an innocent looking jab with a medicine ball of an overhand right to Dillard’s forehead.
The impact sounded like a machete splitting a coconut and a wide gash opened like the zippered top of a bowling bag. The deep wound immediately began to spout, sullying the canvas and the suits of those at ringside. I hadn’t seen that much bloodshed since the last time I watched “Scarface”.
Joell Godfrey’s stock will undoubtedly continue to rise as he takes his undefeated record and string of knockouts into 2007. He is one of the most compelling talents to emerge this past year.
Next week I’ll continue to countdown the “Best of 2006” list with categories such as “Trainers of the Year” (pro and amateur) and of course, “Fight of the Year.”
