Kevin Cunningham was recognized from the ring last Thursday night for bringing boxing back to the ‘hood. You could see how much the ‘hood and just about everybody else in town – black and white, young and old, male and female, crunk and cop – appreciated it. Our newsroom appreciated it. We were all there, ready for the fighting to begin.
There was only one problem. The fighting never began. Kevin and his crew at Round One Promotions brought a big show to the Spot, complete with phyne ring girls and a chubby, jiggling rapper, but he didn’t schedule any actual contests of boxing skill.
The palookas who came in from Arkansas and Nebraska and other parts unknown (all but one of them white stiffs, facing only brothers from the local corner) came for one thing only: to get paid.
SportsEye couldn’t decide what was sadder, all the pathetic dives the visitors took (with the exception of a dramatic knockout by DeAndre “Bull” Lattimore) or watching the star of the show, Devon Alexander, string along his fish for one of the easiest decisions a judge will ever be asked to make.
We still love ya, brother, but you can do better. Really bring boxing back to the ‘hood next time. We’ll be there.