There is no doubt that the sport of Boxing can be and often
is a subject of much debate. Whether it be a subject of two top fighters in the
same weight class potentially facing off or various subjects concerning the
“Business” of the sport, there is always something to talk about. From time to
time one subject that comes up with regard to Professional Boxing is the
concept of tournaments.
Many Boxing fans are probably familiar with various
tournament concepts that have taken place in the sport over the years. Tournament
concepts such as the Heavyweight unification series in the 1980s, which
determined an undisputed champion in the Heavyweight division at the time, or
the similarly structured Middleweight unification series in 2001, which saw
Bernard Hopkins emerge as the unified champion.
A unique concept that took place a couple years ago was
known as the Super-Six World Boxing Classic, which showcased some of the elite
fighters of the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division. There are however, other
tournament concepts that have taken place over the years. Tournaments that are
not staged over a period of time, but instead take place in a single day.
The first one-night tournament in Professional Boxing to the
best of my recollection, in my lifetime took place on December 3,
1993 in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The tournament, which was billed “The
People’s Choice One-Night Heavyweight Tournament” was broadcast as a
pay-per-view event in the United States. A tournament format that staged fights
scheduled for only 3, three minute rounds featured two former world Heavyweight
champions in Tony Tubbs and James “Bonecrusher” Smith as well as world-rated
contenders Tyrell Biggs and Jose Ribalta.
After defeating three opponents including both Biggs and
Ribalta in the quarter and semifinals, Tony Tubbs defeated Daniel Dancuta of
Romania via three round unanimous decision in the finals to win the tournament.
Although it was a unique concept, it would be several years before similar
concepts in the sport would emerge. Some may remember a tournament concept
known as “Thunderbox”, which took place in November 2002. Much like the
tournament nine years earlier, “Thunderbox” was a one-night Heavyweight
tournament. Eight Heavyweight contenders including former Heavyweight world
champion Tim Witherspoon competed for $100,000. At the end of the evening
contender Maurice Harris emerged victorious.
A more recent and arguably more successful adaptation of
those concepts have been one-night tournaments held under the “Prizefighter”
banner in the United Kingdom. As the tournaments that preceded PrizeFighter’s
inception in April 2008, PrizeFighter features a single elimination format with
fights scheduled for 3, three minute rounds. The success of the inaugural
Heavyweight tournament has allowed the PrizeFighter concept to grow over the
years, with tournaments taking place in various weight classes.
The PrizeFighter
series has also allowed winners opportunities to get into world title
contention. The concept of PrizeFighter has been able to take the previous
concepts of one-night tournaments in Professional Boxing to a higher level. The
success of this series however, will soon be joined by a similar one-night
tournament concept known as “The Super 8 Heavyweight Tournament” that will take
place on June 4th at The Trust Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.
The tournament will feature eight Heavyweights competing for
a $500,000 purse. All fights in this tournament will be scheduled for 3, three
minute rounds. The participants for this tournament are former two-time
Heavyweight world champion Hasim Rahman, former world title challenger Kali
Meehan, former WKBF world Heavyweight Kickboxing champion Anthony Nansen,
Alonso Buter, Brice Ritani-Coe, Hunter Sam, and features two previous winners
of PrizeFighter Heavyweight tournaments Michal Sprott and Martin Rogan.
The opening round bouts are as follows:
Hasim Rahman vs.
Anthony Nansen: Nansen, enters into this
tournament as a replacement for former WBC Heavyweight world champion Sam Peter
who had to withdraw from the tournament due to suffering a calf injury. Rahman (50-8-2,
With 41 Knockouts) who has not fought in almost two years was stopped by top
Heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin in his last fight.
Although the three round format of this tournament does seem
to ensure a quick pace and potentially has the ingredients for knockouts, one
does have to wonder what the forty-one year old Rahman has to offer in this
fight. Rahman appeared to have shown the signs of a fighter who’s best days
were behind him when he fought Alexander Povetkin in September 2012 in a fight
where he was stopped in two rounds. It will be interesting to see whether
nearly two years out of the ring has recharged Rahman.
Nansen is the younger man by ten years. Nansen however, has
only fought five fights as a professional boxer registering a record of (3-2,
with 1 Knockout). Nansen’s record as a former world champion Kick Boxer of
26-3, with 11 Knockouts should be an indicator that he is a fighter who has
experience and should be taken seriously. This is a fight where I believe it
all depends on what Hasim Rahman shows up.
Alonso Butler vs. Brice Ritani-Coe:
Butler (30-2-1, 1 No Contest, with 22 Knockouts), a veteran
of thirty-four professional fights would seem to have an experience edge over
Ritani-Coe, (3-2-1, with 3 Knockouts) who has had only six professional fights.
Under this type of tournament format however, it’s really a toss up and a lot
of these fights may come down to who simply can land the first significant
punch.
Martin Rogan vs. Michael Sprott:
Martin Rogan (16-5, with 8 Knockouts) and Michael Sprott (40-21,
with 11 Knockouts) arguably have the most experience fighting under this type
of tournament format having both previously won separate PrizeFighter
tournaments. Sprott however, may have more momentum coming in this tournament
as he last fought in November 2013,
becoming a two-time PrizeFighter tournament winner. Rogan meanwhile, was
knocked out in one round in his last fight by undefeated German contender Erkan
Teper last November in Germany.
Kali Meehan vs. Hunter Sam:
Meehan (38-5, 31 Knockouts), probably best known to American
Boxing fans for his “Game” performance in losing a hard fought twelve round
split decision to former WBO Heavyweight world champion Lamon Brewster in 2004
and then suffering a knockout loss at the hands of Hasim Rahman later that year,
has an opportunity to potentially have a rematch in this tournament if both he
and Rahman are able to advance in this tournament. Much like Rahman, Meehan
enters this tournament having not fought in nearly two years.
Much like Rahman, Meehan comes into the tournament looking
to rebound from a knockout loss in his last fight. It will also be interesting
as will be the case Rahman to see what the forty-four-year-old Meehan has to offer.
Meehan faces Hunter Sam (10-2-2, with 4 Knockouts) who has had fourteen
professional fights and comes into the tournament riding a four fight winning
streak.
Although some may have differing opinions as to what may be
in store for whomever should emerge as the winner of this tournament,
tournament concepts like this, the unification tournaments over the years, and
even Professional Boxing tournaments that been showcased on reality TV shows
all accomplish one important goal. All of the above create interest and have
potential to be good for the sport.
With eight fighters, some looking for notoriety, and others
looking for what perhaps might be their last chance to revitalize their careers
and with $500,000 going to the winner, the Super 8 Heavyweight tournament does
have some intrigue. No matter what happens on June 4th, I believe
that the concept of the Super 8 should be looked at as a positive for the
sport.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
For more information about the Super 8 Heavyweight
Tournament please visit: www.supereight.co.nz
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison
All Rights Reserved.
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