Winky Wright - Respect Long Overdue

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

Winky Wright û Respect Long Overdue
By Rizwaan Zahid

Last Saturday, Ronald æWinky WrightÆ outboxed Ike Quartey over 12 rounds, in the latest fight of what has been a tough career. He has traveled and fought around the world as much as some business clients. Not only has he repeatedly challenged the best, but he has on most occasions been in favour of mutual terms for fights, as well as always showing tremendous respect towards his opponents.

Yet somehow, the Florida native does not receive the recognition that he deserves.

During the early stages of his career, Wright wasnÆt afraid to go in an opponentÆs backyard. For Winky, it was France one night, Germany the next, down south to Argentina, and back up to France within a year.

After his first loss against Julio Cesar Vasquez, Winky went back to the usual, hoping to earn another title shot. His opportunity arrived in 1996, against WBO light middleweight champion, Bronco McKart. After a close twelve rounds, the title changed hands, giving Winky the first major title of his career.

At this point many would expect that the promotional deals and recognition would be lining up at the door. However, this was not the case.

His next three fights were in England, dominating all three. His next fight would be in yet another country, this time in South Africa.

Harry Simon, now known in South Africa as a possible murder, was relatively unknown at the time. After twelve nail biting rounds, the judges awarded Simon the winner, by majority decision.

His next fight would be in Miami, his first fight in the United States in nearly three years. An easy knockout set up an IBF title bout against Fernando Vargas.

Vargas was at the high point of his career. Coming off a win of Raul Marquez, Vargas won the title with a TKO win over then 72-2 Yori æBoyÆ Campas. This was clearly the toughest fight for each fighter respectively.

Winky, a natural defensive fighter, and Vargas engaged in one of the best junior middleweight fights in recent memory. A back and forth fight, both showed a warrior like mentality, leaving nothing in the tank after a hard hitting twelve rounds.

Anxiety plagued the fighters and their corner men, while they awaited the decision. Unfortunately for Winky, a majority decision was awarded to Vargas.

An HBO fighter, as well as a fan favourite, Fernando Vargas was seen as a very big threat to many fighters in the division. If Winky could cause him trouble, who knows what else he could do?
Wright then took nine months off, and came back with a plan that he would stick to. McKart had not lost since his first fight with Wright, and had the opportunity to avenge his loss, fighting Wright in a rematch, which was also an IBF eliminator.

Wright, unlike their first fight, dominated the rematch taking a comfortable twelve round decision.

In his title fight, he dominated every second of the fight, shutting out Robert Frazier over twelve rounds, and was crowned the new IBF champion.

A defensive master, with a lightning quick jab, he embarrassed many more fighters, but still was not receiving the popularity and credit. It wasnÆt that other boxers thought he wasnÆt good enough, but simply that he was too good, and was too much risk for the reward.

However, finally in 2004, Winky would receive an opportunity that would change his career. He was given an opportunity by æSugarÆ Shane Mosely, who was coming off a controversial victory over Oscar De La Hoya.

He was 33, and he knew this may be his last chance. A confident Wright stuck his jab in MosleyÆs face all night, and repeatedly landing punches at will. Jabs, and counter straight left hands hammered Mosely over the twelve rounds. It was an upset to most ringside experts, as well as fans, and nearly everyone in the arena, except Winky Wright that is. He became the first undisputed junior middleweight champion in history, holding the WBC, WBA, and the IBF titles simultaneously.

Being the respectful fighter that he is, when asked about his future fights, Winky replied ôMy first priority is to give Shane a rematch. Whenever he wants it, heÆll get it. He gave me the opportunity and I want to do the same for himö.

He kept his word, and in November of that year, Winky would prove he was the best yet again, this time edging out a closer fight with Mosely, taking home a 12 round majority decision.

Then came a major pay per view event with Felix Trinidad. æTitoÆ was coming off a dominating performance against Mayorga where he landed 55 punches in the single round.

Many expected Trinidad to easily hammer Wright with his explosive left hook. Many also felt that Winky could not handle the extra six pounds, since he moved up to middleweight for the fight.

Within the first two rounds, it was abundantly clear, this was WinkyÆs night. Not only did he beat Trinidad, he embarrassed him. Some would argue, that his performance was even more dominating then Hopkins victory over Trinidad.

Jab after jab was landing for Wright. However it was not only his offense that was working. In round four Trinidad unloaded a barrage of punches, only landing a couple with little effect. Winky replied with many left hands, as well as right hooks most of them landing flush.

Eight more rounds and more embarrassment for æTitoÆ left Winky in one of the most convincing victories of his career.

Just how great was it? Tito over twelve rounds could only land 58 punches, never landing in double digits in a single round. Wright landed over a 180 jabs, and 260 total punches in the boxing clinic.

Would he bad mouth Trinidad, after the fight? No.

ôTito is my first honour,ö said Wright. ôI take my hat off to him. He has a heart of a champion. IÆll exercise the rematch clause. That was tonight. Next time may be differentö

After having an æoffÆ night against Sam Soliman, Winky fought Jermain Taylor in a middleweight title fight. An extremely close twelve rounds, left the scorecards dead even, much to the dismay of Wright. Last Saturday, he beat Quartey over twelve rounds, the first convincing loss of QuarteyÆs career.

Criticism still reaches Wright as seen on Saturday night. He ôdoesnÆt move on his feet anymoreö, or he doesnÆt ôgo for the knockoutö, are all popular sayings.

Winky is now 35, and a three time champion. Trinidad, Mosely, McKart, Candelo, Hernandez, Quartey are all among WinkyÆs victims.

Is he in a potential fight of the year candidate every fight like Arturo Gatti? No.
Does he possess tremendous one shot power? No.

What he does do though, is smile at his opponent, punches them, blocks their shots, and repeats the cycle again, to show that heÆs the best and continues to prove critics wrong.

One thing is for sure; Winky Wright is the best example of the sweet science of boxing itself, by punching with precision, and without being hit himself by using his impeccable defensive skills. Each day even at the age of 35, he continues to turn the many doubters into believers, that he is truly that great of a fighter.

winky06 · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 7213 Location: South London

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

thnx for the rep, right back at ya

Davieboy · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 505 Location: Clydebank

fantastic post about a great fighter. have a rep point on me.

Dadgad · Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 1897

Ditto.

Seer · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 11681 Location: Alba

Excellent post, Riz 8)

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

haha i tried to give you rep, wouldn't let me.

I'm surprised not many have read my article, usually there's at least 15-20 people reading it.

Martin · Posted: December 09 2006, 0:39 AM Post subject:

Great article Riz, I am a Winky fan myself... :D

He's a good pro, honest, hard working, and a credit to the sport. I believe his only fault in recent times is 'daring to be great' against 'Tito'. It was a far more impressive performance than Hopkins-Tito in my eyes, but Winky should have forced the stoppage in the later rounds. Instead he just sat back comfortably and took the result on the cards.

He should have gone for the stoppage, he'd have probably got it too, and would have been far more marketable as a result.

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

Martin wrote: Great article Riz, I am a Winky fan myself... :D

He's a good pro, honest, hard working, and a credit to the sport. I believe his only fault in recent times is 'daring to be great' against 'Tito'. It was a far more impressive performance than Hopkins-Tito in my eyes, but Winky should have forced the stoppage in the later rounds. Instead he just sat back comfortably and took the result on the cards.

He should have gone for the stoppage, he'd have probably got it too, and would have been far more marketable as a result.

But he didn't need to. I mean against Soliman he went for the TKO in the 10th, because SOliman doesn't possess tremendous power, Tito does, so why risk it?

But i do see your point

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

lol sorry but these pricks are pissing me off, thats two of them in my article thread.....

by the way winky, i dont think I told you, I'm an official writer for braggingrightscorner now:D haha.

I'm going big, just give it a bit more time.

winky06 · Joined: 02 Mar 2006 Posts: 7213 Location: South London

riz wrote: lol sorry but these pricks are pissing me off, thats two of them in my article thread.....

by the way winky, i dont think I told you, I'm an official writer for braggingrightscorner now:D haha.

I'm going big, just give it a bit more time.

well done, if you interview Floyd Mayweather and he says journalists know nothng about boxing, slap him and start shouting "im signing out, fo real, bitch".

Thankyou.

Spider Dijon · Posted: December 10 2006, 5:33 AM Post subject:

The fact that Winky doesn't bad-mouth opponents, or act like a prick is why he is less well-known.

Which is a disgrace.

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

Spider Dijon wrote: The fact that Winky doesn't bad-mouth opponents, or act like a prick is why he is less well-known.

Which is a disgrace.
Exactly, similar to why Jeff Mayweather is the lesser known Mayweather. Becaues he's a decent guy, a big inspiration on me, not that outspoken, and is not always making headlines for the wrong reasons..... Now I'm not trying to downplay the other Mayweathers, because they're all nice to me.

Just that whenever Jeff has anything good, ala kassim Ouma, or Zahir Raheem, the dudes just leave and screw themselves over.

Limiescouse · Joined: 04 Feb 2006 Posts: 9185 Location: Orlando, FL

riz wrote: Spider Dijon wrote: The fact that Winky doesn't bad-mouth opponents, or act like a prick is why he is less well-known.

Which is a disgrace.
Exactly, similar to why Jeff Mayweather is the lesser known Mayweather. Becaues he's a decent guy, a big inspiration on me, not that outspoken, and is not always making headlines for the wrong reasons..... Now I'm not trying to downplay the other Mayweathers, because they're all nice to me.

Well more the fact that he doesnt train Oscar of Floyd

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

Limiescouse wrote: riz wrote: Spider Dijon wrote: The fact that Winky doesn't bad-mouth opponents, or act like a prick is why he is less well-known.

Which is a disgrace.
Exactly, similar to why Jeff Mayweather is the lesser known Mayweather. Becaues he's a decent guy, a big inspiration on me, not that outspoken, and is not always making headlines for the wrong reasons..... Now I'm not trying to downplay the other Mayweathers, because they're all nice to me.

Well more the fact that he doesnt train Oscar of Floyd
yeah that too.