Large, Medium, ... Too small

riz · Joined: 15 Dec 2005 Posts: 5371

Large, Mediumà Too Small
By Rizwaan Zahid

Kassim æThe DreamÆ Ouma entered Saturday night with little in his favour. His fight against Jermain Taylor was clearly going to be the toughest fight of his career. Not only was he a small junior middleweight compared to others, but he is an even smaller middleweight, fighting a 6Æ1 middleweight in Taylor.

From the opening bell, it was apparent that the usual punching machine that we see in Ouma was not going to have his typical fight. He landed 502 total punches against Jantuah in early 2005, however against Taylor Kassim could only manage to get off 701. It may have been TaylorÆs power was getting him at the right time or simply that the extra baggage was too much.

So why take the fight?

Simply put, a loss is a loss, but a loss with a big payday is much more rewarding than a regular loss. Such opportunities come very rare.

Kassim is no stranger to opportunities however.

At the ripe young age of seven, where most children are playing at school and learning addition, Kassim was kidnapped and forced into the army. While most were being ækidsÆ, he was experiencing and witnessing incidents that no human should ever see.

Similarly, Taylor faced himself in problems as well. Although he was not enlisted in the army, he too had to grow very fast into a man. Since his father abandoned him and his family, he was taking care of his three sisters while his mother worked as a nurse.

"I think about it all the time," Taylor admits. "Why did I have to do that and why did I have to grow up so fast like that? But I just say that I'm going to try and be a better man than that."

Somehow, Taylor still has respect for his father and does not show hatred toward him.

Both Taylor and Ouma try to be a better role-model and presence in their childrenÆs lives. Unfortunately both have faced family crises as well. OumaÆs has lost many brothers, and TaylorÆs grandmother was murdered.

Admirably however, both do not let their past get in the way of their future. We donÆt see Ouma with an angry face, in fact we always see a cheerful man with a pleasant smile in almost all circumstances. Even after the recognition, Taylor isnÆt one who boasts about his success or struts down the street with bodyguards. He prefers to be a role-model to children.

"I'm hoping that I can be a role model for the kids," said Taylor. "Not the earrings, the long hair, the sagging pants and big clothes. I think kids need a new role model."

Also, both have young families as well. TaylorÆs determination he told Larry Merchant, was to put food on the table for his family. After all his success, Taylor could food on plenty of table for his daughter and wife. Ouma on the other hand, was recently reunited with his son just this past week, for the first time since 1998. With efforts from Ugandan and American officials, the father and son were finally able to meet after eight years.

So where do both fighters go from here?

Taylor may receive a lot of criticism; however he is one who admits his mistakes. Merchant asked whether he tried to hard to knock him out, instead of making any excuse like so many fighters, Taylor calmly and honestly stated ôThatÆs exactly what I did.ö

Ouma may be a small fighter, however he isnÆt a pushover. This fight was after two close encounters with Hopkins, and a nail biting twelve round brawl with Winky Wright. Should Taylor take a fight that has less risk wouldnÆt be too surprising and in fact would be pretty amazing if he decides to take another high profile fight.

Ouma on the other hand has many options ahead of him. He could go back down to 154 to regain another championship, or he could continue campaigning at 160.

One thing is for sure, heÆs not going to be walking around sulking after a loss. The world is his oyster despite the blemish on his record. With being reunited with his son, and going from a poverty stricken war filled country to a prizefighter, he is in fact, living the dream.

Spider Dijon · Posted: December 11 2006, 10:51 AM Post subject:

Nice article.

It is fair to say that when people talk about Middleweight fighters, and Jnr.Middle fighters, Ouma can often get overlooked!!

I would say it is fair to say that if he is a champion, at whatever weight, Ouma is always seen as the easiest champion to beat.

But I like him, never in a "stinker" of a fight.

Guest · Posted: December 13 2006, 1:19 AM Post subject:

proof reading? Nice idea but as has been commented on previous threads really needs more thought put into making it error free. Also this type of article is perhaps better suited for before the fight, giving more time to research it etc

WelshDevilRob · Joined: 29 Jan 2006 Posts: 13405 Location: Cardiff, Wales

Nice article Riz,
I think Ouma would be more effective at Jnr.Middleweight.