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Mayorga: The Bad Guy Boxing Needed
9/01/03
By Jason Collins
It has been a long time since a professional fighter has taken the world of boxing by storm. In fact, almost two decades have gone by since a young Mike Tyson did just that when he arrived on the scene suddenly and quickly trampled over anybody who stood in path to the heavyweight crown. Now, Ricardo Mayorga is generating similar shockwaves. Nicknamed "El Matador," Mayorga blindsided the welterweight division this past January by dismantling a talented and heavily favored Vernon Forrest in just three action-packed rounds. Clearly, many in boxing ignored the warning signs of Mayorga's arrival. Despite his knockout of then WBA welterweight champion Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis in March of 2002, Mayorga entered his first bout with the overconfident Forrest as a relative unknown and was considered to be a 6-1 underdog. Though it has become something of a hackneyed phrase, "shock and awe" is precisely what Mayorga personified and delivered by marching right through Vernon Forrest's highly touted boxing skills.
Brutal inside the ring and carefree outside of it, Mayorga has resurrected a role that boxing hasn't seen in years. Lacking the silver tongue of De La Hoya, the bright smile of Shane Mosley or the gentlemanly reputation of Vernon Forrest,  Mayorga provides a villainous counterpart to the popular fighters in his weight class. His habits in and out of the ring are antithetical to those of most successful boxers. While some top fighters boast about hiring nutritionists and employing high-tech training techniques, Mayorga speaks unrepentantly about his beer drinking and cigarette smoking. Mayorga also genuinely dislikes his opponents. After knocking out Forrest, Mayorga referred to his defeated opponent as a "clown." The muscular puncher from Central America even looks intimidating. Mayorga's dark and unflinching eyes exude his bad intentions. And his politically incorrect statements and arrogant behavior during pre-fight and post-fight interviews have kept spectators entertained and interested.
Unlike the antics of some contemporaries, Mayorga's act transcends mere shtick. He carries his "devil-may-care" approach into the ring -- and it yields results. The Lewis and Forrest fights showed that nothing might be able to stop Mayorga's devastating right hook. Mayorga attacks his opponents aggressively and unremittingly for the duration of every fight. He also gives little thought to defense when carrying out his inexorable offensive attack. Perhaps "El Toro" may be a more fitting nickname for "El Matador." During each of his fights with Forrest, Mayorga offered Forrest his chin and then willfully absorbed some of Forrest's best shots.
Mayorga's sudden ascendancy has added color and refreshing energy to a sport that has become frustratingly boring and predictable. In recent years, highly anticipated fights such as Lewis vs. Holyfield, De La Hoya vs. Trinidad and Forrest vs. Mosley have given fans plenty of long, tactical matches, an excess clutching and grabbing and few moments of excitement. Even the hoopla surrounding boxing has fallen flat. During the nineties, two of boxing's biggest names, Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe, found a novel way to resolve their notorious feud: the two heavyweights settled their differences by not fighting. Fight fans have also witnessed the evolution of press conferences scuffles that seem scripted and often generate more excitement than the actual fights. And even Mike Tyson, the former "Baddest Man on The Planet," has lost just about all his luster. Tyson's penchant for making outrageously shocking statements has generated some sound and fury in the media, but his performances in the ring have signified far less. Lennox Lewis' destruction of Tyson reinforced Tyson's image as
an aging bully. And Tyson's statements since the Lewis fight have made him sound downright fearful.
Unlike the modern-day Tyson, Mayorga's threats and challenges appear entirely believable. After
winning his rematch with Forrest by decision, Mayorga wasted no time in issuing a challenge to
boxing golden boy, Oscar De La Hoya. Soon after, the WBC and WBA welterweight champion was calling out
more heavyweights than Roy Jones Jr. would ever dare to challenge.
History has shown that hard-punching, macho brawlers such as Mayorga will eventually encounter an opponent who is able to their expose weaknesses and make them look like under-skilled bullies. Ali shattered Sonny Liston's veneer of invincibility. And years later, he did the same to George Foreman. James "Buster" Douglas abruptly ended Tyson's reign in early 1990. And Sugar Ray Leonard demystified Roberto Duran in their rematch. In Mayorga's case, it is unclear when he will get the opportunity to face a potential foil in the ring. A fight with Oscar De La Hoya is a surefire bet to create major fireworks. Yet, De La Hoya seems more interested in luring Felix Trinidad out of retirement for a big pay-day and a potential rematch of their first boring fight. Other popular fighters near or in Mayorga's weight class are steering clear of Mayorga's path. Despite this, Mayorga has proven that he can single-handedly generate excitement. While it is too soon to predict how his trail of terror will unfold or how long it will last, one thing is certain -- Mayorga has finally captured
the boxing world's attention. And everyone involved in boxing is anticipating his
next move.
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