Above: The 1927 rematch between Gene Tunney (on the canvas) and Jack Dempsey, history’s most infamous “long count” fight. (Photo: Getty Images)

DOWN FOR THE COUNT … AND THEN SOME

Last month, Mexico’s Emigdio Nicolas made his professional refereeing debut in his hometown of Oaxaca, working five fights on the undercard of IBF junior flyweight champion Adrian Curiel’s unsuccessful title defense against the man he took the crown from last year – Sivenathi Nontshinga. 

One of the undercard bouts reffed by Nicolas was between local featherweight Sergio Sanchez and Guadalajara’s Dennis Contreras. Sanchez, a rising star, especially in the eyes of the locals, was 20-0. Contreras, brought in as the “B-side,” was 24-13-1. The bout turned out as expected, though with a referee blunder we haven’t seen in quite awhile.

For two rounds, the fight was pretty much an even contest. 

In the third round, Sanchez suddenly broke through. A sharp right to the face stunned Contreras. He staggered backwards, with Sanchez in hot pursuit. Then, an overhand right caught Contreras on his left eye. In obvious pain, he dropped to one knee. Ref Nicolas began his count. It wasn’t just “Uno … Dos … Tres … Cuatro.” It was more like “Uno (pause) … Dos (pause) … Tres (pause) … Cuatro.” Slow. When he reached the count of “Diez,” it was actually longer than “Diaz.”

“That was a 13-count,” said one of the DAZN announcers. He was right. Nicolas, in his maiden outing as a ref, had given one of the slowest 10-counts we’ve ever seen. 

He may know every paragraph of the rulebook of the commission which licenses him, but he definitely needs practice counting from “Uno” to “Diez.”

***

Referee Jack Reiss between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder after their draw in 2018. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Speaking of referees, the man many have long considered to be boxing’s top ref – Jack Reiss – has been unusually quiet in the last few months. Much of the reason is because he has been on the go, giving his terrific referee’s seminar, which he calls “Sole Arbiter,” in many states around the USA, as well as in Canada and Puerto Rico. The seminars are given by Reiss, along with A-List referees Tom Taylor and Russell Mora (who is now the WBO’s Chief of Officials).

Do the seminars work?

Hey, they’ll never take a poor referee and turn him into the best “Third Man” in the sport. But they will indeed make him better.

The seminars have taken Charlie Fitch, an outstanding New York-based referee, and turned him into one of the very best out there.

Boxing needs more seminars such as “Sole Arbiter.”

Now, if they could only get a seminar to teach judges how to score!

***

Recently, I was talking with a group of writers about their personal lists of All-Time greats. Naturally, the talk came around each of our list of “Top 10 Heavyweights.” Wow, did our lists differ!

Rocky Marciano and Jersey Joe Walcott on the May 1953 cover of The Ring.

The chat took my thoughts back to Monday, September 1, 1969, the first time I met Nat Fleischer, the founder, publisher and first editor-in-chief of The Ring. Known as “Mr. Boxing,” Fleischer was the man who created boxing’s first set of universally recognized ratings.

The reason I remember the date I met Fleischer is because it was the day after the death of former heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano in a plane crash.

I was 20, in my second year of college and already a major boxing fan – one who purchased tickets to every boxing event at Madison Square Garden, as well as to club shows throughout New York, its surrounding boroughs, Long Island and New Jersey. 

For whatever reason, the tragic death of Marciano spurred me to take the one-hour train ride into NYC to try to meet “Mr. Boxing” – who I knew would be swamped doing interviews. In retrospect, it was a crazy decision. However, it worked. Fleischer invited me to stay and watch him being interviewed by an ABC News film crew, which was on its way to the offices of The Ring.

After the interview, I stayed and talked about Marciano with “Mr. Boxing.” He was impressed that I knew his Top 10 heavyweights. At the time, they looked like this:

1.  Jack Johnson
2.  James J. Jeffries
3.  Bob Fitzsimmons
4.  Jack Dempsey
5.  James J. Corbett
6.  Joe Louis
7.  Sam Langford
8.  Gene Tunney
9.  Max Schmeling
10.  Rocky Marciano

I asked “Mr. Boxing” about Muhammad Ali, who was still in exile because of his failure to step forward for military induction.

“Doesn’t Ali belong in the Top 10?” I inquired. “Mr. Boxing” placed a hand on my shoulder and said, “All Cassius Clay (Fleischer insisted on calling Ali by his birth name) has is lots of hand speed and foot speed. All the men listed in my Top 10 would destroy him.”

Ali’s return began with a third-round stoppage of Jerry Quarry in 1970. (Photo: The Ring)

Think about it, though. In 1969, Fleischer had 27 heavyweight champions to choose from to make up his Top 10. In the 55 years since, 105 more men have been called “Heavyweight Champion!”

Wouldn’t he be surprised today to see that Ali is considered to be the consensus No. 1 heavyweight of all time!

***

As we were going to press last month, I received a call from Ray McCline, the president of the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame. He stunned – and honored – me with the news that I was selected to be part of the Class of 2024, which will be inducted into the ACBHOF at Atlantic City’s beautiful Hard Rock Casino & Hotel during the weekend festivities of September 27-29. Making the induction even more special to me is the fact that I will be inducted along with my longtime partner on SiriusXM Radio, “Gentleman” Gerry Cooney, as well as with guys I have known and been friends with for decades, including Buddy McGirt, James “Buster” Douglas and Tyrone Mitchell Frazier. 

Because the ACBHOF makes all its inductees available to the fans and media, the ACBHOF weekend has become one of the most fun-filled and attractive Hall of Fame weekends in boxing.

As an added attraction, Cooney and I will be doing our SiriusXM show in front of a large audience inside of the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel. 

As the weather is always so gorgeous at that time of year, and because of the tons of fun boxing fans always have at this event, an extra-large crowd is expected this year. I hope to see many of you on this very special Hall of Fame induction weekend.

***

CLOSE FRIENDS: Undefeated junior middleweight and boxing’s fastest-rising star, Xander Zayas, and the best relief pitcher in MLB, Edwin Diaz, of the New York Mets.

LITTLE-KNOWN FACT: In his recent title defense against Abraham Nova, WBC junior lightweight titleholder O’Shaquie Foster suffered a mild fracture of his right hand early in the fight, when Nova, who was having trouble stopping Foster’s right, raised his left arm and pointed his elbow at Foster – who then impaled his right fist on Nova’s elbow, causing the fracture. Thankfully, Foster’s hand will not require surgery, just a few months rest. The champ told The Ring, “I hope to be back early this summer.”

SHU YORK, SHU YORK: Fast-rising featherweight Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington, who recently electrified a sold-out crowd at MSG’s Hulu Theatre – as well as his opponent, Bernard Torres – with a one-punch, right-hand knockout drop, has captured the hearts of New York City’s boxing crowd with his magnificent boxing skills and his terrific out-of-the-ring charisma.

Bruce Carrington stands over Bernard Torres. (Photo by Carlo Estonactoc)

“I can see him filling the big room at MSG in the very near future,” Top Rank’s V.P. of Boxing Operations, Carl Moretti, told The Ring.

We agree with Moretti’s assessment 1,000 percent.

TAKING A PAGE FROM THE WWE: How about a “Loser Leaves Boxing” match: Deontay Wilder against Arslanbek Makhmudov. What a fun fight that would be to watch!

WHICH CHARLO BROTHER WILL BE NEXT TO FIGHT?: It’s a good bet to make. Will it be Jermall or Jermell? This corner says Jermall.

THE BOUT I LOOK FORWARD TO MOST IN MARCH: Without hesitation or thought, it’s the strawweight unification between Seniesa Estrada and Yokasta Valle.  The two have wanted each other for years, and on March 29 in Glendale, Arizona, they’ll both get their wish. 

How much does this fight mean to Valle? She has been in the gym more than anyone around her can remember. And to Estrada? She recently had an announcing gig to do on ESPN from New York. She turned it down, not wanting to miss a single day of training camp in Los Angeles. I think we’re going to be treated to a very special boxing event on the 29th. The fight will be on ESPN.

You can email Randy Gordon at [email protected]

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