Poche Pictures
e-mail: rich@pochepictures.com
I stated in a previous essay that the decline of boxing in America has a lot to do with the decimation of
our amateur boxing program.
I would like to add the proliferation of these pay per view shows to the argument.
HBO recently ran their award winning documentary series “24/7” on the upcoming Joe Calzaghe-Roy
Jones bout. Initially, I confess, I was planning on buying the pay per view show even though it was a
match I really wasn’t too jazzed about. But, these are two of the top pound for pound fighters of the
past twenty years. Considering the accomplishments of both fighters, it should be a fight that would
merit a look by even the most casual fan.
After watching the HBO “24/7” series, however, I changed my mind.
Calzaghe isn’t all that charismatic. He is a hard working guy who only recently left the confines of the
United Kingdom. Don’t get me wrong, he is a great fighter. He has fast hands, he’s tireless and has a
steel chin. Problem is there wasn’t really any drama or conflict in his life to showcase for two half-
hour shows. He’s a hero in Wales. Maybe that warranted a minute or two. Other than that, there
was nothing to say. No dramatic obstacles to overcome. The producers tried to manufacture some
conflict between the fighter and his father Enzo but it fell limp. The only conflict they managed to film
was Calzaghe obnoxiously shouting at his live in girlfriend to “bring my food!” while he lounged on the
couch and played video games.
Interesting stuff (notice those words are just dripping with sarcasm.)
I do believe the producers made a mistake in not concentrating on Enzo Calzaghe’s unique entry into
the sport. Enzo was a jazz musician by trade and saw the correlation between a jazz beat and a
boxer's movement. I wish they had allowed Enzo to elaborate on that a bit more.
The Jones segments were a rehashing of the past 16 years of Jones segments. He goes back to his
hometown of Pensacola, Florida. He hangs out with Alton Merkerson, his father/big brother trainer.
They exchange secret handshakes. They barbecue, hang out, and laugh. Boring. Boring. Boring.
Jones’ story has been told countless times and nothing new here. A semi-interesting segment was
when they showed him with his father. The father defends his harsh treatment of his son while Jones
reveals that he actually left his Dad at age 13 in his own mind. But again, this is an angle that has been
touched upon numerous times in Jones’ pre-fight profiles.
This was lackluster stuff. The producers could not hide the fact that these are two old guys just
looking for one last payday.
Not on my dime.
This is a fight that should be on HBO. I’m ALREADY paying for the HBO subscription. Why in the
hell would I want to pay an additional $54.95 to watch these two guys go at it? Hey, people criticize
Don King but when he put on a show he put on a SHOW. His pay per view cards in the early to mid
90s were packed with lively undercards. Even a “crook” like King wouldn’t insult fans with the
undercard below:
Zab Judah (36-6) vs. Ernest Johnson (18-2-1)
Judah is coming off a loss. Who is Ernest Johnson? A guy who lost lopsided decisions to Rogelio
Castaneda and Ernesto Zavala. And who the hell are those guys?
Dmitriy Salita (28-0-1) vs. Derrick Campos (17-5)
Salita is one of the most boring fighters going today. Campos is a journeyman at best. This is a fight
suited for a Telefutura undercard.
Francisco Figueroa vs. Emanuel Augustus
Who is Figueroa? Augustus is an ESPN2 regular…And he peaked around 2001...Now he’s on a pay
per view?
Here’s hoping more fans like me will boycott shows like these.
our amateur boxing program.
I would like to add the proliferation of these pay per view shows to the argument.
HBO recently ran their award winning documentary series “24/7” on the upcoming Joe Calzaghe-Roy
Jones bout. Initially, I confess, I was planning on buying the pay per view show even though it was a
match I really wasn’t too jazzed about. But, these are two of the top pound for pound fighters of the
past twenty years. Considering the accomplishments of both fighters, it should be a fight that would
merit a look by even the most casual fan.
After watching the HBO “24/7” series, however, I changed my mind.
Calzaghe isn’t all that charismatic. He is a hard working guy who only recently left the confines of the
United Kingdom. Don’t get me wrong, he is a great fighter. He has fast hands, he’s tireless and has a
steel chin. Problem is there wasn’t really any drama or conflict in his life to showcase for two half-
hour shows. He’s a hero in Wales. Maybe that warranted a minute or two. Other than that, there
was nothing to say. No dramatic obstacles to overcome. The producers tried to manufacture some
conflict between the fighter and his father Enzo but it fell limp. The only conflict they managed to film
was Calzaghe obnoxiously shouting at his live in girlfriend to “bring my food!” while he lounged on the
couch and played video games.
Interesting stuff (notice those words are just dripping with sarcasm.)
I do believe the producers made a mistake in not concentrating on Enzo Calzaghe’s unique entry into
the sport. Enzo was a jazz musician by trade and saw the correlation between a jazz beat and a
boxer's movement. I wish they had allowed Enzo to elaborate on that a bit more.
The Jones segments were a rehashing of the past 16 years of Jones segments. He goes back to his
hometown of Pensacola, Florida. He hangs out with Alton Merkerson, his father/big brother trainer.
They exchange secret handshakes. They barbecue, hang out, and laugh. Boring. Boring. Boring.
Jones’ story has been told countless times and nothing new here. A semi-interesting segment was
when they showed him with his father. The father defends his harsh treatment of his son while Jones
reveals that he actually left his Dad at age 13 in his own mind. But again, this is an angle that has been
touched upon numerous times in Jones’ pre-fight profiles.
This was lackluster stuff. The producers could not hide the fact that these are two old guys just
looking for one last payday.
Not on my dime.
This is a fight that should be on HBO. I’m ALREADY paying for the HBO subscription. Why in the
hell would I want to pay an additional $54.95 to watch these two guys go at it? Hey, people criticize
Don King but when he put on a show he put on a SHOW. His pay per view cards in the early to mid
90s were packed with lively undercards. Even a “crook” like King wouldn’t insult fans with the
undercard below:
Zab Judah (36-6) vs. Ernest Johnson (18-2-1)
Judah is coming off a loss. Who is Ernest Johnson? A guy who lost lopsided decisions to Rogelio
Castaneda and Ernesto Zavala. And who the hell are those guys?
Dmitriy Salita (28-0-1) vs. Derrick Campos (17-5)
Salita is one of the most boring fighters going today. Campos is a journeyman at best. This is a fight
suited for a Telefutura undercard.
Francisco Figueroa vs. Emanuel Augustus
Who is Figueroa? Augustus is an ESPN2 regular…And he peaked around 2001...Now he’s on a pay
per view?
Here’s hoping more fans like me will boycott shows like these.
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BIRTH OF A BOXING FAN
-My own story of how this obsession came about.
ERIC 'THE PRINCE' MARTIN
1958-2007
-My tribute to my friend and former Bay Area
boxing great
-My own story of how this obsession came about.
ERIC 'THE PRINCE' MARTIN
1958-2007
-My tribute to my friend and former Bay Area
boxing great
