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AMERICAN | PUGILIST

*** Published bi-weekly out of Chicago, Illinois since 1950 ***

Monday 20 February 2006
Volume 57, Edition 4

REASONS FOR OPTIMISM:
AMERICAN HEAVIES ON THE RISE

Story by Larry Masters

On February 10 ESPN's Friday Night Fights visited the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena where hometown hero and former Olympic and WBO Heavyweight Champion Ray Mercer made a victorious return to the ring following a hiatus of some ten months. The 34 year-old had been inactive since stopped in eight rounds by WBC Champion Ken Norton last April, a defeat many thought had spelt the end of his career. Mercer was by no means fantastic on FNF but against a hand-picked opponent in the shape of Boston's Lonnie Raines he didn't have to be, the 5th round TKO win improving his record to 31-5-1(22). The evening was noteable for the fact that the man who dethroned Mercer as WBO Champion Terone Haynes was in the crowd at ringside along with fellow Pensacola gym member James Ray. They weren't there to hound or torment Mercer but to support a third member of their entourage, Athens bronze medallist Elmer Ray who appeared on the undercard and scored an eye-opening 2nd round KO victory to maintain his perfect record at 5-0(5).

While Mercer was billed as the main attraction on the night the card also featured a pair of young Florida heavyweights whose careers are only starting and who appear to have a ton of talent and potential. One of them is an impressive 22 year-old from Belle Glade named Romy Alvarez who possesses perhaps the quickest hands seen in the division since Jamal Johnston while the other is a frightening power puncher who goes by the unusual moniker of Cheetah Brown. Long-time followers of boxing would know that since the start of the 21st century the heavyweight division has been a pretty barren place as far as America is concerned. Norton, Mercer, Haynes and retired Texan Donnie Bates have been our only World Champions during this decade but Alvarez and Brown are just two amongst what is a growing crop of promising and young American heavyweights who might be currently unknown but look certain to explode upon the international stage in the next couple of years...

ROMY ALVAREZ (22 YEARS OLD, BELLE GLADE, FLORIDA)
PROFESSIONAL RECORD: 4-0(2)

Alvarez grew up in one of Florida's poorer communities and so learned to appreciate from a young age the blessings life can throw one's way. And so it was in June 2003 when, with nothing else to do, he accompanied a friend to a local gym and was encouraged by a fitness instructor there to work out on the heavy bag. Alvarez had never held any major interest in boxing to that point but on that afternoon a new avenue and opportunity to escape his hometown (which he recently referred to as a "black hole of suck") opened up to him. He decided the very next day that he would become an amateur boxer and threw himself into this new-found calling with more enthusiasm than he'd approached anything in his life. He pushed himself to become as fit as possible, improving his eating habits and spending hours each day at the gym in training.

Although he was working part-time Alvarez could not afford to travel out of the state as he was helping to support his family. He entered a number of Florida-based amateur tournaments through the rest of '03 and into '04, finding some success and even winning a couple of them. The young man soon caught the eye of Olympic team officials and was asked to attend the selection trials for Athens, their interest serving as validation of all the hard work he'd put in and confirmation that he was heading in the right direction. By that time he'd put enough money aside to afford the price of a train ticket to Detroit and while he was unsuccessful in trialing as a heavyweight Alvarez did strike up a friendship with fellow Florida boxers Elmer and James Ray while at the trials, both of whom qualified for the Olympic team.

Alvarez considered turning pro after the trials, primarily because the money he could earn would help his family greatly. But he weighed that up against gaining more experience in the amateur ranks and decided to delay the switch. Alvarez continued competing through until September 2005, winning several tournaments and becoming one of the top amateur heavyweights in the USA. He finally made his professional debut this past October and so far he's been near faultless through four bouts, the last of which was on that February 10 ESPN card. Alvarez had maintained occasional contact with the Ray cousins since the Olympic trials but on the night they spoke at length about the possibility of the Belle Glade native relocating to Pensacola to train under Roy Jones, something that is certainly an exciting development for him.

Despite his pro career being only four fights old Alvarez has already been given a nickname by his fans: "The Iceman". They say it's due to the controlled, seemingly emotionless demeanour he employs during his bouts. It's something which he's not quite comfortable with but nonetheless understands, as he explained that he feels he is at his best when he doesn't let his emotions dictate his actions. Alvarez has said he'll never step between the ropes "hating his opponent" because every fighter, no matter their talent, is only "one big punch from disaster" and anger can only shorten the odds.

Besides his obvious boxing skills Alvarez has also attracted attention from the way he wears his hair during fights. He has long, brown hair which is pulled back in a ponytail and covered by a hair tie in the colours of his beloved Florida State University, garnet and gold. Alvarez explained that he wears a gold chain with a Virgin Mary charm on it, wrapped around his hair underneath. It's a gift from his parents that he wears everywhere as a good luck charm, something he says he'll never step into a ring without.

JOE JEANNETTE (23 YEARS OLD, NORTH BERGEN, NEW JERSEY)
PROFESSIONAL RECORD: 13-1(9)

Joe Jeannette was well on the way to either a life of crime or an early grave by the time his 18th brithday rolled around. He had been kicked out of home and was living on the streets, an ill-tempered young man resorting to burglaries, shoplifting and bag snatching just to survive. But on an April day back in 2001 he met a man who would change his lfe and steer him away from the destructive path he was traveling. That man was a priest, Father Alfredo Ciccone of St. Brigid's Catholic Church in Jeannette's hometown of North Bergen. Ciccone challenged Jeannette to make something of himself, encouraging the teenager to take up amateur boxing in order to bring some discipline into his life. It also served another purpose for Jeannette, that of venting the anger and frustration he carried around inside. At first he was stubborn and resistant but after a time Ciccone's persistence paid off and by the end of '01 Jeannette was showing signs of real talent in the boxing ring.

Indeed, by the following April Jeannette was a different person compared to the common crook he'd been only twelve months earlier. That was a life he never wanted to return to and with Father Ciccone and the church's help Joe continued to take strides in rebuilding his life, even reconciling with his family. By May 2004 Jeannette was the 2nd ranked amateur heavyweight in the United States behind the Texan Jack Johnson. He was invited to attend the Team USA Olympic selection trials where he made it all the way to the final bout before being defeated on points by Johnson, who went on to claim gold. While disappointed Jeannette did not ponder on his failure to make the team, only having to look back at where he had been to remember how far he had come.

Jeannette started his professional career shortly before the Olympics and after a disappointing loss in his second fight has reeled off twelve straight wins. Understandably he has not received as much publicity as Johnson but that's something that doesn't concern him. Jeannette has become an upstanding member of the community in his hometown and a leader at the North Bergen gym where he trains. A number of promising fighters also train there and they look up to him for advice. One of them is the middleweight Mickey Walker who also happened to lose out in the Olympic selection trials. It will be interesting to see how Jeannette's career progresses, especially considering the news of the past week when he confirmed he'd signed a contract to fight under the banner of the International Boxing League.

MIKE HANSON (24 YEARS OLD, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA)
PROFESSIONAL RECORD: 5-0(5)

Standing 6'4" and weighing in at an imposing 240 pounds Hanson has quickly gained a cult-like following in his hometown where he's fought each of his five professional contests to date, winning them behind a pile-driving right hand that has put each opponent to sleep inside of four rounds. Hanson is of Mexican heritage and was born and raised in Indianapolis, attending the University of Notre Dame where he played linebacker for the Fighting Irish and also met his future wife. His close friends (who call him "Hector") would tell you that "extroverted" is probably too mild a term to describe his personality. He's the type of guy who you can always expect to be the life of the party, one who has a lust for life and an energy that is infectious.

But how did he become a professional boxer? There was a brief period during his college days when Hanson was looking towards an NFL career, but his partying ways and ill-discipline in regards to training scuttled his chances. A year out of Notre Dame he was working in an office and would often wonder what could have been if he'd grasped the opportunity that had presented itself to him. Sharing some drinks with friends following work one evening he expressed his frustration to them and one made a throwaway remark, simply saying "We all know you can hit like a mule kicks so why not become a fighter, Hec'?" At first Hanson laughed off the comment but as the weeks passed by and the mind-numbing days behind that desk mounted the idea took root. He started training, hitting the pavement in the morning and going to the gym instead of the bar in the evening.

Having shed some twenty pounds from his frame Hanson debuted in October and has fought each month since. Yes, his right hand is like a sledgehammer and that is his main strength but on the negative side he is slow, with poor ring movement and hand speed. Unless his opponent is right in front of him Hanson finds it difficult to land shots with any regularity but that hasn't really been a problem so far, as his record indicates. He is durable and tough with a solid chin, something he'll really need if he goes in against anyone with that combination of speed plus power. Yes, he has some problems but he is still young and only starting his career. With the right advice and training these issues can be addressed before (or if) he hits the big time. In this writer's opinion the following he's quickly found amongst fans stems from the fact that he literally could be any one of them. He's literally quit his job and chased a dream and they admire him because of that.

SAM MCVEY (20 YEARS OLD, OXNARD, CALIFORNIA)
PROFESSIONAL RECORD: 7-0(5)

Hailing from the same city as International Boxing League boss James Molk, it seems almost destiny that Sam McVey would start his professional boxing career mere months before Molk and his organisation came into being. McVey had been a high school football star and was set on playing at running back for USC before everything changed. He watched Jack Johnson claim gold in Athens and was inspired to become a boxer. To the shock and surprise of his close friends, family and the USC administration McVey turned his back on what they all thought had been his life-long dream and started training to become a professional boxer. He adopted the same application and determination that had driven him to become one of the top young running backs in the nation, that hard-working attitude making it seem that he was a natural talent in the boxing ring.

The muscle-bound teenager fought perhaps twenty amateur bouts through late '04 and early '05 before deciding, in his own words, not to "waste any more time". McVey made his pro debut this past 23rd of May, scoring a 2nd round knockout of Los Angeles-born journeyman Harold Gill. The wins have continued coming since then and while the standard of his opposition has left a lot to be desired it appears that McVey has the talent and dedication to go far in the professional ranks. In recent months the young man has benefitted from the tutelage and advice of current WBC World Champion Ken Norton, something that can only help McVey's development.

DAVID KANE (21 YEARS OLD, ORLANDO, FLORIDA)
PROFESSIONAL RECORD: 8-0(7)

This young wrecking machine seemingly came out of nowhere last June and has smashed out a path of destruction up and down the east coast, scoring five 1st round knockout wins. Kane never fought as an amateur and some say it shows in his raw, aggressive style. He's hot-headed, opinionated and confrontational but has been uncharacteristically evasive when questioned about his background and how he came to be a professional boxer. Kane has generated a lot of buzz and excitement and was caught up in a bidding war between a number of prominent promoters before thumbing his nose at them and signing with the International Boxing League a day after Joe Jeannette had done the same.

Kane is a huge fan of New York hip hop legends Run-DMC and has been accompanied to the ring by one of their songs blaring from the arena speaker system before each of his eight fights to date. He also usually wears one of the oversized, rope-like gold chains that the group popularised, "bringin' back the ol' school" as he likes to say. Seeing as the IBL are yet to release any details of how they will actually schedule their contests it will be interesting to see what role Kane plays in the organisation.

CHEETAH BROWN (19 YEARS OLD, PINELLAS PARK, FLORIDA)
PROFESSIONAL RECORD: 5-0(5)

There must be something in the water down in Florida as Brown is the third fighter from the state to be included in this article. He'll celebrate his 20th birthday this coming Thursday and is already well on the way to what could be a fantastic career. Brown possesses surprising KO power for his size, power that some of his opponents have underestimated to their great detriment. He appears lighter than the 215 pounds he was introduced at in his last fight. His story is similar in one aspect to that of Sam McVey, in that he had a brief amateur run before making the jump to the professional game.

Brown has displayed a great ability to control his fights in addition to that explosive punching power, always pressing his opponents and dictating the action. Brown's in-ring persona is in complete contrast to the smooth, calm character he is out of it. Rumour has it that he has taken part in "Toughman" contests in the past with some going as far as saying that he once knocked out a seven-foot tall, 400-pound giant with a single uppercut as he leaned over to attack him. Such a story seems unlikely but judging by the destructive manner in which Brown has dispatched his first five opponents it might not be so farfetched.