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kenyan_cheena · 01-03-2005, 07:00 AM

Friday 11 January 2002

Tonight, as expected, a number of news programs gave early coverage in their bulletins to the behaviour of 16 year-old Elmer Ray during the federation's Japan fight card.

ESPN's SportsCenter devoted the first five minutes of their evening edition to the HBF, concentrating more on the dynamic action in the ring but not failing to highlight Ray's antics. They have started a poll on their website, asking the public to vote on whether they approved of Ray's behaviour or not.

Some broadcasters put a negative spin on the event and portrayed Ray as an out-of-control young punk.

He has certainly made headlines, but opinion is hotly divided over whether
Ray's behaviour hurt or hindered the HBF.

HBF President Michael Vincennes was generally positive in his appraisal of the situation. "I loved what he did in the ring," Vincennes said. "The kid said it himself: he's a showman. That hip-hop routine and the whole entrance was just fine in my opinion. But even more important is the fact that he can really fight. No one will argue with you about that. He's not just simple false youthful brashness. What he did after the Jimmy Young bout was unexpected, but I can't tell you how much buzz it's created for their May matchup. That's good advertising for the HBF, advertising that you can't buy. Now, I'll admit that some of the things he said leading up to the fight were uncalled for, and he will be disciplined for those statements."

"How will he be disciplined?" a reporter asked.

"That has not yet been determined," replied Vincennes. "Elmer Ray and the other fighters who appeared on the Yokohama Arena fight card will not be back in the United States until Monday morning. At that time, I will sit down with Elmer Ray personally to discuss the situation."

Noted sports journalist James Reynolds of the New York Age did not mince his words. "This is not Vince McMahon's WWF, or whatever it's called now," he said. "This is a real sport. When I saw Elmer Ray storm back into the ring, with his own microphone, I thought that I was watching RAW. Sure, I understand that the HBF wants their fighters to be colourful and entertaining, to show emotion, but Elmer Ray's behaviour was just ridiculous."

It is assured that Elmer Ray will have a lot to say when he returns to the States on Monday.

***

The fact that Jimmy Young, the #16 seed in the HBF's World Championship tournament was not able to win his first professional fight against a fighter who is supposedly the weakest in his group did not receive as much attention as it should have. It really was a case of Young failing to win the fight, rather than his opponent Tony Ross taking it away from him. Young has an excellent jab, and used it effectively in the first round. But then, inexplicably, he decided to brawl with Ross for the majority of the remaining rounds. Young was quite lucky to emerge with a draw. If he had lost the final round, he would have lost the fight. He'll really have to be in the right frame of mind when he clashes with Rocky Jones in five weeks. Jones was humbled, even embarassed by a dominant Floyd Patterson, and will be fiercely determined to put on an improved performance against the 16th seed.

01-03-2005, 07:00 AM	#33 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 7,600 Thanks: 83 Thanked 143x in 125 posts	Friday 11 January 2002 Tonight, as expected, a number of news programs gave early coverage in their bulletins to the behaviour of 16 year-old Elmer Ray during the federation's Japan fight card. ESPN's SportsCenter devoted the first five minutes of their evening edition to the HBF, concentrating more on the dynamic action in the ring but not failing to highlight Ray's antics. They have started a poll on their website, asking the public to vote on whether they approved of Ray's behaviour or not. Some broadcasters put a negative spin on the event and portrayed Ray as an out-of-control young punk. He has certainly made headlines, but opinion is hotly divided over whether Ray's behaviour hurt or hindered the HBF. HBF President Michael Vincennes was generally positive in his appraisal of the situation. "I loved what he did in the ring," Vincennes said. "The kid said it himself: he's a showman. That hip-hop routine and the whole entrance was just fine in my opinion. But even more important is the fact that he can really fight. No one will argue with you about that. He's not just simple false youthful brashness. What he did after the Jimmy Young bout was unexpected, but I can't tell you how much buzz it's created for their May matchup. That's good advertising for the HBF, advertising that you can't buy. Now, I'll admit that some of the things he said leading up to the fight were uncalled for, and he will be disciplined for those statements." "How will he be disciplined?" a reporter asked. "That has not yet been determined," replied Vincennes. "Elmer Ray and the other fighters who appeared on the Yokohama Arena fight card will not be back in the United States until Monday morning. At that time, I will sit down with Elmer Ray personally to discuss the situation." Noted sports journalist James Reynolds of the New York Age did not mince his words. "This is not Vince McMahon's WWF, or whatever it's called now," he said. "This is a real sport. When I saw Elmer Ray storm back into the ring, with his own microphone, I thought that I was watching RAW. Sure, I understand that the HBF wants their fighters to be colourful and entertaining, to show emotion, but Elmer Ray's behaviour was just ridiculous." It is assured that Elmer Ray will have a lot to say when he returns to the States on Monday. *** The fact that Jimmy Young, the #16 seed in the HBF's World Championship tournament was not able to win his first professional fight against a fighter who is supposedly the weakest in his group did not receive as much attention as it should have. It really was a case of Young failing to win the fight, rather than his opponent Tony Ross taking it away from him. Young has an excellent jab, and used it effectively in the first round. But then, inexplicably, he decided to brawl with Ross for the majority of the remaining rounds. Young was quite lucky to emerge with a draw. If he had lost the final round, he would have lost the fight. He'll really have to be in the right frame of mind when he clashes with Rocky Jones in five weeks. Jones was humbled, even embarassed by a dominant Floyd Patterson, and will be fiercely determined to put on an improved performance against the 16th seed. Last edited by kenyan_cheena; 04-28-2005 at 11:17 PM.