NEWS: TYSON FURY ADMITS TO DIFFICULTY OF LEAVING BOXING; REFEREE ADMITS TO CHEATING, HELPING MANNY PACQUIAO WIN
By: Jay Calderon
TYSON FURY ADMITS IT'S "VERY DIFFICULT" TO LET BOXING GO
During an interview with The MMA Hour podcast, Heavyweight titlist Tyson Fury discussed the difficulties he has when attempting to leave the fight game behind.
Since his November 2015 title-winning performance over Wladimir Klitschko, Fury has been all over in terms of desire to stay active within the sport. Having dealt with everything from serious mental health issues, temporary suspensions, short-lived retirements, many have genuinely wondered just how active the giant Brit will remain going forward.
According to Fury, he himself has struggled with finding that balance. Fury admits he wanted the perfect domestic life, "the kids, the school runs, and all that", but that he simple isn't suited for such a life, claiming he isn't a "normal person".
"...I'm an abnormal alien. I only thrive when I'm in training camp for a fight. I don't know what's going to happen in the future when that is not an option anymore. I'm pretty fucked up," Fury told MMA Hour host Ariel Helwani.
Fury then pointed out how fighters historically have had similar struggles walking away from the sport, resorting to exhibition fights, and to special attraction events all in an attempt to keep invested in the sport they love.
"Look at Floyd Mayweather," Fury pointed out. "The guy's 45-years-old taking fucking fights against YouTubers and stuff because he can't let it go. It's a very difficult thing to let go."
Historically, Fury is correct in his assessment that many all-time great fighters have had difficulties walking away from the fight game. Professional athletes in general have a tough task finding something to occupy their time when the career runs out.
The tricky part with fighting is that it's a much more dangerous proposition than any other sport when you carry on for too long. In basketball, for example, it can simply mean you're shown up by younger, more athletic players. In boxing, it can have far more of an impact on your long-term health.
In regards to the time he has left, Fury seems in a reasonable space to continue. 34 years of age for the modern athlete isn't nearly as old as it once was, and Heavyweights have had a better go at avoiding Father Time than fighters in other divisions. Still, one hopes that when the time comes, Fury has a plan for dealing with himself in a productive manner.
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AUSSIE BOXER NEDAL HUSSEIN CHEATED OUT OF MANNY PACQUIAO VICTORY
Recently, in a case of "why are you saying this so freely", Hall of Fame referee Carlos Padilla admitted to outright cheating in order to help countryman Manny Pacquiao secure a victory.
Way back in October of 2000, Pacquaio wasn't the superstar he would later become. At the time, he was really only known in his native country of the Phillipines and was looking to build towards bigger and better fights. On his way up those ranks, he faced an unbeaten Australian by the name of Nedal Hussein in Antipolo City.
During a tough and tricky encounter, Pacquiao was dropped harshly via a Hussein jab and, according to referee Padilla, seemed in doubt of being able to recover. At this point, during his interview with the WBC YouTube channel, Padilla admitted to prolonging the count in order to give Manny a better chance at re-cooperating.
"...I thought he was going to get up, but his eyes were cross-eyed," Padilla nonchalantly admitted. "I am Filipino and everybody watching the fight is Filipino, so I prolonged the count. I know how to do it."
Shockingly enough, the admissions of cheating didn't stop there. Padilla later claimed that he could sense Manny may be in danger of losing the encounter. So, when a clash of heads opened up a cut on the left brow of Hussein, Padilla falsely attributed the gash to a punch.
This distinction is particularly important as it pertains to the outcome of a fight. Had it been ruled that the cut was the result of a clash of heads, and it was deemed Hussein was unfit to continue, the fight would be stopped and a technical decision would be rendered. However, if the cut is caused by a punch, the result is a technical knockout in favor of the opposing fighter.
Because the cut was ruled to be caused by a punch, Pacquiao was declared the winner via TKO.
While Pacquiao was ahead on the scorecards at the time of the stoppage according to BoxRec.com, Padilla claimed he felt he and Manny "may be in trouble" had the fight continued.
Padilla further expressed how the cut wasn't particularly bad. Regardless, he didn't get the doctor to check the laceration, but instead stated that he gestured for the physician to wave the fight off.
The bout was officially stopped at 1:48 of the tenth frame.
When this interview was released, word eventually got to Hussein, who, as one could guess, was fuming. Speaking the The Daily Mail, Hussein stated that winning that fight for the WBC International Jr. Featherweight title would have dramatically altered his career path at that time.
"Winning that fight would have changed my life," Hussein stated. "I missed out on a couple of hundred grand and a world title fight. I would have been able to buy a house and been so much better off.
Hussein's career needed a rebuild of sorts after the loss, but he did eventually challenge for a title. In 2004, Hussein faced Oscar Larios for his portion of the Jr. Featherweight strap, ultimately losing via unanimous decision.
To his credit, Hussein claims he has no ill will towards Pacquaio, stating, "It's not his fault -- it's got nothing to do with him." The Aussie also says he's spoken to Manny a few times since, and the fight is hardly the topic of their conversations. However, he has no interest in speaking to Padilla, as he claims it "wouldn't end well".
The craziest thing about this whole story is the insane amount of comfort with which Padilla told on himself. If you haven't seen the video, it's worth watching if only to see a man openly admit to outright robbing another human being of a level playing field.
His ability to freely acknowledge such an act would almost be impressive if it wasn't for the unfortunate boxer that his decision negatively impacted.
The only thing I will say is that this isn't uncommon in boxing. I'm not saying it happens all of the time (or that it makes it OK here), but it takes place far more often than some would imagine. Boxing is a fractured sport. In many countries that don't operate under the same level of scrutiny as the major boxing markets, fight records are enhanced, losses erased, and counts prolonged.
Hopefully -- though, I won't be holding my breath -- these revelations can bring about a positive end result that improves the odds of all fighters getting a fair shake.
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