Gimmicks vs. Reality

In 1971, a heavyweight fight was proposed that would have been the biggest gimmick the sport had known.

Wilt Chamberlain was one of the most dominant NBA players in history.

He was a towering individual.

Physically, no one could approach the 7-foot-1 inch, 258-pound giant who could bench press up to 500 pounds in his prime.

He once scored 100 points in a game and is the only player to average 50 points in a season.

But at age 34, he was nearing the end of his NBA career and the showman that he was, found the key to keep his image afloat.

Wilt decided he wanted to fight the great Muhammad Ali.

It almost happened. The exhibition was set for Oct. 4 at the Houston Astrodome and was to be billed “the Greatest vs. The Biggest”.

Ali, of course, is considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time.

He held the title from 1964-1970. He was the undisputed champion from 1974 to 1978, and his ability in the ring and his personality made him one of the most compelling sports figures of the 20th century.

On a TV show, Wilt was shown to have a 12-inch reach advantage over Ali, but the quick-tongued boxer said, “reach doesn’t mean nothing if he doesn’t find no one to hit”.

It sounded like a fascinating proposition until Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke signed Chamberlain to a hefty contract.

Sports observers chuckled over the prospect, but no one really ever expected the event to actually happen.

That was then, this is now.

Today, there is no limit to how preposterous people can conjure up gimmicks for the single purpose of making money. Incredible sums of money.

We had one of those last week when Mike Tyson fought Jake Paul n AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. That stadium is the home of the Dallas Cowboys, who going into Monday night’s game against Houston, had lost all four games they’ve played there this season.

Only a truly evil reporter would comment that no good event has been held there this year, but I won’t go there.

The NFL games have been credible, but not the boxing match between Tyson and Paul.

Mike Tyson was one of the greatest heavyweights ever,  an undisputed world champion, a relentless puncher who was never knocked down or in any real difficulty in the ring.

But Mike Tyson was 58 years old when he was sanctioned for his first professional bout in 19 years.

Jake Paul, on the other hand, was a 27-year old boxer, but more than that.

In the world of social media, Paul had amassed over 5 million followers and 2 billion views on his app which was discontinued in 2013.

He is an entertainer who has made millions. He is a phenomenon.

Boxing appears to be secondary for Paul, who now has an 11-1 record.

He’s been involved in Mixed Martial Arts, and all of those Mano a Mano battles in the ring that involve more than just fighting with your fists that have overtaken what was once a regal sport.

By now you know that Paul dominated Tyson and won a unanimous 8-round decision. You knew that this one was going to go the distance. Can you imagine an early knockout with all those millions hanging in the air?

Did anyone expect anything else?

In fact, after the “fight”, Paul admitted that he wanted to give the fans a show.

“I didn’t want to hurt someone who didn’t need to be hurt”.

The amazing story reverts back to the money.

Fifty million viewed the bout on Netflix. Paul came away with 40 million for his efforts. Tyson took home 20 million.

Paul landed 78 punches. Tyson nailed 18.

I am scratching my head over all this.

Are today’s audiences that desperate to pay money to watch a sporting event that degrades the real thing?

How badly do we need gimmicks to spice up normal competition?

The Tyson-Paul fight sent what was once labeled “the sweet science” to the depths.

In my life, boxing was about Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Jack Dempsey, and so many others. Including, of course, “The Greatest”, Muhammad Ali, Walt Frazier, and yes, Mike Tyson.

Iron Mike once declared that he didn’t want to disrespect the sport he loved anymore. So he retired in 2005.

It’s sad.

It’s sad that professional boxing as we know it is a thing of the past.

And it doesn’t have to be that way.

And it’s sad that there can be so much interest in a phony sporting event.

But that’s the way it is these days, and that’s why I am content and happy, living today with whatever the way things are, but smiling as I recall the past days, when things were authentic and real.