The term “SWEET SCIENCE” was popularized in modern day sports writing by A.J. Liebling in his New Yorker boxing columns in the ‘50’s. It’s been said that an English writer Pierce Egan, who referred to boxing as “The Sweet Science of Bruising”, first used the original term in the 1700’s. I’m not sure I understand why science is part of the terminology, but it’s not hard to follow why bruising is! Although in recent years it’s been more of a poorly directed soap opera than an exciting and dramatic sport that it used to be.

SWEETNESS IN THE SWEET SCIENCE

Recently a boxing match took place at the MGM in Vegas that may have helped to bring back some of the excitement and drama of the “good old days” of boxing’s American history. Those who too young to remember the fights involving boxing greats such as Louis, Marciano, Dempsey, Tunney and Sugar Ray Robinson have mostly been treated to a fight diet of prima donnas and frauds especially in the heavyweight division.

Nothing much in the way of sweet or science unless Tyson’s mid fight appetizer of Holyfield’s ear could be considered an experiment in food science.

The fight was between Sugar Shane Mosley and Fernando Vargas in a re-match. Sugar was sweet in this one!

It seems that the better fights these days are when two really contrasting styles are matched up. Vargas has an “in your face,” “charge right ‘em” style while Mosley even though he has a devastating punch is a great boxer and counter puncher, and proved the better fighter this night with a left hook that resulted in a TKO finishing off Vargas. Some Vargas fans felt that the effort that Vargas had to make the weight took too much of his energy and resulted in his downfall in this match. This may be the case, but the effort on behalf of both boxers left boxing purists feeling that the “fight game” is alive and well albeit maybe not in the heavier classifications, but certainly there have been some great welter weight and middle weight fights recently.

Mosley, 43/4 with 37 KO’S has improved his ranking considerably with the win and may be considering a match with Floyd Mayweather that will be a “must see” for boxing fans. Vargas on the other hand will be married soon, and afterwards will have to take a long look at his future, although at this point he is not giving any hints as to what he may do next.