A collection of my past writing, ranging from event previews to opinion pieces.
Does the NFL (still) have a concussion problem?
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa reaches for his head after an awkward fall during Miami’s Week 3 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. Tagovailoa suffered an apparent head injury on the play, followed up by his severe injury suffered in Week 4’s Thursday Night game.
MIAMI – Concussions in contact sports aren’t a foreign concept. For the entirety of the NFL’s existence, there has been one common denominator connecting the many generations that have graced the field. Concussions.
It’s no secret the NFL has been making efforts to reduce the amount of head injuries players endure. After all, the movie Concussion (2015) pulled back the cloak that covered the league's ugly history of head trauma. More specifically, the effects of CTE.
Media scrutiny seems to be the bane of the NFL’s existence. Which is why they started to make actual efforts to limit concussions only after a popular film about concussions was released. But that’s neither here nor there.
In 2022, it seems as though the NFL is back to square one.
In Week 3 of the 2022 campaign, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa took a hit against the Bills and appeared to have hit his head on the turf. The hit resulted in Tagovailoa getting up only to stumble and lose his balance in what many saw as a clear sign of a head injury.
To the surprise of many, Tagovailoa was cleared to play just four days later. “Concussion protocols” and an independent doctor deemed Tagovailoa fit to play, claiming he instead suffered back and ankle injuries on the play.
To the surprise of no one, Tagovailoa suffered another head injury part way through the second quarter following a sack against the Bengals.
The Dolphins quarterback was carted off the field as national TV cameras captured jarring footage of his fingers locked in awkward positions due to the severity of the head trauma.
Tua Tagovailoa’s immediate reaction to his head injury during Miami’s Thursday Night matchup against Cincinnati. He was taken to a hospital shortly after his injury and was able to move and feel all extremities.
Simply put, Tua Tagovailoa was not fit to play. Him falling over in Week 3 is what is known as a “no go” symptom in the NFL concussion protocol. For whatever reason, he was still allowed to play.
In 2021, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes suffered a concussion in the AFC divisional round against the Browns. The impact was bad enough that it prompted a “fencing response”, which is when someone's arms and legs enter awkward positions due to traumatic brain injury. He also stumbled as he got up.
Patrick Mahomes’ reaction following a sack. He entered concussion protocol following this injury during Kansas City’s 2021 AFC Divisional matchup against Cleveland, but was cleared to return the next week.
Despite the signs of head trauma, Patrick Mahomes was cleared to play in the following week's AFC Championship game. In Mahomes’ case, he was able to avoid another hit which could have accelerated the effects of his injury.
Regardless, these players were allowed to step back on the field despite the clear indications of head injury. Safeguards such as independent doctors and concussion protocols still couldn’t save these players from concussions.
The mainstream coverage that head trauma in the NFL has received, as well as the evolution of science, has certainly pushed concussion prevention in a positive direction. Just last year, the NFL recorded its first season with fewer than 200 concussions in preseason and regular season.
This can be attributed to a concussion protocol, which was first implemented in 2011 and reviewed annually, as well as rule changes that have limited head to head contact.
During the 2022 preseason, the league directed all offensive linemen, defensive linemen, tight ends, and linebackers to wear “Guardian caps” over their usual helmets to reduce the impact on their heads. A change which led to a reported 50 percent decrease in preseason concussions.
These changes are all reasons to believe the NFL is prioritizing player safety. The numbers back it up as well. The NFL has reported 16-29 percent decreases in concussions yearly since 2017.
At the same time, young players like Patrick Mahomes and Tua Tagovailoa have shown that talent trumps all. If there is a game to be won, time and time again NFL teams have proven they will sacrifice anything for that win.
“It’s business.” - Dr. Julian Bailes, Concussion (2015)
04/2022
Errol Spence Jr vs. Terence Crawford is the biggest fight to make in Boxing
WBO world champion Terence Crawford (left) has been rumoured to fight WBC/IBF/WBA world champion Errol Spence Jr (right) for nearly 5 years. Now, the welterweights may finally meet.
Since the Mayweather-Pacquiao era, boxing has seemingly lacked the types of fights that attract casual viewers. Political hoops lay in the way of big budget events, whether it be networks demanding too much or promoters not willing to cooperate. Whatever the obstacle may be, boxing fans have had to wait on countless significant fights, if they happened at all. However, recently, there has been an uptick in “big” fights.
More frequently than ever, we are seeing top tier fighters matchup for title eliminators, title unification bouts, and even fights for undisputed status. With this in mind, it is clear which fight is the biggest to make in boxing right now: Errol “The Truth” Spence Jr (28-0, 22 KOs) vs Terence “Bud” Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs).
For nearly 5 years, fans have clamored for a matchup between unified WBC/IBF/WBA welterweight world champion Errol Spence Jr and WBO welterweight world champion Terence Crawford. Spence captured his first piece of the welterweight crown in 2017 when he defeated then IBF world champion Kell Brook. Spence took the bout via 11th round TKO following a performance which saw the former Olympian break Brook’s orbital bone. In Brook’s home country of England no less. Since then, Spence has racked up 6 defences of his title, while adding two more belts to his resume.
In September of 2019, Errol Spence Jr put his IBF title on the line against then WBC world champion “Showtime” Shawn Porter. What followed was 2019’s Fight of the Year with Spence and Porter going to war for 12 rounds. If not for an 11th round knockdown for Spence, the fight may have gone the other way. Nonetheless, Spence edged out a split decision to capture two pieces of the welterweight crown.
Spence captured his most recent championship on April 16th 2022 when he defeated then WBA world welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas via 10th round TKO. Ugas came into the unification bout having beaten future Hall of Famer Manny Pacquiao via unanimous decision.
Despite the massive victory, many wrote off the former Olympic Bronze medalist going into his fight with Spence. Perhaps due to Spence’s recovery from eye surgery. Regardless, Ugas was able to rock Spence in the fifth round prompting the referee to stop the bout momentarily so Spence could recollect his mouth piece. From that point on, “the Truth” pushed the pace, eventually forcing Ugas’ right eye to swell shut.
Errol Spence Jr with his WBA/WBC/IBF world titles following his TKO victory over Yordenis Ugas.
Terence Crawford, on the other hand, has had a much different introduction to the welterweight throne. In fact, Crawford actually began his professional career at the lightweight division (135 lbs). His championship crusade began in 2014 when he won the WBO world lightweight title via unanimous decision over Ricky Burns.
Crawford’s stay at 135 ended a year later due to difficulties making the weight limit. A move to 140 was inevitable, but few expected the vast improvement in performance. Crawford swiftly collected multiple belts in the junior welterweight division, eventually setting up an undisputed clash against Julius Indongo in 2017.
The two champions went into the matchup each holding two pieces of the junior welterweight crown. Along with the Ring Magazine lineal belt, the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF world titles were all on the line for a rare undisputed fight.
In what many expected to be a tightly contested battle between two warriors instead ended up being a one-sided beatdown in favour of Terence Crawford. Crawford stopped Indongo in three rounds thanks to a body shot which sent the champion to the canvas. With the win, the Omaha, Nebraska native became only the third undisputed champion in the four-belt era. His quest for gold didn’t end there.
Following his historic victory, Crawford moved up to welterweight to challenge Jeff Horn for the WBO world welterweight championship in 2018. Once again, “Bud” was at his best on the biggest stage, winning his most recent belt via 9th round TKO. Ever since this win, fans and media alike have been asking for Errol Spence to match up with Terence Crawford.
Apart from the obvious obstacles in the business of boxing, the fight has been in jeopardy multiple times. To start, the fight wouldn’t have been a thought had Terence Crawford not survived a gunshot to the head in 2008. Then a young professional, Crawford very well could have retired from boxing right there.
Errol Spence Jr. suffers from a similar story of adversity when he was involved in a life threatening car crash just weeks following the Porter fight in 2019. Many believed the Dallas, Texas native would be a fraction of himself, if not done for. He returned in spectacular fashion, cruising to a unanimous decision over former 2 division world champion Danny Garcia in 2020.
The two boxers enter the possible matchup with resumes worthy of pound-for-pound recognition amongst their peers. Spence is a 2012 US Olympian, with 3 world titles at welterweight while Crawford is a three division world champion, including undisputed champion at junior welterweight. Perhaps a work of destiny, they’ve even cheated death to be here today.
With multiple championships, and a major amateur pedigree between Spence and Crawford, a fight between the two would transcend time.
In terms of the style matchup, Crawford’s ability to switch stances can create problems for Spence. However, Crawford also tends to finish fights and fight primarily in the southpaw stance, which is Spence’s natural stance. Spence on the other hand possesses one of the best jabs and body punching in boxing, while also carrying power in both hands.
By comparison, Spence brings a seemingly perfected style based around the fundamentals of boxing while also complementing it with heavy hands. He’s shown the ability to box at a high level, but his power is his biggest asset. Crawford brings arguably the deepest skill-set in boxing today. He can fight in both stances, while also showcasing the ability to outbox or out “bang” with his opponents. In addition, Crawford has established himself as one of the best finishers in boxing, accumulating 9 straight stoppages.
Where they stand now, there are little to no obstacles in the way of making this blockbuster fight. Errol Spence Jr has collected the final belt to make this bout an undisputed clash for the ages while Terence Crawford is a free agent.
For years, the biggest problem for Crawford was that he was “on the wrong side of the street”. In other words, he fought for Top Rank Promotions whereas Spence fights for Premier Boxing Champions along with every other top welterweight.
Crawford’s free agency adds a new layer of optimism to the fight. However this time around, there seems to be little doubt this fight will be made. The magnitude of this matchup makes too much sense, financially and in terms of each fighter's legacy.
Both fighters need this matchup to solidify their case as the top 147 pounder in the world. In addition, Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano are set to battle on May 14th for the undisputed super welterweight championship. Potentially opening the door for Spence or Crawford to move up and challenge the winner next year.
At that point though, we’re looking too far ahead. Let’s just sit back and hope the biggest fight in boxing finally gets made.
Terence Crawford poses with his WBO/WBA/WBC/IBF/Ring Magazine world titles as undisputed champion following his TKO victory over Julius Indongo.
Katie Taylor faces Amanda Serrano in arguably the biggest fight in Women’s Boxing
NEW YORK, NY – Two of the very best in women’s boxing go head to head on April 30th as undisputed lightweight world champion Katie Taylor (20-0, 6 KOs) defends her title against former seven division world champion Amanda Serrano (42-1-1, 30 KOs). The two future Hall of Famers will meet in arguably the biggest fight in women’s boxing history.
For the first time ever, two women will headline a boxing card at the famed Madison Square Garden.
The champion Taylor comes in with an impressive 20-0 record, but what’s more impressive is her rapid rise to stardom. After claiming gold at the 2012 London Olympics, the Irish boxer turned pro and wasted little time collecting championships.
Taylor won her first world title in only her seventh bout when she defeated Anahi Ester Sanchez via unanimous decision. From there, Taylor has accumulated impressive victories over current undisputed welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill, Delfine Persoon, and even Serrano’s sister Cindy Serrano.
For Serrano, championship success came later, and in multiple divisions. The Puerto Rican boxer made her pro debut in 2009 remaining undefeated before claiming her first world title at super featherweight. Serrano suffered her only loss in 2012 when she dropped a unanimous decision to Frida Wallberg. Despite the loss, Serrano has earned world titles at 115, 118, 122, 126, 130, 135, and 140 lbs.
Taylor is looking to make a sixth defence of her undisputed lightweight world championship while Serrano is chasing her second reign as champion at 135.
BOUT SHEET:
Main Event: Katie Taylor (IRL) 20-0, 6 KOs vs. Amanda Serrano (PR) 42-1-1, 30 KO’s
Division: Lightweight
First time women are headlining a boxing event at Madison Square Garden
For Taylor’s undisputed lightweight world championship
Serrano is a former seven division world champion
Biggest fight in Women’s Boxing history
Liam Smith (UK) 30-3-1, 17 KOs vs. Jessie Vargas (USA) 29-3-2, 11 KOs
Division: Super welterweight
Vargas is a former two division world champion at 140 and 147
Has fought Mikey Garcia, Adrien Broner, Manny Pacquiao, and Timothy Bradley over his career
Smith is a former world champion at 154
Has fought Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia over his career
Franchon Crews-Dezurn (USA) 7-1, 2 KOs vs. Elin Cederroos (SWE) 8-0, 4 KOs
Division: Super middleweight
For Crews-Dezurn’s undisputed super middleweight world title
Crews-Dezurn is a former two-time USA Olympic alternate
Made her pro debut against two time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields
Austin Williams (USA) 10-0, 8 KOs vs. Chordale Booker (USA) 17-0, 7 KOs
Division: Middleweight
Galal Yafai (UK) 1-0, 1 KO vs. Miguel Cartagena (USA) 17-6-1, 8 KOs
Division: Flyweight
Yafai won Olympic gold at Tokyo 2020
Reshat Mati (USA) 12-0, 7 KOs vs. Joe Eli Hernandez (USA) 12-2, 10 KOs
Division: Welterweight
Khalil Coe (USA) 3-0-1, 2 KOs vs. William Langston (USA) 6-2, 4 KOs
Division: Light heavyweight
Skye Nicholson (AUS) 3-0 vs. Shanecqua Paisley Davis (USA) 3-2
Division: Featherweight