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February 05, 2005
New Century
Riots at boxing matches are nothing new; they're practically a tradition. Perhaps that's why there's something almost cinematically awful about the vibe one gets about tonight's Spinks-Judah rematch in St. Louis. You wouldn't maybe think of Nelly fans as the violent type, hey? The perennial underdog-supporters here at Mus Mus Tail, who approve only of heavily choreographed gang violence accompanied by show tunes, hope Judah effects a round-one KO and gets the hell outta Dodge.
Posted by jd at 10:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
February 04, 2005
Real Thing
Rest up, Max, you've earned it. A few generations ago Schmeling was painted as the guy with the Aryan S on his chest: not just symbolizing the Third Reich, but doing so proudly, personally deserving of the savage beating Joe Louis gave him in their rematch. The American imagination being as wedded as it is to first impressions, this view of Schmeling persisted even through re-tellings of the story. The PBS version has Schmeling as penitent pascal lamb, absorbing guilt in which he shares. The reality of the situation is probably a lot messier than all that; certainly Schmeling revelled in the attention bestowed on him by the German government. What athlete wouldn't? But his great act of heroism in a time of unprecedented horror, and his consequent mistreatment by the very nation who'd so loved to hold him up as an example of their ridiculous notions about race-specific abilities, is the stuff of tragedy. And his having paid for Joe Louis's funeral suggests — in the wondrous shading of actions rather than words: just as in boxing itself, I suppose — a man with a heart as big as an oak. We don't mourn Max; he'd been here ninety-nine years and it was time for him to go. If something good exists beyond this world, then we hope Max Schmeling gets a big sweet piece of it. He was a guy who, when it really counted, came through in the clutch. Respect.
Posted by jd at 12:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack