INSIDE BOXING "Still, No Apology from ESPN "
BY STEPHEN S. JOHNSON

(IB-January 16, 2009) Last night in Laredo Texas there were two events that needed covering.

The continued success of featherweight Juan Carlos Burgos (24-0, 17 KO's) was not marred by the not surprisingly tough and persistent Juan Carlos Martinez (15-11-1, 5 KO's) in the main event. 

The young Burgos still has a long way to go, but was able to finally take out the pesky Martinez when the bout was ended after Burgos landed several solid shots forcing the referee to step in and end the bout in round twelve.

Most irritating were the comments by analysts Teddy Atlas and Brian Kenny who spoke as if we were seeing the next featherweight champion in the still maturing Burgos. 

This fight was "made for radio" because Burgos showed himself to be limited in both hand and foot speed.

Had you the pleasure of viewing this fight yourself, the obvious is that Laredo, Texans love their night at the fights. I would venture to say they love ANY night at the fights and for that they are to be commended. 

Juan Carlos Burgos' overblown record of 24 victories with 17 knockouts looks impressive, but it is fairly clear the level of competition Burgos has faced is average to say the least. Look for him to rise the level of competition and that will probably force him to leave the comforts of Texas.

Ticket prices for this Friday Night Fights event shown on ESPN were $10, $20, $50 and $70. 

The real event of the evening was when/if Teddy Atlas would either produce an e-mail that (allegedly) came from "someone in the Pacquiao camp) inquiring if there were blood tests done that proved positive for any type of PED's (Performance Enhancing Drugs) could the results be kept quiet, or apologize for giving out information that had not been verified.

The idea of someone/anyone inquiring about positive drug tests being kept secret is ridiculous. But Teddy Atlas went on the air last Friday night and made the claim, leading most to take that as fact. 

This last 7 days have been hell on both Atlas and his reputation. The e-mail was also reported by Philadelphia Columnist Tim Smith and it was widely speculated that both Atlas and Smith would appear and provide proof of their allegations for all to see last night.

But there was no such proof provided and there was no Tim Smith available. Only Teddy Atlas, after making the highly inflammatory claim, was available and he wasn't doing much talking...about the e-mail.

Not only was the subject avoided but ESPN had cruiserweight contender BJ Flores inject his opinion on who he felt was the guilty party in killing the Pacquiao vs Mayweather, Jr. fight. Not surprisingly, Flores felt Pacquiao is responsible and should have taken the tests "just so everyone knew for sure" there were no illegal drugs involved. 

SHAME, SHAME, AND MORE SHAME ON YOU ESPN!

First of all, who cares what the opinion of BJ Flores is? He is a contender in a game that presently has as many opinions as...well, eyeballs.

The obvious set-up was for Flores and Brian Kenny to run interference for Atlas. They did an adequate job but there were a few glaring problems.

Just last week, Brian Kenny took a stance against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. for causing all this ruckus by demanding a "Olympic-style blood test" for Many Pacquiao.

Tonight he suddenly declares that "after having much time to think it over", Pacquiao is the guilty party?

Kenny continues, stating the admission of former Major League Baseball player Mark McGwire had helped him come to the conclusion that all big fights combatants should be tested just "to make sure all are on a level playing field". 

The cry for "a level playing field" is not unique to this aborted match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

"Iron" Mike Tyson wanted steroid testing done on Evander Holyfield. Andrew Golotta was suspected of being a steroid abuser by Riddick Bowe. Neither acknowledged or denied drug abuse nor was tested.

There is no place for Teddy Atlas or Tim Smith to hide. They made a simple allegation and came out publicly with it. They have the forum to reach boxing fans around the country every Friday night and took advantage of that forum just this last Friday night.

Atlas' first comments regarding the email incident were that "I'm not going to apologize. If Tim Smith apologizes I'll apologize."

So what's the problem?

The e-mail should have been produced with Atlas and Smith present, to verify its' authenticity.

There was no e-mail produced...there was no sighting of Tim Smith...only the now humiliated Teddy Atlas was present to have himself, and his now sullied reputation, blow in the wind. 

Hearing Flores and Kenny give their now gratuitous opinions was bad enough, but we then have Teddy Atlas unbelievably declare that "both sides are to blame" in the demise of the Pacquiao vs Mayweather, Jr. fight.

If you claim to have "from a very reliable source" learned there is an e-mail suggesting positive test results from one fighter be kept quiet, how could you possibly "ride the fence" on who was guilty of killing the match?

Pure common sense would dictate that if such a document existed, the party making the inquiry would incriminate themselves to the point of, in the court of public opinion, Pacquiao being guilty of some type of illegal drug usage. That would make Pacquiao responsible for the demise of the fight and a damned liar!

Since there is presently no e-mail to substantiate any further conversation regarding such e-mail, the only logical conclusion one can come to is that Teddy Atlas was duped and must now pay the price. 

Poor Teddy Atlas...hung out to dry by some internet e-mail hacker who not only fooled Atlas' source (Tim Smith) but has now tainted the reputation of Atlas to the point where he can never again give credible information regarding future fight gossip without immediately providing the NAME OF HIS SOURCE.

Had Atlas done what it took years for Mark McGwire to do (come clean), all would be forgotten.

Not many folks I know would hold a grudge against someone who had been bamboozled by internet fraud. It's one of the chances one takes when dealing with the internet and Teddy Atlas had to learn this the hard way.

Precautions are usually taken to derail such activities and one would think that "ESPN the Worlds 24 Hour Sports Network" would have fully investigated the alleged e-mail, its' contents and the information provider before allowing such an accusation to be broadcast.

Evidently Teddy Atlas' reputation was expendable, while both Tim Smith and ESPN get a free pass...

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