Reply #7: It's an unfortunate

[H2O Man]

part of the sport. Not unexpected, not surprising. But still gross.

In one of my amateur fights, for a tournament title, I knocked the hell out of my home-town opponent. Knocked his mouthpiece into the third row at ringside with one shot in the second round, then he ran like a track star for the rest of the fight. But, he was the son of a local "businessman," and when the referee saw the scorecards, he kept saying, "You can't do this. It just isn't right.

When the decision was announced, my opponent told me that he knew I won the fight. Carmen Basilio was at ringside, and he kept telling me that I won. In the dressing room, the opponent came over, and offered me the winner's trophy. I didn't want it, but I appreciated his offer.

It's funny: I fought hundreds of fights, and only lost nine. I have no problem with those where I really got beat, or where it was kind of close. But to get ripped off sucks, and it is something that you always remember.

Paul knows the deal. He needs to consider all of his options. I think that he should headline some of the cards in the Albany, NY area. Get a few "local" victories, even if they don't pay as well. Get on ESPN's FNFs. Rebuild. That makes more sense than accepting hometown rip-offs, and opponent status, even if that pays more in the short-term.