Jermain Who? That’s Wright…
Winky’s the MAN!

By Joon Lee
FightBeat.com Staff Writer

The play on words of  ‘Wright’ for ‘right” in headlines about Winky Wright has reached the saturation point.

Too bad, this is the Wright moment. 

 If anything emerged from last Saturday’s anti-climatic rematch between Jermain Taylor and Bernard Hopkins, it’s that the best middleweight in the world is Winky Wright.

He returns this Saturday -- off his virtuoso shutout of Felix Trinidad in May – against the unorthodox #1 160-pound contender, Sam Soliman of Australia.

WRONG DECISIONS

Arguably, Wright’s not lost since his close 12-round decision to Julio Cesar Vasquez in ‘94. His losses to Harry Simon and Fernando Vargas were highly questionable.

In his WBO title fight against Simon in ’98, it was first announced a draw -- later changed to a majority decision for Simon. The fight took place in South Africa. Simon lives in Namibia.

Wright expressed his disgust for the WBO, saying he’d never fight for the organization again. The following year, Wright challenged the young Fernando Vargas for the IBF Jr. Middleweight title, losing a highly disputed decision again.

KARMA’S NO BITCH

Despite his bitterness, Wright plowed on, earning another title shot. He lifted the vacant IBF crown, easily out-boxing Robert Frazier. He defended four times before finally getting a unification bout against Shane Mosley in early ‘04.

In his first main event on HBO’s World Championship Boxing, Wright surprised, thoroughly outclassing Mosley. He out-boxed him in the rematch, proving it was no fluke. 

The second win over Mosley set the stage for a mega Pay-Per-View with Trinidad. It was Winky’s career-defining performance.  He pitched a shutout.

At 33, Wright not only headlined his first PPV show, made his biggest pay day, but off his total domination of a legend, there was a groundswell for him to be recognized as the best pound-for-pound in the game.

After back-to-back-to-back fights against top opposition, Wright -- now 34 -- finally gets a ‘tune-up’ bout, headlining his first HBO card without a marquee- opponent. After years of fighting overseas, or on Roy Jones under cards, Winky’s the attraction, not the opponent.

Who is Sam Soliman? Who was Felix Sturm before he fought Oscar De La Hoya?

 Soliman’s a big middleweight -- an awkward switch hitter with underrated hand-speed and footwork -- and a deceptive 31-7 record (12KOs) He’s no tune-up.

 Wright never gets a break like the other HBO stars, often showcased against overmatched opponents.  Winky steps up against anyone. 

P4P DEBATE: FLOYD OR WINKY?

Like Pernell Whitaker in his prime, Mayweather rarely loses a round. His performances aren’t fights, they’re masterpieces.  Nobody does it better than Pretty Boy.

Yet he wastes his time against limited opposition, giving lip service to calling-out marquee names (including Wright), making outrageous purse demands.

Wright consistently takes on the best competition available, and does what he doest best: Add a  ‘W’.

In light of Taylor’s razor-thin verdict over Hopkins, fans and experts (this writer included) are tabbing Wright the best middleweight in the world.

Taylor’s a talented fighter, but twice couldn’t overcome the savvy of an old veteran with nothing left but guile.

In spite of the fight having been for the undisputed title, Wright -- not Taylor -- is the consensus top dog…though hasn’t fought a real middleweight yet.

Soliman will be his first test -- he’s more mobile and fluid than the one-dimensional Trinidad. 

On paper, this is actually a quality fight, something HBO’s forgotten about.

THE FLUCTUATING EGYPTIAN

Soliman -- much like his unpredictable style -- once campaigned as a cruiser.  Instead of gradually moving up in weight, he’s gone down the scale. 

Trinidad was a blown-up welter. Solimon’s trimmed over 30 pounds, a testament to his dedication

His style -- which defies description -- befuddles opponents, and he hits hard enough to get their attention.  He has 19 consecutive wins, including a sweet-revenge mugging of Raymond Joval on U.S. TV.

Though Soliman and Wright are hard to hit, and accumulation punchers, that’s where the similarity ends.

Wright -- hands down -- is the better technician, and has worlds more experience. Soliman’s more a middleweight Naseem Hamed, without the clout.

He’s within sight of a long-awaited title shot.  Only Wright stands in the way.

Come Saturday, many expect another ‘W’ for Winky.  With Soliman’s whiskers – one-sided or competitive – it should go the distance. 

A win would set up a showdown with Taylor… and the answer to: Who’s is the best middleweight in the world?

I think Winky will have the Wright answer.

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