Rendall Munroe set for a world title shot
From binman to world champion, this is what boxing is all about.
Hollywood executives are probably falling over each other to get to Leicester now, salivating at the thought of this rags-to-riches triumph-over-adversity story.
He’s not quite there yet, but Rendall Munroe has now earned a shot at the WBC title by defeating Mexican Victor Tarrazas in Coventry on Friday night. Toshiaki Nishioka awaits the west-Midlands refuse collector and victory over the Japanese champion would complete a truly remarkable story.
Nobody in boxing deserves it more than Munroe; he has to be one of the most likable guys in the sport. He had a dream and worked towards it, no moaning, just hard work, determination and courage, one step at a time.
However Tarrazas wasn’t there to be a minor character in this epic tale and it was in-fact he who enjoyed the better start. In the opening few stanzas “Vikingo” controlled the tempo of the fight. He dictated things at his leisure as Munroe was forced to step back and claw away on the back foot to try and gain some sort of leverage. Terrazas continued to keep the Leicester-man at bay for four rounds with his long jab and slick hand speed, although “Two Tone” could perhaps be accused of giving his opponent a bit too much respect.
Like a sand sculptor dropping a bucket of water you felt that Terrazas wouldn’t be able to keep things together. Munroe is a notoriously slow starter and with each round he began to find a bit more rhythm.
Two Tone, who had refused to trash-talk prior to the fight, rubbished any naysayers who said he couldn’t deliver at this level with a destructive display for the remainder of the bout. From the fifth onwards it was all Munroe.
Straight from the bell in the sixth, the southpaw fighter landed six huge lefts that had Terrazas desperately searching for a hiding place. The Mexican appeared to be all out of gas midway through the round, sliding along the ropes and spending more time in the corner than a Victorian dunce.
Munroe wouldn’t relent and unleashed a barrage of combinations on his startled foe, working head and body like a training exercise. Terrazas did the boxing equivalent of curling up into a little ball; any respite in Munroe’s attack was met by the Mexican swallowing huge gulps of air, rather than trying to counter. This continued for another two rounds, Terrazas hardly throwing a punch and coyly eyeing his corner as if he was trying to throw the towel in with the power of telekinesis. A minute into the ninth and the ref decided to end his misery as the crowd roared in approval of their local hero.
The Leicester fighter looked faster, stronger and fitter than Terrazas and fully deserved his victory. In fact the Mexican looked ridiculously sluggish after a strong start, perhaps it was down to his marathon four day journey to England but he was completely outclassed. South America has been sending out fighters with puffed up records since the dawn of time and Vikingo didn’t have the durability you would expect from a boxer with a card like that.
Munroe will reflect on time well spent having taken six weeks of his bin round to train for this fight. He was overcome with emotion by the end, tears rolled down the face of the European and Commonwealth champion as he dedicated his victory to his late Aunt.
When Two Tone was questioned about his slow start he responded with “Anybody who knows me knows I’m like a steam train, you have to chuck a bit of cole in me every now and again.”
Frank Maloney added “This is the story of a real fighting hero that's come up the hard way. Midland area, British, Commonwealth, European and now world title. This is what boxing's all about - he's a credit to the sport.”
In the era when sport his full of millionaire players, greedy associations and easy morals, it is truly amazing that a story such as this can still transpire and inspire. No-one will begrudge Munroe his world title shot, a true boxing hero.
Hollywood can keep Rocky Balboa, Leicester has Rendall Munroe.
Tags: