Winky Wright: The Impeccable Business Man

It's hard to get major fights when you're tough as hell, a southpaw with impeccable defense and the owner of an impressive win streak on your resume. Where is Winky Wright?

The last time many of us have seen or heard anything from him was on July 21, 2007 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada after losing to Bernard Hopkins. Since his defeat, Wright's name seems to have vanished from the upper-echelon salary bracket of HBO Pay-Per-View. Ironically, there are a numerous opportunities for Wright which stretches through a span of several weight classes, politics and world titles.

According to several boxing sources, Winky Wright, (51-4 25KOs) lately has been difficult to negotiate with. Other boxers and fight analyst agree that perhaps Winky's shrewd business mind has come back to haunt him as his potentially hall of fame career fades out as boxers typically wear down throughout the years of their prime and into their latter days.

Allegedly...

Remember that historic middleweight title fight between Winky Wright and Jermain Taylor back in June 2006 which ended in a controversial draw? Allegedly, Taylor's people offered Wright a total of $US 5 million dollars for a rematch by December of 2006. Ironically, Winky declined the offer with the belief that he was being cheated by Jermain Taylor and his camp considering Taylor, then the middleweight champion, would receive more.

"In order for the fight to be made, it's gotta be 50-50," argued a competitively and business-minded Wright. "Jermain can't do it without me and I can't do it without him. It should be 50-50 down the board."

According to another source from ESPN, Wright turned down fights from both, WBC Junior middleweight champion, Vernon Forrest of Atlanta Georgia and former pound 4 pound and four division champion, Roy Jones Jr citing that they were his "friends." Not to mention, considering he's spent the greater portion fighting at 154lbs - 160lbs, Winky has stated that "he's not able to fight above 168-170lbs because I won't be at my best."

Looking toward the future...

Believe that people miss Winky Wright. He's one of the sports top ranked elite former champions. Although his defensively-minded posture isn't one of the most enjoyable sites for fans in hunger of spectacular knockouts, for technicians alike, Winky is one of the best in the game. Without getting to carried away, allow us to peer into which lucrative situations remain a possibility for the 35 year old.

At 168 - 170lbs, Joe Calzaghe: Many experts expect Hopkins to lose his April 19, 2008 fight to Joe Calzaghe. Not surprisingly, a fight with a defensive-minded genius like Wright and Calzaghe could do pretty good numbers. Winky's impeccable defense verses Calzaghe's rapid combinations makes for an intriguing HBO event if Calzaghe can win.

Above 160lbs, Winner of Kelly Pavlik - Jermain Taylor 2: Many expect Pavlik to walk through Jermain Taylor. If Pavlik wins, it'll be an opportunity for Wright to get back into the mix of the things by defeating the man, Jermain Taylor. However, if Taylor were to secure a victory against Pavlik in the rematch, it would be Winky's biggest opportunity afar to accept a rematch with Taylor, immediately!

At 154lbs, Oscar De La Hoya: Not quite sure how Winky could do it. But if somehow he could lure De La Hoya into the ring sometime this year, or next year it would be huge. But Oscar has emphatically stated several times he "is not interested in facing Winky Wright."

At 168 or 170lbs, Roy Jones Jr: Allegedly he said they were "friends." But in this business, a friend can become an opponent if the price is right.

Unfortunately, it's not many options out there for Winky at the moment. Maybe some of the less lucrative contracts can be of interest to keep the aging champion "busy" until his big fight comes upon the horizon. Then again, a lot of the less lucrative fights are typically riskier to only be considered a "busy" fight. Perhaps we'll see how these next few months pan out; hopefully a plan with Wright involved will come into fruition.