The Era of Inaccurate

In a classroom in an elementary school, the teacher asks each student to read aloud some passage the text of the day. The year was 1991: Evander Holyfield, "The Real Deal", was the undefeated and undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. At a public school, children of seven years old are learning to read, they strive themselves to combine letters, to form syllables, finally, to read without stuttering.

Literacy is the first big battle. There is no way out. The boy needs to win. Nobody likes someone who doesn’t know. There is only one way to accomplish the task: properly pronouncing the text. He knows it. Each sentence corresponds to a student. A special boy realizes that there are five students just ahead of him. He looks at the text and marks the exact phrase that will be addressed to him. He examines the sentence, in silence, analyzing each word and rehearses in a low voice. He is anxious for his turn, he does not want ashamed. When his turn arrives and if he reads wrong, fatally the other colleagues will laugh of him.

A child stammered and made a mistake. The chatter begins. Between the laughs, there was heard an audible ‘What a dumb one! He can’t read!’ That child lowered his head in shame, recognizing his mistake. The teacher ceases the uproar correcting him. The boy in turn accurately repeats the pronunciation. He learned and probably will not forget.

That special boy does not want to be subject of the same humiliation. He desires to pronounce properly. He trains once again, whispering. His reputation is under stake. He is convinced to fight for that. He wants to be recognized.

Today the world has changed. Inside a unique organization (WBA) leading up three champions in the same weight division simultaneously: interim champion, champion and super champion. In case of WBC, current programming does not prioritize the unification bout between the interim and regular champion, (e.g. Charlo and Alvarez), instead of arranging Daniel Jacobs as a challenger for the Middleweight belt scheduled for the next May 4th.

Within this new world, let’s examine some realistic illustration. A typical undergraduate student matriculated second-year at some prestigious business school. A 19 years old boy, walks into a classroom and there is present just in “body” during the classes. He refuses to obey the rules, neither to follow instructions. He studies at his own time. Sometimes he is on time. Other times, he could not attend. He does it on his way, which he believes is the right, discarding any additional advice.

At the end of the semester, after failing to achieve the required minimum grade of “6.0”, he turned to the Full Professor, with the following exact words: I would like to have an appointment with you to discuss about my grade in the final exam, to understand the reasons it took for me to receive a “5”. I personally believe that I was seriously committed with the course over the semester and I have always put a lot of effort to improve my knowledge and deliver better models, such fact reflected my regular presence in the classes. Having 5,0 in the final exam "didn’t allowed" me to be approved (final grade: 5,6) (…) for only 0,4 points.

In particular, it is noted that he is determined to fight for what he believes. He pursues the minimum prerequisite necessary for obtaining the merited approval. Thus, he needs to arrange this to arrange this appointment to requiring his approval, since his performance was remarkable.

This is an aspiring businessman description. He is not ashamed to declare about how much time he spent, to achieve a “5”. However, such effort deserves rewards, in fact, only 0,4 points to be considered. He will hell-bent looking for his rights. His peers praise him in public terms. For his colleagues, he is a hero. He will confront his opponent, the unfair Professor. If necessary, he will promote formal complaints and appeal to the superior board. If he is unable to receive the due attention from them, he will denigrate the Professor’s image at the School. The rule must be modified. There is only one culprit: the Professor. This young student is too close to the minimum.

According to the student’s opinion, the Professor should reconsider and reward him. All this because he had to devote such enormous effort to perform. As his colleagues, which give him an applause for his ability to argue in favor of his lack of competence. Ultimately, he did not fail by virtue of having not reached the goal: therefore certainly he deserves to be approved just because he tried.

Besides he has been disapproved by such inflexible Professor, this warrior will not fail in this new world. On the contrary, he will be a success. There will be many jobs offers to someone endowed with the qualifications requested by this new world: sociable, cooperation skills and grift. He knows how to fight for his beliefs. Above all, he possesses an incredible ability to distance himself from the confrontation. He is dominating the dodge master art. Even he receives some power punches, he trusts that it will not tarnish his performance. Above all, he is accurate right.

***

The evening of January 19 was marked by the first important event of the 2019 boxing season. After 12 rounds, the WBA World Champion Manny Pacquiao retained his title by unanimous decision: 117-111, 116-112 e 116-112. In Brazil, FoxSport has transmitted the event, preceded by Extensive reviews about the boxers. Curiously, the narrators exposed Broner vs. Garcia images, indicating the draw by majority decision, including several commentaries about that bout. In particular, it is crucial highlight that the bout of September 27 (2017), Garcia defeated Broner, by unanimous decision. The draw occurred on April 4th at 2018, which Broner faced Jessie Vargas. This bout was broadcasted by the same channel. 

There is a long path to become a Champion of the World. Biggest dream for an amateur. Others may be defeated by unanimous decision. By feeling unfairly treated, probably he might get a job disturbing Brazilian boxing fans.