Brian Hughes, Robin Reid’s trainer, has relayed the news to us that his 34-year-old British tiger has aplomb. Out of a sketchy literary background, I seem to recall that Mark Twain said he never met a boxer with aplomb he did not like. Or was that Little Jack Horner, sitting in a corner? Perhaps a large whiskey would help. No matter. Can you imagine telling Rocky Marciano, or, say, Robert Duran that he was about to fight someone with aplomb? God help us, has the Sweet Science come to this? My kingdom for a plum. OK, I’ll quit. The pick here is for Jeff Lacy to send Reid home to England claiming he was robbed, something he has done with aplomb in the past.

Pat Putnam

(Pat Putnam is one of the most revered writers in boxing history. Formerly with Sports Illustrated, he can now be found HERE)