Is it over for Zahir Raheem?

Zahir Raheem’s twelve round clash against Acelino Freitas at the Foxwoods was a fight that left a lot to be desired. Raheem and Freitas possess styles too confusing for each other to offer much more in a match-up than the chaos that ensued in the ring – both fighters ending in a tangled heap on the canvas or careening nearly through the ropes. This was an emotionally charged bout with both fighters having urgent statements to make at this stage of their careers. Freitas recognizing the need to vindicate himself after quitting on his stool against Diego Corrales in his last appearance at the Foxwoods in 2004, and Raheem fighting to infuse his career with more momentum after masterfully defeating Erik Morales last September.

The split decision gained by Freitas I felt could have gone to Raheem, who seemed to settle down in the seventh round and be more powerful and regain his usual ring composure. Freitas appeared to be wearing out and Raheem finished the twelfth round harder and with more authority in an effort to seal the deal and take home the WBO title. Statistically Raheem had the edge, however slight, but boxing not being horseshoes, he suffered a very narrow defeat.

Freitas’ hand raised in victory against Zahir Raheem doesn’t convince me he’s the same or even more improved fighter he was prior to Corrales. The talk ringside by the HBO Boxing After Dark Team of Lennox Lewis, Max Kellerman and Fran Charles verbally place Freitas facing the victor of Corrales/Castillo III. But what for Zahir? Naysayers seem to believe he will drop off the radar just as he did after the huge Morales upset, largely ignored, his future and his rightful place among the marquee fighters and the high profile fights questioned.

Question away, but don’t forget another slick, crafty fighter who toiled in the low end of the professional ranks before rising to the top. For fourteen years, Winky Wright fought, honed his craft, frustrated opponents and weathered criticism to emerge and beat Shane Mosley twice, Felix Trinidad and Sam Soliman, all on his way to the newly crowned super middleweight king Jermain Taylor. So, if good things come to those who work and wait as in Wright’s case, Zahir Raheem is hardly over after barely losing to Acelino Freitas. In fact, as he told me prior to leaving for Connecticut, “It’s saving the best for last.”