Warriors lay it all on line but prize stays out of reach

George’s career hadarrived at the all-or-nothing stage. If he didn’t win here, he didn’t know what he was going to do with his life. This was a truly broken man.

There was so much to revel in on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. But in the grander scheme of things, when it comes to boxing’s future as a viable, professional sport, it was as disheartening as it was life-affirming.

Like Matthew Macklin, boxing is good to be around and you can’t help cheering the slugger on as he continues to battle bravely. However, deep down you’re worried. The potential is always there that a knockout blow is in the opponent’s arsenal: a couple of quick, stiff left jabs and suddenly he’s floored. The handsome champion prevails unscathed, seeming to provoke opponents with his undiminished features: no scars, no swollen eyebrows and certainly no westward-facing noses.