There is always a story or issue to bring to light in the busy world of prize-fighting (I speak of Boxing; the sport for which the term was coined in earlier centuries), but there is so little time. This weekend being a long one in Canada, I will be using a rapid jab to cover the range of news and views from the red corner.

I had barely left my seat at the Marcos Maidana - Victor Cayo bout late in March, when I started to chart my April boxing road map. Up first would be the annual shmoozer at The Royal York Hotel.

The annual Shaw Festival black-tie boxing series that dates back to the seventies is a treat for the fortunate attendees that are able to acquire the limited tickets. Toronto has been quite arid in regards to professional boxing for a good few years now, but the annual spring card at the grand old Royal York Hotel is as reliable as an early golf season for the Maple Leafs. The event is a magnet for boxing afficianados, boxing insiders, titans of industry and celebrities alike. I had barely walked off the elevator when I heard a familiar voice call me out in a joking manner. It was the fleet-footed Donovan Bailey in full smile decked-out in black tie splendor.

Moments after I took my HBO seat ringside at "The Joint" in the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas (for Joan Guzman - Ali Funeka 2) it was apparent that I was present at another sold-out boxing card. More importantly, casino management indicated that fight cards were bringing more business (buzz; as they referred it) to the complex. An outside observer would need only to look at the past few months to assess the business of boxing.

The first person that I saw in the grand lobby at the Mohegan Sun Casino upon checking in was none other than Don King. To say that the veteran promoter is magnetic would be a gross understatement.

A recent story on a boxing website caught my eye as I scanned global fight results.

The imminent spectacle/fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather jr. is shaping up to be the biggest fight (monetarily) of all time.

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Ever since the boxing bug bit me in my early childhood I have been magnetically drawn to the characters who permeate the sweet science's landscape.

Many boxers over the years have become cult-like regional heroes in their home countries. A world title win has elevated the status of  many great fighters like Marcel Cerdan, Ingemar Johansson, Nino Benvenuti and Barry McGuigan in their homelands.