Youngstown Ohio, home of hard working, middle/lower class folks, in our nations rust belt. A proud group, who once helped forge the steel that helped build our country. The town shares a similar story with its own favorite son, Kelly Pavlik. Once the hardworking, tough, undisputed Middleweight Champion of the World, Pavlik is now down on his luck too, fighting to stay on top. With a near meteoric rise to the top, the young steel town brawler was knocking out everything in his path, and it all culminated with his knockout victory of previously unbeaten and undisputed Middleweight Champ Jermain Taylor, on that fateful night down on the Boardwalk of AC. Pavlik captured the hearts and imaginations of his hometown, and the country, giving them something to cheer for and be proud of, for the first time in decades Youngstown had a top of the line export.
In the years that followed Pavlik has steadily declined, coming to a screeching halt in the very building that made him famous when Sergio Martinez brutalized him over the last 4 rounds. The excuses have been said, the weight, the trainer, the this and that, but now Pavlik finds himself down, just like Youngstown. Can the one time superstar rise back up, clear away the rubble, and make another run at a title? I think so.
It all starts on the Pacquiao/Margarito undercard. Pavlik will be facing journeyman, and former Contender participant, Brian Vera. Vera represents a step down in competition, a rebuilding fight, and stepping stone. Should The Ghost blast him out inside 3 rounds? Yes. Is Vera a dead body? Hardly. Though Vera has a rough 17-5 record he has pulled upsets in the past. Most notably when he derailed Andy Lee 2 years back.
If Pavlik, as expected, gets by Vera what is next? A fight with Lucian Bute at 168? Winner of Martinez vs Williams II? We aren't quite sure yet, only the future holds that answer.
Even though folks think the ship has sailed on Pavlik, just like Youngstown, I think he will do what his town can not. Come back.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Fall Frenzy
Well after another extended layoff, The Count is back. Mora/Mosley proved to be a snorefest, with Mora running around the ring like Mosley had a disease. But, thankfully, we have other fights to look forward too this fall.
I would like to review the upcoming fights of significance and then through some predictions out there.
First we have Lucian Bute against Contender alum, Jesse Brinkley. I think we are looking at a one-sided UD for Bute here. Brinkley is all heart, and a blood and guts brawler who has strung 10 wins in a row, but he is no match for Bute's boxing skills and power. This one could get ugly, but will definitely have lots of action.
The day after that one, Oct 16, we have Vitali Klitschko taking on a faded Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs for the WBC Heavyweight strap. Though Briggs is over the hill, Vitali is no spring chicken either, I give him a punchers chance here. Briggs is probably the most heavy handed puncher Vitali has faced, and Vitali's chin has never been tested by this kind of power. It will be interesting to see if Briggs can break through V's jab and land some significant shots. Sidenote, Briggs is down to 242lbs as of right now, which is the trimmest he has been in at least 8 years. Obviously taking this one seriously.
Next we have loudmouth David Haye taking on fellow Brit Audley Harrison. Harrison started his career with a lot of promise after winning Olympic gold, but soon faded and was accused of a suspect chin. Haye has risen from Cruiserweight Champion to Heavyweight champion, beating journeyman Monte Barrett, John Ruiz, and Nikoli Valuev. Haye's power is impressive, no doubts there. I truly think Harrison has a better than average shot in this because of his size. If he can somehow stay away and pick his shots he could win this, in boring fashion, but a win nonetheless.
Kelly Pavlik will return to the ring to fight Contender Alum Brian Vera on the Pacquiao/Margarito undercard...and to quote Forrest Gump "That's all I Have to say about that". Seriously, Pav is still one of my favorite fighters but he needs to decide if he can put his whole heart into the fight game or not.
Next, we have the most anticipated showdown of the fall, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao vs Antonio "The Tijuana Tornado" Margarito. This on is gonna be good. The fight will be held, I believe at 152lbs. for a 154lb title. This is by far the heaviest Pac has ever fought, and is no big deal for Margarito, a career 147er. A lot of the talking heads say Pac will roll through him just like everyone else in recent memory, I see it differently. Pac is giving up about 5 inches in height, huge advantage in reach, and Margarito is no tomato can. Regardless of the hand wraps in the Cotto fight, handwraps do not help your face absorb punches. Re-watch the fight with Cotto (a big puncher) and look at the shots he is crushing Margarito with in the first 6 rounds, vicious bombs, thudding shots, and he walked right through them. Antonio may not win this fight, but he will not be KO'd.
Sergio Martinez, fresh off his upset of Pavlik, will be taking on Paul Williams in a rematch(after the controversial first fight) at Middleweight for Martinez's titles. This has the makings of a fantastic fight if it at all resembles the first brawl. After watching Martinez live in AC against Pavlik, I am convinced he is by far the most underrated fighter in the sport and may be the best. I think with his new confidence and slick style that he blows PW out of the water.
Lastly, in December, Amir Khan will be going up against puncher Marcos Maidana. Could be a good fight here. Maidana is a brawler, and strong puncher. Khan is a huge puncher as well, but is accused of a suspect chin because of his lone loss to Breidess Prescott a few years back. I think if Maidana can get to that chin and fire off some vicious shots that we will see an "upset."
Predictions:
Bute/Brinkley-Bute UD
Klitschko/Briggs-Vitali TKO 9-12
Haye/Harrison-Haye KO 5-9
Pavlik/Vera- Pavlik KO-2-3
Pacquiao/Margarito-Pac SD
Martinez/Williams-Martinez-UD
Khan/Maidana- Maidana KO 7-12
I would like to review the upcoming fights of significance and then through some predictions out there.
First we have Lucian Bute against Contender alum, Jesse Brinkley. I think we are looking at a one-sided UD for Bute here. Brinkley is all heart, and a blood and guts brawler who has strung 10 wins in a row, but he is no match for Bute's boxing skills and power. This one could get ugly, but will definitely have lots of action.
The day after that one, Oct 16, we have Vitali Klitschko taking on a faded Shannon "The Cannon" Briggs for the WBC Heavyweight strap. Though Briggs is over the hill, Vitali is no spring chicken either, I give him a punchers chance here. Briggs is probably the most heavy handed puncher Vitali has faced, and Vitali's chin has never been tested by this kind of power. It will be interesting to see if Briggs can break through V's jab and land some significant shots. Sidenote, Briggs is down to 242lbs as of right now, which is the trimmest he has been in at least 8 years. Obviously taking this one seriously.
Next we have loudmouth David Haye taking on fellow Brit Audley Harrison. Harrison started his career with a lot of promise after winning Olympic gold, but soon faded and was accused of a suspect chin. Haye has risen from Cruiserweight Champion to Heavyweight champion, beating journeyman Monte Barrett, John Ruiz, and Nikoli Valuev. Haye's power is impressive, no doubts there. I truly think Harrison has a better than average shot in this because of his size. If he can somehow stay away and pick his shots he could win this, in boring fashion, but a win nonetheless.
Kelly Pavlik will return to the ring to fight Contender Alum Brian Vera on the Pacquiao/Margarito undercard...and to quote Forrest Gump "That's all I Have to say about that". Seriously, Pav is still one of my favorite fighters but he needs to decide if he can put his whole heart into the fight game or not.
Next, we have the most anticipated showdown of the fall, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao vs Antonio "The Tijuana Tornado" Margarito. This on is gonna be good. The fight will be held, I believe at 152lbs. for a 154lb title. This is by far the heaviest Pac has ever fought, and is no big deal for Margarito, a career 147er. A lot of the talking heads say Pac will roll through him just like everyone else in recent memory, I see it differently. Pac is giving up about 5 inches in height, huge advantage in reach, and Margarito is no tomato can. Regardless of the hand wraps in the Cotto fight, handwraps do not help your face absorb punches. Re-watch the fight with Cotto (a big puncher) and look at the shots he is crushing Margarito with in the first 6 rounds, vicious bombs, thudding shots, and he walked right through them. Antonio may not win this fight, but he will not be KO'd.
Sergio Martinez, fresh off his upset of Pavlik, will be taking on Paul Williams in a rematch(after the controversial first fight) at Middleweight for Martinez's titles. This has the makings of a fantastic fight if it at all resembles the first brawl. After watching Martinez live in AC against Pavlik, I am convinced he is by far the most underrated fighter in the sport and may be the best. I think with his new confidence and slick style that he blows PW out of the water.
Lastly, in December, Amir Khan will be going up against puncher Marcos Maidana. Could be a good fight here. Maidana is a brawler, and strong puncher. Khan is a huge puncher as well, but is accused of a suspect chin because of his lone loss to Breidess Prescott a few years back. I think if Maidana can get to that chin and fire off some vicious shots that we will see an "upset."
Predictions:
Bute/Brinkley-Bute UD
Klitschko/Briggs-Vitali TKO 9-12
Haye/Harrison-Haye KO 5-9
Pavlik/Vera- Pavlik KO-2-3
Pacquiao/Margarito-Pac SD
Martinez/Williams-Martinez-UD
Khan/Maidana- Maidana KO 7-12
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