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
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Mosley vs Mora...
On September 18th Shane Mosley will re-enter the ring roughly 5 months removed from the one sided whooping Floyd Mayweather put on him earlier this summer. He will be taking on, of TV show The Contender fame, Sergio "The Latin Snake" Mora at the Staples Center. This fight has the chance to be a very interesting fight, though some may not think so, and I'll explain why.
Shane is on redemption road one more time, trying to etch his place in modern boxing history, while Mora is getting only his second crack at a big name. Shane is going to be gunning for the KO after what happened with Floyd, no doubt in my mind, he wants to have an exclamation point return to the ring. Mora, who has never been KO'd, is looking to knock off another great fighter like he did in his first fight with the late Vernon Forrest, which was the reversed by Forrest in a re-match.
When I was enthralled by the first season of The Contender I picked Mora right off the bat to win and it is for the same reasons I think he can beat Shane Mosley. First of all, he is long and tall. Mora is 6ft tall, which is very tall for a Welterwight, with a 73' reach. Mosley is much shorter at 5'9'' but has a reach of 74'. I think if Sergio stays away, sticks his jab, and uses side to side movement he could make it a bitter night for Sugar Shane. Secondly, Mora has an unorthodox style and guard that is hard to figure out as could be seen in the Manfredo fight and even the first Forrest fight. He's a slickster, knowing he does not possess devastating power, and uses these awkward attributes to his favor. Thirdly, Mora is confident. Sergio Mora has a ton of confidence in himself, borderline cocky, and that is what fighters need. I think the most important person a fighter needs to believe in them is themselves. Mora has that.
There are negatives I see in Sergio that Mosley will definitely benefit from in this fight. First and foremost is Mora's inactivity. Mora's last fight was April 3rd and before that he had not fought since September 13th of 2008! That is not nearly enough fighting in almost 3 years for someone to stay at the peak of their abilities. Secondly, Mora's lack of power will play into Mosley's hands. Shane has never shown a glass chin, he has been rocked a few times, but then again who hasn't? I do not think Shane will have any fear of a KO when mixing it up with The Snake.
Mosley obviously possess the veteran knowledge, having boxed more than double the amount of professional rounds in his career that Mora has. Shane has been in the ring with the best, and beaten some of them as well. It will be interesting to see how Shane goes at Mora, after his last performance he can not afford to be anything except aggressive.
Basically what I am thinking is that Sergio Mora is no Floyd Mayweather Jr, this we know, but is Sugar Shane Mosley still Sugar Shane Mosley? We'll find out in September.
Prediction- Upset, and end of a career. Mora 115-113.
Shane is on redemption road one more time, trying to etch his place in modern boxing history, while Mora is getting only his second crack at a big name. Shane is going to be gunning for the KO after what happened with Floyd, no doubt in my mind, he wants to have an exclamation point return to the ring. Mora, who has never been KO'd, is looking to knock off another great fighter like he did in his first fight with the late Vernon Forrest, which was the reversed by Forrest in a re-match.
When I was enthralled by the first season of The Contender I picked Mora right off the bat to win and it is for the same reasons I think he can beat Shane Mosley. First of all, he is long and tall. Mora is 6ft tall, which is very tall for a Welterwight, with a 73' reach. Mosley is much shorter at 5'9'' but has a reach of 74'. I think if Sergio stays away, sticks his jab, and uses side to side movement he could make it a bitter night for Sugar Shane. Secondly, Mora has an unorthodox style and guard that is hard to figure out as could be seen in the Manfredo fight and even the first Forrest fight. He's a slickster, knowing he does not possess devastating power, and uses these awkward attributes to his favor. Thirdly, Mora is confident. Sergio Mora has a ton of confidence in himself, borderline cocky, and that is what fighters need. I think the most important person a fighter needs to believe in them is themselves. Mora has that.
There are negatives I see in Sergio that Mosley will definitely benefit from in this fight. First and foremost is Mora's inactivity. Mora's last fight was April 3rd and before that he had not fought since September 13th of 2008! That is not nearly enough fighting in almost 3 years for someone to stay at the peak of their abilities. Secondly, Mora's lack of power will play into Mosley's hands. Shane has never shown a glass chin, he has been rocked a few times, but then again who hasn't? I do not think Shane will have any fear of a KO when mixing it up with The Snake.
Mosley obviously possess the veteran knowledge, having boxed more than double the amount of professional rounds in his career that Mora has. Shane has been in the ring with the best, and beaten some of them as well. It will be interesting to see how Shane goes at Mora, after his last performance he can not afford to be anything except aggressive.
Basically what I am thinking is that Sergio Mora is no Floyd Mayweather Jr, this we know, but is Sugar Shane Mosley still Sugar Shane Mosley? We'll find out in September.
Prediction- Upset, and end of a career. Mora 115-113.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, July 24, 2010
A letter to Bob Arum, Boxing, and Manny Pac
To Whom is Ruining the Sport:
Gentlemen, are you ****ing serious? This has to be a joke, right? Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito? What? Why? That was the best option? Excuse me while I rant.
First, I would like to discuss the one person in this I do not blame, Antonio Margarito. Margarito has walked into a career payday by doing nothing. He was suspended for having loaded gloves going into the Mosley fight (who knows how many others) and walks right back into the sport to a fight with the, arguably, the best Pound for Pound fighter? He has done nothing to deserve this shot and everything to no be considered. It is typical Bob Arum BS. Keeping the money in the family. He'd rather put on this card instead of another fight so that Top Rank does not have to split the cashish with anyone else. So Mr. Margarito, even though you are a scumbag, I do not blame you one bit.
Secondly, back to Bob Arum. He has this feud with Floyd Mayweather that is screwing up the legacies of two fighters by not allowing them to meet. So instead he puts this circus show together in an attempt to keep the money in the Top Rank family. Congratulations Bob, you did it, Top Rank won't have to split any money.
Thirdly, Manny Manny Manny...come on Manny, you're the boss! Start calling the shots! Why fight this bum? He's a cheater who disgraced the sport that has made you famous, and you are going to let him get this kind of payday thanks to your name? I don't know Manny, I don't like the way this looks for you. Oh, Manny...please do not forget that this guy is a lot bigger (Height 5'11'' to Manny's 5'6'', Reach 73 to 67) and stronger than you are, and has a chin that only Shane Mosley has cracked so far. This may not be a great fight for you, taller man, longer reach, iron chin, walking you down...be careful.
Fourth, lets look over who else Manny could have fought:
Gentlemen, are you ****ing serious? This has to be a joke, right? Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito? What? Why? That was the best option? Excuse me while I rant.
First, I would like to discuss the one person in this I do not blame, Antonio Margarito. Margarito has walked into a career payday by doing nothing. He was suspended for having loaded gloves going into the Mosley fight (who knows how many others) and walks right back into the sport to a fight with the, arguably, the best Pound for Pound fighter? He has done nothing to deserve this shot and everything to no be considered. It is typical Bob Arum BS. Keeping the money in the family. He'd rather put on this card instead of another fight so that Top Rank does not have to split the cashish with anyone else. So Mr. Margarito, even though you are a scumbag, I do not blame you one bit.
Secondly, back to Bob Arum. He has this feud with Floyd Mayweather that is screwing up the legacies of two fighters by not allowing them to meet. So instead he puts this circus show together in an attempt to keep the money in the Top Rank family. Congratulations Bob, you did it, Top Rank won't have to split any money.
Thirdly, Manny Manny Manny...come on Manny, you're the boss! Start calling the shots! Why fight this bum? He's a cheater who disgraced the sport that has made you famous, and you are going to let him get this kind of payday thanks to your name? I don't know Manny, I don't like the way this looks for you. Oh, Manny...please do not forget that this guy is a lot bigger (Height 5'11'' to Manny's 5'6'', Reach 73 to 67) and stronger than you are, and has a chin that only Shane Mosley has cracked so far. This may not be a great fight for you, taller man, longer reach, iron chin, walking you down...be careful.
Fourth, lets look over who else Manny could have fought:
- Andre Berto
- Timothy Bradley
- Marcos Maidana
- Juan Marquez(if he gets by Diaz, push the fight to late December)
- Michael Katsidis
All 5 of those fights are all action crowd pleasers.
Bottom line, the ball was dropped and now you have Top Ranks prized possession going into a fight with a very dangerous man, I just don't know how I feel about this one.
Sincerely Confused,
Gabe
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Rough Patch
As I was looking ahead to the upcoming fights I cam to the conclusion that there is only 1 worth watching, but its on PPV so I refuse. Juan Manuel Marquez vs Juan Diaz.
The first fight between these 2 in Feb. of 2009 was an instant classic from Round 1. Trading shots with wreckless abandon, willingness to rather block punches with their faces instead of gloves, and refusal to go down. It was a true throwback battle between 2 proud Mexican (and of Mexican decent) fighters. They showed the determination that Boxing is longing for right now.
Marquez is remarkable. I've never seen another fighter who is more willing to trade hands when they have been hurt than him. In the first round Diaz stung him with a combo that forced JuanMa to stumble. What was his response? To put his head down and throw punches violently at Diaz until he backed off of him. Most fighters would have tucked and waited for the barrage to end and hold on, not Juan Ma.
So in a lackluster end of summer and early fall for fight fans I definitely recommend tuning into the Marquez vs Diaz 2 brawl.
I'd also like to award Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers lead guitarist, Mike Campbell, with the Tough Ass Old Dude Award. In a recent show Mike collapsed from heat exhaustion at an outdoor concert while playing, was carried off stage, and returned 10 minutes later to close out a 3 song encore before being taken to the hospital...Rock and Roll baby, Rock and Roll.
The first fight between these 2 in Feb. of 2009 was an instant classic from Round 1. Trading shots with wreckless abandon, willingness to rather block punches with their faces instead of gloves, and refusal to go down. It was a true throwback battle between 2 proud Mexican (and of Mexican decent) fighters. They showed the determination that Boxing is longing for right now.
Marquez is remarkable. I've never seen another fighter who is more willing to trade hands when they have been hurt than him. In the first round Diaz stung him with a combo that forced JuanMa to stumble. What was his response? To put his head down and throw punches violently at Diaz until he backed off of him. Most fighters would have tucked and waited for the barrage to end and hold on, not Juan Ma.
So in a lackluster end of summer and early fall for fight fans I definitely recommend tuning into the Marquez vs Diaz 2 brawl.
I'd also like to award Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers lead guitarist, Mike Campbell, with the Tough Ass Old Dude Award. In a recent show Mike collapsed from heat exhaustion at an outdoor concert while playing, was carried off stage, and returned 10 minutes later to close out a 3 song encore before being taken to the hospital...Rock and Roll baby, Rock and Roll.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Hour Is Upon Us
Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao and Floyd "Money" Mayweather have yet to come to terms for a November Superfight. Top Rank mobster, Bob Arum, has given Mayweather until midnight Friday to sign the contract. The villain in the first contract was the steroid testing procedures and, Olympic style blood testing, that Mayweather called for and Pacquiao refused. Pac has since agreed to the terms and put the ball in Money's court to make a move.
For a man who calls himself "Money" this seems to be a no brainer. This fight would make both men enough money that they could swim in it. The record for PPV stands right now at $120,000,000.00 from the De La Hoya vs Mayweather letdown w/ 2.15 million purchases. I personally do not think it is out of the realm of possibility for a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight to do over $200,000,000.00. This is the ONLY fight boxing has to make right now, this is it. The sport is fading faster than David Caruso's career after NYPD Blue and needs this fight desperately. These are the only 2 fighters that non-boxing fans have even heard of, which helps generate the interest. ESPN will be yammering about it constantly and the casual SportsCenter watcher won't be able to help themselves, and feel obligated to know something about the fight to sound "with it".
Bottom line here is that this fight has to happen. It has to happen in Las Vegas, with a 50/50 split, at 147lbs, with all the glitz and glamour it deserves. Here is to wishful thinking that Mayweather will sign before the clock hits 12 tomorrow night.
For a man who calls himself "Money" this seems to be a no brainer. This fight would make both men enough money that they could swim in it. The record for PPV stands right now at $120,000,000.00 from the De La Hoya vs Mayweather letdown w/ 2.15 million purchases. I personally do not think it is out of the realm of possibility for a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather fight to do over $200,000,000.00. This is the ONLY fight boxing has to make right now, this is it. The sport is fading faster than David Caruso's career after NYPD Blue and needs this fight desperately. These are the only 2 fighters that non-boxing fans have even heard of, which helps generate the interest. ESPN will be yammering about it constantly and the casual SportsCenter watcher won't be able to help themselves, and feel obligated to know something about the fight to sound "with it".
Bottom line here is that this fight has to happen. It has to happen in Las Vegas, with a 50/50 split, at 147lbs, with all the glitz and glamour it deserves. Here is to wishful thinking that Mayweather will sign before the clock hits 12 tomorrow night.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
It Meant Something More
Over the past few days I have been giving Boxing, mainly the heavyweight division, a lot of thought and came to a conclusion; It Meant Something More. You probably want me to explain what I mean, but there is a problem there, I am not sure what I mean. So I will give it my best shot.
Over the past 100 years Boxing has seen some of the greatest, most durable, driven, courageous, athletes to ever lace 'em up put on show after show, and wage war after war inside the ropes. Now it just seems like it does not mean what it once did. In a sporting world a long time ago, and far removed from the one we have now, Heavyweight Champion of the World was a title reserved for the baddest man around. Now? Well not so much, and I think I can start to answer myself.
We are not attached to these princes of pugilism like the generations before us. What do I care about Wladimir Klitschko? I don't. Fantastic athlete, amazing boxer, doesn't mean a whole lot to me on a level I can get attached with. Generations before us had the chance to experience Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, Gene Tunney, Jim Braddock, Max Baer, and all the other great heavyweights. These men represented more that just a guy with a good jab and knockout power, the represented all that was amazing about a once great sport.
They fought for meaning and a purpose. Jack Johnson's fight doesn't need to be fought anymore(thankfully), but he fought against racism. Dazzled crowds with uncanny defense and punching power. He fought with passion back then.
Rocky Marciano fought to win, to make a better life for his family and refused to lose, While in a dogfight with Jersey Joe Walcott in 1952, referees warned Marciano (who's nose is said to be literally hanging from his face) that the fight would be stopped if it went another round. What did the Rock do? KO'd Walcott the following round. He fought with pride back then.
For an example of what I mean, right now, click on the link that takes you to Norton vs Holmes 15th round and watch it.............I am waiting............OK, the last 1:30 of that is one of the most amazing clips in boxing history. Two men absolutely refusing to lose, exhausted, drained, barely standing, but not going down...no way. They fought with heart back then.
Joe Louis...oh Joe Louis, The Brown Bomber, the man who single handily told Hitler to shove it. On June 22nd 1938 Louis faced off against the pride of Nazi Germany Max Schmeling, a man who had once defeated Louis, in a fight that had the weight of the Free World on it's shoulders. Louis had to win the fight, it was America against the Nazi's, this fight was for far more than a title belt, it was for all that is good in the world and always will be, it was good vs. evil, it is by far the most significant fight ever fought. On the grandest stage, Yankee Stadium, the Brown Bomber went out and embarrassed Hitler's Prizefighter and took him out in the opening round with vicious right ofter menacing left. Streets in NYC and around the country flooded with people, Black, White, Hispanic, it didn't matter because WE had won. They fought with courage back then.
These fighters not only fought for themselves but they fought for the fans. They fought for their people. Johnson, Louis, Ali all fought so that Blacks in America could be proud and have a champion in those hard times and someone to look up to, to give them hope. Marciano, Dempsey, Braddock all fought for family and pride, to put food on the table, to make a better future for the next generation, and to make something of themselves. These fighters never forgot who made them famous and rich, the people who adored them so much, the fans.
Now today there are more heavyweight champions then I have fingers and toes and the championships are watered down. The once proud division, the most coveted title in sports, is almost meaningless. It is a shame that the division cannot find someone who can fight with the passion, pride, heart, and courage like they did back then.
I suppose former Heavyweight Champion of the World Riddick Bowe said it best "It's hard to get up and run at 5 a.m. when you're wearing silk pajamas."....... I just wish they would remember who bought those silk pajamas for them, the fans.
Over the past 100 years Boxing has seen some of the greatest, most durable, driven, courageous, athletes to ever lace 'em up put on show after show, and wage war after war inside the ropes. Now it just seems like it does not mean what it once did. In a sporting world a long time ago, and far removed from the one we have now, Heavyweight Champion of the World was a title reserved for the baddest man around. Now? Well not so much, and I think I can start to answer myself.
We are not attached to these princes of pugilism like the generations before us. What do I care about Wladimir Klitschko? I don't. Fantastic athlete, amazing boxer, doesn't mean a whole lot to me on a level I can get attached with. Generations before us had the chance to experience Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, Ali, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, Gene Tunney, Jim Braddock, Max Baer, and all the other great heavyweights. These men represented more that just a guy with a good jab and knockout power, the represented all that was amazing about a once great sport.
They fought for meaning and a purpose. Jack Johnson's fight doesn't need to be fought anymore(thankfully), but he fought against racism. Dazzled crowds with uncanny defense and punching power. He fought with passion back then.
Rocky Marciano fought to win, to make a better life for his family and refused to lose, While in a dogfight with Jersey Joe Walcott in 1952, referees warned Marciano (who's nose is said to be literally hanging from his face) that the fight would be stopped if it went another round. What did the Rock do? KO'd Walcott the following round. He fought with pride back then.
For an example of what I mean, right now, click on the link that takes you to Norton vs Holmes 15th round and watch it.............I am waiting............OK, the last 1:30 of that is one of the most amazing clips in boxing history. Two men absolutely refusing to lose, exhausted, drained, barely standing, but not going down...no way. They fought with heart back then.
Joe Louis...oh Joe Louis, The Brown Bomber, the man who single handily told Hitler to shove it. On June 22nd 1938 Louis faced off against the pride of Nazi Germany Max Schmeling, a man who had once defeated Louis, in a fight that had the weight of the Free World on it's shoulders. Louis had to win the fight, it was America against the Nazi's, this fight was for far more than a title belt, it was for all that is good in the world and always will be, it was good vs. evil, it is by far the most significant fight ever fought. On the grandest stage, Yankee Stadium, the Brown Bomber went out and embarrassed Hitler's Prizefighter and took him out in the opening round with vicious right ofter menacing left. Streets in NYC and around the country flooded with people, Black, White, Hispanic, it didn't matter because WE had won. They fought with courage back then.
These fighters not only fought for themselves but they fought for the fans. They fought for their people. Johnson, Louis, Ali all fought so that Blacks in America could be proud and have a champion in those hard times and someone to look up to, to give them hope. Marciano, Dempsey, Braddock all fought for family and pride, to put food on the table, to make a better future for the next generation, and to make something of themselves. These fighters never forgot who made them famous and rich, the people who adored them so much, the fans.
Now today there are more heavyweight champions then I have fingers and toes and the championships are watered down. The once proud division, the most coveted title in sports, is almost meaningless. It is a shame that the division cannot find someone who can fight with the passion, pride, heart, and courage like they did back then.
I suppose former Heavyweight Champion of the World Riddick Bowe said it best "It's hard to get up and run at 5 a.m. when you're wearing silk pajamas."....... I just wish they would remember who bought those silk pajamas for them, the fans.
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