DECEMBER 2007
Five Things to Look Forward to 2008 + 2007 Year End Review
MON December 31, ANTONIO ANDRES CARRIEDO - If, like me, you were lucky enough to get the week between Christmas and New Years off from work, you had some time to do a thing or two that you've been putting off for awhile. I had roughly 35 hours of boxing matches on my DVR. So, I took some time to convert most those fights to DVD. During the process, I heard two comments that alerted me to important issues the sport faces moving forward.
Suggestions for 2008
FRI December 28, FRANK GONZALEZ - 2007 will go down in the books as a good year. There were some better match ups and the rise of some up and comers that show lots of promise for the New Year.
My greatest hope for 2008 is that boxing adopt a realistic rankings system that pits the best against the best and not the popular against the undeserving. If Boxing can establish a ONE Champion per division philosophy, this sport can soar once again to being one of the most popular sports worldwide...
2007: The Year of The Money (Mayweather)
FRI December 28, CLIFF ROLD - It's surprising that there is even a debate. 2007, a year that should one day go down as the beginning of a boxing renaissance as long as the sport doesn't find a way to implode in 2008, produced a number of contentious areas in the annual regurgitation-of-everything-everyone-just-saw period also known as end of the year "awards." Fighter of the Year really isn't one of them. It's the one spot that should be obvious. Like Russian President Vladimir Putin winning Time Magazine's Person of the Year... [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Society Comes Together at the Gym
FRI December 21, CLIFF ROLD - Deep in the south of Texas, Harlingen to be exact, in one of America's poorest counties, sits the non-profit Foundation for Valley Sports. For the kids that walk through its doors, it can be a home for dreams.
Dreams, after all, aren't wasted on the young. Dreams that don't come true sometimes can be. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
My Christmas Wish List for the 2008 Boxing Season
THU December 20, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO - Now that all of the major fights in 2007 are over, it is time to look ahead to next year. This editorial is based almost entirely on my speculation and wishes for the sport. Even if only two or three of these things actually happen I will be happy.
Young Titlists Who Need a Big Fight:
In 2007, Miguel Cotto, Juan Diaz and Kelly Pavlik each proved their mettle and joined the upper echelon of pound for pound elite boxers. In 2008, three other boxers can join them if afforded the proper opportunities.
A PPV Attraction is Born; A P4P Talent is Emerging
MON December 17, ANTONIO ANDRES CARRIEDO - The card, which took place at Plaza de Toros in
Cancun, Mexico, cost $30 and I do not mind telling the readers how much I hate having had to pay that money in order to watch it, but I paid for two reasons'WBC 126 lb. titlist Jorge Linares and WBA 130 lb. titlist Edwin Valero.
Until he is extended the distance in one of his fights, curiosity will continue to surround every Valero, 23 - 0 (23 KOs), fight...
Floyd Mayweather Jr. Versus Yesterday
FRI December 14, CLIFF ROLD - In the wake of his exciting and decisive knockout victory over World Junior Welterweight champion Ricky Hatton (43-1, 31 KO) of Manchester, England, World Welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather (39-0, 25 KO, WBC titlist) of Grand Rapids, Michigan is on top of the world. For now at least, only two real questions continue to dog him: How does he do against #1 Welterweight contender Miguel Cotto (31-0, 25 KO, WBA titlist)?
How would Floyd have done against Fighter X? [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Scrap De la Hoya-Pacquiao, I Have a Better Idea
WED December 12, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO -
A rumor has been floating around that Oscar De la Hoya and Manny Pacquiao may end up fighting each other in De la Hoya's career finale next September. While supporters of this proposed fight correctly point out that the fight would generate an incredible amount of money and excitement, ultimately it is a gimmicky matchup. Even if it were to come off, it would be hard for non-partisan fight fans to take it seriously. I have a better idea'Oscar De la Hoya versus unbeaten, 21-year old Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
If This was the End...Thanks For the Memories
TUE December 11, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO - After being accused of pity pat punching and running following his two most recent fights, Floyd Mayweather Jr. scored a vicious and brutal highlight reel KO in the 10th round of his fight against linear 140 lb. champion, Ricky Hatton. Mayweather is likely to fight again, but he may ultimately decide to call it a career. I say let him do as he pleases.
In a time capsule performance, Mayweather dominated Hatton in the same way he's dominated most of the opponents he's fought who are of similar size...
>>> Paris: Beyond The Scorecards | Gonzalez: Mayweather Hands 'Hitman' First Defeat
Mayweather, Hatton - Beyond The Scorecards
MON December 10, BUSTER PARIS - 1:45 into the 10th and Hatton is back on his feet. His legs are bit unsteady, and his raging passion has been temporarily replaced by a dizzying understanding, and denial, of the moment - and it is in this moment that one thing is abundantly clear - there's only one Ricky Hatton.
For the very first time in the entire night Mayweather steps to him, swings a left hook, misses, and Ricky hangs on. Referee Joe Cortez breaks them apart, and Floyd, fully understanding this moment, once again steps to Ricky. This time the left hook grazes Hatton's face....
No Fluke As Mayweather Hands 'The Hitman' His First Defeat
SUN December 9, FRANK GONZALEZ - Congratulations to WBC Welterweight Champion Floyd Mayweather Jr., who improved his record to 39-0, 24 KO's after beating England's Ricky Hatton (43-1, 31 KO's) by TKO 10 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Saturday night.
The house was packed and the majority of those in attendance were Ricky Hatton fans, who hummed and sang throughout the painful under card fights and kept the place lively. Let us not forget, this fight was in the United States, not in England. The hum of the tune, 'Blue Moon' served as a backdrop most of the evening.
Stormy Weather on the Menu for Mayweather
THU December 6, FRANK GONZALEZ - This Saturday, WBC Welterweight Champion, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and IBO Champion, Ricky Hatton will do battle at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. This fight may be a couple of years too late but...better late than
never.
The style match up is exciting. The smaller man, Ricky Hatton is best known for his aggressive style of boxing, hitting and holding, non-stop punching with the stamina of a Soccer player. He's versatile and crafty but easy to classify as a slugger.
Mayweather-Hatton: Some Real History
THU December 6, CLIFF ROLD - Since the mid-1880s, when Middleweight Jack Dempsey and Heavyweight John L. Sullivan ushered in the modern era of boxing as its first true World champions, just shy of 500 fighters across thousands of fights have laid claim to true, lineal World Championships. This Saturday night two of those men, reigning champions from different divisions, face off, neither having ever suffered the proverbial 'agony of defeat.'... [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Taking Care of Business | Tarver, Forrest & Donaire Score KO Wins
MON December 3, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO - We, in the boxing public, have been spoiled by a string of scintillating superfights throughout the past year. Last night at the Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut we were treated to a tripleheader of boxing action. The problem was that the Showtime televised event lacked the pizzazz most of us would have liked. Antonio Tarver easily KO'd Danny Santiago in his tune up fight, Vernon Forrest impressively dispatched mandatory challenger Michele Piccirillo...
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