September, October and November
Joe "The Future" Hanks...Of the Heavyweight Division
FRI November 30, DANNY SERRATELLI - "The Future" may seem like an odd nickname for a fighter, but one look at the talented Hanks and it will become abundantly clear what the nickname means. Joe is a heavyweight who trains with me in at Gladiators Gym in "The Brickcity" Newark, New Jersey. We both work with top trainer Samad Haq and it was Samad who told me that Gladiators had the vibe the "RedBrickers" have been searching for...
In A Great Year For Boxing, What's Gone Wrong at Light Heavyweight
THU November 29, CLIFF ROLD - An undefeated former Olympian as champion; an aging Hall of Famer with some quality rounds left in him; a solid set of tested veterans; two dangerous heirs apparent chomping at the bit. In an excellent 2007 for the sport of professional boxing, that description of any weight division sounds like explosive par for the course. Unless that weight division is Light Heavyweight. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
HBO's “Mayweather-Hatton 24/7” Recap
WED November 28, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO - If you are like me, the entire concept of a 24/7 reality series about boxers feels a little strange. However, HBO has effectively worked training into the plot of the show to exemplify the personalities of the two fighters.
The second episode featured a significant amount of training footage, which served as an extremely welcome diversion from the “he said-he said” feel of the show’s premiere episode. The second episode got down to the nitty gritty and it was much improved from last week’s.
>> Green Ready For WBA Title Showdown
Fernando Vargas: A Long Way From Atlanta
SUN November 25, CLIFF ROLD - I remember my first exposure to Fernando Vargas (26-4, 22 KO). It was in the summer of 1996, in the pages of a Ring Magazine with a cover question of whether Lennox Lewis was tough enough to face off with Mike Tyson. The issue previewed the impending Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia and highlighted the then 18-year old fireball from Oxnard, California. He already had a chip on his shoulder and was already talking about the chance to fight Oscar De La Hoya. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Open Letter to Frank Warren | Is Haye Fighting Mormeck over Maccarinelli Reasonable?
TUE November 20, LUKE CHANCE - After reading Frank Warren’s column in the Sun newspaper I have been stirred to write an open letter, which I post here for your comments and opinions.
Dear Mr. Warren,
I have to say that I was disappointed to read your column in the Sun newspaper dated 17th November 2007. The general gist of the article was that David Haye had yet to prove himself at cruiserweight and you insisted the way to do that was to take on Enzo Maccarinelli, your fighter...
Guzman puts Top Fighters on Notice | "Mayweather-Hatton 24/7" Premieres
MON November 19, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO - WBO Jr. Lightweight titlist Joan Guzman won the wild slugging match early, controlled the intense action through the middle rounds and got on his toes to out-maneuver his challenger Humberto Soto in the late rounds and retained his belt in his second defense by scores of 117 - 111 (twice) and 118-110. The comprehensive win put those in and around the 130 lb. weight on notice that despite his recent inactivity Joan Guzman remains a versatile force to be reckoned with.
>> Carriedo: Rahman KO's Late Sub in Thriller
Guzma Too Slick for Soto, Scores Decision Win
MON November 19, FRANK GONZALEZ - This Jr. Lightweight contest had the potential to be a great fight but Humberto Soto (43-6-2, 27 KO’s) couldn’t land enough body shots to slow down WBO Jr. Lightweight Champion, Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KO’s), who used has speedy hands and incredible agility to practically waltz to victory.
Soto is a good fighter that brings respectable power and toughness...
Rahman KO's Late Sub in Thriller
SUN November 18, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO - Former undisputed Heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman, "may never be ready" to contend for a title again as Versus commentator Wally Matthews stated in his closing comments. He did prove that he can pull out a tougher than expected fight...
Did Haye End an Era in Becoming a Champion?
FRI November 16, CLIFF ROLD - By all accounts, including his own, newly crowned World Cruiserweight champion David Haye (20-1, 19 KO) of London, England is short for the realm of the almost-heavyweights, instead likely to head north for the greener dollars and pastures the sports biggest men control. If that indeed proves the case, then Hayes thrilling seventh round knockout of two-time champion Jean Marc Mormeck (33-4, 22 KO) of France could mark the end of an entertaining era. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Changing of the Guard...Just Barely, but Let's Move On
WED November 14, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO - Miguel Cotto's 115-113 (twice), 116-113 victory this past Saturday on HBO PPV over Shane Mosley served as a reminder of just how vulnerable even the most talented and properly groomed boxers are when they step into the ring against formidable opponents. That reminder should not, however, deter what ostensibly appeared to be an elimination tournament involving Cotto, Mosley, Welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. and jr. Welterweight champion Ricky Hatton....
Antonio Margarito: Violent Redemption
MON November 12, BUSTER PARIS - Another vicious upper cut sends his head snapping back, and his body decides that's the best direction to head in ' away ' away from this ' a moment, a single moment is needed to gather himself, and that moment is denied as a wall of will casts a shadow on him, and the pain starts again, the punches brutally land and before the sound wave of another cruel 'THUD' hits anyone's ears it's the 2nd knock down - of the first round.
How About Some Respect? Can Strong Beijing Showing Cure our Amatuer Ills?
FRI November 9, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO - One thing that has definitely changed about boxing in the last decade or so is the lack of value placed on amateur pedigree in pushing promising prospects. The pure lack of priority placed on developing gifted young talent has become even more painfully apparent in the last two or three years.
Cotto-Mosley: Is This a Time For Goodbye?
THU November 8, CLIFF ROLD - For some it is the most anticipated fight of the year, a Welterweight crossroads battle between a potentially great fighter on the verge of mega-stardom and a near-great fighter who never quite got to that plateau. Both have shown the willingness to brawl, to suffer, to bleed and most importantly, to entertain. The question that will be answered this Saturday is whether or not both will do so together in a fashion that allows the fight to meet the hype. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
"The Contender" Season 3 Ends with Epic War
WED November 7, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO - At the risk of looking ridiculous should Miguel Cotto-Shane Mosley or Joan Guzman-Humberto Soto live up to and beyond all expectations, I am proclaiming "The Contender" Season 3 finale between Sakio Bika and Jaidon Codrington the 2007 Fight of the Year. What the bout lacked in technical skill it more than made up for in dramatic action.
>> AP: Warren wary of Hopkins willingness to take on Calzaghe
Calzaghe Too Slick For Kessler
SUN November 4, FRANK GONZALEZ - Saturday night in Cardiff Wales, reigning WBO Super Middleweight Champion, Joe Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KO's) treated his loyal hometown fans at the Cardiff Stadium to the toughest fight of his career, taking on the younger and arguably stronger, WBC Champion, Mikkel Kessler (39-1, 29 KO's) of Denmark.
Once again, Joe Calzaghe proved he is the best fighter in his weight class as he used speedy hands, tricky ring generalship, toughness and a vast array of punches to tame the technically sound Mikkel Kessler during the course of 12 exciting rounds.
>> Marquez Remains Champ, Decisions Jaurez | Guerrero Destroys Honorio in One
Joe Calzaghe vs. Mikkel Kessler. Period.
FRI November 2, CLIFF ROLD - I've written so much about this fight for the last couple years that I'm sort of at a loss for words now that it's here. Sort of.
Sometime after 2 AM Sunday morning in Cardiff, Wales (9 PM EST/6 PM PST on HBO in the States), the opening bell will clang, a potentially great fight will ensue, and an entire weight division, 23 years after it crowned its first true champion, finishes its coming of age. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Is 168 the Best Division in Boxing?
THU November 1, ANDRES ANTONIO CARREDO - Earlier this decade the 168 lb. Super Middleweight division faced derision as one of the sport's weakest divisions. Located roughly halfway between more traditional glamour divisions Middleweight, 160 lbs., and Light Heavyweight, 175 lbs., the 168 lb. class which the IBF ('84), WBA ('87) and WBC ('88) only began sanctioning title fights for in the '80s seemed to have little point in its existence. Some critics even suggested that it should be eliminated along with other "super/junior" weight classes.
>> ESPN: Why you should be excited about Calzaghe-Kessler
The MMA vs. Boxing Debate and Bad Sanctioning Bodies
TUE October 30, ANDRES ANTONIO CARRIEDO - After a full year of debating this topic with passionate MMA fans both in person and in various virtual forums, I have come to the conclusion that UFC President Dana White is the Karl Rove of fight sports. I am not going to get political here; the analogy fits. Rove's greatest strength was his ability to frame every debate in his favor...
>> The Guardian: 'I'm going to drag Kessler to a dark place where he's never been before'
Is Unbeaten Heavyweight Alexander Povetkin It?
THU October 25, CLIFF ROLD - If you've heard of 28-year old 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Alexander Povetkin (13-0, 10 KO, unrated) of Tschechow, Russia, this Saturday, with no U.S. TV, is one of the biggest days of the 2007 boxing calendar.
If you're asking "Who the hell is Alexander Povetkin?" then Saturday will determine whether that question is really worth answering. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Lucien Bute and Felix Sturm: Beyond Regional?
FRI October 19, CLIFF ROLD - Contrary to what a U.S. television guide might say, there is more to boxing this weekend than habla espanol. Not to downplay two fun Friday cards on Telemundo and Telefutura respectively, but the best fights in the world this weekend, the two fights that have the most impact on the game, are going to take some computer savvy for the sons of Uncle Sam to track down.
Unless you've been living in a cave boxing fan, you know that we are but two weeks from my choice for "best fight of the year on paper," the World Super Middleweight title clash between... [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Juan Diaz Silences Julio Diaz in Nine
SUN October 14, FRANK GONZALEZ - Julio 'Kidd' Diaz' (34-4, 25 KO's) bark turned out to be bigger than his bit on Saturday night, where in Chicago, he finally got to fight WBA/WBO Champ Juan 'Baby Bull' Diaz (33-0, 17 KO's).
It was a RARE unifying title bout that would see the winner possesses three of the four major recognized title belts. So, congratulations to Juan Diaz of Houston Texas, who after two years of being hounded by Julio Diaz to fight...
Dos Diaz's, One Haiku for Holyfield and Let's Finally Do Right by Wuh Yuh or Koo Chang
FRI October 12, CLIFF ROLD - Boxing's youth movement is here.
The need for youth, for fire, for hungry fighters willing to lay it all on the line and get fans out of their seats (instead of slinking into them half asleep) was never more evident than in the contrast between boxing's two major main events over the last two weeks.
Put another way, Kelly Pavlik v. Jermain Taylor was a great fight. The rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera last weekend did not resemble that remark. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Pacquiao Keeps Title, But Does Barrera Laugh Last?
MON October 8, BUSTER PARIS - Larry Merchant: 'Do you feel disappointed in this, your last fight?'
Marco Antonio Barrera: 'I'm sad because I lost in the end ''
Saturday ' October 6th, 2007 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada - Marco Antonio Barrera (W 63 - KO 42 & L 6) closed out an amazing 18-year career that has given us some of the greatest fights we've ever seen.
McCline Drops Peter Three Times, Still Loses
MON October 8, FRANK GONZALEZ - The last time a Heavyweight got dropped three times in a big fight and won was when Wladimir Klitschko got dropped three times by Sam Peter but still out-boxed Peter and put enough rounds in the bank to win the fight.
Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, Sam Peter (29-1,22 KO's) gave an exhibition of himself that could become the blueprint for future opponents on how best to beat him. Peter keeps his hands too low on defense and is vulnerable to uppercuts and hooks.
Pavlik Ends Taylor's Reign as Middleweight Champion
MON October 1, FRANK GONZALEZ - Two undefeated fighters in their prime, facing each other for the Championship Title. Does it get better than this? And so history was made Saturday night in Atlantic City NJ, where Kelly Pavlik got battered and knocked down badly in the second round, but got up, survived the round, regained his legs and went on to win the fight by TKO in the seventh round when he knocked down Taylor who did NOT get up.
>> Dawson Scores Fourth Round KO over Mendoza
Taylor-Pavlik: A Rarer Treat Than You Realize
FRI September 28, CLIFF ROLD - Two undefeated fighters doing battle is always something special. The sense that two warriors, neither knowing how to lose, will give the sport, the night, a little more of themselves in pursuit of victory palpably hangs in the air, an extra ingredient to the recipe for assumed violence.
29-year old World Middleweight champion Jermain Taylor (27-0-1, 17 KO) of Little Rock, Arkansas and electrifying contender Kelly Pavlik (31-0, 27 KO, #3 Ring Magazine, age 25) of Youngstown, Ohio both enter the ring this Saturday... [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Ricky Hatton Stands Strong, Discusses Floyd Mayweather on December 8th
FRI September 21 - The Ring magazine's jr. welterweight champion Ricky hatton, making a move north to welterweight to face The Ring champ Floyd Mayweather Jr., live on HBO PPV on December 8th, gave his thoughts on the upcoming mega-fight to Sky Sports News.
The argument for Wladimir Klitschko...
FRI September 14, JIMMY BRYGHT - He's no longer just Vitali's little brother and he's come a long way since his knockout losses to Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster. The man called "Dr. Steelhammer" is now the IBF/IBO heavyweight champion and the #1 heavyweight ranked in The Ring.
Wladimir Klitschko has beaten the best that the division has to offer. He rose from the canvas three times and won a unanimous decision over young powerhouse Samuel Peter...
Calzaghe vs. Kessler: 51 Days and Counting
THU September 13, CLIFF ROLD - This was supposed to be the week I picked 2000 U.S. Olympic Silver Medalist Rocky Juarez (27-3, 19 KO) of Houston, Texas to be an upset winner over Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez (47-3, 35 KO, Ring Magazine #2 at 130 lbs., WBC titlist). With a hand injury to Marquez postponing the now cancelled Saturday card, that pick is going to have to wait until at least December. It's a shame if you really know your boxing, because that bout headlined a solid professional card. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Dissing Zab Judah and the IBF heavyweight tournament
TUE September 11, JIMMY BRYGHT - Former world welterweight champion Zab Judah beat an out-classed opponent last Friday evening in notching a surprisingly boring decision over Edwin Vazquez as televised on ESPN2.
Whoopie. I think I'll wet myself.
Is this the best that ESPN can do? Aren't there any more up-and-comers that could have filled this spot? Or does Judah just like seeing himself on TV? For all the trash-talking that he does, you'd think that Judah would actually be at least partially interested in making an effort to impress...
Floyd Mayweather Dancing Into Your Heart
MON September 10, BUSTER PARIS - We're all talking about him, even people who never normally talk about boxing, or boxers. That's the brilliance of all this and ultimately the reason why he's doing it.
''Floyd Merryweather ' that's the boxing man you like, right?'
'Mayweather, ma ' Floyd Mayweather.'
'Oh, well, he's gonna be on Dancing With The Stars. Is he any good?'
'Umm, ya ma, he's amazi''
''Arthur thinks Marie Osmond will win.'
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