Boxing on Network Television?!

America has become a gullible society.  Easy to manipulate.  Naïve.  Susceptible to belief without credence… and in the universe of sports, it’s no different. 

Boxing’s decline in popularity to the mainstream public can be attributed to many different aspects.  Some blame it on promoter greed and matchmaking, while others look towards the fact that young kids and more importantly their parents don’t aspire for a career in combat.  But neither of the aforementioned issues compare to boxing’s  withdrawal from network television. 

Rumors are running rampant that Al Haymon is in the process of bringing boxing back to network television.  I’d be the first person to profess a lack of trust for anything regarding Al Haymon, but the thought of what boxing on network television could do for the sport is very intriguing.

Let's Talk Boxing w/ Gabe Gonzalez

ALL ACCESS - Scripted. Fake. Phony.

According to Showtime Sports, “All Access” provides viewers with an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at boxing champions as they prepare for their next epic showdown. 

Now intimate is defined as closely acquainted, private and personal… all adjectives that signify an authentic and deep look at the lives of two fighters leading up to a highly anticipated event.  The show is billed as “behind-the-scenes” not “reality television”… there’s a difference. 

Floyd Mayweather Jr. was called before the Nevada State Athletic Commission early Tuesday regarding a few incriminating scenes in the award winning “All-Access: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2”.  His response was simple… it was all fake.  A hoax.  Scripted for entertainment purposes. 

The 31-minute sparring sessions? Fake.  His female associates blazin’ up? False. Gambling on the “dog-house” fights? Nope.

What once was looked at as a cutting-edge view into the pre-fight process has been unveiled to be nothing more than boxing’s version of WWE Raw Backstage Pass. 

Those in defense of “All Access” and the scripting of the show offer up the argument that ALL reality television is scripted to a point.  My response is just as simple… it’s not needed.  To be a successful prizefighter on a stage big enough to warrant a “behind-the-scenes” series is a marvel in itself.  The training, preparation and lifestyle of the fighters are enough to satisfy the public’s interest.  We want more grit and less flash.  More Rocky in Russia and less Apollo in a top hat.  More substance and less fabrication. 

Will the public continue to tune in to “All Access” for Floyd Mayweather’s next bout? There’s no doubt.  It’s obvious that they’re catering to a younger audience who is enamored by the gaudy lifestyle that’s attached to “Money May”. 

Unfortunately, the show may have lost the hardcore fight fan.  It’s one thing to sift through Floyd’s Bugattis, private jets and ostentatious persona for a glimpse into his rigorous training regimen… but when the validity of every moment captured on screen is in question, it defeats the entire premise of the show.  

Follow me on Twitter: @RLMalpica 

Is Floyd Bad for Boxing?

You’re probably asking yourself “How can the #1 draw and pound-for-pound king be bad for boxing?” Let me break it down for you….

Photo courtesy of cnn.com

Floyd has done a brilliant job marketing himself and his brand to the point that when boxing is offered up to the casual sports fan, Floyd Mayweather is usually the response.  Boxing is in a precarious position of constantly fighting for a bigger fan base and market share.  When Floyd Mayweather is the face of a sport hinging on entertainment to garner new fans, the task is daunting. 

Ask yourself this question… When’s the last time you walked away from a Floyd Mayweather fight feeling satisfied?

Hardcore boxing fans can appreciate Floyd’s defensive wizardry, brilliant accuracy and sharp counter punching, but even the purist of fan possesses a feeling of emptiness after a Floyd bout.  Passionate fans offer up their heart and emotion in watching these modern day gladiators do battle and that’s why it’s extremely difficult to be a fan of a fighter who doesn’t offer up his own.

12 Rounds of Thought - Mayhem

My initial thoughts on the “mega-fight” rematch between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Marcos Maidana.  Also, my thoughts on Leo Santa Cruz’s KO win, Mickey Bey’s controversial decision win over Miguel Vazquez and James De La Rosa’s upset of Alfredo Angulo. 

Round 1: Molina-Soto was by far the “Fight of the Night”… I could have been $77 richer today. 

Round 2: Alfredo Angulo needs to hang up the gloves.. he’s entered the Juanma world of shot fighters.  Lost 3 fights in a row and De La Rosa did everything he could to offer up a win to him, but he didn’t have enough left to take it.  Nice guy, but it’s time for him to walk away. 

Round 3: Mikey Bey vs. Miguel Vazquez wouldn’t even be worth a round if it weren’t for the GARBAGE decision.  How any judge saw Bey winning this fight 119-109 needs more than their eyes checked… they need to be committed.  The fight was beyond boring and Bey walked away with a gift.  Thank you TMT. 

Photo by Steve Marcus

Round 4:  Leo Santa Cruz is exciting… but my goodness, a showcase co-main event on a $77 card?  Roman had no right to grace the squared circle with Leo.  Leo-Rigo next please, it’s the ONLY way to redemption after this 2 round sparring match. 

Round 5: Floyd came into this fight with a clear cut gameplan… stay off the ropes, use the ring, clinch… and most importantly keep Kenny Bayless in his back pocket. 

Round 6:  I’m a huge Bayless fan… think he’s one of the best referees in boxing… but his showing left a lot to be desired.  It’s one thing to not allow a fight to get outta hand, but to penalize a fighter based off of a predetermined notion is absurd.  Anytime Maidana would get NEAR Floyd on the ropes, Kenny would be ready to jump in and break it up… I’m serious… watch the fight again… he was WAITING for an opportunity to jump in. 

Mayhem Breakdown & Prediction

On Saturday night, I’m expecting an even more competitive bout between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana.  While the first bout was a tale of two halves, I foresee a little more back and forth between the two.

Maidana needs to parlay his aggression from the first fight with a little more poise early on.  He doesn’t need to go for broke like he did in the first few rounds.  By no means does he need to lose the aggression, but he needs to pace himself a bit more.  Maybe he throws 75 punches a round instead of 100?  Ruggedness mixed with a relentless attack is the key for Maidana.  He must make Floyd uncomfortable for ALL twelve rounds.  Also, his jab was key… not many fighters use the jab against Floyd and you could tell it bothered him in the first bout. 

Floyd can win this fight rather easily if he’s able to keep it in the middle of the ring for the majority of the rematch.  Unfortunately, I don’t believe Marcos will allow that to happen.  So, Floyd needs to counter off the ropes and evade Maidana.  If he sits on the ropes like he did in the first fight, it’ll be a rougher night than it needs to be.  Floyd’s key to victory is to frustrate Maidana by making him miss and making him pay.  If he’s able to do that consistently, Floyd Mayweather will walk away with his undefeated record intact. 

Ultimately, I’m expecting Floyd to do a much better job of evading Maidana’s attack early on.  Maidana will have his moments and I truly believe the majority of the rounds will be very competitive, but in the end Floyd will win a close fight. 

Floyd by split decision.    

 

Follow me on Twitter: @RLMalpica

Mayweather vs. Maidana 2 - Preview Podcast

Is Floyd Mayweather slowing down? Will Marcos Maidana finally crack the "May-Vinci" code?! Listen as I break down the highly anticipated rematch between Floyd "Money" Mayweather and Marcos "El Chino" Maidana. Also, special guest Shawn Heimberger gives his opinion on the fight and much more! Let's talk boxing!!

Marcos Maidana: A Second Chance at History

Courtesy of resumensports.com

Opportunities don’t often come around twice.  The saying “the chance of a lifetime” signifies a rarity that reflects an extremely difficult task, but also one that is very hard to come by.   These are the special moments in life that usually define ourselves or our legacy. 

The opportunity to be graced with the presence of Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the squared circle can be defined as the ultimate prize.  He’s become a symbol of prominence in boxing.   Every ascending fighter in the welterweight division strives for a shot at the champ.  Marcos Maidana’s been awarded this chance of a lifetime twice. 

Through all the debate surrounding the first fight, one thing is clear; Mayweather was challenged.  The 12-1 underdog gave Floyd all he can handle and the consensus believe Maidana was ahead in the fight through six rounds. 

Marcos Maidana showed us all that while Floyd Mayweather Jr. had defined dominance against many a foes, he is human.  Some believe Floyd is on the down side of his career while others think his performance was merely a ploy to give the fans a show.  Regardless of what any fight fan chooses to believe, Marcos Maidana came closer to taking away Mayweather’s most prized possession [his undefeated record] then any fighter in the last decade.  It was a chance at history… but at the end of the day, he failed. 

2014 Fight of the Year (to date)

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Post by R.L. Malpica.

ROC NATION SPORTS: Boxing's Next Powerhouse?

 

Looking back in boxing history, there’s been some significant links to the music industry.  From Don King parlaying his concert promoting to the fight game to Al Haymon utilizing his music managerial experience with big stars, music and boxing have been intertwined throughout the years. 

Digging deep into both worlds, they share some obvious similarities.  Record labels are parallel to boxing promotional entities.  Sony/BMG is Top Rank.  Universal is Golden Boy.  EMI and Warner coincide with Gary Shaw and Goosen-Tutor.  Rounding out the rest of the industry are the other smaller promoters like Dibella, K2 and others which equate to Independent labels in music.  Record labels control their artists in the same manner boxing promoters control their fighters. 

The inclusion of Roc Nation Sports in the fight game could be the foreshadowing of a monumental moment in boxing history.  Their bidding victory of the upcoming WBO Middleweight Championship featuring Champion Peter “Chocolate” Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs) vs. Matt Korobov (24-0, 14 KOs) shocked the boxing world.  While Roc Nation has quickly made its presence felt in other sports by signing the likes of NBA superstar Kevin Durant, NFL’s Geno Smith and MLB’s CC Sabathia, no one truly foresaw them engaging in a bidding war against promotional powerhouses Top Rank and Golden Boy.  It was a simple gesture with a defining message; Roc Nation means business. 

Corner II Corner Podcast: Fact or Fiction - Boxing's Hottest Topics

Mayhem Undercard -- Quick Quotes

Here’s some quotes from today’s conference call showcasing the fighters on the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Marcos Maidana rematch entitled “Mayhem”.  The co-main event features fan favorite Leo “Terremoto” Santa Cruz (27-0-1, 15 KOs)  vs. Manuel “Suavecito” Roman (17-2-3, 6 KOs).  Also on the card, Miguel “Titere” Vazquez (34-3, 13 KOs) defends his IBF Lightweight Championship against Mickey “The Spirit” Bey (20-1-1, 10 KOs) and Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo (22-4, 18 KOs) moves up to middleweight to take on James De La Rosa (22-2, 13 KOs). 

 

BKB: The Future of Boxing?

 

Evolution is defined as the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form… Big Knockout Boxing, better known as BKB, is the antithesis of this… Traditional boxing as we know it today offers a level of complexity that not many sports rival.  It is competition in its purest form… two athletes using their God given abilities to out-dual the other in combat.  No team.  No equipment besides gloves.  No objects.  Yet the strategy involved in a prize fight takes the purest form of competition and turns it into a rare piece of theater…

This past weekend, the Mandalay Bay Events Center played host to BKB’s first pay-per-view fight card in the United States.  The main event featured battle tested veterans Gabriel Rosado and Brian Vera.  On the surface, this matchup equates to a pretty good scrap in traditional boxing… but when offered with the added elements of BKB boxing, it’s much more enticing. 

BKB features a pit instead of a traditional boxing ring with a diameter of 17 feet.  Bouts are seven rounds and only two minutes long.  What BKB offers can only be truly appreciated by the eye.  After watching Rosado KO Brian Vera with a crushing counter right hand in the sixth round, I walked away wondering if this was the future of the sport. 

The action was heavy, as there’s really nowhere to hide in the claustrophobic pit.  It reminded me of a video game, where both fighters are in one spot slipping and trading punches with the slightest of lateral movement.  BKB was intense and I have to admit… I like it. 

But let’s not get carried away fight fans… it will never replace traditional boxing.  I see it more as an added element to the fight game… An entity that can take C+ fighters like Gabe Rosado and Brian Vera and put on a good show.  It’s a tremendous avenue for one-dimensional fighters who may have lost their way in the traditional game. 

See… we as people tend to overreact at the newest and brightest objects of entertainment.  The public consensus across America is that boxing is dying… when in actuality it couldn’t be further from the truth.  Is it where it once was? Definitely not.  But there’s two aspects of traditional boxing that will continue to carry the sport… its history… and its diversity.  BKB offers neither. 

Everyone loves a war… two guys slugging it out until one succumbs to defeat.  It’s a part of sports that’s unparalleled.  But remember, too much of one thing is never a good thing.  It’s human nature.  We need balance.  Traditional boxing offers balance.  For every Castillo-Corrales I… there’s a De La Hoya-Mosley I.  Two completely different types of fights, but equally entertaining.  There’s a beauty in being able to use the ring to your advantage.  The best fights have a blend of it all… great boxing, movement and exchanges.  BKB won’t be able to offer that. 

The biggest proponent of BKB is its name… Big Knockouts.  The idea is that people want to see more knockouts.  People need to once again see the deeper picture… it’s never the knockout, it’s who’s getting knocked out or who’s doing the knocking out.  There’s a psychological aspect that the majority of sports fans fail to realize.  We don’t wanna just see knockouts, we wanna see the best fighters in the world score knockouts.  Traditional boxing makes us appreciate the knockout! When Manny Pacquiao got put to sleep by that violent right hand counter from Juan Manuel Marquez, the sporting world was shocked! In awe of such a moment!  It’s balance… and it’s needed. 

It’s also why I feel BKB is the perfect added element to traditional boxing.  Not an evolution of the sport, but more of a component to garner new fans to the sweet science.  It’s also a perfectly constructed bridging of the gap for MMA fans with a slight curiosity in boxing.  I’m all for it!

I really hope Big Knockout Boxing is successful and branches out to other cable providers and networks for the simple fact that in its infancy, BKB has no choice but to offer exciting drama-filled matchups.  It’s got a big hill to climb, but the interest is there.  They have a choice to make… are they competing with traditional boxing or simply offering an alternative?  For their sake, I hope it’s the latter. 

 

Follow me on Twitter: @RLMalpica

Brook defeats Porter Reaction - Podcast

12 Rounds of Thought - Kell Brook upsets Shawn Porter

My intitial thoughts on a great night of boxing! Kell Brook (33-0, 22 Kos) defeats Shawn Porter (24-1-1, 15 KOs) and becomes the IBF Welterweight Champion of the world.  Also, Wilder, Figueroa and Anthony Dirrell come away victorious. 

Round 1 – Finally… the judges got it right and boxing wins!!

Round 2 – That was a quality card Showtime… that’s all we ask… three fights that MEAN something!

Round 3 – Omar Figueroa vs. Daniel Estrada was some really good theater! Estrada couldn’t hurt him… so Figueroa kept coming.  His aggression is eye candy… so fun to watch.

Round 4 – That was a beautiful counter right hand that dropped Estrada in the 9^th round… Pure poetry in motion. 

Round 5 – Figueroa said after the fight he wants to move up to 140… gonna be rough… but I like it! Imagine a Figueroa-Matthysse matchup?!

Round 6 – Deontay Wilder…. Ya, nothing much else to say about that. 

Round 7 – Anthony Dirrell did what he had to do against an ugly fighter… no one looks good against Bika.  Another great story in boxing.  Very happy for Dirrell. 

Round 8 – Shawn Porter was catapulted into the next superstar in the welterweight division… and we were wrong.  I eat a lot of crow, because I was a believer that his style would give anyone fits. 

Round 9 – By no means am I saying Shawn Porter isn’t a good fighter and can’t one day be great… but he was really exposed by Brook.  His energy and relentlessness is second to none… but if you can withstand it and show composure… you’ll have a good shot against Porter.  Most were looking past Brook to a showdown with Keith Thurman… the question loomed, who was the next star? Props to Shawn Porter for fighting the best… but I think Thurman would destroy him.

Round 10 – Kell Brook impressed me… in the biggest fight of his career against a young hungry relentless undefeated champion, he was able stay calm and believe in his abilities.  Not to mention he was in the champion’s country and not given much a chance to be victorious.  His skills are real… he’s a very talented fighter and his right hand is legit. 

Round 11 – It was great to see the judges get it right tonight… 2014’s been such a controversial year and this fight had all the makings of another debacle.  Porter’s been touted as the future of the division and one of Showtime’s up-n-coming stars.  I said before that boxing needed to shut the window of doubt regarding shady decisions… this definitely helped the cause. 

Round 12 – I wrote earlier this week that Shawn Porter’s style was reminiscent of a young Mike Tyson with a shade of Joe Frazier… and quickly followed up by saying that by no means was I comparing him as a fighter to the two legends.  While Porter’s side-to-side movement mirrors Iron Mike and his leaping left hook is very Frazier-esque.. he lacks the one thing that made those fighters elite; lethal punching power.  Shawn Porter has decent power… enough to be a successful fighter.  He really reminds me of Ricky Hatton.  An energetic fighter that can overwhelm a number of boxers, but won’t be able to beat the elite.  Is Kell Brook elite? I wouldn’t go that far… but I think we’re on the precipice of finding out.  I’d guess a showdown with Amir Khan may be next. 

Follow me on Twitter: @RLMalpica

Mind of Malpica -- Soliman ducking Golovkin

It's becoming somewhat of a trend... Golovkin obliterates an opponent and the rest of the division's best run for cover.  This time it happens to be newly crowned Sam Soliman (44-11, 18 KOs) who most recently dethroned Felix Sturm.  Instead of taking on Golovkin this year to unify the middleweight belts, he's decided to take on the once formidable Jermain Taylor (32-4-1, 20 KOs) who probably should have retired after the first Pavlik fight... and definitely should have stayed retired after the Froch KO. 

Regardless, for someone who's been vocal about the "over-hyping" of Golovkin, you'd think that Soliman would back his claims up as soon as possible.  Instead he wants to fight on HIS terms...

“I have a fight date later this year in the USA but will be free in March or April next year if Gennady wants to get it on,” Soliman said to Fightnews.com.

Soliman knows what he's doing... he wants to hold onto that belt as long as possible knowing Golovkin will most likely not be available next spring.  The aura of Golovkin continues to haunt the middleweight divisions.  One of these "so-called" champions need to show some courage and fight boxing's boogeyman...

Follow me on Twitter: @RLMalpica

Shawn Porter: On the Brink

When it was announced that “Showtime” Shawn Porter (24-0-1, 15 KOs) was to take on crafty veteran Paulie Malignaggi (33-6, 7 Kos), my initial reaction was one of concern for the young champion out of Akron, Ohio.  Paulie’s been in the ring with some of the best fighters in the world including the likes of Miguel Cotto, Ricky Hatton and most recently Adrien Broner.  For the most part, he held his own, only to succumb to the better fighter.

What made Malignaggi such a formidable opponent and test for the young Porter, is his intelligence in the ring.  He’s a savvy vet whose mental prowess in the ring has overcome a lack of punching power.  Paulie’s overachieved in the fight game with pure intellect and will.  He was supposed to give Porter fits….

Fortunately for fight fans across the globe, the welterweight division has another star on its hands. 

Corner II Corner Podcast: Shawn Porter vs. Kell Brook Preview Show

What's On My Mind? - Danny Garcia

There’s a consensus floating around that Danny Garcia’s resume was so strong he could afford and maybe even deserved to take on an easy opponent.  Let’s not get it confused, I don’t fault this past Saturday’s card on the fighters… I blame promotion.  The Al Haymons.  The Stephen Espinozas. 

Danny’s never ducked anyone… the 2012 & 2013 portion of his resume is incredibly strong! Khan, Judah, Matthysse… that’s what put him in a position for a possible Floyd fight! And that’s my point! His buzz was at the boiling point… only to watch it dissipate. 

Look Herrera’s no bum.. he’s a quality fighter.  But that was the wrong match-up.. and instead of following a questionable performance by solidifying his position as one of the best fighters in the world by taking on a game fighter, they put him in against a tomato can. 

In the end, he generated a small buzz with his devastating highlight KO of Rod Salka…   but what did it really prove? What did he gain? Almost a year removed from his career defining victory over Lucas Matthysse… and he finds himself in a lesser position.  More questions surround him. 

Will he fight at 140 or move up to 147? Can his power carry to 147? Is a Mayweather bout even feasible anymore? Garcia has is good at everything… but is he great at anything? With fighters like Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter on the come up in the welterweight division… if Garcia doesn’t start capitalizing on his opportunities, he’ll soon be an afterthought.

 

Follow me on Twitter: @RLMalpica

Corner II Corner Podcast - Rios vs. Chaves Debacle

Adonis "Superman" Stevenson: The Odd Man Out

Once a boxer hits a certain level… he’s confronted with a choice of direction that can severely alter his career.  It’s a decision that provides all you need to know about a fighter’s intentions in the fight game.  Motive is often questioned.  The questions are spawned from a simple conflict that continues to hover over boxing… Is money more important than legacy?

Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (24-1, 20 KOs) found himself staring this decision in the face earlier this year.  The light heavyweight southpaw with tremendous punching power worked himself into the conversation as one of the best fighters in the world, coming off three straight brutalizing performances against the likes of Chad Dawson, Tavoris Cloud and Tony Bellew. 

The path seemed set… a low risk bout versus Andrzej Fonfara and then a light heavyweight showdown with equally impressive and destructive Sergey Kovalev (25-0, 23 KOs).  A bout that was highly touted and discussed as the most anticipated fight this side of Pacquiao-Mayweather.  Two devastating punchers in the ring fighting to unify in what has become this generation’s version of the heavyweight division. 

When Adonis chose to sign with Al Haymon in February of this year, the direction of the Haitian born fighter became apparent…

"Now, I have so many more options," said Stevenson. "It is great to know that I have a great advisor representing my future." – per Lem Satterfield of The Ring.

12 Rounds of Thought -- A Bad Night for Boxing

My initial thoughts on another bad night for boxing.  Jessie Vargas defeats Anton Novikov by unanimous,  but controversial decision… Sergey Kovalev dismantles Blake Caparello… and Brandon Rios escapes with a disqualification win over Diego Chaves. 

Round 1:  Another night of fights… Another loss for boxing. 

Round 2:  So I basically wasted an hour of my life… an hour I will never get back… by taking the time to watch the bout between Jesse Vargas and Anton Novikov.  What was the point? A close and good scrap reduced to pointless by the result. 

Round 3: 118-111, 118-111 and 117-111 for Vargas… Thank you Anton Novikov for your participation in Saturday night’s bout… you’ll receive a consolation prize… you never had a chance.  

Round 4:  The pattern of bad judging has already opened the window for the perception of “pre-conceived judging”… and results like Vargas-Novikov are going to make it even more difficult to shut. 

Round 5:  Sergey Kovalev is an absolute monster in the ring.  He’s right behind Gennady “GGG” Golovkin for me as most exciting fighters to watch.  Fascinating personality as well. 

Round 6:  Kovalev has such a naïve confidence in his power… he has zero regard for what’s coming back at him.  It’s remarkable and so exciting to watch. 

Round 7:  Pre-mature stoppage = yes… Result inevitable = yes… Am I bitter because I didn’t get to see more of “Krusher” Kovalev = yes. 

Round 8:  I loved the post-fight interview with Bernard Hopkins.  That’s how you build intrigue for a fight! We need to see more of this!

Round 9: I’m worried about Hopkins… Sergey is a different monster.  I would actually favor Hopkins over Adonis Stevenson… but Kovalev is another story.  Hopkins picked Felix Trinidad apart, but Hopkins was the bigger and stronger man.  Pavlik was bigger but didn’t have the ferocity that Kovalev possesses.  Sergey Kovalev is too big, too strong and too powerful for Hopkins… it’s gonna be a rough night in November for the Alien. 

Round 10: Brandon Rios – Diego Chaves… another wasted hour of my life.  Thank you Vic Drakulich.  Guess you and Harvey Dock (ref for Jennings-Perez) are auditioning for Mayweather-Maidana 2…

Round 11: This fight was rough… ugly… gritty… basically everything I expected it to be.  Rios got the better of it inside and Chaves controlled it from a distance.  This was a very close fight… and a pretty good one as well.  Referee Vic Drakulich severely overreacted to the ruggedness of the fight… and in turn, didn’t allow the fighters to handle it like two warriors inside the ring. 

Round 12: The first point deduction on Chaves was pre-mature and more importantly, created a snow-ball effect.  The first point deduction on Rios was a make-up call.  The fight was ugly, no doubt… but this isn’t Paulie Malignaggi vs. Mauricio Herrera… these are two rough and rugged brawlers. Let them fight!!

Chaves was ahead on the scorecards at the time of the disqualification.  What’s most disappointing to me was the behavior of Brandon Rios.  You’re “Bam Bam”… Mr. Tough Guy… and you’re crying to the ref countless times about being fouled? Complaining about holding when you’re putting your head in his face? Then when he does the same, you’re complaining even more?

I think Rios was frustrated with the way Chaves adapted… In the 3^rd round, Chaves knew he couldn’t win on the inside… he used distance to land some heavy shots and control the fight from the outside.  Rios knew it was close… and used Vic Drakulich to his advantage.  For Vic to allow Brandon Rios to influence him into disqualifying Chaves at a moment where Chaves did absolutely nothing wrong is preposterous.   Brandon Rios has entered the Robert Guerrero class of “out of sight, out of mind” for me.  I look forward to seeing Diego Chaves fight again… A bad night for boxing.

Follow me on Twitter: @RLMalpica 

Brandon Rios: Return of a Fallen Warrior?

The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas is what most would describe as a luxurious resort, offering a mood of lavishness.  Every inch of the Cosmo screams modern elegance with just a tint of eclectic.  There’s a certain atmosphere that exudes from the decorative walls and translucent chandeliers.  It’s a feeling of peace… comfort… easiness. 

It’s only fitting that on Saturday, August 2^nd … The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas will play host to what promises to be a brutal, vicious and ugly boxing match pitting Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios (31-2-1, 23 KOs) against Diego “La Joya” Chaves (23-1, 19 KOs). 

Neither one of these fighters understand the concept of moving backwards and both consider aggression to be their best defense.  Both fighters are capable of walking away with victory, but the result will only be determined by whether or not we will see the return of the warrior inside of Brandon Rios. 

Corner II Corner Podcast -- Post Fight Reaction to Golovkin-Geale

12 Rounds of Thought - Golovkin vs. Geale

My initial thoughts on Gennady “GGG” Golovkin’s three round destruction of Daniel Geale and Bryant Jennings controversial split decision victory over Mike Perez. 

Round 1:  First and foremost… a referee should NEVER be a major influence in a fight.  To take a point away from Mike Perez in the 12^th round without warning is absolutely atrocious! The fight would have been a draw… a fight that was very competitive, close and most importantly, not dirty.  Tough break for Mike Perez. 

Round 2:  With that being said… neither Bryant Jennings nor Mike Perez do anything to push the needle forward.  These are two above average heavyweights who don’t possess the power or skill to be a serious threat to Wladimir Klitschko.  Personally, I rank recently fallen Chris Arreola over both of them. 

Round 3:  As for the fight itself, it was better than I thought… but not good by any means.  Each fighter had their moments.  Jennings had an opportunity to really take over, but never took advantage of his momentum.

 

Round 4:  Jennings dominated rounds 7 & 8, wobbled Perez in the eighth… but couldn’t follow up.  A sign of a really good fighter is his ability to build on momentum… and Jennings was unable to do such. 

Round 5:  Gennady Golovkin is a superstar in the making.  He has it all… the look, physique, ability, showmanship and most importantly… lethal power.  He is entertainment in the purest form. 

Round 6:  Just think… Golovkin was hit while throwing the punch he landed to knock Geale out… imagine if he wasn’t… eesh!

Round 7:  A very underrated aspect of GGG’s arsenal is his stiff jab.  It’s damn near a power punch! He kept Geale off-balance and constantly on his heels. 

Round 8:  I had a few people make remarks about Golovkin’s defense… saying he took too many shots and drops his right hand.  Easy response… he knew early in the first round that Geale couldn’t hurt him and from that point on, he was in terminator mode. 

Round 9:  Something else that goes overlooked is Golovkin’s ability to make subtle movements with his head and shoulders to avoid punches.  He’s always in position to fire back. 

Round 10:  He has an innate ability to cut-off the ring.  Geale tried to stay on the outside, but Golovkin quickly suffocated him and made the ring feel smaller than an elevator.

Round 11:  It’s become obvious to me that GGG dares to be great.  His post-fight interview with Kellerman was what we want from all prizefighters… no fear.  He wants the best.  Called out Cotto… and wants to unify the division.   

Round 12:  From 154-168, the only fighter I see giving Golovkin some trouble is Andre Ward… and he’s been on hiatus.  Cotto MAY fight him, but I don’t see it… he’s a rejuvenated fighter who has bigger paydays on the horizon.  Why lose all that momentum by getting in the ring with such an animal?  I’d put my next three year’s salary on the line that Oscar De La Hoya keeps Canelo Alvarez light years away from a match-up with Golovkin.  Froch already damn near admitted he wouldn’t fight him.  Chavez Jr. had his chance to no avail.  So who?... It all leads to Solomon, then possibly Quillin if the networks can work something out.  Regardless, neither Solomon or Quillin give Golovkin the opportunity to hold the stature that equates to his true potential.  This man has an aura… a specialness that comes around maybe once a decade.  Sad to say, without that marquee victory on a national stage, his impact on the sport will not nearly be what it should be. 

Follow me on Twitter: @RLMalpica

2nd Quarter Boxing Report - 2014

With over half the year gone, there’s been some very intriguing storylines in the world of boxing.  Fighters that showed glimpses of greatness were brought down to earth while a young crop of boxers emerge.  It’s boxing, every man for himself and the elite fighters always rise to the top.  While 2014 has been a let-down thus far, the year definitely hasn’t lacked any substance.  Take a look as I breakdown the second quarter of the year:

Let’s Dig Deep!

Floyd Mayweather Jr. may still be boxing’s king, but his reign will not last much longer.  His bout with Maidana showed a vulnerability in the fighter’s abilities I haven’t seen in the past.  While Floyd’s obviously still one of the best fighters in the world, I do believe Maidana laid out a blueprint on how to give the pound-for-pound king some problems.  A true depiction of Floyd’s regressing skills will be on display in the rematch with Maidana September 13^th.  If he dominates and proves that the first fight was intended to be competitive, then my claim is refuted… but if we see a replay of the first bout, then the end is near. 

Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter are the future of the welterweight division… and maybe the sport.  Both fighters have an enticing personality and both possess a fan friendly style with commercial appeal.  On top of that, both fighters are American and could be the type of boxers that increase public perception.  Porter’s annihilation of Paulie Malignaggi catapulted him to the doorstep of stardom.  Thurman has yet to be truly tested. 

Gennady "GGG" Golovkin - A Feared.... and Un-Wanted Man

Every once in awhile a fighter comes along that defines transcendent.  They possess a certain aura about them and extract an energy that can only be described as chilling.  Looking back thru the depths of boxing history, only a few fighters come to mind.  Sonny Liston possessed a bone chilling presence… Roberto Duran pumped fear into opponents… Mike Tyson may be the most transcendent of them all. 

Gennady Golovkin (29-0, 26 KOs) already has that aura and this comes without ever exchanging punches with a well known opponent.

In a sport that markets unforgiving brutality, such a character would usually be a promoter’s dream.  When looking at the aforementioned fighter’s careers, their aura worked to their advantage and was utilized as a major marketing ploy.  For Golovkin, it’s working against him. 

Nobody wants to fight Gennady Golovkin.  Now “nobody” is a relative term… Golovkin can find fights, as is evident by his matchup this Saturday with Daniel Geale (30-2, 16 KOs), which is easily his toughest opponent to date.  But Golovkin is at a point in his career at age 32, where he should be fighting the best in the world. 

If he had it his way, he would be.  A showdown with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. was proposed to take place in July only to fall apart due to Chavez Jr. not wanting to extend his contract with Top Rank Promotions.  In what would have been a monumental opportunity for Golovkin to spread his aura and transcendence to a wider audience, turned into the Kazakhstan native fighting another little-known fighter. 

All indications point to Golovkin “daring to be great”:

“Right now my focus is 160.  I’m open for everyone  [who is] a big fight, a pay-per-view fight.  [Me fighting] at 168 or at 154 is just for a pay-per-view fight.  Right now my focus is 160 and I’ll stay here [at 160] and I’m open for everybody,” Golovkin said. – per Bill “Two Scoops” Emes of boxingscene.com

The truth is… the aura surrounding Golovkin is truly a byproduct of his innate ability to destroy opponents inside the squared circle.  He has a storied amateur background.  His power is unquestioned.  The man is relentless and looks to stop at nothing.  Golovkin looks to punish you… and he never stops coming.  It’s only fitting that Iron Mike is his idol.  

From the Jr. Middleweight to Super Middleweight divisions, there are a good number of quality matches that would help propel Golovkin’s career and more importantly showcase one of the best fighters in the world to the masses.  I highly doubt newly rejuvenated WBC Middleweight Champion Miguel Cotto wants any part of him.  Cotto’s fallen opponent Sergio Martinez sure didn’t.  It’s WAY too much risk for pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya knows better than to put Canelo Alvarez in the ring with such an animal. 

That’s why Golovkin is subdued to fight the likes of Geale, Sam Soliman and Peter Quillin who are game opponents, but lack the marketability to turn Gennady Golovkin into a household name. 

For the average sports fan to be unfamiliar with Gennady “GGG” Golovkin is truly a travesty.  Sonny Liston was known and feared.  Roberto Duran is an icon.  Mike Tyson will forever be the most captivating personality in boxing history.  Golovkin deserves that same opportunity.  The question is… does any top-flight fighter want to give it to him?

Follow me on Twitter: @RLMalpica

5 Things I Think About Paquiao-Algieri

My initial thoughts on the announcement of Manny Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs) vs. Chris Algieri (20-0, 8 KOs) on November 22, 2014 in Macau China. 

  

1.   It’s gonna be a tough night for Chris Algieri… and I see him as being a pretty good fighter.  I’m very surprised that Bob Arum is throwing him in the ring with Manny at this point in his career.  Why not build him up a little more? Get him some more experience under his belt before subjecting him to a top 3 fighter in the world. 

2.   One thing is painfully obvious… Manny has run out of opponents.  The Cold War may have thawed.. but with the uncertainty surrounding Golden Boy and its roster, it’s pretty clear that we’re not going to see the fights we WANNA see for some time.

3.   If ever there was a time for Bob Arum to put together a top notch undercard… this is it.  In a year that’s already seen 5 pay-per-view events with Mayweather-Maidana2 coming in September, Pacquiao-Algieri easily falls to the bottom of the list.  Add to the fact that the bout is in China against a little-known fighter, Top Rank will need to do a MASTERFUL job of promotion. 

4.   From a stylistic standpoint, Algieri finds himself in a tough position.  The tough New York native climbed off the canvas and put on a top notch boxing performance against Ruslan Provodnikov.  He stayed on the outside and beat Ruslan to the punch with crisp combinations and was able to use his movement to deter Ruslan’s attack.  Against Manny, combination punching is a great tactic… if you have power.  Algieri doesn’t possess the type of power to halt Manny’s relentless offensive attack.  Couple that with Manny’s elite footwork… and we’re likely to see Pacquiao score his first KO in 5 years.

 

5.   This is a stop-gap fight.  Bob knows it’s not gonna perform anywhere near the level of Manny’s past bouts.  It’s a calculated match that provides Manny with an opponent who doesn’t pose a risk and gives Manny a legit opportunity to score a brutal stoppage.  Algieri’s face will be bludgeoned by the middle rounds and Top Rank will use the brutality to help propel their star’s reputation back to what it once was. 

 

Follow me on twitter: @RLMalpica

 

We Go To The Scorecards

Examining a Pattern of Bad Judging

There’s no other sport in the world that utilizes the human element quite like boxing does.  To win, a boxer must either control his own destiny by knocking his opponent out or leave his fate in the hands of three human judges.  Boxing is subjective… and while there’s a beauty in a sport dominated by opinion, debate and passion… at times it can be frustrating. 

Judges are to score fights based on clean punching, effective aggressiveness, ring generalship and defense.  Pretty basic concepts… but once again subjective.  There’s no exact science to judging a bout and most of the time they get it right.  It’s a part of boxing that we’ve grown accustomed to and bad decisions come with the territory. 

Unfortunately, I’ve noticed a pattern in the last year that I feel needs to be addressed.  In the majority of marquee fights for the past year, one or two of the scorecards seems to be completely off compared to the other.   Now I’m not here to throw out conspiracy theories or suggest foul play… I am merely reporting on my observations. 

When Saul “Canelo” Alvarez stepped into the squared circle with boxing’s king Floyd “Money” Mayweather in September of 2013… the world was watching.  The fight broke records, producing over 2 million pay-per-view buys resulting in the second most in boxing history.  Floyd dominated the fight and it could be argued that he won every single round… yet CJ Ross somehow scored the fight a draw, while the other judges and boxing experts saw the fight decisively in Mayweather’s favor.  I’ve watched this fight a number of times and even with eyes fixated on Canelo, I couldn’t come up with 4 rounds to give him. 

12 Rounds of Thought - Canelo vs. Lara

My initial thoughts on Canelo Alvarez's controversial split decision victory over Erislandy Lara.  A bad night for boxing.  

Round 1: Tonight boxing took another black eye... I've been saying all year the judging has been horrible and suspect... tonight was the icing on the cake. Very bad day for boxing.  

Round 2: I scored the fight 116-112 for Lara and felt that almost every round was pretty decisive.  How ANY judge scored it 117-111 for Canelo is preposterous.  

Round 3: I scored rounds 4, 7, 8 and 9 for Canelo... that's it.  He was severely out-boxed by a superior boxer in every other round.  

Round 4: Before the fight, I said if Erislandy Lara stuck to his gameplan for the entire fight... he would win easy... and he did.  Should have been a decisive win for Lara.  

Round 5: Lara did an incredible job of sticking and moving... landing one-twos and using his lateral movement to control the fight.  

Round 6: He frustrated Canelo... and showed throughout this fight that he is the better fighter.  

Round 7: Canelo is extremely one-dimensional... and this fight showed Canelo's kryptonite.  Movement. The fight looked like Floyd-Canelo2. 

Round 8: Props to Paulie Malignaggi on speaking the truth... Judge Levi Martinez had Canelo winning during the national anthems.  

Round 9: I'm on the hook for putting myself out there by saying Canelo was the future of the sport... boy was I wrong.  He's nothing but a glorified puncher who thinks he's a boxer.  Very disappointed.  

Round 10: For some odd reason, Canelo has an identity crisis.  He thinks he can outbox pure boxers.  He gave away the first three rounds simply by trying to stand on the outside and box one of the slickest boxers in the sport.  In round 4 he got aggressive and did some good body work that paid off later in the fight, but there were so many opportunities for Canelo to make the fight rough... and he'd let Lara off the hook.  

Round 11: Much respect to Lara for not letting his pride get the best of him and fall into the trap of trading with Canelo.  I didn't think he could do it on that big of a stage... after all the trash he talked... but he did and that showed me the type of professional he is and will be.  Erislandy is going to be a problem for a while.  

Round 12:  A rematch? No way in the world that happens... I doubt you'll even see the two fighters matched up in the same month.  Canelo will go on to bigger fights with Cotto and such... while Lara will be avoided for years.  It's a tough break for Lara in so many ways.  He wasn't well known... and out-boxed one of the biggest fighters in the sport.. and got robbed.  Real tough break.  I truly hope he gets another shot at a big fight.  I'm still excited for Canelo-Cotto because stylisticly it's gonna be great... but unless something drastically changes in the next few fights, Canelo is not an elite fighter. Sad sad day for boxing.  

Follow me on twitter: @RLMalpica 

5 Things I Think About Mayweather-Maidana 2

• It’s obvious that Floyd Mayweather Jr. saw Marcos Maidana as the ONLY option for his scheduled bout on September 13^th.  That’s not to say that there are not more intriguing match-ups out there, but for Floyd and HIS personal matchmaking model, Maidana was the only fighter that made sense.  The numbers for the first fight have yet to surface, but word on the street is that Mayweather-Maidana did somewhere in the ballpark of 850K buys.  A rematch will do similar numbers in my opinion and truthfully, no other opponent besides Pacquiao will move the needle.

• The rematch does provide a pretty good level of intrigue.  Floyd showed vulnerability in the first fight and the decision was somewhat controversial.  There are a number of questions going into the rematch and the yearning for those answers will help promote this fight.  Has Floyd lost a step and is he beatable?  Did Floyd “truly” make the fight competitive for the fans?  Can Maidana duplicate what he did in the first fight?  These are all questions that breathe life into what seems to be lukewarm anticipation to the rematch. 

• Floyd considers himself “The Best Ever” and while some may say taking this rematch was the easy road, I disagree.  Yes, I’d like to see him in the ring with Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman and a number of other young fighters, but in my opinion he has unfinished business with Maidana.  Legends don’t leave doubt or dust unsettled… they provide clarity.  While I don’t think legacy is ever a decision maker for Floyd, it is a byproduct of his matchmaking in this instance.  He has something to prove, whether intentionally or not. 

• Maidana could not have had a better game-plan going into the first fight.  He did exactly what I thought he needed to do.  Make the fight ugly and put relentless pressure on Floyd to make him fight off of reaction as opposed to allowing him to think in the ring.  Marcos executed to perfection in the first few rounds… but ran out of gas and didn’t have much left in the second half of the fight.  With a trainer like Robert Garcia, I would think they would adjust the plan slightly to allow Maidana to keep his stamina up for late fight success as well.  Easier said than done… but if Marcos Maidana is going to shock the world, he’ll have to be relentless for the full twelve. 

• I really believe we’re seeing the end of a dominant reign.  By no means am I saying that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is going to lose on September 13^th, but I don’t expect a much different fight than what we saw the first time.  The Welterweight and Junior Middleweight divisions are as strong as ever.  I really see the torch being passed on very soon from the Manny and Floyd era.  Mayweather-Maidana2 will be a foreshadowing of what’s to come.  

Follow me on twitter: @RLMalpica

12 Rounds of Thoughts - Crawford vs. Gamboa

My thoughts on Terence Crawford's sensational knockout victory over Yuriorkis Gamboa in a definite fight of the year candidate!

Round 1 – Way to represent Omaha, Nebraska! 10K… and brought the house down! Incredible energy!

Round 2 – That may have been Roy Jones Jr’s best telecast in years.  I actually enjoyed listening to him… and that’s a first.

Round 3 – Yuriorkis Gamboa’s hand speed is still there… his abilities are still there… it was evident in the first 4 rounds. 

Round 4 – The problem for Gamboa is the weight division… punches he hit Crawford with early would have put smaller fighters in a world of hurt.  Crawford absorbed them well.

Round 5 – This fight played out exactly how I thought it would… but I never expected Terence Crawford to steal the show the way he did.

Round 6 – The swing in this fight was huge! Gamboa dominated early… and looked to be outclassing Crawford until a beautiful counter right hook from Crawford took Gamboa’s legs out!

Round 7 – Say what you wanna say about Yuriorkis Gamboa, but that man has heart… legit will and determination!

Round 8 – He was dropped four times total… and would’ve kept fighting if the ref didn’t stop it.  Not to mention, hurt Crawford late in the fight, just didn’t have the energy or legs to follow up.

Round 9 – So many options for Terrance Crawford and so many mouth watering match-ups! As for Gamboa, he should move down to 130 and fight Juanma Lopez… after all these years, it would still be an exciting fight. 

Round 10 – This was definitely Crawford’s coming out party… and with his size, he has the ability to move up well. 

Round 11 – Bob Arum was quoted after the fight stating that he envisions a possible Crawford-Pacquiao fight in 2015… I’m in!

Round 12 – There’s no doubt that Crawford is the best lightweight in the world… but Junior Welterweight is where it’s at.  With a possible thawing of the “Cold War”, matching Crawford up with the likes of a Danny Garcia, Peterson, Broner would be great for boxing.  On the Top Rank side, there’s Rios, Alvarado, Bradley, Provodnikov and eventually Pac-Man.  Future looks bright for the kid.  

Errol Spence Jr. - Solid Performance by a Solid Prospect

Courtesy of www.reviewjournal.com

Through the constant regeneration of fighters in boxing, we sift through the abundance of young prospects looking for that little sign of uniqueness that can separate a boxer from the rest of his peers.  Sometimes it’s a signature punch or style that makes a young fighter stand out or even a distinctive personality.  Prospects aren’t guaranteed anything in a sport where there is no remorse for faulty projection or failure.  They have to earn true recognition or they will be exposed…quickly.

There’s isn’t a more highly touted prospect in boxing today than Dallas, TX native and former U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (13-0, 10 Kos).  He’s earned “Top Prospect of the Year” in 2012 ESPN’s Dan Rafael and is considered by many to be a future star in the sport.