Boxing Has A New Tyrant

The sport of boxing finds itself in a major conundrum at the moment.  The idea of a sport with such independence seemed like a breeding ground for innovation and opportunity, but in the last decade we have seen nothing but regression.

To the commercial sport’s media in America, boxing has become an afterthought.

 

If a fight doesn’t feature Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Manny Pacquiao, you’d be hard-pressed to find any coverage outside of boxing outlets.  The sport hasn’t been a household entity since the demise of the heavyweight division.

Fortunately, none of that really matters.

Boxing is alive and with its current crop of fighters, has the ammunition to blow the doors off of the sport’s world.  The problem is… boxing’s independence has become a benefit to the fighter, while being a detriment to the sport. 

What's Left for Manny?

At first it’s the excitement of the crowd… then it’s the money… followed by the notoriety and fame that come along with rising to a level of super-stardom in the world of boxing.  It’s a feeling I have never felt, along with the 99% of people on this earth who can only imagine such a life. 

When it comes to Manny Pacquiao, he’s provided the boxing world with so many unbelievable moments. 

His destruction of Marco Antonio Barrera was the beginning of the era of Pac-Man… He gave us three spectacular wars with Erik Morales, taking two from “El Terrible” including a scintillating third round KO in their third and final fight. 

His nemesis in the ring will always be Juan Manuel Marquez.  Their four epic battles all left questions and controversy as baggage.  Fights that could have easily went either way, but kept us yearning for more. 

Even the monumental knockout of Manny in their fourth bout had purists confused as to what the future would hold for Manny Pacquiao.  In retrospect, Manny was in control of the fight and possibly on his way to a knockout before the Marquez’s triumphant right hand caught the mega-star in perfect spot at the perfect time.

A Glimpse into Boxing History: Felix "Tito" Trinidad vs. "El Feroz" Fernando Vargas

It was the perfect storm… two fighters meeting at the peak of their careers and both coming off an impressive string of victories. Both undefeated... hungry to take the heart of the other…. with the winner on the verge of being the next superstar in boxing. 

Fernando Vargas walked into this epic bout at the mere age of 22, five days before his 23^rd birthday.  The U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist had built up a strong resume in a short period of time, winning his first 20 fights and beating the likes of Ronald “Winky” Wright and Ike Quartey. 

He shared a similar make-up to Oscar De La Hoya, but being in the shadow of the “Golden Boy” produced a bitterness, edge and attitude within the fighter… and in the ring, it was clearly evident.  Fernando was a tough and rugged fighter with the skill to box and brawl.

 

Vargas was brash… and his fighting reputation lived up to his moniker; El Feroz [Ferocious].

12 Rounds of Thoughts - Danny "Swift" Garcia vs. Mauricio Herrera

Round 1 – My power went out as soon as the bell rang for the Daniel Jacobs fight… obviously I didn’t miss much.  Great KO and happy to see the young fighter come back from the roughest of circumstances.

Round 2 – I had a feeling the Juanma Lopez was going to surprise people tonight.  After the Mikey Garcia fight, I concluded that he was done… but for some reason felt that he had one more run in him.  His right hook that knocked Daniel “Ponce” De Leon down in the second round was picture perfect. 

Round 3 – Lopez needs a couple “gimme” fights to continue to build up his confidence before jumping in the ring with an elite talent.

 

Round 4 – I’d never seen Deontay Wilder in action… only clips and highlights.  A 6’7” heavyweight with a 100% KO ratio was ever intriguing.  Not to mention, he was facing a legit heavyweight with skill. 

It's Now or Never for Danny "Swift"

There comes a time in a boxer’s career where opportunity is most advantageous.  Sure, every fight is a chance to help build a reputation or brand, but only certain fighters reach a point in their career where their next performance can dictate whether or not they are special. 

Courtesy of superluchas.net

Danny “Swift” Garcia (27-0, 16 KO’s) may have solidified his stature as a special fighter after his brilliant performance against Lucas Matthysse (34-3-0-1, 32 KO’s).  Coming off a unanimous decision over Zab Judah (42-9-0-2, 29 KO’s) despite a late rally from the Brooklyn native, Garcia had made a name for himself as a fighter that regardless of the situation, finds a way to win. 

But I don’t look at the Matthysse fight as Garcia’s claim to being a special fighter…. it’s what happens next that will affirm his position as one of the best. The aftermath of a great performance shows character.

12 Rounds of Thoughts - Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo

Here are my thoughts on Saul "Canelo" Alvarez's dominating showcase victory over Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo.

Round 1 – I came into the card with some extremely high expectations… and I was let down tremendously.

Round 2 – Leo Santa Cruz is a good fighter… but nothing special. He’s too nice for my liking.

Round 3 – Alfredo Angulo walked into the ring looking “all business” and had me expecting a war of attrition.  Boy was I wrong.

R.L.'s Breakdown: Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo

There are fights that are extremely hyped-up with manufactured electricity and artificial buzz.  A boxer can easily be billed as something they're not through creative marketing and promotional backing.  It's a blessing and curse for the sport, but as fans, we live with it and hope the final product lives up to the built up anticipation.

Fortunately for boxing fans, we don't have to worry about any of that when Saul "Canelo" Alvarez steps inside the squared circle to face Alfredo "El Perro" Angulo.  We know what type of fight it's going to be and the anticipation is organic.... This is war.

Here's my detailed breakdown and prediction:

12 Rounds of Thoughts - Chavez Jr. vs. Vera

Here are my thoughts on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr's (48-1-1, 32 KO's) unanimous-decision win over Brian Vera (23-8, 14 KO's)  and Orlando Salido's (41-12-2, 28 KO's) split-decision victory over Vasyl Lomachencko (1-1, 1 KO). 

Round 1 – I am unveiling my official nickname for Vasyl Lomachenko… V-Lo

Round 2 – To take on a seasoned, rough and rugged veteran in your second professional bout for a title seemed like a reasonable task for V-Lo.  We were wrong.  It wasn’t a question of skill… but a clear indication of how experience is so important. 

Round 3 – When V-Lo is 15-1 in about in 3 years, he’ll look back at this fight as the most important in his career.  So many lessons that will carry him through his journey in the ring.

Round 4 – Salido’s body attack was vicious! He beat the kid from ring post to ring post.  Marcos Maidana should take note for his upcoming bout with Floyd “Money” Mayweather.

A Puncher's Chance of a Puncher's Chance

The announcement’s been made… Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. (45-0, 26 KO's) will be putting his undefeated record on the line against Marcos "El Chino" Maidana (35-3, 31 KO's). 

I’ve made it widely known that I favored a Mayweather-Maidana match-up over Amir Khan (28-3, 19 KO's).  Honestly, I didn’t think Floyd would ever fight Maidana considering the risk/reward compared to Khan.

Khan provides less risk and nearly as much reward, but it’s obvious that he did not deserve the fight.  On the other hand, Maidana was coming off the biggest win of his career (a unanimous decision over formerly unbeaten Adrien Broner), and provides a more fan-friendly fighting style.

 

I have to give credit to where it’s due… Floyd chose the right opponent which is something I didn’t expect him to do.

 

With that being said, Marcos Maidana merely has a puncher’s chance of a puncher’s chance to beat Floyd.