Six Round Stare Down Part II

As a third of the year has already passed, boxing has had no shortage of interesting stories.  It's what makes the sport so intringing and somewhat spontaneous... the element of surprise in and out the ring.

With so many questions about a sport dominated by public opinion, I teamed up with Shawn Heimberger of Thoughts of R.S. to tackle the hottest questions and storylines in boxing today.  We both presented each other three questions, with each set published on our respective pages.

Adrien Broner: On a Path to Modesty?

It’s Mayweather week… buzz is starting to spread… fans are getting excited and the fighters are making their last second preparations. 

Hidden beneath the Floyd Mayweather Jr. extravaganza is the return of the brash and never to be outspoken Adrien “The Problem” Broner (27-1, 22 KOs).  Broner’s been somewhat quiet, at least in comparison to his normal public output, and seems focused on making May 3^rd a triumphant rebound from the beating he took from Marcos Maidana. 

Courtesy of hbo.com

Fans of Broner want to believe that the Maidana bout was a wake-up call for the Ohio native.  It’s one thing to be confident, but Adrien Broner created a moniker of a self-centered buffoon too dumb to realize that anointment comes with achievement, not self-proclaim.

A Night at the Fights - Ft. Worth. TX

Bud Light Pro Fight Series Supercharged 

Photo by Deshun Edwards

Last night, I had the opportunity to cover a fight card for the first time as a member of the media.. I've been to plenty of fights, but with the success of my blog and podcast, I was finally granted press credentials.  

It's become obvious that I was born to write about the sport of boxing.  

I showed up with my best friend and camera man, Deshun "The Definition" Edwards, and set to find press row.  We found two seats directly behind the DJ and one of the judge's seats.  The atmosphere was extremely passionate which is to be expected for a smaller promotional card.  These people love boxing, plain and simple!

The Cold War is Cold as Ever

So the word on the street is that the Golden Boy himself, Oscar De La Hoya, has been in communication with Top Rank CEO Bob Arum.  There has even been reports of a discussed mega-fight between Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Manny Pacquiao. 

courtesy of opposingviews.com

While all these reports are great for twitter conversation, the truth is that until there’s a formal agreement between the two powers in boxing, we need not hold our breath.  At the same time, it is a step in the right direction.

According to Richard Shaefer, current CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, he has “no interest in that”.  It’s apparent that there is a civil war within the cold war.  Shaefer states that it’s not about the money… it’s about relationships.

“Maybe in his mind it’s OK because it’s about money to be made.  But not everything is about money.  It’s about relationships.  And I value relationships more than I value money.” – Shaefer via L.A. Times

Once again, the fight fan suffers the biggest blow in this internal war. 

It's "Showtime" Shawn Porter

The regeneration of fighters continues…

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 U.S. olympian 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 each and every time. 

What made Malignaggi such a formidable opponent and test for the young Porter, was 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. 

R.L.'s Quarterly Boxing Report - 2014

I take pride in the sport that I love.  It’s more than an event and boxing is so much deeper than entertainment.  For me it’s a part of life.  

Last year was an extraordinary time for boxing… and to follow up such an excellent year may seem improbable, but with such a strong lineup of fighters on the precipice of stardom… what seems far-fetched may become reality.

 

Through the first quarter of the year, we’ve seen some great theater.  Journey with me throughout my mind as I break down the beginning of 2014:

THEATER

JEAN PASCAL BEATS LUCIAN BUTE – What was once a promising fighter has now been reduced to a shell of his former self.  Lucian Bute left his aspirations to be great in the ring against Carl Froch.  He’s not the same fighter and Jean Pascal reinvented himself at just the right time.  Pascal may have fought himself into a career defining match against Sergey Kovalev. 

MIKEY GARCIA WINS A UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER JUAN CARLOS BURGOS – What started as a beautiful display of technical boxing quickly turned in the 3^rd round.  After being rocked himself, Mikey Garcia dropped Burgos in the 3^rd and easily outboxed him the rest of the way.  It was supposed to be a lead up fight to a match-up with Yuriorkus Gamboa, but that has since fizzled out. 

LAMONT PETERSON REBOUNDS AND BEATS A GAME DIERRY JEAN – Lamont Peterson had a lot to prove in this fight and Dierry Jean was trying to make a name for himself.  Peterson proved that he still has the goods and can be a factor in the jr. welterweight division.

 

LUIS COLLAZO ENDS VICTOR ORTIZ BY 2^ND ROUND KO – The return of “Vicious” Victor Ortiz was short-lived as the actor/boxer continuously left himself wide open for Collazo’s well-timed counter shots.  A beautiful right hook send Ortiz to his knees and it was evident that Victor wanted no more. 

GENNADY “GGG” GOLOVKIN DESTROYS OSUMANU ADAMA BY 7^TH ROUND TKO – In somewhat of a disgrace, GGG’s bout was not televised in the United States.  The undefeated star in the making traveled to Monaco and took apart Osumanu Adama, knocking him down several times before the referee called a halt to the bout. 

JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. DOMINATES BRIAN VERA – It’s exciting to think about what Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. could be if he matured and took this whole boxing thing serious.  A well trained and focused Chavez punished Brian Vera for twelve rounds, landing crushing shots at a high rate.  A bout with GGG is imminent and leaves this writer salivating.

   

SAUL “CANELO” ALVAREZ GIVES ALFREDO ANGULO A BEATING – The first PPV of the year saw Canelo Alvarez looking to regain his way against a tough Alfredo Angulo.  It had all the makings of a war!  Unfortunately, Angulo didn’t get the memo.  A sluggish and slow Angulo was obliterated by Alvarez for nine rounds until the referee stopped the fight at the beginning of the tenth. Erislandy Lara called Canelo out after the fight… and they will be fighting on July 12^th.  Watch what you ask for.

DANNY GARCIA ESCAPES WITH A MAJORITY DECISION WIN OVER MAURICIO HERRERA – Golden Boy has been building Danny Garcia to be the next superstar.  He’s undefeated and was showcased on Floyd’s undercard as a possible future opponent.  I always said that you can tell a lot about a fighter by how they perform after a defining win.  Danny Garcia is lucky to have left Puerto Rico with his undefeated record intact.  Mauricio Herrera controlled the fight and Danny ‘Swift” did not adjust.  Superstar he is not.

 

SERGEY KOVALEV WALKS THROUGH CEDRIC AGNEW – Following the announcement that Adonis Stevenson would be taking his talents to Showtime and pretty much crushing any hopes of a Stevenson-Kovalev mega fight, Sergey Kovalev went out and did what he does best… knock someone out.  His left to the body broke one of Agnew’s ribs.  Sergey is a beast… and according to him in his post-fight interview, “Adonis Stevenson is a piece of s#$t”.

MANNY PACQUIAO EARNS VINDICATION WITH AN IMPRESSIVE UNANIMOUS DECISION VICTORY OVER TIMOTHY BRADLEY – The build-up was intriguing… the atmosphere was amazing… and the fight was the icing on the cake.  Manny proved to the world that he’s still an elite fighter.  Bradley showed the heart and determination we’ve all grown to love, but also proved that he’s not on Manny’s level. 

LET'S DIG DEEP!

Manny Pacquiao may not be the non-stop wrecking ball he used to be… but he’s still an incredible fighter.  At 35, being an aggressive yet cautious fighter may be a good thing.  It helps cover-up a fighter’s #1 detriment… age.  There’s no doubt he’s lost a step… but by picking his spots, it enables him to continue to dominate. 

Danny Garcia is not what you want him to be.  The undefeated fighter is a skilled boxer and does a lot well... but he does nothing exceptional.  He had good speed, decent power, pretty good footwork and an average chin.  His corner is top notch and he’s a good technician in the ring.  This all equates to a really good fighter that will have a long-winning career.  The man is not special… and will never dominate. 

Al Haymon is ruining boxing… yes, boxing has always been a business, but it’s a business that was built on pride, heart and determination.  That’s where the passion comes from… and passion breeds fandom.  If Al Haymon has his way, all his boxers will be fighting showcase matches for years to come.  He has no interest in the preservation of the sport… he’s only interested in the preservation of his fighters.  The longer they last, the more money he makes.

QUICK JABS

• It may be time for Bob Arum to step down… too stubborn for his own good.  Undercards do matter and the cold war needs to cease.

• Golden Boy is not taking advantage of its obvious edge in depth from 140-154… I said earlier in the year that they need to strike while the iron’s hot and we’ve seen nothing but showcase fights.  Thanks Al. 

• I don’t buy the Erislandy Lara hype… don’t see it… and Canelo will expose him.

• GGG vs. JCCjr will be fight of the year… mark it.  I’m seein’ Hagler-Hearns.

• Maidana will land a very significant shot against Mayweather early… and then lose 11 of 12 rounds.

• Pacquiao vs. Alvarado could be exciting… Pacquiao vs. Marquez V could be epic.

• Someone needs to piss Mikey Garcia off… or instill him with a mean streak.

• Felix Verdejo is a superstar in the making… hopefully the kid has a chin. 

• Adonis Stevenson really disappointed me… it’s not like he’s young.. he’s 36. Why not make the biggest fight of your career and cash out? Thanks Al.

• Canelo came up at the wrong time… not much going on at 154… and not sure he can be dominant at 160+. Time will tell and the kid is young.

• Mauro Ranallo does not fit the Showtime broadcast… very knowledgeable, but his voice is more suited for MMA…clashes with Bernstein and Malignaggi. 

• HBO needs to move on from Roy… he’s constantly bickering with Max Kellerman.  If you want a fighter to do color commentary… it doesn’t have to be a legend. 

• Timothy Bradley is the 3^rd best welterweight in the world… and Manny made him look average… twice.  

         R.L.’S TOP TEN

     POUND-4-POUND

1. Floyd Mayweather
2. Wladimir Klitschko
3. Manny Pacquiao
4. Andre Ward
5. Sergio Martinez
6. Roman Gonzalez
7. Gennady Golovkin
8. Timothy Bradley
9. Juan Manuel Marquez
10. Mikey Garcia

On the undercard – Canelo Alvarez, Danny Garcia, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nonito Donaire

12 Rounds of Thoughts - Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley

Manny Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KO's) receives vindication with his unanimous decision victory over Timothy Bradley (31-1, 12 KO's). 

Round 1: Bob Arum… you are stubborn.  Undercard fights do matter… and tonight’s card was definitive proof. 

Round 2: Ray Beltran is intriguing but seemed to get outworked in the last quarter of the fight. 

Round 3: The atmosphere for Pac-Bradley was amazing on screen… can only imagine what it was like in person. 

Round 4: I almost thought about changing my pre-fight prediction based on Manny’s entrance music… Katy Perry? Really?! There’s another “Eye of the Tiger” song that woulda been a little more, you know.. tough.

Round 5: A lot of questions were answered tonight… and some more were birthed.

Paquiao-Bradley 2 Podcast - Preview & Prediction

Floyd Mayweather Jr. - A Victim of his own Anointment

 Boxing’s always been a sport dominated by different types of personalities. 

www.ibtimes.co.uk

Muhammed Ali was rambunctious… Roberto Duran was vulgar…. Sugar Ray Leonard was flashy… Mike Tyson was captivating… Oscar De La Hoya was America’s sweetheart…. But regardless of each of these fighter’s differing personalities, they always laid their heart out in the ring. 

That’s why it’s hard for Floyd Mayweather Jr. to capture the hearts of boxing fans… because he doesn’t offer his own.

You either love him or you hate him.