Froch vs. Groves: Unfinished Business

Courtesy of dailystar.co.uk 

In boxing, there’s a psychology surrounding a ‘bout that’s different than any other sporting event.  Sometimes we expect too much. Two big-name fighters in their prime, set to do battle in a long anticipated match can occasionally propel our minds to unreasonable expectations.  But those thoughts were constructed by a history so rich in dramatic theater, that to expect anything less would go against the very fibers of the sport. 

The psychology even runs deeper, as there are times when expectations are mild at best… yet produce some of the most magical moments in boxing.  Expectations and anticipation are what make boxing the greatest sport on this aging rock we call earth… and there’s no better example than the rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves. 

Roughly 80,000 fight fanatics are predicted to grace Wembley Stadium sharing the same expectation of fans watching around the world.  Their first bout exceeded our imagination in the ring, but was robbed of its integrity by a premature stoppage.  In retrospect, what was a travesty at the time may be a blessing in disguise.  Without that stoppage, the psychology of the “unknown” would not exist in the anticipation of the rematch.

Manny Pacquiao - Loyal to a Fault?

Manny Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KOs) signs an extension with Top Rank Promotions thru December of 2016.

The definition of loyalty is to have a strong feeling of support or allegiance.  It’s reflected by the choices one makes and the effects of those decisions.  Most importantly, the choice is predicated by comfort and the willingness to face the repercussions.  In boxing today, the act of loyalty is seldom seen.

If you had to describe Manny Pacquiao, the word loyal quickly comes to mind.  He’s showcased attributes of loyalty in every aspect of his life.  When his personal life hit a rough patch, he stayed loyal to his family and became a better man.  Manny’s stayed loyal to the sport of boxing and has fought the best fighters that were willing to fight him.  He’s been loyal in faith.  Manny Pacquiao is a testament to true loyalty. 

That’s why it was not in the least bit surprising that he decided to extend his contract with Top Rank Promotions thru 2016 and stay loyal to Bob Arum. 

Arum on the other hand may literally be the antithesis of loyalty.  But that’s what makes being loyal such a special trait.  Being loyal isn’t about the other person… it’s about the act in itself. 

Manny Pacquiao should be commended for his loyalty to Bob Arum and Top Rank Promotions, not ridiculed.  Manny’s fought everyone who would fight him and has built one of the strongest resumes in the history of boxing.  He’s won titles in a record eight different weight classes, beating the likes of Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and most recently Timothy Bradley.  

He is a legend of the sport and by no means should he chase competition...  Competition should chase him. 

12 Rounds of Thoughts -- Marquez vs. Alvarado

My thoughts on Juan Manuel Marquez's unanimous decision victory over Mike Alvarado. 

Round 1 -- Man was that a rough co-feature... but the ending ALMOST made up for it.

Round 2 -- Postol looked like he was shadowboxing at the beginning of the fight.. but later on he started punching with more authority.  Landed a nasty uppercut to finish off a slick combination for the KO win.

Round 3 -- Alvarado looked like he was two weight divisions bigger than JMM!

Round 4 -- It's obvious that the game plan upfront was to not allow Marquez to be the counter puncher.

Round 5 -- The problem was... that's not Alvarado's fight.. and it left him waiting... and waiting... and waiting until it was too late.

Round 6 -- Mike Alvarado is a volume puncher who overwhelms with his toughness.  He took himself out of the fight.

Round 7 -- Juan Manuel Marquez had to be the aggressor at first... and it set up his counter attack to be more effective whenever Alvarado decided to trade.

Round 8 -- Alvarado was beaten to the punch all night.

Round 9 -- JMM throws and lands some absolutely stunning combinations to the head and body.  He started and finished every exchange.

Round 10 -- This was domination by JMM... and besides some high drama in the 9th round when Alvarado dropped JMM, it was completely one-sided.

Round 11 -- I'm really starting to believe that Ruslan Prod took the fight away from Alvarado... not sure he'll ever be the same fighter.

Round 12 -- I want to see Pacquiao-JMM V... and those who say they're not... are lying to themselves.  The intrigue is there and they never disappoint! Let's make it happen.

The Best Ever Never Leaves a Shadow of Doubt

Courtesy of VCStar.com

May 3^rd, 2014 marked the first time in the last 10 years that the boxing public waited in an intense anticipation for a decision involving Floyd Mayweather Jr. His face showed concern and lacked his customary look of pure confidence as Jimmy Lennon Jr. revealed the verdict of his highly entertaining bout with Marcos Maidana. 

Floyd’s majority decision win prompted boos from the crowd… and the reaction could be argued as justified.  The fight was close and provided an immense amount of drama that fans are not accustomed to seeing with Floyd. 

When a fighter as highly touted as Floyd… who flaunts his undefeated record… not to mention his daily regimen of self-proclamation as “The Best Ever”… leaves a shadow of doubt in the ring, it must be addressed.  Not because people think that Maidana will win a rematch… but to prove to the world that he can’t.  And won’t. 

That’s what legends do… they erase any inclination of mortality and decimate that clinging thought trapped in the public’s mind that maybe… just maybe, they can be beaten.

12 Rounds of Thoughts - Bermane Stiverne vs. Chris Arreola

My thoughts on Bermane Stiverne's 6th round TKO over Chris Arreola to win the WBC Heavyweight Championship of the world!

Round 1 - That's how you showcase the sport on ESPN!!

Round 2 - Regardless of how successful the sport is.. and the amount of captivating fighters boxing possesses... it needs the heavyweight division.

Round 3 - This was a highly entertaining fight! Both fighters yappin' at each other in the ring! Big punches and some good boxing!

Round 4 - When Arreola was hurt in the first... I felt like that was Stiverne's shot to put him out... but he was patient and composed and the KO came.

Round 5 - Arreola did some great work in rounds 2,3 and 4.. landing some big right hands and controlling the round with effective aggression.

Round 6 - In round 5... Stiverne used his jab to counter Arreola's aggression and that's where the fight completely turned.

Round 7 - Stiverne crushed Arreola with a right hand from the outside that he never saw coming.  It was a debilitating shot... the kind of shot that ends fighters, but props to Arreola and his heart for getting up and attempting to continue.

Round 8 - Bermane Stiverne has power... big time, old-fashioned heavyweight, game changing power.
Round 9 - The heavyweight division is slowly rising back to respectability.  With Stiverne, Arreola, Jennings, Perez, Wilder and of the king of the division Wladimir Klitschko... there's finally some intrigue for heavyweights.

Round 10 - I don't know about any of you... but Stiverne-Wilder is gonna be some great theater! For as long as it lasts...

Round 11 - I see Stiverne giving Klitschko a decent fight with a slight chance of a KO.  The problem is, Klitschko will leave Stiverne on the end of his right hand all night.  Not sure Stiverne can counter him.

Round 12 - This fight was extremely important for a couple reasons... ESPN stepped up to showcase this fight and the fight delivered in a big way! On top of that, they were heavyweights... and heavyweights always move the needle.  A big night for boxing... in fact a big week for boxing after the intense and controversial Mayweather-Maidana fight!

12 Rounds of Thoughts - Mayweather vs. Maidana

Here are my initial impressions of Floyd Mayweather Jr's controversial majority decision victory of Marcos Maidana.  

Round 1 -- For the record, I officially scored the fight 115-113 Maidana.. in the back of my head, the 11th round was extremely close, so I would've been okay with a draw.

Round 2 -- It boggles me how TWO judges could be so inept at scoring... there were a couple close rounds, but in my opinion, most of the rounds were definitive.

Round 3 -- Floyd Mayweather Jr. took a beating in this fight... a beating he's never experienced before.

Round 4 -- I knew by the second round, that Marcos Maidana would run out of gas at some point in the fight.  The 5th, 6th, 9th and 10th were definite Floyd rounds.  But Maidana had a resurgence in the championship rounds.

Round 5 -- Maidana started the fight perfect and made it ugly from the start... but he punched himself out.  Granted, he has to jump on his opportunity, especially with Mayweather... but I felt it hurt him in the middle of the fight.

Round 6 -- Floyd proved to the whole world that he is a great fighter.. he also proved that he's beatable.

Round 7 -- The hyped up undercard did not live up to expectations... but the main event made it worth every penny.  Hmmm... maybe Bob Arum's on to something.

Round 8 -- Adrien Broner started off sluggish.. but once he picked it up... it was a landslide! The only question I have is his punching power... if he's going to stand flat footed and fight, does he have enough power to be dominant?

Round 9 -- Very impressive win for Amir Khan... he followed his gameplan to perfection and didn't engage in a war where his weak chin could be exposed... on the other hand, Luis Collazo put on a very poor showing and looked every bit of 33 years old.

Round 10 -- I have no problem with Floyd getting the decision even though I feel he clearly lost.  In my opinion, this fight showed that Floyd can overcome adversity and it was close enough to make an argument for both sides.  It's just sad that the guy who made the fight didn't get the benefit of the doubt.

Round 11 --  There is no way Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight Marcos Maidana again in my opinion... I just don't see him offering up his body to that kind of punishment.  There are other fights out there and I predict there will be some kind of hiccup in any negotiations of a rematch... maybe gloves again, who knows.

Round 12 -- This fight will blow the hinges off the door for Mayweather-Pacquiao talk... we found out Pacquiao was human when he was put to sleep by Marquez... now we found out that Mayweather isn't immortal either... what a night of boxing!

Mayweather vs. Maidana: The Moment We've All Been Waiting For

I woke up this morning in a cold sweat… exhausted from one of the most vivid dreams I’ve ever had. Within five minutes of my awakened state, I ran to get my laptop, holding on to every image temporarily implanted in my mind. 

It’s not the first time I’ve dreamt about the sweet science and definitely won’t be the last.

The dream began at the finishing stages of the co-main event between Luis Collazo and Amir Khan.  It was the final seconds of round seven and Khan’s face was bludgeoned with blood descending from his left eye.
 

I was sitting ringside in between the late Bert Sugar and the menacing Mike Tyson.  The sound of the crowd was mere background music to Adrien Broner seated behind me and chomping his gum in my ear.  I’m guessing he defeated Carlos Molina with ease based on his kool-aid smile and unscathed face.