Articles of 2006

My Sworn Enemies

Published

19 years ago

April 12, 2006

For me to sit out a controversy in boxing is like Bernard Hopkins standing mute in front of a microphone, Don King getting a Donald Trump ’do, or James Toney whizzing past a free buffet empty-handed. It goes against our nature, our habits, our proclivities, our personalities, and maybe even our DNA.

But you won’t see me jumping headlong into the controversy surrounding the tenth-round brawl during last Saturday’s Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Zab Judah fight in Las Vegas, billed and marketed as “Sworn Enemies”. At least not yet.

No, I’m not going soft in the head and I’m sure not selling out. The reason is far simpler than anything Freud, Einstein, or Marx (Groucho, not Zeppo) might have come up with: I ain’t seen it yet, period.

Oh, I tried to see this fight, I sure did. The good lord or the NSA knows, for sure.

The plan for last Saturday night was, as I revealed on my blog (http://nhbnews.blogspot.com), to have a pay-per-view party of sorts. I called up my old friend Aaron Braunstein, host of “Wise Guys, Black Guys & Rabbis” – he says he fits in all three of these categories – to see if he was ordering the fight. He said he was, so I arranged to stop by his ritzy Upper West Side apartment, which he said was once the abode of Mike Tyson and Robin Givens. We were also to be joined by my friend and media colleague, Cynthia Chaplin of Cyn City Promotions, who would be arriving after conducting interviews with a few r&b artists.

And I came prepared to cover the fight from the TV, noting well that limited but nonetheless valuable perspective. I had my notebook, tape recorder, and microphone all set to document what went on, and especially our reactions to it all.

Then we tried to order the pay-per-view from Time Warner Cable.

Time Warner Cable.

OK, OK, I’ve put the gun back in my holster.

Aaron has a very legal digital cable box, two of them as a matter of fact, for whose use he pays a small fortune each month to you-know-whom. Plus, he was all set to pony up another $44.95 for this pay-per-view, and although we were willing to share the cost, he probably wouldn’t even have accepted anything as was his wont in the past. In any case, the cable beast was going to get fed Saturday night.

For some still unknown reason, however, the digital cable box did not offer the option of ordering this pay-per-view through the remote. I’m a little better at using the features of these boxes and remotes than many people, but after checking the settings I couldn’t find the problem. So Aaron called the number given on channel 301, where the main live pay-per-views are shown, which is (718) 358-0900.

And he called. And it was busy.

And called again. And it was still busy.

So he called again. And yea, it still was busy.

For over an hour-and-a-half.

As the digital numbers on the digital clock on the digital cable box kept getting higher and higher, we all, along with Aaron’s gracious wife, gradually went from annoyance to disgust to anger to resignation. We couldn’t order it. The card was more than half over. Results were already flooding the Internet. So I drank that Heineken they gave me, signaling that since I had started drinking, I wouldn’t be working.

We also noticed that on the many channels devoted to pay-per-views, there was only this same one number to call. In the past when I have had to call this outfit, I reached their call center in northern Ontario. That’s Canada, folks, for Time Warner Cable in New York City, US of A.

After we had decided that enough was enough, I did finally get through to this number, but of course was put on hold while a bunch of recordings played. One warned of technical difficulties with their video-on-demand service due to its “popularity.” Translation from cable monopolyese: They have too few phone lines and reps available for a Saturday night with a big pay-per-view on. I hung up.

Aaron decided to call it a night. “I’m really tired of this,” he complained. “I’m tired of getting beat by the system.”

Then he began digging deeper: “On top of it, Zab Judah lost his last fight to a bum. Now he fights Mayweather, the best fighter in the world.”

Still, we wanted to see this fight. Or did.

“To be treated like this is insulting to a hardcore boxing fan like myself,” he stated, obviously pissed.

He then said Bob Arum and Don King, who were promoting this show, should “give us some fights for free or to charity.” Now he was rolling.

“I’d rather see Mitch ‘Blood’ Green fight Butterbean anyway,” he added. He might be able to, if he is willing to travel to the Convention Center in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, where they are scheduled to fight July 22. But if that fight is also on pay-per-view, well, just connect the dots.

The only good thing to come out of all this is that this tenth-round brawl was not seen by a wider audience than those who forked over the 45 bucks and had cable or satellite companies who actually delivered the signal.

That a brawl took place should not have been unexpected, since those who were promoting this fight were in essence trying to stir up bad blood between the fighters and their camps by calling it “Sworn Enemies”. Both Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Zab Judah, at the kickoff New York press conference in February and all throughout the fight’s build-up, stressed that they did not hate each other and actually respected one another. Of course, they each added that they had a job to do in the ring, but that is precisely what they were being paid to do.

Perhaps the real “Sworn Enemies” of HBO are – everyone else in boxing. Their next pay-per-views, in May and June, each directly compete with live televised cards in the U.S. The May 6 De La Hoya-Mayorga pay-per-view from Las Vegas conflicts with a live Don King-promoted card being televised on Showtime from Worcester, Mass. (King also promotes Mayorga, and has not announced where he will be that night.) The June 10 Tarver-Hopkins pay-per-view from Atlantic City conflicts with a Bob Arum-promoted pay-per-view from Madison Square Garden headlined by Miguel Cotto vs. Paulie Malignaggi.

What’s good for HBO and its pay-per-view arm may not be good for boxing. But it certainly is good for the Time Warner stockholders. HBO’s profits have been rising in recent years, reportedly totaling more than $1 BILLION in 2004.

That’s profits, not revenue.

So they might not miss Aaron’s 45 bills. HBO is one of the most, if not THE most, profitable television networks in history. Remember that the next time you have to scrimp and save to pay that cable bill.

The fighters might miss the moolah, however, since they get a portion of the pay-per-view revenues.

If some of this sounds familiar, that’s because when I went over to Aaron’s to watch the Roy Jones Jr.-John Ruiz pay-per-view three years ago, the picture went out after a couple of rounds. Now Time Warner has improved its service so much that he couldn’t even order the pay-per-view at all or reach any of their reps by phone.

Meanwhile, a free UFC show was playing on Spike TV.

After we gave up, I went back home to catch the results on the Internet, and also track down someone who was watching the show. I spoke on the phone with my friend Mo Lawal, who is a U.S. freestyle wrestling champion and also a huge boxing fan. He was watching the fight with friends at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, so I got the play-by-play over the phone of the last few rounds, including the brawl after the tenth round, and the results.Mo, by the way, competes this coming weekend in Las Vegas in the U.S. National Wrestling Championships. As the defending national champion, he is ranked number one at 185 lbs./84 kg and is favored to repeat.

After this little adventure, I did get a chance to meet up with Cynthia Chaplin and head down to the 12th anniversary celebration at Doc Holliday’s Bar in the East Village. That was a load of fun and redeemed the night. This bar as always was filled with many people whom I know are boxing fans, including the bartender extraordinaire and manager Joanna, and one of the bouncers who was actually wearing a boxing shirt. Some folks there are or have been connected to the boxing world in various ways, either directly or through family.

But as all my rowdy friends partied on, and it got to be closing time, something stood out: No one, not one, asked me who won the fight, or anything else about it.

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Eddie Goldman

Articles of 2006

Peter/Toney Ii: Peter Has The Brutal Punch

Published

18 years ago

December 31, 2006

Adam Berlin

Samuel Peter claims he has dynamites in my two hands?

Heavyweight contenders Samuel “The Nigerian Nightmare” Peter and James Lights Out? Toney get it on a second time this Saturday from the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Fla. (Showtime).

The hard-slugging Peter, unlike Toney, is one of those strong, silent types notorious for letting their fists to the talking one the opening bell sounds, but the Nigeria Nightmare is as confident as ever and determined to turn Lights Out’s lights out for good.

I have got dynamites in my two hands,? said Peter, according the Lagos, Nigeria Vanguard, and I will crush James Toney once and for all. The Toney camp made the mistake of their lives by protesting and seeking a rematch. I am ready to teach him a bitter lesson.?

Sam Peter walked away with the W for Peter/Toney I at the Staples Center in LA last September, but it was by disputed split decision a verdict so disputed, there was even a dispute about the dispute which forced the WBC’s hand into mandating Saturday’s rematch.

Samuel Peter is the biggest thing to hit African boxing since Ghanaian superstar Azumah Nelson rocked the feather and junior welterweight divisions. The President of the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, Prince Olaide Adeboye, admitted, according to allAfrica.com, We are rooting for Samuel Peter, of course. He is one boy we believe in to bring back the country’s lost glory in professional boxing. I am personally making arrangement to be at the ringside to see him fight Toney again. I was at the first fight in Los Angeles in September.

Peter has the brutal punch, and to me he was the clear winner of the first fight. But the WBC Board of Governors, of which I am a member, voted 21-10 for a rematch. There was nothing those of us Africans on the board could do in the circumstances. But I believe Peter will confirm he is better than Toney and will then go ahead to meet the champion and claim the belt for Nigeria and Africa.?

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Articles of 2006

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings for Asia

Published

18 years ago

December 31, 2006

Scott Mallon

There are claims that boxing is dying. Hogwash. The heavyweight division isn’t the only division in boxing and 2007 promises to be a banner year in boxing; especially for boxers hailing from Asia.

While Asia isn’t Vegas or Atlantic City, it is a region packed of diamonds in the rough; undiscovered gems and potential superstars who wait for their moment in the sun.

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Asia

1) Manny Pacquiao – There’s no way to dispute Pacquiao is the best fighter in Asia, if not all of boxing. He’s exciting, he wins with Je Ne Sais Quois and is definitely “the man” in boxing.

2) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam – Although his competition leaves much to be desired, his longevity and skills are undeniable. He is currently Thailand’s only world champion and is undefeated in ten years. Need I say more?

3) Chris John – A victory over Juan Manuel Marquez, however controversial, shows he belongs at the top of the heap. He easily outpointed Renan Acosta to close out 2006 and should have no trouble defending against Jose Rojas in February. A fight with Pacquiao would not be a good move on his part but a rematch with Marquez would not hurt – especially if he defeats the Mexican again.

4) Hozumi Hasegawa – Hidden away in Japan, Hasegawa is a sharp punching southpaw who put former champion Veeraphol Sahaprom to sleep. He recently bested Genaro Garcia and his herky-jerky style will give fits to any one who steps in the ring with him.

5) Masomori Tokuyama – Tokuyama has never shied away from a good fight and although he only fought once in 2006 (UD12 Jose Navarro), he ledger shows wins over Katsushige Kawashima (twice), Gerry Penalosa (twice) and In Jin Chi (twice). A fight with Hozumi Hasegawa is a distinct possibility in 2007.

6) Nobuo Nashiro – With only seven fights under his belt he took on WBA champion Martin Castillo – and defeated him. Although he’s only fought a total of nine fights, nearly all have been against quality opposition. A victory in a rematch with Castillo would cement his claim as the king of the 115-pound division.

7) Yukata Niida – This light-hitting minimumweight defended his title twice in 2006, winning a technical decision against unbeaten Eriberto Gejon (Tech Win 10) and the other on points over Ronald Barrera (W 12). Scheduled to meet Katsunari Takayama early next year – the best has yet to come for this WBA belt holder.

8) In Jin Chi – Won back the title he lost to Takashi Koshimoto in January from Rudolfo Lopez. While there’s little uncertainty to his skills, at thirty-three, 2007 may provide some insight as to just how much he has left.

9) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai –Sor Nonthachai is an exciting, top-shelf fighter with an iron chin. Has no trouble making mincemeat of mid-level opposition and deserves a title shot in 2007. Time is running out.

10) Rey Bautista – He’s young, relatively inexperienced in big-time boxing, but will continue to shine in 2007. One of the better prospects in boxing, he should snag a title in 2007.

Asian Fighters Ranked in Ring Magazine

Pound for Pound:

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines): #2

Jr. Lightweight

Manny Pacquiao (Philippines): #1
Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai: #9

Featherweight

Chris John (Indonesia) #1
In Jin Chi (Korea) #3
Takashi Koshimoto (Japan) #5
Hioyuki Enoki (Japan) #7

Jr. Featherweight

Somsak Sithchatchawal (Thailand) #4

Bantamweight

Hozumi Hasegawa (Japan) #2
Veeraphol Sahaprom (Japan) #3
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (Thailand) #6
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (Thailand) #10

Jr. Bantamweight

Nobuo Nashiro (Japan) #1
Katsushige Kawashima (Japan) #7
Pramuansak Phosuwan (Thailand) #10

Flyweight

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thailand) #1
Takefumi Sakata (Japan) #7
Daisuke Naito (Japan) #10

Jr. Flyweight

Koki Kameda (Japan) #1

Minimumweight

Yukata Naiida (Japan) #2
Eagle Kyowa (Japan/Thai) #4
Katsunari Takayama (Japan) #5
Rodel Mayol (Philippines) #7

Boxing in Thailand

There’s no shortage of boxers in Thailand. With a huge pool of Muay Thai fighters to draw from and several talented amateur boxing prospects turning pro after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Thailand seems destined to remain a boxing powerhouse in Asia.

The country is known for having tough, determined and disciplined fighters who give their all whenever the step in to the ring. However, consistently losing while fighting abroad and padding their records with no-hopers has done nothing to enhance their reputation.

Whether because of a lack of marketability, a lack of funds or their unwillingness to travel abroad, the vast majority of boxers from Thailand remain a mystery to fans in the west. If anything though, the boxing scene involving Thai fighters will be active. In fact, it’s one of the most active in the world; since 2000, the number of fights has nearly doubled in the country.

The Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Thailand – August 2006

1) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam
2) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym
3) Somsak Sithchatchawal
4) Wandee Singwancha
5) Sirimongkol Singwancha
6) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai
7) Veeraphol Sahaprom
8) Pramuansak Phosuwan
9) Terdsak Jandaeng
10) Oleydong Sithamerchai

Current Sweet Science P4P Rankings – Thailand

1) Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Flyweight) – Definitely the top dog in Thailand

2) Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai (Super Lightweight) – He’s a seasoned fighter who has proven himself in the big-time. He’s one Thai who can fight outside of Asia. He has an abundance of skills and one-punch power. His overall ability and ease in dispatching anyone other than championship caliber get him the runners-up spot.

3) Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym (Super Bantamweight) – After losing to Vladimir Sidorenko he’s bounced back. He’s young, he can punch, but the former interim champion needs to prove himself against a name fighter.

4) Somsak Sithchatchawal (Super Bantamweight) – Was his win over Monshipour a fluke or was Celestino Caballero just that good? Did Sithchatchawal catch Monshipour at the right time and can he rebound from the devastating loss? The jury is still out.

5) Wandee Singwancha (Flyweight) – He doesn’t have much of a punch which will be his downfall in the end. He can box, as was evidenced in his recent victory over Juanito Rubillar, but this won’t be enough. He can no longer make the Jr. Flyweight limit and with no punch he’ll have a hard time competing against the “big boys.” Although he’s now rated second by the WBC, he doesn’t deserve to be.

5) Sirimongkol Singwancha (Super Lightweight) – Get this guy a fight. He’s better than Jose Armando Santa Cruz and would have beat up Inada had the fight taken place. He’ll fight anyone but his biggest obstacle is staying motivated fighting tomato cans in Thailand. Like many Thais, he needs a fight against a name opponent.
6) Wandee Singwancha (Flyweight) – He doesn’t have much of a punch which will be his downfall in the end. He can box, as was evidenced in his recent victory over Juanito Rubillar, but this won’t be enough. He can no longer make the Jr. Flyweight limit and with no punch he’ll have a hard time competing against the “big boys.” Although he’s now rated second by the WBC, he doesn’t deserve to be.

7) Pramuansak Phosuwan (Super Flyweight) – A genuine tough guy. Always calm and focused no matter how heated the battle. But at thirty-eight, he’ll be in trouble should he fight one of the division’s elite.
8) Veeraphol Sahaprom (Bantamweight) – Will be lucky to get another crack at the title. Although he has a puncher’s chance of winning a belt, that’s about all he has left at this point. A third shot at Hasegawa is unlikely.

9) Oleydong Sithamerchai (Minimumweight) – He’s fought better than the usual opponents faced by Thais at his level and he moves up one spot with the departure of Terdsak Jandaeng. He lacks the punch and is in the wrong division to become a superstar. He’ll need to defeat a name opponent to convince me.

10) Saenghiran Lookbanyai / Napapol Kittisakchokchai (Super Bantamweight) – These two square-off in early March, supposedly to see who deserves a shot at Israel Vasquez. Kittisakchokchai has the edge in experience but some feel Lookbanyai has the edge in heart and is the favorite.

Neither has defeated a top twenty fighter and yet are ranked number one and two respectively in the WBC’s world.

In Kittisakchokchoi’s lone shot at the big-time, he was TKO’d in 10 by Oscar Larios. His dreadful performance against Larios and lack of quality opposition leads me to believe Saenghiran might have more of a shot at beating him than some suspect. Regardless, neither of them lasts longer than six rounds with Israel Vasquez.

Honorable Mention: Wethya Sakmuangklang, Denkaosan Kaovichit, Devid Lookmahanak, Nethra Sasiprapa, Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo, Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym

Thai Fighters Ranked in Ring Magazine

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam: #1 Flyweight
Pramuansak Phosuwan: #10 Jr. Bantamweight
Veeraphol Sahaprom: #3 Bantamweight
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin: #6 Bantamweight
Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym: #10 Bantamweight
Somsak Sithchatchawal: #3 Jr. Featherweight
Yodsanan Sor Nanthachai: #9 Lightweight

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Articles of 2006

Iceman Stops Tito Ortiz Win Streak

Published

18 years ago

December 31, 2006

David A. Avila

LAS VEGAS—UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck “Iceman” Liddell’s fists proved too much for Huntington Beach’s Tito Ortiz who was stopped in the third round before a sold out crowd at the MGM Garden Arena on Saturday.

The punching machine Liddell (20-3, 13 KOs) repeated his victory in UFC 66 over the much-improved grappler Ortiz who has improved his punching and blocking. Ortiz was trying to avenge his loss of April 2004.

Despite all the new weapons displayed by Ortiz it wasn’t enough as Liddell pummeled the former champion and retained his title with a technical knockout at 3:59 of the third round. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bout.

“This was the most satisfying victory of my career,” said Liddell, 36, of Santa Barbara. “Tito came back real tough.”

Ortiz (15-5, 8 KOs), a former wrestler, worked on his boxing technique knowing he would need it against the former boxer Liddell. But Liddell’s experience allowed him to find the right moment to pounce on Ortiz.

“I had him hurt, I just kept throwing punches,” said Liddell who also knocked down Ortiz in the first round with a left hook.

Ortiz was gracious in defeat.

“Chuck is the best fighter Pound for Pound in the (mixed martial arts) world,” said Ortiz, 31, who suffered a gash on the side of his left eye from a punch. “I’m disgusted by myself. I let my fans down.”

Other bouts

Underdog Keith Jardine (12-3-1) knocked out Forrest Griffin (13-4) at 4:41 of the first round in their light heavyweight showdown. A right uppercut followed by a left hook wobbled Griffin who was sent to the floor by a barrage of punches. On the ground Jardine landed right after right until referee John McCarthy stopped the fight for a technical knockout.

“I couldn’t believe he was hurt,” said Jardine about Griffin who is known for his resiliency. “I was so nervous coming into this fight, but now I know I belong here.”

Canada’s Jason McDonald (18-7) choked out Chris Leben (15-3) in a middleweight bout that was up for grabs. Though Leben seemed to control the fight with stunning left hands, once the fight went to the ground McDonald managed a chokehold at 4:03 of the second round. Referee Steve Mazagatti saw Leben was unconscious and stopped the fight.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski (12-5) caught Brazil’s Mario Cruz (2-2) with a sneak right hand while both were tangled on the ground. Then the Belarusian pummeled Cruz until referee Herb Dean stopped the fight at 3:15 of the first round.

Third season winner of the Ultimate Fighter television reality season Michael Bisping (12-0) of Great Britain won by technical knockout over Eric Shafer (9-2-2) at 4:29 of the first round. A knee knocked Shafer groggy then Bisping knocked him to the ground and pounded him. Referee Mario Yamasaki stopped the bludgeoning.

Thiago Alves (16-4) caught Peru’s Tony De Souza (15-5) with a knee as he attempted to dive for his legs in a welterweight contest. After that it was pretty much over as Alves pummeled De Souza at 1:10 of the second round forcing referee John McCarthy to halt the bout.

Gabriel Gonzago (7-1) proved too strong for Carmelo Marrero (6-1) in a heavyweight bout. At 3:22 of the first round Gonzago of Massachusetts manipulated his way into arm bar forcing Pennsylvania’s Marrero to tap out.

Japan’s Yushin Okami (19-3) pounded Georgia’s Rory Singer (11-6) into submission at 4:03 of the third round of a middleweight bout. Okami seemed the more-rounded fighter with effective kicks to the head and more accurate punching.

Christian Wellisch (8-2) jumped to a quick start with an accurate left hook that rattled Australia’s Anthony Perosh (5-3) in a heavyweight bout. During the first round it seemed the Sacramento fighter might end the fight but the Aussie hung tough. Wellisch won by unanimous decision.

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