Articles of 2006

The next generation …

Published

18 years ago

June 26, 2006

So where did I go wrong?

On July 1, Showtime’s ShoBox series will offer up a fight card that features a battalion of second-generation pugs. James McGirt Jr., Jorge Paez Jr., Stephan Pryor, Ronald Hearns and Chazz Witherspoon will all be in action on the Lou DiBella-promoted card from the Little River Casino in Michigan.

Even a casual boxing fan will recognize those surnames. McGirt, Paez, Pryor, Hearns, Witherspoon – is this a 1980s flashback or what? Did I just wake up with a mullet? Was that Duran Duran on the radio? Sorry, Roberto, or any of his offspring, has nothing to do with this card. Thankfully, neither does Simon Le bon. Or, for that matter, Simon Brown.

Back to business.

The ShoBox card will mark the first time in boxing history that the sons of four former world champions will fight on the same card. Two of them will actually meet in the ring. If Buddy McGirt against Aaron Pryor was one of your dream matches, ShoBox brings you the next best thing – middleweights Buddy Jr. (11-0) vs. Stephan Pryor (10-1).

All the kids are matched competitively. Tommy’s son, Ronald Hearns (8-0) meets Hector Hernandez (8-1-2) in another middleweight bout and Paez Jr. (9-0) meets Armand Horn (13-1) in a lightweight contest.

The main event features Chazz Witherspoon (12-0), the young cousin of former heavyweight champion, Tim, against Mike Alexander (11-0) in a 10-round heavyweight bout.

ShoBox has become the sport’s premiere launching pad for young talent. This card is no different.

But for these kids, the fighting may be the easy part. Surely they are talented, the genetics would seem to guarantee that. The hard part may be the expectation – either imposed by the media or themselves – that they will live up to the standards set by their famous fathers.

That can be a helluva burden.

If there is one consolation to the fame game, it is that none of these fathers will be living vicariously through their sons. They’ve all had their own brilliant careers. And it seems the sport is saturated with the offspring of boxing royalty. Aside from the ShoBox card, there’s also Howard Davis’ son, Dyah Ali Davis (7-0) and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (26-0-1).

So what ever happened to Bobby Cassidy Jr.?

I was taught the rudiments of boxing – jab, right cross, left hook – in a very perfunctory manner. It was prefaced by, “Do this if the schoolyard bully bothers you.” It was sound instruction, even if my execution of said instructions was not exactly sound. But hey, ever since I could walk, my father was trying to put a baseball glove on my hand rather than a boxing glove.

I was persistent. I always tried to talk my father into allowing me to box. I even snuck off on my own and trained for a few months at a local gym. But my words were always countered by stronger words.

“Boxing is the life I chose,” my father would tell people. “I didn’t want that for my sons.”

The translation was, boxing is too tough. Long before McGirt used the quote on a conference call, my father would tell me, “You can play baseball, you can play basketball. But you don’t play boxing. It’s not a game.”

I was effectively steered away from participating in boxing, but I always loved the sport. I grew up collecting baseball cards and issues of Ring magazine. OK. Perhaps that’s the first clue that I was going to be more geek than gladiator.

Still, it is natural to want to follow in your father’s footsteps, even if those footsteps lead you into the toughest sport on the planet. So, I was curious what these Dad’s had to say about their sons.

In one interview, McGirt said, “I didn’t want him to get the urge.”

And later, he added, “I wanted him to play basketball. I truly thought he could make it to the NBA… He told me he was having a baby, I said you gotta turn pro and take care of him… I bought the first few months of pampers.”

Hearns had this to say, “I am very proud of him. He has come a long way in a hurry, and is learning how to punch correctly. He's a little bit too anxious to make things happen.”

Now the sons:

Ronald Hearns: “It's an honor to have our fathers pave the way, and now we have the opportunity to pave our own way and get out of their shadows…. Everyone expects me to go out there and expects the same things, but once you see me out there, you'll see the similarities.”

Jorge Paez Jr. “I was there as a kid when my dad won a world title, and remember that I also wanted to be a world champion. I am working very hard to be the best fighter possible… There are a lot of people that have expectations because of my father and what he did. It is great that he is my father. I am proud of what he did.”

Buddy McGirt Jr.: “I was brought up in the sport, it was around me my whole life, it grew on me and I loved it.”

McGirt and Hearns both played college basketball. I played college baseball. Doesn’t that count for something? It apparently does not. But there is one connection from my past. Referee Tony Perez (Ali-Frazier II) actually umpired one of my games. True story. It goes like this:

First baseman John Pirrone: “See that kid playing second base, his name is Bobby Cassidy. His father was a boxer, ever hear of him?”

Tony Perez: “Bobby Cassidy was not a boxer …” Now, Pirrone thinks I’m a complete liar. But after a pausing for effect, Perez finishes by saying, “He was a FIGHTER.”

Now I’m the most popular guy on the team, and also expected to be the toughest.

See. Those are the kind of expectations all these kids will have to live with throughout their careers. But, as McGirt said, I too was brought up in the sport. It was around me my whole life.

So what happened? I guess if you had seen me execute that jab-right cross-left hook combination in the basement, you would understand why I write about boxing. Let’s say I was more savvy than savage.

Just when I was feeling good about myself, I read this: “In a sense, a boxing son is like the son of a basketball coach,” said ShoBox analyst Steve Farhood. “Those kids are usually point guards and are always mature and court-savvy. The kids we are going to see on ShoBox grew up in boxing gyms.”

Farhood was my first boss in the business of boxing journalism. Since he spent years reading my copy, he knows damn well that I am savvy, if not mature. He was on assignment for ShoBox when I fired off an e-mail asking him to analyze whether or not I am better off as a fighter than a writer. The next morning I opened the inbox to this:

“As for why Bobby Cassidy makes a better writer than a fighter, I have a unique perspective,” Farhood wrote. “I saw Bobby fight in a smoker on Long Island in which he did quite well. Good jab, rhythm, etc. Made his Dad proud. Then about five years later, I saw him spar a round with Roy Jones Jr. for a cover story in The Ring. He didn't do as well. By the time young Cassidy pulled the trigger on his right hand, Jones was eating lunch in the cafeteria. Bobby tried as best he could, but had been overmatched by his editor (me). I don't want to say Jones was taking the session lightly, but during the three minutes they sparred, Roy made two cell phone calls, read the sports section of the New York Daily News, and clipped his toenails. And he didn't get hit once. I'm sure Bobby would've done better against a less talented opponent, but I retired him immediately after that round. Like Joe Frazier after Eddie Futch pulled the plug in Manila, young Cassidy was initially resentful, but he'll come to thank me for it – probably after he wins his first Pulitzer.”

So maybe Dad was right all along. Still, I did follow in my father’s footsteps in a sense. I’m in the sport of boxing and I still love it. But I don’t fight, I write. And the ultimate difference is that while all these juniors are out pursuing championship belts, about the best belt I’ll ever wear is that nifty Father’s Day gift my kids got me from Macy’s.

But hey, there’s still hope for Bobby Jr. Jr.

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Robert Cassidy Jr.

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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