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I Like Marquez Over Judah, Ward Over Dawson And…
Hochberger loves a Canelo-Kirkland scrap. Readers, what is your fave fight on this list of matches that could well get made in the second half of 2012?
Finally… some good fights are being made (or at least being discussed)! Here’s my take on the matchups and predictions for their respective outcomes:
Juan Manuel Marquez v. Zab Judah- Say what you want about these grizzly veterans, they’re both still top fighters. Judah will still give anyone a stern test, and still has enough zip in his left hand to hurt people. Although he’s become more a barometer to measure prospects like Vernon Paris, he proved that he’s not quite a gatekeeper just yet. He will bring the fight to opponents (just ask the aforementioned Vernon Paris). Marquez, however, is still one of the top fighters in the entire sport. He should take this as he’ll be able to counter Judah with deadly accurate right hands when Judah leads with his left. Marquez will likely be down on the canvas at some point thanks to that aforementioned straight left hand, but JMM has more than proved he can get up off the mat and win a fight. This one will likely look like the Judah-Cotto fight where Marquez will play Cotto and wear down his fellow elder-statesman. Marquez via TKO11
Andre Ward v. Chad Dawson- YES! Is 7lbs really that big of a difference when considering weight classes? I wish more fighters would just fight the best guys available (within reason) rather than face mediocre guys in their own weight class. These are two extremely gifted physical boxers who are in their athletic prime. They’re both phenomenal tacticians and athletes, and whoever wins will get a HUGE push towards the top of the P4P rankings. It’s fights like these that often determine the fate of one’s entire career. Big fight. I take Ward just because I don’t think Dawson has the fire to beat him. Ward outhustles Dawson to a UD12
Mike Jones v. Randall Bailey- How nice is this? While Randall Bailey can definitely be seen as a gatekeeper at this point in his career, he can flat out hit. The guy’s right hand has been pound-for-pound one of the hardest punches in all of the sport for the last decade (quietly, too). Mike Jones is a good fighter that could potentially have a big future. Getting past Bailey will be a huge step in that direction and would almost certainly lead to more big fights (of which there are no shortages at 147). Beating Randall Bailey proves a lot and says you can take a punch. I don’t think Jones is ever going to beat an elite fighter, but a win here (which he’ll get) should get him a few years worth of meaningful bouts. Jones via UD12
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez v. James Kirkland- There isn’t a fight (a real one being discussed, anyway) more interesting to me than this one. While Canelo fell short of convincing me he was ready for ‘the next big thing’ moniker against Shane Mosley (see: lack of consistent combination-punching, failure to sustain his wildly effective body attack, and general lack of head movement), he showed the world enough to know he’s a future champion. His composure and crisp, compact power punches will get to any fighter. He’ll need his composure against the uber-aggressive James Kirkland. While Kirkland looked lost in his last fight, let’s not discredit Carlos Molina. All that guy’s done for the last few years it beat good fighters. Don’t forget that Kirkland is a beast. (Watch this…Kirkland is in the black trunks: http://www.youtube.com/embed/JP1ugoEW3kk
While lacking the amazing explosiveness, Kirkland fights just like a poor man’s ‘young’ Mike Tyson (I guess in theory he fights like ‘Old’ Mike Tyson). He plods forwards with solid head movement, and when he throws (vicious hooks and straight left hands), he throws with bad intentions. The embedded video above tells you the whole story on Kirkland: He’s vulnerable, has below-average defense, is a bit chinny, comes forward, has a ton of heart (thanks largely to motivational trainer Ann Wolff), and can straight put people to sleep. Seeing his aggressiveness and frightening power against the calm, compact, and thudding shots of Canelo seems like must-watch TV. If Canelo hasn’t worked out his head movement issues by then, this will be a fight filled with drama. If he has, he should be able to stop Kirkland, which would mark the biggest win of his career. Sorry Shane. Canelo via TKO5
Sidebar: Speaking of Shane Mosley, his name has been dropped by Devon Alexander as a potential opponent. With all of these great aforementioned fights being lines up, Amir Khan being out an opponent, and a very competitive weight class, Devon Alexander has the gall to call for Shane Mosley? Shane Mosley made it plenty clear that he’s got nothing left in the tank against Canelo Alvarez. So what? Alexander wants to pad his resume/gain household name-recognition to beat on an old man who shouldn’t be fighting anymore? I’m sorry, I know it’s a business and Devon wants to make a name for himself outside of boxing circles, but this is pathetic. I’d guess HBO has enough sense to not put that fight on TV, and without televising it, Devon’s name only sours for having little interest in fighting the best out there. Man up, Devon.
From what we heard on Jim Lampley’s new HBO show (which I liked for the record), the plan with Canelo is Kirkland, Cotto, and then Mayweather. I absolutely love it. I’ve mentioned in previous columns that the matchup with Kirkland would by dynamite. I also mentioned how much sense it makes to put him in the ring with Cotto. If he can get by those two, it doesn’t matter how it looks. That’s a huge statement. Kirkland will be his toughest test to date, and Cotto is another caliber of fighter. While I don’t think Saul is close to ready for Floyd right now, I can see him being in the ring with Cotto and doing well. Needless to say, Cotto held his own against Floyd. And if you can beat Miguel Cotto, nobody (especially not me) has any business telling you who you are or are not ready for.
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Stephen Fulton Nips Carlos Castro in a Prelude to Canelo vs Berlanga
In his first fight back after being dominated and stopped by pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a fight for super bantamweight supremacy in July of last year, Stephen Fulton nipped upset-minded Carlos Castro, improving to 22-1 (8) in his first start as a featherweight. The verdict was split, with Fulton prevailing by 96-93 and 95-94 with the dissenter favoring Castro 95-94. The decision seemed fair although not in eyes of the predominantly Mexican crowd which booed the decision.
This was an entertaining 10-round fight between two evenly-matched 30-year-old campaigners. Long-time Phoenix resident Castro (30-3) put Fulton on the deck in round five with a counter right hand and Fulton rode his bicycle to shed the cobwebs as the round played out. But the Philadelphian, with new trainer Bozy Ennis in his corner, recuperated well and had a strong sixth round.
In round eight, Castro buckled Fulton’s knees with another straight right, but was unable to press his advantage. The bout served as the “main” prelim to the four-fight PPV card.
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In a welterweight contest slated for “10,” Mexico City’s Ricardo Salas, a 6/1 underdog, scored a second-round stoppage of Roiman Villa. The end in this slam-bang and all-too-brief skirmish came at the 2:06 mark of round three when Salas, fighting off the ropes, nailed Villa with a perfectly-placed, short right hand. Villa went down for the count.
Salas, whose de facto manager is the ubiquitous Sean Gibbons, improved to 20-2-2 with his 15th win inside the distance. From Colombia by way of Venezuela, Villa (26-3) was making his first start since being stopped by Boots Ennis in July of last year.
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In the opener on the PBC YouTube channel, super featherweight Jonathan “Geo” Lopez, a 21-year-old Pennsylvania-born southpaw, won a wide 8-round decision over rugged San Antonio campaigner Richard Medina. Lopez pitched a shutout, winning 80-71 on all three cards, but this was hardly a stroll in the park for him.
Lopez, who improved to 17-0 (12), simply had too much class for Medina. A 20/1 favorite, the Eddy Reynoso-trained boxer hurt Medina at the end of round seven and put him on the canvas in the final round with a straight left hand, but Medina (15-3) kept on plugging away and maintained his distinction of never being stopped.
Also
In an off-TV fight, super middleweight Bek Nurmaganbet, a 26-year-old Kazakh, won his eighth straight inside the distance, improving to 12-0 (10) with a second-round stoppage of SoCal’s Joshua Conley (17-7-1).
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Rocky Hernandez Improves to 36-2 with a Controversial TD in Hermosillo
Matchroom was in northwestern Mexico tonight in the city of Hermosillo for a card that aired on DAZN. In the featured bout, super featherweight Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez was awarded a technical decision over Thomas Mattice when the bout was halted by the ringside physician at the start of the seventh round because Hernandez had severe cuts around both eyes. The first cut, over his right eye, developed in round four. Replays showed that the second cut, over his left eye, was caused by a right uppercut. However, in the eyes of veteran Texas referee Mark Calo-oy, the damage was caused by an accidental head cut. That sent the bout to the scorecards where Hernandez was deemed the victor by tallies of 59-55, 58-56, and 58-55 per ring announcer David Diamente who had trouble reading the results submitted to him by a boxing commissioner.
Hernandez, who turned pro at age 15 in Mexico City, is best known for his rumble with defending WBC 130-pound title-holder O’Shaquie Foster. Rocky was leading that fight with 30 seconds remaining in the final round when the roof fell in on him. He trained for tonight’s bout at the DLX and Top Rank gyms in Las Vegas under Kay Koroma and Brandon Woods, the latter of whom trains Trevor McCumby. Neither Koroma nor Woods was in his corner tonight.
It was the first fight outside the U.S. for Cleveland’s hard-luck Thomas Mattice who had won five straight heading in and appeared to be turning the bout in his favor. Mattice declined to 22-4-1.
Semi-wind-up
Twenty-four-year-old Hermosillo knockout artist Sergio Mendoza showed that he is a rising force in the flyweight division with a third-round stoppage of stocky Ensenada southpaw Angel Ramos. Mendoza crumpled Ramos with a short left uppercut in round two. Ramos attempted to rise, but it became a moot point when the match was waived off.
Mendoza improved to 24-0 with his twenty-first knockout. Ramos, a 12-year pro whose career has been slowed by injuries, falls to 30-2-2.
Also
A 10-round super middleweight contest that shaped up as a slugfest proved the opposite. Local product Julio Porras (12-0, 8 KOs) won a wide decision in a snoozefest over Venezuelan import Isaac Torres who had won all 10 of his previous fights by stoppage, none of which lasted beyond six rounds.
Torres turned timid after Porras decked him with a left hook in the second frame. He fought off his back foot for the reminder of the bout, seemingly content to simply last the distance. The scores read 100-89 and 99-90 twice.
It was hard to get a good read on Porras who trains in Seatle with David Benavidez and Diego Pacheco, but at age 22 he appears to have a bright future.
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More
Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More
Never underestimate the Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry.
Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico has fought Puerto Ricans before and should know it is never easy. But this time he chose to toe the line against a young hungry Boricua.
Will this fight be his reckoning?
Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) defends the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles against Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) on Saturday Sept. 14, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. PPV.com along with Jim Lampley will stream the loaded TGB Promotions card. It’s also on DAZN and Amazon Prime.
Mexico’s Canelo has been the face of boxing ever since Floyd Mayweather officially retired. And though he lost to Mayweather in 2013, the dividends from that experience have boosted the redhead to a skill level not seen since Salvador Sanchez.
Not many Mexicans or Puerto Ricans fight at super middleweight. So, this is a first for the rivalry at this weight class. But in the lower weights war has been ongoing between the two countries for decades.
My up-close introduction took place with Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez against Sanchez in Las Vegas in August 1981. At the time the Puerto Rican was considered the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world with 32 wins and 32 knockouts.
Gomez was a Mexican killer and dispatched two future Half of Fame fighters in Carlos Zarate and Lupe Pintor. Only Sanchez could beat the Boricua and he was an underdog to the mustached fighter from Santurce, Puerto Rico when they met.
Never underestimate anyone.
Now Berlanga is attempting to do what no other Puerto Rican has been able to accomplish in defeating Canelo.
It’s a big task for the taller fighter.
“I could be the face of Puerto Rican boxing after Saturday night,” said Berlanga, 27, who hails from Brooklyn, New York.
The taller Berlanga has yet to face anyone that compares to Canelo, He’s defeated contenders like Jason Quigley and Padraig McCrory who formerly held the IBO light heavyweight title. But a killer like Alvarez he’s never faced before.
But he’s eager to find out.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Team Berlanga,” Berlanga said at the press conference.
As a professional fighter he needs to take the opportunity.
“We’re gonna make history and become legends,” said Berlanga.
Alvarez has been in this situation dozens of times before. He’s heard all the rhetoric and the boasts and the predictions over the years. After facing the likes of Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin and so many others, he’s almost immune to the itchy nervousness of potential danger.
The Mexican champion has his jacket of confidence woven over the years from dozens of battles endured since the age of 15. Now he’s 34 and has he passed his limit?
“I always put 100 per cent into my fights and into training, no matter who I’m fighting. It’s the same mentality every fight. This is no exception,” said Alvarez, who is fighting on Mexican Independence day for the 11th time in his career.
This, however, is different. This is Mexico versus Puerto Rico and the history between the two countries is fraught with upsets and fierce bloody battles in boxing that have mesmerized the boxing world.
Berlanga’s trainer said it best:
“Believe me, we are grateful to Team Canelo for the opportunity, because it’s the opportunity to knock the king off the throne,” said Marc Ferrait. “as I told Edgar, he’s not going to want to give it to no Puerto Rican, and if we think Canelo doesn’t have it, oh he’s coming. We want the best of him.”
It’s power versus power. All it takes is one punch.
Other Bouts
WBA middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara (30-3-3) defends against Philadelphia’s Danny “Swift” Garcia (37-3) in the semi-main event at T-Mobile Arena. It’s been four years since the Cuban southpaw faced elite competition. Now 41, does he still have it?
Garcia, 36, a former welterweight and super lightweight world titlist, has only fought once above 147 pounds but found success when he defeated Jose Benavidez at 153 pounds two years ago.
Both are experienced, skilled and dangerous.
Super middleweight contenders Caleb Plant (22-2) and Trevor McCumby (28-0) meet in a 12-round clash for the interim WBA title. Whenever Plant fights there is always extra personal incentive thrown in. McCumby knows it.
“I just go in there and handle business,” McCumby said.
Plant seems eager to return to the ring.
“We’ll see on Saturday,” said Plant.
Another former world titlist performing is Rolly Romero (15-2, 13 KOs) meeting Manuel Jaimes (16-1-1, 11 KOs) in a super lightweight match set for 10 rounds. It’s the first time I recall seeing Romero against someone bigger. Interesting.
A super bantamweight battle between former unified world titlist Stephen Fulton (21-1) and Carlos Castro (30-2, 14 KOs) is set for 10 rounds in a featherweight match. Fulton was stopped by Japan’s Naoya “Monster” Inoue a year ago. He’s eager to return.
Fights to Watch
Thurs. DAZN 5 p.m. Ardreal Holmes (15-0) vs Hugo Noriega (10-2).
Fri. DAZN 5 p.m. Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez (35-2) vs Thomas Mattice (22-3-1).
Sat. DAZN 3 p.m. Roiman Villa (26-2) vs Ricardo Salas (19-2-2).
Sat. PPV.COM, Prime ppv, DAZN ppv 5 p.m. Saul Alvarez (61-2-2) vs Edgar Berlanga (22-0); Caleb Plant (22-2) vs Trevor McCumby (28-0); Erislandy Lara (30-3-3) vs Danny Garcia (37-3); Stephen Fulton (21-1) vs Carlos Castro (30-2).
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