Peter to tangle with V. Klitschko in Berlin on Oct. 11 - Boxing - CBSSports.com MMA, Results, NewsFinally, the glacier budges and Sam Peter gets a chance to fight a Klitchko on October 11 in Berlin. I've been a long-time fan of the Nigerian "Nightmare" and pick him to KO Vitali. So which one is that? That's the one trying for a comeback which hardly ever seems to materialize. He has had health problems, they say, and who am I to dispute it. I imagine he will have health problems again after he fights Sam Peter who, right now, should be at the top of his game.
After he beats Vitali, I hope that brother Wladimir does not keep the Nigeria too long in the foyer before he grants him a rematch. Wladimir beat Peter in 2005--Peter's only loss--and Wladimir has given him a wide berth ever since. I saw the fight--Wladimir won--but Peter had his moments. What's different now? Sam Peter was still learning in those days; he lacked the flexibility and finesse which comes with experience. He thought he could get rid of Wladimir by power alone. I expect Sam will not let the opportunity for the Heavyweight Championship slip through his hands this time. Klitchko hasn't changed his game much since learning he could throw hard punches long and backpedal his way to victory.
I like the Klitschkos, but I like Sam Peter more. He deserves a second meeting. I hope the Berlin judges give him an equitable hearing. But it's quite likely their services won't be needed either.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Olympics: Amateur boxing is still blighted by dodgy judges | Sport | guardian.co.uk
Olympics: Amateur boxing is still blighted by dodgy judges | Sport | guardian.co.ukYou're not the only one who thinks the protocol for judging Olympic boxing was atrocious. This article contains some interesting research data which points up the failure of the current Olympic system. Worth reading.
Friday, August 15, 2008
USA Boxing | News | Raynell Williams Drops Second Round Contest at the Olympic Games
USA Boxing | News | Raynell Williams Drops Second Round Contest at the Olympic GamesWhen I looked over the stable of U.S. fighters at the Olympics, one of my favorites was Raynell Williams at 125 pounds. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see Raynell's second match, in which he lost to the French 125 pounder. The French 125 pound winner is a good fighter, with a stocky build, and a combat style. Khedafi Djelkhir came out with a victory and Williams was right to accept the decision in accordance with Olympic rules. Williams will do just fine in the pros; he has poise, skill, and a fighting character. In another time, he would have been a winner.
But the discussion by American commentators like Teddy Atlas is all about the way Olympic boxing is being handled these days. The atrocious judging is making me lose interest and I'm the type of guy who would walk 20 miles to see a boxing match between a cricket and a grasshopper. The judges aren't seeing what's really happening. They're not getting it, and no one seems to care.
Even for the skilled boxing afficionados, it's a difficult prospect for three of six judges to hit their little punch-counters simultaneously. A better system might be to assign judges to watch a single fighter and record punches. But that's not the only problem with Olympic boxing; the absence of concepts like ring generalship, effective punching (vs. scoring punching), no scoring for knockdowns, and other rules designed to appeal to the designer label crowd have made it very likely that 2012 boxing Olympians will compete in the category of track and field.
At least, there is one recompense for me, and for all of the other USA boxing coaches who work around the country. It's obvious that most any fighter from most any gym stand in America stands a chance of making it to the big time. Most will not make it that far, however, and the best of these will go into the pro ranks as they become frustrated with the arbitrary methods of judging the winners.
But the discussion by American commentators like Teddy Atlas is all about the way Olympic boxing is being handled these days. The atrocious judging is making me lose interest and I'm the type of guy who would walk 20 miles to see a boxing match between a cricket and a grasshopper. The judges aren't seeing what's really happening. They're not getting it, and no one seems to care.
Even for the skilled boxing afficionados, it's a difficult prospect for three of six judges to hit their little punch-counters simultaneously. A better system might be to assign judges to watch a single fighter and record punches. But that's not the only problem with Olympic boxing; the absence of concepts like ring generalship, effective punching (vs. scoring punching), no scoring for knockdowns, and other rules designed to appeal to the designer label crowd have made it very likely that 2012 boxing Olympians will compete in the category of track and field.
At least, there is one recompense for me, and for all of the other USA boxing coaches who work around the country. It's obvious that most any fighter from most any gym stand in America stands a chance of making it to the big time. Most will not make it that far, however, and the best of these will go into the pro ranks as they become frustrated with the arbitrary methods of judging the winners.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Thursday, August 7, 2008
U.S. Olympians' Boxing Lessons - WSJ.com
U.S. Olympians' Boxing Lessons - WSJ.comInteresting profile of the U.S. Boxing Team as it prepares for the 2008 Olympics.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Punch: Cuba eyes boxing domination
The Punch: Cuba eyes boxing dominationI'm looking forward to the boxing competition in the upcoming Olympics. Many people who remember the Cuban domination of the sport in the 60s and 70s are looking at a resurgent Cuban national team to make a good showing in 2008.