Thursday, April 23, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Broadway Boxing from B.B. King's in New York
I'm at a burn-out crossroads with boxing so it's refreshing to watch the new young guns (and some older ones) on Broadway Boxing. Interesting matchups last night. I liked the 4-rounders by virtual unknowns--that's sometimes more exciting than the "big names." Put me on your mailing list--we're in Pennysylvania but fully intend to make it over there on some fine evening...
BTW, what's up with Curtis Stevens. I've heard nothing lately.
BTW, what's up with Curtis Stevens. I've heard nothing lately.
Monday, April 13, 2009
HBO Saturday Night: Paul Williams Decisions Winky Wright
It was the type of fight that appeals more to inveterate boxing fans than the World's Best KOs Crowd. Wright is a specialist, one of boxing's top surgeons, but it looked a bit as if he'd been suffering from a hangover when he faced a busy Paul Williams.
Seeing Paul Williams in fast action was almost enough to make you forget about his whipping against an inspired and much shorter Carlos Quintana a while back. Williams was looking like everything they say he is against Wright, who may have been sluggish due to a long layover, but had his stuff working as usual. It was the famed Wright defenses which kept him from getting KOd but his face looked battered at the end. The thing I liked about Williams is that he seemed to be enjoying himself in the ring, and smiled amiably several times while walkig toward his corner. Williams' athleticism is akin to that of Jermaine Taylor's but "The Punisher" seems to have developed a great deal of restraint after his upset by Quintana. He knows when to hold 'em and knows when to fold 'em. Meanwhile, Williams pivoted fluidly out of tight spots and left Wright looking like he needed a GPS to track him.
Winky didn't look bad at all, I thought, just slower and much less productive as you would expect from a 37 year old. Williams, meanwhile, knew where he was in the ring all the time and delivered speedy combinations with a great deal of authority. I look for Paul Williams to do great things so long as he stays focused on boxing and doesn't let the peripherals get to him. The boxing life has its own particular hazards, as most people know.
Winky Wright's story is a great story and he's one of the ring legends you hope would retire though he's not going to. In this fight against Williams, he showed heart, spirit, and determination up to the final rounds. I'm glad it went to a decision with Wright keeping his feet and his dignity intact.
Such as it is...
Seeing Paul Williams in fast action was almost enough to make you forget about his whipping against an inspired and much shorter Carlos Quintana a while back. Williams was looking like everything they say he is against Wright, who may have been sluggish due to a long layover, but had his stuff working as usual. It was the famed Wright defenses which kept him from getting KOd but his face looked battered at the end. The thing I liked about Williams is that he seemed to be enjoying himself in the ring, and smiled amiably several times while walkig toward his corner. Williams' athleticism is akin to that of Jermaine Taylor's but "The Punisher" seems to have developed a great deal of restraint after his upset by Quintana. He knows when to hold 'em and knows when to fold 'em. Meanwhile, Williams pivoted fluidly out of tight spots and left Wright looking like he needed a GPS to track him.
Winky didn't look bad at all, I thought, just slower and much less productive as you would expect from a 37 year old. Williams, meanwhile, knew where he was in the ring all the time and delivered speedy combinations with a great deal of authority. I look for Paul Williams to do great things so long as he stays focused on boxing and doesn't let the peripherals get to him. The boxing life has its own particular hazards, as most people know.
Winky Wright's story is a great story and he's one of the ring legends you hope would retire though he's not going to. In this fight against Williams, he showed heart, spirit, and determination up to the final rounds. I'm glad it went to a decision with Wright keeping his feet and his dignity intact.
Such as it is...
Monday, April 6, 2009
King, McCain seek pardon for boxer Jack Johnson -- Newsday.com
King, McCain seek pardon for boxer Jack Johnson -- Newsday.comArizona Senator John McCain's been involved with boxing for a long time. He boxed for the Naval academy before he entered the Naval Air Corps. I learned something new in reading this story. I knew "of" Peter King, from New York and rather liked him. What I didn't know about was his own involvement in boxing.
Jack Johnson was one of the most riveting figures in boxing history and his prosecution under the Mann Act was the direct result of WAIC, that dangerous affliction of people unwilling to face the facts. In his prime, Johnson was the best American fighter around. I've always thought of him as the "inventor" of modern boxing. Before Johnson, boxers always moved around the ring straight up in the manner of robots.
A little boxing history there, kids. And if you get a chance to read about an interesting time in boxing history, read an autiobiography or two about Jack Johnson. You'd be in danger of learning something...
Jack Johnson was one of the most riveting figures in boxing history and his prosecution under the Mann Act was the direct result of WAIC, that dangerous affliction of people unwilling to face the facts. In his prime, Johnson was the best American fighter around. I've always thought of him as the "inventor" of modern boxing. Before Johnson, boxers always moved around the ring straight up in the manner of robots.
A little boxing history there, kids. And if you get a chance to read about an interesting time in boxing history, read an autiobiography or two about Jack Johnson. You'd be in danger of learning something...
Sunday, March 22, 2009
How to Get That Multi-Million Dollar Job: Help Wanted in Heavyweight Division
Yesterday, I watched the Heavyweight boxing match between returning Vitali Klitschko and a certain Cuban Cruiserweight Mr. Gomez and I wondered why no one is applying for the job of Heavyweight champion of the world.
The ranks in the lighter weight classes are brimming with talent, but the Heavyweights of our era are clumsy behemoths who prefer the bludgeon to the scalpel. I'm not one of those people who doesn't appreciate the Kitchscko brothers, and their varied talents and interests. As boxers, they're not bad. But what irritates me in the Heavyweight ranks is that there is a lack of brilliance in the division.
In yesterday's match, Gomez was a beefed up Cruiserweight who took a shellacking at the hands of a six foot seven inch mesomorph with a powerful right hand. The best you could say of Gomez is that he was tough and brave and tried his damndest to make a fight out of it, largely without any special talent. He was a strong guy and tried to get close but was battered in every attempt. Gomez fought with his head straight up most of the time, didn't attack the body, and marched forward to deliver an occasional power shot, most of which fell short of the taller man's head.
There was a paucity of jabs from both boxers, who pawed at each other's forward hands to create openings. That's a legitimate tactic when you have a southpaw in the mix but you've got to have a real jab, too, if only to please the purists if not to hurt your opponent with it.
So Kitschko won, stopping the smaller guy within 9 rounds and I was glad for the end. Klitschko did pretty well for his tuneup, and the big question is what was the tuneup for? If there is to be a battle of behemoths, then he might fight Valuev. However, the safer choice for Klitchko's return may be Maskaev, another case where the tall stature and size may figure greatly.
I'm just wondering why there are such few applicants to the million dollar job. Surely, there's someone out there. Help wanted: Heavyweight Division.
The ranks in the lighter weight classes are brimming with talent, but the Heavyweights of our era are clumsy behemoths who prefer the bludgeon to the scalpel. I'm not one of those people who doesn't appreciate the Kitchscko brothers, and their varied talents and interests. As boxers, they're not bad. But what irritates me in the Heavyweight ranks is that there is a lack of brilliance in the division.
In yesterday's match, Gomez was a beefed up Cruiserweight who took a shellacking at the hands of a six foot seven inch mesomorph with a powerful right hand. The best you could say of Gomez is that he was tough and brave and tried his damndest to make a fight out of it, largely without any special talent. He was a strong guy and tried to get close but was battered in every attempt. Gomez fought with his head straight up most of the time, didn't attack the body, and marched forward to deliver an occasional power shot, most of which fell short of the taller man's head.
There was a paucity of jabs from both boxers, who pawed at each other's forward hands to create openings. That's a legitimate tactic when you have a southpaw in the mix but you've got to have a real jab, too, if only to please the purists if not to hurt your opponent with it.
So Kitschko won, stopping the smaller guy within 9 rounds and I was glad for the end. Klitschko did pretty well for his tuneup, and the big question is what was the tuneup for? If there is to be a battle of behemoths, then he might fight Valuev. However, the safer choice for Klitchko's return may be Maskaev, another case where the tall stature and size may figure greatly.
I'm just wondering why there are such few applicants to the million dollar job. Surely, there's someone out there. Help wanted: Heavyweight Division.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
AFP: Boxer Hatton plans to shock Pacquiao with speed and moves
AFP: Boxer Hatton plans to shock Pacquiao with speed and movesMy fight guy in Nevada, David Rosetti, tells me Hatton is the sure-fire winner. Size and power will be too much for Pacquiao at 140 lbs, Rosetti says. Rightly or not, though, the Pacman has the wildness factor going for him. Hatton may be too workmanlike, lacking in passion, and uninspired. Contrast that with wild-eyed and wild-punching Phillipino. I'm going against the Nevada odds here, and I'd say to look for the unexpected in this fight.
Monday, March 2, 2009
ESPN Friday Night Fights: Glen Johnson Conquers Daniel Judah (again)
It was the classic Glen Johnson script. The man on a hinge bobbed and weaved, slipped and punched with the precision of a fighting machine. In the end, there was no doubt as to the outcome as Johnson had a bit to much for the game Judah. Judah fought the wrong fight much of the time and was unable to use his height or to keep Johnson away.
Johnson is either age 40 or pushing it but age hasn't caught up with him. I wish, therefore, that Chad Dawson had taken a rematch with Road Warrior Glen Johnson instead of taking the easy fight against Antonio Tarver. I have great respect for Tarver, but he's already accomplished what he would as a fighter and it's time for him to geton with it.
Johnson is the people's champion and, if Dawson is to be really "bad Chad" instead of "half-bad-Chad", he's got to get to Johnson before old age does.
Johnson is either age 40 or pushing it but age hasn't caught up with him. I wish, therefore, that Chad Dawson had taken a rematch with Road Warrior Glen Johnson instead of taking the easy fight against Antonio Tarver. I have great respect for Tarver, but he's already accomplished what he would as a fighter and it's time for him to geton with it.
Johnson is the people's champion and, if Dawson is to be really "bad Chad" instead of "half-bad-Chad", he's got to get to Johnson before old age does.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Marquez KOs Diaz in 9th Round
The action was non-stop and brutal with Diaz putting maximum pressure on Marquez who was rocked and wobbled in the early rounds. There was no doubt in the opening seconds that it would be a fight to the finish. If the heat wasn't enough in the first three rounds, it became unbearable in the fourth and blisetering in the fifth as both fighters delivered sharp and powerful combinations.
Diaz kept marching forward, rarely being forced backward. Marquez backed to the ropes and blasted away from there with short rights and body shots. Blood began to ooze from Marquez right eye in the 5th and the cut men worked to close it. Marquez' corner told him he was winning, winning by a very little.
In the sixth, Marquez went back to the ropes and Diaz worked at a pace only slightily slower than the buzz saw speed of the first 5 rounds. Blood began to flow from Marquez again in the sixth. Marquez showed small signs of weakening but punched like a madman, sometimes throwing three shots with the left hand, uppercuts and hooks, landing clean blows.
It was an even battle as Shields told his fighter, Diaz, not to ease up on the pressure, not to let Marquez rest. The corner worked on Marquez's bloody face. Marquez is tough as he fights off the ropes and idiot Lederman with his nasty voice tells the world that Diaz is up 2 rounds at the 7th. Which I thought was bullshit.
Marquez worked more in the center ring and landed hard combinations but Diaz pushed him to the ropes and fought like a modified Joe Frazier, body shots and hooks and straight punches, jabs mostly. There's no pressure like Diaz pressure and Diaz' back is dry, no sweat, and Maruquez has to be tired at the end of the round.
What's happening here is that both fighter are great, beyond great. This is going to come down to a contest of body and will and Diaz seems just a tad freshers. Marquez corner tells him to work in the middle of the ring, not the ropes--"you're beating him in the middle", they say.
In the next round Diaz is astill the bull moving forward, catching and cutting Diaz with uppercuts from both hands. Marquez works miracles with multiple lefts as Diaz surges in the 8th and Marquez pivots out of the corner and lands a piston left.
There's blood all over both faces, blood in the ring. It's a bullfight and a dogfight combined Marquez works the middle,rocks Diaza with lefts, left hooks, Diaz wobbles, stumbles, goes down. The bell rings with everybody going crazy and Diaz' face smeared with blood.
"Listen Juan...you're not moving your head," says Diaz corner. "Use your feints on him now. Dont stand in front of this man."
The replay shows Marquez landing big uppercuts and left hooks as Diaz staggers.
Marquez makes a mid-fight stand and now the announcers begin to talk of Marquez being the bigger puncher. This is a reversal out of nowhere, out of hell. Has Diaz lost his way in the 9th?
Diaz pushes Marquez into the corner. Diaz can't miss with the left jabs but Marquez suddenly explodes with a 4 punch combination that drops Diaz to the canvas . He gets up but Marquez moves in like a Matador trying to kill the beast. He's a finisher, stepping in with the certainty of an executioner, advancing on angles, landing the kill shots. Diaz is down, hard down, on the canvas barely moving. It's over, an unbelievable KO in an unbelievable fight.
I'm speechless. Viva Mexico! Unbelievable!
Diaz kept marching forward, rarely being forced backward. Marquez backed to the ropes and blasted away from there with short rights and body shots. Blood began to ooze from Marquez right eye in the 5th and the cut men worked to close it. Marquez' corner told him he was winning, winning by a very little.
In the sixth, Marquez went back to the ropes and Diaz worked at a pace only slightily slower than the buzz saw speed of the first 5 rounds. Blood began to flow from Marquez again in the sixth. Marquez showed small signs of weakening but punched like a madman, sometimes throwing three shots with the left hand, uppercuts and hooks, landing clean blows.
It was an even battle as Shields told his fighter, Diaz, not to ease up on the pressure, not to let Marquez rest. The corner worked on Marquez's bloody face. Marquez is tough as he fights off the ropes and idiot Lederman with his nasty voice tells the world that Diaz is up 2 rounds at the 7th. Which I thought was bullshit.
Marquez worked more in the center ring and landed hard combinations but Diaz pushed him to the ropes and fought like a modified Joe Frazier, body shots and hooks and straight punches, jabs mostly. There's no pressure like Diaz pressure and Diaz' back is dry, no sweat, and Maruquez has to be tired at the end of the round.
What's happening here is that both fighter are great, beyond great. This is going to come down to a contest of body and will and Diaz seems just a tad freshers. Marquez corner tells him to work in the middle of the ring, not the ropes--"you're beating him in the middle", they say.
In the next round Diaz is astill the bull moving forward, catching and cutting Diaz with uppercuts from both hands. Marquez works miracles with multiple lefts as Diaz surges in the 8th and Marquez pivots out of the corner and lands a piston left.
There's blood all over both faces, blood in the ring. It's a bullfight and a dogfight combined Marquez works the middle,rocks Diaza with lefts, left hooks, Diaz wobbles, stumbles, goes down. The bell rings with everybody going crazy and Diaz' face smeared with blood.
"Listen Juan...you're not moving your head," says Diaz corner. "Use your feints on him now. Dont stand in front of this man."
The replay shows Marquez landing big uppercuts and left hooks as Diaz staggers.
Marquez makes a mid-fight stand and now the announcers begin to talk of Marquez being the bigger puncher. This is a reversal out of nowhere, out of hell. Has Diaz lost his way in the 9th?
Diaz pushes Marquez into the corner. Diaz can't miss with the left jabs but Marquez suddenly explodes with a 4 punch combination that drops Diaz to the canvas . He gets up but Marquez moves in like a Matador trying to kill the beast. He's a finisher, stepping in with the certainty of an executioner, advancing on angles, landing the kill shots. Diaz is down, hard down, on the canvas barely moving. It's over, an unbelievable KO in an unbelievable fight.
I'm speechless. Viva Mexico! Unbelievable!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Which Boxer Had the Best Hook? - Associated Content
Which Boxer Had the Best Hook? - Associated ContentI kind of agree with commentator Rich Thomas. When I think of a hook from a "regular" fighter I think of a left hook. A right hook from a southpaw. Of course, I agree with that guy, Moeursalen, whomever he is...
Monday, February 23, 2009
Robert Guerrero Fight in San Jose
Interview with Two-Time Featherweight Champion Robert Guerrero
I spoke with former IBF featherweight champion Robert Guerrero about his upcoming bout on HBO, his future plans, his wife's health and how it feels to be fighting at 130 lbs.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1501550/interview_with_twotime_featherweight.html
I spoke with former IBF featherweight champion Robert Guerrero about his upcoming bout on HBO, his future plans, his wife's health and how it feels to be fighting at 130 lbs.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/1501550/interview_with_twotime_featherweight.html
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James Moore Lacing Up
Moore seems to have faded from the boxing scene and looked like a shadow of his former self during his last outing. Is he overmatched, or was it his recent marriage that affected him? I guess that's cruel...and misognyny, too...SAT Word!.... But I always liked the guy and hope he can make a comeback.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Boxing Profile: Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe - Associated Content
Boxing Profile: Riddick "Big Daddy" Bowe - Associated ContentRiddick "Big Daddy" Bowe is a Brownsville Boy who was heavyweight champion once but who could forget the parachutist dropped into the Bowe-Holyfield fight?
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Boxing promoter Irish Ropes moving on without John Duddy
Boxing promoter Irish Ropes moving on without John DuddyA while back, Middleweight John Duddy took a sparring workout at Jesse Harris's then Lower Main Street Boxing Gym. Gentleman John seems to have struggled a bit more than he should have in his last outings and it will be interesting to see what he comes up with under new management. Here's the story, written by someone else.
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