Abraham Gives Taylor a Flashback!

By: John Sardelis
October 17th, O2 World Arena, Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany: In the opening bout of Showtimes Super Middleweight Tournament, IBF Middleweight Champion “King” Arthur Abraham, 30-0, 24Kos, came from behind on the scorecards to first pull ahead then score a twelfth round knockout over former middleweight champion Jermaine “Bad Intentions” Taylor, 28-3-1, 17Ko’s.
                     
Taylor took an early lead behind a pumping left jab winning four of the first five rounds. “King Arthur” then took advantage of a solid body attack and a Taylor point deduction for his third low blow in the sixth round turning the momentum and to forging on in the closing rounds. Abraham in usual form got tougher as the fight wore on winning the championship rounds then going on to land a shocking straight right through Taylor’s gloves depositing him on the deck for the full count at 2:54 of the twelfth round. The Ko stoppage reminiscent of his last round 14 second remaining Tko loss to Carl Froch in April.
                
The Ko victory left “King Arthur” undefeated while giving Taylor his fourth loss in his last five outings. Abraham who was ahead on the scorecards 105-103, 107-102, 106-102 goes on to meet Andre Dirrell who suffered his first loss a split decision to Cal Froch in his opening bout of the tournament. Taylor was hospitalized in Berlin after suffering short term memory loss not determined to be from the Abraham punch or hitting his head on the canvas.

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Froch Puts Dirrell in a Matrix of His Own!

By: Rich Neary
October 17th, Trent FM Arena, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom: Carl “The Cobra” Froch remained undefeated while retaining his WBC Super Middleweight Title snake biting Andre “The Matrix” Dirrell winning a close split decision turning Dirrell’s boxing match into a street war.
 
The closely contested fight between two fighters with contrasting skills with Froch remaining the aggressor from the opening bell while Dirrell was satisfied using his speed counter punching from a wide open stance. Froch pressed the moving Dirrell missing much of the time failing to corner the slick stance switching Michigander. Dirrell was successful with a good right jab and finding a home with his straight left to the body until when about midway of round five The fight began to Froch threw Dirrell to the canvas with a Jamie Varner MMA hip throw clearly frustrating Dirrell while creating a “matrix” of his own. Froch went on to mix hitting Dirrell behind the head and punching in the clinches taking “The Matrix” out of his rhythm forcing him to start holding leading referee Hector Afu to deduct a point from Dirrell for holding possibly a 10-8 round. The eleventh round put the fight up for grabs and Froch with his aggression took the closer albeit controversial a split decision with judge Alejandro Rochin Mapula scoring it 114-113, Dirrell and judges Massimo Barrovecchio and Daniel Van de Wiele calling it 115-112, Froch.

Dirrell next steps up to face Arthur Abraham early next year with Froch getting Mikkel Kessler after his “Super Six” fight with Andre Ward, November 21st.

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Macklin Stops Asikainenin One!

September 25th, at The Velodrome in Manchester, England: In the main event of a Ricky Hatton Promoted card 27 year old middleweight Matthew “Mack The Knife” Macklin, 25-2, 18Ko’s surprised most disposing of Finland’s 33 year old Amin “Idi” Asikainen, 26-3, 17Ko’s in quick manner catching the accomplished Asikainen with a perfectly timed left hook flooring him in the first round of their scheduled twelve round battle for the vacant European middleweight title.

The game Asikainen made it upright in time to continue as most realized it was exactly that a matter of time. Macklin a former stablemate of now promoter Ricky Hatton and once trained by the “Preacher” Billy Graham w jumped the “Fin” with “Hitman” type ferocity dropping Asikainen with a big right hand prompting referee Luigi Muratore to call of the attack at 2:34 of the opening round.

This is a big win for Macklin and Hatton Promotions as the capture of the EBU middleweight title could be just the pawn to draw out “Irelands” John Duddy. Looking to rebound of his own surprise loss to Youngstown, Ohio’s, Billy Lyle,  20-7, 4Ko’s the very popular Duddy 26-1, 17Ko’s is scheduled to meet Michi Munoz, 21-3, 14Ko’s October 10th at Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Latin Fury 12 featuring undefeated Juan Manuel Lopes, 26-0, 24Ko’s vs Rogers Mtagwa, 26-12-2, 18Ko’s.

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Mayweather Pound for Pound Too Much for Marquez!!!        

By Coach “K”
September 19th, the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas: After mistakenly picking with my heart in the much hula balu return to the ring of former pound for pound champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr. from his self imposed retirement, the undefeated favorite after a minor distraction of not making weight, a catch weight he imposed on his opponent in true “Money” Mayweather fashion buying two pounds cashed in scoring a one sided dominate decision over the undersized overmatched Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather the clearly much bigger, stronger, faster fighter quickly neutralized any intangibles Marquez who now virtually moved up three weight classes may have had leaving the tough Mexican veteran listed as another also ran. Mayweather proved he wasn’t rusty but actually well rested, staying behind a tight defense sporting a sticking jab with some solid counter punching.

The visable size difference was never more evident then in the second round, when Mayweather floored Marquez with a crisp clean left hook. Marquez having several times in his career regrouped quickly returning to the attack.

Mayweather controlled the majority of the action answering any of Marquez clean shots with some solid scoring counter punching to keep the game Mexican at bay.
Marquez had his moments usually on a Mayweather respite scoring just enough to keep the large Mexican contingent hopeful.

After round five Mayweather was in complete control staying behind a stiff jab picking his shots. Despite Mayweather’s dominance the Mexican would not take a back step continuing to keep the hope of another late round comeback alive.

The final two rounds usually belonging to the hard closing Marquez saw Mayweather pick up the pace applying the final nail in the coffin, denying Marquez any chance of an upset or the chance of a rematch with Pacquiao.

The judges scores were announced 118-109, 119-108 and 120-107 all for Mayweather. After years of avoiding the likes of Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Paul Williams the also avoided Shane Mosley took another shot to get at Mayweather calling him out during the post fight interview infuriating Mayweather who stormed from the ring. 

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Kessler Unimpressive Stepping into Super Six!

September 12th, MCH Messecenter Herning, Herning, Denmark: Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler , 41-1, 31Ko’s retained his WBA World super middleweight title stopping southpaw Gusmyr “Azucar Torpedo” Perdomo, 16-2, 10Ko’s who won his last two by Tko stopping him in the fourth round after a basic unimpressive going.

The “Viking Warrior” started very slow finally getting into a rhythm flooring Perdomo the in 3rd round with a solid straight right. Kessler continued the attack in the fourth firing with both hands landing mostly grazing shots on the tough Venezuelan before scoring with a heavy right. Kesslr opened up with both hands again mostly for affect prompting the referee Russell Mora to halt the bout. Until that point the crude southpaw was finding some success with his right hook and several lead lefts.

Kessler’s next outing will be November 21st against Andre Ward in his first Super Six World Boxing Classic bout at Oracle Arena, Oakland, California.
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      Ward Stop’s Pudwill in Warm Up for Big Six Showdown!

Sept. 12th Pechange Resort & Casino, Temecula, California: Andre “S.O.G.” Ward remained undefeated 20-0, 13Ko’s scoring a third round Tko of Mandan, North Dakota’s, Shelby “Showtime” Pudwill, 22-4-1, 9Ko’s

Chasing and out boxing a mostly defensive Pudwill for the first two rounds and banging him with both hands to body. The much faster Ward finally opened up in the third scoring with a big right upstairs then dropped the North Dakota opponent with a crisp left hook leaving him bleeding from a cut over his left eye. Ward jumped him after an eight count pounding him across the ring banging a totally defensive Pudwil again with both hands breaking only to coax referee Pat Russell to call it. Heeding Ward’s advice Russell called it at 2:16 of the third round leaving the path clear for a Ward / Kessler showdown November 21st at Oracle Arena, Oakland, California.

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 "Houston Heat"
Controversial Diaz / Malignaggi Decision,
Guerrero Grabs 3rd World Title, Jacobs continues to Roll!

By: David Colon
August 22nd, 2009, Toyota Center, Houston, Texas: The “Houston Heat” card     co- promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and DiBella Entertainment featured former two time light welterweight champion Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, 26-3, 5Ko’s taking on hometown favorite Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz, 35-2, 17Ko’s in a crossroads fight which would launch the winner to future big pay day title fights and relinquish the loser to the status of opponent. Malignaggi accepted the fight at a low catch weight for him at 138lbs in a smaller Diaz favoring ring.                                   

   

Going in, any true boxing fan had to admire Malignaggi’s fortitude taking the fight in Diaz back yard but after agreeing to take the fight the Brooklyn based fighter should have quit the rhetoric. The often load spoken charismatic boxer made it clear prior to the fight he was afraid he would not receive a fair shake.

     
Well the “Magic Man” turned into “fortune teller” correctly predicting the outcome of his much awaited fight with the young Diaz who was looking to rebound off a loss suffered at the hands of Juan Manuel Marquez this past February.                                      

Malignaggi controlled most of the fight moving and jabbing then falling in or quickly moving away stopping any Diaz heavy assaults leaving the “Baby Bull” in a purple haze. “The Magic Mans” speed hand and foot kept Diaz of balance never really getting on track. Malignaggi mixed his jab with some solid right hands throwing and landing it as a lead at times.

The second round saw “The Magic Man” cut Diaz left eyelid with a right uppercut inside starting a small flow of blood. Malignaggi continued to circle left away from the Diaz hook pooping his jab jumping in and out with the occasional straight right or uppercut.

In the fifth round of a see saw battle Diaz suffered a deep cut over his left eye brow caused by an accidental head butt.

Malignaggi won rounds eight thru eleven sticking and moving and while not playing it safe let the final round slip to Diaz a critical mistake for Paulie the “Magic Man.” Had Paulie the “Magic Man” listened to Paulie the “Fortune Teller” and battled for round twelve there would be no question of a victory. It’s that decision that I feel cost him the fight and gave him a draw on my card.

Malignaggi complained prior to the fight that the “Deck was Stacked” but he assisted in the stacking. Trash talking never helps and it most certainly doesn’t win any fans in Texas. He agreed to the weight and I guess he agreed to the size of the ring but he did spout about the selection of judges particularly judge Raul Caiz who by the way scored the fight the best of the three judges. I’m not quite sure what judge Sutherland saw at 116-112 and Pearl Vision has an appointment scheduled for judge Gale Van Hoy who some how scored it 118-110 Diaz.

In all sporting events there are bad calls but boxing competing head to head now with the MMA as the number one contact sport cannot miss correcting what could be perceived as a “stacked fight” or a hometown decision and give the “Magic Man” who’s only loses by the way were to Hatton and Cotto prior to the fight a rematch in a neutral site.    

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"Pinoy Power 2"
Donaire Claims Interim WBA World Super Flyweight Title,
Lueveno Retains His on a DQ!

August 15th, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada: In the main event of the Top Rank boxing’s "Pinoy Power 2" Filipino star fighter Nonito Donaire who attracted the attention of educated boxing fans stopping then undefeated “Raging Bull” Vic Darchinyan July 2007 claiming the IBF and IBO flyweight titles added the interim WBA World super flyweight title winning a unanimous twelve round decision over Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion, 13-4, 8Ko’s. 
 
Moving up in weight Donaire 22-1, 14Ko’s used some good movement and a good jab to open a cut under Concepcion's left eye in the second round. Donaire continued to stick and move to avoid the rushing Panamanian’s assault. Donaire rocked Concepcion in the third but the determined Panimainian came to fight. Concepcion scored well in the middle rounds but Donaire used some good ring generalship to pick his spots winning a 117-111, 115-113, 116-112 unanimous decision. 
 
Donaire will be looking to square off with the super flyweight divisions best Z Gorres, Jorge Arce and Alexander Munoz. 
 
In the semi main event Freddie Roach trained Bernabe “Kamaong Llave” Concepcion of 29-2-1, 17ko’s was disqualified in his see saw WBO featherweight championship fight with Steven Luevano 37-1-1, 15Ko’s. Referee Jay Nady stepped in stopping the fight at the end of round seven after Concepcion hit Luevano following the bell sounding the end of the seventh round. 
 
Concepcion who was being held at bay by the southpaw jab of the five inch taller champion went on the attack picking up the pace at the urging of his corner tagging Lueveno at the bell with a solid right hand. It wasn’t that punch that scored but the one that followed just after the bell dropping Lueveno to the deck where he remained retaining his title.

Concepcion and his trainer Freddie Roach insisted the punch wasn’t intentional that his charged had not heard the bell. Concepcion was disqualified and Lueveno who was ahead on two of the three judges scorecards retained his title as Concepcion was DQ’ed for an intentional flagrant blow. Lueveno was said to be considering a rematch. _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Adamek Guns Down “The Celtic Warrior”
in Four, Stevens Destroys Wilczewski!!! 

By: Ethan Doutney
July 11th, Tomasz “Goral” Adamek, 38-1, 26 Ko’s defended his International Boxing Federation cruiserweight title against “The Celtic Warrior” Bobby Gunn. Adamek in his third straight fight in his new home away from home the Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey gunned down the 21-4-1, 18Ko’s “Celtic Warrior”. Gunn entered 5-0-1, 5 by stoppage the draw coming to Cory “The Cobra” Phelps March 2008.

Riding a streak wasn’t enough for Gunn, Adamek was the stronger fighter controlling the fight from beginning to end which came in the fourth round when Adamek landed right hand and followed with a volley of more than fifteen unanswered punches. Referee Earl Brown on the advice of the ring side physician called the action between rounds four and five.

On the undercard: In his pro debut Brooklyn, NY, light middleweight Delon Parsley dropped and stopped Camden, New Jersey’s Tyrone Miles, 1-1, with a body shot at 1:47 of round four .                                        

In super middleweight action former but still true to the cause “Chin Checker” Brownsville, New York’s Curtis”Showtime” Stevens, 21-2, 15Ko’s dropped Roztocznik, Poland’s Piotr Wilczewski, 22-1, 7Ko’s with a wrecking ball left hook leading to a barrage of punches causing referee Earl Morton to call a halt to the bout at 1:46 of round three of their scheduled eigth rounder.

Wroclaw, Poland’s undefeated cruiserweight Mateusz “Master” Masternak, 14-0, 9Ko’s finished off Brooklyn’s Naser Mohamed Aly, 4-4, 2Ko’s when team Aly had seen enough the beatdown at 2:36 of round five.

Morganville, New Jersey southpaw middleweight Denis Douglin, 5-0, 3Ko’s picked himself up off the deck to go on and win a 38-37 times three unanimous decision over St. Louis, Missouri’s Lamar “The Prince of Pain” Harris, 6-2-1, 4Ko’s.

In cruiserweight action Chesapeake, Virginia’s William “The Storm” Bailey,     10-17, 5Ko’s was pounded out by Haifa, Israel’s Ran Nakash, 13-0, 9 Ko’s in the fourth round of their scheduled eight rounder.

In a snoozer, Paterson, New Jersey’s welterweight Henry Crawford, 22-0-1, 9Ko’s earned a 79-73, 80-72, 89-72 unanimous decision over Philadelphia’s southpaw Kaseem Wilson, 12-2-1, 4Ko’s.

Another action packed exciting night of boxing brought to us by Kathy Duva’s Main Events and put together by matchmaker J Russell Peltz.

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 Agbeko Upsets Darchinyan, DeMarco Wins with Bizzare Stoppage, Steve “USS” Cunningham Outpoints Braithwaite!!!

By: Phil Kane                                                                                                     July 11th, Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida: Joseph “King Kong” Agbeko, 26-1, 22 K0’s from the Bronx New York by the way of Accra, Ghana retained his IBF bantamweight title upsetting Australia’s Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan,       32-1-1, 26 Ko’s.

In a fight hyped by some serious trash talking Vic Darchinyan stepped up to bantamweight looking to win a title in a third weight class while Agbeko was making the second defense of the title he won stopping Luis Alberto Perez in the seventh round of their title bout, September 2007.

The first round started as most thought Darchinyan a southpaw pressing like the old “Raging Bull” banging the champion to the body. Agbeko moved his head well and used his akward style to land his right hand and a few wild wide left hooks.

The second round continued with Darchinyan coming forward but “King Kong” from the Bronx was beginning to score regularly with his right, doubling it at times. As the fight progressed Agbeko continued to move his upper body and at times leap in throwing and scoring with straight rights. The Agbeko right was the difference setting up some wide left hooks which on occasion stayed tight tagging the” Bull” cleanly. The absence of Darchinyan uppercuts allowed the Ghanan from the Bronx to close the space and keep Darchinyan off balance.

In rounds three through five the two took turns but Agbeko was scoring the cleaner shots and was clearly the busier fighter. In the closing minute of a four minute seventh round Darchinyan cuffed Agbeko with a right throwing him to the canvas which was scored a knockdown by referee Tommy Kimmons.
In the eighth round all the dirty tactics came to the forefront. A Darchinyan elbow, shoulder and low blow and Agbekos leading head.

Darchinyan went on to have a good ninth round then rough up Agbeko throwing another low blow and throwing Agbeko to the canvas in the tenth. Cut over both eyes the right by an unintentional clash of heads it was clear Darchinyan needed a Ko that would not come. The judges scores were announced judge Michael Pernick and judge Mike Ross scoring it 114-113 and judge Rocky Young 116-111 all for “King Kong” Joseph Agbeko.

In the first of two co-feature event southpaw Mexican lightweight, Antonio DeMarco, 22-1-1, 16Ko’s earned a title fight with WBC champion Edwin Valero winning a tough see saw battle with rugged veteran Anges Adjaho, 25-2,14Ko’s scoring a bizarre TKO in the ninth round of their scheduled 12 round title eliminator.

The fight featured both fighters landing their best shots and Adjaho appeared to have a comfortable lead when in the ninth round DeMarco landed a big left driving Adjaho backward when my only guess is to avoid further punishment turned away and bend over apparently to take a knee when DeMarco scored with another left hand to the head inspiring Adjaho to dive to the canvas face first take the full count then jump up complaining of the punch.

In a case of bad judgement DeMarco scores a ninth round TKO and with it a shot at undefeated WBC lightweight champion Edwin “El Inca / Dinamita” Valero, 25-0, 25Ko’s. Upon review the video showed referee Telis Assimenios correctly stopped the action at 2:59 of round nine.

In the other co-feature Philidelphia’s former IBF cruiserweight champion Steve “USS” Cunningham, 22-2, 11Ko’s jumped back into contention becoming the mandatory challenger to IBF champion Tomasz “Goral” Adamek 38-1, 26 Ko’s winning a a one sided 12-round title elimination bout over Brooklyn’s former WBC cruiserweight champion Wayne “Big Truck” Braithwaite, 23-4, 19Ko’s by the scores 119-109, 117-111, 118-110.

The Nazim Richardson trained Cunningham kept Braithwaite at a distance most of the fight out-working the former champion scoring with sharp jabs and clean right hands to the south paws body. Cunningham fought smartly grabbing on whenever Braithwaite closed the space and got inside.

In the second half of the fight Braithwaite tried to make it a brawl but received rights to the head for his intermittent efforts. Cunningham appeared to be the better conditioned fighter as “Big Truck” began to run out of gas and even after a convenient water spillage opening round nine and an extended rest Braithwaite could never generate enough action to turn it around. The two fighters left it all in the ring trading shots banging it out until the final bell.

Cunningham lost his title to Adamek December 2008 ending up on the losing side of a close 12 round split. Adamek stopped Bobby Gunn in four Friday night at the Prudential Center,in Newark, New Jersey.

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“Fight Night” at Club Nokia “Golden” Again!

By: Jason Sardelis                                                                                        September 24th, Club Nokia, Los Angeles, California: Another night of well matched entertaining pro boxing fueled by a red hot club atmosphere struck gold again. Golden Boy Promotions “Fight Night” series at Club Nokia was developed to attract and display boxings young and upcoming prospects in a club atmosphere allowing fans young and old to enjoy an action packed evening of live boxing with all the amenities including a full bar, fine cuisine, live DJ music with a wide variety of seating. The very popular series attended by many stars finished strong while growing in popularity with each and every show and this show would be no different.

The evenings seven bout cards action started with former National Golden Gloves and two-time U.S. Amateur Champion 19 year old super bantamweight Ronny Rios, 7-0, 3Ko’s continuing his meteoric rise from an outstanding amateur platform to make quick work of 31 year old veteran Manuel “Diablito” Sarabia, 16-30-9, 10Ko’s. After a brief feeling out period Rios landed a hot straight right on the button dropping “Diablito” on the seat of his pants, where he was counted out by referee Ray Corona at 38 seconds of round one.

The second bout matched Paramount, California’s 23 year old featherweight Charles Huerta with 36 year old Mexican, Rodrigo Aranda, 8-11-2, 2Ko’s. Huerta looking to rebound from a surprise Ko loss to Derrick Wilson in his last outing (also at Club Nokia) started behind a good jab progressively adding some combination punching to earn a convincing 59-54, 58-55, 57-56 unanimous decision moving him to 12-1, 7Ko’s.

Lightweight action saw Philadelphia’s Karl Dargan remain undefeated 5-0, 2Ko’s beating Bridge City, Louisiana southpaw Renell Griffin. After getting shocked with a heavy shot in the second round the Nazim Richardson trained Dargan used some good lateral movement and effective counter punching to keep the tough charging Griffin at bay and off balance never allowing him time to set and punch. Dargan grabbing the 59-55, 59-55, 58-56 unanimous decision kept the slate clean while dropping Griffin to 5-2-1, 1Ko.

Glendale, California lightweight Art Hovanessian also held onto his zero dropping Sinaloa, Mexico’s Baudel “Mr. KO” Cardenas three times before finishing him in the fifth round of their scheduled six rounder. Cardenas a veteran of thirty seven fights could math the speed or work rate of the 27 year old Armenian. After mixing it up to the body and head Hovanessian dropped the veteran the first time in the fourth round with a solid left hook upstairs. Staying on the attack Hovanessian broke Cardenas down then dumped him again in the fifth with a stiff straight right. The game Mexican got vertical just in time to find himself on the receiving end of an unanswered Hovanessian volley dropping him again forcing referee David Denkin to call it a night for Cardenas dropping him to 18-19-2, 6Ko’s while the sharp Hovanessian moved to 9-0-1, 4Ko’s.

In a matchup of lightweight’s East LA’s Eric Godoy making his pro debut used his size and reach while remaining the more technical fighter delivering several big shots taking the fight out of a wild winging Javier Solis. Solis was floored with a heavy right ending the opening stanza but shook it off to open the second round on the attack landing some clean shots of his own. Godoy remained calm and began to counter scoring some big rights backing Solis to the ropes where he was pounded until referee David Denkin had seen enough saving the still winless Solis from any more punishment stopping it at 2:22 of the second round.

San Bernardino, California, lightweight Juan Sandoval started his pro career in fine fashion blasting out a winging Victor Martinez with a blistering left hook at 2:40 of the second round. Martinez remains winless at 0-2 as Sandoval records his pro debut Ko victory

In the main event Luis Ramos, Jr. in his third appearance at Club Nokia recorded his thirteenth straight victory with no losses scoring a lopsided shutout of Christian “Filoso” Favela, 17-22-6, 10Ko’s. Ramos, a southpaw meticulously picked apart a confused looking but aggressive Favela sticking and moving behind a sticking right jab opening the door for some two fisted combinations. Ramos landed a rock hard right hook stopping Favela in his tracks bloodying and possibly breaking “Filoso’s” nose paving the way to a clean six round dominating 60-54 times three performance.

This the final chapter of the successful four part series has run its course with live broadcasting on Versus but the word is out Fox Sports is interested. The series may have run its course but “fight nights” at Club Nokia aren’t finished.

Golden Boy Promotions boxing will return to La’s hottest boxing venue October 10th with Huntington Park, California’s always entertaining featherweight Israel ‘Magnifico” Vazquez, 40-4, 31Ko’s taking on Barranquilla, Colombia’s tough Angel Antonio Priolo, 30-7, 20Ko’s. Also scheduled at this time is Jersey City, New Jersey’s undefeated welterweight Michael Torres, 13-0, 7Ko’s facing off with Toledo, Ohio’s Martin Tucker, 6-4, 3Ko’s the complete fight card is be announced soon.

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Why Have Weight Classes? Why Not Just Call Outs!!!

By: Coach “K”
First, lets make this clear I love the game of boxing. The problem I ask is where are we going? Do we want it to become wrestling? My “God” please no!!! Loving the game like I do, how is it we allowed a fighter any fighter to demand a catch weight (144lb, Mayweather) then miss his own declared weight and weigh in two pounds heavy (146lbs) just one pound below the next weightclass?

Even if you give the violator a financial punishment or garnishment its still a financial gain for the fighter in a fight fought on an uneven ground in which the rule violator accomplished his objective. Fighting outside the rules, he has bought the title.

Forget what you personally think a true fighter should do. If a fighter excepts or more importantly demands a catch weight then fails to meet his own declared catch weight all penalty fees must be drawn from the violaters purse and given to the fighter making weight. Still that only solves the superficial problem. If the fight goes on the violator accomplished his non-boxing mission which could and certainly at times does effect the outcome.

Why in this case isn’t Floyd or any fighter in this situation severely punished.     If it is a title fightit should no longer be sanctioned. We really know why. If the Oakland Raiders as much as they would like to play with 14 players they wouldn’t be allowed. If at any time they were caught over the limit of eleven they would be penalized. If it were a touchdown it would be called back. If it were a homerun found with an illegal bat it would be disallowed. Why is this exceptible in Boxing? I guess it’s that money thing and if that’s the case why should we believe anything? We all know for the right price anything can be bought.

Let’s think of the possible results. First now Floyd gets his seventh title bypassing “Sugar” Ray Robinson. How could you ompare the two. First Robinson had to fight within his weight class for each title and even after 150 fights Robinson fought fighters in his weight class on fight night.

Probably more importantly this the sort of thing that brought into question the weight in allegations regarding the late Arturo “Thunder” Gatti versus Joey Gamache February 2000. this fight went off after allegations of several weigh ins and the weight difference on the day of the fight being so large that it resulted in a the public protest against boxing and Gatti due to the violent knockout and hospitalization of Gamache which ended his career.

Any like myself gave Mayweather credit for taking this fight with Marquez his first fight back but Marquez actually has now been forced to move up three weight classes. How could anyone now give Mayweather any credit for this pick not making his own selected catch weight after years of avoiding the likes of Paul Williams, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito and “Sugar” Shane Mosley. Would the UFC allow this. Would major league baseball let the Yankees play a triple a team in the World Series?

This type of thing only adds to any idea that boxing is corrupt and only about money. If you are the champion why aren’t you mandated to take on the number one contender? Even someone in the top ten. If you relinquish a belt, retire why are you allowed to come back and fight for another belt in the same weight class? (Also too many belts)

Why can you fight for the light welterweight title and weight 170lbs on fight night? Please tell me. Please! The only answer I get from any one in or out of the sport is $$$$$$$!

Let’s assume for a second Pacquiao losses to Cotto. Who did Mayweather get another smaller fighter moving up. Just this time four weight classes. If the answer is that’s what the people wanted then , why have weight classes or titles?

Why didn’t the supposed greatest pound for pound fighter of his time fight any of the fighters previously named? Well because no one made him. You can’t do this in any other sport.

If this is the way boxing is going to carry on we might as well watch USC play New England in the Super Bowl! Would you go for it? I want the best fight the best when there at their best.

Watching a fight as a youngster an old timer told me the best fights are the ones on the up and up. I guess I now know what he means.

Here’s the real question. Why wasn’t Floyd after already being given an extension due to an injury in training handed a jump rope so we could watch him jump to lose the two pounds as we watched him showcase his skills so prominently in the promotions to make weight like would have had to do in the Amateurs or be DQ’ed???

Game: a competitive activity involving skill, chance, or endurance on the part of two or more persons who play according to a set of rules, usually for their own amusement or for that of spectators. Please if you know email me at pkboxing.com@aol.com

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Grano Stops Kauffman with Hail Mary!

                                                                                                         By: Jeff Ridge                                                                                          September 18th, Chumash Casino, Santa Ynez, California:    Former United States Amateur Heavyweight champion heavyweight Tony Grano, 16-1, 13Ko’s recorded a fourth round knockout over Travis “GW Hope” Kauffman, 18-1, 15Ko’s.

The opening round was right to business round with both fighters trading big shots. Kauffmann was the busier fighter in rounds two and three a landing some big right hands and left hooks. The “GW Hope” started the fourth round right where he finished the third going in bombing with both hands.