Boxing, anyone?

[Rui]

Show me a Champ that doesn't "Hand pick his opponents" That's one of the luxuries of being the champ. You fight this #1 and then theres another #1 it never ends until you're too old and tired and you get beat. Floyd is at the end of his rope and Cotto would probably hurt him at this stage. Cotto of Today against Mayweather of 5 years ago,now that would be interesting. He should retire on top and no one that knows Boxing would begrudge him that.

Jermain Taylor, Bernard Hopkins, Joe Calzaghe, Juan Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Jean-Marc Mormeck, Rafael Marquez, and Israel Vazquez to name a few.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Theres the problem for Boxers! Theres always another guy popping up. Mayweather has nothing to prove and is without question one of the best ever. He doesn't need to fight anyone else to prove himself and calling him a fraud shows a very low Boxing IQ.

You're kidding, right? Mayweather has ducked opponents for sometime now. He ducked Margarito years ago. He ducked Paul Williams. He is now going to duck Miguel Cotto. And, at 147, who has he fought in thier place? A retired DLH. Ricky Hatton, who is good at 140 but never proved anything at 147 except that he isn't that great. If he wants to prove he is great, fight Miguel Cotto. This isn't hard. Miguel Cotto was the obvious fight that needed to happen here.

Who the hell wanted to see Ricky Hatton fight Mayweather? Who was requesting that fight?

[JeffWeaverFan]

Show me a Champ that doesn't "Hand pick his opponents" That's one of the luxuries of being the champ. You fight this #1 and then theres another #1 it never ends until you're too old and tired and you get beat. Floyd is at the end of his rope and Cotto would probably hurt him at this stage. Cotto of Today against Mayweather of 5 years ago,now that would be interesting. He should retire on top and no one that knows Boxing would begrudge him that.

Wow, Mayweather is only 30 years old. You make it sound like he's 40. He's still at his peak.

Antonio Margarito was the guy for him to fight a while ago, but he ducked him seeing him as a risk. Margarito is all of 1 year younger than Floyd.

Miguel Cotto is the #1 fighter at 147. He has been the guy to fight for the last 2 years. PBF has ducked him, instead fighting guys like Baldomir (way to put on a show there Floyd!). The only impressive thing Floyd has done in his career is beat Castillo twice (at 135) and beat a retired De La Hoya. He is better than that though. He is extremely talented. That's why it would be nice for him to actually take a real risk and fight the 2nd best fighter at the weight class. That guy is Miguel Cotto. Beat him and he has cemented his legacy.

Once again, he's only 30 years old. Don't make it sound like he's an old man now. This is the time to fight Cotto. (Actually he should have fought him a year ago). Either do it or end the sham that are so the best that ever lived.

[Rui]

Wow, Mayweather is only 30 years old. You make it sound like he's 40. He's still at his peak.

Antonio Margarito was the guy for him to fight a while ago, but he ducked him seeing him as a risk. Margarito is all of 1 year younger than Floyd.

Miguel Cotto is the #1 fighter at 147. He has been the guy to fight for the last 2 years. PBF has ducked him, instead fighting guys like Baldomir (way to put on a show there Floyd!). The only impressive thing Floyd has done in his career is beat Castillo twice (at 135) and beat a retired De La Hoya. He is better than that though. He is extremely talented. That's why it would be nice for him to actually take a real risk and fight the 2nd best fighter at the weight class. That guy is Miguel Cotto. Beat him and he has cemented his legacy.

Once again, he's only 30 years old. Don't make it sound like he's an old man now. This is the time to fight Cotto. (Actually he should have fought him a year ago). Either do it or end the sham that are so the best that ever lived.

While I agree with some of your points, Floyd's most outstanding accomplishments came at 130. He toyed with Chicanito Hernandez at a time when Hernandez was the established king of the division, then he follows up with knockout wins against a rising Manfredy, an undefeated knockout artist in Corrales, and a dangerous swarmer in Chavez.

[JeffWeaverFan]

While I agree with some of your points, Floyd's most outstanding accomplishments came at 130. He toyed with Chicanito Hernandez at a time when Hernandez was the established king of the division, then he follows up with knockout wins against a rising Manfredy, an undefeated knockout artist in Corrales, and a dangerous swarmer in Chavez.

If memory serves me right, Corrales' mother (or some family member) had just died before the fight, and he was not in his proper state of mind. Yes, I minimized Floyd's accomplishments, you are right about that. But fact remains, he has ducked a number of opponents. If he wants to show he's a true champion, he'll fight Cotto.

[Rui]

If memory serves me right, Corrales' mother (or some family member) had just died before the fight, and he was not in his proper state of mind. Yes, I minimized Floyd's accomplishments, you are right about that. But fact remains, he has ducked a number of opponents. If he wants to show he's a true champion, he'll fight Cotto.

Mayweather beat down Corrales so badly that isn't any window for such excuses. Mayweather was just in another universe in terms of skills. There's fighters on the elite level, and then there's Mayweather's level.

[Rui]

Regarding Mayweather and Cotto:

In reality Cotto could give Mayweather problems because Cotto is an accurate puncher who can effectively pressure his opponent, somewhat of a welterweight Castillo. Castillo feints more effectively than Cotto, but Cotto has a much better jab.

But Cotto is way too easy to hit. If you present a target like that to Mayweather, you just can't hope to win. And due to Cotto's porous defense, I would have to choose Mayweather by decision, and if he steps it up even further, a late round TKO.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Mayweather beat down Corrales so badly that isn't any window for such excuses. Mayweather was just in another universe in terms of skills. There's fighters on the elite level, and then there's Mayweather's level.

I disagree. If the guy isn't ready to fight because of a death to a close family member, of course he is going to get crushed.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Regarding Mayweather and Cotto:

In reality Cotto could give Mayweather problems because Cotto is an accurate puncher who can effectively pressure his opponent, somewhat of a welterweight Castillo. Castillo feints more effectively than Cotto, but Cotto has a much better jab.

But Cotto is way too easy to hit. If you present a target like that to Mayweather, you just can't hope to win. And due to Cotto's porous defense, I would have to choose Mayweather by decision, and if he steps it up even further, a late round TKO.

Yeah, that's a fair prediction. I am concerned that Cotto would be too slow for Mayweather. Still, the guy is tough as hell and I don't see him getting KO'd by PBF. He has a good enough chin, and he is a very strong puncher (especially to the body).

[Rui]

I disagree. If the guy isn't ready to fight because of a death to a close family member, of course he is going to get crushed.

Yeah, Buster Douglas can attest to that.

[Rui]

I just found out that Corrales wasn't even dealing with a death before the fight; he was just facing felony charges for spousal abuse and was going through some disputes with his manager. Similarly, Floyd Jr. was going through the same thing with senior.

[PuffNettles9]

Manny!........pacquaio!

[BroadwayBomber55]

The main fights I want to see in 2008 so far...

Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez II in March.

Kelly Pavlik v. Jermain Taylor II in Feburary

[JeffWeaverFan]

The main fights I want to see in 2008 so far...

Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez II in March.

Kelly Pavlik v. Jermain Taylor II in Feburary

Add Paul Williams vs. Kermit Cintron to that list.

[JeffWeaverFan]

I just found out that Corrales wasn't even dealing with a death before the fight; he was just facing felony charges for spousal abuse and was going through some disputes with his manager. Similarly, Floyd Jr. was going through the same thing with senior.

My mistake then.

[Rui]

Add Paul Williams vs. Kermit Cintron to that list.

Cintron pulled out of the unification fight due to injury.

Now it's either Collazo or Quintana as Paul Williams' opponent in 3 months.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Cintron pulled out of the unification fight due to injury.

Now it's either Collazo or Quintana as Paul Williams' opponent in 3 months.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. That really sucks. That was the fight I was most looking forward to - moreso than the past PBF-Hatton fight.

[JOBA RULES]

theres only oneeee mayweatherrrrr....pretty boy floyd would rock cotto....I hope they make that fight happen...show floyd the money!!!

[JeffWeaverFan]

theres only oneeee mayweatherrrrr....pretty boy floyd would rock cotto....I hope they make that fight happen...show floyd the money!!!

Floyd's too scared to fight Cotto.

[JfromJersey]

Floyd's too scared to fight Cotto.

You talk like Cotto is Sugar Ray and Duran rolled into one. He's good, but not that good. It's inevitable that Floyd and Cotto fight. If Miguel can beat Pretty Boy then he will deserve to be called the best fighter in the world.

[JeffWeaverFan]

You talk like Cotto is Sugar Ray and Duran rolled into one. He's good, but not that good. It's inevitable that Floyd and Cotto fight. If Miguel can beat Pretty Boy then he will deserve to be called the best fighter in the world.

Well I am a big Cotto fan. But, my comments are more to do with Floyd's ducking than Cotto being this great, all time boxer. IMO, the fact that Floyd decided his next fight after beating DLH should be against Hatton was a joke. Hatton was nowhere near one of the best fighters at 147, but Floyd knew he would be an easy opponent and he took that fight.

[Rui]

Imagine Mayweather/Cotto at the Garden before the Puerto Rican day parade?

An east coast boxing fan's dream.

But I'm confident that Mayweather/Cotto will be made. Floyd's holding back and hoping to gain more leverage in the negotiations. Way too much money for it not to happen.

[English Yankee]

The fight at the weekend was annoying even though I had money on Floyd to win. We already knew Mayweather was a far better boxer than Hatton but we didn't know if Hatton had enough to break Mayweather up inside.

Joe Cortez stopped us finding out by breaking them up just after Hatton had taken clean punches to the head to get inside, but didn't do that when Hatton fought Castillo. I still expected Floyd to win but it would have been a hell of a fight however Cortez robbed us of it for whatever unsavoury reason. And so the sport of boxing pisses me off yet again.

Floyd will fight Cotto when Bob Arum (Cotto's promoter) puts up enough guaranteed money. He'll win too. If he gets Cortez to ref the same way he'll beat him like a gong on the way to a wide UD or if Cotto is allowed to work Floyd will potshot and move and win like the De La Hoya fight.

Highlight of the fight weekend apart from Hatton's comical knockdowns was 6000 Hatton fans singing "Bernard Hopkins is a wanker" at Bernard Hopkins and Hopkins' reaction.

[Rui]

Yeah, damn Cortez for not letting Hatton hold and hit!

Damn that unbiased referee not allowing Ricky to get away with the kind of stuff he used against Tszyu!

[PlsDontTearDownY.S.]

I can't get on Joe Cortez. As much as I would love the oppurtunity to take something away from PBF, I can't get with that EY. Hatton had plenty of clinches against the ropes and chances to maul him inside, but Floyd is just too evasive to get off a clean shot or combination. The guy sees the punches coming.

[English Yankee]

Yeah, damn Cortez for not letting Hatton hold and hit!

Damn that unbiased referee not allowing Ricky to get away with the kind of stuff he used against Tszyu!

Cortez allowed Hatton to work inside in Hatton's previous fight against Castillo but had a new interpretation of the rules for the Mayweather fight. Several times he broke the fighters up in the second round before punches had even been thrown. He broke them before either guy even threw a punch or clinched. In the Hatton-Castillo fight he didn't break them and allowed both guys to fight inside.

[Rui]

Cortez allowed Hatton to work inside in Hatton's previous fight against Castillo but had a new interpretation of the rules for the Mayweather fight. Several times he broke the fighters up in the second round before punches had even been thrown. He broke them before either guy even threw a punch or clinched. In the Hatton-Castillo fight he didn't break them and allowed both guys to fight inside.

Those were under different circumstances. During the Castillo fight, both Hatton and Castillo were clinching but throwing combinations during their clinches. There was never a lull in the action as practically every clinch there would be another spurt of punches being thrown.

Mayweather would just clinch and refuse to throw anything, so Cortez had to break it up. Mayweather is an excellent clincher, by the way.

[BroadwayBomber55]

Alright my fellow boxing pundits,

What fight should be 'Fight of 2007' in boxing?

Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez II, the Miguel Cotto-Shane Molsey, and the Kelly Pavlik fights are my Top 3, but I pick Vazquez-Marquez II as my fight of 2007.

These are good reads from Yahoo! Sports Kevin Iole:

Fight of the year:
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

Trainer of the Year:

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

[JeffWeaverFan]

My own Cortez take is I would have liked to see him let them go on a tad bit longer, but I didn't have a problem with how he called the fight... Except ONE instance, when he stepped in front of them as they were breaking up and it looked like Hatton was in good position to get some punches in. It was early in the fight.

[JeffWeaverFan]

Alright my fellow boxing pundits,

What fight should be 'Fight of 2007' in boxing?

Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez II, the Miguel Cotto-Shane Molsey, and the Kelly Pavlik fights are my Top 3, but I pick Vazquez-Marquez II as my fight of 2007.

These are good reads from Yahoo! Sports Kevin Iole:

Fight of the year:
http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

Trainer of the Year:

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

Pavlik-Taylor was probably my favorite. I also thought the Cotto-Zab fight was very good.

[Rui]

I thought Bika/Codrington should've won fight of the year and their first round the round of the year.

I thought Wilson's near decapitation of Nwodo should've won knockout of the year.

Other than that, no complaints.

[BroadwayBomber55]

I thought Bika/Codrington should've won fight of the year and their first round the round of the year.

I thought Wilson's near decapitation of Nwodo should've won knockout of the year.

Other than that, no complaints.

I also liked the Sakio Baia v. Jaidon Codrington fight during the Contender Season 3 Finale.

It was a wild fight. Codrington and Bika both knocked down in Round 1 before Bika KO Codrington in the 8th.

In my mind, I think Season 3 is the best of the Contender series.

Darnell Wilson's KO on Emmanuel Nwodo was sick. KO of the year.

Just curious Rui, do you watch some MMA like the UFC or PRIDE under DSE? Taylor (aka JeffWeaverFan) and I are huge MMA and boxing fans.

[JeffWeaverFan]

I will say that I am more of a boxing fan than MMA fan, and I always liked Pride more than UFC so the UFC buying out Pride was not something I was particularly thrilled with.

The Baia-Codrington fight was just absurd. It was almost like a boxing movie. Incredible stuff. I remember watching the Wilson-Nwodo fight live. I think it was kind of a while ago, so it's a bit foggy, but I think I rememeber that being a very good fight.

[Blokee]

Graham Earl v Michael Katsidis was my Fight of the Year - relatively unknown fight but was a brutal battle that included Earl's corner throwing the towel in, the ref picking up the towel n throwing it out of the ring just as Earl knocked Katsidis down - quite amazing stuff.

[Rui]

Just curious Rui, do you watch some MMA like the UFC or PRIDE under DSE? Taylor (aka JeffWeaverFan) and I are huge MMA and boxing fans.

You might think I'm crazy, but I can't stand watching MMA. I regard it as barbaric and way too violent. And while both boxing and MMA are fighting sports, I've always thought that there is a certain beauty to how someone like Thomas Hearns throws a jab, how someone like Ray Robinson puts together a 5-punch combination, or how Wilfred Benitez could slip not only head shots, but body punches as if his opponent was operating in slow motion.

The UFC just can't deliver that in my opinion. It's geared more towards the bloodthirsty, full contact violence fans that the majority of America's youths consist of.

But that's just my humble opinion.

[BroadwayBomber55]

You might think I'm crazy, but I can't stand watching MMA. I regard it as barbaric and way too violent. And while both boxing and MMA are fighting sports, I've always thought that there is a certain beauty to how someone like Thomas Hearns throws a jab, how someone like Ray Robinson puts together a 5-punch combination, or how Wilfred Benitez could slip not only head shots, but body punches as if his opponent was operating in slow motion.

The UFC just can't deliver that in my opinion. It's geared more towards the bloodthirsty, full contact violence fans that the majority of America's youths consist of.

But that's just my humble opinion.

Well, everyone it's entitled to their opinion. Some people like one or the other between boxing and MMA, some people like both, and some people like neither.

No big deal.

I like both boxing and MMA, because both of them have stars and both of them can put on solid to great shows.

[Blokee]

Not sure how excited you guys will be but Enzo Maccrinelli v David Haye is on for the undisputed cruiserweight title. March 8 with a venue tbd (I'd guess the MEN in Manchester, England as a neutral venue not Cardiff or London). These two are both class acts who throw bombs and is going to be a great fight.

[Rui]

Not sure how excited you guys will be but Enzo Maccrinelli v David Haye is on for the undisputed cruiserweight title. March 8 with a venue tbd (I'd guess the MEN in Manchester, England as a neutral venue not Cardiff or London). These two are both class acts who throw bombs and is going to be a great fight.

This is a great fight for Britain, but a blowout in my opinion. Haye is just a class level above Enzo Mac. Haye just has too much athleticism and power for Enzo to handle.

But Haye is liable to get knocked out again. It might not happen in this fight or the next, but Haye's defense is so bad that sooner or later, he's going to get starched.

[BroadwayBomber55]

New Year's boxing resolutions

http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_yl...yhoo&type=lgns

[PlsDontTearDownY.S.]

You might think I'm crazy, but I can't stand watching MMA. I regard it as barbaric and way too violent. And while both boxing and MMA are fighting sports, I've always thought that there is a certain beauty to how someone like Thomas Hearns throws a jab, how someone like Ray Robinson puts together a 5-punch combination, or how Wilfred Benitez could slip not only head shots, but body punches as if his opponent was operating in slow motion.

The UFC just can't deliver that in my opinion. It's geared more towards the bloodthirsty, full contact violence fans that the majority of America's youths consist of.

But that's just my humble opinion.

I agree. Two things kill MMA for me...the rounds are too long and the gloves are too light. Either a fight is over before it starts or it gets bogged down by the legnth of the rounds - 5 minutes is nuts considering how much ground fighting there is and how much energy it consumes. By the end of the rounds sometimes the fighters look like they are in slow motion.

[BroadwayBomber55]

Check out this story: South Korean boxer Yo-Sam Choi brain dead after collapse

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080102...t_080102062109

When I read the story, I remembered a fight involving another South Korean boxer, Duk Koo Kim back in 1982.

I don't know if you boxing fans remember it. Kim was facing Ray 'Boom Boom' Mancini at Caesar's Palace for the WBA Lightweight title. Kim and Mancini threw leather back and forth for a good portion of the fight until Mancini took over and KO'ed Kim in the 14th round. Credit Kim for showing a lot of heart in the fight.

The aftermath of the fight was tragic.

- Kim died while in a coma resulting from injuries in that fight.

- Kim's mother and referee Richard Green committed suicide.

- Ray wasn't the same after that fight.

That fight led to a lot of changes in the boxing rules including reducing rounds from 15 to 12 and health checks before and after fights.

[JeffWeaverFan]

I don't remember the fight when it happened as I was -2 at that time, but I have seen a documentary of it on ESPN Classic. I also believe that Boxing never gave Kim's mother Kim's deserved money, which contributed to her giving up and committing suicide.

[BroadwayBomber55]

HBO Boxing PPV this Saturday.

Superbout at the catchweight 170 lb.

12-Round Fight at Madison Square Garden, New York City.

Felix "Tito" Trinidad vs. Roy Jones Jr.

http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/200...ouncement.html

[JeffWeaverFan]

I'll watch it as I get it for free at work, but I wouldn't pay to watch that fight.

[PlsDontTearDownY.S.]

HBO Boxing PPV this Saturday.

Superbout at the catchweight 170 lb.

12-Round Fight at Madison Square Garden, New York City.

Felix "Tito" Trinidad vs. Roy Jones Jr.

http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/200...ouncement.html

5 years ago Roy decisions Tito in a tactical 12 round snoozefest. Nowadays I don't know, it could be a hell of a fight. I'll watch it for sure.

[Blokee]

Floyd v Oscar II - http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/box...ory?id=3200384

That doesn't interest me in the slightest in all honesty...

[JeffWeaverFan]

Floyd v Oscar II - http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/box...ory?id=3200384

That doesn't interest me in the slightest in all honesty...

No, it interests nobody. Floyd, scared of fighting someone that will actually test him, decided to go the safe route (as always). Hopefully nobody buys tickets or PPV's for that piece of crap fight.

I finally watched Friday Night Fights from last week and saw Miranda get a big KO against a bad fighter. Hopefully we see a Miranda-Green rematch at some point of time.

[Rui]

I want to see Pavlik/Miranda at 168.

[PlsDontTearDownY.S.]

Floyd v Oscar II - http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/box...ory?id=3200384

That doesn't interest me in the slightest in all honesty...

I'm far more excited about this:

http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatu...0080117-113005

[BroadwayBomber55]

I'm far more excited about this:

http://www.inquirer.net/specialfeatu...0080117-113005

So do I.

I even want to see these especially if Manny Pacquiao defeats Juan Manuel Marquez in the March 15th Fight.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage...StoryId=105924