By Cliff Rold
Boxing may feel like it’s taking a breather, but the next onslaught of exceptional fights is only one week away. By the end of this month, you’ll have seen the best of the Light Heavyweight Division and a critical rematch at Welterweight that could determine the next foe for sensational Welterweight Miguel Cotto.
That starts next week.
This week is a bit more modest. There are some solid professionals in action but nothing that screams “Watch me or else.” Then again, last Friday’s sensational six-knockdown war on Telemundo between Lightweights Ivan Valle and Jose Reyes flew under the radar and delivered in spades. The moral of the story: never underrate four gloved fists. What this week could sneak up and deliver some solid action?
These are the BoxingScene picks of the week.
Pick It: Joshua Clottey v. Jose Luis Cruz (Versus, Thursday, 9 PM EST)
Cruz (34-3-2, 27 KO) isn’t fast or particularly skilled but he comes forward, can crack a little, and he’s old-boot tough. Clottey (33-2, 19 KO) is an aggressive boxer-puncher who throws in volume. What’s not to like? This isn’t a bout that seems to carry much suspense as regards its outcome. What it does carry is solid pedigree; Clottey is a legitimate top ten Welterweight. Considering how good, and how deep, the 147 lb. realm is these days, that’s a lofty place to be. Clottey’s only losses are to the rugged Antonio Margarito and, by disqualification in a fight he was winning by miles, to then-future and now-former World Welterweight champ Carlos Baldomir. Since the Margarito loss in 2005, he’s defeated the late former World Lightweight champ Diego Corrales, veteran Felix Flores and fringe contender Shamone Alvarez. Alvarez gave Cruz his most recent loss, to go with Cruz’s losses to Sharmba Mitchell and former Welterweight king Shane Mosley. This has the ingredients for violence that the main events it supporting, Yuri Foreman-Saul Roman, may not but overall this is a good Versus show.
Skip It: ESPN2 Friday Night Fights
While this author will be covering the show for the site, there is no need for loyal readers to give up their Friday Night. Take your lady out, buy her a drink, trip the light fantastic. This is the sort of card that says “If you’re going to skip a Boxing card, pick me.” Why? This week, ESPN gives the fans Heavyweight, and former Olympian, Jason Estrada (11-1, 2 KO) versus the well-worn artist formerly known as Goofi Whitaker. The Heavyweights in general aren’t worth sacrificing time for these days and Estrada is case in point for why. Standing 6’1, he regularly comes in soft-bodied at well over 230 lbs. Unless you see a dramatic shift at his latest weigh-in, then ask this: if he doesn’t care to bust ass to get in shape as a professional, why should the audience care? Feel free to tape the show; the always professional announce and studio teams at ESPN are always worth a look, providing Boxing’s its best TV news fix of the week.
Find It: Ivan Calderon-Nelson Dieppa for the World Jr. Flyweight Championship
As far as can be found, it doesn’t look like this one will have any U.S. continental T.V. There are no order ads for it on the once rumored broadcast spot of Direct TV. That’s too bad; for sweet science fans, World 108 lb. champion Calderon (30-0, 6 KO) is as good as it gets but, given his size and age (he’s 33) how much longer will he be around? His opponent Dieppa (25-4-2, 14 KO), a fellow Puerto Rican, is even older at 37 and worn down from wars with the likes of Hugo Cazares and Alex Sanchez. Will this be a valiant last stand or the end of the road? And does this get boxing closer to Calderon-Ulises Solis? Hope for a yes on the second question because Calderon-Solis is, on paper, the best Jr. Flyweight match since Carbajal-Gonazalez.
No matter what viewing choices are made, enjoy this week of solid professional Boxing and then gear up; Big-Time Boxing returns next week.
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com