By Cliff Rold

Last weekend, fans were reminded of why fights are so special.  Neither Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. nor John Duddy is someone who would be considered elite or even particularly good.  However, put them together and, according to reports, twelve fan friendly rounds ensue.

It has to be according for this scribe because, well, because $40 for that show ultimately just seemed like money better kept with another fight to choose from.  Note the word fight since Saturday didn’t see boxing get the nod.  Having heard much about the legend of Fedor Emelianenko, the Russian MMA star was given eyes and did not disappoint.

Sure, F edor got tapped in about a minute, but that was what made it fun.  It was a reminder that, regardless of style, fight sports provide something no other sports can and in healthy contrast to the results of Chavez-Duddy.  In fights, the end can come any time and, all things being relatively equal, the underdog has their shots.

When football teams take the field, one knows there are at least three hours of game time ahead.  Baseball promises at least nine innings.  A heartbreaking U.S.-Ghana World Cup match was going to feature at least 90 minutes of game time.

Fights can last anywhere from seconds to the scheduled distance.  A great part of the drama is in not knowing when the end can come and in not truly knowing who will win when one man sets out to inflict pain on another.  Does anything on the slate in the coming week demand genuine anticipation?

Not really.

But the promise of surprise remains.

These are the picks of the week.

Pick It: Demetrius Hopkins-Mike Arnaoutis (Friday, ESPN2, 11 PM EST/8 PM PST)

Note the late start time for this intriguing crossroads battle.  Arnaoutis (22-5-2, 10 KO) has had what seems like a string of ‘last chance’ encounters in the last couple years only to find himself with his next last chance.  Mighty Mike has lost three of four and finds himself with another tough test on tap in the form of former Jr. Welterweight title challenger Demetrius Hopkins (29-1-1, 11 KO).  The nephew of Middleweight great Bernard Hopkins, Demetrius was out of the ring for all of 2009 after falling short against Kendall Holt for the WBO strap in 2008 and makes his second start in 2010.  Both men are now at Welterweight, a division which, given its rulers, leaves neither man much hope for more than blue collar work in the class.  As long as the leather is flying, there’s nothing wrong with blue collar.             

Don’t Pick Fox: Ulises Solis-Eric Ortiz (Saturday, Fox/FSE, Check Local Listings)

All the stuff in the intro about the element of surprise?  Yeah.  Screw that when it comes to this fight.  Jr. Flyweight Eric Ortiz (32-10-3, 21 KO) has every right to make a living getting his head beat on.  It doesn’t mean anyone else has to encourage him or televise it.  Ortiz’s ten losses have come via stoppage; two have come in his last three fights.  All seven of his losses since 2004?  Inside the distance.  Being in with one of the world’s best little men, former 108 lb. titlist Ulises Solis (30-2-2, 21 KO), on live TV is bordering on cruelty and sure as hell doesn’t look like sport going in.  For those who would not watch this, Fox will probably help by making it almost impossible to find unless one has their Spanish language channel.    

Pick Replay: #3 Felix Sturm-Koji Sato (Monday, CSN, 1:30 AM EST)

No, it’s not a rematch for those who recognize the Middleweight participants from this April 2009 contest.  So what’s it doing as a pick of the week?  Well, lately the basic cable sports outlets (like Comcast Sports Net) affiliated with Fox Sports have been springing these sort foreign battles on the tube, usually on Monday nights, a discovery shared by another Dandy boxing scribe who keeps an eye out for such things.  Sturm, the WBA’s 160 lb. titlist, is still locked in a promotional struggle so this might be the only chance to see him for awhile (and wouldn’t Sturm-Sergio Martinez be an interesting blend of two quick handed skill guys?)  Even if this show is missed, keep an eye out for others like it.

Back in seven.

For BoxingScene’s latest full divisional ratings, log on to: https://www.boxingscene.com/forums/view.php?pg=boxing-ratings

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