By Alphonso Costello
The return of boxing’s “Golden Boy” was the major highlight during month of May.
Boxing aficionados witnessed Oscar De La Hoya’s triumphant return to the ring with his knockout victory over Ricardo Mayorga. A stimulating shot of charisma and excitement that only a fighter of De La Hoya’s stature can generate reinvigorated the sport.
At the same time, Mayorga’s threat to pull out of the fight and risk losing a two million dollar payday was hysterical. Ricardo Mayorga should prolong his boxing career by developing an effective defensive style instead of using the pull out method…
Upon his arrival to the United States, Ricky Hatton was expected to impress the American boxing public. Hatton’s victory was not impressive as Luis Collazo seemingly roughed up the British tough man.
With his shortcomings exposed at welterweight, Hatton should move back down to junior welter…
Sergio Mora most famously known for winning season one of the reality television competition program “The Contender", was back in action earlier this month. Mora hailing from the “mean streets” of Los Angeles defeated Archak TerMeliksetian via a seventh round stoppage.
Mora’s punches were crisp and thunderous. Nevertheless, Mora’s overall lack of punching power might deter him from reaching true contender status. In order for him to transition from a reality series champion to a legit title contender, he might need to attend the Barry Bonds School of Muscle and Power.
Some flax seed oil should do the trick…
John Ruiz’s whining and crying finally landed him another shot at a heavyweight title. The WBA granted Ruiz a rematch with Nicolay Valuev. The seven-foot Russian won a controversial decision to take the WBA title from Ruiz last December.
Naming a boxing reality series “The Contender” was a neat marketing ploy, but it would be a stretch to call most of the participants prospects…
Ricky Hatton had the luck of the Irish on his side in Boston. Prior to his close unanimous decision victory over Luis Collazo, Hatton paid a visit to Suffolk Downs. The thoroughbred racetrack named the tenth race the “Ricky Hitman Hatton Classic.” Hatton placed a $50 bet on a 50-to-1 underdog and won.
The “Hitman” did a better job of picking a winner than many of the so-called handicappers employed by a certain three-letter horse racing television network…
HBO’s Boxing After Dark series is in need of a major overhaul. Network executives need to revamp its announcing crew. Fran Charles' bumbling play-by-play is atrocious. Lennox Lewis fails to give the public any meaningful insight with his “expert” analysis. Last and most certainly the least, Max Kellerman’s color commentary is slanted and completely worthless. This announcing team truly is BAD…
The light-heavyweight showdown between world champion Antonio Tarver and former middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins lacks intensity and excitement. Tarver is digging deep to stir excitement for his title defense. His childish grievance during a split screen interview on HBO was a stretch. Tarver claimed he, not Hopkins should have been placed on the left side of the screen instead of on the right. He should worry less about such frivolities and focus on defending his world title.
On the other hand, Hopkins isn’t young enough to fight a 12-round bout at a steady pace. Having been a middleweight for over 14 years, Hopkins is making an extreme jump in weight at his advanced age.
The silver screen curse will strike down the self-proclaimed “legend killer” Antonio Tarver. Just ask Lennox Lewis…
Bob Arum’s Top Rank has sued Oscar De La Hoya for not having the rights of last refusal on the De La Hoya-Mayorga fight. The lawsuit contends De La Hoya’s promotional company Golden Boy Promotions failed to tender Top Rank a reasonable offer for the fight. In turn, Top Rank refused to negotiate with Golden Boy Promotions. Top Rank is seeking $3 million plus punitive damages.
Arum should stop his Michael Corleone-Hyman Roth like feud with De La Hoya and enjoy his current stable of prize fighting warriors…
Congratulations to Shannon Briggs for capturing the vacant USBA heavyweight title. His knockout win over a Youngstown, Ohio journeyman was as inspiring as his performance in the “Transporter 2”…
Top Rank is producing an independent pay-per-view on June 10 featuring two undefeated junior welterweights. Miguel Cotto 26-0 (22 KO’s) will be defending his WBO title against challenger Paul Malignaggi 21-0 (5 KO’s).
The WBO champion may find it difficult to combat Malignaggi’s elusive and smug style. Cotto shouldn’t have to worry about having his chin rocked, since Malignaggi lacks natural punching power. Yet, the same was said about light-hitting DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, who clearly wobbled Cotto in their 2005 face-off. Nevertheless, Cotto should be able to walk down the Hector “Macho” Camacho wanna-be and score the victory.
Casual boxing observers tend to disguise their pugilistic ignorance with nonsensical enthusiasm…
Pounding it out with Marco Antonio Barrera in a rugged twelve round battle, Rocky Juarez graduated from Warrior University. Juarez undoubtedly won the war of attrition in dropping the controversial split decision. However, he failed to overcome Barrera’s jabs, thunderous body shots and ring generalship.
Sadly, a mathematical blunder took the headlines away from Barrera and Juarez. The fight was initially declared a draw when the commission incorrectly added the scorecards.
The California State Athletic Commission should use a calculator next time around…
Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales will resume their classic rivalry this Saturday for the lightweight championship at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. Under the watchful eyes of WBC officials, Castillo enters the bout with the added pressure of making the 135-pound weight limit. Castillo’s weight problem in the first rematch was irrelevant. The weight discrepancy would have been a factor at the 108-pound weight level.
As for Corrales, the defending champion needs to make major adjustments to retain his lightweight title. Corrales should use his height and reach advantage to jab away and break down the Mexican warrior. However, “Chico’s” heart and ego will not allow him to stray away from his brawling style.
A victory by Jose Luis Castillo victory may lead to a scintillating showdown with Miguel Cotto or Ricky Hatton…
Beating one legend does not make Antonio Tarver a legend killer...
Lincoln Heights, California resident Jose Armando Santa Cruz captured the bogus WBC interim lightweight title on the undercard portion of Barrera-Juarez. According to the WBC, the winner of Castillo-Corrales must face Santa Cruz.
The boxing public has a better chance of seeing Santa Cruz eating a pastrami sandwich at Dino’s Burgers in Lincoln Heights, than seeing him face the winner of Castillo-Corrales III...
Winky Wright considered one of the top five pound-for-pound fighters in world is set to face Jermain Taylor on June 17 for the undisputed middleweight title. Yet, his recent accomplishments are overrated. Two of his biggest victories came against a diminished Shane Mosley. His victory over Felix Trinidad is not impressive considering Trinidad’s long lay off and competitive appetite. Wright’s dreary performances against mid-level opponents such as J.C. Candelo, “El Torito” Angel Hernandez and Sam Soliman suggest a lack of interest and motivation. Old age and diminished skills may force Wright to mix it up with Taylor much like he did against Soliman. In spite of that, Wright always seems to step up when he faces big name opposition.
Conversely, Jermain Taylor has plenty of potential yet to be fulfilled. Despite having an undefeated record, two victories over Bernard Hopkins and the undisputed middleweight title, Taylor needs to make a career defining statement against Wright. He needs to put punches together to crack Wright’s solid defensive scheme.