Official Ratings Of 2008 Fights Thread

Now that boxing appears to be in a short hiatus, I will take my time to reflect on the quality of the rest of the year’s top matches that are currently scheduled. From first glance, the first half of 2008 was very solid; however the second half has produced the most eye catching performance thus far with Antonio Margarito’s (37-5, 27 KOs) stunning defeat of Miguel Cotto (32-1, 26 KOs) for the World welterweight (147 lbs) title. Last week we saw super flyweight (115) Vic Darchinyan (30-1, 24 KOs) snatch a belt and welterweight Joshua Clottey (35-2, 20 KOs) score a victory over Zab Judah (36-6, 25 KOs) for the IBF welterweight belt. The rest of the year appears to be relegated to bouts that in many cases aren’t highly anticipated. Either way I’ll rate them for you from 1-10 based on significance and possible entertainment value. If it’s on PPV, it better be a pretty darn good match up with a respectable under card to get my high vote. Ivan Calderon (31-0, 6 KOs) vs. Hugo Cazares II (26-4-1, 19 KOs)World (108) championship August 30 PPV. This is both a quality bout and rematch of a surprisingly dramatic first battle. But putting it on PPV? Please! The price tag diminishes the value of the card. I’ll pass! Rating: 6 Juan Diaz (33-1, 17 KOs) vs. Michael Katsidis (23-1, 20 KOs) (135) September 6 HBO After Dark. The pre-fight is led by super featherweights (130) Rocky Juarez (27-4, 19 KOs) and Jorge Barrios (46-2-1, 34 KOs). The quality presented here is what ex-HBO suit Lou Di Bellahad in mind when he created the Boxing After Dark series in 1996. Both fights consist of offensive minded combatants. Rating: 10 Juan Manuel Marquez (48-4-1, 35 KOs) vs. Joel Casamayor (36-3-1, 22 KOs) (135) September 13 PPV. You could argue that the fights of the previous week were better, (and free for HBO subscribers). This bout doesn’t qualify for PPV regardless of the state of the economy. Two counter punchers over the age of 34 fighting for the lightweight title? I like both guys but this is perfect for HBO. An adequate undercard couldn’t hurt either. Rating: 7 Nate Campbell (32-5-1, 25 KOs) vs. Joan Guzman (28-0, 17 KOs) WBA, WBO, IBF 135 lb. belts on Showtime September 13. One can argue that the winner of this contest is the true World lightweight champion. This a solid battle between the slick boxer Guzman, and a solid puncher and technician in Campbell. Nate has been inconsistent in performances and can’t afford to be any less than 100% this time around. Either way within a two week period the division will be a few steps closer to clarity as to who the real lightweight champion is. WBC junior welterweight (140) belt holder Tim Bradley (22-0, 11 KOs) is on the co-feature. Rating: 8.5 Shane Mosley (44-5, 37 KOs) vs. Ricardo Mayorga (29-6-1, 23 KOs) September 27 on HBO Championship Boxing. This isn’t the best card overall, but it does include some interesting personalities. Mosley always comes prepared, should be a firefight. Andre Berto (22-0, 19 KOs) , will have the perfect opponent in front of him in his first WBC welterweight (147) title defense against Steve Forbes (33-6, 9 KOs). Both bouts should at least provide loads of action. This bout was originally slated for PPV but now will be hosted live on HBO. In today’s world that’s a plus. Rating:8 Alfredo Angulo (13-0, 10 KOs) vs. Andrew Tsurkan (26-3, 17 KO’s) at 154 lbs. HBO Boxing After Dark October 4. Tsurkan is a face first brawler, and Angulo is the typical aggressive Mexican fighter. Expect a collision. Cuban Gold medalist Yuriorkis Gamboa (11-0, 9 KOs) is on the co-main event but doesn’t yet have an opponent. Rating: 8.5 Chad Dawson (26-0, 17 KOs) vs. Antonio Tarver (27-4 19 KOs) WBC/IBF (175) unification Showtime October 11. Overall this is a substantial card. When Tarver comes prepared he delivers, but does he have the goods to outclass Dawson at the age of 39? Will the fight entertain? Rumor has it that there will also be a delayed broadcast of the WBC heavyweight championship bout between Vitali Klitschko (35-2, 34 KOs) and champion Sam Peter (30-1, 23 KOs) from earlier that day in Germany. Rating: 8 Kelly Pavlik (34-0, 33 KOs) vs. Bernard Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KOs) at 170 lbs on HBO PPV October 18. Hopkins is old and I see this one becoming a dirty scuffle. Holding, hitting, Hopkins will do whatever he needs to win. It will be a frustrating (see ugly) night for Kelly and observers. Don’t expect to see a classic. The extra weight (fight is at a catch weight of 170 lbs), shouldn’t help Pavlik either, but we’ll see. WBO’s sensational junior featherweight (122) king Juan Manuel Lopez (22-0, 20 KOs) graces the under card. Rating: 7 Joe Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KOs) vs. Roy Jones Jr. (52-4, 38 KOs) World light heavyweight (175) championship on HBO PPV November 8. While Jones is just a shell of the fighter he used to be, he might have a style that can still give Calzaghe problems. Jones chin is questionable, but so is Joe’s punching power. Will Jones put his neck (and chin) on the line to try and pull out a victory? Will Joe seize the moment? This fights is way overdue, can’t get too excited about spending $50 bucks to see such an exhibition. Rating: 7.5 Ricky Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs) vs. Paul Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KOs) World jr. welterweight (140) title on HBO Championship Boxing November 22. Expect a lot of clinching and don’t expect a knockout. Malignaggi isn’t a big puncher, and Ricky isn’t either. Hatton is on the downslide, and Paulie hasn’t improved much in his last few outings. Don’t expect much in the way of an entertaining bout. Both guys appeared to have already peaked. Ricky should be a slight favorite. Rating: 7 http://ringtalk.com./index.php?action=fullnews&showcomments=1&id=2036