I'd go for Alvarez. It's a big fight, and he's coming off a fight against another well-known Mexican fighter. So, the Mexican/Puerto Rican bull**** heats up again. Also, Cotto will likely be the A-side to this agreement and that means that his stature goes up regardless of the outcome (Unless he loses badly, of course.) So, he's assured at least one decent fight to retire on or what have you.
Also, Canelo is beatable and has a ABC belt. A unification would help his legacy and he'd essentially be the guy at 154.
Canelo seems obvious. Everyone else has some big rewards, but a likely loss or too tough a test with no real upside.
I'm fine with the fight. Another young, hungry, virtually prime fighter that will either break out as a HUGE star or will give Mayweather a bit of a test at the very least.
It's better than not fighting at all. It's not as impressive to some as a Pacquiao bout, but it's fine. I'm not worried about Manny-Floyd. This fight would be more than enough for me.
Quality fight.
I'd say neither. Khan fans have been though tougher, in terms of losses and in terms of negative outsiders. Pacquiao has die-hard fans that don't really care what he does.
It's as simple as that. Both, luckily enough for them, have fans fanatical enough to stick around for just about anything.
Fair assessment by "Mr. Prediction" himself. I will say, however, that Cotto seemed to handle the shots better and would have likely been working towards a wide decision. But the cuts worked and he used that to his advantage. Good for him.
Still not trusting Atlas with picking the right vegetable at the market.
I think Pirog and his handlers assumed that big win over Jacobs was going to be all the spring-board he needed to making it in America. Unfortunately, like Martinez did in the beginning, he needs a couple of other big wins. Even after Alex Bunema, HBO wanted to see more out of him. They didn't just put him in with the top guy immediately.
With Pirog, he has very little draw here and is expecting top billing. Just makes no sense. I think Martinez would fight and beat him, but why should he is the better question.
I'm a big Timothy Bradley fan, but I just can't pick him to beat Manny Pacquiao. I wouldn't be shocked either way, but I'm certainly not picking against the guy.
Bradley's biggest problem is that he doesn't have the punch to hurt Pacquiao. He also doesn't have the BEST defense or chin. He can be tagged and he can be dropped by fast, hard shots he isn't expecting. (Sound like someone?)
Still, I can see Bradley having a chance if he chooses to box the way he did against Lamont Peterson, but I still see Pacquiao moving forward and getting a solid decision. Wouldn't be surprised either way, though.
Seems to have a good team around him and he's been managed well. He also has quality power and decent speed for a Middleweight. Combination punchy is alright and his movement and footwork seems above average.
I will say that he cocks back too much on some of his power shots, such as Jermain Taylor and that leaves you open to counters. You can also see that he leaves himself open to counters when he throws out that lazy jabs. His movement is decent, but he can do it too much at times and it forces him to throw too many arm punches.
Still, very good prospect/contender from the looks of it.
Skill-wise, I'd go with Marquez. The problem is that it's also about size and punching power. Odds are, Cotto is good enough with his timing and his ability to take the occasional counter-punch, while managing to dish out more than Marquez is willing to throw. Marquez isn't completely out-classed, but he gets decisioned in relatively convincing fashion.
It's difficult to judge this one due to all of the changing circumstances.
Did Margarito use the illegal wraps? Does Cotto have too much taken out of him in either situation? Does Margarito have even more taken out of him after Mosley and Pacquiao? What did Cotto learn in the first bout?
So, it becomes difficult to determine. However, what I will say is that I can see Miguel Cotto having a better chance in this fight than perhaps he initially had in their first fight. Whether or not Margarito did cheat or not, Cotto now knows that Margarito can hit hard and isn't likely to give up or get tired. This can allow for a better pacing plan from Cotto and he can budget his energy a little better.
While Cotto has been beaten up at times, he's also still the better boxer. Margarito is basically guaranteed that he will be eating some shots from Cotto. Cotto has a better chance of limiting that sort of damage. If Margarito's eye shows any ill-effects, than Cotto has an even better chance. I can seee either winning, but at this point, I favor Cotto.
Not really. I mean, in the sense that he couldn't be considered the best fighter of all time, but that's a ridiculous thing to say NOW, without those two losses.
In general, however, he'd still be the best Asian fighter of all time. He'd still have won all those alphabet titled in all those divisions. He'll still have multiple wins over Marquez, Barrera and Morales, stopping the latter two. He's also been a legit champion in 3-4 divisions, moving up incredibly. He's also still a highly-skilled fighter. He also still has wins over Ricky Hatton, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto.
He'd still be a Hall Of Famer. Could his fans call him the greatest? No. But, his legacy, long-term, would be in tact.
Truthfully, I wasn't too worried about this fight or where it was to take place. I wasn't going to the fight in any event and I knew they'd eventually find a location. Still, this does favor Cotto and Margarito's eye still looks weird as hell. :omfg:
Honestly, these are two pretty interesting fights. Morales isn't what he was, but he's had a couple of respectable performances in a row and is a "belt holder" with a name. So, if Danny Garcia does well, it does move him up with causal fans/networks.
Knocking off Molina would do wonders for restoring that "monster" image Kirkland had going. Conversely, Molina has a chance to prove that he's for real with a guy who still isn't chump-change by any means.
I'm definitely tuning in.
Very interesting read overall. I will say that along with some of you, the Rios-Khan fight isn't the worst idea ever. It's a pretty decent fight and there is quality back-story to keep both sides talking/selling the fight.
I think a great three fight game-plan for Khan would be (assuming he beats Peterson, of course) that he takes on Rios at 140, Bradley at 140 and then moves up and possibly faces Guerrero at 147. All great fights with enough bad blood to really set Khan in the right direction. Now, he isn't guaranteed a win in any of his fights (including that fight with Peterson), I still wouldn't mind seeing those three fights even with him losing in one of those bouts.
Perhaps one of the best reasons I've ever heard to respect someone.... ever. Virgil Hunter is now the best human being in boxing.
http://i39.tinypic.com/2dbqivm.jpg
I honestly don't recall how I actually scored it or if I even bothered that night but I do remember having the feeling when the fight was over Marquez took it ever so slightly.....
I scored it 115-113. Marquez. I quoted you to agree and to say that the chick in your avy has a great ass.
No, I don't recall Margarito ever calling Mayweather out for choosing De La Hoya. He called him out to fight him. It's hypocritical of the fans, MAYBE. However, unlike Mayweather.. Margarito doesn't control his fans.
If Margarito gets another decent sized win, he would be.
Aside from him; Cotto, Pacquiao, Pavlik, Taylor (could be) and in a year, other up and comers will/could have the fight that pushes them over the limit.
No, I don't think he would have been as great. Just like he wouldn't have been as great if he was slower, had a weaker jab, couldn't take a punch and have stamina issues.
Problem is, he WAS tall. That's how those things work.
He fired gary shaw, that's why he's not on this card. From my understanding shaw promised kirkland at least 5 fights per year and shaw didn't live up to that end of the bargain. Kirkland wants to remain very active at fight at least 5 times a year. He's truly an oldschool cat
For that night of boxing, that sucks. But overall, that's a cool thing to hear.
Let's say there's a good chance he can drop down to 140.
Anyone willing to make a bet with me that if he lands an uppercut on Hatton's chin, Hatton takes it like nothing?
Oh yeah no doubt. I didn't mean Floyd specifically though, he basically defined he is the game for himself alone when he fought Hatton and De La Hoya. I just think some people are a bit harsh on some fighters without stepping in their shoes. Good post..
Likewise, and I see what you're saying.
Quite possible. Hard to judge these kinds of things. Especially with guys like Ernie Shavers, Wilfredo Gomez, Tommy Hearns, Sandy Saddler and George Foreman. Even Ricardo Lopez, if you truly mean p4p.