wkings

Exceelent point, and true knowlegeable fan, of the sport. I have been a boxing fan, for 30 years,and know the sport well. Did you see of Manny Steward changed his opinion, in the post fight interview. He had Clottey winning all night, only to change to Cotto.

Bad for boxing When you see a fight such as this,a decision this poor is what makes it bad for true boxing fans. There is no way Cotto won that fight, and to see the scores of 116-111, and 115-112, is downright proposterous. I have read many of the posts, and what is not realized is Clottey could have won the final round and still would have lost the fight! So here is the million dollar question. If you ask any non-biased fan, going into the 12th round, that regardless of what happens in the 12th, would you have Cotto winning the fight, after the 11th? In order for these scoes to hold true you would have to answer yes to this question. If this is the case, why did it take so long to get the results of the decision? When you see a delay in the decision, you know something shady is going to happen. The correct scoring of the fight was 114-113, Clottey. How can you mathematically win a fight by 3 and 5 points, when you are out-connected in power punches by 44, and land the same amount of jabs. Also, to make this point even more astounding Cotto landed more body punches, which are often overlooked by the judges. The shots to the head are what is scored so often from a judges point of view, and Clottey dominated in this category. All you have to do is look at the fighters, at the end of the fight. It tells the complete story. True fight fans know Clottey, and understand the money fights are with Cotto and Pac in the future, and a guy like Clottey is just ass out! This is what destoys boxing, because Cotto showed great heart, but the skills portion of the fight was won by Clottey. You can't win a fight with the most heart. Heart simple means you can take a good as whoopin, which is what Cotto got last night. I know there won't be a re-match, and from last nights fight, none of the welterweights, will step into the ring with Clottey. Too much risk, and too little reward! To all of my Cotto fans, I hate to tell you this, but he is damaged goods, at this piont in his career. A fight with Pac, Mosely or Mayweather, will result in a definitive loss. Did anyone see how off balanced and wobbly, he was the entire night? The difference in the last 3 names I mentioned, is they will not get robbed of a decision, because they have major name recognition. My heart goes out to Clottey, and Bob Arum only wants to make one last major payday off Cotto. Whether Margarito hands were wrapped or not against Cotto, we don't know, but what we do know is he's not the same fighter as he was before that fight, and he never will be again!

very interesting fight This is a fight I am very interested in. I want to see how Vitali will look after not fighting in almost 4 years. He looks in tremendous shape, and his long jab will play a factor. I believe the most important aspect in this fight will be the timing of Vitali. Any time you have a break from the ring that long, you will have some ring rust, but I feel Peter is a perfect opponent for him, because he moves at a snails pace. It will be easier for the timing of Vitali to come back, because Sam does not move to much, and he's very easy to hit. I love heavyweight fights, because both can hit hard, and stamina will play an issue. Vitali will tire, becuase of his inactivity, but Peter would have been better if he came in around 240. I think Peter has the potential to be the best Heavyweight, but his weight, keeps him from achieving this. I will have to pick Vitali for this fight, because his height will not allow Peter to get inside, and if Peter is as slow as he was against Maskaev, he is toast. He has got to get his weight down, because he is only 6'1. Look for Vitali to keep him at bay with the long jab, while peppering him with right hands. Vitali must watch for the punches in the back of the head. Great fight I am really looking forward to. Best of all, it's FREE!!!!

Very interesting fight I see this as a very interesting fight! Joe definetely has the advantage in hand speed, and youth, Bernard has a major advantage in experience and the level of opposition he has faced in the ring. Joe will quickly see, he has never faced anyone near Bernard's level. My concern with B-hop is how does he neutralize the hand speed of Calzaghe. In being a major fan of B-Hop's, I saw him struggle in person, with Taylor. I know, in the first fight, he felt Taylor's strength, in the 1st round, making him cautious, and wanting to wait for the later rounds. It's very important for B- Hop, to make Joe feel his power in the 1st couple of rounds to get his respect. if this is done, I know B-Hop will win. If not, B-Hop may be in for a long night. No one neutralizes their opponents strengths, better than B-Hop. Defense, in all sports, win championships. Show me a better defensive fighter than Bernard? Joe has got to keep his hands up, and use his feet to move. If he continues with his bad habit, of putting both hands down, Bernard will make him pay. Don't be surprised to see a fight in which Joe lands more punches, but B-Hop lands the harder, more hurtful blows. This will go 12 rounds, with the judges making the decisions, and Joe busted up in the end. I see this as a difficult fight to score, but I always, believe the fighter who lands the most effective punches, should be the winner, in a close fight. B-Hop UD 12 rounds, but I wouldn't be surprised if Joe got the decision, because he lands more jabs, thereby having controversy in the end.

BHop forever AS a major fan of BHop's it's amazing how he continues to turn back the clock and win. I have gone to see Bernard fight twice in Vegas, and as a fan of 10 years I am honest to admit I did not think he could win this fight. I felt his inability to put punches together is what cost him against Calzaghe. He just doesn't let his hands go enough! To see what he did tonight, is mind boggling! I beleive one factor that helped BHop in this fight is the fact he fought only 6 months ago. BHop's last great performance was against Tarver, and that was a fight in which he only had a 6 month intermission. If he is to be successful in the future, he must fight 6 to 7 months apart. The 10-14 month layoffs are not good for him, especially at his age. BHop's career, is a carrer in which he fought on average 3 times a year, which doesn't allow for rust to set in. I guess this goes to show the appreciation, he deserves, because he beat the lineal Middleweight king, and a fighter 17 years his junior. He completed dominated Pavlik, and gave him a lesson. If Bernard let's his hands go, he is unbeatable, because his defense can't be penetrated with constant punches, He never gets caught with more than one punch. There'a a reason Pavlik didn't look good tonight! That reason is BHop!

TO hell with all thid blood testing mess! The difference is if Pac really fights Clottey he is 100% all man. If mayweather fights malinaggi he is 100% chicken shit! Let's see if Floyd will get in the ring with Clottey. This is the difference between their two careers. Clottey would not be a gimme fight for pac, but malinaggi would be boring, and uncompetitive. The knock on Floyd's career, is still the same, he won't fight the BEST!!!!!

Speed kills in boxing! If Clottey would have opened up, and let his hands go more often, he would have been countered at will by Pac. He tried to pick his spots, and land some big shots, which he did,(look at Pac's eye) but he was unable to land enough. Pac's speed dominated the fight, but this wasn't an easy fight for him, in which he admitted afterward. It takes a lot of experience in watching boxing, to dissect a fight correctly afterwards. Clottey fought a smart fight in which he believed pac would slow down, but he never did. They could fight ten times, and the speed would carry Pac to victory all 10 times. Clottey understood he couldn't land his big combinations on him, without getting hit ten times in return. It's easy as a fan to say throw more punches, but you can't hit what you can't see, and you can't get out of the way of what you can't see! Right now pac is going to be very difficult to beat, but there are some fighters out there with a great chance. This is another blog though. Congrats to Pac!

You truly understand the sport of boxing. No argument can be made that froch landed enough effective punches to win the fight.

Marquez a great fighter JMM put on a true great show last night. I had him as the winner in the beginning, and as I saw about 3 rounds, I knew JMM would KO him in the later rounds. His counter punches were so accurate and they were the punches doing the most damage. Diaz fought an excellent fight, but when you have a style similar to his, you have to have one punch knockout power, or you are going to eat a lot of leather in return, which he did. Marquez has always been the best of the Mexican fighters, even though he didn't get his due. Now is his time to shine. In calling out Mayweather, I strongly believe the size difference would be too much, along with Floyd's speed. It wouldn't be an entertaining fight neither, becuase both are natural counter punchers, thereby producing a fight in which each one would wait on the other to throw. The best fight for the fans would be Part III of JMM and Pac. If Hatton were to get by Pac, then JMM the lineal lightweight king vs. Hatton the Lineal Jr. Welterweight king. An excellent fight also! The doors are open for JMM, but I don't see any big fights for him at 135.

After watching this fight for the 2nd time last night I am convinced I was right the 1st time I watched it. After 3 rounds Pascal was ahead 30-25. This fight changed in round 4 when Bhop went to the body with 4 good shots. After this Pascal was reluctant to engage and repeatedly backed up. It's hard to see pascal winning another round after the 3rd. If you give him the 12th, which could be fair, he still trails 14 to 12. Bhop pushed him back all night, threw more, landed more punches ,combos, and won the body and power punch matchup. Pascal let a 45 year old man outwork, and outland him, in a fight he lost. The 1st knockdown was a punch behind the head. Kudos to Bhop, his legend only increases, and what he is doing is unbelieveable at his age. Pascal is #1 light heavyweight in the world, and Bhop is supposed to be washed up. The teacher took the student to school last night.

Embarassment to boxing This fight for true knowledgeable boxing fans, is an embarassment to boxing. With Tony, Oscar would be able to make this fight easily, and it would be a truly competitive fight. Manny is just to damn small to be fighting at 147. Oscar doesn't have as many options as he might possibly think! If this fight falls apart, he is left with Mora. Who the hell would pay $55 to see Sergio Mora, when people didn't even watch the contender for free! As a true fan of the sport, boxing was on the right path in 07, and a part of 08, but these last few months, they are not matching the best vs. the best. Oscar needs to retire and let the best fighters fight one another, and not competing with each other over PPV dollars. Also, I will bet anything if the Oscar vs. Manny fight is made, it will not do anywhere near as well as the Mayweather fight. Manny is not an american and is only known by knowledgeable fans, not casual fans. If the fight last year did 2.4 million buys, I'll bet this fight will stuggle to do half that 1.2 million. Therby leaving Manny with an bad deal at 30%, to fight a man 20 LBS. heavier! Let this fight die, and let a true fight be made Tony vs. Oscar. We would see Oscar get knocked out and beat up, as he faded into retirement!

It's obvious AB is not a WW. He was a lot of hype, but was dominant in the lower weight classes against lesser competition. Once he went against a real puncher he got his ass kicked. For his future he would be best to go to 140 and try to clean out the division there. When you go to 147 you better be able to punch with concussive power. He would not beat any of the top 147 pounders, right now. He was to anxious to make the big money at 47 and went to a class he has no business in. If he continues this style, he won't make it into his thirties as a fighter, because he took serious punishment last night. Also, he needs a trainer who is not afraid to tell him his **** stinks. His attitude in the corner last night was downright horrific to see! HBO/Show sometimes want to make stars, but a star is earned not given. Glad to see him get his ass kicked!!!!!!!

Boxing can return Boxing can return back to it's glory days, but there needs to be some major changes. 1st and foremost, PPV fights, have to be scrapped and thrown out of the window. You cannot have 14 to 16 PPV fights throughout the year, because the reality is they will not all sell. If you keep it to 4 to 5, it's more realistic. Anytime you have JMM vs. Casamayor, on PPV, you got problems. I would bet the fight didn't do 50,000 buys! 2nd, HBO has a monopoly for the networks, and they have too many fights, that are not competitive. Fights, they put on free HBO, to build up for a PPV telecast later down the road. There are several great fights that could happen, if we throw out all the BS, and make them happen. Example, Calzaghe vs Dawson, Margarito vs.Berto, Arroyo vs. klitschko. As a fan, we have more power than we realize, because all we have to do, is stop ordering the PPV fights, until they put the best fights together. Starting with DLH vs.Pacman. Do not order this crap. it's a money fight, and not the best fight out there! I have ordered only 1 PPV this year. Cotto/Margarito, by far the best fight of the year!

This is a waste of time This rematch is a waste of time. Dawson, will only beat Tarver more convincingly this time, probably stopping him around the 8th round. If I were the road warrior, I would be upset also, because his fight was truly competitive, and a very good fight. Dawson, is in a difficult position, because the big money names, Calzaghe, Hopkins, will not fight him! He's going with the contractual obligation, as well as the best paid fight. I can't get mad at him, but HBO, needs to look at itself, in trying to make the best match-up possible. This is not the best match-up possible!

This is what is wrong with boxing. Networks and big money promoters corrupt the sport and and always reward the money drawing fighter. 118 to 110 is a slap in the face of any knowledgeable fight fan. I guess Alvarez won 10 rounds by keeping his hands down and fighting in spurts, landing one punch at a time. He was pretty much non existent rounds 3 to 9. GGG was the aggressor, landed 50 more punches and was able to land his jab at will. Lastly, how do you win a fight constantly backing up with your hands down?

frustration in boxing Being a fight fan for over 30 years, one of the most frustrating things in boxing is when the politics of the sport come into effect. On Saturday night we saw a great fight in Mosely and Cotto. The problem is I don't see how the fight could be scored with a majority decision for Cotto. Look inside the numbers and Mosely won the fight with his accuracy in power punches. 53% and he landed 177 of them to Cotto's 150. That's 27 more punches but he loses 7 to 5, and 7 to 4 with one round tied on the 3rd scorecard. Look at Casamayor's decision win and you see the politics of putting together the next fight before the present fight is fairly judged. The best I could see for Cotto is a draw. Hopefully, there will be a rematch!

Great results I was against this fight from the beginning, because Pac was not a welterweight, and Oscar was so much larger. I still don't believe this was a great fight for boxing, I believe the results will be great for boxing with Pac winning with a dominant showing. This will force DLH into retirement where he belongs. This was a perfect scenario for Oscar, and he not only got beat, but absolutely destroyed! The sad reality to this is, Oscar will make over 25 million, for a performance that wasn't worth 1 million. That's the bad part for boxing where he can make that kind of money, for such a pitiful performance! Pac will elevate his status, and bring about great fights, like he and Hatton, and if he wins, Mayweather will have no choice, but to come out of retirement for the fight. The results of this fight, will elevate the sport of boxing, because now we have a new SUPERSTAR, who doesn't just fight for large purses, but puts in great performance, for those large purses!

what destroys boxing what destroys boxing from being the best sport in the world, is decisions like this. Cruz lands 117 more punches than Joel, and he does not get the decision. This fight was not even close 9 to 3 or 10 to 2. For Cruz, what can you say, a rematch! When you put two gladiators in the ring against each other and throw all the bullshit out of the window, boxing is the best sport on earth. Witness Pavlik vs. Taylor or Bika va Codrington. Fights ending in knockouts, so there is no controversy. When you love a sport like I love boxing, it hurts to admit the game is rigged. What fun would it be to watch the Pats play the Colts, if you knew the game was rigged with the Pats scheduled to win, no matter how well the Colts would play. When a decision like this one is rendered, the element of surprise is taken out of boxing. You cannot win as an underdog, unless you score a knockout, is what this fight shows us. Also, how disgusting for Ring magazine to have Joel as their champion, when he looked the way he did. This fight was not even close!!! So what does this mean for the true champion Juan Diaz? I would not fight Casamayor after this showing. Golden Boy owns Ring magazine, well let's see if Ring does the right thing and moves Casamayor down in the standings. By the way, Joel is a golden boy fighter. If it looks like a fix, then it is a FIX!!!!!

As I read the different blogs on this website, it's pretty obvious alot of the members don't truly understand the sport of boxing. With 30 years of experience I truly understand the sport, and will tell you firsthand, this will be a competitive fight. Clottey will be the biggest, strongest, and best defensive fighter pac has ever faced. He won the Cotto fight, regardless of what the judges scored, and will be a fighter who will be able to take Pac's punches. Watch how well he blocks the punches in return, so don't pay any attention to the HBO commentators, saying Pac is landing. Also, Pac has to be careful of Clottey's body punches, because he is very effective to the body. In the end, I have Manny winning a unamimous decision, due to his higher activity rate,and his speed, will be the most effective factor in the fight. It will be competitive and great to watch as a fan. Clottey will have his moments but come up short in the end. Styles make fights, and I was excited the moment this fight was announced because Clottey won't back up, he will be right there for Pac. To all true boxing fans ENJOY THE FIGHT!!!

Boxing has to do something to put on a better undercard. These fights are not competitive and worst of all they always go the distance. Remember the cards of the 80s and 90s when they were stacked with top notch fights.

What I find so interesting over all this testing mess, is Pac has never been found to have a dirty test, nor does his physique look like a pro wrestler, or his head twice the size of what it used to be. For all the talk of mayweather being his own boss, i wonder why he hired GBP to make the fight with Pac. It's obvious they are doing a poor job, of making the fight happen. If I am Pac, there is no way in hell, I would ever agree, to have my blood taken close to a fight. If you truly understand boxing, you know it's a sport in which 99% of what occurs in the ring is mental. If he believes the drawing of the blood, close to fight night will hurt him, then no one is in position to say, he has to take the tests. We are innocent until proven guilty. The burden of proof lies with GPB, and they have no proof. Yet, when Judah was supposed to fight Mosely, an admitted user, Judah"s camp asked for a special test to be administered before the fight. GPB refused, stating, "We will only take the tests the Nevada commission requires!" This sounds like 100% hypocrisy! GPB is a detriment to boxing, because they are worse than any of the other promoters who took advantage of the fighters for years. All this B.S. from Mayweather about being his own boss, yet he's about to miss out on a chance to make 25 million. Pac can fight Malinaggi or Foreman and still make between 11-14 million. If Floyd fights Mattew Hatton, he won't make 5 million. Who the hell in the U.S. would order this fight? Also, if Mayweather SR. is so confident about pac's skills(he stated he has none) then what is the need for a test, because your son is going to beat him easily? The truth of the matter is this is the first fight Mayweather would be in, that the outcome is as unpredictable as a flip of a coin. It's a way to get out of the fight, without saying we are worried about our undefeated fighter! Finally, the Nevada Atheltic commission is as reputable, as any organization in sports. Think back to '03 when Tyson and Lewis fought,(where) in Memphis. When the hell has a major title fight been in Tennessee? Nevada turned down the fight with all of it's money, because their integrity was worth more than the money it would bring to Vegas ! They refused to license the fight, and it went to Memphis. If the NSAC does the tests, there is no need to test any further, because the truth will come out in the end. Get a good lawyer Mr. Mayweather, because you are about to be sued for millions! You think you had money problems in the past, just wait for Pac's lawyer to get a hold of you!

Kudos to pac and Bob Arum for putting together a fight that will be entertaining and competitive. A few years back, I thought when GBP was put together it was a good idea for boxing. GBP has done more harm to boxing in the past 3 years than any other promotional company. To even think of demanding blood tests for a fighter, when GPB has an admitted steroid user in Mosely, is pure HYPOCRITICAL. It's time for fighters to step to the plate and speak for themselves, and stop letting the promoter be the mouthpiece. I have been watching boxing for 30 years, and I am yet to see a promoter take a punch in the ring for his fighter. If GBP doesn't want their fighters to fight Pac, no problem, Arum has enough in his stable to make competitive fights. Imagine this, pac vs. Margaarito, pac vs Clottey, Pac vs.Tim Bradley, Pac vs. Khan, Pac vs. Alexander. The list goes on and on. mayweather needs a reputable opponent. At this time the only opponent for him is the winner of berto/mosely. If it's mosely this will have to be a summer fight. If it's berto, why would haymon want his two fighters to fight? If Floyd dares to step in the ring with mattew hatton or malinaggi, he will be the joke of the town for the media. Move on Pac, you don't need Floyd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't agree with you any more than with what you have said. The problem with boxing today is it takes too long for the best fighters in each weight class to fight one another. How on earth can Taylor who has not looked good in his last five fights, demand a huge payday, when he looks like a paper champion. We also have to blame the networks, especailly HBO, because they hand pick who they want to showcase (Taylor, Mayweather, Calzaghe) and protect them with safe opponents. If Taylor can't dominate a welterweight like Spinks, what would he do against Pavlik, or Miranda. When fighters only want to fight for the biggest paydays, it does not guarantee great fights. Mayweather is a prime example, of a fighter who wants big checks, but refuses to fight the best in his class. (Cotto, Mosley, Margarito, Williams). When I watched boxing as a kid, the best fought the best because the only way to produce a big payday,was to fight the best opponent available. Today, they want us consumers to order the ppv event against lesser opponents. Boxing must get back to basics, the best vs the best, starting with Taylor vs. Pavlik, Mayweather vs. Cotto, Pacqauio vs.Marquez(either one) or Calzaghe vs. Kessler.

Haye a good fighter There is no question, Haye is a good fighter with a solid amateur background, but he might want to fight a big man, like a Tony Thompson, to get him ready for this fight. His speed would give Wlad, some problems, but if Wlad stays on the outside, fights tall, and jabs him to death, it might be a long night for Haye. Speed neutralizes power, (witnessed last Saturday night) but a great jab, like Wlad's controls fights. If Haye's gets hit with a good shot in the first two rounds, and feels Wlad's power, the fight will change drastically for Wlad. He would dominate, and stop him within 7 rounds. Interesting fight.If I were Haye, would need a true tuneup, with a top ten heavyweight, before I jump in the ring with Wlad. This is a major step-up from Monte Barrett!! Thompson, would be a good test of what it would be like to fight Wlad. He doesn't need to rush to quickly, and ruin his career, because if he loses where does he go, back to crusierweight?

interesting fight This is an interesting fight because It's a battle of a true welterweight vs. a man coming up in weight. i've read a lot of these blogs and different experts opinions, and the one major factor which has not ben mentioned is the fact Pac has continually improved in his last five fights, while Cotto has not. He didn't look good vs. Clottey, (a fight he lost) and Tony's pressure, destroyed him. There is no way to train for speed. When he realizes the speed of Pac, he will understand the punch which hurts the most is the one you don't see. Pac throws combinations, while Mosely didn't in his loss to Cotto. I got Pac by unamimous decision, and if he presses the fight he wins by KO.

I am not a Mayweather fan, but I have no problem, giving him credit for his great performance last night. The speed difference was evident, and Mosely was wound so tight, he never relaxed. When you reach this level of prize fighting you have to be relaxed in the ring, and not let the emotion of the moment overcome you. The 3 fighters in this era, who have this trait is Floyd, B-hop, and the smiling to the ring Pac. Shane also looked to me like a man who struggled to make weight, and was phsically dead after round 5. I thought he had him, in the 2nd round, with those big rights, but I give Floyd credit he recouperated, adjusted and took control of the fight. I think at 38, and a 15 month layoff, it may be time for Shane to retire. I felt going in the layoff, and age would be the biggest difference in the fight. I would have loved to have seen this fight, 4 to 5 years ago,when Shane was closer to his peak. I also believe the 2 training camps, took too much out of him. Last night Shane was the smaller man, physically, and it showed, which is something n one would have predicted! Where were his deep chest muscles, and he looked so dehydrated. Now it's time to look to the future, and make the fight. Both guys are in their primes and how often, today do we get a superfight, when both guys are in the prime of their careers? Let's not wait, 2 to 3 yeras, but demand it get made this fall! My question will be how does Floyd, who averages 35-40 punches a round, keep Pac off him, while he averages 100 and throws in combinations, not just weak punches? This fight will be a a pace a lot higher than what he is used to. I hope it gets done, because as a fan, we deserve to see the best vs the best at a time when they are in their peak, not when they are 5 to 6 yeras past their peaks, which is what we got last night. Make the fight and give us our money's worth!!!!

weight classes This is a message to the posters of this article. If you know and understand boxing, there is a reason why there are weight classes. JMM might have been P4P #2, but he was out of his weight class, against PBF, thereby making it a mismatch.

kudos to showtime for putting on a tournameny like this, but if the decisions are going to be based on who has home court advantage, then it's a waste of time. Dirrell won the fight, without question. In scoring a fight, when you have experience watching, you understand who wins is determined by who scores with the most effective punches. Dirrell was landing the most effective punches and had him hurt bad in the 10th round. He held alot, no question, and the point taken away can be a merited argument, but if this is the case, then you have to have taken a point away from Froch for all of the hitting behind the head. He even admitted it in the post fight interview. Regardless, the point taken away still would not have allowed for dirrell to win. I wish Showtime had the compubox stats like HBO, because I am sure Dirrell outlanded him by a wide margin. Let's hope the politics in boxing doesn't destroy this great idea of this tourney!

interesting fight It would be an interesting fight. Probably not the most entertaining, but who outside of Pac can create a competitive fight with Floyd? Bhop has the defense also, and his size advantage would be a plus, but could he get out of the way of May's counters. He couldn't hurt Bhop, but would Hop be able to land enough to win a decision? Better fight than Garcia or Khan! Khan gets Ko'd and Garcia is too slow!

The next fight for Pac, should definetely be hatton. Go to England and fight him there, and he will make 12-15 million. The fight will sell out the 02 arena, and the winner, Probably Pac, could fight Mayweather. If I were Pac I would make Mayweather wait. The longer mayweather is inactive, the better Pac's chances of winning are. I would definetely fight Hatton in England, and take the huge payday, that comes with it! A vegas fight with Mayweather right now, doesn't guarantee a bigger payday, than an England, fight with Hatton, due to this bad economy. Also, the PPV numbers, are not guaranteed to be higher with Mayweather neither.