Tweet
By Jake Donovan - For a while, it appeared that all we would get this year was "the fight that would save boxing." That fight, or as promoter Bob Arum would say – "business transaction in the ring", set plenty of records, but left many wondering if it was as good as it gets for a sport many claimed was on its deathbed.
Fortunately, the industry responded with an emphatic no.
The rest of the country may not notice, but boxing at the top level has never been so alive as has been the case in 2007. Whereas in past years we were force-fed fights that would lead to fights that would hopefully one day lead to a meaningful fight, the powers that be have cut right to the chase in 2007, staging one significant bout after another in any division with a weight limit.
Saturday night features stateside action loaded with significance - and possible closure - in both the North and South, as HBO and Showtime go head to head with dueling broadcasts. Showtime offers a junior featherweight doubleheader with a championship rematch to one of the year's best fights as Rafael Marquez (37-3, 33KO) defends against former ruler Israel Vazquez (41-4, 30KO).
Some 1,500 miles away, or $45 more out of pocket for those watching from the living room couch, future Hall-of-Famer Erik Morales attempts to turn back the clock and make Mexican boxing history in one fell swoop. His mission: snap a three-fight losing streak, and collect hardware in an unprecedented (amongst fellow Mexican pugilists) fourth weight division, as he travels to not-quite-Chicago and the hometown of not-quite-favorite lightweight David Diaz, himself nearly a year removed from his career-defining (and resurrecting) win, as they throw down in a lightweight battle that could potentially provide the leading challenger for a battle of two more lightweight Diaz' later this year.
As has been the case for four other Saturdays this year, the question becomes: HBO (PPV) or Showtime – which one to watch? [details]
Fortunately, the industry responded with an emphatic no.
The rest of the country may not notice, but boxing at the top level has never been so alive as has been the case in 2007. Whereas in past years we were force-fed fights that would lead to fights that would hopefully one day lead to a meaningful fight, the powers that be have cut right to the chase in 2007, staging one significant bout after another in any division with a weight limit.
Saturday night features stateside action loaded with significance - and possible closure - in both the North and South, as HBO and Showtime go head to head with dueling broadcasts. Showtime offers a junior featherweight doubleheader with a championship rematch to one of the year's best fights as Rafael Marquez (37-3, 33KO) defends against former ruler Israel Vazquez (41-4, 30KO).
Some 1,500 miles away, or $45 more out of pocket for those watching from the living room couch, future Hall-of-Famer Erik Morales attempts to turn back the clock and make Mexican boxing history in one fell swoop. His mission: snap a three-fight losing streak, and collect hardware in an unprecedented (amongst fellow Mexican pugilists) fourth weight division, as he travels to not-quite-Chicago and the hometown of not-quite-favorite lightweight David Diaz, himself nearly a year removed from his career-defining (and resurrecting) win, as they throw down in a lightweight battle that could potentially provide the leading challenger for a battle of two more lightweight Diaz' later this year.
As has been the case for four other Saturdays this year, the question becomes: HBO (PPV) or Showtime – which one to watch? [details]
Comment