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So far, I'd have to agree with the commentators within the PPV, Lightweight Lightning has been the most impressive overall PPV put together this year. Nothing BY ITSELF stood out, but you got a bit of everything. Two quality fighters possibly in their last major fights, perhaps fights in general. Two younger guys showing and proving in the opener with Reyes and Escobedo, both 'replacements.' The headliner delivering on what people expected to see and Katsidis and Chavez putting on a good little scrap before the Chavez corner decided to call it a night.
For the record, I happen to think that if Chavez (who, surpringly to me, came out to Eminem) had been closer to this prime, the fight that was taking place in the first 4 rounds, would have happened all night. Not to knock Katsidis, who did what he had to do. Nonetheless, imagine the Chavez that fought Mayweather, fighting Katsidis.
I'd be pleased in a kind of way, if Chavez and Hernandez did call their careers over. Neither have anything left to prove.
Vicente Escobedo did a good job against a guy who simply doesn't like to lose. I wonder if Escobedo has IT, but he seems to be a decent fighter, solid offense, strong beard, fast with a nice one-two (with power behind it). His defense can get a little shakey, but he has defensive moments as well. Nevertheless, I wonder if all of that is enough.
The 'knockdown' in the Escobedo/Hernandez fight is as great an example of why we need instant replay in boxing as I can recall.
In certain ways, Reyes winning was better than the betting favorite, Julio Diaz, winning. Diaz, a likeable guy who comes to fight has been here and he can't quite seem to deliver consistently. We know he's not THAT guy at 135, and though Reyes has not always been the most consistent guy, he's a fresh face in an already loaded division. Good for him on the win. Perhaps the fight of the night, if not this, then Hernandez/Escobedo.
Michael Katsidis must really dislike Texas. For his two biggest fights, excluding the Casamayor loss, he's been in Texas. Both times, hearing it from the crowd and getting booed, even when being gracious about winning or losing. Nonetheless, nice win for him, on a nice-sized scale and I hope he gets more fights on TV. Always fun to watch.
Bernard Hopkins did well as an commentator. He seemed to try and go with a more sophisticated approach early on. But as he got comfortable, he loosened up and really carried the broadcast, to be honest. Far better than a Lennox Lewis.
Two things about Doug Fisher. For one, he almost creamed his pants when discussing Edwin Valero. I know that when he was with MaxBoxing, Valero was a pet-project of sorts. He sort of discovered the guy when he was even less than a prospect. Regardless, when that TKO happened, you could almost hear him unzipping his pants. Number two would be, did anyone else notice that he sometimes says his 'I' and 'E' sounds with an 'A' sound instead. EscobAdo and KatsAdis were the winners in their respective outtings.
Speaking of Valero, he did what he was supposed to do tonight. Now, he needs to do it against guys that MORE people think he CAN'T do it against. Decisions wont really win him fans at this point. That record has gotten to that point. I will admit though, even though I knew of it, his power REALLY impressed me. He's a southpaw, and through a right hook, on the back foot, that rocked his opponent, essentially ending the night. Look closely, you'll notice it was mostly an arm-punch, to begin with. That's power. (I feel like Fisher now. Nope, wait. My boxers are still clean.) Solid win.
I seriously hope they follow through with his tournement and give us a second round. I'd make a nice HBO Boxing After Dark Card. And if Katsidis and Valero won........ Jesus.
Librado Andrade was pretty impressive against a guy that Jeff Lacy couldn't do much against. Arm injury or not, that's still impressive. Good for him, I hope we get that Bute rematch, sooner rather than later.
Bradley and Holt put on a good show. The fight opened up with one of the best one-punch KD's I've seen in a LONG time. After that, however Holt just lost focus, got wrapped up in how the fight went and let Bradley take control. Though he did score a LEGIT knockdown, he lost the fight on his own.
Bradley is a decent fighter. His one problem is that he's not too fast or too hard a puncher for anyone and his chin CAN be dented up. However, he was smart turning the fight into a dirtier/rougher one and taking Holt out of his counter-punching game plan. A fight with he and Victor Ortiz in 2009 sounds fun.
Kendall Holt seems like the type of fighter that might make an excuse or two. I'm glad he proved me wrong. Good for him.
Is it just me, or does Holt remind anyone A LOT of Zab Judah. Hard puncher, who CAN box and do it well and is quick with it. Handspeed and footspeed are good weapons, but they often-times don't come into play when they look for the knock out. Both have embarressing quick fight KO losses, yet remain ****y, even in the ring. Both have less than sturdy beards, and can be rocked and both seem to lose focus mid-fight. Not to mention that they both fight at 140, for the most part.
Some of that is a compliment.
Anyway. Comment. Discuss. Disagree. Vote. It's all good.
NOTE: On picks tonight, I went 5 out of 6, with 4 exact outcomes. I won a good 400 bucks tonight... Hooray, for ME!
For the record, I happen to think that if Chavez (who, surpringly to me, came out to Eminem) had been closer to this prime, the fight that was taking place in the first 4 rounds, would have happened all night. Not to knock Katsidis, who did what he had to do. Nonetheless, imagine the Chavez that fought Mayweather, fighting Katsidis.
I'd be pleased in a kind of way, if Chavez and Hernandez did call their careers over. Neither have anything left to prove.
Vicente Escobedo did a good job against a guy who simply doesn't like to lose. I wonder if Escobedo has IT, but he seems to be a decent fighter, solid offense, strong beard, fast with a nice one-two (with power behind it). His defense can get a little shakey, but he has defensive moments as well. Nevertheless, I wonder if all of that is enough.
The 'knockdown' in the Escobedo/Hernandez fight is as great an example of why we need instant replay in boxing as I can recall.
In certain ways, Reyes winning was better than the betting favorite, Julio Diaz, winning. Diaz, a likeable guy who comes to fight has been here and he can't quite seem to deliver consistently. We know he's not THAT guy at 135, and though Reyes has not always been the most consistent guy, he's a fresh face in an already loaded division. Good for him on the win. Perhaps the fight of the night, if not this, then Hernandez/Escobedo.
Michael Katsidis must really dislike Texas. For his two biggest fights, excluding the Casamayor loss, he's been in Texas. Both times, hearing it from the crowd and getting booed, even when being gracious about winning or losing. Nonetheless, nice win for him, on a nice-sized scale and I hope he gets more fights on TV. Always fun to watch.
Bernard Hopkins did well as an commentator. He seemed to try and go with a more sophisticated approach early on. But as he got comfortable, he loosened up and really carried the broadcast, to be honest. Far better than a Lennox Lewis.
Two things about Doug Fisher. For one, he almost creamed his pants when discussing Edwin Valero. I know that when he was with MaxBoxing, Valero was a pet-project of sorts. He sort of discovered the guy when he was even less than a prospect. Regardless, when that TKO happened, you could almost hear him unzipping his pants. Number two would be, did anyone else notice that he sometimes says his 'I' and 'E' sounds with an 'A' sound instead. EscobAdo and KatsAdis were the winners in their respective outtings.
Speaking of Valero, he did what he was supposed to do tonight. Now, he needs to do it against guys that MORE people think he CAN'T do it against. Decisions wont really win him fans at this point. That record has gotten to that point. I will admit though, even though I knew of it, his power REALLY impressed me. He's a southpaw, and through a right hook, on the back foot, that rocked his opponent, essentially ending the night. Look closely, you'll notice it was mostly an arm-punch, to begin with. That's power. (I feel like Fisher now. Nope, wait. My boxers are still clean.) Solid win.
I seriously hope they follow through with his tournement and give us a second round. I'd make a nice HBO Boxing After Dark Card. And if Katsidis and Valero won........ Jesus.
Librado Andrade was pretty impressive against a guy that Jeff Lacy couldn't do much against. Arm injury or not, that's still impressive. Good for him, I hope we get that Bute rematch, sooner rather than later.
Bradley and Holt put on a good show. The fight opened up with one of the best one-punch KD's I've seen in a LONG time. After that, however Holt just lost focus, got wrapped up in how the fight went and let Bradley take control. Though he did score a LEGIT knockdown, he lost the fight on his own.
Bradley is a decent fighter. His one problem is that he's not too fast or too hard a puncher for anyone and his chin CAN be dented up. However, he was smart turning the fight into a dirtier/rougher one and taking Holt out of his counter-punching game plan. A fight with he and Victor Ortiz in 2009 sounds fun.
Kendall Holt seems like the type of fighter that might make an excuse or two. I'm glad he proved me wrong. Good for him.
Is it just me, or does Holt remind anyone A LOT of Zab Judah. Hard puncher, who CAN box and do it well and is quick with it. Handspeed and footspeed are good weapons, but they often-times don't come into play when they look for the knock out. Both have embarressing quick fight KO losses, yet remain ****y, even in the ring. Both have less than sturdy beards, and can be rocked and both seem to lose focus mid-fight. Not to mention that they both fight at 140, for the most part.
Some of that is a compliment.
Anyway. Comment. Discuss. Disagree. Vote. It's all good.
NOTE: On picks tonight, I went 5 out of 6, with 4 exact outcomes. I won a good 400 bucks tonight... Hooray, for ME!