Tweet
SOME OF THE WORST OF 2009
Los Angeles, CA- Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Ricky Hatton Saturday was not only one for the history books, but it also positioned the Filipino historically as one of the “sweet science’s” best practitioners. And while boxing got a much needed shot in the arm from the only real PPV event thus far in 2009, one thing must not be forgotten; the match was an astounding victory for the Pacman, but it wasn’t a great fight. It just didn’t live up to the hype considering Hatton was expected to be a live underdog. In my effort to bring the boxing world back down to earth, lets take a look at some of this years “most worthless” bouts, events, and fighters.
MAY 9 (THIS SATURDAY) HAS PAIR OF STINKERS
On HBO, it’ll be Antonio Tarver (27-5, 19 KOs) vs. Chad Dawson (27-0, 17 KOs ) II. Tarver was abused in their first fight, in a one-sided unanimous decision loss last year. Why is this fight happening? Neither guy has a crowd pleasing style and both are southpaws. Are you getting excited yet?
THE “HARLEM HECKLER” RETURNITH
Hector Camacho Sr. (79-5-2, 38 KOs) vs. “Yory Boy” Campas (92-14, 74 KOs ) Why are these guys are still fighting? Camacho is 48, their combined age comes to 83!
NOT ANTI-SEMITIC, JUST ANTI-BUM!
Any fight featuring Dmitiy Salita (29-0-1, 16 KOs) or Yuri Foreman (27-0, 8 KOs ). Both guys have a few things in common; they are both ***ish, protected, can’t punch, and aren’t entertaining to watch, not even a little. Both live in Brooklyn, NY, and while the pair can sell tickets, just keep these guys off of TV please! Thankfully neither guy has appeared thus far in 2009.
PAVLIK VS. THE CONTENDER KING MORA
On June 27th, on PPV, Kelly Pavlik (35-1, 31 KOs) vs. Sergio Mora (21-1, 5 KOs ) Pavlik appears like he needs another confidence builder as he is matched with Mora who is a non-puncher. Mora to his credit has done absolutely nothing to deserve a title shot as he was embarrassed in his last outing. Maybe that’s why they chose him as an opponent for “The Ghost.” There’s nothing that Mora brings to the dance that should make anyone believe he has a shot of pulling off the upset.
THERE WAS A STINKER TWO WEEKS
This past April 25, HBO After Dark, unbeaten Lamont Peterson (27-0, 13 KOs) vs. Willie Blain (20-0, 3 KOs ). I can understand wanting to build Lamont’s record, but after 27 fights Peterson needs to step up the level of competition.
MANY MOTHERS PUNCH HARDER THAN BLAIN!
Blain’s record looks good, but considering the quality of his opponents and only 3 KOs in 20 scraps, he wasn’t a fighter that would have provided any excitement or a test for Lamont. The fight lived up to its expectation; there was no expectation!
STURM & CHAVEZ STILL FIGHTING NO-NAMES
Any fight involving WBA middleweight (160) champ Felix Sturm (32-2-1, 14 KOs) or Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (39-0-1, 29 KOs ) Neither guy seems willing to take any calculated risks in their selection of opponents. That is understandable in the case of Chavez, but Sturm has no excuse. He actually has fighting ability, and has defended his title eight times against eight stiffs!
Kevin Perry
Los Angeles, CA- Manny Pacquiao’s victory over Ricky Hatton Saturday was not only one for the history books, but it also positioned the Filipino historically as one of the “sweet science’s” best practitioners. And while boxing got a much needed shot in the arm from the only real PPV event thus far in 2009, one thing must not be forgotten; the match was an astounding victory for the Pacman, but it wasn’t a great fight. It just didn’t live up to the hype considering Hatton was expected to be a live underdog. In my effort to bring the boxing world back down to earth, lets take a look at some of this years “most worthless” bouts, events, and fighters.
MAY 9 (THIS SATURDAY) HAS PAIR OF STINKERS
On HBO, it’ll be Antonio Tarver (27-5, 19 KOs) vs. Chad Dawson (27-0, 17 KOs ) II. Tarver was abused in their first fight, in a one-sided unanimous decision loss last year. Why is this fight happening? Neither guy has a crowd pleasing style and both are southpaws. Are you getting excited yet?
THE “HARLEM HECKLER” RETURNITH
Hector Camacho Sr. (79-5-2, 38 KOs) vs. “Yory Boy” Campas (92-14, 74 KOs ) Why are these guys are still fighting? Camacho is 48, their combined age comes to 83!
NOT ANTI-SEMITIC, JUST ANTI-BUM!
Any fight featuring Dmitiy Salita (29-0-1, 16 KOs) or Yuri Foreman (27-0, 8 KOs ). Both guys have a few things in common; they are both ***ish, protected, can’t punch, and aren’t entertaining to watch, not even a little. Both live in Brooklyn, NY, and while the pair can sell tickets, just keep these guys off of TV please! Thankfully neither guy has appeared thus far in 2009.
PAVLIK VS. THE CONTENDER KING MORA
On June 27th, on PPV, Kelly Pavlik (35-1, 31 KOs) vs. Sergio Mora (21-1, 5 KOs ) Pavlik appears like he needs another confidence builder as he is matched with Mora who is a non-puncher. Mora to his credit has done absolutely nothing to deserve a title shot as he was embarrassed in his last outing. Maybe that’s why they chose him as an opponent for “The Ghost.” There’s nothing that Mora brings to the dance that should make anyone believe he has a shot of pulling off the upset.
THERE WAS A STINKER TWO WEEKS
This past April 25, HBO After Dark, unbeaten Lamont Peterson (27-0, 13 KOs) vs. Willie Blain (20-0, 3 KOs ). I can understand wanting to build Lamont’s record, but after 27 fights Peterson needs to step up the level of competition.
MANY MOTHERS PUNCH HARDER THAN BLAIN!
Blain’s record looks good, but considering the quality of his opponents and only 3 KOs in 20 scraps, he wasn’t a fighter that would have provided any excitement or a test for Lamont. The fight lived up to its expectation; there was no expectation!
STURM & CHAVEZ STILL FIGHTING NO-NAMES
Any fight involving WBA middleweight (160) champ Felix Sturm (32-2-1, 14 KOs) or Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (39-0-1, 29 KOs ) Neither guy seems willing to take any calculated risks in their selection of opponents. That is understandable in the case of Chavez, but Sturm has no excuse. He actually has fighting ability, and has defended his title eight times against eight stiffs!
Kevin Perry
Comment