In an astounding year of upsets, kudos to Carlos Baldomir, Oleg Maskaev, and that little guy who recently upset Brian Viloria for the jr. flyweight title
At this rate, we’re going to have a dozen of Cinderella stories before the year ends.
Sick of repeatedly used clichés? One, two, or maybe three times is enough.
And let’s face it – even a blonde squirrel can crack a nut every once in a while.
Is this what boxing has come down to? A bunch of Cinderella fairy tales? Perhaps.
But on a positive note, Kazakhstan’s (now U.S. citizen) Maskaev’s not-so upsetting win (check the staff predictions for my pick) over American Hasim Rahman, has at least garnered some interest from the mainstream media.
Believe it or not, my co-workers in the moving industry have brought this to my attention during our lunch break. A subject rarely given at hand during my precious one hour break, even non-boxing fans had expressed their side of inquisitive nature on the sweet science.
After seeing last week’s headline on USA Today’s sports section, I was reassured of my previous acknowledgement (more like common sense), that the heavyweight division, is without doubt the most critical and perhaps influential insert-> asset or liability in its stock hold.
Be that as it may, I can’t say I’m thrilled. But to say the least, I am, however, intrigued by its recent turnout.
Sometime before Serguei Lykahovich dethroned Lamon Brewster for the WBO strap, I stated in my weekly column that the Russians were coming. Reaffirming my suspicion and prediction, Maskaev did what he had to do to turn the trick once more in stopping the heavy handed Rahman.
Picking up the green belt in the process, Maskaev currently joins former soviets Wladimir Klitschko, Serguei Lykahovich, and the giant Nicolai Valuev as one of the four heavyweight belt holders in the sport.
Yet, prominence isn’t really the word to describe this ongoing saga of heavyweights.
The Russians seemed to have arrived. Expectations aren’t high, but at least demand for a unification.
I know it’s a bit of a stretch to say this early, but with a bunch of vulnerable thirty-plus year olds, you can’t honestly expect a Larry Holmes’esque sort of reign.
THE WORST DAMN COMEBACK PERIOD
Tonight marks the return of an all-time great, Evander Holyfield, who takes on fringe contender Jeremy Bates on another edition of Fox Sports’ Best Damn Sports Show Period.
Amazingly, Holyfield still appears to be a huge draw. Considerable amount of tickets have been sold , so I’ve been told.
I’m not going to touch too much on this matter, but I must admit – even at this stage of his career, Holyfield is the best damn shot heavyweight to remain an attraction.
VALERO PROVES HIS LANDMARK
According to sources I’ve read, knockout artist Edwin Valero was very impressive in dethroning Panama’s Vincent Mosquera in his own backyard.
Prior to his 10th round knockout win, I was surrounded by plenty of critics/haters, who simply dubbed his recent knockout wins as ‘sloppy’ or ‘amateurish’. And to my surprise, more than a few even have gone ahead to pick Mosquera.
Valero would shock everyone by not only going past the second round, but showing his never-before seen stamina, to stop the defending champ in a relentless fashion.
It was very bold and risky move on Valero and his management’s part taking on a very skilled champion in Mosquera.
Skeptics might now clamor on Mosquera’s resume as to question, ‘who has he beaten?’. Needless to say, these are the same clowns who picked him to KO Valero in less than five.
Let me just say, there is nothing amateurish about a guy who knocks EVERYONE he fights, including a WORLD CHAMPION nonetheless.
I, along with a writer from another website, hold Valero in high regards. I’ve seen about five of his fights and available sparring clips and I’ve reached my own conclusion that this nasty puncher is the real deal.
We all know his biggest chink in armor that holds him back from fighting in the states, but I like to keep my hopes up and wait for a change.
For all we know, we could be looking at a super star in the making.
Speaking of these super featherweights, the 130 pound weight class is beginning to set its mark as the best division in boxing.
In addition to some of the recognized greats such as Pacquiao, Barrera, and Morales, other names include Joan Guzman, Jorge Barrios, Humberto Soto, and Rocky Juarez.
Add the possibility of Juan Manuel Marquez moving up and throw the sanctioning bodies out the window. We might have a division competing just for the #5 spot.
The upcoming September card including Barrera-Juarez II and Barrios-Guzman is one of the better PPVs prepared for this year. On a personal note, I think Joan Guzman is the best out of the bunch. As it shined on Valero, the time will come for the Dominican to take the limelight.
THIRTY SECOND JUMP ROPES
All this talk about Valero, I forgot to mention another young champion, Nobuo Nashiro, who after having only seven professional bouts, would go on to beat the heavily respected Martin Castillo to snatch the WBC super flyweight championship. I have watched this fight and let me tell you that this Japanese kid can flat out fight. Throwing punches in a helicopter-like fashion, Nashiro couldn’t miss with his right cross. I had the fight even at the time of the stoppage, but it’s clear that Castillo either needs to see a plastic surgeon or move up in weight to avoid further damage to his facial skin.
Edner Cherry is my new favorite lightweight. In subsequence to his show-stealing performance against Jose Santa Cruz on the undercard of Castillo-Reyes, the Cherry Bomb, explosively followed up with a pair of exciting duels on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.
He might not have done enough to earn a title shot, but put him in against any of the Diaz’s, it’s a guaranteed war.
How’s that for a Boring After Dark telecast?
Is Hasim Rahman the worst heavyweight champion ever? No, that honor still belongs Bruce Seldon, but the Rock will forever be remembered as the man to stop Lennox Lewis in South Africa, only to get clocked in the rematch. Nothing more, nothing less. How’s this for a name change, instead of the Rock, let’s give him, ‘Chocolate Ice’.