Ahhhh, The Scorecard is back. Apologies for my absence; my two readers must have been crushed! I am sure my fellow contributor Trent has informed you about the past two weeks of fights, but if you were lucky enough to find a place to watch last weekend’s Antonio Margarito fight, consider yourself lucky.
Antonio Margarito is widely regarded as the most underrated and ducked fighter in boxing today by experts. WBO Welterweight Champ Margarito, who in my opinion is the most dangerous Welterweight (147 lbs.) in the world today, annihilated Gomez in less than one round in Top Ranks’ feature bout. Margarito and his management hope to work out a deal with the winner of the Mayweather vs. Judah fight. If that goes down, it will be f*cking spectacular! One last note on that PPV event, you were not hearing wrong while watching, Mario Lopez, A.K.A. A.C. Slater of Saved By The Bell glory was one of the commentators (ha!).
Alright, on to this weekends fights! Friday we see #1 Light Heavyweight contender Glenn Johnson (43-10-2), who you may remember KO’ed the immortal Roy Jones Jr., and decisioned current Light Heavyweight titlist Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver within the last 16 months. Johnson will be facing unranked Richard Hall (27-5), whose claim to fame is getting KOed every time he steps in the ring with anyone in the top 20. This is an independent PPV show, meaning you would have to shell out anywhere from 20-30 bucks to watch it. David Tua was originally on this card but pulled out due to injury. He is replaced by Cuban Lightweight Joel Casamayor, who is ranked in the top 5 in Lightweights. His opponent, Antonio Ramirez, is ranked a generous 56 in his division. A 6 year old could pick this one. Now if the Tua Man was still on the card, I would tell fans that enjoy devastating KOs to pick it up or convince a buddy to buy it. Don’t buy this PPV; save your money till April.
On to ESPN’s Friday Night Fights, which pits Oscar Diaz vs. Russell Jordan in a Welterweight fight. Not gonna waste your time on this, this fight isn’t gonna be that good. I will watch it, but only because I love the sport, but don’t feel terrible to miss it. Neither fighter is known, and chances are you won’t hear of them again.
Lastly, Friday night, for those of you magnificently lucky bastards that have Telefutura, can enjoy a fight that is easily better than the last two. This next boxer, who is definitely considered a force within the Lightweight and Junior Welterweight divisions, has the absolute worst current boxing nickname, in my opinion. Former Lightweight titlist Juan “The Hispanic Causing Panic” Lazcano (35-3-1), faces Ghana native Ben Tackie (27-5-1). Though Lazcano is a great fighter and ranked in 2 divisions, do not sleep on Tackie whose last 3 losses have come at the hands of super elite fighters, and if I can recall correctly, has only been knocked down (not out) only once. This is gonna be a good one, I say Lazcano wins by close decision in this one.
Whew, all that and it isn’t even Saturday. Let’s start with the unknowns first. Edwin Valero, who the WBC ranks #9 at Super Featherweight (130 lbs), has 17 wins, 0 losses and 17 KOs. Hmmm, you didn’t need to go to Harvard to understand he is like Ivan Drago; whatever he hits, he destroys. You will never see Mr. Valero fight in the U.S. though, the reason being, rumor has it, he suffered a slight brain injury in a motorcycle accident and now is banned by all states from fighting. Valero faces unknown Whyber Garcia (17-3). This fight will make Edwin 18-0, with 18 KOs guaranteed.
Traveling from Venezuela to jolly ole England where Heavyweight Danny Williams (34-4) faces undefeated Matt Skelton (18-0). Those of you who think the name is familiar, you should remember Williams knocked “Iron” Mike Tyson out in 2004 in the 4th round, only to see himself get the favor returned by Vitali Klitschko a few months later. Though things are looking up for Williams, scoring an upset victory over Olympic Gold Medalist and undefeated Audley Harrison last year, I expect a hard fought war by Danny. Skelton with 17 of his 18 wins coming by KO still has a lot to prove and Danny Williams will be a great name to put on his resume if he wins. My prediction for this non-televised event in the U.S. is Williams by decision.
Finally we return to Las Vegas for a fight many fans are asking why now, why PPV…and who cares? Let me first introduce the fighters. First we will take a glance at “Sugar” Shane Mosley (41-4), who has only lost to 2 men and was considered the pound-for-pound king for quite awhile. Losing twice to former champion Vernon Forrest and current pound-for-pound prince Ronald “Winky” Wright twice, many have written off Mosley. Mosley still has a little bit in the tank, in my opinion, though this fight will be at Junior Middleweight (154 lbs.). The nearly 20 pound difference has proven difficult for him to bring his power up to, since Sugar started his career at Lightweight. The man he will be facing is El Feroz, or “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas (26-2) whose 2 losses come at the hands of future hall of famer Oscar de Hoya and legendary Tito Trinidad, both knockouts. The draw to Vargas is his tenacious fighting style and blazing combos, which have seemed to dwindle since his loss to Tito. Both fighters claim victories over the others losses with Mosley beating De La Hoya twice and Vargas winning a controversial decision over Winky Wright. Both fighters are declining in skills and power with each day, and if this fight happened 5 years ago this PPV is a must buy, now…if you are a fan of either boxer, buy it. If you have no idea of who they are, stay away.
Rokk’s Prediction: “Sugar” Shane Mosley by decision 116-112
If you do happen to buy this event, keep an eye on this first televised fight, which should include Joel Julio. Julio is an up-and-comer whose name will be heard for the next 10 years in boxing conversation.
NEW SECTION: Boxing for Morons
After hearing some reviews I will try to hold your hand through it all. First of all, boxing is still alive and well, and if you do not know who Manny Pacquiao is than don’t comment on boxing. If you would like to know how to pronounce his name, it is pronounced, “pack” “eee” “ow”. Pac Man is regarded as one of the most dangerous men in boxing, who is consistently in the top 10 pound-for-pound, and if he doesn’t have the flair of Ali, or the capacity of raping women or biting ears, that so many desire in boxers, maybe it isn’t the sport for you. Oh I mentioned Vitali Klitschko today, let me help you pronounce that one, it’s “clit” “ch” “co”.
