The Scorecard: Joe vs. Jeff

Columns, Previews


Ahhhh, this is the kind of weekend that boxing fans salivate over. We have two title fights occurring on rival networks, Showtime and HBO. Don’t fret! I will help you pick out the fight for you. It seems both of these fights, which aren’t PPV, are going against a PPV UFC event. Now don’t get me wrong I love UFC but when two men decide to fight, fists are the way to go with me. UFC has produced many fine KOs and submissions, but I have also seen many fights that are lackluster. Fans of the UFC need not argue with me; for I respect the sport, and will definitely watch the DVR’ed version of it, but against what is going down this weekend…I cannot recommend UFC over boxing.

Friday Night:

OK, Kirk Johnson! A Canadian heavyweight that is most noted for demolishing Lou Savarese, and losing horrifically to Vitali Klitschko in the 2nd round. Kirk, (36-2-1) will be facing, gift Javier Mora (19-2-1), an easy win for Michael Jackson loving Johnson. On the same card Sam Soliman (31-8), recent Winky Wright foe will face Raul Munoz (17-7) in a Middleweight bout. Soliman wins this fight easily on points. This card will be televised on Fox Sports on Friday night.

On to ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. Once again we have a sub par card, Demetrius Hopkins, nephew of ex-middleweight king Bernard Hopkins, will face Mario Ramos. This fight will more than likely go to the scorecards with Hopkins winning. If you have a choice, watch the Fox broadcast, it guarantees to be more interesting by far!

Saturday Night:

The old boxing powerhouse HBO is airing the WBO Jr. Welterweight title bout. Title holder Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto (25-0) with 21 KOs will be facing Italian Gianluca Branco (36-1-1) 19 KOs best known for being out-pointed by Arturo Gatti in 2004. Cotto one of Trent’s most dangerous fighters was considered the next big thing, before being staggered or knocked down in his last 3 fights. Don’t get me wrong, Cotto has one punch power that can not only change a fight, but dislocate your jaw, but he is definitely rough around the edges. That being said, his manager/father, has lined up two fights that he can win and win impressively. Cotto should run through Branco with ease, and after he has already lined up “The Magic Man” Paul Malignaggi, the NY native that has never been in the ring with a C+ fighter. This fight will appeal to boxing fans that want nothing more than to see someone hit and get hit, as Trent stated he is Gatti-esque.

Now on to the fight that hardcore boxing fans have been demanding for the past 3 years. A Super Middleweight clash of the titans to unify the division per say. Showtime will be airing live from England the IBF, IBO, and WBO title fight between American Olympian Jeff “Left Hook” Lacy vs. “The Pride of Wales” Joe Calzaghe. Both fighters come into this fights Champions, both come in Undefeated, and both seem to agree that this is a career defining fight. Calzaghe the older of the two comes in boasting a (40-0) with 31 KOs while Lacy a pro for only 5 years comes in with a (21-0) 17 KO record. This fight intrigues all fans and writers alike, and when asked it seems that there is a country behind both fighters, if you ask anyone stateside who will win, a resounding “LACY” comes out, likewise across the pond, “Calzaghe” is favored in Europe. Some standing points, Calzaghe has been down once in his career to a fighter that had a less than 50% KO ratio while Lacy has never been down in his pro career. Lacy is known for his explosive power, while Calzaghe earns his KOs via punches in bunches. Lacy decided that the only way that he would ever get a chance to fight Calzaghe is to go to England, which many fear is his downfall, Lacy has never been up against a raucous crowd that is totally against him, and anyone that knows anything about boxing, knows that earning a decision in Europe against a European fighter is harder than Gary Glitter in a NAMBLA convention. That said lets go the picks with a lil help from Trent, my fellow writer.

Trent’s Predictions:

  • Calzaghe over Lacy, unanimous decision.

It’s always exciting when two undefeated fighters square off. I think Lacy has the power to put Calzaghe down but it won’t happen in England. Calzaghe will win the unanimous decision but there will be a rematch and Lacy will knock him out.

  • Cotto over Branco, KO 8th round.

Cotto will get wobbled at some point during the fight, maybe even knocked down. However, he will recover and make sure the fight doesn’t go to the scorecards. Typical Cotto fight.

Rokk’s Predictions:

  • Cotto by KO in the 7th round.

Though Branco is durable, Cotto will wear him down and expose him early.

  • Lacy KOs Calzaghe in the 10th.

Calzaghe is not ready for the power, speed, and tenacity of a young champion. If Calzaghe makes it to the final bell, even if he doesn’t win a round, will be considered the winner, the British boxing officials are incredibly crooked.

If you have both networks I say record the Cotto fight, and witness the Lacy fight for yourself, many comparisons have been made to Tyson, not just in body type but punching power!

-Rokk