I will be the first to admit that boxing is waning in popularity. However, I believe it is safe to say that at some point in your life, you were a fan of boxing. Perhaps just a casual fan but a fan nonetheless. Then somewhere along the way, boxing became really stupid to you. Kind of like the WWE. Maybe that’s a bad comparison on this web site. Chances are that if you read this article, then you have some form of interest in boxing. I ask that you expand upon that interest and come back to the sport.
All I ask is a three-month trial. Give boxing a shot for the summer. There are a lot of big fights, almost on a weekly basis. You may say, “But Trent, I don’t have HBO or Showtime and the fights on ESPN are gay.” That’s a valid point, except for the fact that ESPN Wednesday Night Fights aired one of the most exciting fights of the year when Kermit Cintron took on David Estrada. Boxing fans know these names and may have seen this action coming. However, there is no way for someone who has given up on boxing to see it coming.
Byrd-Klitschko II
The first time Chris Byrd fought Wladimir Klitschko, Byrd was overpowered by the bigger and stronger fighter. What adjustments would the slicker, stick and move boxer make to defeat the mighty Ukrainian? Apparently Byrd wanted to be more aggressive and brawl with Wladimir. Byrd made a wrong turn on that road of strategy. Klitschko was even more dominant this time around and closed the show with a 7th round TKO to capture the IBF Heavyweight Title.
Those damn Europeans are always showing off their reach. Wladimir’s win makes him the third of four heavyweight champions that currently live outside of the United States. Hasim Rahman is the only champion representing the Stars and Stripes. Wladimir hopes to unify the titles but every champ says that. With Emmanuel Steward in his corner, Wladimir is very tough to beat. Klitschko’s chin will always be a concern but that only makes him more exciting to watch. Samuel Peter put Klitschko down three times but Wladimir still won the unanimous decision and deservedly so. Steward is the best cornerman in boxing and he can take Klitschko as far as Wladimir is motivated to go.
The final knockdown opened up a nice cut over Byrd’s right eye. Byrd got to his feet but the referee stopped the bout as soon as he saw the blood. Byrd doesn’t have the most fan-friendly fight style and he tried to change to please the fans. Byrd is an intelligent guy and he will likely return to his former style that made him a heavyweight champion. It’s either that or get used to looking like this after every fight:
Mayweather-Margarito Is Over Before It Begins
Many moons ago I wrote a column that listed welterweight Antonio Margarito as one of the most ducked fighters in boxing. Yesterday, Floyd Mayweather Jr turned down $8 million to fight the WBO champion. Not only did Mayweather turn down what would have been his largest purse ever, but he fired his promoter in the process. Looks bad doesn’t it? While fans would love to see this fight, any many in the media will blast Mayweather for ducking a fighter, Floyd made the right call. The fight was scheduled to take place in July and Mayweather won’t be 100% by then after injuring his hand against Zab Judah. It also makes sense for Floyd to put off someone as dangerous as Margarito until his uncle and trainer returns from his suspension.
Mayweather currently has his eyes on Oscar de la Hoya for later this year. This would prove to be not only an easier fight for Mayweather, as Oscar’s skills are deteriorating with age, but also makes more sense financially as Oscar will pull in far more PPV interest than Margarito. It doesn’t make much sense to hate on a guy when I know I would do the same thing would I be in his boxing trunks. Floyd didn’t rule out fighting Margarito ever, but the longer he waits, the better Margarito looks.
Results From The Week
– In an extremely exciting main event for ESPN Wednesday Night Fights, Kermit Cintron defeated David Estrada by 10th round TKO.
– Silence Mabuza won a unanimous decision over Ricardo Vargas. With the win, Mabuza likely gets a rematch with Rafael Marquez for the IBF Bantamweight Title.
– Vassily Jirov narrowly defeated Luke Munsen. Both men were knocked down in this fight and Jirov won a unanimous decision, but two scorecards were separated by one point.
– Otis Griffin, FOX’s Next Great Champ, defeated Ernesto Manuel Castaneda by split decision. Griffin was as raw a fighter as you could imagine when the show came out. The chances of Griffin contending for a title are small but he has the tools.
Jockscraps – The Stories They Won’t Tell
Iverson Puts Sixers On Trading Block
Allen Iverson, the All-Star guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, is once again frustrated with his organization. Monday, Iverson met with reporters to discuss his problems with Sixers management.
“I’ve heard the trade rumors for three years now but nothing has changed. Guess what? I’m going to change that right now, because I’m officially announcing that the Sixers organization is on the trading block. I’ve already talked to a couple of unhappy players that are willing to deal their organizations, but I’m not going to name any names right now. All I can say is that the Sixers are fixin’ to go.”
Iverson fielded more questions about his proposal, but The Answer wasn’t very clear when he was asked how he had the power to pull this off.
“I don’t care what the league says, I’m trading the Sixers. They had their chance to trade me, now I’m going to beat them to it. I’m a former MVP. I’m first team All-NBA. I’m an Olympian. I’m a three-time scoring champ. If you were in my situation as an All-Star, and you were getting disrespected by your organization, you would do the same thing. The Sixers started this thing, now I’m going to end it. Believe that.”
Spit Bucket
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