Boxing’s Tricks & Treats

Columns

Yes, I know this is a corny seasonal column. But it is mid-afternoon on a Friday so this is what you get.

As children prepare for their annual costumed jaunts around their respective neighborhoods this weekend, I’d like to take a look at what treats lay in the future for boxing. As is always the case when Halloween treats are sought after, not all treats are as they appear. I’ll let you know what tricks lay ahead as well.

Treat – November Fight Schedule
Better late than never. If you are a real boxing fan, then you don’t have a Saturday night free for all of November. Both HBO and Showtime have loaded up quality fights for the month and it almost seems a given that the 2010 Fight of the Year for boxing will come from a November fight. Rafael Marquez faces Juan Manuel Lopez on November 6, the same night as Zab Judah vs. Lucas Matthysse. The following week sees the return of Manny Pacquiao as he takes on the controversial Antonio Margarito. November 20 sees a rematch between Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez, a fight that nearly won Fight of the Year in 2009. Finally, November goes out with a bang on the 27th as Juan Manuel Marquez takes on the always entertaining Michael Katsidis on HBO. Showtime, however, will counter with an intriguing Super Six matchup between Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch.

Trick – Zab Judah
Blessed with loads of boxing potential, Zab Judah never quite seemed to put it all together for a great run. He has fought some of the best, losing to multiple future Hall of Famers, but if he couldn’t put it together in his prime, how are we to believe his career resurgence at age 33? Judah faces Lucas Matthysse on November 6 in a fight that is sure to be a treat, but the prospects of Judah being a major player at 140 are a trick.

Treat – Super Six World Boxing Classic
Despite the delays and withdrawals, the Super Six will certainly end up as a treat. First of all, the Nov. 27 showdown between Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch to wrap up Group Stage 3 will in no way disappoint. Once that fight is over, it’s semi-final time and only three fights remain to conclude the tournament. With Andre Ward, Carl Froch, Arthur Abraham, and the winner of Allan Green/Glen Johnson slated for the second group, a messy tournament has the potential to produce four more quality matchups from now until the tournament’s conclusion.

Trick – David Haye
At first glance, David Haye was a treat for the heavyweight division. He was brash, confident, and called out all champions along the way. Unfortunately, his bark is stronger than his heart. Or apparently his back, for that matter. Haye was to fight Wladimir Klitschko in the Summer of 2009 but pulled out citing a back injury. Haye will fight Audley Harrison in November, marking his third fight against a non-Klitschko after wearing a T-Shirt that depicted himself holding the heads of the decapitated brothers. David wants nothing to do with Goliath.

Treat – ESPN3.com
Since Friday Night Fights wrapped up their season earlier this year, ESPN has still made a point to provide the fans with a means to watch fights they wouldn’t have previously been able to see. By streaming fights for free on their new website, ESPN3.com, the folks at ESPN have shown a dedication to the sport and it is appreciated by at least one guy. Now, the ESPN3 service only seems to be available domestically but so far we have been treated to fights like: Felix Sturm vs. Giovanni Lorenzo, Wladimir Klitschko vs. Sam Peter, Vitali Klitschko vs. Shannon Briggs and Lucian Bute vs. Jesse Brinkley. Tonight, ESPN3.com will be airing David Lemieux vs. Hector Camacho Jr. These are all fights that would have otherwise gone unseen in the United States.

Trick – Bernard Hokins vs. Jean Pascal
Bernard Hopkins is a career cockblock. He cares little about making a good fight anymore. B-Hop has gone through most of his recent fights with a “win by any means necessary” approach. Those means have been very ugly. Jean Pascal came up huge in his win over Chad Dawson in August but now faces an opponent that is almost impossible to look good against. You already know that Hopkins will use every trick in the book. He may even write a follow-up to that book so he can use some new tricks that weren’t included in the first edition. Jean Pascal has a lot of momentum and is a fun fighter to watch. But you are tricking yourself if you think his December 18 bout with Bernard Hopkins is one to look forward to.