Promote

We are forced to watch another Manny vs. Marquez fight because the powers that be can't get together to figure out how to divide $100 million.  Time  is ticking and it is a shame that if Money and Manny do fight it will be past their primes.  Another black eye for boxing that just keeps getting worse.

Heavyweight dominance

We have been waiting for a challenger to emerge.  It has been years since they have been put the task to defend their titles in a way that pushes them to their limits.The reality is that there aren't any heavyweight contenders that can challege the brothers.  We must be patient.  We must continue to search.  We must have hope.

The Contender

The Contender on ESPN is not a great show. In fact, I really don't like it that much yet it is still on my DVR week after week. There have been so many reality shows over the past years that make me want to watch it live instead of setting up my DVR to record it. The Contender is not one of them. The reasons are simple. I don't find the side stories that interesting. I also don't like watching a Hollywood production of a fight. The fights should be broadcasted in its entirety. ESPN should show 3 minute rounds instead of 1. Lastly, I don't need to hear Hollywood sound effects every time someone lands a clean shot. Let's save the Hollywood production for Rocky Balboa vs. Mason "the line" Dixon.

Mayweather to get tested

The pound for pound champ gets the chance to add some hardware to his collection as he faces champion Carols Baldomir in November. Mayweather decided to take this fight when Shane Mosely decided that he wouldn't fight Mayweather until next year. Of course Mayweather would have liked to have faced Mosely instead because it would mean more money and someone that is naturally 140 - 150 lbs. Instead, Mosely will fight Baldomir for less money and will have to deal with someone that can take a punch and deliver one just as hard. Both Mayweather and Baldomir beat Judah and Gatti which sets up for an interesting fight but in reality Mayweather should have no problems with Baldomir. Mayweather is the best in the business and won't give Baldomir the opportunity to throw any punches. I like Mayweather in a lopsided decision.

Not great never will be

Haseem Rachman's claim to fame is that he knocked out a out of shape boxer to become the heavyweight champion of the world. He hasn't won a big time fight since and was quickly knocked out in the rematch with Lennox Lewis. He entered the ring against Maskaev in terrific shape but for some odd reason he did not have the stamina to overcome Maskaev's assault and was knocked out yet again. With this loss, I dismiss Rachman from ever being a threat to be champ again. He could have used his jab all night long against Maskaev and won the fight but instead he decided to trade with Maskaev was sent back to mediocrity.

BAD - Williams

Paul Williams took another step towards stardom on Sat. night's BAD with the destruction of one time contender Sharmba Mitchell. Williams a 6 foot 1 southpaw has the speed and power to be a real threat in the welterweight division and is already calling out all the top fighters. At 25 years, Williams has a bright future ahead of him and I hope he continues to showcase his skills on HBO. This fight reminds me a lot of how William Joppy has been used in previous years. Mitchell just like Joppy was a pretty good fighter that was past his prime and given a few opportunities against young talent before it was time to hang up the gloves.

Real Deal Returns

Holyfield gets a TKO victory against Jeremy Bates last Friday night. Although Holyfield did win the fight and was able to throw punches in combintations, he still got hit with some hard right hands that seemed to hurt him. If Jeremy Bates is able to connect with punches, what will a top tier fighter be able to do Holyfield? Holyfield aims to be the undisputed heavyweight champion by 2008 but he won't ever get the chance because he won't be able to defeat a younger, stronger, faster contender that also want that shot.

DVR: Calzaghe-Lacy

The invention of DVR allowed me to record an MSG rebroadcast of Joe Calzaghe and Jeff Lacy. Both fighters going in were undefeated and many predicted that Lacy's strength was going to play a huge factor in the contest. In the end, Calzaghe beat Lacy from pillar to post with great ring generalship, sharp jabs and devistating combinations. Lacy took a tremendous amount of punishment and needs to become a more complete fighter if he ever wants to be on the big stage again. As for Calzaghe, I think Roy Jones' impressive victory on Sat. night just opened up the possibility for a huge fight at the light heavweight division with many dollar signs attached.

A fight I want to see

Sam Peters is making a mistake in fighting James Toney when there is another fighter out there that would elevate his as the hardest hitting heavyweight. I am talking about David Tua. Since Tua's 2 year layoff, he has won three consecutive fights with a knockout last night of Edward Gutierrez. Tua's power in both hands would present a huge obstacle to Peters and would also very enjoyable fight This fight may happen down the road but I had to bring it up now because we haven't seen a good heavyweight fight in years. I can't give a prediction yet because we have to wait to see how Peters performs against Toney and of course Tua will have a few more tuneup fights before accurately see if he is back in the heavyweight picture.

Trilogy

On ESPN 2 Friday Night Fights Joel Casamayor won a lackluster fight and then through a translator confronted Diego Corrales to put up his 135 lbs. Junior Lightweight title. The verbals assaults that Corrales and Casamayor traded brought excitement to the telecast and even though Corrales deemed Casamayor as an unworthy oppontent, contracts were signed this week for Corrales vs. Casamayor III. In their first fight, Corrales was stopped by Casamayor when the referee and doctor decided that he could not continue after suffering cuts to his mouth and lips. Corrales won the rematch and now we are set for the trilogy. This trilogy doesn't have as much excitement as Corrales vs. Castillo, since Casamayor looks like he has slowed down a bit over the last few fights. Corrales will win by knockout and look for one or two more big paydays before he hangs up his gloves. Corrales reminds me of Gatti in that they are both not great fighters but have tremendous heart, determination and power in both hands. With Gatti soon to retire after his decisive loss to Baldomir, your only chance to see another warrior with as much heart is to watch Diego Chico Corrales.

Good Night and Good Luck Mr. Jones

Roy Jones steps back into the ring against Prince Badi Ajamu. You first may think, Prince who? Well to be honest with you, I don't think it matters who Jones' faces anymore. He is a shell of his former self after his big time loses against Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson. His biggest advantage over the years was his speed and athletic ability. He is a few steps slower these days and it will be exploited by Ajamu. This reminds me of how we kept thinking that Tyson 2000 was the same Tyson from the 1980s. Jones is done and if you want to purchase a retirement present for him, spend the money on this PPV.

Toney vs. Peters prediction

James Toney and Sam Peters are scheduled to fight this fall. This blog is titled Styles Make Fights and this fight is going to show you why. Toney is one of the best defensive fighters in history. His style makes offensive minded fighters frustrated and questioning their career choices. Sam Peters, although a heavy hitter, is a perfect opponent for Toney. He is a slow, one dimensional fighter that is going to be in for a long 12 rounds against the more allusive Toney. I predict the fight goes to the scorecards and Toney wins in a unanimous decision. The only thing I can't predict is if Toney will show up to the fight in shape or not. Hopefully he watched the Rahman fight and saw how ridiculous he looked. I hope he will decide to hit the gym before he steps into the ring this fall.