Tomato Cans: Random Thoughts for February 7
I've got a lot of boxing on the brain, but have become so sleep-deprived over the last couple of weeks that I can't really put together much by way of coherent thoughts, so here's a bunch of nonsense.
Foreman-Cotto
Dan Rafael noted in his "R.A.D." chat last night that the June 12 fight between Yuri Foreman and Miguel Cotto could head to pay-per-view, as even though HBO offered to carry the fight on World Championship Boxing, Bob Arum might not make enough off of that deal to pay the fighters.
This terrifies me. I keep saying I'm scared to death that boxing's promoters have again become so damn greedy that they're going to back to putting way, way, way too many fights on PPV, and this would be a prime example. I get the smaller PPVs, the Latin Fury shows and what have you, because HBO/Showtime aren't buying those fights and ESPN/Versus/whatever can't afford them. It's nice to have the option to see them in that case.
But Foreman-Cotto belongs on regular HBO. That's the bottom line. It's not a PPV fight, no matter what you put on the card, and trust me -- Top Rank won't put anything truly useful on the undercard. The success of boxing's three major PPVs last year (Hatton-Pacquiao, Mayweather-Marquez, Cotto-Pacquiao) leads me to worry that these guys are getting filled with a lot of hot air. "See?! We can do more PPV!"
Those shows did well because every fight was a major event and they were the only three large-scale PPVs of 2009. Foreman-Cotto would/will bomb, and it would stink hardcore for Top Rank if that happened and Foreman won. The less eyes seeing him beat Cotto (which he has a very good chance at doing), the worse it gets for the company.
Wladimir-Eddie
After seeing the photos of Wladimir Klitschko and Eddie Chambers together, I got the same feeling a lot of people did: Eddie Chambers, good as he is, does not have a hope in hell. He looks like a teenager with a goatee next to Wladimir. The only worry Wladimir should really have is possible ring rust from the shoulder surgery-induced layoff he's had. But I don't think Eddie has the pop to back Wlad off at any point, nor the ability to get inside that jab. I rank Eddie as the No. 1 non-Klitschko heavyweight in the world, too, and I'll crap thunder if he wins this fight. In that regard, it's no wonder the only heavyweight stuff anyone seems to want to talk about is possible fights with the Haye-Arreola-Adamek trio.
Morales and Barrera
Is anyone else scared to death that if Erik Morales beats Jose Alfaro on March 27 (another low-budget PPV, by the way), Morales and his hated rival Marco Antonio Barrera will lock horns for a fourth time? I'm even more curious: does anyone really want to see that? Vazquez-Marquez IV is one thing, but Barrera-Morales IV would be about as relevant as 2008's third fight between Azumah Nelson and Jeff Fenech. Did you forget about that?
Edwin Valero and Antonio DeMarco
Without going in-depth about it, let me say that I was more impressed with Edwin Valero last night than I've ever been. He's still not very fast, but he throws in combination a lot more than he used to, and he's still not great technically, but he's better than he used to be. He's improved a lot and become a very formidable fighter instead of just a monster puncher.
I would also say that I was less impressed with Antonio DeMarco last night than I've ever been. He'd been making so many strides, and at 24 he's still quite young, and yes he lost to a very good fighter. There's still clearly a ton of work to do, and he's going to have to learn to use his height (5'10" at 135) to keep pressure guys back.
Similarly, Carlos Abregu may never be all that great, but he sure as hell is fun to watch. That guy punches with serious purpose all the time.
Paul Williams and Kermit Cintron
With the rumor moving that Williams and Cintron will meet on May 8, a fight that would take place at 154 pounds, I might surprise a few of you here. I can smell upset a mile away in that fight. Williams is hittable, and as much as I like him, we've seen him hurt now against Sergio Martinez and Antonio Margarito, two tremendously different fighters. It's not a particular style that's an issue for him, it's the fact that his defense can get really sloppy, and if guys are willing to take his long, wide shots, they can get good counters in there. Cintron is at least a good puncher, and the straight right is the southpaw killer. Anyone else feeling that one?
Thailand Pro Debuts
Is it just me, or do you have almost no desire to see Alfredo Angulo wear out Joel Julio in April?
I don't know what it is exactly, but the Super Six has lost some steam for me. I think it's a few things. First off, none of the second stage matchups really excite me. Then there's the fact that one of the six pulled out after one fight, and the argument is quite valid if you say he never should have been there to begin with. And now they're bickering over what city in Denmark that Carl Froch-Mikkel Kessler will be held. I get the horrible gut feeling that this thing is going to face some serious problems in the third stage.
OK, so I've gotten excited for Vazquez-Marquez IV. It was inevitable, which some of the more long-time posters here might have guessed given my man crush on Vazquez and my love of their three fights.
Did you know ESPN2 is running a Deandre Latimore-Sechew Powell rematch on March 19?
You know what I think I'd like to see on Friday Night Fights? Peter Manfredo Jr.-John Duddy. I think that could be fun.
Also in his chat last night, Dan Rafael said, "The Klitschko folks are talking to HBO [about Vitali-Valuev in May]. I'd be disappointed if HBO didn't do the fight." I'll offer a differing thought: I'll be disappointed if HBO spends a dime on that piece of crap fight that they could have spent on something useful or interesting.
I'm still waiting for Henry Bruseles to pull out of his March 27 fight with Mike Jones. It would be Bruseles' first relevant fight (and it only sort of qualifies) since his 2005 loss to Mayweather.
0 recs |
37 comments
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Comments
"You are talking about the nonsensical ravings of a lunatic mind"
reading this post reminds me of the line from Young Frankenstein.
anywho, i disagree completely, go figure, with the super 6 matchups. im loving dirrell vs abraham and froch and kessler. the atmosphere alone are going to be great. i love dirrell and kessler in the fights for the record. then andre ward gets to embarrass whats his face. its going to be fun. im looking forward to the reality show as well. it should have some great footage of the jermain and his decision to pull out.
"Newspapermen ask dumb questions. They look up at the sun and ask if it is shining."
-Sonny Liston
.
I’ll probably get more excited for the Super 6 fights on fight weeks. Sometimes that happens.
Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."
by SC on Feb 7, 2010 11:59 AM EST up reply actions
Kessler by TKO
Dirrell on points.
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)
Sounds right to me.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
I really like Dirrell against AA, mostly because of his performance against Taylor (as strange as that sounds). 1 minute of work a round is not going to get it done against Dirrell, especially since he’s going to come in Andre Ward kinds of hungry. Kessler I’m a little more iffy about. Too many questions like “How will the new trainer effect him in the ring?” and “Will even the simplistic style of Froch confuse Kessler?”, but that being said, I still like Kessler but maybe not by KO.
I wouldn’t be going out of my way to see Barrera v Morales IV but if they are going to fight anyone (i would prefer to see them both retire),it might as well be each other as they are both similarly shot and would probably still be evenly matched.
Better than putting them in with a young buck again,like Khan.
by Matt (Yorkshire) on Feb 7, 2010 12:20 PM EST reply actions
I can't have Chambers as the #3 heavy....
People I think would beat Eddie Chambers;
Arreola
Tua
Haye
Adamek
I’m sure there must be more, but I can’t think of them right now.
I’d certainly back any of those four to put him back in his box.
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)
Tua?
I really don’t think Tua is anything like what he used to be. He’s faded and old now.
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Feb 7, 2010 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Tua would still knock Eddie Chambers into next week.
He still punches really fucking hard. If he is serious about getting active again, and fighting 4 times a year, then I think he is still a match for anyone except the Klitschkos.
Mind you, I am an unashamed David Tua fanboy. He is probably my favourite active fighter right now, and would be in my top 5 list of favourite fighters ever, I think.
So, although I believe what I’m saying with all my heart, I still know that even I have to take myself with a pinch of salt where Tua is concerned…. :)
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)
In fact, I’d be genuinely interested if anyone thinks there is a harder puncher (in absolute terms) in the sport right now? For my money, Tua hits harder than Haye, than either Klitschko, than Arreola….
In P4P terms, I still think he’s up there in terms of power, along with Valero, Cintron (possibly), Froch(I don’t like the guy, but he can bang), and maybe Urango.
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)
The last thing to go is a punchers punch…
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
Yep.
But Tua also didn’t look in bad shape for the Cameron fight, he moved reasonably well, and he still looks really vicious, of course… :) It’s the best shape he’s been in for a while.
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)
I am fairly excited by the upcoming Super 6 fights as i think it will be interesting to see if Dirrell is willing to show some heart to go with the obvious speed and counter-punching skills he posseses.Abraham is gonna be a tougher fight than Froch was thoug,imo.
Even coming off the Ward loss (which i have yet to see),i think Kessler will step it up against Froch whose style will obviously mesh with his better than did Ward’s.
I can see that being a total war,and i think it’s a pretty even call,though i’m leaning slightly towards Froch as i’m not sure if Kessler can hurt him enough to discourage him.
I think it also depends a lot on how much Kessler was effected mentally by a drubbing which took place only a few months ago.I mean,usually a fighter will have 1 or 2 easier rebuilding fights after a loss like that.
I’ve seen Green fight once (against DeLeon) and that doesn’t tell me much,as Ward is above 5 levels above that guy.Green losing to Miranda doesn’t exactly bode well for his chances in this next fight either.
I don’t see any 168 fighter (except maybe Abraham) beating Ward at the moment.
In fact,Ward v Abraham is surely favourite to be the final in this tourney.
As we all know styles make fights though and things can change.
by Matt (Yorkshire) on Feb 7, 2010 12:43 PM EST reply actions
If Kessler loses to Froch, then he's done.
I think Froch will get the full brunt of Kessler’s rage though. Kessler by mid-to-late KO/TKO.
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)
I’m going with Froch by TKO 7. Both guys will get hit a lot, but Froch hits that much harder and has an absolutely incredible will to win. Should be very exciting.
"The terror of the unforeseen is what the science of history hides, turning a disaster into an epic"
by OliGold on Feb 7, 2010 4:21 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Really?
I like Kessler in a war.
The way Froch wins, in my opinion, is to be a bit cleverer than Kessler, and make him think. Make Kessler do something that isn’t natural, and Froch probably wins, but if all Kessler has to do is stand and trade, he blasts Froch out, for me.
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)
i pick against PW in every fight so
Kermit TKO 5
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Feb 7, 2010 1:14 PM EST reply actions
I hope you're not a betting man,,,
Otherwise Williams could by now have cost you a house… a car…. everything you own….. ;)
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)
only bet with my pal when he’s stupid enough to bet against me during pacquiao/mayweather fights (yes he actually put money on JMM) and NFL playoff games
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Feb 7, 2010 1:37 PM EST up reply actions
to be fair i predicted pacquiao to demolish both hatton & cotto and no one believed me then. you’ll see, i’m the prophet
Texans 19-0 in 2010-2011 season PERIOD
by battle axe of doom on Feb 7, 2010 11:50 PM EST up reply actions
When you've got a proven PPV draw like Yuri Foreman
You obviously sell his fights for 50 bucks facepalm
by tichbou on Feb 7, 2010 2:11 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
LOL
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)
But the Jews are known for spending lots of money on frivolous entertainment
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
*us Jews*
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
Foreman/Cotto--Absolutely correct that it is
not a PPV fight. Arum has no shame. Morales/Barrera—don’t want to see it; hope it doesn’t happen. Would rather see them sharing a beer under an umbrella somewhere (and that sure as hell is not happening). Williams/Cintron—Cintron can crack and Williams can be hit, but if Kermit doesn’t hurt him, he’ll cave big time to the constant pressure (unless something has changed in the alignment of the universe).
I Wonder
if this Super 6 could shorten some guys careers.I’m not complaining and i’m all for the best fighting the best but the winner of this will have had 5 of the toughest fights of his career against top10 168lbers.One after the other,no lull!
by Matt (Yorkshire) on Feb 7, 2010 4:11 PM EST reply actions
Willaims/Cintron
is kind of like Berto/Urango for me.
If Fighter A can box his way to his own comfort zone in the first 6, he should coast to a points win (as Berto did, obviously).
But if Fighter B catches him with a clubbing right hand, then it’s goodnight. Or as Eminem said, “Once you’re hung from the drapes, it’s curtains.”
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)
I wouldn’t bet money on Cintron, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he caught Williams. Williams gets caught all the time and he’s never faced as big a puncher as Cintron.
what about Margarito (with potentially loaded gloves)
PW took plenty from him and kept going and going
-Brian
by bp on Feb 11, 2010 7:25 PM EST up reply actions
I'm about as confident as confident can be that Williams would beat Cintron
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
I can feel a Trading Places size of bet coming along between Brick and SC..... :)
Some people are acting like Pacquiao should be expected to have just gone, "Yeah sure, let’s do something I’ve never done before because your dad made some dumbass baseless comment."
(SC, 28/12/09; http://www.badlefthook.com/2009/12/27/1221143/mayweather-pacquiao-update-bob#comments)

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