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Hopkins beats Wright; Linares and Katsidis win, but Amonsot hurt

HBO's pay-per-view from Las Vegas tonight sounds like something I wish I'd paid the 50 bucks for, which is rather what I was hoping would be the case. The fact that the fight seemed a glorified exhibition deterred me, even though I was quite interested in the undercard. 50 clams is a lot to pay for any fight, and even though Winky and Bernard are two of the best in the world, I couldn't see the fight living up to the money.

Here's what I know: Bernard Hopkins won on scores of 116-112, 117-111, and 117-111, and Winky is probably going to feel robbed. Almost everyone says that every round was a tight call, and Wright complained of numerous headbutts (something no one is trying to lie about, except maybe Hopkins), which opened a nasty gash over his left eye. But, really, this is two middleweights fighting as light heavyweights, and Wright had no plans to continue on in the division even if he had won. The fight more or less assures us that both fighters are still world-class, and in some respects, they should be given kudos for fighting one another.

Everyone says that the show-stealer, though, was the fight for the interim WBO lightweight title. Australian KO artist Michael Katsidis won a rough 12-round decision over Czar Amonsot, with scores of 116-110, 114-112 and 115-111. Though Amonsot was clearly a designated fall guy to help make a star of Katsidis in the States, it's clear that the Filipino underdog had other plans. Some are even calling it the Fight of the Year. Amonsot was floored twice in the second and once in the tenth, but fought on.

Sadly, however, Amonsot is currently in the hospital with a brain bleed. The 21-year old was sent immediately after the fight, as ringside physician Jeff Davidson was concerned about the head shots that he took during the bout. It turned out that Amonsot suffered a small subdural hematoma, which will more likely than not end his career, though thankfully it is not life-threatening. These things happen in boxing, yet it's never something that I become desensitized to. It puts into perspective just how tough these fighters are, and how risky a career choice they've made. God bless them for making it and entertaining us all, and Bad Left Hook sends our best wishes to Czar Amonsot and his loved ones.

In the night's other major fight, 21-year old Jorge Linares handed veteran warrior Oscar Larios a 10th-round knockout loss. This was Linares' first big fight, really, and he comes out looking pretty good. Larios really hasn't had a quality win since 2005, when he beat Wayne McCullough two times. Since, he's won three easy fights, and lost to Israel Vazquez, Manny Pacquiao and Linares. It's not at all a bad trio to lose to, but one has to wonder what Larios really has left. He's only 30, but it could very well be an old 30. He was (and is, really) a hell of an overlooked boxer, though.

The biggest boxing news of the night, though, is that Bernard Hopkins appears ageless. The headbutts are one thing, but when you see the stats that Winky Wright landed only 87 jabs in a fight, that's astounding. Hopkins is probably the smartest man in the game, because Winky Wright is no easy nut to crack. Hopkins is now openly hoping for a fight against Joe Calzaghe next year, proposing Yankee Stadium as a venue. It'd be phenomenal, if Calzaghe gets past Kessler in November. Making this fight entertaining (which most say it was, and I'll judge for myself soon enough) was no easy task. If you can't believe in Hopkins now, when can you? The guy is a living legend. 42 years old and going the distance and beating top-shelf boxers. Can't knock it.

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I passed on spending the $50 too
Dan Rafael wrote on ESPN.com that it wasn't the boring fight that many (myself included)thought it would be. I'm still glad I didn't spend the $$ on it. I came close to doing it - I usually do - but luckily "State of Grace" (Sean Penn, Gary Oldman-great flick) was on so I had something to watch. If it weren't on I'd probably be $50 lighter this morning.

   

by joepauldad on Jul 22, 2007 7:52 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hopkins-Wright
It actually was a pretty entertaining fight--not quite as entertaining as Wright-Taylor, but worth the 50 bucks (which I didnt pay either, as a matter of fact; Im in PR visiting family, and my dad ordered the fight).  Im guessing the fight sold well here in PR, seeing as though these were the only two guys to ever beat Trinidad.  The photo of Hopkins shoving Winky at the weigh-in was actually on the cover of the main newspaper on Saturday morning.

I had Hopkins winning 8 rounds to 4 (116-112).  I think Lederman had it a draw (he had Winky ahead 6 rounds to 3 going into the 10th, and rightfully gave Hopkins the last 3 rounds).  

I dont know; it seems to me that Winky has been trying to change his style over the last couple of years in order to become a more marketable fighter and gain a bigger fan-base.  Ever since the two Mosley fights and the Trinidad fight, he hasnt been hiding behind his jab as much; he's been trying to become a slugger.  Simply put, hes not a power puncher.  He fought Hopkins' fight, trying to slug it out from the inside, and it just wasnt going to work.

I dont know whats next for Winky.  Honestly, I dont really see him in any more big PPV fights.  As for Hopkins, who's indubitably got the greatest legacy of the two (and who is also much more marketable), I'd pay to see him fight Calzaghe (if Calzaghe gets past Kessler).  On the one hand, Calzaghe hasnt really faced any top opposition yet (unless you consider Lacy a top opponent, which, at the time, I guess he was), and it would be pretty suprising to see him face Kessler and then Hopkins back-to-back.  He looked great, but by the time he fights next, Hopkins will be 43 years old.  Im not sure how much longer he can do it.

The Katsidis-Amonsot fight was good, but I think Jorge Linares was the show-stealer.  He looked great against Larios.

Linares looked very impressive.

by Kevin Gonzalez on Jul 22, 2007 11:30 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Butt
What did you think about the headbutt situation in the fight, Kev?

by Matt Miller on Jul 23, 2007 4:40 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

unintentional
honestly, i think all the headbutts were completely unintentional, and that too much is being made of the whole thing.  there weren't any knockdowns to speak of, neither fighter really staggered or hurt the other one, and given how tactical and defensive both these guys are, the headbutt turned out to be the "main highlight" of the fight.  even if a point had been deducted from hopkins, it would have probably happened after the 10th round, and, as it turned out, a point deduction wouldnt have made a difference in the outcome of the fight.

on another note, ill be back in town tomorrow, matt.  lets hang out.  baldomir-forrest at my place next week.

by Kevin Gonzalez on Jul 23, 2007 7:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Hopkins beats Wright; Linares and Katsidis win, bu
I stopped up early hours of the morning to watch the live coverage of the winky-bhop fight. When it got to 1-2am and i had to stick toopicks in my lids to keep awake i was thinking..what makes me stop up this late to watch two techical defensive fighters.

Love of the game and two pound4pounders sharing the same ring.

I quite enjoyed the fight and had bhop winning by three. At 42 this guy is a marvel. defo hall of fame fighter (but not for action) and probably in the top five middleweights of all time in my opp.

Hoppy has been calling out Calzage and once Joe gets by kessler (pts12) i hope the two of them can get it on. I think they both will retire after it with Joes hand getting raised.

All my best to amonsot.

by mrdink on Jul 25, 2007 12:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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