Just for notes, and though I'd assume you could guess what nights we'll be covering what fights, here's a look at the Bad Left Hook Fight Night schedule for the remainder of 2008.
Also, it should be noted that recent past fights and all those upcoming on our schedule are always listed in the schedule tab up top. It's a function we update with regularity.
Not a bad final two months.
Saturday, November 1
Showtime Championship Boxing
Cristian Mijares v. Vic Darchinyan
With an undercard fight that promises a KO between Andre Dirrell (16-0, 11 KO) and Victor Oganov (28-1, 28 KO), this should be a fine way to spend a Saturday night. Mijares-Darchinyan almost cannot be a bad fight, even it's a one-sided Mijares exhibition of talent as many expect it could turn into. Darchinyan may be out of his depth in terms of total skills, but he punches hard and always moves forward. His one loss had him moving forward into one of the most perfect left hooks you could ever imagine.
You may remember Oganov for getting creamed by Fulgencio Zuniga last year, after making a minor name going 26-0 with 26 knockouts against creampuff competition. The realist in me says Dirrell smokes him with little trouble. Oganov has never beaten a single fighter that even approaches having merit; not even a notable journeyman to be found on that sheet.
Saturday, November 8
HBO Pay-Per-View
Joe Calzaghe v. Roy Jones, Jr.
For better or worse, 50 of my dollars will go down the tube to watch Calzaghe fight an ancient Roy Jones, accompanied by an undercard so bad that it defies description and I can't help but look forward to Lampley, Merchant, or both really sinking their teeth into some of those crap fights they're being forced to call. HBO has tried really hard to help these two guys put on what should be a big show, but there's just no steam here. Diehard Calzaghe fans or diehard Jones fans might be anxious to see it, but to me it just looks like a Calzaghe cakewalk in 12. If they put Gabe Brown-Dominick Guinn on TV (they won't), I'm turning it off and considering my 50 bucks wasted (I won't).
Thursday, November 13
Versus
Sakio Bika v. Peter Manfredo, Jr.
A nice little Versus card from Manfredo's home in Providence, as the former "Contender" season one "star" faces the "Contender" season three "champion." Bika has thus far completely squandered his celebrity from winning the show with a blistering bout against Jaidon Codrington, fighting just once since then, this past April, a one-round knockout of bum Gustavo Javier Kapusi in Australia. Manfredo has been doing the "Contender" circuit since his loss to Calzaghe in 2007, having already beaten David Banks and Donnie McCrary. Fellow contender alumni Grady Brewer (season two "champion") and Cornelius Bundrage will square off on the undercard. Codrington is also set to fight, though he has no opponent.
Saturday, November 15
Setanta
David Haye v. Monte Barrett
We're going to try like the old dickens to find a way to watch and cover this fight during the American afternoon, but no promises.
Saturday, November 15
HBO World Championship Boxing
Jermain Taylor v. Jeff Lacy
HBO won't be televising any of the undercard, featuring Shaun George against Donnell Wiggins and Kermit Cintron against Lovemore N'dou, but Taylor-Lacy is a nice little make-or-break fight. Well, maybe not make-or-break; more like make or get the hell to the back of the line, pal, because there are other fighters out there, too. A Taylor win likely catapults him into a 168-pound title shot against the Froch-Pascal winner, since the WBC is calling this an elimination fight. But if that isn't big enough money for Taylor (it would be for Lacy, whose career is growing increasingly irrelevant), he could also try like hell to get Mikkel Kessler in the ring.
Friday, November 21
Shobox: The Next Generation
Celestino Caballero v. Steve Molitor
What an excellent Shobox fight this is. Steve Molitor is virtually unknown in the States, and the same can be said for Caballero. All they are is two 122-pound titleholders, and two of the five best fighters in a weight class where the top five (Vazquez, Marquez, Lopez, and these two) rivals any in the sport. Caballero's grotesque proportions (5'11", 122) make Paul Williams seem fat. Prior to Lopez's knockout of Daniel Ponce de Leon, Caballero was the only fighter to hold a win over Ponce.
Saturday, November 22
HBO World Championship Boxing
Ricky Hatton v. Paulie Malignaggi
Lots of talking, for months now, and we'll finally get these two in the ring, for Hatton's 140-pound championship. Malignaggi gave up an alphabet title to keep this fight and go for what he knows we all know is the junior welterweight championship. If he wins this fight, he's the best in the division. If Hatton wins, he looks to the winner of Oscar-Manny for a massive 2009 money fight. Paulie has a very real shot at playing spoiler in a fight that could be highly interesting with the two styles clashing.
Saturday, November 29
HBO Boxing After Dark
Paul Williams v. Verno Phillips
Phillips' IBF junior middleweight strap is on the line against WBO welterweight king Paul Williams. Phillips is old (38), short (5'7 1/2") and absolutely did not deserve his title-winning decision victory against Cory Spinks in March. Dimes to donuts, Phillips gets gunned down in short order. The better fight may be between action-hungry heavies Chris Arreola and Travis Walker.
Saturday, December 6
HBO Pay-Per-View
Oscar de la Hoya v. Manny Pacquiao
You know about it. It's coming. Here's another 55-60 bucks.
Thursday, December 11
Versus
Steve Cunningham v. Tomasz Adamek
The vacant cruiserweight championship is on the line as Ring Magazine No. 1 ranked Cunningham faces No. 2 ranked Adamek. Also on the line is Cunningham's IBF title. Probably isn't going to be a fireworks-bearing display of action, but should be a nice tactical fight between two guys that know how to box.
Saturday, December 13
HBO World Championship Boxing
Wladimir Klitschko v. TBA
Probably Rahman. Eh.
Saturday, December 13
Showtime Championship Boxing
Kendall Holt v. Ricardo Torres III
Like you need another reason, but here's Torres-Holt II again: