OTHER THAN THE OBVIOUS

Any good boxing fan knows that the best is yet to come. Even with a few fight of the year candidates in the bank(Vasquez-Marquez, Pavlick-Taylor, Cotto-Judah) there a still a few fights that have the potential to top even those. Yes, we know that the Miguel Cotto-Shane Mosley fight will be great, and great hype will come with the Floyd Mayweather-Ricky Hatton showdown. We know that Mikkel Kessler and Joe Calzaghe will not disappoint and that Jaun Manuel Marquez and Rocky Jaurez will have my DVR working overtime that action packed Saturday night. What I am talking about is a few fights I am personally excited about, and may have fallen through the cracks due to the full schedule this fall. Some of these fights may not be fight of the year caliber or even have a title at stake, but I'm interested and you might be too. Have no fear friends I am hear to remind you of the intriguing undercards, shamefully non-televised fights, and maybe one or two showdowns you hadn't known were even happening.

1. LUCIAN BUTE(20-0, 26KO) vs. ALEJANDRO BERRIO(26-4, 25KO) OCTOBER 19

Bute is Ring Magazine's fourth ranked Super Middleweight in the world. He is undefeated and getting his first title shot against a very tough Berrio. Bute has fought on ESPN a couple of times and impressed me. He has good power, hand speed, and knows how to command the ring well. He has been slowly stepping up the competition and handily outpointed the always rugged Sakio Bika in his last fight. Berrio is another step up for the Romanian, Berrio has handed knockout loses to some pretty could fighters, including Syd Vanderpool and Yusef Mack. He has power and likes to bang, not to mention a belt I'm sure he doesn't want to leave in Montreal. If that's not enough to make you interested in the fight, then how about the fact that those Canucks sure know how to support a fighter. When Bute faced Bika the Bell Center was devoured by a thunder and lighting storm, and it seemed to only make the fans get louder. Now those are the fight I enjoy seeing. Unfortunately this one's not televised in the U.S. but will be on TSN in Canada(the Canadian version of ESPN) which means I can see this one later on youtube. If anyone is interested some of Lucian's fights are on youtube now.

2. JEAN MARC MORMECK(33-3, 22KO) vs. DAVID HAYE(19-1, 18KO) NOVEMBER 10

What a shame that this fight will not be seen in the states. Two talented heavy hitting athletes squaring off for the title, this is the stuff you can't find at heavyweight. I wish people would pay closer attention to this division, it could be the best of them all. Mormeck is coming off a huge win against former undisputed champion O'Niel Bell, and taking on the number one challenger as all champions should do. Haye is a power puncher out of England looking to add another KO to his list before moving up to collect paychecks at heavyweight. These are two guys coming for the knockout. If you want to watch a tactical boxing match you might want to look elsewhere. I don't think it could be possible this to go the distance. Youtube, I am asking you as a friend please have this fight on your site ASAP.

3. ANDRE WARD(13-0, 8KO) vs. ROGER CANTRELL(12-0, 8KO) NOVEMBER 16

People in the past have in my opinion, been very tough on the gold medalist Andre Ward. I have always been a Ward supporter, and don't mind that his handlers have been bringing him along slowly. I understand that he has more experiance than most because of his extensive amatuer background, I know he's won a gold medal. What I think most don't understand is that he's 23. What's the rush? This is not basketball, or baseball, or even football. In those sports if your in over your head or pushed too fast, you go practice some more, work on free-throws, study your play-book, and work on the mechanics of your swing. In boxing if you have an off night you could end up severely hurt, and maybe never fully mentally recover from it. Do I even have to mention the name David Reid? I'm looking forward to this one because on paper they seem fairly evenly matched and it should be a decent test for Ward. Of course that's on paper, this could also be a chance for Ward to show off.

4. MATT GODFREY(16-0, 9KO) vs. JEREMY WILIAMS(42-5, 35KO) NOVEMBER 24

This a huge step up for my man Too Smooth, and I think he can handle it. Jeremy Williams made a name for himself by being an undersized heavyweight with heavy hands. He took a few years off after being grossly knocked out by Sam Peter. Williams has decided to try and make a name for himself in the Cruiserweight division, where he is matched with guys his own size. This fight will be a co-headline to a small PPV event held at Mandalay Bay Thanksgiving weekend. This one is a test for both fighters, if Williams can get past the Smooth undefeated fighter out of Providence, he may indeed be ready to conquer the division. If Godfrey can get by the tough veteran, he may indeed be ready for a title shot. Only time will tell. I am actually hoping to be in attendance for this one, hoping to make Godfrey's first fight in Vegas my first fight in Vegas.

Late word has it that this fight will be moved to Hartford Conecticut, oh well I guess Vegas can wait. The date will stay the same and the opponent should still be Williams.

5. JEFF LACY(22-1, 17KO) vs. PETER MANFREDO JR.(28-4, 13KO) DECEMBER 8TH

Both Manfredo and Lacy are coming off of some down time due to surgery, Lacy for a rotator cuff and Manfredo for an elbow. Lacy's time as been almost a year while Manfredo's last fight was in June. I'm looking forward to this fight for a few reasons, first these are both crowd pleasing fighters. Neither guy is going to shy away from contact and neither guy is known for amazing defense. Second, Manfredo is a very good test for Lacy, who is still one of my favorite fighters. I don't mean for that to down play Manfredo's talents, but I think the Jeff Lacy from a few years ago would take Manfredo apart. The question is can Lacy get back to his old form after two very long physically grinding fights. If he is not in good form he'll have a tough time getting rid of Manfredo. Third, it's on the undercard of a PPV I was planning on ordering. I have come to terms with the fact that most PPV's have crappy undercards. Who was on the undercard of Mayweather-Delahoya again? At least now I have two fights to look forward to on December 8th.



There you have it. those are a few fights I am interested in seeing or reading about this fall that have been lost in the shuffle. Let me know if you agree or maybe I missed a couple.

PREDICTIONS

I decided that I would get my predictions in a bit early this week because I'm leaving for Vegas Friday.(I just wanted to brag that I'm going to Vegas). A couple of good fights coming up this weekend. I will keep it brief so that I can go sit in my room and mentally prepare for Vegas. It just feels so good to say it.....I'm going to Vegas!

MATT GODFREY vs. DERRICK BROWN

Matt Godfrey is an up and coming Cruiserweight fighter out of Providence R.I. who just keeps trucking along, stepping up competition bit by bit, and beating everyone in his path. Matt is taking a risk with this fight. He is ranked pretty high by the WBC and could probably fight lesser guys until he gets his shot at a title. Instead he's fighting a bigger guy who campaigned most of his career at heavyweight. I will give Matt credit, instead of taking a keep busy fight he is taking a fight fight. That being said I think Matt will use his superior boxing skill and ring generalship to control the action. "Too Smooth" will indeed be....too smooth for Brown, thus derailing the "D-Train".(Sorry I know that was lame but it had to be done). Unfortunately I will not be in attendance for this fight, due to the fact that I am going to Vegas.(There it is again!) I have not missed many of Matt's fights and am disappointed to be missing this one, but hey, Vegas calls!(I gotta stop saying that).
PREDICTION: GODFREY UD


JHONNY GONZALEZ vs. GERRY PENALOSA

Not that the last boxing after dark was a bad fight, but this is what the shows should be. A young buck taking on a cagey vet. Both guys can pack a punch and Gonzalez may have questionable chin. Penalosa is coming off a bit of a robbery when he lost a UD to Ponce DeLeon last March. He is looking to rebound and let everyone know he's the true champ. Gonzalez lost by 10th round TKO to Israel Vasquez back in 2006. Due to the fact that Gonzalez is the younger guy, and Vasquez proved how good he is last weekend, I'll take Gonzalez with a late rally.
PREDICTION: GONZALEZ UD


DANIEL PONCE DELEON vs. REY BAUTISTA

These guys are stepping into the ring with a combined record of 54 wins 1 loss and 45 wins coming by way of knockout. This should be a shootout worth watching. As Everlast once said "I came to drop bombs". Both guys should enter the ring to House of Pain Saturday because they are both looking to bring it.(I know that's worse than derailing the D-Train comment, sorry it's been a long week). This fight is a toss up for me, I want to lean towards Ponce DeLeon, but I can't bet against Bautista in this one.(I sure as heck won't while I'm in Vegas!)
PREDICTION: BAUTISTA UD

Southern New England golden Gloves

Here's another video treat from "The Bryguy":

The Southern New England Golden Gloves located in Fall River, Massachusetts and is one of the precursors to the New England finals held in Lowell Mass. It has had it's share of names pass through including Matt Godfrey, Jason Estrada, Peter Manfredo Jr., and of course Marvin Hagler. Going to this event is like stepping through a time machine. The auditorium is dank and dirty, the paint is falling of the walls, lights are flickering and the only thing anyone cares about is the boxing. It was an absolute pleasure to witness the event and I would recommend going to anyone. I went and did a small story on the event for my show Out of Bounds, I hope you enjoy it.

Videographer/editor Bryan Brennan(The Bryguy) covers the sights and sounds of the history rich Southern New England Golden Gloves in Fall River, MA.

WEEKEND PREDICTIONS:



MATT GODFREY vs. FELIX CORA JR.(ESPN)
This is my pick for the best fight of the weekend. Both fighters have great reputations and are looking for a major title fight in the future. A loss here would be devastating to both men's careers. A loss in the cruiserweight division is much worse than any other because it's lesser known division. Godfrey will be fighting in front of his hometown crowd which gives him the advantage if the fight goes the distance. Both fighters seem to have solid chins and both have a bit of power. I think in this fight both fighters will be pushed to their limits. I have a feeling Godfrey is going to walk away as an actual threat to the Cruiserweight division.

PREDICTION:Godfrey TKO 11



PETER MANFREDO JR. vs. JOE CALZAGHE(HBO)
This is tough for me to write being that I've met Manfredo several times and I think he's a very nice guy. I haven't been terribly impressed with Calzaghe, but I don't think Manfredo has fought anyone nearly as talented as the Welshman. I think the deciding factor in this one is Calzaghe's handspeed. Peter hasn't fought anyone with that kind of handspeed. Peter will impress a few people with how far he goes, but I think he will be stopped.

PREDICTION: Calzaghe TKO 9


DIEGO CORRALES vs. JOSHUA CLOTTEY(Showtime)
This is my pick for the upset of the weekend. Joshua Clottey proved to me that he can beat a-list fighters. In my opinion he put on a clinic against Antonio Margarito until he broke his hand. Chico has moved up two weight classes and I think that could be a mistake. At the lower weight class he was dropped several times and got himself out of trouble because of his punching power. I don't think his power will travel two weight classes.

PREDICTION: Clottey KO 7