Spring Spraining!

It's that time of year where little kids start to work over mitts, while their parents yell "no ball in the house". Baseball fans start talking bout what moves teams made in the off-season, who's going to be a surprise, and marking their calender for the big Yankees-Sox match-ups. That's right New Englanders, it's Spring Training time. Athletes and fans a like will be heading to Fort Myers to stretch, click pictures, and get or give autographs(depending on what side of the fence you're on). There will be plenty of running, throwing, catching, and even a little hitting. Well, there just isn't enough hitting for me! I need more jabbing, bobbing weaving, hooking, and 10 counts! Good thing this month seems to be packed with fight cards in Florida, and all about a two hour drive from Fort Myers! So, if you are here in sunny Florida to oogle some athletes, why not take the drive and check a couple guys putting on different kinds of gloves. I am even willing to give you the info, just in case you decide to give the sport I love a chance.

Saturday May 14th
The Bank Atlantic Center
Sunrise Florida
2 hours and 5 minutes

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This is the fight card to be at if you are a fight fan. You'll get to see a heavy handed head-case, a brawling prospect, and a guy who could be the best lightweight in the world. That's just in the main event, the under-cards are just as stacked. There are twelve fights on the card, and tickets as cheap as $25, that $2.08 a fight!! (Not including beers of course). LATE ADD: Word has Campbell didn't make weight, which means it's no longer a title fight, but the fight will still go on.

HEADLINERS

NATE CAMPBELL(32-5-1, 25ko) vs. ALI FUNEKA(30-1-2, 25ko)

This is a solid title fight. Campbell has been an exciting fighter who at times comes up just a bit short.(For instance, not making weight). Campbell is coming off a career best performance against the rugged, never take a step back Juan Diaz. Ali Funeka is a solid fighter with a good record and is coming of his biggest victory, a knockout out of Zahir Raheem in the fourth. Campbell is one of the top two Lightweights in the world, a fight against the other Juan Manuel Marquez could happen if Campbell keeps impressing. I look for this fight to be a crowd pleaser.

CO-HEADLINERS

KERMIT CINTRON(30-2, 27ko) vs. SERGIO MARTINEZ(44-1-1, 24ko)

This is a quality matchup and a great co-headline. Kermit Cintron is a bit of a head-case(he rolled around the ring crying after his fight with Jesse Feliciano), but Killer Kermit sure can punch. He'll be moving up in weight for the first time in his career to take a shot at a 154 lb belt. Sergio Martinez is a 33 year old veteran who's last fight was a career best on HBO. Both fighter's have losses to Antonio Margarito, and after his little hand-wrap incident it seems like a loss to Margarito was unavoidable.

ALFERDO ANGULO(14-0, 11ko) vs. COSME RIVERA(31-11-2, 22ko)

Angulo is just one of a stable of up and coming prospects being showcased by HBO. Angulo is a hard punching straight forward brawler. He has a style that can't make for a boring fight. Cosme Rivera is a veteran gate keeper, has taken other prospects like Andre Berto, and Joel Julio to the brink before taking the loss. Angulo was originally supposed to take on Ricardo Mayorga, but he pulled out over money. I would have rather seen that fight, but this one isn't to shabby.

NOTABLE UNDERCARDS FIGHTERS

ANTHONY DIRRELL (14-0, 12ko)

Dirrell is the brother of Bronze medalist Andre Dirrell. He has not been brought along the same way as his brother, is still quick and has some skills. Anthony has been feasting on less than stellar competition, but if you're at the fight that means he usually walks away with a KO. He isn't as good as his brother, but is still quite talented and worth checking out.

GARY RUSSELL JR. (1-0, 1ko)

Gary was one of the major disappointments in the Beijing Olympics last year, he lost his battle at the scales, failing to make weight. Sometimes a loss in the amateurs can fuel a guy to succeed in the pro game. If he does turn out to be a good fighter, why not say "I saw that guy when....."?


Saturday February 20th
The Nova University Center Arena
Fort Lauderdale
2 hours 10 minutes

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There are a few people worth checking out on this card, especially when you can get tickets as cheap as $15.

MAIN EVENTS

RICHARD GUTIERREZ(24-2-1, 14ko) vs. JESUS GONZALES(24-1, 13ko)

This is a must win for both guys. Gutierrez was on a roll, winning 21 straight fights until he ran into Alfred Angulo. Gonzales has only one loss to the hard hitting Jose Luis Zertuche, and has been matched fairly carefully, and needs to prove he's ready for some bigger fights. A loss for either guy would set them way back, so both guys should be fighting with plenty of intensity and heart.

YURIORKIS GAMBOA(13-0, 11ko) vs. WALTER ESTRADA(35-8, 24ko)

Gamboa has been on the fast track to the big time since he turned pro two years ago. I will admit, he could be one of the most exciting fighters to watch in boxing (I personally don't like him, but I will admit he's exciting). He has speed, power in both hands, and a little bit of a wobbly chin, which makes for edge of your seat fun. Estrada is a veteran, but don't let the record fool you, his competition has been below average for a guy with 43 fights. Then again, if you look at Beidis Prescott's record before Ahmir Khan it wasn't that impressive either!

NOTABLE UNDERCARD FIGHTERS

BREIDIS PRESCOTT (20-0, 18ko)

The hard hitting Colombian destroyed the much ballyhooed Englishman, and Olympic silver medalist Ahmir Khan in 54 seconds last time out. That's about all I know about Prescott, but that is enough to peak my interest.

ERISLANDY LARA (3-0, 2ko)

This Cuban prospect has been talked about quite a bit lately(mostly by his promotional team), as if he could turn out to be something. Why not check him out?


FEBRUARY 27TH
Seminole Hard Rock Casino
Hollywood, Florida
2 hours, 5minutes

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This is the last fight card in Florida during the Red Sox regular Spring Training schedule. The undercards are a little weaker than the other cards, but the main event is worth the trip.

MAIN EVENT

GLEN JOHNSON(48-12-2, 33ko) vs. DANIEL JUDAH(23-3-3, 10ko) II

It seems the Glen Johnson has spent his whole career begging people to get in the ring with him. The first fight with Judah ended in a controversial draw back in 2004. Judah has fallen off a bit since that last fight, but what I'm really interested in is seeing the Road Warrior(Johnson) get his revenge.

UNDERCARDS

DANNY O'CONNOR (3-0, 1ko)

This is a New England kid that Sox fans should support. I have written about him before, and I think he could turn out to be pretty good. Danny is a defensive fighter and has been busy in the very beginning of his pro career. So, don't be one of the band wagon jumpers, go support him now. Do you and him a favor, take the ride and show him some love.

I will fully admit I don't know too much about any of the other under card fighters. Sometimes those are the best fighters on card.

Well, there you go, all you need to add another stop on your Spring Training road trip. If you get sick of catching and throwing, you can watch some bobbing and weaving. If you're tired of K's and you'd rathe KO's, or maybe you want to see stretchers more than stretching(I have a million of these), take the 2 hour trip!