Always Leave Them Wanting More
In 2009 it seems like the boxing gods have taken the advice of the one and only Walt Disney.(I think it was Walt Disney who said that!) The end of the year seems like it could go out with a bang, and as the quote says leave us wanting more.(Well, I always want more, but I'm a bit of a boxing extremist.) I feel being a big boxing fan comes with quite a heavy burden to carry. The difference between Sox fans, or Bruins fans and a boxing fan is, I have to convince people my beloved sport is not dead. Instead of saying my teams better than your team, Yankees Suck, or talk about the bullpen needing more depth, I have have to inform/convince people my wonderful sport as a whole is alive and kicking. I am like a cheerleader, or salesman for my and I need to let you know there are some solid fights out there. So I am hear as a good boxing fan and cheerleader of fistic fury to let you know about some great match-ups that are going to close out 2009.
September 19th HBO PPV
Floyd Mayweather Jr.(39-0,25ko) vs. Juan Manuel Marquez(50-4,37ko)
In a perfect world, the winner of this fight would fight the winner of the Miguel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao fight.(I may be a fan, but even I know that boxing is not perfect, so keep your fingers crossed.) At first glance I thought this was just a way to hype up a future Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown. The closer we get the more interested I am in this fight. Not only are they two of the best pound for pound fighters on the planet, but they're also two of the slickest. People always refer to fights as a chess match, if that is true, this is the ultimate chess match. Both fighters are fast, smart, and can adjust as the fight goes on. Also, there is quite a bit on line, as I stated before, the winner could be in for a huge payday against the winner of Cotto - Pacquiao. Heck I'd love to see the losers fight! Last but not least, the undercards for this PPV is shaping up as well. A rematch between Chris John and Rocky Juarez, Zab Judah vs. Antonio Diaz, and all action brawler Michael Katsidis vs. Vincente Escobedo. For once a PPV that may be worth the money.
SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT TOURNEY
October 17th SHOWTIME
Andre Dirrell(18-0,13ko) vs. Carl Froch(25-0,20ko)
It's Showtime's first official telecast with fighters from the tournament facing off against each other. Eventually all the included combatants will meet in the ring, with not one of the potential match-ups being boring. The first fight is a battle of the undefeated; Andre Dirrell, the former 2004 Olympic Bronze medalist will take on the heavy-handed straight ahead Carl Froch. On paper it looks as if Dirrell has all the tools to dispose of the British champ, but Dirrell has never faced anyone even close to caliber of Froch. On paper it looked like Jermain Taylor had the tools to dispose of Froch too, we know that didn't happen.
Arthur Abraham(30-0,24ko) vs. Jermain Taylor(28-3,17ko)
The second of fight of the tourney is one I thought I might have seen at middleweight(160) a few years ago. Taylor lost his last fight to Carl Froch via twelve round TKO, but was beating Froch for most of the fight, and may have won had he not faded down the stretch. Unfortunately for Taylor, Abraham is loosely similar to Froch, he has heavy hands, rarely stops coming forward, and has a solid chin.(Loosely-similar, I think it's an oxymoron, but you get it!) Unfortunately for Abraham, Taylor is a very desperate man, which in a tournament like this, is a very scary thing. No matter what both these fights, and the other look great. If you want more information on the tournament go to Showtime's website.
November 7th HBO
Chad Dawson(28-0,17ko) vs. Glen Johnson(49-12,33ko) II
Back in January I posted a blog that stated the fights I would like to see in 2009, this was one of them. Dawson walked away with a Unanimous decision over Johnson in 2008, but many fans and critics alike have been vocal about their feelings that Johnson took the fight. I thought Dawson did just enough to win, but Johnson did enough to get a rematch. It's finally here and it's not a minute too soon. This could be Johnson's last chance to be at the top, so expect him to throw everything but the kitchen sink at Dawson...... you know, the usual way he fights!
November 14th HBO PPV
Manny Pacquiao(49-3,37ko) vs. Miguel Cotto(34-1,27ko)
I wrote about this fight not too long ago, so I won't beat you over the head with it. This has fight of the year written all over it. Over the past few years Cotto and Pacquiao have repeatedly given fans what they want, solid entertaining fights. This is just one more quality fight for both guys. Let's hope that we get a few decent fights on the under-card.
Lucian Bute(24-0,19ko) vs. Librado Andrade(28-2,21ko) II
Last but not least, is this rematch of their exciting, but controversial fight in October 2008. Bute got away with a unanimous decision after, either some hometown cooking, or perhaps just some awful refereeing. Bute was out on his feet in the 12th when the Ref took his sweet time getting to the count. Early in the fight Bute pulled out to a pretty good lead, but Andrade broke him down as the fight went on. The rematch will be interesting; Will Bute pace himself? Will Andrade start faster? Will memories of the first fight haunt Bute? I can't wait to find out.
If that isn't enough for you HBO has also started up the Emmy winning 24/7 series again for the Mayweather - Marquez fight, and I would hope they would do another for the Pacquiao - Cotto fight as well.
With a packed Fall fight schedule 2010 has quite a bit to live up to, but I think that's a good thing, since we'll probably want more.
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2 comments:
What? No love for the slow Ukrainian and the Incredible Bulk on Sept. 26?
Nope! I'm so tired of the Giants Jab Brothers! They remind me of my older brother when I was growing up, just holding me with his left until I gave up. I'm done with the heavyweights, even the good fights don't compare to the other weight classes!
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