What I saw:

I taped both the Lacy-Calzaghe fight and Cotto-Branco fights last week and had some interesting thoughts. First, I did write it was possible that Calzaghe could beat Lacy. I thought it was unlikely because I was blinded by how much fun it was to watch Lacy destroy his opposition. Second, as I was watching Lacy get completely manhandled, I wondered if it was ok to cry.(I didn't, but I thought about it.) When I was done watching the Lacy-Calzaghe fight I turned on the Cotto-Branco fight. During this fight something occurred to me, Cotto can be beat by Paulie Malignaggi. The strange part of this thought is that if it were not for the Lacy-Calzaghe fight I probably never would have thought this. Branco would lean on the ropes and get walled on. Cotto was able to set up his punches and plant his feet. When Branco would move around the ring and use his jab Cotto didn't have much to do. Joe Calzaghe used the ring, moved to the left and potshoted Jeff Lacy all night long. He used his hand speed, footwork, and ring generalship to outsmart and outwork the young hard punching fighter. These are the exact things that I thing Paulie Malignaggi can and will do against Miquel Cotto. Paulie is in great shape and has excellent footwork and handspeed. The "Magic Man" does lack power but as long as he doesn't stop moving it shouldn't matter. So that's what I saw last week, a reason why Paulie Malignaggi may be able to tarnish Cotto's record. That and a one sided beating of my favorite fighter.

JEFF LACY VS. JOE CALZAGHE:

This was taken from a previous blog entry written 12/26/05. I made a minor adjustment, but overall I still feel the same way. I would like to state I am more excited about this fight than any other in quite some time. I have even considered staying home Saturday night just to watch it. I think due to a pub crawl a tape and Sunday viewing may have to due.
Jeff Lacy has been eating up competition ever since he turned pro. It seems as if he's been getting better and more ferocious in each fight as well. It reminds me of Mike Tyson back in the day. People are starting to wonder if he is unstoppable. Joe Calzaghe is one of those guys across the pond that many feel is a protected fighter with a fictional record. I've only seen the Calzaghe-Mitchell fight from Showtime On-Demand. I am convinced that if Calzaghe comes in and fights the same way he'll be crushed. I have read a few articles that state Joe is a very good boxer, but I've only seen the one fight, so I haven't witnessed it. I am totally biased in this prediction because Jeff Lacy is by far my favorite fighter to watch. My only fear is that Calzaghe will be to Lacy what Holyfield was to Tyson, a reality check. I doubt it Lacy is a much smarter person and boxer than Mike was. But the potential is there. Lacy: TKO 10

WHY?

Why can't they figure out how to run the sport properly? There are so many people in boxing that talk about how boxing used to be. They talk about how it used to be the most popular sport, how everyone would gather in front of the T.V. to watch the fights. How it would fill giant venues, and how it used to get a ton of media coverage. You'd think that the people in boxing would recognize where boxing was and understand that someday it could be there again. You'd think that they would look at how other sports are successfully run and make some changes. I'm not even going to get into the fact they need one organization like the NFL,NBA, or MLB. I'm not going to get into the fact that most fighters deserve better, and shouldn't have to be broke after fighting for twenty years. I'm simply saying don't split the market. Boxing has a small, but passionate fan base. If you go to fights locally you will see the same people at almost every fight. I'm sure the same goes for the big fights as well. HBO, Showtime, and other promoters refuse to talk and work there fights around each other so as to not split there small, but passionate following. Next weekend Showtime and HBO will once again go head to head with main events. Showtime has the Jeff Lacy vs. Joe Calzghe fight, and HBO will be airing Miguel Cotto vs. Gianluca Branco. This is extremely disappointing to me because Jeff Lacy and Miguel Cotto are two of my favorite fighters. You're telling me that two of the richest TV stations on the planet couldn't get any other date for these fights. There are seven days in a week and 52 Saturdays in year. It gets worse from there, those two fights are at least on cable. June 10th again Miguel Cotto will fight Paulie Malinaggi on PPV. At the same time Bernard Hopkins will be fighting Antonio Tarver on PPV. As a boxing fan I find this to be insulting. Not only do I feel neither of these fights to be worth PPV money, but to put them on the same night is ridiculous. It gets even worse when you get to the local boxing scene. I have been to fights in Boston and at the same time just across town a rival promoter is putting on another show. There are only so many boxing fans in one city. What bothers me most about this is not that they are hurting themselves by not getting as much money as they could. Which to me is pretty stupid. But they are hurting the sport of boxing. The old fans are used to it and will just keep taking it, but sooner or later there won't be any of us left and boxing will disappear forever. Sorry that was a little dramatic, but you get my point.

NEW ENGLAND GOLDEN GLOVES

I went to my first amateur show last night. The finals of the New England Golden Gloves. I was extremely impressed. I compare it to watching college basketball instead of the NBA. There was no politics involved, no bad decisions, and no boring fights. These kids faced off against each other for pride, and a trip to the nationals. There were a couple thousand fans in attendance, most of whom go every year. They don't care who fights just as long as they fight. The fans had no problem booing if there was a break in the action, who cares if he's only a kid we paid money to get in here. Luckily there wasn't much of a break throughout the 7 fights. One kid in particular I feel fortunate to have seen was Demetrius "Boo-Boo" Andrade. This kid will surely be a part of the 2008 Olympic team. It was like seeing and NBA player go back and play at a small college. His skills were so far superior that he was trying not to hurt his opponent. Seeing him fight was such a treat because when he does make the Olympics or make a name for himself in the pros I can say I remember him when. All in all I was a huge fan of the Golden Gloves, and can't wait to go back next year.

MORE RANDOM THOUGHTS:

I just read that Paulie Mallinaggi is close to getting his fight with Miguel Cotto. Paulie has been shouting about this fight for quite a while now. At first I just threw him in with the pile of everyone else calling out Cotto. After watching the "Magic Man" play with Donald Camerana on ESPN two weeks ago I'm excited about this fight. It is a good matchup looking to answer some questions lingering with both fighters. How would Cotto look against a fast slick boxer? Can Paulie's speed make up for his lack of punching power? Is Mallinaggi just a big mouth or a boxer who knows how good he is? Is Cotto a good enough boxer to slow Mallinaggi down? About a year ago Paulie said this would make a great fight for the same reason people were interested in Mayweather - Gatti. It's the perfect good vs. evil fight. Cotto is a quiet well respected boxer. Paulie is a cocky big mouth who likes to clown in the ring. Me personally, I like both guys. I'll take Mallinaggi's mouth over Tarver's anyday. But as far as hype, it would be very easy to hype this up. To be honest I'm not sure who would win, but I have to think Cotto has the upperhand. He's faced the better opposition and Paulie's lack of punching power is going to affect him against Cotto. My only question is can Miguel catch him?

I wish every fight had an HBO countdown made for it. I was not excited about the Mosely - Vargas fight, until I sat down and watched the on demand countdown. After watching the thirty minute documentary, I felt like this was going to be the greatest fight ever put on TV. I think they could make a fight between Butterbean and Ruiz seem worth the money. I have since relaxed and realized it won't be, but it still convinced me to buy the fight. Of course I get half off, so it's not hard to convince me. It is a crossroads fight and I believe both guys will come out guns blazin'. I think Mosely still has the better skills and his speed is always a major advantage. Vargas' last couple fights have been strange to me. He seems like he doesn't know what kind of a fighter he wants to be anymore. PREDICTION: Mosely KO 9

The best thing about On Demand is the boxing. If you miss a Sho-box or boxing after dark you can call it up on-demand a few days later. If there is a big fight coming up HBO or Showtime will replay a great fight from each upcoming fighter. This week in preparation for Vargas - Mosely, not only did I get to watch the countdown documentary, but I was treated to Vargas - Quartey and Delahoya - Mosely . Both classic fights and I get to enjoy them all over again. On Showtime I was able to watch Joe Calzaghe fight Byron Mitchell. This was a double treat, not only had I never seen Calzaghe fight, but it was a pretty intense enjoyable fight. Showtime also had the Lacy - Pemberton fight, but seeing as I like Scott very much I chose not to view that one again. How did I get so lucky? I've watched so much boxing this week that I may not watch Friday Night Fights, or the Vargas - Mosely fight. No I'm just kidding, of course I'll watch, I'm The Bryguy.

TOP FIVE RING ENTRY SONGS:
I think the song a fighter picks to enter the ring to is important. It should say something about them, get fans pumped up and scare the opponent all at the same time. Admit it there's nothing more disappointing then a guy entering the ring to some lame song. These songs are not necessarily used, but the Bryguy feels they should be.

5. YOU KNOCK ME OUT - R. KELLY

At first listen it may sound like a slow R&B track about a chick. Well, it is but it's got a good beat and great chorus. Kells sings "you are the champ baby you are the champ baby." Just a personal fave, but I know it's not for everybody.

4. THUNDERSTRUCK - ACDC

This track is used for the entry of Arturo "Thunder" Gatti. It's got the slow start with the quitar and the chanting of "thunder!" What a way to get fans riled up. It's got a tough beat and a kickass chorus saying "you been, thunderstruck!" You can't go wrong. Especially if your fighting name is "Thunder".

3. ENTER SANDMAN - METALLICA

This song is also used by a fighter. By New Bedford's own Scott "The Sandman" Pemberton. What a perfect song announcing that the Sandman is entering the ring. This song is heavy and could get anybody in the mood to fight. Even if your not a boxer, but I'm sure that helps. You can picture his opponent just standing in the ring waiting to get put to sleep.

2. RUMBLE YOUNG MAN RUMBLE - JUELZ SANTANA
This song is off his recent CD. I'm sure no one is using it yet. It's all about being strong and fighting to survive. The chorus is straight from Ali. I don't think you can get any better than that. You're entering letting everyone know you're ready to "Rumble Young Man Rumble".

1. MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT - LL COOL J
I know it's a bit too obvious to be number 1. But that's what's so bad ass about it. LL raps with so much anger and emotion you can't help but get pumped up. It's also pretty tough to let everyone know you're planning on the KO. My personal choice would be to go with the unplugged version. It's even tougher than the original.

HONORABLE MENTION:

BAGPIPES

Just like in Million Dollar Baby. I saw John Duddy do it once too. It's such a unique instrument that it works. It's almost like your at the other mans funeral.

SOME LIVE ACTS

I saw Dimitry Salita lead in by jewish reggae artist Matisyahu once. It was pretty impressive. It had a similar affect as the bagpipes. It also makes you pretty badass to say I don't want a CD I want the real thing. Sometimes this can backfire. One I think of right away is Nelly leading in Corey Spinks. I know they're both from St. Louis, but it just seemed cheesy to me. It was even cheesier when Spinks got knocked out by Judah in the ninth. I wonder if Nelly rapped when Corey was leaving the ring too.

CONTENDER EAST COAST SURPRISE:

I was overwhelmed this weekend by the fights in Providence. First off, my predictions couldn't have been more wrong. I had no idea Manfredo would fill out so well. In the post fight press conference Manfredo trainer Freddie Roach said he thinks Peter was struggling to get to 160. He also feels Peter is stronger and faster at 168. I agree fully with Mr. Roach. The Peter we saw on Monday night was by far the best we've seen. The only thing that Freddie and I disagree on is that he thinks Peter is ready for the winner of Lacy-Calzaghe. I would like to see the "Pride of Providence" take on another younger person at 168 before tackling a Lacy or Calzaghe. One thing I was also impressed with was how Matt Godfrey handled his step up. Matt knocked out Ernest manteen in the second round. That is not what I was impressed with though. The changes he made between the first and the second rounds is what impressed me the most. He felt out "M16" for the first round. In the second he seemed to already know what was going to land easily. This is smart boxing. He quickly adjusted and did what was necessary to get the KO. In the end "Too Smooth" was indeed too smooth. Unfortunately we didn't get to see much of Jason Estrada's step up due to and accidental headbut. No matter what Yanqui Daiz says, I believe it was accidental. One last thing that impressed me more than anything was the way Scott Pemberton handled himself after the fight. He answered every question reporters asked and made no excuses for the loss. He gave Peter full credit including telling him "the better man won tonight." He also interjected some humor, about how his mail lady asked him for a Manfredo autograph. I think Scottie should get credit for being a class act. Other fighters should pay attention and follow his lead. Over all I thought it was a pretty good night. My only complaint is I would have rather skipped the two Contender undercard fights.