Monday, September 28, 2009
Post Fight Thoughts on Klitschko vs. Arreola
Saturday night's matchup of Vitali Klitschko against Cristobal Arreola was a solid heavyweight matchup with the bigger and more experienced Vitali Klitschko winning by knockout in the late in the fight as I predicted. I think Vitali did a good job in the matchup and people are complaining about him running but its all a part of boxing even if your near seven feet tall you have to avoid being hit as much as possible and with a big puncher like arreola you have to avoid his punches because with Arreola its one hard shot with another hard shot behind it. I think it was the smart thing for Vitali to keep his distance from Arreola because if Arreola got on the inside Vitali was going to take a beating. It was a solid matchup I had Vitali winning every round except the 8th I thought Arreola did enough to win the 8th round because Vitali took the round off but he came back in the 9th round and he was breaking Arreola down and you can just see he was setting up the KO his jabs were landing through Arreola's guard and he was just giving him shot after shot that straight right hand and Arreola couldnt avoid that shot so his corner did the right thing and stopped to fight to avoid further damage it was a valiant effort from Arreola but at this stage in his career he just wasnt ready. I mentioned in my prediction post that Arreola wasnt ready for this fight and Vitali was gonna utilize that against him. I hope Arreola gets in shape for his next bout he needs to be 230 pounds if you ask me though his stamina didnt fade I think he was a bit weight drained and dehydrated just by looking at him. I hope Arreola comes back with a vengeance, and Vitali I think is fighting either Oleg Maskaev or Kevin Kingpin Johnson in December so i'm glad that hes decided to stay active. I would love to see him fight either Valuev or David Haye before he retires Valuev being the flawed fighter he is would draw money in europe I think he would be the first opponent in Vitali's career that could be taller than him so we'll see what happens in the coming months
Monday, September 21, 2009
Mayweather vs Mosley Lets Make It Happen!
The boxing world is ready for Mayweather vs Mosley this fight has to happen now after Shane Mosley called out Mayweather right to his face. This is the boxing match that fans want to see right now and the whole world is talking. This is a matchup that brings speed and power against skill. Shane Mosley at the age of 38 has waited for this moment his whole career and Floyd Mayweather needs this fight for legacy. I understand Floyd's outlook I know hes looking to fight the winner of Pacquiao vs Cotto and I dont blame him. One Shane lost a match to Cotto recently, and Manny Pacquiao is number one pound for pound so historically this would be the best matchup to make for Floyd, and it brings the most money and intrigue. Shane Mosley on the other hand just knocked out Antonio Margarito who had one of the best chins in boxing. Though Mosley vs Mayweather doesnt bring the money or will get the pay per view buys that a fight with Pacquiao or Cotto would get against Mayweather I think that is the fight that needs to be made for Mosley in December. Mayweather can pull off this fight because Marquez barely hit him, and he was called out live on national television during his own post fight interview. This fight will be the real tuneup for Mayweather and this fight wont give Mayweather a long layoff. If Mayweather decides to fight the winner of Pacquiao vs Cotto then Mosley needs to keep fighting in the welterweight division he needs to give Floyd, Pacquiao, and Cotto a reason to fight him he needs to go in and knock out Joshua Clottey (they arent fight December 26th by the way), he needs to knock off a young contender like Andre Berto, he needs to fight the IBF champion and dismantle him thats what Shane needs to do to get his big money fight. Mayweather vs Mosley lets make it happen I wont make a prediction until they sign the contract
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Aftermath of Mayweather vs Marquez
I didnt get the chance to watch all of Mayweather vs Marquez but I did see the post fight interview with Shane Mosley. My personal opinion is Shane should have let Mayweather do his post fight interview rather than stand in and interupt him. Shane Mosley has had many opportunities to fight Mayweather and theres even videos of Mayweather calling out Shane Mosley. Though I do think this is a fight that Mayweather needs this is also a fight that Mosley needs as well. I can tell you though Juan Manuel Marquez is a lightweight and really had no business in the ring with Mayweather it still looked like Floyd Mayweather Jr. was back. I'm thinking right now that it will be Mayweather vs Mosley next winter or spring but Mosley isnt doing himself any good by staying inactive and chasing after the big fights when he even offered a 70/30 pay cut to fight Manny Pacquiao and go down to 140 in desperation to get the megafight. A 70/30 cut is a major cut and honestly he can make the same money in that 70/30 fighting Andre Berto and more fighting a Joshua Clottey which is a fight that was cancelled. Shane Mosley can stop acting like nobody is willing to fight him because there are a lot of names out there that have called him out and said they would fight him but he refused. I hate to admit it but Shane Mosley does not bring in the same money that Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, and Floyd Mayweather bring to the table. Mosley may think he brings money to the table for these fighters but in actuality he doesnt draw as much as he thinks. In his matchup with Ricardo Mayorga there were many empty seats in the arena, in his matchup with Antonio Margario people were booing him so what does that say about Mosley being a draw? Dont get me wrong Shane Mosley is a great fighter he dominated the lightweight division, and became a welterweight champion twice but, when you think about it he has 5 losses all to great fighters and even a loss to a man that Mayweather may fight depending on if he wins or not November 14th who is Miguel Cotto. Right now is put up or shut up for Floyd Mayweather Jr. right now he has to take this fight with Mosley it will lead up to a matchup with the winner of Pacquiao vs Cotto. Honestly if Mosley wants to prove something so bad he can fight Juan Manuel Marquez make the 144 pound limit and knock him out. I got a feeling this fight is gonna happen now and im gonna say congrats to Money Mayweather on the victory and lets hope Mosley vs Mayweather happens in 2010
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Odlanier Solis vs Fres Oquendo Official Prediction
October 10th in Madison Square Garden Fres Oquendo is taking on Odlanier Solis for the WBC International heavyweight Championship and a WBC title eliminator according to boxingrec. Here is my official prediction to this matchup. Odlanier Solis out of Cuba is a top prospect in a heavyweight division that is not as talent deep as it was fifteen years ago. He is 14-0 with ten knockouts. Fast Fres Oquendo is a veteran heavyweight who has 35 wins and 5 losses with 20 knockout wins. Oquendo has fought talented heavyweights and has the experience in this matchup. Though three of his losses are disputed he has two knockout losses as well. This should not be a determining factor in this matchup. Odlanier Solis was originally supposed to fight Oquendo earlier this summer but some things changed and Oquendo fought Bruce Seldon and Solis was scheduled to fight Kevin Johnson but he pulled out. Now this fight is back on and it should be an exciting matchup. Solis is an exciting fighter to watch but the later his fights go on the more tired he gets. I believe this is a 10 round matchup, and with an opponent like Oquendo he is definately going to be taken into deep waters. He throws a nice sharp right hook, decent jab and hes a very good counter puncher. His problems are he doesnt set anything up with his jab, his punches can look very sloppy, and he runs out of gas. Fres Oquendo has many advantages over Solis. One advantage is Oquendo has a lot more experience with rounds and competition. Oquendo has fought some great veterans and champions such as: future hall of famer Evander Holyfield, Chris Byrd, and James Toney along with some good quality fighters such as John Ruiz, Bert Cooper, Clifford Etienne, and David Tua. He has been in the ring with a who's who of fighters in the division. Though coming up short in some of these fights he still has the advantage of rounds. Oquendo has a good work rate, very strong puncher, great accuracy, and has some decent lateral movement. In a matchup with a strong puncher like Solis people are going to question his chin because of the knockout losses to David Tua and John Ruiz. In this matchup its not a matter of Odlanier Solis' power vs Fres Oquendo's chin its a matter of Odlanier Solis inexperience vs Fres Oquendo's experience. Unlike Oquendo, Solis has never stepped in the ring to face the level of opposition that Oquendo has gotten to face. This will play a major role in testing Solis. My opinion on this fight I think Fres Oquendo has to work all 10 rounds of this matchup he has to throw jabs, combinations, and the basic stick and move beat Solis to the punch and move. His main punch in this matchup should be the right hook because Solis leaves himself open for the right hook or the right cross. The best way to win against a fighter like Solis with Oquendo is simply outlanding and outboxing Solis being more aggressive. Odlanier Solis needs to focus on throwing the right jab and trying to set Oquendo up for the knockout. In the early rounds Solis needs to test Oquendo's chin throwing his right hook and his straight right hand. Solis needs to go to the body with Oquendo, he needs to cut off the ring and throw hooks to the body, and jab to the body when hes unable to land that hook to the body this will slow Oquendo down and can possibly set up the knockout if Oquendo fades reminiscent of his matchup with David Tua. In this matchup I think skill, boxing ability, experience and work rate is the most important part of this match and I think Solis can easily be outboxed and Oquendo is very versatile so my prediction for this matchup is Fres Oquendo a razor thin split decision victory I could see Solis getting a gift but im going to say Fres Oquendo split decision. My thoughts if Oquendo can get a title shot against the Vitali Klitschko vs Chris Arreola winner that would be great, but I dont think Solis is ready for a matchup with Klitschko or Arreola but thats my prediction Fres Oquendo split decision
Official Prediction Jesus Chavez vs David Diaz
Jesus Chavez is fighting David Diaz on September 26th and heres my official prediction. This is an interesting matchup both fighters are coming off of losses with one coming off of a layoff that lasted over a year after a one sided beating from boxing's best pound for pound Manny Pacquiao. Getting into this intriguing matchup this has to be one of the biggest matchups that Chicago has had in a while. Jesus Chavez is coming off of a eighth round knockout loss to Michael Katsidis on the "Lightweight Lightning" pay per view on April 4th of this year. He has come up short against some of boxing's best in the past including a close fight that ended as a technical knockout loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr., a war with Erik Morales, and a loss to Julio Diaz. Jesus Chavez still has a lot to prove if he still wants to be a force in the lightweight division. Chavez possesses good heart, tough fighter, keeps coming forward, and fights very well on the inside. David Diaz has only two losses in his career those losses coming to quality named opponents Kendall Holt, and Manny Pacquiao. He has show great boxing ability he has a stiff jab, great overhand right, average lateral movement, and great heart, but he hasnt been in competition in 15 months. Some fighters do need the long layoffs so they can revitalize their careers after humbling defeats so I can understand that but, David Diaz is not a name like a Floyd Mayweather Jr. people arent calling him out and lining up to fight him so he should at least stay busy and maybe at least had one fight in between that time maybe an 8 rounder or something along those lines. In this fight I see Jesus Chavez coming forward and trying to make Diaz fight at his pace. I see Jesus Chavez winning the early rounds because I see David Diaz having ring rust and taking a while to adjust to Chavez. In the later rounds Diaz will outbox Chavez and give Chavez some trouble. At the end of the day I see Chavez winning a close unanimous decision i see him stealing rounds and winning based on activity so i'm going with Chavez unanimous decision
Danny Green vs Roy Jones Jr.
This is a quick prediction of Roy Jones Jr vs Danny Green the fight is scheduled for December 2nd for the IBO Cruiserweight Championship. Roy Jones Jr. is coming off of a one sided victory over Jeff Lacy a few weeks ago for the NABO Light Heavyweight Championship and has fought twice in the year of 2009 so hes still sharp. Danny Green fought on the undercard of this Jones vs Lacy pay per view defeating Julio Cesar Dominguez by knockout. I dont have to go into detail about Roy Jones Jr. but he is a former pound for pound king has quick reflexes and great power in both hands. Many are not familiar with Danny Green because his fights are mostly based out in Europe. He has power in both hands himself, but to me he seems to be a one dimensional fighter. Danny Green has always had trouble with boxers that werent moving targets. My honest opinion this fight should have happened when Danny Green was the champion in early 2008. This fight would have brought more intrigue to the boxing fans because Roy would have had a shot at winning another major championship at light heavyweight and could have unified with a Chad Dawson or Joe Calzaghe. The matchup is happening this year and heres my prediction. Danny Green's fight style was tailor made for Roy Jones Jr.s style, if you look at his losses to Anthony Mundine and Markus Beyer you see that he was simply out boxed. Anthony Mundine who is currently a champion and a solid fighter simply used movement of his shoulders and head and it took Green out of his gameplan. Danny Green is the type of fighter that has a gamplan each and every fight but when there is only one plan. In boxing when plan A doesnt work then there should be a plan B and a plan C there should be preparation to accomodate flaws of a fighter to use as an advantage for your fighter. Danny Green lacks it though he has boxing ability hes still very one dimensional. Roy Jones Jr. has the quick hands, great upper body movement, great foot speed, quick reflexes and power everything that is wrong for Danny Green. In order to win this fight Danny Green has to have good timing. Green has to time Roy Jones Jr's every move in order to win this fight. Roy Jones has to throw hard shots the entire fight and move which is the key to Roy winning. My prediction Roy Jones Jr. wins this matchup by stoppage in the 11th round
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Here We Go Joshua Clottey vs Shane Mosley Official Prediction
So announced last week was an upcoming championship bout between Shane Mosley and Joshua Clottey. I think with the other fighters in the welterweight division being tied up and busy this is the best fight that can be made. When people think about this fight they think its a boring fight because Joshua Clottey is a fighter who can take a punch only to give a hard shot back. Shane Mosley is known for throwing a lot of power punches and can take a good punch. In Mosley's career hes only been knocked down once and thats by Vernon Forrest. Clottey was knocked down in his last matchup to Miguel Cotto by a jab. I think what happened was Clottey got caught off guard and Cotto just landed a clean effective jab that shocked him and knocked him down. On to this matchup. Shane Mosley has experience on his side, hes the number one man to beat at welterweight though Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are the top names in the division the top fighter hands down at welterweight pound for pound is Shane Mosley. Shane has fought two of the elite fighters at welterweight at that time who were Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito. Though he lost to Cotto he knocked out Margarito who defeated Cotto who was the number one welterweight following the recent "retirement" of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Joshua Clottey is very underrated and i've said for the past year or so that he should be getting better fights than he was offered. In the welterweight division I think hes the most ducked fighter now because I think Paul Williams is gone from the division, and though the two top draws in the division didnt decide to fight Mosley people are still willing to fight him. Joshua Clottey is a dangerous fight for anybody in the welterweight division. He stays behind a defensive shell, its hard to hurt him, and he can land some good counter shots. Similiar to Shane Mosley, Clottey has fought Margarito and Cotto coming up short both times though he could have won both fights. The loss to Margarito is understandable he broke his hand but better yet he finished the fight with a broken hand. The loss to Cotto is disputed but I had Cotto winning by a point Clottey didnt do enough to win and let me go to the flaws. Joshua Clottey isnt a fast starter as you can tell in the Zab Judah and Miguel Cotto fights. He does good work in the mid rounds but tends to slack in the championship rounds, and there are times looking at Clottey he just takes rounds off and lets you do the work and he stays in the shell while you volume punch your way to winning the round. Shane Mosley is a very strong fighter former weight lifter, and is the man to beat at welterweight. He throws very hard shots, he has great foot and handspeed, he has a great chin, he throws combos and flurries and moves out of the way. Just like every fighter he has flaws as well. Shane Mosley has the tendency to throw a hard thundering shot and just stand there and admire his work rather than just simply move out of the way, and land another one. Shane can keep his chin open, with a fighter who counters, and lands great shots like Clottey he wants to keep his chin tucked. One of the biggest flaws of Shane Mosley is he doesnt stay behind a jab the entire fight look at the Margarito fight he stayed behind the jab to the body and hit him with a hard shot up stairs at the beginning of the fight but when he started hurting Margarito he went back to the old Shane Mosley throwing only power shots in the later rounds. Margarito has one of the best chins in boxing, but for Mosley to knock him out has to show the power and strength of Shane Mosley. This fight will be a technical fight and though Joshua Clottey stays in the shell and waits for that countering opportunity I think Shane Mosley will out work him in the beginning, early mid, and late rounds to win the fight. So I'm going with Sugar Shane Mosley Unanimous Decision
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