Dos Santos Destroys Carwin!

Vancouver, Can.- Junior dos Santos and Shane Carwin entered the octagon at the Rogers center to determine who would be the number one contender for Cain Velázquez’ UFC heavyweight title. What transpired, over the next fifteen minutes, was one of the biggest one-sided thrashings between two top contenders, in the history of the UFC heavyweight division. From the opening bell, dos Santos showed better boxing, footwork, and a bigger arsenal of punches, hurting Carwin early and often.

Dos Santos dropped Carwin near the cage and started to unload on him with clubbing right hands, while Carwin covered up ala Brock Lesnar.  Still dos Santos did the one thing that Carwin did not do when he had the title in his grasp, he let Shane up.  Carwin’s face was painted with blood as he looked up in disbelief that dos Santos was letting him up. Once back to his feet, dos Santos put on a boxing clinic, sticking the jab in the determined but tired Carwin’s face. Mixing in a few take downs, in the next two rounds, to put a stamp on the clear victory, dos Santos proved, once again, that being able to bench four hundred pounds means nothing, if your fist can’t find the target.

Cain Velazquez Heavyweight Champion

Dos Santos’ next fight will be against Cain Velázquez, the undisputed Heavyweight Champion. He is already the favorite. As for Shane Carwin, he will have to decide which style of fighter he’s going to be: a slow clubber (who will have trouble with any fighter with good hands that is faster then he) or (back to roots and God given talent) a wrestler who grounds and pounds his opponents into submission.

We will see how this all falls into place, but whatever happens, one thing is for certain, with the acquisition of strike force’s heavyweights, the division is alive once again.

- The Boxing King -

When Will It End?

Moscow, Russia- Saturday night former pound for pound king and multi title champion Roy Jones Jr. was knocked out in horrific fashion by Denise Lebedev. This was Jones third consecutive loss and his second by devastating knock out. Through out the 90’s into early 2003 Roy Jones simply dominated with no peer his extremely gifted athleticism and cat like reflexes allowed him to break all the rules in boxing to create his own unique style and world within the sport he was a rapper an actor and basketball player.

However, in the last seven years Jones has become one of the saddest stories in the sport next to Evander Holyfield’s dubious quest to once again become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Roy is 5-7 in his last twelve fights four of those losses have come by brutal knockouts. People from outside the world of boxing are shocked when they find out Roy is still fighting and those in the boxing circle are asking, “When will it end?”

Roy was welcomed to Moscow with open arms as all legends in American sports, foreign countries still hold are athletes in high regard. At the press conference, Roy was greeted by fellow legend and trainer of Denis Lebebev Kostya Tyszu with a hug and a bow. Roy promised the Moscow crowd that he would put on a show and he did not disappoint. Jones surprised the many American critics and writers as well as me who thought he would not make it out of the first round but Denis showed him a little bit of respect and decided to carefully break down the shopworn fighter.

Roy showed glimpse of his former self landing crisp right hand leads and dancing to the delight of the 25,000 in attendance even stunning the young fighter in round four. Thirty seconds left in round ten Jones backed into the ropes and Lebebev landed three solid left hands Jones bent over and covered up as if to say no more and the referee Steve Smoger being a veteran referee but known for letting fights go on longer then they should allowed Lebebev to land one more big solid left hand while Roy was defenseless. Roy fell to the canvas in the preverbal heap and it was over.

Doctors and Jones team rushed in to the fallen warrior who lay on the canvas squinting in pain. Lebebev mimicking Roy Jones in his fight with Vinny Pazienza walked around the ring arms out shrugging his shoulders as if to say I did not want to do it but the ref did not stop it.

Once Roy was on his feet he did not open, his eyes he kept them closed for at least five minuets while doctors put smelling salt under his nose trying to still revive him. What was sad and ironic about witnessing that scene was Roy’s good friend Gerald Mcclellan laid on the canvas with his eyes closed in pain Fortunate for Jones he got up for Gerald however he has the mind of a three year old is and is completely blind.

Roy Jones has stated he would never end up the stereotypical story of the fighter that does not really know when to call it quits. However, here we are Jones being interviewed in the center of the ring telling everyone in attendance that he may be back in the ring, WHAT!

This has become the never-ending story in boxing and it seems that it will never change no matter how much money a fighter makes they have been programmed from a very young age to be fighters. Once something is instilled in you over that period instincts take over, you feel that is all you have, and I believe if other athletes could do it they would continue in their perspective fields as well.

Alton Merkerson trainer of Jones should tell his friend enough is enough its time to hang up the gloves and bow out gracefully Roy showed once again in this fight without his athletic gifts and tremendous reflexes he has nothing else in his toolbox to call upon. He was so gifted that he never kept his fundamentals strong such as his jab and defense those two basic skills could have preserved Roy Jones and beat some of the opponents that embarrassed him over the years (Antonio Tarver, Glen Johnson, and Danny Green)

As of right now Jones is getting fights on his name alone and his status will see Roy Jones in the ring again? Only time will tell. Like most fighters, Jones and his team will try to see all the positives in the fight that fact he made it ten rounds with a young strong fighter and the fact he stunned Denise on two occasions in the fight. Nevertheless, if I were Alton Merkerson I would do an intervention and put the DVD of Gerald Mccellen in the player and when thinks he getting to watch his past performance he will see his possible future and realize that this is the end.

- The Boxing King -

The old is now the new B - Hop Does it again.

Montreal, Canada- IT HAPPENPED! IT HAPPENED! Philadelphia born Bernard Hopkins made boxing history Saturday night beating Canada’s own Jean Pascal to become the undisputed light heavyweight champion once again becoming the oldest fighter ever to win a world title. It was major accomplishment in a career of major accomplishments. Ever since 1999 when Bernard Hopkins finally fought his way into big exposure after beating Antwun Echols he fought as if he knew that if he made one mistake on his way to the defining fights that the powers in boxing would never let him have another chance again.

It’s that kind of paranoia that has kept Bernard Hopkins at the top of his game. His strict discipline and attention to every detail has allowed him to beat younger stronger fighters.

It was no different Saturday night in Canada in their first match up Pascal came out strong knocking Hopkins down twice in the first three rounds but from round five to the end of the fight Hopkins seem to control the fight and take the decision but when the  scores were read the fight was declared a draw.

For Bernard Hopkins the first round Saturday night was round thirteen, Bernard came out and allowed Pascal to miss over the top with wide looping shots that a veteran like Bernard could see coming. Hopkins would counter with straight right hands but Pascal being such a gifted athlete was able to recover from throwing such shots and be back in position to exchange with Hopkins.

So the first four rounds were scratch and sniff affairs with very few punches landing. In round five Hopkins started picking up the pace on the younger fighter and started landing laser straight rights and short clubbing hooks on the side of the jean Pascal head buckling his knees. At the start of round, six sensing his younger might be tiring Bernard started to do push-ups in the center of the ring to the delight of the referee and the seventeen thousand in attendance.

That symbolized the beginning of the end for Pascal as he continued  to fade Bernard piled up the points and going into the final round Pascal’s only chance to win was with a knock out. In addition, with two minutes in the fight Pascal landed a huge right hand that hurt Hopkins and had him in serious trouble but being a veteran Hopkins acted as if he recovered from the shot and Pascal did not take advantage of an opportunity to knock b-hop out.

The bell rung and both fighters raised their hand in victory but this was b-hops night and to add insult to injury the crowd chanted b-hop as they waited for the verdict. In a unanimous decision Hopkins was once again champion.

This was a tremendous accomplishment for Hopkins and a tremendous blow to this generation of pugilist. Three of our top young fighters that Bernard has fought in the last eight years (Jermaine Taylor, Kevin Kelly, And Jean Pascal) have been exposed by Hopkins basic techniques that all fighters should have (fundamentals) and each of theses fighters have not been the same since fighting Hopkins (Pascal to be determined). However, what this generation has to go back to is the true art of boxing which is the jab, straight punches and defense. What we have now are great athletic specimens using their natural ability to box which makes the fighter look more stylish but lacking true substance, which will limit the longevity of the fighter and hurt the entire sport.

So to all future fighters coming up into the sport never forget the fundamentals’ for they will one day be your savior when you face that suppose ably great quick athlete.

- The Boxing King -  

Teon Kennedy wins brawl on the boardwalk.

Atlantic City, NJ- On the undercard of the Yuirokis Gamboa vs. Jorge Solis match, undefeated Super Bantamweight prospect Teon Kennedy from Philadelphia, PA defeated unbeaten prospect Jorge Diaz from Jersey City, NJ, in a very entertaining twelve round affair. Diaz came out very aggressively, putting the pressure on Teon, early.  Kennedy used slick boxing skills to move and give angles, but was stunned, early, by a Diaz left. Still, Teon kept his composure and got out of the round.

Teon Kennedy used the bull vs. the matador approach, in the first half of the fight, letting Diaz come to him, aggressively, then using swift counterpunching to drop Diaz, in the third and sixth rounds. The fight changed, after Kennedy could not keep Diaz off him, in the second half of the fight. Teon decided to stand and go toe to toe with Diaz, fighting the brawler’s fight.

In some of the best exchanges of the year, Teon Kennedy came out the victor, winning on all three judges scorecards 115-111,119-109 and 117-109. Even though, Teon Kennedy won the fight and pleased the crowd with his performance, there was an underlying sign, in this fight. The sign is that Teon fights with his heart, not his skills, and that could be the downfall of his career.

Like most fighters from Philadelphia, there is a fighter’s instinct that is bred inside from the many wars that take place, in the gyms, as well as the streets. Like all boxing fans, I like a good fight, but boxing is an art, a sweet science, and the beauty of boxing is watching a man use his skill to out smart the lesser skilled opponent. Not watching the skilled fighter lose a fight to a fighter who is not on his level.

When Teon Kennedy gets the big fights against top-level competition and that competition is able to force him into a fight, then you will see great toe-to-toe action that is truly genuine. Teon Kennedy has to keep his heart out of the fight or he will find himself no longer an undefeated prospect, but a story of what could have been .

- The Boxing King -

Maidana edges Morales.

Las Vegas, Nevada-- Erik Morales turned back the clock, in the MGM Grand arena, going the distance, in a competitive twelve round affair against the hard punching Marcos Maidana. Despite the loosing effort, Morales shocked Maidana and the ten thousand in attendance, who believed he was going to be brutally knocked out. Morales were able to land a series of combinations and right hand leads, wobbling the argentine slugger. Madaina managed to shut the right eye of Morales, in the first round, and stun Morales throughout the fight, but just could not seem to get the veteran in the kind of trouble he had the younger, stronger Amir Khan.

Morales demanded a rematch and Maidana agreed, but for this boxing writer, one time is enough. Morales gave a great effort and looked sharp, but this was a case of Maidana fighting down to the level of his competition. As in his fight with Demarcus, Corley Maidana looked flat, in some rounds, and very aggressive, in others. 

When fighting Amir Khan, Maidana put the pressure on Khan for twelve rounds, never taking a step back, even after being knocked down. If Maidana felt the fight would have put him in position to move higher in the welterweight division, there would have been a different attitude in Maidana that night.

A rematch could happen.  It would be a good payday for Morales and Maidana, but for the young contender, this will only delay his chance to get back in the ring with the top fighters, in his division. With fighters like Marquez and the newly crowned IBF Champion, Zab Judah, looking for opponents to dance with, Maidana has some options, before he jumps to an immediate rematch with Morales.

In the end, Morales was a great champion and thrilled us with many memorable fights.  In all honesty, a farewell fight, in his native Tijuana, will be his best option to go out with a victory. To try to beat one of the top fighters, in his division, does not appear to be a real goal, but we all know, in boxing, fighters usually do not live in reality.

-The Boxing King -

Boxing Shorts

Former Junior Welterweight Champion and, now, Welterweight Contender, Paulie Malignaggi, scored his second victory at Welterweight, beating Jose Cotto (brother of Miguel Cotto) over twelve easy rounds. In one of  Malignaggi’s more aggressive performances, Paulie used a stiff jab and combination punching, dominating the limited Cotto.  

In a shocking and still unbelievable upset, unknown Japanese fighter, Nobuhiro Ishida, knocked out, former top prospect, James Kirkland, in the first round. Kirkland came out with his trademark pressure style and walked right into Ishida’s left hand, dropping him. Kirkland got back to his feet and was dropped, again, by another Ishida left.  Finally, the fight was called to a halt, when Kirkland went down a third time on a straight right.   

Adamek Whips McBride.

Newark, NJ-  Former Cruiserweight Champion and Top Heavyweight contender, Tomasz  Adamek, easily beat up fluke Heavyweight contender (and last person to fight Mike Tyson), Kevin McBride, over 12 very lopsided rounds. More than ten thousand, cheering Ademek fans filled the Prudential Center to watch their friend fight the 6’6, 282 lb., McBride. Adamek used a different style, in this bout, rather than the aggressive, bull style fans are used to seeing from Him.

Adamek used a relaxed style, allowing the bigger man to come to him, while he countered with hooks and straight right hands.  He even stunned the bigger McBride, on occasion. It was another good win for Adamek, but this fight was just a measuring stick for the bigger fight that has now arrived.

Tomasz Adamek will take on Vitali Klitschko for the WBC heavyweight championship of the world, in his home country of Warsaw, Poland. This will be one of the bigger heavyweight matchups, in the last five years, in a heavyweight division that is lacking real competition. Adamek has a solid amateur background and good overall skills. The only man to beat him was Chad Dawson in a very entertaining bout, in 2007.

Adamek has been impressive, over the past four years, beating solid competition, Chris Arreola , Steve Cunningham, and Andre Golota, but this fight with Vitali, seems like a match up that is not going to be in Tomasz' favor. Unlike tall lumberjacks, like Michael grant and Kevin McBride, Vitali Klitschko is probably one of the most elusive big men, in the last twenty years, with his long reach, great footwork and spearing jab. No fighter has been able to put a dent in his armor, since his epic contest with then undisputed champion and now retired, Lennox Lewis.

Vitali Klitschko WBC Heavyweight Champion

This fight is shaping up to be a one-sided affair, once again, with the crowd waiting to see what his brother Wladimir Klitschko will do with the only other top heavyweight contender left, David Haye. If the Klitschko brothers are successful, there seems to be no immediate threat to their throne. In addition, since the brothers vow never to fight each other, it looks like it could be a long reign of two brothers from the former Soviet Union holding the American title.  Now, how exiting is that?

- The Boxing King -

Shields Down Bring On Nick Diaz!

Toronto Canada- George Saint Pierre gave another dominating performance, last night, beating Welterweight, number one contender, Jake Shields, over five unimpressive rounds to retain his Welterweight title. Leading up to the event, UFC president, Dana White, tried his best to exaggerate the fight and convince the people that Jake Shields was a legitimate contender and deserving of the title shot. However, he could not sway the fans and the experts, because the champion was a heavy favorite coming into the fight. Shields, an excellent jiu jitsu fighter, could not establish any kind of serious attack, once he was unable to get GSP to the ground. GSP manhandled Shields, throwing him to the ground at will and knocking him down with jabs. If it were not for a serious poke in the eye that affected GSP throughout the fight, Shields would not have made it the distance. The crowd booed throughout the fight, but cheered their compatriots, when the fight's decision was announced.  GSP showed, once again, why he is the number one Welterweight, in the world or is he?

 

At cage side, there was another Welterweight watching the fight, Strike force, Welterweight Champion and friend of Jake Shields, Nick Diaz. The casual fan believes Saint Pierre is the number two, pound for pound fighter, in the world, but for this writer,  they’re are two number one welterweights and the fight that really matters, in the division, is GSP vs. Nick Diaz. If you look at the division, as a whole, Diaz and Saint Pierre are the two most complete fighters. Both fighters have great ground and good stand up.

Strike Force Champion  Nick Diaz

If you match the two fighters up, the edge goes to Nick Diaz. He has better ground game and, without question, has better stand up, working with excellent boxers like Andre Ward and Luisito Espinosa. The only strength that GSP could utilize is the wrestling. In the past, Diaz has been vulnerable to fighters who smother his shots, on the ground, and bear hug their way to a decision. Whatever may happen between these two fighters remains to be seen? Nick Diaz has a fight with former boxing champion, Jeff Lacy that could hurt things, in the immediate future, because Diaz has the potential to get seriously hurt. Just as the MMA says boxers, underestimate their skills.  The MMA is, also, accused of denying the skills and knock out power of a boxer. GSP really does not have many options outside of Jon Fitch or a mega fight (but horrible match up) with Anderson Silva.  Therefore, there are still some obstacles, in the way, but the winner of GSP vs. Nick Diaz will determine who the best welterweight in the MMA is.

- The Boxing King -