Boxing (6-22)

[H2O Man]

June 22
At Brooklyn, N.Y. (Showtime): Paulie Malignaggi vs. Adrien Broner, 12 rounds, for Malignaggi's WBA welterweight title; Johnathon Banks vs. Seth Mitchell, rematch, 12 rounds, heavyweights; Sakio Bika vs. Marco Antonio Periban, 12 rounds, for vacant WBC super middleweight title


This promises to be a good fight card. The opening bout features Bika (31-5-2) against undefeated Periban (20-0).Bika is very strong and awkward; three of his loses were to world champions; he also lost an decision early in his career, and has been disqualified one time for hitting an opponent who was down. His most recent lose was in 2010, to Andre Ward -- in what has been Ward’s toughest fight to date. Bika has won three fights since then.

Periban has only had 4 fights outside of Mexico. Two were in Argentina, and two in the USA. This fight is a huge step up in competition for him. Judging from his opposition thus far, I suspect that Bika will be too much for him.

Banks vs. Mitchell is a return match; Banks (29-1-1) dropped Mitchell (25-1-1) twice in the second round last December, winning by a TKO in that round. Banks is taller, has a reach advantage, and has been involved in the sport a lot longer than his younger opponent. Although Mitchell was considered one of the best young heavyweight prospects, he had been seriously hurt in his last fight before Banks, by the relativel light-punching Chazz Witherspoon. Mitchell is a good puncher, and can certainly take out anyone he hits; still, I think Banks should win in under six rounds.

Broner (26-0) is moving up two weight classes to challenge Maligniggi (32-4) for his version of the welterweight title. I don’t think size will be an issue: Broner is only 23 and growing, plus he is less than 2 inches shorter, and has a 3 inch reach advantage. It is, however, a real step up in class for him. Last night, ESPN’s Teddy Atlas predicted that Paul would outbox Broner early, and test him, but that Broner would dig deep and pull off the victory. I agree with that.

Enjoy the fights!

[fishwax]

1. I'm looking forward to the main event

I like both fighters. I think Broner will do well in the middle rounds after the early testing that you mention. But in addition to moving up in weight and in class, Broner hasn't had a lot of experience in late rounds. He's only gone more than 8 once and more than six a couple of other times, I think. But then, PM has had some trouble in the late rounds, too, so who knows. I guess I'm thinking PM wins in a decision.

[H2O Man]

2. Good fight,

close decision .... at least on two of three judges' scorecards.

I could see 7-5 for either man. Or a draw. But the 9-3 was just wrong, way wrong. And I agree 100% with PM that the "connected" guy "wins" that way.

Jim Gray, as he often does, got snarky with his "but aren't you biting the hand that feeds you?" Yes, Paul makes $ calling fights on Showtime. (And he is talented at ringside.) But most boxing people remember that, not long ago, Broner liked to call himself "Mr. HBO," and even after Floyd signed the big new deal, insisted he would stay with HBO. While I do not know the numbers, it is safe to say that Showtime offered Broner a generous, multi-fight contract. And both HBO and Showtime -- and even ESPN to a lesser extent -- are "co-promoters" ..... the first two of fighters, and ESPN of venues. Hence, we only hear Teddy Atlas calling bullshit when the judging is outrageous (and he has been threatened with being fired numerous times for this).

I thought PM won, 7 to 5. He fought 3 minutes per round; Broner rarely did more than :45 seconds per round. Neither hurt the other. Paul landed more body punches, than Broner threw in total. But that's boxing.

[fishwax]

3. yes indeed

I actually got to watch that one live, which is somewhat unusual with my current (infant-dominated) schedule. But I'm glad I got the chance to watch this one as it happened. It was a fun fight. Wasp versus fencepost for three or four rounds and then wasp versus bear for most of the balance.

I had it as a draw, with PM taking most of the early rounds and then coming back in the late rounds. He slowed up a bit in the middle rounds and Broner was more active. Yeah, Broner had more power. But as you said, neither hurt the other. Paulie took some shots but he's tough and he kept on coming.

I appreciate your insight on the political dynamics. I know Paulie has laid out similar complaints before. I do like him as a commentator.

We're moving before long, and so I'm not sure how much longer I'll have access to cable fights. But I'm certainly enjoying them while they last.