Boxing: A Huge Weekend (April 10 & 11)

[H2O Man]

Friday, April 10 - at Tuscon, Arizona (ESPN2) - middleweights: David Lopez (37-12, 23 KOs) vs. Ossie Duran (23-6-2, 9 KOs); 8 rounds, light welterweights: DeMarcus Corley (33-10-1, 19 KOs) vs. Hector Sanchez (17-0, 8 KOs).

Friday, April 10 - at Tampa, Florida - 10 rounds, super middleweights: Jeff Lacy (24-2, 17 KOs) vs. Otis Griffin (19-4-2, 7 KOs).

Saturday, April 11 - at Las Vegas (HBO) - 12 rounds, middleweights: Paul Williams (36-1, 27 KOs) vs. Ronald "Winky" Wright (51-4-1, 25 KOs); 12 rounds, heavyweights: Chris Arreola (26-0, 23 KOs) vs. Jameel McCline (39-9-3, 23 KOs).

This is going to be one of the most interesting weekends in boxing. The prime attraction is HBO’s fantastic Saturday night line-up, which will begin at 8 pm est, with the documentary "Thrilla in Manila." This program will tell the story of the historic "rubber match" between two of the greatest warriors of all time, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. What makes it special is that it tells it from Smokin’ Joe’s point of view.

They first met in "The Fight of the Century" on March 8, 1971, with Frazier winning a 15-round decision. Ali evened the score with a 12-round decision on January 28, 1974. I sat ringside in the Madison Square Garden that night, and consider it to be perhaps the most under-rated of not only Ali’s career, but in all of heavyweight history.

The third fight, on October 1, 1975, Ali defended his title in the "Thrilla in Manila." ESPN-Classic frequently plays the film of the fight, but this documentary is going to be special. It will tell the behind-the-scenes story, something that all young boxing fans will find fascinating.

Note: The curious relationship between these two great champions, which has left Ali feeling bad because he knows he really hurt Frazier and his children with his "Uncle Tom" trash-talk, and Frazier bitter to this day, has a strange twist that may not be in the documentary. Two weeks after their third fight, despite the entrenched animosity between them, Ali asked Frazier to appear with him at a public rally in Trenton, NJ, to support Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. And Smokin’ Joe was there. He was anything but an Uncle Tom. Even Ali’s strongest supporters were uncomfortable at the vicious way he had attacked Joe before their third fight; the truth is, however, he almost had to work himself into a mental state where he would go to any length to beat Frazier. While on one hand, his cornermen believed Joe was shot, and that Ali would take him out within five rounds, Ali had prepared for a 15-round war.

At 9:30, HBO has the first installment of Pacquiao-Hatton: 24/7. Boxing fans are looking forward to their fight in early May, in anticipation of a potential "fight of the year." While the betting odds favor Pacquiao, most boxing experts (as opposed to gamblers) believe that this could be a very close fight. I think Hatton has the ability to win; I’ll write about that fight soon.

Then comes one of the most interesting fight cards of the year. The co-feature pits the intense young contender Chris Arreola against an aging Jameel McCline. Arreola is 28 years old; stands 6’4"; and has a 77" reach. He has "one-punch knockout power," and is always dangerous. However, he has some defensive weaknesses, was decked in his last fight, and has failed to get into top condition in his last couple of fights.

McCline, 38, is 6’6" tall, with an 82" reach. He has fought against the top opposition in the heavyweight division for many years. And while the division is weak, he still has fought guys who are at least two levels above anyone Chris has faced. Jameel has earned a reputation for blowing some of his biggest fights; has had a few decisions stolen from him by terrible officiating; and has flattened a number of good young contenders looking to move up in the rankings. He punches hard enough that he remains the only person to deck Sam Peter – three times, in fact.

McCline had decided to retire after winning his last bout. He has a good job, and is financially secure. But, when promoters offered him a fight against Arreola, he decided to give it his all. He believes that an upset win will give him a last chance to fight for the title. He has trained hard, and is looking to jab, jab, jab – and then put combinations together behind more jabs. If Arreola isn’t in good shape, he will have a lot of problems. Look for the best heavyweight fight in many years.

The main event features Paul Williams fighting Winky Wright at middleweight. Williams, 27, is 6’1", with an 82" reach. To put that in perspective, his reach is longer than either of the Klitschko brothers. He has been relatively active recently, though none of the top welterweights or junior middleweights will fight him. (He can still make the welterweight limit.)

Wright, 37, is just over 5’10" tall, with a 72" reach. He has been inactive since July, ’07, when he lost to B-Hop at 170 lbs. He has only won one fight since 2005, and that was a highly disputed decision over Ike Quartey.

While Williams is known for throwing a high volume of punches in every minute of every round, Wright is a conservative, defensive fighter. Boxing fans appreciate William’s exciting style; watching Wright can often be about as much fun as having a tooth pulled. But Wright is a very strong, smart fighter, and like Williams, many top contenders avoided fighting him. Remember, he easily defeated Shane Mosley twice.

It’s hard to look good against either of these guys. But, while it’s possible that Wright will be able to use his strength and skills to pull out a victory, it seems more likely that the younger Williams will win. And he just might look very good in doing so. If he does, look for him to challenge Kelly Pavlik in the fall.

[H2O Man]

1. Okay.

Everyone must be busy at the store, buying supplies fot Saturday night. My son is bringing me shopping this afternoon. I'm expecting about 10-12guests for the fight. Obviously, you guys are, too.

Few things in life get me as excited as a good fight card!

[H2O Man]

2. Heavy Weigh-In

Between the two, tonight there will be 526 pounds in the ring. Jameel McCline came in at 271 lbs, and Chris Arreola at 255 lbs.

McCline has entered the ring at approximately this weight a number of times. In fact, in his fight against Chris Byrd, in which he lost a highly disputed decision, he was 270.

Arreola has come in heavier before, and although he won, he looked bad both times. He may well win again tonight, but if he expects to compete against either of the Klitschko brothers -- or, for that matter, win the respecty of the boxing community -- he needs to show respect for the sport, and shed the fat. He has no business coming into the ring at anything over 240 lbs. This young man is talented and entertaining, but he is not so good that he can take anything for granted. The only possible exception to that rule is that it is safe to say the boxing community is not going to fully embrace a fighter who lacks the motivation to fully prepare for a fight. Perhaps he should study the careers of the overweight heavyweights of the 1980s, guys like Greg Page and Tony Tubbs, who had plenty of talent, but were lazy and never came close to fulfilling their potential.

[sandnsea]

12. Hey now, I like him!

A humble boxer? When did that ever happen?

If something is working for you, it's hard to change it. We'll see what he does now that the dream is within reach for him.

[H2O Man]

14. Oh, I like him, too.

I like him a lot. Arreola has both the personality and style that could bring new life to the heavyweight division. But, he does better -- usually -- at a lower weight.

Unlike the Klitschko brothers, Chris likes to fight often, and enjoys facing someone who poses a threat to him in the ring. He's not looking to do battle with someone 6 inches shorter, and 50 pounds lighter, every 12 months.

He did look good against McCline. I think he has the p[otential to be undefeated for years to come. And, with his style, people will be sure to watch him; with his personality, they'll be cheering for him, too.

[H2O Man]

3. Enjoy the boxing!

Man! I spent a lot on food for tonight. Lots and lots of people coming over.

I love boxing. Love it, I say.

[Condem]

4. H20 Man

Admire you're intensity for the Boxing. It USE to be the great sport. I grew up with Carlos Monzon. Alphonzo Zamora. Duran. Livingstone Bramble. Many, many more. Thank Don King, Jr. for killing it. I hate to bring you down. Enjoy the card.

[H2O Man]

6. I've loved boxing

for so long, that they guys you mentioned don't seem that old. I like that you mention fighters in the mid- to lower weights. Tough men, all of them.

I see Bramble every year in June. He runs the marathon at the Hall of Fame. He is perhaps the most "fan friendly" of the ex-champions there. My daughters think the world of him, and he enjoys seeing them.

[Condem]

8. H20

Who was the flyweight(?) that wore the Scottish flag on his trunks? Early seventies. Tough as nails. Maybe fought Duran. I'd google it but I'll give my mind a little more time.

[H2O Man]

9. Kenny Buchanan

was the "tough as nails" and very talented lightweight champion, who lost the title to Duran. He won the title in September of 1970, by decisioning Duran's fellow countryman and friend, Ismael Laguna, in San Juan. He had two defenses and four non-title fights, before meeting Duran in the MSG in June of 1972. It was in that fight that Duran, way ahead on all cards, hit Buchanan low after the bell, and literally dented the metal piece inside his foul cup. The referee didn't see the low blow, and began counting. Buchanan was in no condition to continue.

My son thinks Buchanan's trunks were odd, but I still think they were great. Very friendly, Buchanan likes to attend the annual Hall of Fame ceremonies in upstate NY, too. One of my best friend's family comes from his neighborhood (a friend who comes here to watch every big fight on tv, and who assists me when from time to time I train a fighter), and Kenny and he enjoy chatting at the HoF.

[Condem]

10. That's right! The low blow!

Cover of Sports Illustrated, I do believe. Man, the golden days. The heavyweights were great but these guys got it on. Alexis Arguello. "Hurry home, early. Hurry on home. Boom-Boom Mancini is fighting Bobby Chacon". I never missed a bout. Those were the days that ABC's Wide World of Sports showcased Boxing. Hell, the Olympic Trials were a ratings bonanza. I miss those days.

[H2O Man]

11. The two points

you raise are, in my opinion, among the three causes for the decline in popularity of the sport.

Our national amateur boxing program is weak. There is far too much focus on the international style, pitter-patter, light punches counting more than a solid blow. Hence, our best fighters aren't moved forward -- and the pathetic Olympic team we either ignored or were forced to endure watching is proof in the pudding. It isn't likely that we'll see another 1976 super team, but we don't have to go in the opposite direction.

The state of the heavyweight division hurts the sport. Again, if we look at the early to mid-1970s, we were treated to the single greatest era in the division's history. Ali, Frazier, and Foreman were the top tier; then guys like Norton, Shavers, Quarry, Bonavena, followed by a third tier that literally went 20 deep. It isn't going to happen again, any time soon. But we have the anti-70s now. It is painful to watch, and more and more sports fans simply have turned heavyweight boxing off.

And, of course, as you previously noted, promoters -- especially Don King -- did severe damage to boxing. The idea of a champion fighting once a year is the exact opposite of what made the 1960s and '70s so intense. The focus on "big money" fights, rather than really ruling a division, created an non-competitive atmosphere, which allowed a cluster of meaningless "commissions" and bogus weight classes.

In the late '50s and early '60s, there was a strong call for a real national boxing commission. But the promoters and their backers (re: mob) defeated that movement. And, though every person connected with the sport that advocates to improve the quality, and help the boxers themselves, knows we need such a commission. There are a number of solid people who could serve as commissioner -- Teddy Atlas, Oscar de la Hoya, and Sean O'Grady, for but three examples. But there is a lot of money that is invested in opposing it, and allowing the parasites to rule.

[Condem]

13. Nothing to add to that, H20

That sizes it up. What a shame. Or sham. Just thinking of the Olympic Trials back in the day. ABC was always trying to promote the next great white hope. I remember Timothy Dement. Then Duane Bobick. My brain is going into retro mode to remember all the great fights. Appreciate what you do, H20.

[Redbear]

5. I enjoy your boxing posts.

I didn't realize Wright hadn't fought in 2 years.

[H2O Man]

7. He had a tough night.

Wrong guy to try to make a comeback against. Williama won at least 11 rounds on all cards. Paul was really enjoying himself, and displayed outstanding skills. Wright was a good sport about the decision; this was the first time I've seen him admit defeat.

Arreola butchered McCline. Despite a rare warrior like B-Hop, this is not an old man's sport .... unless you are watching it from outside the ring!