Boxing 9-12-09

Saturday, September 12: Mikkel Kessler vs Gusmyl Perdomo; 12 rounds; WBA super middleweight title; Andre Ward vs. Shelby Pudwill; super middleweight.

Tonight on Showtime (10 pm/est), there is "same day" coverage of Kessler’s defense against Perdomo, plus live coverage of Ward vs Pudwell. Kessler is 41-1, with 31 KOs; Perdomo is 16-2, with 10 KOs. Ward is 19-0, with 12 KOs; Pudwell is 22-3-1, with 9 KOs.

Both Kessler and Ward are heavily favored to win their fights. These are "tune-ups," for the upcoming super middleweight "round-robin" tournament, which begins in the fall. This tournament, promoted by Showtime, features these two, along with Carl Frock, Andre Dirrell, Jermain Taylor, and Arthur Abraham. It is, on paper, one of the best things to happen in boxing in years. I wish that two more top fighters were included, and that a real tournament – similar to the WBA’s heavyweight tournament in the late 1960s – was being held.

The fights are worth watching. Both Kessler and Ward are very good, and many boxing people expect one or the other to come out on top of the round-robin. Still, it would be dangerous for either to take tonight’s fights for granted. Upsets are most likely to take place when a favored fighter looks past an opponent. As I often note here, my friend Rubin used to remind me that every time I got in the ring expecting to kick an opponent’s ass, I needed to remember that I had my own there in the ring, right behind me. (I had to learn that the hard way, something that I found frustrating.)

In other news, Yahoo’s top boxing writer, Kevin Iole, has a good article on "The Hidden Side of Floyd Mayweather." Most sports fans are unaware of Floyd’s work with "at risk" youth and the homeless. It’s something that Floyd does for his own reasons, not for publicity. Iole is aware that Mayweather risks being popular, if the real man behind the public image were to become public. Iole’s columns on Yahoo’s boxing forum are always worth reading, even if one disagrees with him.

I spoke with a friend about what is going on in the Mayweather and Marquez training camps. He said that Marquez is ready for a full 12 rounds. He will focus on two things: a double jab, to start his combinations, and a lot of left hooks to the ribs. Marquez is being prepared to try to get Floyd into the middle of the ring. He hopes to catch Floyd off-balance, and drop him. It isn’t necessary to actually hurt him then, just drop him on his seat, in order to win at least one round by 10-8. That way, if it goes 12, he expects to be able to secure a decision.

My friend wants Marquez, who he really likes. More, he dislikes Mayweather. However, he said that he has never seen any athlete with the speed and reflexes that Mayweather shows in the gym, as he prepares for this fight. He said that it is simply amazing that any human being can do what Floyd is doing in the gym.

This is a good time to be a boxing fan.

I don't know anything other then what you just posted about the fighters and I'm sure they will be good fights.

It's good to read stuff like that about Mayweather and I've become more of a fan. One of the things that bother me the most is the media rarely reports on the good things athletes do and always reporting on the next big controversy. Anyways good post and I look forward to the fights even though I can't watch them. :thumbsup:

went as expected. The opponents were both brave, and were trying to win. But they were no where near the skill level of Kessler and Ward. I suspect Kessler will be the top fighter coming out of the round-robin; he is matched against Ward first, which doesn't make sense to me. However, in any context, that is a heck of a match-up.

If Mayweather and Pacquiao both win this fall, they will be meeting at Yankee Stadium, probably in June. If so, it also almost certain that DU will have a ringside report!

A fight at Yankee stadium would be cool. I know they had fights there in the past, I don't remember the last time they did but I think it would be a great environment for a boxing match.

that I remember was Ali-Norton (their "rubber match," for Ali's title, in late September of 1976). My brother and a friend were there. Ali won a close 15-round decision.

In the era of the 1930s through '50s, when Madison Square Garden was the center of the boxing world, it was common for the promoters to bring the MSG ring to Yankee Stadium for the biggest fights. My grandfather and his brother loved attending the fights there.