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Boxing fans continue to be treated to some very competitive fights this weekend. First, on ESPN's Friday Night Fights, the Jr. Middleweight main event could be fantastic: Joachim Alcine (26-0, with 18 KOs) faces Javier Mamani (28-4-1, with 16 KOs) in a scheduled 12-rounder. The card will be carried from 9 to 11:30 EST. I think the main event could end early.
Next, at 11 pm EST, Showbox features a featherweight bout with Gamaliel Diaz battling Roberto Guerrero. I think that Showbox does a great job with introducing the very competitive lower weights to the American public. ( I met Steve and Nick at the Hall of Fame earlier this month. Great guys who really enjoy talking to fans about the sport.)
The most anticipated card this weekend may be Boxing After Dark (BAD) on HBO on Saturday. For a great warm-up, they play "Cinderella Man" at 8 pm. Great movie. My father's uncle helped train Jimmy for his first title defense.
At 10:30, things heat up quickly. In the first bout, at welterweight, Joel Julio (27-0, with 24 KOs) fights Carlos Quintana (22-0, with 18 KOs). This is what fans want to see: two undefeated contenders going head-to-head with the best opponent available. I think most of us would favor Julio, who is an extremely impressive young fighter .... but nothing can be taken for granted. It could be over in the first round, or it could go the full 12. But I would not look away from the tv in this one.
The "main event" is potentially outstanding. Calvin Brock (28-0, with 22 KOs) fights Timur Ibragimov (21-0-1, with 13 KOs). Again, two undefeated guys going in the ring to see who is better. Can't wait for this one!
Brock, from Charlotte NC, is what boxing needs. He has a degree in business administration (U of NC at Charlotte). The Boxing Banker is interested in dance. I like the fact that he is a good role model for young people.
I also like his punching power. Fans will remember him from his 4-2-05 bout with Jameel McCline on ESPN's first PPV card. McCline, a true contender who was doing well at that time, decked Brock in the 8th round. Brock got up and hurt Jameel later in the round. He went on to win a decision.
On 2-25-06, on the undercard of Vargas- Mosley, Brock was fighting against Zuri Lawrence, and not looking as good as he really is, until the end of the 6th round. He threw one of those classic, devastating punches -- a perfect left hook -- that flattened Lawrence. I was afraid he had seriously hurt the previously never knocked out Lawrence.
Ibragimov is from Uzbekistan, now Hallandale, FL. He is 6'3" and 225 lbs. He was a top European amateur, and has served as a sparring partner for Mike Tyson. He is active: in '04, he had 8 fights; in '05, he had 5 fights.
He says he has trained hard, and is in the best shape of his life. He had better be. I think he could cause Brock problems early on, because he is big, strong, and a good boxer. But, at this point, the only heavyweights I would give much of a chance of beating Brock are Sam Peter and Shannon Briggs. But I think, as DUer Dr E has first said, that Brock is the best in the division right now.
Enjoy the fights!
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