MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, May 2
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
Underestimating Pacquiao's hand and foot speed, Mayweather will taste the canvass courtesy of a right hook and
fall behind on the scorecards early in the fight. But Mayweather never
makes the same mistake twice and gradually figures Pacquiao out.
Deploying his masterful tuck-roll-and-counter maneuvers, Mayweather
calculatingly sneaks ahead in the middle rounds, landing precious few punches but allowing Pacquiao to connect with even fewer.
Freddie
Roach implores Pacquiao to turn up the pressure and throw punches in
bunches, which he does with a measure of success in the late rounds. The
Filipino fighter sporadically jolts Mayweather with straight lefts and
right hooks but finds himself smothered and entangled in a clinch before
he can inflict further damage.
By the end of the fight, both the media and public are split 50/50. The rounds that Pacquaio wins are decisive while Mayweather appears to have squeaked by more rounds, albeit barely. But since the 10-point must system is law of the land in the sport of
boxing, Mayweather's hand is raised at the end of the night by scores in
the 114-113 to 115-112 range.
For a strength-versus-weakness analysis of the fight, please see: houstonboxing.blogspot.com.
Monday, April 27, 2015
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Vladimir Klitschko vs. Bryant Jennings
Madison Square Garden, New York, April 25
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
Klitschko KOs Jennings in 5. One need only look at their records to know that this is a man-versus-boy type mismatch. Klitschko has almost three times as many knockouts as Jennings has fights. The only way Jennings wins this fight is if two things occur simultaneously: Klitschko grows old overnight and Jennings rises to the occasion and fights the best fight of his life. The odds of that happening are next to nil. Like most of Klitschko's opponents, Jennings will be clobbered by the Ukrainian's telephone pole jab all night before he is felled like timber by a battering ram right in the fifth round.
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
Klitschko KOs Jennings in 5. One need only look at their records to know that this is a man-versus-boy type mismatch. Klitschko has almost three times as many knockouts as Jennings has fights. The only way Jennings wins this fight is if two things occur simultaneously: Klitschko grows old overnight and Jennings rises to the occasion and fights the best fight of his life. The odds of that happening are next to nil. Like most of Klitschko's opponents, Jennings will be clobbered by the Ukrainian's telephone pole jab all night before he is felled like timber by a battering ram right in the fifth round.
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Terence Crawford vs. Thomas Dulorme
University of Arlington, Texas, April 18
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
All things considered, this should be a glorified sparring session for Crawford (25-0, 17 KOs), who is simply a class or two above Dulorme (22-1, 14 KOs) in the key aspects of the game - speed, power, ring generalship and level of opposition. The sharp-shooting Nebraskan will dictate the action regardless of whether the Puerto Rican chooses, to box, brawl or alternate between the two. But Crawford isn't much of a risk taker and he'll opt to cruise to a lopsided decision rather than go for the knockout.
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
All things considered, this should be a glorified sparring session for Crawford (25-0, 17 KOs), who is simply a class or two above Dulorme (22-1, 14 KOs) in the key aspects of the game - speed, power, ring generalship and level of opposition. The sharp-shooting Nebraskan will dictate the action regardless of whether the Puerto Rican chooses, to box, brawl or alternate between the two. But Crawford isn't much of a risk taker and he'll opt to cruise to a lopsided decision rather than go for the knockout.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Andrzej Fonfara
StubHub Center, Carson, California, April 18
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
In over his head at 175 pounds, Chavez's slack training ethic and partying lifestyle catches up with him in this fight. In Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs), Chavez faces a natural, full-fledged light heavyweight who will be unfazed by his bread-and-butter left hooks and return fire with gusto and authority. Chavez (48-1-1, 32 KOs) might find a measure of success if he uses his jab, boxes and counter punches, but those moments will be fleeting once Fonfara catches on, adjusts and reestablishes control. Giving Chavez a taste of his own medicine, Fonfara will impose his will and bully the bully to win a comfortable decision.
Aftertoughts:
From an evolutionary standpoint, species thrive when they duplicate the successes while circumventing the failures of their forebearers. In the case of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., he appears to have inherited his father's exceptional pugilistic DNA, but has followed his footsteps down the path to surefire defeat as well.
Chavez Jr.'s loss to Andrzej Fonfara was reminiscent of his father's shortfalls against naturally bigger and stronger fighters. While their punches shook, rattled and rolled opponents at lighter divisions, those same blows bounced harmlessly off larger-framed men once they crossed the boundary of how much meat on the bone they could effectually carry into the ring. Chavez Sr. recognized his offspring's folly and tried to dissuade the him from taking on Fonfara but to no avail.
In the 90's, it became evident that 140 was as high as Chavez Sr. could bulk up to and still remain competitive. He was indestructible at 130 and 135, and although he was still dominant enough to partially unify the junior welterweight championship, vulnerabilities began to surface at that higher division; his punch was less torpedo-like and his chin was less torpedo-proof. He was behind on points before he stopped Meldrick Taylor and Roger Mayweather, but more tellingly, he was dropped for the first time and suffered his first defeat against Frankie Randall.
Once he moved up to 147, he was reduced from a great fighter to merely an above average one. He challenged Oscar De La Hoya for the welterweight title, and even at a catchweight, was dominated by the bigger man who absorbed his firepower with ease and aplomb.
Like his father before him, Chavez Jr. crossed that threshold of weight gain imposed upon him by his physical constitution and paid dearly for it against Fonfara. Granted, Fonfara is no De La Hoya, and Chavez Jr. is no Chavez Sr., but the same adage applies; boxers, no matter how tough and talented, are ultimately human and not superheroes.
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
In over his head at 175 pounds, Chavez's slack training ethic and partying lifestyle catches up with him in this fight. In Fonfara (26-3, 15 KOs), Chavez faces a natural, full-fledged light heavyweight who will be unfazed by his bread-and-butter left hooks and return fire with gusto and authority. Chavez (48-1-1, 32 KOs) might find a measure of success if he uses his jab, boxes and counter punches, but those moments will be fleeting once Fonfara catches on, adjusts and reestablishes control. Giving Chavez a taste of his own medicine, Fonfara will impose his will and bully the bully to win a comfortable decision.
Aftertoughts:
From an evolutionary standpoint, species thrive when they duplicate the successes while circumventing the failures of their forebearers. In the case of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., he appears to have inherited his father's exceptional pugilistic DNA, but has followed his footsteps down the path to surefire defeat as well.
Chavez Jr.'s loss to Andrzej Fonfara was reminiscent of his father's shortfalls against naturally bigger and stronger fighters. While their punches shook, rattled and rolled opponents at lighter divisions, those same blows bounced harmlessly off larger-framed men once they crossed the boundary of how much meat on the bone they could effectually carry into the ring. Chavez Sr. recognized his offspring's folly and tried to dissuade the him from taking on Fonfara but to no avail.
In the 90's, it became evident that 140 was as high as Chavez Sr. could bulk up to and still remain competitive. He was indestructible at 130 and 135, and although he was still dominant enough to partially unify the junior welterweight championship, vulnerabilities began to surface at that higher division; his punch was less torpedo-like and his chin was less torpedo-proof. He was behind on points before he stopped Meldrick Taylor and Roger Mayweather, but more tellingly, he was dropped for the first time and suffered his first defeat against Frankie Randall.
Once he moved up to 147, he was reduced from a great fighter to merely an above average one. He challenged Oscar De La Hoya for the welterweight title, and even at a catchweight, was dominated by the bigger man who absorbed his firepower with ease and aplomb.
Like his father before him, Chavez Jr. crossed that threshold of weight gain imposed upon him by his physical constitution and paid dearly for it against Fonfara. Granted, Fonfara is no De La Hoya, and Chavez Jr. is no Chavez Sr., but the same adage applies; boxers, no matter how tough and talented, are ultimately human and not superheroes.
Ruslan Provodnikov vs. Lucas Mathysse
Turning Stone Casino and Resort, Verona, New York, April 18
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
How unfortunate that both these fighters are almost unknown
to mainstream sports fans as this A+ matchup is a hardcore boxing aficionado's
dream fight with the thrill potential that exceeds every
super-showdown out there, Mayweather-Pacquiao included. Kudos to both
guys for agreeing to face each other in lieu of the safer options
available to them. The fight has Hagler-Hearns written all over it.
Like Hagler, Provodnikov is a vicious seek-and-destroy
puncher, but blow for blow, he falls a notch or two below the one-punch sledgehammer power that Mathysse packs, much
like Hearns did. Mathysse, having tasted the canvass three times in his last three fights, appears to have the weaker chin of the two, but unlike the
ultra-frail Hearns, he was able to regroup every time he hit the deck.
Both fighters' defenses are far from impenetrable so the determining
factor here boils down to whether Provodnikov's chin is as
torpedo-proof as Hagler's was, and I'm guessing that it is. The Russian buzzsaw
will absorb Mathysse's best bombs with aplomb, violently tear into
the Argentine, rip him to shreds and score a TKO inside of six action-packed rounds.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Danny Garcia vs. Lamont Peterson
Barclay's Center, Brooklyn, New York, April 11
TV: NBC
By Peter Lim
Between the two of them, Danny Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) and Lamont Peterson (33-2-1, 17 KOs) hold three 140-pound titles, but none are on the line since they're fighting at a catch weight three pounds above the junior welterweight limit. It appears that they are using each other to test the waters and break into the lucrative welterweight division. But it nevertheless remains a highly intriguing bout provided both fighters come in as prepared and focused as they would be if their belts were at stake.
Afterthoughts:
Kudos to Steve Farhood for maintaining an objective perspective on the fight while his co-analysts Ray Leonard and Marv Albert were so blatantly biased towards Peterson.
Andy Lee vs. Peter Quillan
Barclay's Center, Brooklyn, New York, April 11
TV: NBC
By Peter Lim
The more composite, technically proficient and defensively sound Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs) should win this bout easily on condition he doesn't get caught by one of Lee's electrocuting right hooks. Given the way Lee (34-2, 24 KOs) separated his last two opponents from their senses with that punch, you can be sure Quillin's camp has conditioned him to avoid it like the Ebola virus. Quillin will land the first and last punch of every exchange, break Lee down and stop him in the middle rounds.
Afterthoughts:
Fair verdict. Lee is so easy to hit but what he lacks in defense he makes up for in toughness and dogged Irish determination. Quillin looks like a gifted but underachieving fighter who'll never meet his full potential.
TV: NBC
By Peter Lim
The more composite, technically proficient and defensively sound Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs) should win this bout easily on condition he doesn't get caught by one of Lee's electrocuting right hooks. Given the way Lee (34-2, 24 KOs) separated his last two opponents from their senses with that punch, you can be sure Quillin's camp has conditioned him to avoid it like the Ebola virus. Quillin will land the first and last punch of every exchange, break Lee down and stop him in the middle rounds.
Afterthoughts:
Fair verdict. Lee is so easy to hit but what he lacks in defense he makes up for in toughness and dogged Irish determination. Quillin looks like a gifted but underachieving fighter who'll never meet his full potential.
Friday, April 3, 2015
Adonis Stevenson vs. Sakio Bika
Pepsi Coliseum, Quebec City, Canada, April 4
TV: CBS
By Peter Lim
Bika is tailor-made for Stevenson. When he is able to keep his right shoulder precisely angled toward his opponent, Stevenson is fluid, explosive and untouchable. But when forced out of that zone of invincibility, he is reduced to a jittery, vulnerable fighter.
Lacking any semblance of finesse, Bika is too brutish and one-dimensional to throw Stevenson off his game. Stevenson will dictate the action and cruise to a lopsided decision, maybe even dropping Bika once or twice along the way.
Afterthoughts:
Nailed this one smack on the button, including the two knockdowns.
TV: CBS
By Peter Lim
Bika is tailor-made for Stevenson. When he is able to keep his right shoulder precisely angled toward his opponent, Stevenson is fluid, explosive and untouchable. But when forced out of that zone of invincibility, he is reduced to a jittery, vulnerable fighter.
Lacking any semblance of finesse, Bika is too brutish and one-dimensional to throw Stevenson off his game. Stevenson will dictate the action and cruise to a lopsided decision, maybe even dropping Bika once or twice along the way.
Afterthoughts:
Nailed this one smack on the button, including the two knockdowns.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Gabriel Campillo
Pepsi Coliseum, Quebec City, Canada, April 4
TV: CBS
By Peter Lim
Crossroads fights are typically intriguing because it pits youth versus experience. But the on-paper edge in experience for Campillo (25-6-1, 12 KOs) is diminished when you consider Beterbiev (7-0, 7 KOs) demolished Tavoris Cloud who defeated Campillo in 2012. Campillo's southpaw style shouldn't be a factor since Beterbiev tangled with many a lefty at the highest level of the sport as an amateur. The Rookie Russian should annihilate the seasoned Spaniard inside of five rounds.
Afterthoughts:
Another good call. Beterbiev should go on to achieve some great feats in the sport provided his chin proves sturdy.
TV: CBS
By Peter Lim
Crossroads fights are typically intriguing because it pits youth versus experience. But the on-paper edge in experience for Campillo (25-6-1, 12 KOs) is diminished when you consider Beterbiev (7-0, 7 KOs) demolished Tavoris Cloud who defeated Campillo in 2012. Campillo's southpaw style shouldn't be a factor since Beterbiev tangled with many a lefty at the highest level of the sport as an amateur. The Rookie Russian should annihilate the seasoned Spaniard inside of five rounds.
Afterthoughts:
Another good call. Beterbiev should go on to achieve some great feats in the sport provided his chin proves sturdy.
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