After days of speculation, Floyd Mayweather Jr. (40-0) officially signed a fight contract to meet Shane Mosley (46-5). Rumors leaked out last week that the fighters had come to agreement, but Mayweather had yet to sign the deal. The bout will take place on May 1, 2010 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Mayweather / Mosley Officially On
A key stipulation of the bout agreement was drug testing, an issue which caused the collapse of the Pacquiao negotiation. Mosley has previously admitted to taking steroid supplied by the notorious BALCO labs, although he stands by his statement that he did so unknowingly. Mosley agreed to Olympic-style drug testing, the very same arrangement Pacquiao refused to accept within the fight contract.
The moves made by Mayweather’s team of advisers are masterful. They were not prepared, nor desired to make the fight with Pacquiao. The sports media pressured Mayweather’s team to make the “super fight” between the two fighters considered to be the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Taking another fight or two against top-shelf boxers with less weapons financially makes more sense, especially considering Mayweather’s known financial issues.
Requesting the same Olympics drug testing of Mosley is also genius. They got inside the head of Pacquiao first by asking for it, now they get another respected fighter in Mosley to agree to the very same terms, and this guy previously has used steroids for real. It puts Pacquiao’s back against the ropes to agree to the drug testing terms, which he will eventually have to accept now that Mosley has agreed to these same terms and has set a precedent. If he refuses, he places a stain on a wonderful career that will forever have an asterisk placed next to it.
More importantly, the drama unveiled by the Mayweather team has just significantly increased the interest in a Pacquiao showdown further, which will no doubt smash pay-per-view records when it finally occurs.
For Mayweather, a fight with Mosley holds very little risk to his undefeated record and pound-for-pound title reign. Mosley’s style is made to order for Mayweather. The stalker walk-down approach that Mosley applies will result in a blitz of counter punch shots that will come at a speed Mosley has never experienced in his career.
The losses to Vernon Forrest and Winky Wright provide the blueprint to beating Mosley. Establish a solid jab, focus on counter punching and when Mosley gets in close, work the clinch. You read this and if you’ve watched a Mayweather fight, these are the things that Mayweather does better than anyone in the fight game.
Despite what appears to be a mismatch for the aging Mosley, his pride keeps him defiant. In an interview with Yahoo Sports, Mosley shared “They can test me every day, twice a day, if they want. I’m a clean athlete and I’ve been a clean athlete. I’m willing to do this for every fight I have for the rest of my career. I want it so you guys (in the media) know, so the public knows, so everybody knows. I’m clean, I’ve been clean and I have nothing to hide.”
But Mosley didn’t stop there. “I lost to guys he wouldn’t fight,” Mosley said. “The bottom line is, I’m the best fighter in the world. I know that. I believe I’ve proven that. But this is a great fight, a big fight against a guy who is very talented. When I get my chance, I’ll show you who deserves to be the best in the world.”
Again, masterful work by Mayweather’s team. A fight against Mosley will generate much interest and he’ll make millions in what will likely be a sparring session against a fighter whose best days are behind him. A Mosley matchup after Pacquiao held much less cachet and getting this fight in before the “super fight” lines the wallets of everyone involved.
Current WBO Featherweight champion Steven Luevano (37-1-1) will take on Juan Manuel Lopez (27-0) for the title. The fight is taking place at Madison Square Garden and is the co-main event feature being broadcast live on HBO.
The following is the play-by-play call of the fight:
Round 1
Luevano comes out in southpaw stance and begins working the jab from a distance. Lopez lands a solid combination to the head. Luevano catches a Lopez with a right jab counter to the chin. Lopez lands a left hook which backs up Luevano. Luevano continues to work at a distance. Lopez lunges and connect with a right hook. Round comes to an end.
Round to Lopez. 10-9
Round 2
Luevano still keeping his distance with Lopez trying to close the gap between the fighters. Luevano lunges with a right cross but misses. Lopez lands a combination to the body. Lopez comes forward with a right and Luevano counters. Another right by Lopez with a counter response from Luevano. Lopez trying to come forward again and gets jab stuck in his face. Lopez comes back with combination, followed by another combination to close the round.
Round to Lopez, 10-9
Round 3
Lopez comes out stalking. Lopez lands a solid left that hurts Luevano. Lopez tries to follow with combination, but Luevano is okay. Lopez goes for the head and misses, Luevano counter with combination of shots to the body. Another right to the head by Lopez. An uppercut from Lopez lands, followed by a strong right hook. Lopez pushes forward with a combination of shot as the go to the ropes. Luevano defends well as the round comes to a close.
Round to Lopez, 10-9
Round 4
Lopez stalking again with Luevano at a distance. Combination to the head scores for Lopez. Another solid right. Lopez is moving foward without much resistance now. Uppercut lands for Lopez followed by a right. Another right hook to the head by Lopez. Combination lands for Lopez, as Luevano counters and lands combination of his own. Left to the body followed by a right hook that buckles Luevano as the round comes to an end.
Round to Lopez, 10-9
Round 5
More of the same as the round begins. Lopez stalking and scoring power shots at will. Lopez is consistently landing first with Luevano on the defense looking for a counter. Lopez lands an uppercut. Straight left to the head for Lopez. Luevano fights back with combination to the body. Lopez works off the ropes with another combination. Luevano lands a combination counter. Lopez swings wildly as the round ends.
Round to Lopez, 10-9
Round 6
Luevano’s left eye is starting to swell as the round begins. Lopez is teeing off again on Luevano. Shot to the body followed by an uppercut for Lopez. Another combination as Lopez continues to get off first. Another combination of shots landed by Lopez. Luevano is still looking for a counter opening. Another combination lands solidly by Lopez. The fighters both land a flurry of punches as the round comes to an end.
Round to Lopez, 10-9
Round 7
Luevano sticks the jab. Lopez counters the jab with a vicious uppercut that sends Luevano stumbling back. Lopez pounces, lands a combination of shots, ending with a rock hard left hook which floors Luevano. The ref begins the count and Luevano gets to his feet. Luevano looks like he’s unaware of his surroundings and the referee calls an end to the fight.
Current WBA Featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (16-0) will take on Rogers Mtagwa (26-13-2) for the title. The fight is taking place at Madison Square Garden and is the co-main event feature being broadcast live on HBO.
The following is the play-by-play call of the fight:
Round 1
Mtagwa comes out aggresive and lands right cross. Mtagwa goes for body shot and gets tagged hit a left hook counter. Gamboa lunges with and connect with a left hook. Gamboa connects solidly again with a combination to the head that shakes Mtagwa. Gamboa is picking Mtagwa apart, lands uppercut. Mtagwa comes forward and gets hit again with a counter left. Mtagwa comes forward and gets hit with another counter left hook to the head that knocks him down the canvas. Mtagwa is up quickly and the round comes to an end.
Round to Gamboa, 10-8
Round 2
Mtagwa comes out assertively and looks unphased by the knockdown. Mtagwa moves for a jab and Gamboa connects with left hook followed by a right. Gamboa lands another combination. Mtagwa pushes a weak jab forward and is tagged again by a vicious combination of shots. Gamboa pushes the action and rocks Mtagwa with a right cross. Gamboa unleashes a combination to the body followed by a right to the head that knocks Mtagwa down for the second time in the fight. Mtagwa is able to geft of the canvas. Gamboa shows patience and chooses not to pounce. Mtagwa paws a jab and Gamboa goes for the kill with a flurry of shots that Mtagwa cannot defend. Another left hook buckles Mtagwa and he moves back, slumping down to the canvas along the ropes for another knockdown. The referee steps in and calls the fight.
Vitali Klitschko (39-2) left little to dispute inside the ring, handily earning a unanimous decision over previously undefeated Kevin Johnson (22-1–1) in an absolute mismatch of heavyweight fighters. Klitschko pitched a shutout on two judges’ cards 120-108 and earned a 119-109 score on the third judge’s card. The fight was held at PostFinance Arena in Berne, Switzerland.
Fight fans left the arena with little excitement after a boring, non-action affair. From the earliest onset of the fight, Klitschko was the stalker with Johnson on the defense. With his masterful jab and fluent agility, Klitschko pecked away with Johnson constantly backing himself up along the ropes, round after round. Klitschko dictated the pace as Johnson bobbed, weaved, ducked and ran without trying mount much of a counterattack.
By round 4, the mismatch was obvious as Klitschko pelted Johnson with shot after shot. Klitschko was unable to land solid shots due to Johnson’s constant head movement, but received nothing in response. Although Johnson jawed at Klitschko throughout the fight about not hurting him, all the action came from his mouth rather than his fists.
In the final round, Klitschko finally broke through with a hard right that shook Johnson. Klitschko followed with another hard right and initiated a barrage of shots on Johnson along the ropes. It was clear Klitschko was irritated by Johnson’s inaction and jawing, trying desperately to finish him off before the bell. Johnson survived, which was his game plan coming into the fight.
A truly shameful effort by Kevin Johnson. Championship belt shots don’t come that often and should never be squandered in such a fashion. Not only did he disgrace himself in the ring, he took away an opportunity from another worthy fighter that would have given their best effort. While Chris Arreola might have been beaten by Klitschko as handily, at least he put up a fight and left the ring with his respect know he gave it his best shot. Johnson never attempted an aggressive attack the entire fight, an embarrassing accomplishment.
The heavyweight division continues to limp along with the two Klitschko brothers leading the pack, miles ahead of everyone else. Hopefully we will get to see the brothers hook it up against one another by the end of 2010. It would be a fantastic way for both to end their careers, just as they started them, duking it out against one another. Not to mention a huge payday fight for both.
Mayweather Will Fall From The Ranks of The Unbeaten Against Manny Pacquiao
I cannot tell you how forward I am to seeing Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao. This bout pits the best p0und for pound fighters in the world. Boxing is in bad need of a colossal matchup like this, and the public will eat it up. Pacquiao is coming off a most impressive victory over Miguel Cotto. He dominated Cotto with his speed and endurance on his way to a 12th round fight stoppage.
Cotto came into the fight in the best shape of his life and left a badly beaten fighter. The beating was so bad, Cotto’s wife left ringside in the 10th round and his father pleaded with his corner to stop the fight in the 11th round. Mayweather scored a impressive unanimous victory over Juan Manuel Marquez. These two fighters have the talent to make this Welterweight bout the best boxing match in years.
Pacquiao has the speed and endurance to match the great counter and speed of Mayweather. There is no greater heart than that of Manny Pacquiao, and he fights with the pride of the Philippines in every fight. He also has the best trainer in the world in Freddie Roach. I love all the intangibles that Manny has going for him and that will make the difference in this fight. Manny has more heart and will than Floyd. Mayweather will need to fight his best and counter Manny’s speed and endurance. It will be too much Manny from start to finish. Pacquiao wins a unanimous decision.
This bout looks to take place March 13 in Las Vegas. I think 13 will be a unlucky number for one Floyd Mayweather Jr.
As a life long fan of boxing I am excited. We finally have some great matches happening.
Guys have stopped ducking tough opponents and want to see who is the better man. Pacquiao and Mayweather will be a great fight. While I’m not a fan of Manny’s style, he is fun to watch. Floyd is probably the best fighter in the last 15 years or so. I’ll go ahead and predict that Floyd beats Manny. Manny will simply have a tough time with Floyd’s hand speed and will get counter punched.
The middleweight and super middleweights are heating up also. Andre Ward is emerging as the man to beat, with Carl Froch, Arthur Abraham, Kelly Pavlik and Paul Williams all in the mix. These fighters all have a combination of skill and power to make some fights to remember.
Then we have the Klitchko brothers. The boys need to take some bigger fights this coming year to jump start the heavyweight division. The division needs to grab some of the limelight back that it once had. With David Haye moving up, it will be interesting given he has a big punch and a suspect chin.
All in all, I am looking forward to an exciting 2010 in the world of boxing
It was a great career marred by the weakness of every great fighter…not knowing when to hang up the gloves.
Roy Jones Jr (54-6) hopefully has fought for the last time this evening in Sydney, Australia. Squaring off against Danny Green (28-3), Jones had much more on the line than just a title belt, that being one final major pay-per-view payday against Bernard Hopkins. Those hopes sank to the canvas as quickly as Jones bounced off it, as Green ended the bout at just 2:02 of the first round by technical knockout.
Jones began the fight with his typical peek-a-boo style, pawing his jab into the face of Green. Pushing through the jabs, Green pressed into Jones and back him into the corner. Green landed a hard right to the head, just behind the ear 1:13 into the round that dropped Jones to the canvas.
Appearing badly hurt, Jones struggled to get his feet under him but eventually prepared himself to re-engage. Green launched an unanswered on Jones, landing power shot after power shot as Jones absorb terrible punishment. Jones eventually was able grab a clinch, but upon the restart by the referee, Green immediately attacked against and Jones was unable to respond again. Referee Howard Foster had no choice but to call a stop to the fight.
As with every great fighter, there comes a time when the skills have become to diminished to compete at the highest level. Jones’ success was defined by quickness and agility that was unmatched for many years. Never a serious hard puncher, Jones relied on shocking barrages that took opponents by storm. With his trademark skillset, Jones is nothing more than an ordinary fighter who should have retired back in 2003.
Given the results today in Australia, it appears that the pay-per-view with Hopkins is doomed. Hopefully this defeat will encourage Jones to finally hang up the gloves on a stellar Hall of Fame career.
Lucian Bute (25-0) successfully defended his IBF super middleweight title with a fourth round stoppage of Librado Andrade (28-3) in Quebec City, Canada.
In a highly anticipated rematch of their controversial bout in October 2008, Bute quickly took control of the fight with a stinging jab and pinpoint power punches which had Andrade constantly on the defense. Bute clearly dominated the first three rounds with Andrade stuggling to score.
During the fourth round, Andrade stepped up the pressure and became the aggressor. Lunging in to land some power shots, but Bute was able to counter and slip a short left hook which dropped Andrade to his knees. After the standing eight count, Andrade looked composed, but Bute went in for the kill anyways. Landing numerous shot, Bute slipped a solid left to the ribs that dropped Andrade to the canvas a second time. The body blow knocked the wind out of Andrade, who was unable to respond and get off the canvas.
The fight provided answers to the controversial 2008 clash between the two fighter. In the first meeting, Bute dictated the pace and scored numerous winning rounds. During the 12th round, Andrade finally wore down Bute and scored a knockdown with 1 second left in the final round. As chaos ensued in the ring, the referee took a total of 21 seconds to deliver the count, sparing Bute a shocking defeat in front of a hometown crowd.
Bute left nothing to be questioned on this evening, scoring with solid shots from the opening bell and never being at risk throughout the fight against a world-class challenger.
With this impressive victory, it brings questions to Showtime’s Super 6 World Boxing Classic tournament and whether the best fighters have been represented given Bute’s exclusion. After the completion of the first round of the tournament, the buzz about Jermain Taylor’s inclusion and potential early departure from the tourney has been rampant.
Here’s hoping that Bute gets a shot at replacing Taylor should a replacement be needed. If not, the winner of the tournament has his first match ready with an exceptionally talented Bute waiting in the wings.
Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2) maintained his claim to the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world with dominating performance against former champion Miguel Cotto (34-2) on Saturday night in Las Vegas, NV. Pacquiao delivered punishing blows from the onset of the fight, leaving referee Kenny Bayless no choice but to throw in the towel and end the abuse being delivered to Cotto. The victory sets up for perhaps the biggest welterweight fight off all-time between Pacquiao and undefeated champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Pacquaio Score TKO Victory over Cotto (ESPN.com)
The fight started out with a very confident Cotto attacking Pacquiao during the first round with a stiff jab that was clearly affecting Pacquiao’s ability to counter-attack. The momentum shifted in Round 3, as Pacquiao began to deliver shot from a range of angles, catching Cotto by surprise with a right hook that dropped him to the floor. Cotto was unphased and finished the round strong.
The tide of the fight turned in Round 4, as Pacquiao continued to press the fight and flatted Cotto with a combination of punches near the end of the round. Cotto was able to pull himself off the canvas, but the damage was done. Pacquiao stepped up the attack in Rounds 6 and 7, putting Cotto on the full defensive just trying to survive.
The savage beating continued into the later round. Between Rounds 9 and 10, Cotto’s corner asked him if he wanted to continue and Cotto proceeded forward. Not able to withstand watching the fight further, Cotto’s wife and son left ringside to return to the locker room. Before Round 12, Cotto’s father came to the corner begging for the fight to be stopped, but was turned away. Cotto continued to be beaten badly by Pacquiao until referee Kenny Bayless displayed the mercy that Cotto’s corner would not provide.
With this victory, Pacquiao has clearly placed his stamp onto the title of best pound-for-pound. In post-fight interviews, Pacquiao displayed his usual humbleness at victory when asked about making a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. While Pacquiao maintained his silence, trainer Freddie Roach expressed their desire to make the fight happen with Mayweather Jr. to prove once-and-for-all who holds the crown.
The following is our play-by-play call of this evening’s fight:
Round 1
Cotto kicks off the fight with a snapping left jab the connect solidly. Pacquiao connects with a combination as he darts in at Cotto. Pacquiao is showing respect to Cotto’s power, continuing to dash in and out with punches. Cotto stick with his jabbing, landing consistently and leaving no openings for Pacquiao’s counter punching.
Round goes to Cotto.
Round 2
Cotto start the round leading with the jab. Pacquiao continues to fight on the fringe, landing darting combination. Cotto lands a sharp jab and Pacquiao counters with a right-left combination. Cotto responds with a left hook that backs off Pacquiao. The speed of Pacquiao is beginning to take over, as he begins landing a series of shots to Cotto. It appears that the punches are having little impact as Cotto keeps moving forward as the round comes to and end.
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 3
Cotto comes back out with a series of jabs as he hunts down Pacquiao. Cotte lands a counter punches that straightens out Pacquiao. Cotto comes aggressively at Pacquiao and is floored by a counter punch by Pacquiao. Cotto takes the 8 count and appears unhurt. The fighters begin trading blows, with Cotto going to the body and landing some jabs. Pacquiao continues the aggressive counter punching attack. Cotto lands solid shots that snap Pacquiao’s head back and the fighter clinch as the round comes the end.
Round goes to Pacquiao 10-8
Round 4
Cotto start off sticking the jab again. Cotto unleashes a combination of shots along the ropes. Pacquiao works of the ropes and counters back. Pacquiao is now center ring unleashing a flurry, but Cotto fires back. Cotto backs Pacquiao into ropes and bgins to deliver some punishing shots. Pacquiao works off the ropes back into the center, Cotto is chasing and is nailed with a fiery-fast combination by Pacquiao that floors Cotto again. This time Cotto appears a little dazed but is able to get back to his feet as the round comes to an end.
Round goes to Pacquiao 10-8
Round 5
Cotto comes out tracking Pacquiao again and is struggling to land the jab. Pacquiao scores against with a series of combinations, delivering more pinishment to Cotto. The speed of Cotto’s punches are clearly slowing down. Pacquiao is darting in and out again with scoring punches. Cotto backs Pacquiao into the ropes and land an uppercut follwoed by a left hook, stunning Pacquiao. Pacquiao darts in again with a combination as the round comes to a close.
Round goes to Cotto.
Round 6
The boxers feel each other out as both appear to be slowing a little. Pacquiao scores with a combination of punches. Cotto sticks his jab to stave off the darting Pacquiao. It appears that Cotto is in trouble again as Pacquiao lands a range of shot. Cotto works off the ropes and gets himself ground, sticking the jab. As the round comes to a close, Pacquiao unleashes another series of shots, buckling Cotto into the ropes. Cotto is hurt and Pacquiao attacks. Cotto lands a hard left to stave off Pacquiao again as the bell rings
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 7
Pacquiao comes out the aggressor, landing a combination of blows from different angles. Cotto is not responding, absorbing the shot. Pacquiao pulls back giving Cotto breathing room. Cotto looks to stick his jab again. Pacquiao darts in and lands again and moves ito hunting mode and Cotto begin to circle around the ring rather than continuing to come forward. Pacquiao tracks Cotto down and lands shot effortlessly. Cotto is running around the ring as the round comes to a close.
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 8
Cotto starts the round again with a stinging left jab. Cotto lands a few body blows and another snapping jab. Cotto has changed his approach to circling and defendeing the Pacquiao assault, doing a good job defending. Pacquiao catches up to Cotto and lands along the ropes. Cotto continues to circle. Pacquiao gets Cotto along the ropes and lands more scoring shot as they clinch. Pacquiao appears fearless of Cotto’s power. Pacquiao comes after Cotto again, unleashing a combination in the corner as the round comes to an end.
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 9
The fighters trade shots to the head and body to start the round. Cotto lands a few jabs as he continues to circle around Pacquiao. Pacquiao lands a left, stunning Cotto. Pacquiao gets Cotto along the ropes and has him in trouble. The fighters clinch. Pacquiao gets Cotto against the ropes and he is struggling to survive. Another clinch. Cotto lands a stinging jab, but Pacquiao continues forward. Pacquaio unleashes along the ropes again and Cotto circles away as the round comes to an end. Pacquiao is now dominanting the fight.
Round goes to Pacquaio
Round 10
Cotto’s corner asks him if he wants to continue between rounds and Cotto says he wants to go. Ringside, Cotto’s wife and son leave ringside. Cotto lands a few jabs and Pacquiao appears to be taking a breather. Cotto is circling the ring and Pacquiao begins to pick up the pace. Pacquiao lands a right cross. Pacquiao calls on Cotto to bring it forward. Pacquiao lands another combination and Cotto continues to circle to survice. Pacquiao lands a hard right as the round comes to an end.
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 11
Cotto comes out jabbing then moves back to his defensive circling. Pacquiao is taking another breather as Cotto refuses to engage. Pacquiao picks up the pace and goes in for the kill. Pacquiao lands a series of combination and has Cotto in trouble again. Cotto scrambles to survive, but Pacquiao won’t let up. Cotto looks up at the clock to see how much time he has left. Cotto continues the defensive circling to close the round as boos rains down from the crowd.
Round goes to Pacquiao
Round 12
The fighters touch gloves in the center. Cotto begins to circle immediately with Pacquiao on the hunt. Pacquiao lands a cobination and Cotto circles away defensively. Cotto refuses to engage and the referee Kenny Bayless steps in to end the fight.
