Talking Boxing with Alden "The Kid" Chodash

Excerpts from this week's Alden "The Kid" Chodash Boxing Show: 

 

Q: We're back with Alden Chodash of AldenBoxing.com. This past Saturday on the Boxing After Dark card, all three favorites come out on top.  First it was James Kirkland needing just sixty-six seconds to defeat Ermosele Albert.  From what you saw, do you like Kirkland and what he can do in the future?

 

Alden Chodash:  I like his punching power – I’m sure other fight fans do as well.  He’s a spectacular starter, has great hand speed.  He knows how to time his punches and his southpaw stance makes him deadly against some in the 154 pound division but the overall package is still a question mark, really.

 

Q:  What is it that you find questionable?

 

AC:  I think the question is, what is James Kirkland when he goes into deeper waters and faces adversity.  He has faced some adversity in his fight preceding Albert.  Alan Conyers put him down in the first round but Conyers lacked the skill to follow up and put him really in deep waters which he has yet to face. He has somewhat of a suspect chin and defense. 

 

Q:  Do you think Kirkland is ready to face a Corey Spinks right now?

 

AC:  Definitely not.  That’s the opposite direction he should be going in right now.  Spinks wouldn't put him down but Spinks would keep him guessing and missing probably.  It would be a very difficult and frustrating night for Kirkland.

 

Q:  Alfredo Angulo.  Seemed like he was slowing down around the fourth and fifth rounds but he was able to take out Richard Gutierrez.  What did you think of Angulo?

 

AC:  Definitely not a very quick-handed fighter but he’s steady and gets the job done. He’s a very good puncher, knows how to time his punches well but his lack of hand speed is going to cost him.

 

Q:  Did you think stamina was an issue?

 

AC:  No, I think he was just pacing himself throughout the fight. Gutierrez is a good fighter.  I thought he was going to beat Angulo and it looked in the first round that he was going to pull it off.  But his chin couldn't withstand the kind of punches Angulo was bombing off his head.

 

Q:  Okay.  What about Yuriorkis Gamboa.  He was stretched the distance against Darling Jimenez.  First, what’s up with Gamboa and not wanting to put his hands up?

 

AC:  Lennox Lewis made a good point that he likes to tempt opponents to make them throw.  He’s so confident with his hand speed, his ability to take a punch as well as his defensive ability that he’s really showing off to the crowd and taunting his opponent to lead and create countering opportunities.

 

Q:  Right now, are you more impressed or less impressed with Gamboa than you were before the Jimenez fight?

 

AC:  In a way I'm more impressed.  He went ten rounds with Jimenez who proved to be an all-around good fighter. Gamboa faced adversity, he was put down by Jimenez who came in to win.

 

Q:  They're saying Gamboa is two fights away from Edwin Valero. If that comes off later this year, who do you think would win?

 

AC:  It’s a hard fight to pick.  Gamboa has yet to face a puncher like Valero.  He’s been put down (twice).  Valero can really crack but in terms of skill, Gamboa is much better than Valero.  Valero’s punching power puts him at the level he’s at now. (However), I think Gamboa can beat Valero.  Gamboa has so much boxing skill that he can neutralize what Valero can bring.  But it’s questionable whether Gamboa can take those kind of punches.

 

Q:  Also this past weekend, Christian Mijares with a split decision win over Alexander Munoz.  What do you think of a Mijares/Fernando Montiel match-up?

 

AC:  That’s a perfect match-up.  I love Christian Mijares and what he’s doing in the super-flyweight division.  He’s fought everybody, really. Mijares is a great all-around fighter, great defensive skills.  Definitely not a spectacular puncher but he frustrated Jorge Arce, beat Munoz and Jose Navarro.  So he’s beaten everybody and the Montiel fight makes perfect sense.

 

Q:  Who would win?    

 

AC:  I think Mijares would come out on top. Probably a twelve round split decision.

 

Q:  Okay, this Saturday from England, Ricky Hatton in his comeback fight after the Mayweather knockout.  He faces Juan Lazcano.  Can Lazcano take advantage of Ricky coming off the first loss of his career?

 

AC:  No, definitely not.  Juan Lazcano is totally over matched in this fight.  He’s coming back off a long layoff and Hatton has so many advantage in the fight.  It’s such a mismatch.

 

Q:  Going inside the twelve rounds?

 

AC:  It possibly can.  That’s the only credit I'll give Lazcano.  He can take a punch, but we'll see if Hatton is going to be at his best.

 

Thanks Alden for talking with us.

 

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To view the show in its entirety, follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toD1aQtVS78