Bleacher Report - Articles by Christopher Falvello

Georgia Tech Beware: Georgia Bulldogs Not To Be Taken Lightly

Christopher Falvello — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:16:33 -0500

As a soon to be alumnus and die hard Yellow Jacket, I'm looking forward to seeing my team mop the floor with Georgia. After seeing us lose to our most hated rivals my first four years in college, nothing would make me happier than to leave this school with a win over UGA.

But as the title of this article belies, that is not to be taken for granted. UGA is having a less-than-stellar year in 2009, exemplified by a disappointing home loss to Kentucky, but that doesn't mean they are a bad team. Mark Richt isn't at the top of his game, but that doesn't mean he became a bad coach overnight.

Under Richt, the Bulldogs have experienced a great deal of success, especially against Georgia Tech.

Well, maybe not Tech specifically, but Chan Gaily definitely.

When he was hired just under a year ago, Paul Johnson was issued an order: BEAT GEORGIA. He did. Now he has to do it again. Capturing the Governor's cup this year should be less difficult than last year, but this is a rivalry game and anything can happen.

Georgia was able to tough it out for the win against a good Auburn team, showing good speed, athleticism, and defensive solidarity. They also got their offense together and put up a respectable 31 points. They even had a semblance of a running game for once.

Tech, though, is another story. The blitzkrieg that is Tech's offense has been getting a lot of praise and attention these days, and after all why not? It's damn near unstoppable. Our lowest score this year was 24 points and we've been averaging 35 this season.
But the real story, as it has been this year, is on the other side of the ball.

When Tech's defense shows up, we clean house. When it doesn't, the big O has to carry the game, and even once, we lost. That could happen again.

Georgia has some talented players and if our secondary performs any less than its absolute best, what could be a solid win will turn into a struggle. Our front four will also have to step up and get some pressure. The one man wrecking crew that is Derrick Morgan should be able to get into the UGA backfield more than once.

If Richt comes up with some clever blocking schemes, though, it's going to be a long day at Bobby Dodd. The statistic angle is that Tech ranks 47 nationally in defense (not as bad as you thought right?) allowing an average of three touchdowns and 350 yards per game.

The "Dawgs" are 88th in total offense and are putting up those exact numbers as their per game average, which is an odd coincidence to say the least.

Georgia will have defensive trouble themselves. They currently rank 34 in Division I-A schools allowing a mere 121 yards per game on the ground. The caveat is that the teams they play are averaging 36 carries a game. The North Avenue Trade School is averaging 64 carries a game. How willing the dogs are to get in the trenches and fight it out, and how long they can last there, will be a big factor in this game.

Ultimately, the Bulldogs will be fighting for a better bowl game as well as the chance to spoil what is a great season for us. Paul Johnson will be playing to keep that great season alive, keeping the momentum up for the ACC championship, and the all important bragging rights to this year's "Hate Bowl."

Tech is the favorite, as well they should be, but the under "dawgs" shouldn't be taken lightly.

Pacquiao v Cotto: Unbelievable

Christopher Falvello — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:19:54 -0500

Pacquiao isn't just good, he's scary good. He possess the kind of talent that sends chills down your spine.

Going into this fight, everyone felt that Cotto might be too big and talented. He's the first complete fighter that Pacquiao has fought on his pound-for-pound campaign. Some believed that "Pac-man" would sting and strafe, but that eventually Puerto Rico's favorite son would catch the Filipino with a solid shot and then we'd see what Pacquiao was really made of.

I tried to explain this to all of my layman friends. They all thought that Pacquiao would win within three rounds. They were right.

The first round was what you might expect, Pacquio strafed and stung. Using footwork and timing he was able to land on a somewhat regular rate. Cotto proved his power, though, as before the pacific typhoon could let fly, Cotto would back him off with a good, stiff jab. I gave Cotto the round, it wouldn't the last.

The second round was much of the same, but more intense. The two traded shots and neither backed down. After their chilling showdown, Pacquiao went back to a more calculated strategy and did enough to win the round.

The third was one of the most revealing as Pacquiao lived up to his reputation and went right after his man. A fast, sharp flurry by Pac-man, punctuated with a signature right hook, put Cotto on the canvass. It was a surprise to me. All my friends, who know nothing of Pacquiao besides the De Lahoya and Hatton fights, were expecting it.

Pacquiao effectively won the fight in the fourth, when after an exchange on the ropes, Pacquiao backed off just a bit and timed a vicious right uppercut that caught Cotto perfectly, leaving him on the mat for the second straight round.

From there on out is was a slow finish in waiting. The pound-for-pound champ pounded his man, going for the knock out round after round. We were waiting to see who would cave first, Cotto's trainers or referee Kenny Bayless, who let the fight go on far too long. Things got so bad that Cotto's wife and child had to leave the arena.

Cotto, though, wanted to finish. He is still a warrior and it takes a certain kind of courage and will to fight it out the way did. Eventually, though, enough was enough, and Bayless mercifully ended it in the twelfth.

I respect Manny Pacquiao, I have him at ten on my pound-for-pound all-time list.

I respect Miguel Cotto. I think he is one of the better welterweights in the world right now.
But last night was unbelievable. The only explanation for the shock and awe that was that fight is that Pacquiao is more than good, he's incredible. He's spent his last four fights utterly destroying larger, talented opponents. Granted, Diaz, Oscar, and Hatton all had their flaws, but they were not bums. Then against a legitimate welterweight contender, Pacquiao showed us once again just what he's capable of—absolutely anything.

Next up on Freddie Roach's opponent hit-list? "Money" Mayweather. And you know what? I'll be betting the farm on Manny because he's simply unbelievable.

Why Georgia Tech Will Beat Virginia

Christopher Falvello — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:11:37 -0400

Georgia Tech is a better team, plain and simple.

The Cavaliers are sitting pretty right now, and really why not? They’ve won three in a row, are undefeated in the ACC, and are leading the coastal division. But all of this distracts from the most important statistics in college football: overall record and level of opposition.

UVA is on a win streak, but let’s look a little closer. They’ve beaten a fading UNC, a less than average Indiana, and Maryland, who has somehow wrested the title of worst ACC team from Duke. Not to mention that UVA opened the season with a home loss to William and Mary and an away loss to Southern Mississippi. The one forgivable loss is to a now top 10 TCU.

Georgia Tech is on a win streak of their own, however, one that stands at four. It started by dominating that same UNC team UVA beat in a field goal dual. Then, GT controlled shootouts with Mississippi state and Florida State, finally taking down the No. 4 Hokies. All the while, the Jackets have been racking up huge numbers on offense while their defense has finally found itself.

One record speaks louder than the other.

But, just to indulge those who believe in overly conditional win streaks, what about the UVA home win streak against GT? Well, if you asked Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson, he’d probable say just that, what about it?

Coach Johnson is neither too concerned with loss streaks, nor is he superstitious. In less than two seasons as head coach, he’s already ended loss streaks against Georgia and Florida State. In both instances, he traveled to hostile stadiums and found ways to win. Not to mention that the win against VT on Saturday was Tech’s first win against a top five team in forty-seven years.

All streaks end.

Even Notre Dame’s legendary 63-year dominance over Navy came to an end in 2007. Oh wait, wasn’t Paul Johnson coaching Navy when they broke that one?

Today, college football is truly at a fever pitch. It gets so much coverage, pundits are always scrambling for something to talk about, everyone’s over-analyzing everything, and fans are so incredibly superstitious, that it isn’t surprising that the home win streak against Georgia Tech by UVA is getting some attention.

But at the end of the day, Georgia Tech is a very good team that is continuing to improve as the year goes on. Virginia has improved in recent weeks, but in reality they’re an OK team at best.

Besides, if the legendary Bobby Bowden couldn’t save his job against Tech at home, what makes anyone think Al Groh can?

The Match Game: Who Will Fight Who?

Christopher Falvello — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:20:47 -0400

This fall there are two showcase Pay-Per-View fights that, while major events, appear to be little more than warm up fights for boxing’s two mega-stars. While the logical conclusion is that sometime next year Pacquiao and Mayweather will get it on, we all know that boxing rarely follows a logical course.

From these two mega-fights, Mayweather vs. Marquez and Pacquiao vs. Cotto, there are four distinct possibilities. Each one we will examine here.

Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Miguel Cotto

This is the least likely matchup to be made in the aftermath of these big fights. Mostly it is unlikely because both fighters are underdogs. However, both Marquez and Cotto have a chance to win.

While of the four outcomes this is the least appealing right now, if both Marquez and Cotto find a way to win who’s to say that this wouldn’t be a big, appealing fight.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto

This eventuality is more likely than the previous one, and considering the depth of the welterweight division this would be a great fight. However, if Cotto beats Pacquiao how likely is it that “Pretty Boy” will fight him?

After all this is a fight that should have been made over a year ago. Floyd is great at slipping punches, he’s also great at slipping challenges.

After beating De La Hoya, the game was open for “Money”. Mosely, Margarito, Cotto, Williams, and Berto were all viable and difficult challenges. So what did Floyd do? Beat up on a smaller guy with a style tailor made for him and then quit.
Should this fight happen, it will be a big PPV fight.

It will also be long overdue.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao

This is the most logical outcome of this sort of pound-for-pound elimination tournament. It is also the fight that the public has been clamoring for since Pacquiao sent Hatton to la-la land. Hands down this is the biggest fight that can be made right now, and after big signature victories, it would be even bigger.

Look for Mayweather—Pacquiao to be the biggest sporting event of 2010. It would also be one of the best.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III

To be honest with you, gentle reader, this is the fight I want to see. Pacquiao and Marquez is a blood feud that not only brings out the best in each fighter, but also pushes each one to their limit as fighters.

Although the trilogy stands at 1-0-1 for Pac-man, almost every boxing expert thinks that Pacquiao still has to prove he can beat Marquez. If “Dynamita” can make it past Mayweather on Saturday, look for a public clamor for this fight to take place. I certainly will be calling for it, after all, these guys were made for each other.

As a final twist, consider this: Juan Manuel is the undisputed lightweight champion and Pacquiao is the undisputed Junior Welterweight champion. They are also ranked one and two on Ring magazine’s pound for pound list.

If they got together at 135, then both championships, the pound for pound number one, as well as biggest draw in boxing would be on the line. Talk about a fight being for all the marbles.

No matter what happens, there’ll be at least one big fight on the slate for 2010. It will also be a great fight.

The Quiet Strength of Juan Manuel Marquez

Christopher Falvello — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:02:51 -0400

As I watch HBO’s 24/7 program showcasing Juan Manuel Marquez and Floyd Mayweather, one thing becomes strikingly apparent: these two guys are monsters.

It is both frightening and exhilarating to see the mental change within these proud warriors as they steel themselves for their upcoming collision.

What I’ve found most interesting is the way that Juan Manuel carries himself as he prepares.

He jokes about “turkey boogers” as he gleefully downs raw quail eggs, unassumingly helps his son with math, then plays a friendly game of FIFA, and finally, and most shockingly, discusses drinking his own urine, on camera, as though he were espousing the newest super diet.

But despite these somewhat comical, and sometimes just plain gross, exploits and his quiet, courteous demeanor, there is a latent lethality to him. Just below the pleasant and inviting exterior, lurking in the netherworld of his mind, is a warrior prepared to do whatever it takes, at any cost, to earn a victory.

Marquez may sing with his family and play with his kids, nieces, and nephews, but he also wanders around volcanoes 14,000 feet (4267 meters) above sea-level, chucking boulders through the air for fun. He pops speed bags and works his sparring partners over like they owe him money.

This dichotomy is what I can only describe as quiet strength. A level of self confidence and mental focus that is well and above that of any man.

The seemingly bi-polar nature is a by product of the psychological change. Having reached a profound level of ability, something in the fighter changes and he becomes a genuinely nice person, unless of course your fighting them.

In which case one will be faced with a hurricane.

Not to say that “Money” hasn’t also reached a similar level of mental calm. Mayweather certainly carries himself with the braggadocio and self-espousing rhetoric endemic to the rap sub-culture, but if he didn’t have the mental focus to execute on a high level, he wouldn’t be 39-0 right now.

As I said, it’s watching the mental preparations that these fighters are making that intrigues me so much about 24/7. In their own minds, they go somewhere else. A place where they are infallible and their opponents totally open. A strange nirvana of sport where for an instant that seems to last a lifetime, they are perfect. Such confidence and psychological presence is rare, and an absolute pleasure to watch.

I don’t know if this mental strength will be enough for Marquez to overcome the considerable challenges in his way. I do know that when things reach their worst and the fight turns bad, it will be this same mental determination that will save him.

Win, loose, or draw, one has to admit that Juan Manuel Marquez is a fighter of extra-ordinary strength, even if he carries it quietly.

What I Don't Like About Kelly Pavlik

Christopher Falvello — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:19:51 -0400

Well, maybe that’s a bad headline, but hey, if I went with what I’m really trying to say, “What I don’t like about Bob Arum” the typical response might be; “take a number.”

Seriously, though, the middleweight champion of the world has some things to explain to me. Like everyone else I was mesmerized by his knockouts of Edison Miranda and Jermain Taylor; mostly because of the shock that a lanky, gangly white kid from Ohio could actually fight. Despite his loss to Hopkins, which in hindsight we all should have seen coming, the kid really can fight.

We just don’t get to watch him doing it.

This is my complaint, Bob Arum and Top Rank landed themselves one of the hottest promotions in boxing with Kelly Pavlik and all they can think to do with it is bury him in company pay-per-view broadcasts that no one will watch.

Pavlik hasn’t fought on regular HBO since last June, and hasn’t really turned in a riveting performance since his dramatic disposing of Taylor in September, 2007.

Why?

Pavlik is marketable, like-able, and when matched with the right opponents, an absolute firecracker. It’s been a while since middleweight has had a straight ahead puncher as a champion and his jack-hammer right hand doesn’t hurt; image wise, at least). Not to mention that, next to heavyweight, middleweight has always been one of the most popular divisions in boxing.

So why the secrecy?

I want to see Pavlik fight. Even if its just blow-outs of mandatory challengers or over-matched junior-middleweights like Sergio Mora, Pavlik is a good worker to watch. But I won’t pay $25, or however much the PPV is, to see it, and I’m a hardcore boxing fan.

How does Bob Arum intend to make money this way?

Surely HBO would offer more than a company promoted PPV and what about all those blue collar guys Pavlik is suppose to represent?

I don’t care how much love you have for a fighter, an out-of-work assembly line worker, or steel worker, or any other industrial laborer that might reside in Ohio, isn’t going to pay to see Pavlik when the mortgage is due.

And what about his choice of opponents?

Sure he needed a breather after Hopkins, but he got it, and word is that Pavlik himself is begging for Abraham.

So what’s the hold up Arum?

You have something the normal sports audience in America would watch. If HBO isn’t available, why not shop the fight to networks or even ESPN? It’d have to be an easy sales pitch.

“I’ve got this tough, hard-hitting white kid from Ohio who represents blue-collar America. Oh, he’s also and undisputed champion in a familiar weight division and he knocks people into orbit.”

What station wouldn’t pick that up for a weeknight broadcast?

Pavlik isn’t the only fighter Arum is doing this with, and Arum isn’t the only one doing it. Amir Khan, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, and now Juan Manuel Lopez either had in the recent past or will have in the near future a small scale company PPV. Why? When will promoters learn that maybe in the short game these small productions do alright, but in the long game all they serve to do is dwindle the fan base and alienate any potential patrons.

This trend isn’t something that’s good for boxing. Boxing is getting fun to watch again. 2007 and 2008 were packed with great fights, and so is 2009. Boxing is getting a little bit of notoriety and a return to the mainstream seems easier than ever right now.

So why kill the sport for a few bucks today when you could help the sport and make a lot of bucks tomorrow? I guess like everyone else I’ll stop trying to figure out Bob Arum and pray that Golden Boy doesn’t pick up this practice.

All I ask is for promoters to think about this: what makes more money? A PPV at $25 that sells 50,000 buys, or a broadcast network production that is seen by ten or twenty million people?

Consider the possibilities.

The Arc of Ricky Hatton

Christopher Falvello — Mon, 04 May 2009 22:18:30 -0400

After Saturday’s stunning fight, many have urged the courageous Brit, Ricky Hatton, to retire. This article is about why we, as fans, shouldn’t write off this brave fighter so quickly, and why, should he choose to leave boxing, the “Hit-man” should be remembered well.

First of all, as I said earlier, Ricky Hatton is one of the most courageous and toughest men in modern ring history. His all-action, never-say-die heart and blue collar work ethic are what endeared him to so many.

It takes a certain amount of fortitude and confidence to go up against the pound-for-pound best, not just once, but twice. Also, after the first round knockdowns, Hatton got back to his feet and went back to fighting.

To be caught flush the way he did only to go back into the lion’s den takes an amount of courage that is seldom seen in any endeavor.

More so, let’s look at the most significant portion of Hatton's career. In 2005 he out fought and out slugged the great Kotsya Tszyu, eventually forcing the hall-of-fame fighter into obsequience. With that victory, Hatton captured the undisputed (meaning “Ring” magazine) Junior Welterweight championship.

He has since fought eight times in three and a half years, successfully defending his title in five of those bouts. In one, he moved up to welterweight to capture an alphabet trinket at 147 pounds and again moved up in weight only to be beaten by Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Once again in that fight, Hatton tasted the canvass more than once. Being out-classed the way he was, it took valor, determination, and sheer guts to get up and fight on. Not just fight on, mind you, but fight on in an attempt to win.

Although the loss generated doubts about his skill and the effects of his between bout weight gains, which have already been raised once more, he rebounded by defending his championship two more times.

The Lazcano fight was seen as evidence that Manchester’s favorite son was indeed through, but with the same determination that has carried him through his career (and a new trainer) the “Hit-man” went on to decimate Paul Malignaggi in what was a signature performance.

Finally, on Saturday night, his beloved title was taken from him in a shocking manner by boxing’s best fighter. Simply put, Hatton still had a few weaknesses, one of which is when shaken up he reverts to his old style, and that Pacquiao was perfectly equipped to exploit that shortcoming.

Also, as a litmus test of Hatton's toughness, Pacquiao had to drop the battling Brit three times to stop him. The third of which damn near killed Hatton. That's what it took to keep the pride of Manchester down.

That fearful left hand, by the by, was a startling and poignant reminder of the sudden violence inherent in this sport, and that no man is totally immune to it. Thankfully, his brain scan taken shortly after the fight revealed no damage.

So far Ricky has compiled a decent resume, perhaps not a resume of an all-time great fighter, but one solid enough to put him on the ballot for Canastota if not put him in the hall itself.

He still has legions of loyal fans, enough money for life, and a close knit family. He could easily walk away, if not walk away satisfied.

If this English bulldog wants to retire, good. If he wants to fight at least once more to go out on a win, equally as good. He’s certainly earned that opportunity.

Whichever way he chooses will be up to him. He is fortunate enough to have the kind of loving and supportive family that will stand by his decision.

So remember: he may have fallen, but if there is one quality this man posses it is the ability to get up.

I won’t be surprised if we will see him again. After all, “there’s only one Ricky Hatton.”

The picture of this article is a piece by Richard Slone who does some fantastic work. His art can be viewed and purchased at http://www.sloneart.com/portal/.

Pacquiao-Hatton: HOLY [Expletive Deleted]!

Christopher Falvello — Sun, 03 May 2009 01:04:39 -0400

HOLY ----! I apologize for starting a story with such rude and brusque language, but in the wake of Pacquiao’s two round starching of Ricky Hatton, those are the only words that come to mind.

We knew Pacquiao was something special, I suppose now we know just how special he is. The fight didn’t last very long, and after the first knockdown, it seemed predestined, so I won’t spend any time analyzing it.

It's suffice to say that Hatton had several weakness, and that Manny Pacquiao was perfectly equipped to exploit them.

The Filipino dynamo has officially put Mayweather on notice. He has cracked my top 10 all time pound-for-pound list. And finally, he has become the undisputed 140-pound world champion. Quite a night for the diminutive warrior.

But let us not forget Hatton. Despite the one-sided performance, it would a gross error to consider the ex-champion any less than what he was before tonight. One of the toughest, bravest men in modern boxing history.

There were however, a few nervous moments when Hatton was still on the canvas that one feared he might have been seriously hurt. Thankfully though, he stood up and shortly left the ring under his own power.

Whether he will continue fight is a question that would be asked too soon. Hatton will figure out what happened to him tonight and go from there.

General Santos City’s Supernova, however, is now poised to do whatever he wants. Should Mayweather get past Marquez in July, A super-fight between “Pretty Boy” and Pac-man seems all but guaranteed. But whatever Pacquiao chooses to do, be assured that more than just the boxing community will be paying attention.

Tonight’s bout was neither long, nor a great fight, but it was absolutely riveting. Also, having recently beaten De La Hoya, Pacquiao’s name has been on the rise is the mainstream community. After tonight, there won’t be a person in the US or England who doesn’t know who he is.

I suppose that’s the most significant consequence of this fight. A blow-out like this just doesn’t happen, period. When it does, it catches a lot of people’s attention. There’s going to be some disappointment.

After all I, along with a few hundred thousand others, shilled out fifty bucks for five minutes of boxing. But good god was it a five minutes! I don’t feel too terribly cheated, and I’m definitely going to watch Pacquiao’s next fight, whoever it is.

For years people have proclaimed Boxing a “dead” sport. Tonight probably has put to rest the idea that Boxing is going anywhere but up. Also, thanks to a lightning left hand, whether Boxing could survive without its number one draw seems to have been answered also.

Pay attention America: there is an all-time great in out midst and any time he steps in the ring you know it will be a great show. Boxing has a new champion. His name is Manny Pacquiao.

Boxing Vs. Golf: Which Is Harder?

Christopher Falvello — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:14:07 -0400

I just got into an argument with a friend of mine over which is harder, Boxing or Golf. As an ardent supporter of the sweet science I say boxing and, honestly, can’t comprehend why anyone would even debate the subject. I told him so, albeit with a somewhat more colloquial vocabulary than I’m using now.

The argument ended with him saying “…you ask a hundred people and I’ll ask a hundred people.” So here I am doing just that. In the spirit of objectivity, I’ll outline below the arguments for and against each one. I also invite any members of the Golf section of Bleacher Report to participate in this poll so as not to be accused of biased polling.

BOXING

For: Boxing is commonly held as the most difficult sport out there. It requires all aspects of physical ability, coordination, stamina, strength, endurance, agility, and timing. Boxers also need to be in the most supreme physical condition, even at the amateur level.

The mastery of the sport is also very difficult. The nuances of defense and footwork are too subtle and intricate to put into words and even after training for many years, a fighter may never fully understand them.

Against: Boxing is legalized violence. It is a base sport, and although the art of boxing is difficult to learn, cavemen like Marciano and Foreman who had only the smallest understanding of the sport found success through brute strength.

GOLF

For: Golf is not a game of adaptation, but consistency. To perform at the highest level requires consistency and focus. Also the task of sinking the ball in the hole is no small feat. Golfing has been marginalized as a sport, but in reality it demands a mental focus and a high level of hand-eye coordination. Any slight mistake could result in catastrophe.

Also, professional golfers must walk the entire course, each match. Several hours, several miles, in the beating sun or pouring rain, three consecutive days is not easy. Although it doesn’t demand the same level of anaerobic conditioning as other sports, an overweight, out-of-shape individual could not do it.

Against: Golf is a leisure activity that barely qualifies as a sport. The physical demands of contact and combat sports are far greater and although hitting a golf ball is a skill, that’s all it could ever be. A simple skill.

Well that’s what I’ve come up with. You guys decide.

Marquez-Diaz: What It Means to Be a Man

Christopher Falvello — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:02:48 -0500

Once again, I’m going to open by asking to take a step back and be totally honest for just a moment.

Juan Diaz is an excellent fighter. Of all the young guns beginning to move into the upper echelon of the fight game, he is the most established, and probably, the most talented.

He is just as likely the climb the mountain of boxing as is Juan Manuel Lopez, Andre Berto, or Paul Williams. And, unlike these others, he has already fought for the legitimate championship of the world.

The unfortunate truth is that cherished plateau of greatness is already populated with some exceptional fighters, men like Juan Manuel Marquez, who is only the No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world by a single point on one scorecard.

Many people favored Diaz tonight, and for good reason. He is young, aggressive, and talented, while Marquez is old, experienced, and established. The experience seemed to be the deciding factor tonight.

In the early rounds, “El Torito” (“The Baby Bull”) used his advantages well. And while he didn’t land many, telling, decisive blows, his work rate and aggression were enough to sway hometown judges.

This is where the experience kicks in. The fight turned into a war; sporadic bursts interlaced with stalking and staging. Another aged fighter may have had trouble keeping up with the whirlwind Diaz, but let us not forget that Marquez has survived (and according to some won) two epic wars with Pacquiao.

Not only that, but in his last outing, Marquez out-foxed Joel Casamayor and knocked him out for the first time in the Cuban’s career.

If ever a man has walked through a wall of fire it is Juan Manuel Marquez. He seemed troubled, even perturbed, by Diaz’s onslaught, but was never in real danger.

And, if you look closely, you will see that many of Diaz’s barrages were either deflected or ducked while being cleverly countered.

Throughout the fight, Marquez would survive the flurries, counter to the body to sap the young man’s strength, and then turn Diaz around and put him against the ropes. It was a triage of boxing skill that can only be learned from hard experience.

Soon, the Mexican warrior found a home for his uppercut and in the ninth round used it to put Diaz down twice, the second time for good in a most spectacular fashion.

Jim Lampley mused in the third round that this fight was perceived as “Man vs. Boy” but that it was “Man vs. Man.” He was right, of course. Diaz fought with the kind of gallant heart that endures fans to this, the greatest of sports.

But while Diaz was learning what it means to be a man, Marquez has been privy to that knowledge for some time, and it was this discrepancy of wisdom that made a difference.

In the end, while Diaz showed us why he could be one of the best, Marquez showed us why he is one of the best. And in passing on this valuable knowledge to an apt pupil, Marquez proved himself to be a more capable teacher.

Darchinyan-Arce: Brawl for It All

Christopher Falvello — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 00:30:46 -0500

Donnybrook would be too tame a description for this fight. War and bloodbath would be more appropriate. Just as Vasquez and Marquez set the bar for quality of competition last year, so too have these bantam-weighted warriors done the same tonight.

It was a battle that unraveled in three acts that spanned eleven rounds of shear brutality. The outcome was decided on nothing more than will, heart, and a superhuman capacity for pain.

Although diminutive in size, Vic Darchinyan and Jorge Arce proved once again, that it is not the size of the dog in the fight that counts, but more the size of the fight in the dog.

The first act consisted of rounds one through four. The opening stanzas were sea-saw back and forth carnage with each combatant giving as good as he got. These rounds were reminiscent of Hagler-Hearns or Dempsey-Firpo.

Although Darchinyan swept these rounds on many observes scorecards, they were extremely close and only late round rallies by the champion gave him the scores.

Act II was rounds five through seven. Darchinyan solidly won these rounds, but at a cost. He would batter Arce about the ring and just as it looked like the Mexican warrior would go down, he would emerge from his defensive shell to land a few meaningful shots of his own, even staggering Darchinyan once or twice.

Arce’s moment came during this phase when he landed a viscous left hook to the body that gave the battling Armenian more than pause for thought.

Act III was the dramatic conclusion. Rounds eight through eleven belonged solely to Darchinyan. And although Arce still had his moments, he suffered a beating as mean and damaging as any this writer has seen.

Arce seemed out on his feet through these rounds, but Darchinyan had punched the Mexican warrior so many times that Arce was tiring Darchinyan out just by staying on his feet and absorbing his punches.

After round 10, both fighters were spent. Darchinyan, however, captured a second wind and in the closing moments of the eleventh, he pummeled Arce mercilessly into submission.

In between rounds, Arce’s corner and the ring doctor realized that victory was not possible and decided that it would be dangerous to send Arce out to absorb more punishment. It was the right thing to do.

These two fighters may not possess polished skill, mainstream name recognition, or even a popular weight division, but they displayed the valuable assets in boxing this night. Each fighter may only weigh 115 pounds, but at least 110 pounds of that is heart.

Boxing: Five Fights I Want to See in 2009

Christopher Falvello — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 11:58:40 -0500

The past two years were good years for boxing. Over the course of the last 24 months, there have been many great fights and virtuoso performances from some old greats.

Casamayor-Katsidis, Marquez-Casamayor, Pacquiao-Marquez II, Hatton-Malignaggi, Mayweather-Hatton, Pavlik-Taylor I, Margarito-Cotto, Cotto-Mosley, Hopkins-Pavlik, and we’ll punctuate the list with the all-time trilogy of Vazquez-Marquez.

We’ve really been given a treat these last few years.

I hope the streak continues. HBO has put its best foot forward this year with Berto-Collazo and Mosley-Margarito.

Showtime is also starting out hot with the upcoming Junior Bantamweight fight between Vic Darchinyan and Jorge Arce. To top it off, Showtime will televise a mega-event that will feature Manny Pacquaio and Ricky Hatton squaring off.

Here are my suggestions to keep things interesting in 2009:

Kelly Pavlik vs. Arthur Abraham

Despite his first loss, Pavlik is still the undisputed middleweight champion of the world. There is, however, a very capable and touted contender out there, and his name is Arthur Abraham.

The European boxer-puncher is perceived as the biggest threat to Pavlik’s throne at the moment and these two will produce a good fight.

Tomaz Adamek vs. Steve Cunningham II

Their first fight was a fight-of-the-year candidate as well as a final eliminator to determine the undisputed cruiserweight champion of the world.

“USS” Cunningham is still hungry and I think Adamek would be less than reluctant to surrender his newly won crown. A second time around for these guys will be a burner.

Miguel Cotto vs. Shane Mosley II

Cotto and Mosley are the No. 1 and No. 2 contenders, respectively, to the vacant welterweight championship. Both are still exceptionally talented fighters and again, the rematch would prove promising.

Although it wouldn’t be a battering bloodbath donnybrook, it would still be a great boxing match and getting another Ring champion is never a bad thing.

Israel Vasquez vs. Juan Manuel Lopez

How can you get any better than an iron-willed warrior and an explosive puncher squaring off in another chapter of the Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry?

These two will most likely turn in a “fight of the year” candidates and any fight for the true lineal championship is a welcome bout.

Not to mention that, after his historic trilogy with Marquez, it’d be good for Vasquez to take on a different, but still worthy, opponent before his rivalry with Marquez goes stale. And right now there are not many worthy challengers outside of Juan Manuel Lopez.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III

Their first two fights were extraordinary, with the first being match-of-the-year caliber. Although it seems Pacquiao has moved on to bigger and more lucrative, albeit less significant things, it would be nice to see these two go at it again.

Their skills are still sharp. Both are coming off signature wins, and Marquez wants a piece of Pacquiao like nobody’s business. Even though Pacquiao leads the trilogy 1-0-1, a convincing win by either could give that fighter the nod as the better man.

Let’s hope we see it.

Shane Mosley Knocks Out Margarito: Welterweight Is Still the Best

Christopher Falvello — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 23:58:56 -0500

Let’s be totally honest with ourselves for a second here. Shane Mosley is a world class fighter with many marquee victories; Antonio Margarito is not.

Granted, Margarito is an excellent fighter with one of the toughest chins this division has ever seen, he still isn’t an “all time” fighter like Shane is.

This discrepancy in talent was made painfully clear tonight as “Sugar” Shane Mosley put the screws to the top dog in boxing’s best division.

From the opening bell, Shane out-jabbed Margarito and smothered his advances by staying close and holding when he had to. His counters to Margarito’s heavy, but slow, punches were perfectly timed and he truly did some damage to the Mexican warrior.

Most importantly, Mosley went to the body and was able to tire Margarito so that not only would Margarito start slow, but not have enough energy for the middle rounds when he usually stages his comebacks.

The first eight stanzas produced a decent fight. Mosley was winning, albeit in some rounds closer than he wanted to. The notable exceptions were the fourth, which I gave to Margarito, and the seventh, which although I gave to Mosley I felt could go either way.

In fact, I felt that in the seventh, Margarito had finally built up some steam and was going to do some serious work soon. He did actually. The eight was a round I would give to Margarito. I felt, at the time watching the fight, that he was getting back into it.

Then came the last 30 seconds.

Mosley hit the Tijuana Tornado with three mean right hands and all of a sudden one thinks “Hey, Mosley just evened up this round.”

Follow that with a 20-second beating and Margarito finally goes down, is barely able to beat the count, and suddenly, the bell rings. What a way to end the round.

For the ninth, Mosley came out for blood, and Margarito was dripping with it. Twenty consecutive punches in the first thirty seconds and Margarito finally goes down for good. The stoppage was a smart idea.

So how does a 4-1 favorite lose this badly? Where does this leave Margarito? What happens now at welterweight? Let’s take these one at a time.

First, Shane Mosley is a hell of a fighter, and Nassim Richardson is one hell of a strategist. When the right plan is put in action with the right tool, you get a 37-year-old boxer knocking out a 30 year-old puncher.

And before Margarito gets written off, any normal human being, heck any normal fighter, would have been knocked out by Mosley much earlier. The guy is tough and hung in there for as long as he could and then some. He’ll remain a force to be reckoned with in this division for a few more years.

As for what happened at Welterweight? Until the “Ring” ratings come out, we can’t be sure, but right now it looks like the No. 1 contender to the vacant title will be Shane Mosley, and the No. 2 contender will be Cotto, leaving the space open for a Pay-Per-View rematch that would attract a lot of attention.

And for whoever wins that one, guys like Williams, Berto, Collazo, Clottey, and, yes, Margarito still loom as viable contenders.

This was a big fight that shook things up and somehow made the sweet science even sweeter, at 147 pounds at least. So let’s all take a deep breath….good, exhale. Now, get ready to enjoy another great year of fights.

Happy Jack Johnson Day!

Christopher Falvello — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 01:02:02 -0500

Today, Dec. 26, 2008, is known as Boxing Day in the British Empire. It is also a historic anniversary that we as boxing fans must stop to recognize and perhaps celebrate.

One-hundred years ago today, Dec. 26, 1908, Jack Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion of the world by knocking out Tommy Burns at the end of the 14th round in Sydney, Australia.

Many remember Jack Johnson as the free-wheeling, devil-may-care, playboy champion whom raced automobiles, administered a saloon in Chicago, performed on vaudeville, had many romances with a series of “Sporting” women, (most of whom were white), and rarely defended his title.

Jack Johnson was certainly all of these things, a playboy, a philanderer, a drunk, a gambler, and a lover of fast cars. But he was something else as well: exceptionally talented.

Jack Johnson was one of the greatest who ever lived. His speed rivaled that of Ali and his defense was second to none. He was not a Dempsey, Marciano, or Frazier, who would storm forward eating leather and eventually land that “one big punch.” No, Jack Johnson was a fast counter-puncher with an uppercut that sliced men to ribbons.

He had to be good to make it in an era of overt racism. In fact, before Jefferies retired, in 1905 and 1906, the call was put out for Johnson to challenge the “Boilermaker” for the heavyweight crown. The fight didn’t happen at that time, and the “vacant” title was won by Marvin Hart, who soon lost it to Tommy Burns.

Johnson had to chase Burns across America, to England, back across America, and down to Australia, and guarantee $30,000 before he got his shot at the title. Johnson won easily.

Eventually, after he beat Jefferies in 1910, Johnson was chased out of America on false charges from the Mann Act. Life as an ex-patriot was difficult and eventually, for monetary reasons, he was forced to fight Jess Willard in Havana, Cuba. That fight truly displays how good Johnson was.

Johnson was 37-years old, did not train, and the fight was held in 105° heat under the scorching Caribbean sun. Johnson eventually fell in the 26th round, and may even have quit on the canvas after finally having had enough.

What I’m saying is this: At an extremely advanced age, having not fought in two years, with no training, in an extreme environment, it took 26 rounds to defeat Jack Johnson, and he may have quit. Forget the 12-round era comparison, if it were a 15-round fight, Johnson would have won.

Today, to most, “The Dark Menace”, a nickname that reveals the rampant and accepted racism of the day, is nothing more than an asterisk in history books.

But today, on the centennial of his crowning victory, should we not turn a page in history and remember Jack not for the color of his skin, but for the supreme and unmatched skills he possessed?

He was a man and he tried to live his life as such, regardless of color. Admittedly, like all celebrities, he made his mistakes, many of which were public. But the price he would eventually pay far outstripped his sins.

Jack Johnson was one of the best, and was hailed as the best in his era. We should admire his positive qualities, in and out of the ring, and respect his free-spirit that would not be chained by the white establishment.

So today, just for ol’ Jack, raise a glass of gin in toast and remember “The Big Smoke” for his great ability and even greater spirit.

Happy Jack Johnson day.

Tomasz Adamek Steals Fourth to Claim 200-Pound Title

Christopher Falvello — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:11:46 -0500

Before anyone jumps on me for this headline, maybe the word “steals” is a little harsh. Even calling Tomasz Adamek’s fourth-round knockdown of Steve Cunningham lucky would be a stretch. But at the very least it was fortuitous.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Adamek, the undisputed Cruiserweight champion of the world, and Steve Cunningham have just turned in a “Fight of the Year” candidate tonight on Versus.

After a tentative start, a surprising, or rather unexpected, second, third, and fourth rounds, the two warriors got down to brass tacks and beginning in the tenth, the two traded shot for shot for the last three rounds.

The surprises of the second and fourth rounds were one-punch knockdowns on the part of Tomasz Adamek. In both rounds he absorbed everything Cunningham could lay on him only to lay out the number one contender with evil right hands.

Cunningham spent the first half of the fight in a tentative defensive shell, jabbing awkwardly, backing up, and sneaking in right hands where he could.

The fourth was not so, however, as for the first two minutes Cunningham had Adamek wobbled and laid every uppercut and right hand he had on the battling Pole in an attempt to stop the fight early.

Unfortunately for the Philadelphian, Adamek’s jaw has a consistency somewhere between granite and reinforced concrete. Adamek weathered the assault and in the last 20 seconds, floored Cunningham with a right hand that resembled an 18-inch artillery shell.

From the fifth to the ninth, Cunningham took control of the fight and won most of those rounds, but Adamek was able to force the tempo up. Then in the ninth, late in the round again, Adamek caught Cunningham with a mean right cross and Cunningham found himself on the canvas for the third time (sort of).

From then forward, the fight was on. The last four rounds were ebb and flow, punch for punch, toe to toe action. In fact, rounds 10 through 12 could all be given to either fighter.

I gave two of them to Cunningham, with one even, but I had $10 riding on the American. After the 12th both men embraced and then retired to their corners for the decision, which is really the important part of this fight.

First off, Steve Cunningham, an American, an American Veteran, at that, from Philadelphia, was facing a potential hometown decision against an immigrant in NEW JERSEY.

I am not suggesting that this was indeed a hometown decision, after all Adamek did score three knockdowns, but I am highlighting a curious condition of the fight. (Also 116-112 was a little wide of a margin, and guess who it went to?).

The scores came in 114-112 Cunningham, and 116-112, 115-113 Adamek, making the Pole the new world champion of 200-pound fighters. This is where that fourth round comes into play.

Up until the knockdown, the fourth was a 10-8 round for Cunningham. If he had not been knockdown, the scores would have been 116-110, 114-114, and 115-113 for Cunningham. But again, 116-110 would have been a huge margin for such a close fight.

Ultimately though, it doesn’t matter who you gave the fight to. This was a thrilling battle, of exceptionally talented fighters, that demands a rematch with Showtime or HBO as possible carriers.

While this fight deserves to be on the ballot for fight of the year, I don’t see it beating out Vazquez-Marquez III. The imminent rematch will most likely be as good considering the desire of Cunningham, the chin of Adamek, and the complementary nature of their styles.

All this together provides evidence to support the headline of the preview article for this fight. Who needs the Heavyweights?

Pacquiao-De La Hoya: The Size of the Fight in the Dog

Christopher Falvello — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:44:49 -0500

Manny Pacquiao has knocked out Oscar De La Hoya. I’ll say that again: Manny Pacquiao has knocked out Oscar De La Hoya. While “The Golden Boy” did not end the night prostrate on the canvas, he was very close to it, and the ring Doctor as well as De La Hoya’s trainer, the venerable Nacho Beristain, were begging him to call it a night.

Many fans, myself included, saw Pacquiao stopping Oscar, but not so easily, or in such fashion.

This fight means several things, all of which are important to the sport. Firstly, Pacquiao’s pound-for-pound ranking has been solidified for the next decade, at least. Like his predecessor, Mayweather, Pacquiao beat De La Hoya, but unlike “Pretty Boy” Floyd, he disposed of him as though boxing’s No. 1 draw were a prelim boy fresh out of the amateurs.

That’s another thing that happened. Oscar De La Hoya lost his drawing power. For the last decade, Oscar and his incredible popularity has kept boxing afloat. But now, sadly, his star power has been obliterated by a Filipino super-nova.

Thankfully, the passing of the torch to Pacquiao is a good thing. Now the new No. 1 draw in boxing is also its pound-for-pound best as well as, and most importantly, its most exciting fighter, hands down.

All three of Pacquiao’s fights this year were entertaining, even though two of them were vicious beat-downs (the third, his rematch with Marquez, is in the running for fight of the year).

Pacquiao has proved that size doesn’t matter, to a point, but I would really like to see him go back to lightweight where there is a host of good contenders his natural size, and the champion is and old rival with a score to settle.

While I didn’t think that De La Hoya was too big for the Pac-man, can anyone see Pacquiao standing up to Margarito, or Williams, or even Cotto and Berto? This was a one time only shot for Pacquiao and even if he doesn’t see that, Freddie Roach will.

In the end we saw a bright star dim in front of our eyes. De La Hoya’s exit from the game has been neither graceful or happy. If Roy Jones' loss to Calzaghe was sad, Oscar’s was pitiful and while I rejoiced in Pacquiao’s victory, one could not but feel for the aging legend, eye swollen, and head and heart confused by the shocking events and even more shocking emotions.

Pacquiao is now the face of Boxing, worldwide, and we all expect good things from him.

But, let us not forget the lesson learned today, one that has been repeated throughout the ages: It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog. And no dog right now has more fight in him that Manny Pacquiao.

Cunningham V. Adamek: Who Needs the Heavyweights?

Christopher Falvello — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 10:06:38 -0500

Thursday, December 11 is a big day for boxing. One man will have a chance to gain the universal recognition he deserves, another to prove he belongs, a new undisputed World Champion will be crowned, and finally, an unappreciated division will have a chance at the spotlight.

This Thursday, Steve Cunningham (21-1, 11 KO) and Tomasz Adamek (35-1, 24 KO) will square off in New Jersey for “The Ring” Magazine’s undisputed Cruiserweight Championship of the world. This fight mixes old themes and highlights—a new trend that we, as boxing fans, should all be paying attention to.

For the last few years Steve Cunningham, a cagey and tough Philadelphia boxer, has been fighting internationally because Cruiserweights aren’t a big enough draw in America.

He has also been winning and has been ranked No.1 contender by “The Ring” magazine for almost a full calendar year. He has proven himself over and over again as one of the best 200 lb fighters in the world, yet only earned an alphabet strap this year. He has the opportunity to claim the vacant Cruiserweight title by beating the No.2 contender, Tomasz Adamek.

If you can’t guess from his name, Adamek is a polish brawler who also fought mostly in Europe earning acclaim as a powerful Light-heavyweight before moving to New Jersey and moving up to cruiser.

His short rise through Cruiserweight ranking is meteoric to say the least, capped off by a knockout victory over former undisputed champion O’neil Bell this summer. Adamek may continue that meteoric rise by defeating Cunningham on the 11th.

Also, this fight pits a boxer against a slugger, an old but reliable combination that not only provides easy effective publicity, but has produced some of the most thrilling fights in history (Marciano-Walcott, Robinson-LaMotta, Ali-Frazier, and Leonard-Hearns).

Another thing to consider, is that although not modern Heavyweights, these two warriors are 200 pound fighters who can hit, and hit hard.

My final point is this: With the Klitschko brothers maintaining a stranglehold on the Heavyweight ranks, no foreseeable chance at an undisputed champion, and the dearth of quality contenders, who really needs the Heavyweight division?

Vitali Klitscho’s victory over Samuel Peter is the Heavyweight highlight of the last three years, and it was a boring fight. In that time, O’neil Bell, Jean-Mark Mormeck, and David Haye have turned in good, exciting performances against one another.

Consider also that Cruiserweights today most resemble the greats of yesteryear, Jack Dempsey (190 lbs), Joe Louis (195 lbs), Rocky Marciano (187 lbs), and Joe Frazier (200 lbs) would all have fallen into the 200 pound division today.

Muhammad Ali was also close to 200 pounds (Fighting between 205 and 210) during his prime years in the sixties. Plus, the Super-heavies of yesteryear (Willard, Firpo, and Carnera) were terrible to say the least.

Whatever you do this week, remember that a real Heavyweight division although not so named, with real fighters, will put on a real championship bout on December 11 at 8:00 PM on Versus. Something that the so named Heavyweight division has not done in years.

Heart of a Lion: Jones, Calzaghe, and “The Deep Cut”

Christopher Falvello — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:46:58 -0500

First off, my most sincere apologies to Roy Jones Jr., I am amongst those in the boxing community who believed him finished, and he proved that he still had one good fight in him. Good for you, Roy Jones. Watching a hero go out on his shield never gets old.

There will undoubtedly be numerous articles about the first round knockdown that hurt Joe. After all, the perceptive abilities needed to discern that the Champion was in trouble are akin to those necessary to discern that Barry Bonds was on steroids. However, I’d like to look at two other aspects of the fight before everyone else jumps in on it.

First of all, that evil cut Jones suffered in the seventh round. To me, at least, Jones’s ability to fight on for four more rounds, half blind, and with a dangerous cut that made him look like Marciano, was tremendous. He knew that he was losing and he even seemed confused at points late in the fight, but the heart he alluded to in Calzaghe-Jones 24/7 was more than evident, and we all owe him large kudos for that.

After “The Deep Cut,” I was on my feet for the rest of the fight. Calzaghe, the dutiful fighter he is, targeted the cut without forgetting to mix in some body shots. Joe’s power, or lack there of however, was such that Jones was able to survive the bout on his feet. The unanimous, coherent cards of 118-109 were an expected anticlimax to a thrilling contest.

I’d also like to take this time to thank Joe and Roy for putting on yet another great match and keeping boxing on the comeback trail. I now have another fight to present to people when they ask why they should watch boxing.

Hopkins-Pavlik, Marquez-Casamayor, Pacquiao-Marquez II, Katsids-Casamayor, Margarito-Cotto, now Calzaghe-Jones, and of course the miniature version of the “Thrilla in Manilla,” Vazquez-Marquez III.

That’s seven wonderful fights this year with consistent action in between. Those who are educated only in Kimbo Slice’s (what kind of a name is that by the way?) 20-second knockouts of stiffs should check these fights out.

Hopefully, boxing will finish 2008 strong as it’s biggest stars and a few up and comers have some promising cards scheduled. Calzaghe will undoubtedly become “Fighter of the Year” and Jones has put himself in the hall-of-fame (yeah like he wasn’t already. By the by, can we induct Roy Jones twice?).

It was a great fight. It was a perfect mix of expectation and surprise, and I for one feel my $50 did not go to waste.

The Forgotten Fight: Taylor Vs. Lacy

Christopher Falvello — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:26:35 -0500

In the midst of Bernard Hopkins’ surprise upset, the much publicized Jones vs. Calzaghe Pay-Per-View, the eagerly anticipated Hatton vs. Maliginaggi World Championship fight, and the boxing event of the year—Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya, there is another fight this November that we should be paying attention to.

Jermain Taylor vs. Jeff Lacy on Nov. 15. While it is not the only non-title bout amongst these “super fights,” it is definitely the least appealing.

Both Jermain Taylor and Jeff Lacy have suffered a traumatic slide in popularity (that was never that big to begin with) since losing their undefeated records last year to Kelly Pavlik, boxing's new all-American boy, and Joe Calzaghe, boxing’s Mr. Family Man.

True, Lacy and Taylor offer little in terms of public appeal, and neither was ever considered exceptionally talented, and neither is going to the Hall of fame. But this is a bout that deserves our attention. Why?

Because they’re still fighters.

The “crossroads” angle has been played up for Calzaghe-Jones, and most likely will be for Pacquiao-De La Hoya, but the fight that truly has two men meeting at a critical point in life’s journey will be on HBO Nov. 15. After their respective losses, both men tried to regroup and move forward, neither did so very successfully.

Now, as another great boxing year comes to a close, both find themselves needing a big win over a “name” opponent to get back on track. Thus, they have found each other.

Note also, that I said “big win." Since their names haven’t commanded much respect for a while now, Lacy since the Calzaghe fight, Taylor since his draw with Winky Wright, whoever wins will have to do so in dramatic fashion.

A stellar knockout, a flamboyant one-sided decision, or, best case scenario for us fans, a hard fought, bitter, but spectacular split decision that commands a rematch. Whoever emerges victorious, if they do so in the fashion I have described, will get at least one more shot at stardom before being relegated to “old man” status. The loser will become an opponent.

Why is this match so pivotal for each of these men? Why, when I’m not really a fan of either, am I writing about it? Because this is a last chance fight. Not just to reestablish themselves, but to answer the lingering questions that have plagued them throughout their careers.

Lacy’s heart has not been in question (how many Calzaghe right hands did he walk through just to get hit with more?) but his skills are. At one time, he was a wunderkind. Now he is considered somewhat of a disappointment. Taylor’s speed and combinations are pretty good, but his heart, power, and fighting desire are not.

This is a good matchup, boxer vs. slugger, and old but tested pitch. Also, these two men can really push each other into new and darker places, mentally and emotionally, if they aren’t there already.

Boxing sense has us believing that this fight will be average at best. Taylor probably won’t be able to hurt Lacy, and Lacy may not be able to hit Taylor. However, if both men come to fight, it’ll be a good one. After all, they both have desperation and fear on their side and those are motivating emotions. Every so often, the right fighters meet at the right time to spark an unexpected classic.

This may just be one of those times.

Joe Calzaghe: Roy Jones' Kryptonite?

Christopher Falvello — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:10:51 -0500

After Bernard Hopkins' thrilling win over Pavlik and Jones’s confidence and calm in the 24/7 TV shows, one would think that another major upset is in on the horizon. Alas, it is not to be. We need to remember two old sayings that are strangely applicable to this fight. First: Lightning never strikes twice. But most importantly, styles make fights.

The question with Hopkins and Pavlik was whether Hopkins had enough to close the show. Everyone knew that Hopkins had the style, savvy, and experience to beat Pavlik. The lingering question was stamina, a question that “The Ghostbuster” answered pretty definitively.

The question with Jones is a similar one but the dynamics have changed somewhat. “The Pensacola Pinwheel” is appropriately named, but his fancy-Dan moves and “cuteness” (to borrow an adjective from the earlier part of last century) are relatively ineffective against the high-volume, high-speed attack of Calzaghe. Speaking of speed, Calzaghe’s hand speed and combinations are almost on par with those of Roy Jones in his prime, meaning before 2003.

Another thing to consider is Jones’ chin. He was knocked out four years ago (and once in a particularly viscous fashion) by opponents who have average power, to be generous. This occurred not once, but twice. Calzaghe is not exactly known for his power, but one lucky shot (which gets even more likely when you’re throwing a hundred punches a round) could lay Jones out.

While the age difference is only three years, Calzaghe is definitely more youthful. He has performed at a high level against his last four opponents and looked pretty good in all of them. (Except Hopkins, but who does look good against him?) Getting your ass beat the way Jones did takes something out of you. Not to mention that Jones’ latest victory was a less-than-outstanding points win over a retired, ring-rusted welterweight. Jones definitely talks the talk, but it would appear that at this juncture the heart and mind are willing but the body is not.

Experience is also a non-factor. Sure, Jones has had a ton of big fights under bright lights, but so has Calzaghe. Remember, Calzaghe was an underdog when he defended his title in front of 12,000 rabid Welshmen against Jeff Lacy. Granted, he had the hometown advantage, but one would think that a good many of the Queen’s subjects will be in the Garden tomorrow night. At worst, the cheering will be split 50/50 in favor of Calzaghe. Also, in his American debut on Live Coast-to-Coast TV, Calzaghe was able to get up off the canvas, and go on to get to Hopkins more than any other opponent the Philadelphia tough man has faced.

Meanwhile, Jones has been losing and then facing mediocre competition for mild paydays in what would be an ill-advised comeback. Even in his prime Jones didn’t fight truly tough opposition. Calzaghe may be regarded as a protected European fighter, but at least he’s been facing harder and harder competition as he has aged. Not to mention he has captured undisputed world championships in two divisions.

Hopkins' victory has had us waxing nostalgic for a few weeks. It is a common trait amongst boxing fans to ignore the obvious signs of degradation in the hopes that our heroes will prevail. Muhammad Ali is a great example. Fans ignored his slower feet and lessening stamina in the fights against Foreman and Frazier (the third time).

Although he won both, they came at a terrible cost. His strategy moved from being fleet of foot and working in the center of the ring to laying on the ropes and countering only at convenient times. This was taken as strategic genius instead being clear evidence that his body had forsook him after such a punishing career. So entranced was the public that Ali was even installed as a favorite over Holmes during his second-to-last comeback.

It would appear that Jones is in a similar place. Eight years ago, he would have layed out Trinidad in one round and would be a clear favorite over Calzaghe. Today, he is an old man who has absorbed too much punishment to return to who he was. I advise Jones to let it all go after this fight and for his fans to follow suit.

Klitschko and Klitschko: No Hope for the Heavyweights

Christopher Falvello — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:11:20 -0400

A few weeks ago I had the displeasure of watching Samuel Peter, upon whom the future of the Heavyweight division rested, quit on his stool after eight insufferable rounds of ineffective flailing. On a historical note, Peter joins Jess Willard and Sonny Liston on the list of Heavyweights who surrendered their title on their stool.

But let’s pause and think for a minute. The real problem isn’t that Peter fought a terrible fight, or that Vitali, who was never a hall-of-famer, had the luxury of keeping his hands at his hips and never throwing anything stiffer than a pawing jab, was able to beat him easily, no.

The real problem is that Peter was never the champion in the first place. And for all you Ukrainians and avid fans of broken English say anything, neither is Wladimir Klitschko. Some of you are asking who is then? The answer is nobody.

Ever since Lennox Lewis retired four years ago, the Ring magazine heavyweight championship of the world has been vacant, and the belt from “The Bible of Boxing” is the only one that really matters. The Sanctioning bodies are too numerous and too corrupt, continually feeding sloppy, untested, mandatory challengers to illegitimate champions, to claim any authority within the squared circle.

Boxing was without a compass for many years, but the Ring finally reinstated their championship policy in 2002. Lewis retired with the title, so his successor may only be decided by pitting the number one and number two contenders against each other. Surprisingly this hasn’t happened in four years!

The last time there was no Champion was between 1928 and 1930. Tunney retired with the title, and stayed retired, and it was two years before the top two contenders were able to meet in the ring. Certainly Marciano retired with the crown as well, but a tournament was immediately organized when he announced his retirement in May of 1956 and by fall of ’56 there was a new champion, Floyd Patterson.

But four years? It sounds like the top contenders are ducking each other.

And this comes to my disappointment with Peter. At the time of the fight, Wladimir Klitschko was ranked number one contender to the vacant title. Peter was ranked number two. It seemed a logical bet that an old, injured, ring-rusted Vitali would crumble under Peter’s awesome power, but we were wrong.

And so now, the number one and number two contenders to a vacant championship are both named Klitschko, and they will never fight each other. This means that until someone shows up who beat both of them, we will not have a heavyweight champion. What angers me most is when Vitali talks about being champion at the same time as his brother.

Are you kidding me? Two men cannot be the champion concurrently when there is one planet to be champion of. This is the whole argument against the sanctioning bodies.

This is another reason Boxing is having more trouble than necessary returning to the mainstream. While there are plenty of talented fighters in the lighter weight-classes, the heavyweights, always the most watched division whose champion has been regarded as the ultimate fighting man on the planet, are still rudderless and without any sign of hope.

This brings up my final point: When will Vitali fight again, if ever? It’s been three years since he left the ring due to that severe eye injury, and it took him more than a year to get through a six-week training camp when he decided to come back.

So if you’re waiting for Vitali to announce when he’ll make the first defense of his newly won “Championship”, don’t hold your breath. In fact, don’t hold your mortgage, because chances are you’ll pay that off before he fights again.

Vladimir has been relatively active this year, three fights, but against terrible opposition. Sultan Ibragimov had the WBO strap, but as an awkward southpaw, he was able to turn his February meeting with Dr. Steelhammer into a wrestling match. Tony Thompson is 37 years old, also a southpaw, and has less power than an electric razor.

Wladimir’s final match this year will be against Alexander Povetkin, who only has 16 professional fights and is an as of yet untested prospect. So if you’re also waiting for Wladimir to fight someone who can beat him, you might want to look into cryogenics so that they can thaw you out when it’s time to watch him take on a legitimate contender.

The heavyweight division is always the money division making it by default Boxing’s primary route to the mainstream. Without a respected champion, or a champion period, boxing will have to wait a little while longer before a second renaissance will happen.

Think about it: Lightweight, Welterweight, and Cruiserweight are stocked with talent, not to mention two guys in Jr. Feather named Vazquez and Marquez who turned in an ungodly three fight series last year, and a likeable, marketable, white kid from blue collar Youngstown is the Middleweight champ. Boxing has turned a corner in the last two years. All we need is some hope in the heavyweight division.

_______________________________________________________________

On a historical note: Liston quit after six rounds and he was being outclassed by a 22 year old Muhammad Ali, and had no hope even though he was cheating. Willard fought three rounds against a 24 year old Dempsey, who was at his peak, and suffered seven broken bones in his face and three broken ribs.

Samuel Peter quit after eight boring rounds against a 37 year old, injury-prone, “ex-champion” who hadn’t fought in over three years. Peter also still had a puncher’s chance. What does this tell you about the Nigerian Nightmare?

Executioner to Ghostbuster: Bernard Hopkins Beats Kelly Pavlik

Christopher Falvello — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:57:22 -0400

Saturday, October 18, 2008, Bernard Hopkins demonstrated how good he really is, or rather, how much he really has left. Leading up to the fight, most everyone, myself as well, believed that the younger, stronger, Pavlik would beat Hopkins easily.

We, as often is the case in the Sweet Science, were proved drastically wrong, and on more than one account at that, by a hungry, skilled, fighter with something to prove.

First of all, it was totally reasonable to believe Pavlik would win, and his status as the 4-1 betting favorite was justifiable. I, like many, believed that Hopkins had the style to beat Pavlik, or at least give him headaches, but that at 43 the Executioner’s axe would be too dull to close the show.

Hopkins was 2-3 in his last five outings and definitely showed his age against Calzaghe last April. Hopkins in an act of defiance, or maybe Hopkins in an act of being Hopkins, proved us all wrong by coming out and fighting and winning pretty handily. Not only that, but it was a decent fight.

Not fight of the year, not fight of the month, but a fight worth watching (maybe not paying $50 for, but worth seeing). Hopkins’ snore fest against Winky Wright last summer had all of us who bought it clamoring for a refund, but on Saturday not only did “B-Hop” clinch less, he forced most of the action, landed the harder punches, and even got in a few Ray Leonard-esque taunts.

It was a virtuoso performance perfectly capped by the Executioner’s stare-down of Press Row after the final bell.

All praise due to the old warhorse who has earned a place next to Archie Moore and George Foreman as truly ageless, but that is not the focus of this article. Hopkins upset has changed what can happen in boxing in 2009 as well as cast aspirations on a few upcoming fights.

The next two pay-per-views for HBO are Calzaghe-Jones and Pacquiao-DeLahoya. In both of these fights the major reason for picking the younger man is simply that he’s younger and closer or at the peak of his powers.

Also, the older man in each matchup has turned in less than thrilling performances recently. Both of these conditions parallel Pavlik-Hopkins perfectly. After Saturday, Jones’s chances are looking better and DeLahoya might pull ahead as an even bigger favorite.

I lost $20 betting on Pavlik (a meager sum that tells you how timid I am about betting) so now my plans to win a few sure things and then bet the farm on Pacquiao suddenly seem foolish. This is only a small example of how Hopkins victory will change the game in the short run.

Also, I find myself looking forward to Calzaghe-Jones. I still think the Welshman will emerge victorious, but as I said I’m not betting on it, but also I find myself thinking “Hey, this could be a good fight.” Hopkins’ win is going to draw more buys and center more focus on these two upcoming superfights that have both warranted a 24/7 documentary.

Another thing to look forward to is a potential Hopkins-Jones fight sometime in spring 2009. I would definitely like to see that, as would the legions of fans who were denied this rematch earlier in the decade because of the posturing and machismo of the two combatants.

In fact, even if Calzaghe wins, I’d like to see Hopkins-Jones more than I’d want to see Calzaghe-Hopkins II. Bernard has definitely set himself up for another big payday.

Finally, this defeat, while not destroying the career of Pavlik, will maybe send him back to 160 to defend his title. Which, theoretically at least, is what he should be doing anyway. I also hope that people don’t take this too far and think Pavlik is done or a mirage. After all, the Ghost is a good, good fighter, and he has proved it.

What was proved Saturday was my mantra: styles make fights. I felt before the fight that Hopkins ten years ago would have beaten Pavlik. Now I feel that Hopkins ten years ago would have knocked him cold.

But please, let’s forgive Pavlik. He was fighting a hall-of-famer with the style to beat him and, most importantly, the gas tank to go 12 rounds. Pavlik is going to keep going, but hopefully he’ll stay at 160 and try to cement his legacy as a great champion rather than as someone who didn’t defend his title and dallied with the higher weight classes.

Overall, this is not a terrible thing for the sport. Yes, we’re going to have to wait a little while longer for the next young gun who will reinvigorate boxing. And, yes, our darling superstar has a blemish on his record. But mostly, we can look forward to some good fights, an active middleweight champion, and maybe a few thrilling upsets.

Top Five Boxing Greats of All Time

Christopher Falvello — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:20:03 -0400

I recently read an article on this site which rated the five greatest fighters of all time according to standards that differ somewhat from traditional ideas.

The biggest difference was that such things as popularity, social significance, and meaning to the sport counted as much if not more than skill, physical ability, and ring accomplishment.

I have already rated my top 10 pound for pound in another article, but I thought it would be fun to rate the five most important fighters of all time, so here are my picks:

5. Manny Pacquiao

In an era of over commercialization, fading spotlight, and encroachment from MMA, Manny Pacquiao gives us all hope. The most exciting fighter since Dempsey, Pac Man has captivated the entire sport.

You will be hard-pressed to find a fan who doesn’t like Pacquiao (aside from perhaps the Mexican fanbase who have had the displeasure of watching one national hero after another fall to the Filipino dynamo). Today, Manny Pacquiao is simply the reason to love boxing.

4. Sugar Ray Robinson

Pound for pound, Sugar was the greatest who ever lived. In boxing’s golden era he was one of the most visible and famous fighters.

His ring accomplishments are too great to number here. Suffice it to say that for 10 years he was a top draw in the sport and inspired a generation to put on the gloves (including a loudmouth kid from Louisville named Cassius Clay).

3. Muhammad Ali

Ali’s initial reign was a full 10 years after the end of boxing’s golden era, and at that time he was exactly what the sport needed.

After Marciano retired he was succeeded by three champions of lesser ability who did nothing to stimulate interest in the sport. In 1964, boxing’s prayers were answered when Cassius Clay forced Sonny Liston to quit on his stool and the most flamboyant, crazy, and entertaining championship in the sport was launched.

Ali was soundly hated by most of America in the 1960s before earning the love and respect he deserved in the 1970s. But love him or hate him, for 15 years no one packed them in and inspired new generations like Ali.

2. Joe Louis

Between 1928 and 1937 there were five heavyweight champions that have been best described as “Send in the Clowns.” By 1935, boxing was in dire straits. The depression had lessened gates and the lack of a great champion to lead the sport was telling.

In 1935, a young black man from Detroit burst onto the national scene by knocking out Primo Carnera, thus ushering in the golden age of boxing. Louis soon became the first black champion since Jack Johnson, and also became an ambassador of the culture, carrying himself with respect, courtesy, and, most of all, dignity.

Louis may have had to play an Uncle Tom to get his shot, but in so doing he not only broke the colored line, but shattered it. With Louis’ ascension, the term “great white hope” became nothing more than a monetary dream.

His contributions to America during WWII also make him a social force and cultural hero of almost unparalleled magnitude. Simply put, Joe Louis saved boxing and became the single most important black athlete in the 20th century. Without Louis there would never have been a Jackie Robinson or a Muhammad Ali.

1. Jack Dempsey

Within the context of his era, Dempsey was the most popular athlete in American history. He routinely captured four column headlines on the front page of newspapers across the country and packed hundreds of thousands into stadiums to see him.

Nothing short of a folk hero and cultural icon, Dempsey proved how big boxing could be. He also came along at a precarious time in boxing’s history. For the first two decades of the 20th century the legality of boxing was questionable at best and it was not uncommon to see boxers jailed for being part of the illicit activity.

Dempsey’s popularity, and earning potential, helped persuade the New York State Athletic commission to adopt the revised Marquees of Queensberry rules and make boxing legal once and for all. Dempsey and his national appeal saved the sport, and without him it may not exist today.

Well there they are, my five most important in the history of the sport. Agree or disagree all you want. After all, lists like these are meant to spark discussion.

Never Bet Against The Old Man: Bernard Hopkins-Kelly Pavlik Analysis

Christopher Falvello — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:37:52 -0400

This fall has two premier big name fights that have already captivated the attention of, and drawn criticism from, the boxing community. The first set for October 11, is Kelly Pavlik versus Bernard Hopkins in a non-title Light-Heavyweight bout. The second scheduled for November will be Joe Calzaghe's first defense of his recently won Light-Heavyweight world title against Roy Jones Jr.

Both bouts were announced at approximately the same time, and both bouts precipitated the eye-rolling of boxing analysts and writers everywhere. "Oh boy." Everyone thought, "After a phenomenal year and a half of boxing, we get to have the stagnant 'money' fights again."

Everyone has pretty much written of Jones and Hopkins as old timers who are there to basically provide a payday to two of Boxing's stars. As usual, the critics are wrong, on at least one count, and they are wrong for the same reason as usual.

We are often told not to judge a book by its cover, as well we should not. Yet, collectively at least, this seems to be exactly what the media and analysts, in boxing especially, seem to do.

I'm sure the prospect of an eight-figure pay-per-view payday factored into the decision of the Calzaghe and Pavlik camps to take on the two "old lions". However, if there is one thing that boxing is also replete with, is the story of the old man who shocked the world.

Jersey Joe Walcott had already lost four attempts to win the Heavyweight championship when, at the age of 37, he knocked out Ezzard Charles to become the new King. A year later Walcott, at 38, lost his title to Marciano in one of the most spectacular fights in Heavyweight history. That fight was Marciano's hardest and even though he lost, Walcott managed to Drop Marciano for the first time in his career.

Three years after that Marciano had trouble with the greatest "old" fighter the ring has ever seen, Archie Moore, who at 43 was able to deck Marciano in the second round before being overwhelmed by Marciano's pressure-style. Three years after that, Moore fought the greatest fight of his career when after being knocked-down four times by Yvon Durelle, he knocked the challenger out.

In 1974 a 32-year-old and ring worn Ali challenged the most fearsome man to hold the crown and knocked him out. Foreman himself is a prime example when he returned at the age of 45 to beat Michael Moorer. What am I getting at here? That exceptional fighters are exceptional fighters despite age.

And Bernard Hopkins is most definitely an exceptional, albeit less exciting, fighter. Sure, Hopkins lost a less than thrilling split-decision to Calzaghe in April, but let us not forget that it was a split-decision. Hopkins clearly was running out of gas in round nine and by 12 he was spent, but despite this drop-off, Calzaghe failed to convince all three judges that he had won, and most unofficial scorecards had the fight a draw. Finally, Hopkins did drop Calzaghe in the first round.

What does this mean for Kelly Pavlik? Trouble. I am a Kelly Pavlik fan, I think he has great ability at what he does, and I think he is a great representative for the sport of boxing. However, he is a somewhat one dimensional fighter. Jab-Jab-Right. That's all he's done since busting onto the national scene with a knockout of Zertuche a year and a half ago.

Since then Miranda, Taylor, and most recently Lockette have fallen to Pavlik's crumbling power. So if he's knocked these guys out, and he's still the champ, and he's undefeated, why do I criticize him? Because of the second Taylor fight. If Pavlik had gone to the body or triple-jabbed, he would have had Taylor out of there in six rounds.

But he didn't. Instead he Jab-crossed his way to a boring 12-round decision. Most troubling is that all Taylor did to neutralize the Pavlik steamroller is hold his hands higher and tighten his defense a little. I think we can assume Hopkins will do more than that.

But wait, didn't Taylor beat Hopkins twice? Yes he did, but you're about to hear the mantra I will repeat ad infinitum throughout this column: styles make fights. Taylor's hand speed and combinations are what it takes to decision a crafty vet like Hopkins, Kelly Pavlik's jackhammer of a right hand was what was needed to dethrone Taylor, and the artistry and caginess of Hopkins will give Pavlik headaches.

I am not predicting a Hopkins victory, mind you, but I do accept it as a plausible outcome. Hopkins made his bones making the other guy look bad and the list of exceptional fighters who got beat by this supposedly old man is a long one and includes Trinidad and De La Hoya. Hopkins simply is one of those defensive masters, like Moore and Walcott, who has skill beyond age and knows exactly how to give the other guy trouble.

The one thing Pavlik has that Bernard has not seen before is power, power that comes from size. Pavlik is 6'2" and will weigh in around 170 lbs, one of the largest opponents Hopkins has ever faced, and probably the strongest. Pavlik's one dimensional style though, is taylor-made for a crafty counter-puncher like Hopkins. And as an old Boxing axiom tells us: A fall guy never thinks of himself as a fall guy.

Which means maybe the rest of boxing has written off Hopkins, but Hopkins hasn't and his dedication to and perseverance in his art match if not surpass Pavlik's. Whatever you may think, I guarantee you that Hopkins will show up to fight, and that he will draw on all his resources to do so.

My prediction? Hopkins will frustrate and neutralize Pavlik for six or seven rounds before his energy begins to drop, at which point Pavlik, out-pointed and behind the eightball, will get lucky and land one of his money punches to turn the fight around.

So yes I think Kelly Pavlik will win, and yes I will buy the pay-per-view. However, should Hopkins win, I will see it as no big upset.

But wait, what about Calzaghe-Jones? It is indeed for the Light-Heavyweight world championship, bestowed upon Calzaghe by "Ring Magazine" the only organization whose chosen champion I will believe is indeed the world champion, so this is a genuinely big fight. One which I am unsure if I will be buying.

Why? Because Roy Jones, Jr. even in his prime, wasn't that good. He was flash and bang with no substance and when he finally lost as a pro he lost to a man who had beaten him twice as an amateur. This means that Roy didn't really get any better between those losses. His style was based on speed, athleticism, and youth which faded rapidly in his early 30s.

I also believe that, even in his prime, Roy Jones would have been soundly beaten by the great Light-Heavies of the past like Gene Tunney, Ezzard Charles, Archie Moore, Harry Greb (who was really a middleweight), and Bob Foster. As for the November money fight, Calzaghe, who is no spring chicken himself, will box and flurry Jones into submission before winning a wide Unanimous decision.

I know the contents of my article my be somewhat contradictory to the headline, but after all I've got to get your attention somehow. And while I have picked against both the old guys, believe me when I say that Pavlik may have signed for a big money fight, he'll find he's gotten more than he bargained for.