Amir Khan vs. Danny Garcia
This matchup is the most fun fight of July, perhaps.  Many things had to unmaterialize for this fight to take place.  Peterson's drug test, the lousy decision between Rios and Abril, the abandoned plans of Juan Manuel Marquez, etc.  However, if Khan wins, and Bradley remains at 147 after the Pacquiao fight, Khan vs. Peterson is much more lucrative.  It will be for the undisputed 140lb title, and will feature an advantage for Khan, since Peterson is not likely to take even vitamins prior to his next fight.  Even if Garcia wins, he will be the man at 140lbs, moreso than Peterson... wich will in turn force that fight to take place.

Not to mention the action that the fight itself could produce.  Garcia is a good fighter, who was belted by catching Erik Morales at the right time.  Something tells me he is not ready for a fighter like Amir Khan, who is still a cut above most others.  Garcia will work hard, and even win a few rounds, but Khan is motivated, ready, and needs to make a statement.  In or about round 6 or 7, the gap in talent will reveal itself.  Khan by late round TKO, probably on cuts or swelling.

Brandon Rios vs. Mauricio Herrera
What is this?  The battle of guys who get gift decisions?  Herrera is just good enough to give Rios problems if Rios is unsure of himself.  Rios may have the weight issue behind him, but he also has another fighter in front of him, who is very good at outboxing plodding sluggers.  I think Herrera will do so just enough to make it close and intersting, but Rios will outwork him.  Bam Bam also has the better connections to get a close, but not bad, decision.

Wladimir Klitschko vs. Tony Thompson
Not much has happened for either man since their first meeting.  Klitschko has gotten even more careful, and Thompson has gotten older.  I don't think Thompson has seen anything new, so much as he has forgotten what facing Klitschko is like.  Somewhere in the first few rounds, he will get tagged hard enough to jog his memory. 

No other sport in modern times captures the public’s imagination and brings together so many people from different walks of life like boxing and martial arts. El Paso Boxing & Martial Arts Hall of Fame is a memorable experience that brings back the excitement of fight-night. The Hall’s mission is to honor and preserve El Paso’s boxing and martial art’s rich heritage, chronicle the achievements of those who have excelled while providing an educational experience. Founded in 1993 by boxing coach and Convicted Artist boxing writer Thomas W. McKay, the El Paso Boxing & Martial Arts Hall of Fame has been credited for recognizing and rewarding El Paso’s outstanding fighters, trainers, officials, promoters and managers for their sacrifice, career performances as well as their civic pride.

On Saturday May 12, 2012 the El Paso Boxing & Martial Arts Hall of Fame held a press conference at Jaxon’s Restaurant at 1135 Airways Blvd, El Paso, Texas to announce this years 2012 inductees and awardees. Two-time USA Boxing Champion & Three-time Women's National Golden Glove Champion, Jennifer Han will be inducted into both the boxing and martial arts hall of fames. Jennifer Han will also receive the best female professional boxing award for her wins in the ring in 2011. Jorge Munoz, a six-time Texas State Boxing Champion and a two-time National Boxing Champion will be inducted into the boxing hall of fame. Boxing champion and military hero, Francisco ‘Panchito’ Alvarado will be recognized by being inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame for his lifelong achievements. Louie Burke, has been chosen for Boxing Coach of the Year. And Louie’s brother Rocky Burke, who was a standout amateur boxer and former professional boxer will also be inducted. Rocky is an active boxing official and also a referee for Showtime Boxing. Three-time regional Golden Gloves Champion and former WBC champion of Mexico, Rene Herrera will be inducted and El Paso Times veteran sports reporter of over 30 years, Bill Knight will be inducted as well.

The 2011 awards for outstanding performances include WBA World Light Middleweight Champion Austin Trout from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Trout has defended his title twice and is the halls choice for professional boxer of the year. His renowned trainer, Louie Burke, was voted the top boxing coach of the year.  Burke’s legendary training resume and boxing career were rewarded by his recent induction into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles. The boxing amateur of the year award will go to the 2011 El Paso Regional Golden Gloves Champion, Josh Enriquez. A Legend Award will be given to the late Sammy Burke of Las Cruces, New Mexico as will seven-time world kick boxing champion, Cliff ‘Magic’ Thomas.

I have a bad taste in my mouth after Adonis Stevenson's TKO over Noe Gonzalez.  Not because it was the worst stoppage I have seen.  Far from it.  But because the quick trigger is so commonplace now, that I have grown to expect it.  Like a bad decision, this is the first time in 27 years of following boxing, that I now expect a lousy stoppage, more than I do not.  The element of surprise is completely gone.

It has ruined what is supposed to be the most fun part of watching a fight.  Instead of enjoying the hurt fighter trying to recover, while the fighter with an advantage tries to finish him, I am just looking at the ref, saying "don't you dare stop this fight".  And more often than not, they do.  In so doing, referees are shifting the spotlight to themselves, and robbing fighters of a come-from-behind win.  It continues to get worse, and shows no sign of calming down.

Like bad decisions, they will not stop until heads roll for the referees who commit this infraction.  If a committee decides that you pulled the trigger too soon, you get a warning.  Do it again, you are suspended for a year.  Do it again during your probationary period, you get de-frocked.  Period.  And that will not happen, until there is an unbiased, appointed national commission.

There is not one intelligent, lucid argument against such a body existing.  The only opposition would naturally come from promoters who do no want their sphere of influence circumvented.  They are tantrumming 3-year odls.  They don't care what's right or wrong.  They simply wish to have it all.  Mine! Mine! Mine!  It is the argument of political parties today, as well.  How much control should a governing body have over private economy?  However, in boxing, we have both.  We have private business posing as a governing body.

Born in El Paso, Texas, September 18th, 1985, Austin Trout participated in many sports before he found his niche in boxing. Beginning his amateur career at age ten when his mother took him to a local gym, Austin soon found himself in Las Cruces, New Mexico and turning heads in the boxing game. Trainer Louie Burke was quick to follow the young talent and from that point on boxing history was in the making. Within a few years Austin was winning regional and state titles and culminated his amateur career by winning the 2004 United States National Amateur Welterweight Championship and selected as an Olympic alternate in Athens, Greece.

A skilled and rugged southpaw, Austin turned professional and under the guidance of trainer Burke, built an impressive undefeated record while gaining the necessary experience to challenge for a world title. Before a prized title chance would occur, Austin went on a winning streak that rewarded him with the 2009 WBA Continental Americas Light Middleweight Title, the 2009 WBA Fedelatin Light Middleweight Title, and the 2009 WBC Continental Americas Middleweight Title. Those wins upped him to the number one WBA ranking and the tough preparation bode well for him in 2011 when Burke was instrumental in obtaining a WBA World Junior Middleweight Title fight for Austin against Mexico’s Rigoberto Alvarez.

It was February 5th, 2011 when Austin and Alvarez squared off in the latter’s hometown of Guadalajara, Mexico. Nevertheless, Austin was on a mission and was relentless in his thunderous attack of Alvarez and shocked the crowd by clearly defeating their favorite by unanimous decision over twelve brutal rounds. It was a glorious victory for Austin and sheer joy for his trainer Burke. Their return to Las Cruces, New Mexico, was a happy occasion to say the least.

Champion Austin Trout sported a 23-0 record with 14 knockouts and his celebrating was short lived. On the horizon for a June title defense was another top-ranked and dangerous Mexican, David ‘the Destroyer’ Lopez. The two battled furiously but Austin was in top condition and he persevered over his tough foe by a unanimous decision over the championship rounds. But before he would take on the next mandatory contender, Austin, a very religious man, wanted to get busy with his civic responsibility.

May is, as usual, a big month for boxing. I must congratulate Golden Boy for bringing back something that I had not seen in years... the mega-card. Canelo Alvarez vs. Shane Mosley is easily it's own PPV attarction, but instead, it is being offered as an undercard of Mayweather-Cotto. The benefit of this is three-fold. One, they can set up a future Mayweather-Alvarez match-up, that will be all in-house at Golden Boy. Two, they can squeeze one last big money bout out of Mosley, and three, they can continue to fool the public into beleiving that Alvarez is a future star.

Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson 2
The rematch being held on more neutral territory is a surprise to me. I would have figured this match a natural for Britain, but Khan gained a lot of respect for going into Peterson's backyard, and perhaps he does not want the rematch decided by any hometown influence on either side. It is a bizarre situation where one fighter wins while still showing his opponent's superiority. One got the feeling after the great Corrales vs. Castillo battle, that if Castillo made adjustments, he could have it much easier, even thought he lost. The same can be said here. I missed this call with Salido vs. Juanma, and if Peterson is one of thoe fighters who becmes infinitely better after being crowned champion, then Khan will be in trouble. However, with better judges, a better referee, and a better strategy for Peterson closing the gap, I see Khan pulling away. Peterson is durable, but I think this time Khan is ready for that. Khan by UD.

Shane Mosley vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez
Should Cotto-Mayweather be uncompetitive, which is the belief held by many, Alvarez vs. Mosley is sure to be more exciting. Also, that fight will let us know once and for all if Mosley is finished. True, he has looked bad against Pacquiao and Mayweather, but who hasn't? Mosley has never shined against fighters who could come close to matching his speed. However, he has never lost to a Mexican (except de la Hoya, over whom he has a bad decision win), and he has made a career of beating face-first sluggers. The Alvarez of 2009 would not even be favored against the post-Margarito Mosley of the same year, but he has since shown speed an boxing ability, therefore, now's the time.

I feel bad for Jorge Linares.  It seems that a fighter who has immeasurable talent has also been cursed with the worst kind of bad luck a fighter can have.  Skin and chin are two things you cannot fix.  One cost him a belt against Juan Carlos Salgado in his first attempt at a hometown (adopted - Tokyo) defense.  Then, the other cost him a 3rd division world title against Antonio De Marco.

In a fight he was clearly winning, he was cut badly.  Although he was also wobbly in the 11th round, it was the blood pouring from the eye that led to his stoppage loss.  Now, he has suffered yet another unexpected loss, via TKO to unheralded Sergio Thompson.  Not much is known about Thompson, except he is a Mexican with an Anglican last name.  He is also from Quintana Roo, not a Mexican state known for producing fighters.

His name, proximity to the Belizean border, and fact that he has fought in Belize once before, suggests perhaps some ancestry there, but there is not much else on him.  Thompson was a motivated hometown fighter last Saturday, looking for a title shot against the aforementioned DeMarco.  He is also a big puncher with most wins by early knockout.  In fact, his only two losses were when he was forced to go longer rounds.  If that was Linares' plan, he never got there.

Both his skin and his chin betrayed him on this night, as he was dropped and cut, and the bout was over by round two.   Not that Linares cannot still wind up with a belt at Lightweight, but he is at the back of line now.  A fight between he and Miguel Vazquez would get Vazquez some attention, and should Linares win it, get the Venezuelan his third sanctioning body trinket, in as many divisions, but the big fights are far away.  Sadly for him, much like compatriot Edwin Valero, he did most of his best work in Japan and Mexico, so the U.S. fans and scribes who help make international stars did not see much of him.  Unlike Valero, however, he is not leaving us wondering what-if.

1) Reward the screwed fighter.
Vitali Klitschko gave me the idea, when he gave the title shot to Dereck Chisora instead of Robert Helenius, after Helenius won a bad decision over Chisora.  This would mean Carlos Molina getting a title shot... Erislandy Lara, and Gabriel Campillo as well.  If this happens enough, promoters will stop wasting grease money on corruptable officials, because it just makes their fighter into the bad guy, and denies him a title shot anyway.

2) Judge and referee suspensions.
We can yell until we are blue in the face, but take it from the father of young children... the truth is that reward/discipline is the only way to affect behavior.  Why should Marlon Wright, Russell Mora, Gale Van Hoy, Laurence Cole, or Jon Schorle do their job any better?  They are just going to get more work from their names being put out there.  This is one category where boxing does not have it the worst.  Where the NBA should be using it's uniformity to punish officals who consistently make bad calls, instead they punish the coaches and athletes who have the nerve to point out the obvious infractions.  A national commission is only the first step.  Having it run by fans who love the sport, and not just businesspeople is the next.  A lot of people want that job, and are capable of doing it.  If these men got their jobs from competency, and not having the right golf buddy, things would improve.

3) More promoters
I know this sounds counter productive.  But we need more small cards, local and regional, and let them run the big fights when they come to town.  Most promoters nowadays are just venue bookers with a bigger bankroll anyway.  Golden Boy and Top Rank are the only ones making consistent stars out of their charges, however, few things are as pathetic as a big promoter doing local cards.  The Club Nokia series for Golden Boy in Los Angeles is one good example.  Protected prospects beating up on hapless victims, knowing they are one good combination away from a TKO win at the hands of a referee who wants more work from Golden Boy.  They usually put two clubfighters on for action's sake, but I prefer the old way.  Make competitive, action figths, records be damned, and if the cream rises, then get a bigger dog like Golden Boy involved.  Roy Englebrecht's 25 years series in Orange County, CA is sold out for a reason.  There are times the main event is a 6 rounder featuring a fighter with a losing record.  The action is there, though, and so are the fans. 

In Woodland Hills, CA it was a 70's theme for Warner Center War 7, held on Saturday, March 31, 2012.  8 bouts took place between young up and coming fighters, presented by Art of Boxing and Bash Boxing.  Ring Announcer was Jim Fitzgerald.  Judges were Celia Ciaz, Marty Denkin, and James Jen-Kin.  Referees were Lou Moret and Jack Reiss.

In the Middleweight main event, Donyil Livingston suffered the first defeat of his career at the hands of Miami's Elie Augastama.  The taller Augustama dropped the Palmdale native with a right hand at the end of round one, yet it was a difficult affair to score thereafter.  Augustama often gave up his height to fight on the inside, and each fighter had their moments.  The fight went to the scorecards after 6, where Augustama pulled off the upset by scores of 58-55 on 2 scorecards, while Livingston was up 58-55 on the third.  Livingston falls to 8-1-1-4KO's, while Augustama improves to 6-4-1-3Ko's.

In the Super Middleweight co-main event, Tyrell Hendrix, of West Los Angeles, overcame a slow start to break down and stop Woonsocket, Rhode Island's Reynaldo Rodriguez in 4 rounds.   Rodriguez appeared to win the first right, but as Hendrix began to find his distance with right hands to the body, and left hooks up top, he eventually wore down his opponent, prompting a stoppage at 2:09 of the fourth, when Rodriguez sank to a knee and did not beat the count.   Hendrix moves to 8-1-2-3KO's, while Rodriguez (originally from Puerto Rico),  falls to 6-4-1-3KO'S.

"Kid Yamaka" Zachary Wohlman got the first stoppage win of his career, albeit in bizarre fashion.  The L.A. native was declared the winner when his opponent, Clifford McPherson injured his right thumb and could not continue.  At the time of the stoppage, McPherson was looking better than his now 2-9 mark would suggest .  The Cleveland fighter caught Wolhman with an overhand right early on, and staggered the unbeaten prospect.  Wolhman appeared to have righted the ship, and was beginning to outbox McPherson when a badly blocked punch resulted in the injury.  Welterweight Wolhman, moves to 3-0-1KO.

I am not surprised that Yuriorkis Gamboa pulled out of the Brandon Rios fight.  His vulnerabilities are perfect for a Rios type of fighter, and it does not pay well enough to risk.  He will probably try to win a belt at 130, and watch Adrien Broner's star rise.  Then, he will likely leave the division before actually having to fight him.  The bloom is off the Gamboa rose, at least for now.  One does not have to lose a fight to lose luster.  Just ask Paul Spadafora or Joan Guzman.  They have never lost, except wads of money, yet their stars have irreversibly fallen.

Speaking of Rios, Richard Abril does not seem to have the firepower to keep "Bam Bam" off of him, but he now has a definite role.  Word is that they are trying to make Juan Manuel Marquez a Rios opponent, which would offer a better fight than Gamboa would have, and re-energize the lightweight division.  Once glorious, the 135lb division has been transient one for a long time now.  Abril's trinket (WBA interim) means he will get a chance to hope that Rios overlooks him.  It seems to be his only chance.

Speaking of only chances, turning down a fight almost never pays off.  These men are not actors trying to avoid typecasting.  This is not dating where your picky nature makes you look more desireable.  From Francesco Damiani's lame knee costing him a title shot against Evander Holyfield, to Alex Garcia's turning down half a million for a George Foreman match, it almost always ends in disaster.  Garcia was Ko'd by a journeyman, and never left basic cable.  Damiani lost to Oliver McCall and retired.  Take the fight, no matter what.  If you lose, blame it on the injury, then use the vulnerability you displayed to earn more lucrative opponents.  That's what works these days.

Injury is a part of any althetes life.  Even the legendary ironmen like Cal Ripken and Lou Gehrig, who never missed a game, often talk about the pain they had to endure to maintain their perfect attendance.  Given what we are learning about the effects of exersion too soon after a concussion, Gehrig's work ethic likely cost him his life.  We know more these days.  More about how to reduce the chance of injury, as well as treat injuries, and repair broken bodies.  There are still those career-threatening injuries that happen, however, and one is never the same.  Bo Jackson and Fernando Vargas are two examples of athletes who were diminished by injuries while still young.  However, here are a few men who made it back from injuries that could have ended promising careers.

Vitali Klitschko
Not only are Vitali's only two losses due to injury (Shoulder - Chris Byrd / cut eye - Lennox Lewis), but he also lost 4 years of activity due to excessive injuries.  His knee, his back, his shoulder, his skin.  All were going out just as a product of age and genetics, or so we thought.  Being a 6'8" 250lb man could not have helped.  However, what did help, was truly impressive.  Although he lost even more prime years than Muhammad Ali, the elder Klitschko was not in fact shot, and came back to reclaim his old belt, and defend it several times since, scarcely losing a round.  The 40 year old Ukranian is likely nearing the end, but the fact that he sustained so many injuries in 2004 that he turned his back altogether, only to come back 4 years later, and dominate for 4 more years, is something to remember for the next generations.

Kassim Ouma
On the list of things that have been overcome by "The Dream", this one is usually lost in the shuffle.  Kidnapped by the Ugandan Rebel Army as a 7 year old boy, Ouma spent his childhood committing atrocities against opposition, under threat of death to himself or family.  When he found his saving grace in boxing, and defected to the U.S., the trouble did not end.  His father was murdered as retaliation, and his rise up the ranks was hiccupped by a loss, and a shooting.  He was shot twice while working in a restaurant in Florida, in December 2002, while climbing up the ranks as a boxer. 

I am not a huge Joan Guzman fan, but he looked as good as you should look against his opponent Frdiay night.  After showing clear offensive superiority over Jesus Pabon, he responded to Pabon's "come on" gesture the best way that one can... with a spectacular knockout blow.  Given that he is not known for power at the higher weights, this is a good start towards regaining respect.  Granted, weak-chinned Pabon was chosen to showcase this specific trait, but if Guzman can't stop eating, he better bring more sting to his shots, and roll with the division changes.  At 140-147, he will not run out of opponents.

Speaking of running out of opponents, the Klitschkos are officially done with decent heavyweights to pound on.  Fury would be a good retirement fight, but Helenius and Povetkin have been recently disgraced, so who else is there?  Seth Mitchell needs to prove himself more, and Thompson and Arreola should fight each other, in order to stand above the pack.  Goossen will probably not risk that, so it looks like the back of the line has now become the front.  (yawn)

Speaking of the proving grounds... Shane Mosley may be shot, but given his style and experience, Canelo Alvarez will get a real test.  This is of course provided that the bout isn't waved off the second Canelo lands a decent combination (a realistic possibility), but given Mosley's first ballot hall-of-famer status, you have to hope Vegas refs will give him more respect than that.  I just hope this isn't what it looks like, which is building up another Mexican to be taken down by Floyd, in a "Manny-avoiding" move.  September 16 weekend is open, and if Alvarez looks better than Mayweather did in beating Mosley, we may be cheated out of the big one yet again.  This is especially true if Bradley beats Pacquiao, which is not out of the question.

Sauerland is not the only guilty party involving this infraction. Warriors Boxing, out of South Florida, had a lot of questions to answer in 2005, when Dale Brown seemingly outpointed O'Neill Bell, only to get screwed... unanimously in a 12 round decision, for the IBF Cruiserweight title. Both men were Warriors fighters, and no rematch was ordered. Brown had already lost to Jean-Marc Mormeck, the unified champion that was being groomed to face the winner, so maybe the agenda started there, but it does not justify it. Both Bell and Brown went downhill within a year or two, but not before Brown was screwed again by Warriors in a loss to journeyman Shane Shwartz.

I've been covering this sport for a long time, and there are things I notice, that I rarely hear anything about from other fans/writers/fighters.  there are many things to love and hate about boxing, that we all mention... however, I feel alone in noticing certain aspects of the sport, and I just thought I'd make a bit of a list here:

Things I love about boxing, that I wish people would mention:

1) Guys with tassle trunks getting KO'd.  I don't begrudge anyone a fashion sense, but these guys are almost always light-hitting trash talkers who stink out the joint, and eventually get caught with a big punch.  I don't usually favor the brawler, but in this case, I typically do.

2) The desperation filler bout that turns out to be the best televised fight.  You can tell they didn't want to put on the fight... but they have 2 hours to fill, and unlike HBO or Showtime, they cannot do so with reruns of original shows.  Too many early KO's, and that 4-4 versus 1-6-1 fighter has to go on.  Sometimes that turns out to be the only competitive match, and if the fans stayed, it is even the loudest.  That young prospect who thought he was getting tv time to destroy a no-hoper now is forgotten while a SCAB gets the temporary fame.  I love it.

3) The foreign fighter who doesn't thank God.  This might just be me, but I wish people would mention how embarassing it is that 95% of the time, only an American thinks God gives a rat's ass about his boxing match.  I love it when the 3rd world guy, who has a lot more to be thankful for, omits that nonsense.  I wish someone else would point it out.

4) Fans of both MMA and boxing.  They are everywhere I look, and they keep both sports going as much as the individual die-hards, but there is still this image of the fans of each art opposing one another.  It's inaccurate, and if Dana White and Floyd Mayweather would shut up, maybe people would realize it.

I have seen Adrien Broner fight only a few times.  However, one need only watch the first few seconds of his most recent match-up, to know whom he is trying to emulate.  the stance, the speed, the combos, the lead right hands, and of course, the trash-talking.  He is clearly trying to be Wayne McCullough.  No, just kidding.  He is oibviously in the mold of Floyd Mayweather.

In fact, Floyd's greatest deficit (legal hurdles not withstanding) is his lack of one punch knockout power.  Broner seems to have that.  While he may not be challenged by many at 130lbs (at least in the U.S.), let us not forget that Floyd himself started at this weight.  Age will bring a natural progression in weight.  His height advantage at 130lbs suggests he can take on several more weight classes before he ends up undersized.  Both men also come from the boxing star-dry midwest, where local audiences do not always follow fighters, especially when it's football season.  In analyzing this comparison, however, I am also keenly aware of the differences.

Mayweather's daddy issues were apparent before his talent was, as the relationship between father and son has always been tenuous there.  Broner's father is rarely seen doing anything except brushing his son's hair in publicity stunt fashion.  Broner may be a puncher now, but Mayweather was early on, too.  If the kayos stop/slow down as he moves up in weight, he'll be glad to have developed his defensinve skills in the interim.

For those of us who remember the early/mid 90's as a great time in boxing, there are many reasons. Tyson was deposed and then locked up, which opened the doors for an exciting heavyweight division: Bowe, Douglas, Holyfield, Lewis, Ruddock, Morrison, Foreman. Historical things happened in just that division alone. Not to mention the end of glory days for Chavez, Whittaker, and the beginning of dominant decades for Finito Lopez and Roy Jones. There was also an international flair to boxing once again, as American champions were fighting in Europe, Jaoan, and for the first time: China and South America. What I remember most, however, were the megacards. Ahhh, yes. Multi championship fight cards.

There were some nights we'd get Chavez, Norris, McClellan, etc all on one night. Nowadays we are lucky to get one decent regional belt on the line underneath a big match. Half the time, the main event is not even a toss-up. The support bouts are often showcase fights for protected prospects. Last I checked we don't have any more than 52 weeks to play with, and with MMA taking up many of them in the public eye, we need a return to these multi-title weekends now, more than ever. Sure, we get them sometimes.. but that means we have to switch from HBO to Showtime, to EPIX to one of a million Fox Sports options for Top Rank cards. DVRs make this a possibility, but how nice it was to get a four bout cards on PPV, where nearly all bouts were worthy of at least HBO billing on their own.

About the last I can recall that truly lived up was Hopkins-Trinidad. We got to see a few belts on the line, including the farewell of Finito Lopez. Showtime cards always used to feature 3 bouts. Which brings me to my encouraging sign. We will see three bouts tonight on Showtime. True, there is only one belt on the line, and no real titles, but it's a start. All three fights figure to be fairly exciting. Ishida-Williams is a toss up, while Arreola vs. Molina features an always exciting heavyweight, and Tavoris Cloud is testing himself against the contenders others do not want to face. That continues tonight with Gabriel Campillo. No result would be a huge upset, and it is bringing boxing to an area that does not see much of it at this level. Texas is no "Quito, Ecuador" as was once the location of a DKP card, but the specific city of Corpus Christi hasn't seen TV boxing on a regular basis since the career of 80's junior welterweight Frankie Warren.

Marcos Maidana vs. Erik Morales – Ten years ago, Morales would have outclassed a tough guy like Maidana.  Now, however, and especially at this weight, what does he have that will deter the Argentinian?  Maidana is a seriously flawed fighter, but he is powerful, fairly durable, has a ton of heart, and possesses impressive stamina.  Basically, he is a bigger David Diaz with more power, and better skin.  We all saw how badly a younger Morales did there.  Morales has been able to pad his record enough to garner him another payday, and apparently this is it.  He boxes well early, but gets overpowered as the fight wears on.  And I don’t mean it will have to wear on for long.  ‘El Terrible” will take a bad beating, and be rescued either by corner or referee.  Maidana by 4th or 5th round TKO, in a match that distracts us from “ Chino ”s technical deficiencies.

Amir Khan vs. Paul McCloskey – This fight is merely a chance for Khan to go show off his new status to the home fans, while killing time for a Bradley match to be negotiated.  If McCloskey was a serious threat, we would not be seeing this fight.  However, that seems to be the kind of fighter which poses the most risk to Khan.  McCloskey is unbeaten, but completely untested… his best wins coming against a shot former lightweight champ Cesar Bazan, and a once-dangerous Colin Lynes.  He is a good finisher late, and riding a four-fight KO streak, so if Khan gets tired, watch out.  However, I think we can count on Khan to win a wide unanimous decision, or late round TKO.

Andre Berto vs. Victor Ortiz – This is a tough one to call, but for the most part, Berto can do away with the lower weight class fighters.  Also, Ortiz is already becoming the kind of fighter we forgive for a loss.  Perhaps that is because he continually takes on tough opposition, and grows with every fight.  The same cannot be said about Berto, who lucked into a belt, and has been unwilling to test himself against worthy contenders ever since.  When he does take on somebody with a pulse, it is usually when he has a rare size advantage.  Enter Ortiz.  I’m sure Berto will be favored, but honestly, I am going to pick the upset here.  I think while Berto’s speed and strength could dazzle “Vicious” Victor… I see him making a costly mistake or two and not being able to use his strength and reflexes to keep Ortiz at bay.  Ortiz rallies after falling behind, to take a close decision.

While watching Mike Dallas Jr. dominate every minute of his bout with Miguel Gonzalez on Friday, one thought kept occuring to me, that had nothing to do with the fight: I have never heard of Mike Dallas Sr. Ditto Gary Russell Sr. or Roy Jones Sr. According to boxrec.com, Dallas was a clubfighter from the 90's who Ko'd or was Ko'd by most people he fought, and finished with a 12-13-1 record. It is one thing to stamp a 'junior' on someone if the father is deceased, but in every other case, more fighters should stand up the way Floyd Mayweather has. If you do better than your father, he should be proud. I have a son, and I hope he accomplishes way more than I ever do.

Call me sentimental for members of my other profession, but I subscribe partially to the late great George Carlin on this subject... "I don't respect any man who allows people to call him 'Junior'. I immediately think he's a chump and a loser. 'Junior' means lesser than, underneath, second to." Carlin goes on to brilliantly outline the problems of the 'daddy addicted' athletes, and the manhood problems they cause. Roy Jones often said that he knew at age 13, he would eventually have to leave his father as trainer, because he could never be his own man without him. "In my father's world, HE is the alpha male", said Jones, who said he thought his father had never prepared himself for the idea that his son would have to be his own man.

Naming your son 'junior' immediately puts a stamp on him that plays a huge psychological game. You are no longer a man, you are "my son". That is your identity first. It is not shocking that this selfish, egomaniacal attitude is prevalent in a sport where manhood is constantly tested. Some freely admit that they did this as a result of trauma. George Foreman, the only illegitimate son of a large family, was so traumatized by standing out in this way, that he wanted no confusion as to who his children were. They would always know who their daddy was, so he named them all George. A bit extreme, but at least he admits where it came from.

It was back in 2003 when El Paso, Texas boxing legend and successful businessman Alejandro Guerrero passed away after a gallant battle with cancer. It was back in 1947 when as a youngster, Alex, as he was affectionately known, discovered the rough and tumble world of boxing. Over the next ten years Alex would learn well the skills and nuances of the squared circle winning his share of championships and establishing himself as an elite boxer and dynamic puncher. From that juncture on, Alex gave generously to boxing serving as an official, promoter, manager and entrepreneur. He also liked the business world but knew too that it took a lot of savvy and smarts to acquire the necessary business acumen to reach the lofty goals he desired. So he entered college at Texas Western in El Paso, Texas and majored in accounting. When asked by his friend, Thomas W. McKay, how he planned to succeed, Alex responded, “I grew up rather poor in a Southside El Paso barrio and always noticed that ‘Whitey’ had a knack for business and making money. So, I planned on getting a good education and following ‘Whitey’s’ formula.”  And succeed he did, becoming a millionaire many times over. More importantly, he became a gracious and generous millionaire supporting causes for children and caring for boxers who were down and out in their fading years.

While attending El Paso High School it was boxing coach Ted Bynum who was aware that Alex was a kid to be reckoned with in a scuffle. He approached Alex with the prospect of making him a pugilist on the high school team.  It was no sooner said than done. A couple of months later Alex engaged in his first bout and was victorious by knockout. The exhilaration he experienced was overwhelmingly mind positive and from that moment on boxing was the young lion’s raison d’ etre.

Knowing that high school intramural boxing was limited Alex wanted to take on the better boxers of the southwest and he was soon a young protégé of the remarkably talented trainer of the Pan American Boxing Club, Frankie Dimarco. Under the tutelage of Dimarco, Alex would box his way to a record of sixty victories and only six defeats. Along the way, he often threw caution to the wind and recorded over fifty knockouts. Dimarco was adamant that he couldn’t get Alex to be more of a boxer – slugger until late in his career. Nevertheless, Alex won the Regional Golden Gloves six times with only a two year stint in the United States Army preventing more regional titles. He was also a state semi – finalist in 1953 losing to state favorite Billy Haynes in a match that in his opinion was the worst decision he ever encountered in the ring. Alex was a benevolent man in nearly all matters boxing and business but that nasty decision sometimes escaped the deep recesses of his brilliant mind and made him bitter...for only a short period of time. He copped the 5th Army Middleweight Championship in 1954 for a little consolation. 

More bad news from the world of boxing.  OK, a slow couple of months would not have soured the average boxing fan.  As a fan of the sweet science, you take your good with the bad, because when things are good, they stay with you forever.  However, boxing fans are being teased... and that is what I will remember most about the month of January.  It is one thing to not get.  However, we thought we would be getting a lot.  We started off with a few slow weeks on Friday Night Fights (until last week), a cancellation of hotly anticipated Berto-Ortiz 2, and you guessed it... no big superfight.

If Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are not going to fight, it's time for us to shut up about it.  I am speaking to other scribes, Freddie Roach, Bob Arum, as well as the fighters themselves.  Enough already.  We were not teased this long for Frazier vs. Ali, and that was only stopped by a licensing issue!  This is the last article I will write on the subject until the fight is signed.  All parties involved are to blame, and history will likely blame them all equally.  There is nothing they can do about it.  Freddie Roach may get off scott free, as will perhaps Golden Boy, but the rest of the parties are all history's villains.

It would be one thing if both men were forgoing the fights to break new ground.  If Pacquiao were having a fourth fight with the most competitive opponent he's had, in Marquez, then fine.  If Mayweather were attempting to make history by moving up to Middleweight to take on Sergio Martinez, that would be great.  However, not only are we not getting those fights, we are likely not even getting our consolation prizes.  Canelo Alvarez and Timothy Bradley are also out of the equation.  We are back to each man taking on the other's victims, to compare themselves, and waste valuable time.

I have a few thoughts regarding the recently proposed deal for a two-fight series between Carl Froch and Lucian Bute.  The idea involves a two fight series, one fight in each fighter’s hometown.  First off, nice try in getting us to forget that the big fight in the Super Middleweight division is Andre Ward vs. Lucian Bute.  Perhaps someone looked at the numbers and realized that Bute vs. Ward has a problem.  Both men sell tickets in their home regions, and nowhere else.

Neutral ground made no sense, and perhaps neither was willing to give up home ring advantage, as that fight is likely to go to the scorecards.  While the matchmaking done in the Super Six 168lb tournament should be an inspiration to us all, it was a series that did not display a ton of knockouts.  There were two to be exact… Johnson over Green, and Abraham over Taylor .  Overall it was a positive experience.  There was drama, a few upsets, and not really any outright lousy decisions.

While the set-up forced most people to fight outside of their home turf, it did not really make a star out of anyone in a new region.  Andre Ward won the whole tournament without leaving his home country.  In fact, he did not even leave his home state until the final.  He didn’t even leave his hometown until the semi-final.  He is now the legitimate champion at 168lbs, but he is still largely unknown in Europe , as is the number one contender, Lucian Bute.  Bute does not need to beat Carl Froch to prove this further, either.  This is merely delaying the inevitable at least 7-8 months, if not a full year, as injuries and postponements are very likely.

Yoan Pablo Hernandez vs. Steve Cunningham 2
The first fight highlighted all weaknesses, but that is what a Cunningham fight is.  He rarely dominanted, and never gets dominated.  Every fight is an adventure, and I do not believe this to be any different.  Although both men have the same promoter, Hernandez is where the money has been spent, and where the interests lie.  The winner of this fight still ahs to get past Troy Ross (no easy task), but uinification with Marco Huck, and the Ring championship should be what happens by years end.  Hernandez will box more carefully this time, and not even press the advantage should he hurt Cunningham.  This may be end of the line for the underappreciated Philly champ.  Hernandez by split decision.

Andre Berto vs. Victor Ortiz 2
Ortiz won before, so there is no reason to believe he cannot win again.  There are, however, plenty of reasons to believe he WILL not win again.  Berto was hit behin gthe ear early on, and that looked to affect him the entire fight.  Without that equilibrium-alterer, the bout may have been quite different.  He also looked absolutely tenacious against Jan Zaveck, and he is quite hungry again. Ortiz is likely viewing this bout as a consoltation bout for his disapoiting performance against Mayweather, and is probably unmotivated.  He doesn’t have much to win, and not even much more to lose.  His pride may carry him uinto the late rounds, and he will hurt Berto again, but tenacity will make the difference.  Berto picks up a late round TKO, probably from cuts or swelling.

Marcos Maidana vs. Devon Alexander
Alexander is coming off of a close win, and an embarrassing loss.  He ahs the pressure to deliver in St. Louis , the most unforgiving hometown in recent memory (Alexander has had two close shaves there, and Spinks has lost all 3 titles at home). 

Ok, now that the message boards and Twitter are lighting up with scribes and fans complaining about the Amir Khan – Lamont Peterson conspiracy allegations, let me just remind everyone of something.  This is a corrupt world, and an even more corrupt sport.  I am inclined to believe any allegations until proven false. I know our justice system operates in the opposite fashion, and I am not going to suggest it do otherwise, but let’s look at the facts, as they are coming out.  A representative, who was not credentialed for the fight, was handling scorecards.  He was also celebrating with one fighter after the match.  The scorecards have also allegedly been mysteriously “misplaced”.

As far as I am concerned, that is enough evidence for a conviction, let alone a trial.  Amir Khan is not even asking for that.  He is not asking that the decision (a bad one in my view) be overturned, even though there are substantial grounds for him to do so.  That would actually diminish both men’s legacies.  Avenging a defeat is more memorable and valuable to one’s legacy than calling back a defeat.  That will damage you in people’s eyes.  And why rob Peterson of a chance to say he was world champion for a while… if it ends up helping you both?

I believe Khan can win the rematch, with a different referee and judges.  That is why he is making a lot of noise about the controversy.  Nobody wants to work hard for something, only to have it taken away in corrupt fashion.  Let me also remind the fans that there is no reward for silence. 

Now, I know this category is no longer the exclusive property of ‘Ring’ Magazine.  Nearly every writer puts in a list, and I am no different.  It has not been a stellar year for boxing.  The big matchup eluded us, while belt situations only got muddier.  Martinez is still middleweight champion, but landed no big fights.  Khan and Bradley may now never happen, and the Klitschkos scarcely lost a round.  Maybe I can at least create a new catgory or two, but familiar names are involved.  2011 did offer some surprises and some thrills.

Fighter of the Year
Andre Ward.  With two dominating (despite what two judges scored) wins over championship level opposition, in Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham, Andre Ward gets the nod with consistency.  He hasn’t had a KO in quite a while, and will not likely have many more.  However, he seems to effortlessly beat top-tier opposition again and again.  Ever since his gold-medal run in 2004, Ward seems to accomplish things that most American fighters have difficulty with.  He gets foreign judges to score for him.  He sells boxing tickets in the Bay Area.  He beats European fighters.  He is also a multi-styled fighter who does not appear confused when implementing that.  No matter how young he is, he always looks like the boss in there.

Fight of the Year
Delvin Rodriguez D10 Pawel Wolak.  Rodriguez has had a hard time with judges, and does not trust fights going to the cards.  Wolak is an all action fighter, no matter the circumstances.  This was one of those great fights that everyone knew would be great going in.  Something out of the ordinary would have to happen for this to not be a barn burner.  While the up and down drama of Berto vs. Ortiz was not present, the non-stop action puts this above and beyond anything else that happened in 2011.

This is a hard one for me, but I have quite a history of telling fans, writers, and bloggers alike not to allow their fandom to doctor their opinion.  Of course it will, and only published writers are ultimately held to any level of journalistic integrity, but it’s nice to see the effort made.  In this day of mass communication and information, an unbiased call of the action one has witnessed is what sets an intelligent, informed opinion apart from a glorified stadium sign-maker.

I was cheering for Pacquiao to defeat Marquez.  He did so.  However, there was quite the uproar, and I made sure to watch, and rewatch the fight, to see what my score was.  This is a practice in which I have engaged, ever since the Leonrad-Hagler match.  I watched that fight in real-time when I was 11 years old, and at least a dozen times since.  At first, I was defending my close scorecard, as many people at the time were saying Leonard clearly won.

People don’t like to admit that now, but as time has passed, Hagler’s legend has only grown since his retirement, while Leonard may have tarnished his a bit with subsequent performances.  In recent years, I have had to defend the fact that I had Leonard winning at all… which he did, and I still believe that.  I had Leonard by one point, but many people now say that Hagler won.  I had a similar score for Pacquiao-Marquez.  Manny by one point.  I have had to make sure, but I do believe that.