A lot of boxing action took place last weekend, and all major networks except Fox and ESPN were involved, strangely enough. Some of the same problems persist within our sport. Lousy judging (Cunningham-Glazkov), early stoppages (Jerry Odom, Pascal, J. Lopez). All are big issues, but in the overall, the main events were delivering at the highest level. Given what we saw on the undercards, they really needed to.
Ok, so Chilemba is better than his record, but how much can you learn when your opponent does not really even bother to show up? Sure, his corner was making it worse by chastising him, instead of giving concrete strategy, but Lepikhin was just not there. I do not agree with Harold Lederman that Glazkov-Cunningham was such a bad fight, but the decision was pretty bad. However, what do you expect? Glazkov has a history of winning bad decisions (Rossy, Malik Scott draw), and Cunningham has a history of losing them (Wlodarczyk, Adamek, Hernandez). I could have seen this one coming a mile away. He needs to steer clear of Main Events. Kathy Duva has now screwed him more than European promoters have, and at least they pay really well.
Pascal and Kovalev, made it all better with their brawl. Pascal did not really have technical answers for Kovalev, but his heart, and better than average chin was a test in and of itself. When Pascal came back from being out on his feet to win the next two rounds, I wondered if we had an upset brewing, but Kovalev showed that his biggest asset is his demeanor and intelligence, as he calmed down, and continued to time Jean. I do not question the stoppage in the overall, but the timing was bizarre. When Pascal staggered back, without being hit... that was the time. Or maybe, let him go down one more time, which he was clearly about to, and you would not be questioned... but any time a fighter is protesting a stoppage, his ability to do so is pretty much proof that you made a mistake.
Andre Berto looked excellent in stopping Josesito Lopez, simply because he finally won an entertaining fight. 3 times, Berto has been in a fight of the year candidate, and they represent his 3 losses. He also got a win over a fighter in his own backyard. I'd like to see him avenge the Soto-Karass or Guerrero loss, then step into a big fight with Thurman or Maidana. I would not pick him in any of these fights, but he is a live underdog against any of them. Again, I only question the stoppage, because Lopez has had this happen to him a few times: Maidana, Canelo, now Berto. Maybe he is going to lose anyway, but he has heart, and wants to be a warrior. Referees, however, keep denying him this opportunity.
Chris Arreola needs to retire. He is struggling with sloppy journeymen, now. If he is serious about his boxing career, he needs to leave Henry Ramirez, be isolated in a training camp, and learn some new skills. The out of shape, plodding slugger thing was exciting for a while, but his chin is not what it once was, and he is pushing his punches like an amateur. As for Shawn Porter, he did what he was supposed to do against a last-minute opponent, and maybe a fight with Berto, Maidana, or Thurman is on the horizon. He is still a live dog in the division.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
