We are 4 fights down, in the NBC's foray into boxing, and we have yet to see a knockout. However, it seems each show has had one exciting fight, and one not so exciting. The Spike show seemed to provide more chills and spills, but did not have the name recognition of the NBC cards. In the most recent telecast, from Barclay's in Brooklyn, Peter Quillin and Andy Lee fought to a 12 round draw, while Danny Garcia won a close decision over Lamont Peterson.
While the first NBC card can at least say it furthered (slightly) the status of Keith Thurman and Adrien Broner, while seriously demoting John Molina and Robert Guerrero, this card has done neither. There was nothing really done to help or hurt one's status among boxing fans, for all four participants. Lee and Quillin each made rare trips to the canvas (Quillin had never been dropped). Lee keeps his belt (he would have anyway, since the title was not on the line after Quillin came in overweight), while Quillin keeps his unbeaten record. In the main event , it was more of the same.
Peterson actually proved to those who considered him a pure pressure fighter, than he can box on his toes, and Garcia proved he has underrated defense. While the decision was certainly not a bad one, it was the 2nd time in 3 fights that Garcia, while favored, won the fight, and lost the event. One year ago, Mauricio Herrera gave Garcia all he could handle in a win in Puerto Rico. Herrera has both won and lost many dubious decisions, but this one was not that awful. Seemed to be a close win for Herrera, and instead it was a pre-bought win for Garcia.
In this case, as well, the cries of protest will be even softer. However, Peterson was clearly the aggressor down the stretch, and had momentum on his side for the last 5 rounds. Since he also dictated pace in the first 7 rounds, he seemed the better of the two fighters. However, punches landed is the big game, and Garcia won that category clearly. Peterson may have been boxing, but for the first 7 rounds, he was not landing. It makes one wonder if Lamont had started his pressure attacks earlier, what would have happened. Peterson himself said that if he had tried any sooner, a fresher Garcia may have caught him. So, this was his game plan, and in another arena, on another night, it may have worked.
Peterson has options. He may remain at 140lbs, and try to win back his belt. He may even have great wins over Broner, Vargas, or Provo-Matthysse winner. Garcia, on the other hand, has been hinting long enough. He is going to 147lbs, and for the sake of his own marketability, he better tackle a decent name right out of the gate. The safety-first plan of Al Haymon has been losing 'Swift' a lot of fans. He needs to go after a Maidana, Thurman, Brook, or Porter, and reestablish himself as a legit threat to Floyd and Manny. Nothing short of high-risk will do. Garcia has used up all his "softie" points with Morales and Salka. He has none left.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
