BoxingMadness.com

The AP has announced that Choi Yoi-sam, the new WBO intercontinental flyweight, has been declared brain dead*.  Apparently he won the WBO title on December 25th in Seoul Korea against Indonesian challenger, Heri Amol.  During this bout he was knocked down in the 12th round and fell into a coma shortly after the fight.  He never recovered.

* Brain Dead per Wikipedia:  A brain-dead individual has no clinical evidence of brain function upon physical examination. This includes no response to pain and no cranial nerve reflexes. Reflexes include pupillary response (fixed pupils), oculocephalic reflex, corneal reflex, no response to the caloric reflex test and no spontaneous respirations.

I must admit that I’ve never heard of Choi before, but I’m sad to hear of his death.  This brings back thoughts of Diego Corrales who passed away back in May 2007 from injuries resulting from a motorcycle wreck.  These are tremendous loses to the people who knew them.  Lets hope that 2008 has no more of these surprises in store.

Choi Yoi-sam was 33 years young.

(Front of Card)

(Back of Card)

As you can see from the front that I was able to pick up JORGE ARCE’s autograph.  I waited around after the fights were over and found Jorge talking with fans.  He gladly signed my card and posed for pics with many fans.

A truly fascinating match from Showtime on November 3, 2007.  A 12 round WBC Super Featherweight Title fight from Tucson, AZ (Desert Diamond Center, Casino).

Pre-Fight:  Marquez, the champ, is 7yrs older than Juarez but it doesn’t show.  Actually, Juarez looks a little out of shape lot out of shape.   However; Juarez does have some credentials to bring into the ring, #4 WBC contender, Olympic silver, and a big left hook! Factors against Marquez:  recent infection in his hand and big scar on his forehead from an April car wreck.  Will the hands or the scar be a factor (probably not)?

Round 1:  Juarez does look overweight – not ready for the fight.  Juarez is jabbing good but Marquez is throwing a variety of punches and his punching is much stronger.  An accidental head butt causes a bad gash above Juarez’s eye (under the brow).  Round to Marquez.

Side Note:  If fight is stopped before the completion of 4 rounds it will be ruled a no decision.  What should each fighters strategy be?  Should Marquez hold off on throwing punches that might inflict punishment to the cut hoping that Juarez makes it past the 4th?  This would allow Marquez to take advantage of the cut after the 4th and maybe get the win as opposed to the “No Decision”.   What about Juarez?  Should he exploit the cut and call foul for the “No Decision”?  With 11 more rounds to go this might be the optimum solution given the severity of the cut.  Being a warrior, Juarez, will not take this option but instead fight.

Round 2: Juarez’s punch output seems to have declined but Marquez keeps on keeping on.  Marquez does seem to be throwing lots of lefts but little to no rights (is he adhering to the above strategy?).  Marques throws a big right at the end of the round that connects.  Round to Marquez.

Round 3:  Juarez is still jabbing and scoring.  Marquez is still shooting left/right combos, body shots, and upper cuts.  He’s doing it all and doing it well.  Another one for Marquez.

Round 4:  Maybe one of the most interesting/unusual rounds I’ve ever seen.  Lots of blood and Marquez is still  shinning.  Now for the fun part – the timekeeper rang the bell for the end of the round 60 seconds too early and both fighters go back to their corners.  This has to make you wonder why did it happen?  Juarez was bleeding profusely and this could have saved the fight for him.  Was this intentional?  I’m not surprised by anything when it comes to boxing.  Round for Marquez.

Side Note:   Round 4 is over and so is the No Decision option.  Now what is the strategy?  Juarez has to fight for the win.  He has no option at this point.  Marquez on the other hand should exploit the cut and go for the win.  I can’t think of any other options.

Round 5:   Marquez’s corner tells him to start throwing hard after the 6th round.  Did I not hear this correctly?  I’m sure this is what the corner said.  Why after the 6th?  Why not tell him this after the end of the 6th round?  Strange to me.  Marquez’s hand speed and power are starting to set him apart form Juarez.  Juarez did have a good round but Marquez is improving as well.  More blood and I expect a stoppage very soon.

Round 6:  Juarez’s corner tells him the cut is bad and that he is behind.  Juarez looking even more out of shape.  OK, this is where I have to point out something I don’t like about Showtime.  The commentators haven’t made a peep about Juarez’s apparent physical condition.  I have noticed that Showtime always promotes their fights as the best of all.  It’s like they are afraid to comment on items such as these.  HBO and ESPN certainly seem more objective to me.  It’s OK to admit rather than seemingly hide flaws.  A fighter flaw or a bad fight doesn’t reflect bad on the network or any future fight.  Anyway, Marquez shoots some beautiful body shots and combos.  Hand speed and power still a factor and are displayed graphically with a strong left hook by Marquez.  Round belongs to Marquez.

Round 7:  Good round by Juarez if you don’t consider defense.  Juarez scores with a few good combos but Marquez scores at will.  Marquez’s power continues to push back Juarez with every power punch he throws.  Marquez scores another round.

Round 8:  Marquez flurries and attacks.  Juarez looks tired.  Interestingly the round ends with Marquez on the ropes and Juarez trying to mount an attack.  Marquez is starting to find a perfect range for his devastating upper cuts.  Round to Marquez.

Round 9:  A descent round by Juarez including effective punching.  Close round but I give it to Juarez.  Maybe it’s my sympathy round.

Round 10:   Juarez’s right eye now showing swelling.  This was not a close round at all and Marquez dominated.

Round 11:  Juarez’s corner tells him to go for the KO.  Bleeding is not stopped before round is started.  Juarez’s corner has done an excellent job stopping the bleeding up to this point.  Kudos to the corner.  My guess is that the bleeding didn’t stop this round due to the continued punishment that the eye has taken.  The commentators are calling for the fight to be stopped and boy should it have been.  Another brutal round by Marquez.

Round 12:  Blood still streaming while Marquez throws two big upper cuts back to back.  Round ends with both fighters going for it.  Round goes to Marquez.
Post-Fight:  Commentators mention this could be one of the most interesting lopsided fights they had ever seen and I think I agree.  Obviously Marquez won.  The judges scores are as follows:  117-111, 118-110, and 120-108 for Marquez.

Another interesting observation – I don’t think I saw any clinches in this fight.  They did lock up once but both never stopped punching.

So who does Marquez take on next?  Marquez made it clear that he wanted Manny Pacquiao.  I think this fight will take place and I think it will be a great match up.  Look for Pacquiao to be explosive and Marquez ready for the counter.  If Marquez could somehow beat Pacquiao (which I do not predict to happen) should he give Juarez a re-match?  I think so.  Why not?  The cut definitely had an impact on the fight but I expect Marquez could beat Juarez any day of the week.

My first analysis of this fight is how quick can you get?!

Originally aired on November 3rd from Tucson, AZ on Showtime.  A 12 round fight for the IBF Featherweight Championship.  Guerrero came into the fight with a 20-1-1-1 (13 KOs) and Honorio 24-3-1 (12 KOs).

Pre-Fight:  Honorio looks like he is ready to fight.  He’s wet, looks focused, and he’s Mexican.  Will Honorio show the true Mexican warrior mentality or will he succumb to “The Ghost”?  The ring instructions given by Tony Weeks (the ref) were all in Spanish.  I am really impressed!  I guess I’m easily impressed.  Anyway, Honorio is the #5 contender and looks promising.  Guerrero on the other hand may be suffering from undue stress.  His wife was recently diagnosed with leukemia.  This could have a huge impact on the fight.

Round 1:  Both begin feeling out their opponent with short jabs.  Guerrero seems to be just a little quicker.  BAM – out of no where Guerrero throws a straight right to Honorio’s chin!  He’s down and clearly dazed.  Honorio makes the count only to stumble across the ring and the ref stops the fight.  I guess 1 solid punch per round is all it takes.  :56 seconds for the round and KO.

For those of you who want to know what ACTS 2:38 on the back of Guerrero’s trunks refers to in the Bible:

Acts 2:38 (New International Version)

38Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Guerrero, our hearts and prayers go out to you and your wife.

Mike Tyson has spent a few days in jail considering the “No Contest” plea to a rape charge in 1999.  However; I bet none have been like his one day stint at Tent City!  Yes, Tyson has served time once again but this time it was only a day.  Tyson’s conviction for possession and DUI put him in the famous jail in Arizona that Sheriff Arpaio has made so famous.  Reports say that Tyson spent his time reading and eating bologna and sloppy joes.

I’m a big fan of Sheriff Arpaio and his Tent City.  He re-instituted chain gangs, used prisoner labor to build the City, makes the inmates wear pink underwear, sends in cartoons for the inmates to watch, and feeds them bologna.  The Sheriff also says if you don’t like the conditions, don’t come back!  Now that’s classic.
So did Tyson wear pink underwear while in the slammer? I guess I kinda hope so.  Not because I want to humiliate Tyson, but you get what you ask for.  If you play you pay!  It’s not like he didn’t deserve it.  He knew the rules and he broke them and he had to pay.  My fear is that this sentence won’t phase Tyson.  I bet he didn’t miss a beat while there.  On the other hand, he was also sentenced to 3 years of probation.  I just wonder if he can make it 3 years without messing up.

Iron Mike, take control of yourself and use the discipline that you are familiar with in training camps to beat the tendencies that we all have that lead us into things that are bad.  Anyone can do the bad things, its the good things that we do that separate the men from the boys.  You can do it and your fans are rooting for you!

Sixteen Contenders down to the final two, with the Champ being decided in 10 rounds or less! Codrington vs Bika making history in Bean Town! Codrington sports an 18-1, 14 KO’s record while Bika comes equipped with a 24-3-2, 15 KO record.

These guys may not be the best SuperMiddle Weights that you will ever see but they have put their hearts and life stories on the line week after week for us, the viewers, to peer into. The heartaches of loss and the thrill of just a single win have been more than evident in each boxers life as their stories unfold on this seemingly forgotten reality show.

Pre-fight: Both look focused and ready to fight. However; Sugar Ray’s bright white scarf is a little too much. I guess you can wear anything you want when your Sugar Ray! Jaidon sees this as a chance to prove himself and show his himself worthy of his Father’s approval. Sakio’s outlook includes success. It seems he has $$$ signs in his eyes and a means to happiness (he said it not me).

Jaidon looks warmed up with sweat coming off of his head. Focused and ready for his time in the spotlight. Sakio also looks warmed up but slightly tense. His expression doesn’t look relaxed. Actually, I wouldn’t expect anything other than a tense feeling for such a big event.

Round 1: Bika with some power to open the fight and floors Codrington with a big right! Codrington back up and makes the count easily. Bika puts Codrington on the ropes and continues the punishment but Codrington shoots a big left hook and puts Bika down! What a first round and we’re not even half way done… Bika is very unsteady and his legs are not stable. Bika holding on and Codrington trying his best to punch. Another left by Codrington backs up Bika. Big left by Bika but Codrington keeps coming. A big left by Bika to finish the round. Close round but Codrington seem to have more control over the round and had Bika hurt worse. I give the round to Codrington. I’m sure some will call this round a tie.

Round 2: Codrington throwing some nice jabs. Bika with a looping left followed by a big right that seems to temporarily stun Codrington. A flurry by Bika at the end. This round goes to Bika – no guessing about this one.

Round 3: On the ropes and both throwing some good punches. Bika pushing Codrington back and throwing wildly. Bika throwing good shots to Codrington’s body. Codrington keeping his shots short and straight. Bika gets the round with his power shots.

Round 4: Bika has Codrinton on the ropes and punching Codrington at will. Codrington covering up and taking it. He has got to move out of this type of exchange. Codrington on the ropes again and lands a good right and turns Bika to the ropes. Nice right to the body by Codrington. Toe to Toe and both throwing punches. Again Bika scores the round.

Round 5: Micky Ward spotlighted in the crowd. Codrington seems a little confused as to how to solve Bika but doing a great job to open the 5th round. Codrington looks very tired. Codrington chases Bika to the ropes but Bika fires a big uppercut to free himself. Both exchanging on the ropes. I’m giving this round to Codrington but Bika’s power was very evident even in this round.

Round 6: Nice right by Codrington to start the round. Bika with a good body shot followed by a good left to Codrington’s head. A couple of good rights by Bika to score. Nice finish to the round with both fighters throwing. Codrington getting the best of the melee with a couple of big lefts. This was another close round and hard to score but I give this one to Bika for controlling the pace and using his power.

Round 7: Teddy Atlas says the ref should be careful of these big loopers that are being thrown or he might end up a victim. Codrington looks very tired this round. Bika also slowing down considerably. Bika punishing Codringon’s body. Slow round but it goes to Bika.

Round 8: Codrington is not going to out punch Bik, so he has to be smarter and use angles and good defense. Big left by Bika snaps the head of Codrington. Bika has Codrington on the ropes and is throwing wildly . Codrington is hurt bad. Codrington is dazed and wandering around the ring. Ref stops the fight when Codrington turns his back. Bika wins the fight and the $750,000!

Stoppage at 2:18 of the 8th round .  This was a greatly entertaining fight!  Two knock downs in the first round and Bika’s power just punishing Codrington.  A truly great finish to the season.  This has got to push the rankings of the show, or at least I hope it does.

Does Codrington feel as though he has performed well enough to live up to the approval of his father?  I believe he has done a great job and seemingly kept an air of integrity about himself.  Has Bika finally found himself as successful?  Will $750,000 make him feel that way?  Like so many others, he will soon find that the money is nice but it doesn’t solve the worlds problems nor does it make one successful.  I wish the very best to both fighters and may they have many more rounds to prove themselves and entertain the masses!

Bika the Contender Champ!!!!

$50,000 for the winner.

Round 1: Soliman is crazy! He throws more punches that come out of no where. I don’t like his style (he comes in swinging not even looking at where he’s punching) and I expect to see Johnsen to shoot a big right hander to finish him off. Johnsen looks to be sticking to a true boxing style and not letting Soliman’s wildness throw him off. Soliman continues to score by throwing big uppercuts in the clinch. Soliman looking a little tired at the end of the round but still wins the round.

Round 5: Apparently ESPN didn’t see rounds 2-4 worthy of showing. Teddy Atlas’ scorecard did have Soliman winning all 4 rounds up to this point. Johnsen seems to be looking for one punch to end the fight. He’s not jabbing or working the body at all. Soliman throwing everything but the kitchen sink but boy does it look awful! Awful it might be, but he still wins another round.

Round 6: Johnsen is more active this round. Probably out of desperation. Most all of Soliman’s punches seem to be landing and Johnsen seems to be doing nothing (at least missing). Soliman wins the round and the fight.

A unanimous decision is returned by the judges to put Soliman in the money!

The hype for this fight was super for a super middle weight fight.  HBO really tried to build this fight for everything it was worth.  And rightly so I guess seeing the fans thought it was huge with over 50,000 in attendance.  Two undefeated fighters (a Dane and a Welsh) squaring off to see who is the real Super Middleweight Champ.  Calzaghe held the WBO belt and Kessler held the WBA and WBC belts.  When it was all done, Calzaghe had them all three!

Calzaghe was considered to have the faster hand speed and Kessler with the power.  Calzaghe sports a southpaw stance, which everyone seems to want to give them an advantage.  Kessler outweighed Calzaghe by 1.25 pounds, had a longer reach of 2″, 1″ taller and 7 years younger.

Round 1:  Close round to start out.  Each look a little nervous but Calzaghe going for the body, keeping the jab going and generally more aggressive.  Kessler looking to counter.  Round for Calzaghe.

Round 2:  Kessler with a few good shots and getting away from the counter mentality to a more aggressive posture.  Good round for Kessler.

Round 3:  Calzaghe puts Kessler on the ropes and throws wide punches while coming in with his head down.  Kessler should shoot the uppercut but doesn’t.  Calzaghe wins the round.

Round 4:  Finally Kessler throws about 3 uppercuts and scores big.  A couple of the uppercuts push Calzaghe back easily.  Calzaghe continues with constant pressure and lots of punches.  Kessler’s punches doing more damages.  Calzaghe starts to hold and appears to be tiring a little.  Round for Kessler.

Round 5:  Blood under Kessler’s right nostril.  Calzaghe with constant pressure and Kessler slowing except at the end of round.  Calzaghe gets this round.

Round 6:  Calzaghe hitting Kessler at will with little resistance.  Calzaghe controlling the jab and using it well this round.  Kessler’s corner calling for him to use the uppercut.   Another round for Calzaghe.

Round 7:  Another typical round for Calzaghe with right to the body followed with a left and right to Kessler’s head.  Punches push Kessler back but not much follow-up afterwards.  Maybe Calzaghe is resting or still respecting Kessler’s power.  Round for Calzaghe.

Round 8:  Kessler begins round good but is soon pushed back to the ropes by Calzaghe’s punches.  A nice right hand to Kessler’s body which Kessler later admits hurt him.  Can you guess who won this round?  You got it – Calzaghe.

Round 9:  Lots of punches and pressure by Calzaghe and no counters by Kessler.  Maybe Calzaghe’s most solid round.  Kessler looks defeated in corner between rounds.  Calzaghe gets another round.

Round 10:  Just figured it out – Kessler is not moving his head (or body) at all.  He only goes backwards or just stands and lets Calzaghe’s glove say hi to his face (over and over).  Kessler’s left eye really swelling but no ice from the corner (per HBO announcers).   Calzaghe has won another.

Round 11:  Same beating just more of it by Calzaghe.  Kessler’s corner tells him that Calzaghe is suffering!  Where did that come from? Yeah, he’s suffering, his hands have got to be killing him with all the punishment that Kessler’s face and body have been dishing out!  Do I have to say it again – round to Calzaghe.

Round 12:  Lots of desperation punching by Kessler wins him the round.  Calzaghe doing lots of avoidance in this round.

Judges scored the fight:  116 – 112; 116 – 112; & 117 – 111 all for Calzaghe.

Commentators make the statement that Calzaghe has been called a slapper rather than a puncher but not in this fight.  I saw lots of slapping and punching.  Many of his punches come in very wide, especially his body punching.  At any rate, his punching was effective and tore Kessler down to his bare bones.  Calzaghe found his range and kept Kessler on the outside of his effective range.  Calzaghe used decent defense and Kessler didn’t.  Calzaghe pushed the tempo and threw lots of punches, Kessler didn’t.  Did Calzaghe win the fight on his own merit?  You bet!  Good fight for Calzaghe.

Does Calzaghe have what it takes to beat Be-Hop?  If Hopkins was in his prime, no way.  However; there is a chance that Calzaghe might execute the Executioner!  I can’t wait to see what happens.

Fast Eddie takes on the Boxing Banker for the main event of ShoBox’s 100 showing.  A 12 round heavyweight match for title elimination leading to a match with Klitschko.

This was an interesting match to watch.  I saw the match very different than what the announcers (Steve Farhood and Nick Charles) did.   Brock consistently jabbed, threw lots of body shots, and lots of combinations.  On the other hand, Chambers did very little.  When he did throw punches he connected and connected well.  His punches were fast and crisp usually pushing Brock backwards.  Chambers’ biggest problem is that he just didn’t punch enough.  I gave Brock 9 of the 12 rounds.  One could argue a few of these rounds for Chambers but I believe Brock controlled the fight.  Brock’s punches were very weak at points in the fight and did very little damage.  However; a weak punch is better than no punch!

Steve Farhood scored the fight 117-111 for Chambers and Nick Charles scored the fight 116-112 for Chambers.  The judges scored the fight: 115-113 (C), 113-115 (B), 115-113 (C).  I really must have been watching a different fight than the announcers and the two judges that scored for Chambers.  One of the announcers said that he hadn’t given Brock a round since the 3rd round – What planet is he from.

Here’s a kicker:  Brock’s corner told him he had won enough rounds to take the last two lightly!  His corner said he had thrown more punches and controlled the fight.  Although I agree with his assessment of the fight, I don not agree with taking the last two rounds lightly!  This should be a cardinal sin in boxing – never lay back in the fight, just ask Oscar!

Tabulation of scores took an abnormally long time to make it to the center of the ring.  What was that all about?  How long does it take to gather the cards, tabulate, and announce.  This was strange.

One final note:  Why would Brock come into the fight at 241 pounds?  After all, the winner might get a shot at becoming the Heavyweight Champ of the World!  Beating Klitschko would certainly help propel one in that direction.  Brock said he felt light on his feat in spite of the weight and indeed he stayed busy for most of the fight.  241 was about 16 pounds heavier than when he fought Klitschko.  At 241, Klitschko would absolutely and completely eat his lunch!  Maybe Brock wanted to lose so that he didn’t have to face Klitschko again.

I said I was done but I’ve got another final thought and its a beef with the announcers (again)!  Brock is a college grad and his wife is studying to be a lawyer.  The announcers made this plain.  Then they make the comment:  “Does Brock really need this?”.  Does he really need it?  Again, what planet are they from?  Is money everything?  Are they counting success in being a college grad and having a lawyer for a wife?  I give them an alternative:  maybe boxing is his passion.  Maybe he enjoys the thrill of the sport?  Or the thrill of a win?  Finally! Don’t judge all boxers as money hungry and shallow!  Making comments as such only makes you look shallow.

ShoBox’s 100 event and the opener was Lopez vs. Harris.  The bout took place on November 2nd at the Emerald Queen Casion in Tacoma Washington.  It was a Lightweight match scheduled for 8 rounds.

An orthodox vs a southpaw that didn’t seem that way.  Instead it was just to average boxers trying to duke it out.  Neither with any surmountable KO power.  I guess this is why they tried to wrestle most of the match.  The wrestling started in the very first round with Harris throwing Lopez to the ground in the final seconds of the round.

Harris never really found his range.  Lopez had range but was unable to throw a good straight punch.  Loopy and wide.  Lopez did connect with some wicked left hooks to the body and shot many more, but most went wide and only glanced off of Harris.  Harris’ had one big round (6) where he flurried and threw some great counters.  Unfortunately he hit Lopez with a low blow and was deducted a point on the score cards.  Round 7 and we are back to the wrestling with Lopez trying his best to head butt Harris in the clinch.

I scored this bout for Lopez losing one round.  Lopez did win the match.  However; the real winner is the Ref, Bobby Hammond.  He did an excellent job trying to keep the boxing match a boxing match rather than a wrestling match.  He was firm and gave many warnings but used discretion in taking away points.  Sometimes watching the Ref do his magic is the magic of a fight.  A true art form when done correctly.