That stage was set for a dramatic conclusion to the evening’s boxing. Cory Spinks made a glamorous entrance to the ring, accompanied by Rap star Nelly as he played to the record setting St. Louis crowd in attendance. Meanwhile, Zab Judah seethed in the ring, aching for retribution to right the blemish staining his record from his loss to Spinks. Before the end of nine rounds, Judah took everything away from Spinks and sent him packing to the light middleweight division. One could say that the title of undisputed welterweight champion is one befitting Judah’s talents; I say the best is yet to come as his performance in the Spinks rematch melded his speed and power with patience and maturity of temperament. Super-fights await Judah in the future, but first, he honors a mandatory obligation to the IBF and its challenger Cosme Rivera, a man who earned his chance the hard way, by beating all logically ranked opposition until receiving his chance. Can Rivera dethrone the new champion at his first hurdle, or will Judah usher in a new era of dominance in the welterweight division? Check in with the SaddoBoxing.com writers to find out what they think.More...
We are being spoilt at the moment as for the second week running, we are presented with a huge, huge fight that could easily be a contender for fight of the year. Up until last year, Ronald “Winky” Wright was highly underestimated and under promoted. He has fought in just about every country on the planet. No one gave him a prayer when he fought Shane Mosely for the undisputed light middleweight crown. Wright comprehensively out-boxed his opponent and dominated the majority of the twelve rounds. When the rematch came, many people still were not giving Wright his credit, and predicted a Mosely win. The second fight was much more competitive with Mosley throwing more leather. But the turning point was the fifth round. And what a great round it was. Both fighters traded big shots, and then out of the blue, Wright dropped his hands and let Mosely hit him. Winky took the shot from one of the hardest pound-for-pound punchers in the world and smiled. It was not going to be Mosely’s night. Winky is moving up in weight to fight Trinidad but there should not be too much size difference as Winky is very big for a light middleweight. More...
TITO! TITO!! TITO!!! Once again, Felix Trinidad steps into the squared circle for what is his second fight in the "Back with a Vengeance" tour. As of right now, New York is buzzing and it is like the Puerto Rican day parade all over again. This Saturday we will see the classical cliche we have all grown accustomed to in our great sport.
We have a boxer versus a puncher. The boxer being Ronald "Winky" Wright, and the puncher being none other than Felix "Tito" Trinidad. Do we know that for sure? Only time will tell. I will explain.
Read on as our very own Edwin Gonzalez offers his big fight prediction before SaddoBoxing.com winds down its Trinidad-Wright build-up coverage and gets ready to bring you word on all of Saturday’s Vegas fight action.More...
Hey there fight fans. After knocking out our very own editor, Jimmy the Gent (I'm sure he will love me saying this), I have now been given some fresh meat. Yours truly shall now take on our very own James MacDonald. After reading some
of his work, this should be a worthy challenge. James, as the heavyweight champion in the movie "Harlem Nights" once said: "don't take this ass whipping personal!" Ok my fellow fight fanatics, here we go! On May 14, 2005, live from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and televised on HBO's pay-per-view boxing series, Felix “Tito’ Trinidad (42-1-0 with 35 KOs), will take on Ronald “Winky’ Wright (48-3-0 with 25 KOs). It is a fight that many in the boxing mainstream have been waiting for and should be an excellent scrap. Emotions are running very high, and the media seems split down the middle as to who will win. Luckily fight fans, SaddoBoxing.com has you covered with a "Big Debate" as to who will win and why.
This is why Felix "Tito" Trinidad will win.More...
You know it's a great fight when fighter’s themselves can't wait to see who wins. A couple of SaddoBoxing.com friends gave yours truly their thoughts on this weekend's fight. Enjoy.
Daniel Ponce De Leon (super bantamweight contender):
"I like Jose Luis Castillo to win this fight. I think that it’s going to be a war and both fighters are going to push each other to the limit. Castillo has too much skill and determination to be denied. Corrales is a powerful guy, but Jose Luis can punch hard too. This fight is not going to go the distance as these two guys are just too strong. I think Jose Luis will do a lot of damage early to Corrales’ body and he (Corrales) will start running around the ring. Castillo will catch up to him and stop him late. I’d say the eleventh or twelfth round."
Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (WBA lightweight champion):
"This is one of those fights were you just don’t know. If Corrales boxes and uses his arm length, he can win the fight. If he chooses to stand in there and trade with Castillo, he is going to lose, and might even get knocked out. If forced to make a pick, I’m sticking with the Mexican, Jose Luis Castillo, by late round stoppage."
SaddoBoxing would like to thank Daniel and Juan for contributing to the undisputed champion of websites, your very own SaddoBoxing.com.
Despite respective losses, make no mistake that these are indeed the two finest lightweight fighters in the world. You want proof of pedigree? Castillo forged his iron will and resistance in hard years of tutelage, not at the thoughtful and guiding hand of a master,
but at the lethal fists of one: the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez. Corrales’ record, littered with world class opposition, shows only two fighters survived him, and did so against his strongest pleadings. Corrales’ trainer stopped him against Floyd Mayweather and ringside physician Dr. Margaret Goodman stopped him against Joel Casamayor, a defeat later avenged. Corrales literally begged to continue, and his hunger to risk all for glory is as believable as any fighter I have ever seen. Talk about tough; he thinks the fight with Castillo will be fun! A classic confrontation virtually assured, whoever emerges victorious shall find rest a fleeting luxury, as Erik Morales approaches, bringing fire and fury with him. Do not trouble yourself too much with settling upon a firm conviction, as these two on merit alone defy us to choose between them. First, take a moment to see what the SaddoBoxing.com writers have to say.More...
A rather unlikely pairing contests the WBA heavyweight championship of the world this weekend. Despite achieving world titles in three weights thus far, one would have to say that James Toney resembles a fighter somewhat out of his depth
amongst the heavyweights. In contrast, John Ruiz, a decidedly dubious two-time world champion is a natural heavyweight, but one of considerably less ability than most. By their adopted monikers alone, this fight is one between two men of drastically opposite dispositions. “Lights Out” is a rather suggestive nickname, indicating the eager nature of one to remove another from consciousness; a stereotype in which Toney happily revels. Ruiz’ own “Quiet Man” alias befits his demeanor, and perhaps also his overall impact on heavyweight boxing. Nonetheless, they shall fight for the title, one will win, the other will lose, and lives will change immeasurably in the never-ending carousel of fortunes that is the boxing world. In the meantime, here to offer you a nudge in the right direction as to who might win this heavyweight title fight, I give you the SaddoBoxing.com team.More...
As detailed so extensively by our very own Sergio Martinez here at SaddoBoxing.com, this is a fight where passions run high, as evidenced in Margarito’s exclusive and unforgettable quote, “talking about the Devil is very different to being before him.” A
warning as macabre as the spectacle of Margarito’s last ring excursion, in which he tore into his opponent Sebastian Lujan, leaving a grotesque and bloody ear injury. It must be said that Cintron appears rather subdued, perhaps understanding that this fight represents a vast leap up in class from his past opposition level. Or perhaps it is that Cintron feels that he has carried the “interim” tag for too long, and that a fierce fire is building inside of him to finally claim the WBO welterweight championship of the world for his own. Media have been satisfied and preparations have been made, very soon it will be just two world-class fighters standing before one another about to do battle for a world championship. Who will emerge as the true champion when all is said and done we cannot know, but if you cannot wait to get a better idea, check in with the SaddoBoxing.com writers to find out whom they are picking on the big night.More...
The night of April 23 approaches as a crossroads for many of the fighters participating in the evening’s festivities. Perhaps no greater example exists than between the heavyweight forces of Calvin Brock and Jameel McCline, former spar-mates set to collide in a significant match-up. Having failed in two previous title attempts, McCline, by his own admission to this writer will be able to make a decent living if he loses, but a win would catapult him forth to try to secure his position as the premier heavyweight of his time. Calvin Brock knows no such pressures, being at the start of his professional career with a world of opportunity before him, and of course, McCline. Unfortunately for Brock, McCline is no slight obstacle on the path to true recognition; being proportionately larger than your average heavyweight stands McCline a greater chance of success where others might fail. Brock scrapped his way past such preliminary fight figures as Terry Smith and Clifford Etienne, but now, he comes before a fighter of greater size and experience who is eager to reclaim a place atop the heavyweight pecking order. Will Brock’s momentum carry him through, or will the sleeping giant in Jameel McCline finally awake? The SaddoBoxing.com team have their ideas about what will happen, read on to find out what they are.More...
Some believe that no fight is a formality, while others state that Barrera is wasting precious time by taking on a mandatory obligation against the little known entity of Mzonke Fana. However you perceive this fight, what is certain is that if by any chance Barrera loses, many great fights will evaporate into thin air.
Amazingly, even though Barrera emerged victorious from his third hellish war with Erik Morales last November, he finds himself playing catch-up to his nemesis; Morales’ reinstated much of the industries’ faith in his abilities by taking on and defeating Filipino fireball Manny Pacquiao last month. With Morales indicating a move up in weight, a fourth Barrera-Morales fight looks unlikely. Therefore, it is hoped that Barrera will engage Pacquiao again on a revenge mission or Juan Manuel Marquez in another all-Mexican showdown. In the final stretch of a long and illustrious boxing career, Marco Antonio Barrera may dream of final victories so great as to remove any doubt as to his claim to being the greatest Mexican fighter of his time. However, there can be no mistakes against a hungry challenger such as Fana. Who will win this upcoming fight, and what happens next in the epic saga that is the Barrera legacy, we do not yet know, but the SaddoBoxing.com team have a few theories. Read on to find out what they have to say.More...
As the British domestic scene hosts some of the finest cruiserweight talent in the world in David Haye, Johnny Nelson, Enzo Maccarinelli and Carl Thompson, on Saturday night in Boston, two of the division’s top world champions collide to decide who should be known
as the very best fighter of them all. Having already twice dealt with former light heavyweight star Virgil Hill, Jean Marc Mormeck of France may have the slight edge in experience, but experience is not beyond susceptibility to the power carried in the fists of Guyana’s Wayne Braithwaite. It is some time since the cruiserweight class could boast a match to capture the public’s imagination, and this one certainly promises to be entertaining while it lasts. Mormeck’s WBA title will oppose Braithwaite’s WBC version in a unification of true significance. It is difficult to choose between two fighters seemingly at the peak of their respective powers, so before you do, check in with the SaddoBoxing.com team to find out who they think will emerge as the unified cruiserweight champion.More...
What did we lose when Fernando Vargas underwent an enforced hiatus from boxing over a year ago? A young phenomenon in need of a wake-up call to stir his true potential, or just a very good fighter that fell short in the most esteemed company? As intriguing a question as that is, it pales in
comparison to that of exactly what kind of fighter is Vargas after the dissipation of the cloud of injuries surrounding his career? Despite his high-profile losses to Felix Trinidad and Oscar de la Hoya, Vargas maintains a certain aura. Whether he is destined to fail at the highest level is unknown, but his tenacity and entertainment value make his fights compulsive spectacles nonetheless. This Saturday, Dutchman Raymond Joval presents the first obstacle in Vargas’s rehabilitation. Joval knows the resistance of solid middleweight opposition, but he has never faced a fighter as formidable as Vargas. While no fight is a formality, one cannot help but wonder where this new path Vargas treads will lead. Bernard Hopkins, Felix Trinidad, Ronald Wright, Jermain Taylor, Howard Eastman and Felix Sturm are the principal players in the middleweight ranks; Saturday night may tell us how close Vargas is to resuming his place amongst such reputable names. Until then, allow the SaddoBoxing.com writers to illuminate you with their viewpoints regarding Saturday night’s big fight.More...
Who was the best welterweight of the last twenty-five years? Below is my take on a mythical tournament between who I think were the eight best fighters at welterweight. The numbers in the brackets indicate the fighter’s record at welterweight from 1980. Note that it is the achievements at welterweight which I am looking at here, not at any other weights at which the fighters below may have fought.
Quarterfinals.
Oscar de la Hoya (10-2) versus Roberto Duran (3-1).
In the 1980’s, Roberto only had two fights of any importance at 147-pounds, but anyone who witnessed the first two fights of the Duran-Leonard trilogy, will never forget the “Brawl in Montreal” and the “no mas” fight. Two fights that showed everything that was good and bad about Duran. De La Hoya had most of his “super-fights” at the division, and in doing so suffered his first two defeats. He was maybe a little past his best, but came closer than anyone to beating Felix Trinidad at welterweight. The Duran that beat Leonard would be too intense for De La Hoya, he would not give him a moments rest, and if Duran was fast enough to catch Leonard, then landing punches on Oscar should be easy enough. De La Hoya always carried a will to win into every bout he had, which would mean, he would be competitive, but in the end, Duran takes the unanimous decision. More...
Who was the best junior welterweight of the last twenty-five years? Below is my take on a mythical tournament between who I think were the eight best fighters at junior welterweight. The numbers in the brackets indicate the fighter’s record at junior welterweight from 1980. Note that it is the achievements at junior welterweight that I am looking at here, not at any other weights at which the fighters below may have fought.
Quarter Finals.
Julio Cesar Chavez (33-3-1) versus Oscar de la Hoya (3-0).
De La Hoya briefly visited the division in 1996-1997, and one of the three fights he had was against Chavez; a fight in which Chavez choose to step into the ring knowing he was badly cut in sparring ten days before the fight. Sadly for everyone concerned, the eye opened up again in the very first minute, ultimately causing the fight to be stopped in the fourth. Chavez by this time was coming to the end of the road, indeed, from the moment he moved to 140-pounds and beat Roger Mayweather in a rematch, he never quite looked the force he was as a 130 and 135-pounder. By contrast, De La Hoya was perhaps coming into the prime of his career. So, although Chavez was a better fighter in 1989-1990, I still do not think the 140-pound version of Chavez beats Oscar at this weight. De la Hoya wins a fairly unanimous decision. More...
Who was the best lightweight of the last twenty-five years? Below is my take on a mythical tournament between who I think were the eight best fighters at lightweight. The numbers in the brackets indicate the fighter’s record at lightweight from 1980. Note that it is the achievements at lightweight, which I am looking at here, not at any other weights at which the fighters may have fought.
Quarterfinals.
Julio Cesar Chavez (6-0) versus Jose Luis Castillo (13-2-1).
Chavez was at the pinnacle of his great career on the night in 1987 when as an underdog, he destroyed Edwin Rosario to win a world title at lightweight. Castillo as a lightweight has only dropped two close/controversial decisions to Floyd Mayweather Jr. The problem Castillo has against Chavez is that he lacks the firepower to war with him, and he lacks the speed that gave Chavez trouble. Castillo is brave and seems to have a very solid chin, but Chavez would be far too good for him, pounding out a unanimous decision. More...
It is a mouthwatering clash. Every so often, the boxing world is treated to the kind of match up that has “classic” branded firmly into it from the get go. When Erik “El Terrible” Morales and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao cross paths this Saturday night,
we will have a potential classic on our hands. This fight could well be something special; all of the ingredients are there so to speak, we just need the oven to cook. That said, how often do these two men disappoint? Anyway, I would be more than a tad surprised if this one merely cooks, I have a gut feeling that it is going to explode. At heart, Morales is the quintessential Mexican warrior; he possesses that innate lust for battle. The Mexican boxing culture being what it is, Morales knows what is expected of him by his legion of fans and countrymen, thus I suspect he fights to please them as much as for himself. At times, this mentality has been to his detriment. It has to be said that he sometimes makes fights a whole lot harder than they need to be; Morales is a fantastic boxer, when he wants to be. He has so many tools at his disposal, yet stubbornly refuses to make full use of them. More...
Who was the best super featherweight of the last twenty-five years? Below is my take on a mythical tournament between who I think were the eight best fighters at super featherweight. The numbers in the brackets indicate the fighter’s record at super featherweight from 1980. Note that it is the achievements at super featherweight that I am looking at here, not at any other weights at which the fighters below may have fought.
Quarterfinals.
Julio Cesar Chavez (57-0) versus Oscar de la Hoya (13-0).
Chavez put in some of his finest performances as a 130-pounder while De La Hoya was learning his trade. Chavez had legitimate one punch power as a 130-pounder while De La Hoya struggled to make the weight, and showed only an average chin. Their two meetings at higher weights would in no way dictate how this fight goes; Chavez to pound the young and brave De La Hoya to an eighth round retirement. More...
Who was the best featherweight of the last twenty-five years? Below is my take on a mythical tournament between who I think were the eight best fighters at featherweight. The numbers in the brackets indicate the fighter’s record at featherweight from 1980. Note that it is the achievements at featherweight, which I am looking at here, not at any other weights the fighters below may have fought at.
Quarterfinals.
Naseem Hamed (17-1) versus Marco Antonio Barrera (6-1).
Barrera beat Naseem, in his finest performance, but could he beat the 1996-1997 prime Naseem? Naseem had better reflexes in this period and generally better control of his performance. He showed in fights with Vazquez and Badillo that he could box in a disciplined style, when it suited him. But I just think that Barrera had Naseem’s number. The fight would have been closer, than their actual bout, but Barrera would still have won a comfortable twelve-round decision. More...
Revenge is a dish best served cold, and a cold, calculated assassin is what Danny Green means to be when he steps into Markus Beyer’s home territory once again. Vengeance is on Green’s mind for what he sees as an unjust disqualification in his first chance at the WBC title.
Green seeks the WBC title, but it has proven to be something of a curse in recent years as it has rocketed like a pinball between almost a dozen fighters throughout the last decade. Seemingly unable to stay with a single fighter for more than one fight, the WBC title is now in the possession of Beyer for the third time, and this time, the German champion has no intentions of parting with it. Green became the interim champion, a distinction that means he is within a breath of the legitimate crown. Beyer felt the canvas in their first meeting, but came back and the battle is intriguingly poised at a critical stage of the careers of both fighters. Will the curse of the WBC title strike again, or can Green take the title back to Australia before embarking on a mission to unify it once and for all? Read on to find the opinions of the SaddoBoxing.com team of writers. More...
What if. What if we could travel through time? What if the internet was never invented? What if we could live forever? What if has no limits; everything has a “what if” attached to it, in one way or another. As a boxing fan, there is one “what if” in particular that has always fascinated me for as long as I can remember, perhaps more so than any other: What if Muhammad
Ali and George Foreman had met for a second time? Well, of course we’ll never know with any certainty how a rematch between the two would have unfolded. All we can do (as in all hypothetical scenarios) is identify and weigh up all the possible outcomes, pertain them to what knowledge or evidence we have, then attempt to decide upon the most likely conclusion. In short, we make an informative (and hopefully objective) guess. It’s a guessing game, one though which has no definitive answers; but it’s fun to speculate, don’t you think? Anyway, I’m going to give it a try. More...
