Wacko's Double Whammy Drunken Round by Round Tarver vs Hopkins/Cotto Malignaggi

Welly well...my fellars & fellarettes, once again... the weekend will shortly be upon us & we'll be having a PPV Drunken Double Whammy as we cover two Championship matches this coming Saturday night with two Magic Men, one Executioner, & a Puerto Rican Angel!

If either fight was going to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada...you might expect a rabbit to be pulled from a hat...heh heh heh.

Who knows what will land first...hopefully both major matches won't fall at the same time...but if they do...I'll be monitoring two televisions & going back & forth on the laptop...should be interesting.

Oh lordy the wife shall be p!ssed over this cable bill.

It's hard to decide on which fight peaks the most interest...the Hopkins Tarver match or the Cotto Malignaggi bout.

Everyone seems equally devided across the board on each card...but it seems that no matter which way you turn...it's a night consisting of the battle of the motor moufs!

Easily the bout of most significance is HBO's PPV Drama.

Undisputed World Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio "the Magic Man" Tarver (27 fights, 24 wins with 18 ko's, & 3 losses) matches his power & stamina (or lack there of) against the tactics & durability of the once Undisputed Reigning Middleweight Super Champion Bernard "the Exectioner" Hopkins (52 fights, 46 wins with 32 ko's, 4 losses, & 1 draw) as he steps up to the 175lb division for what fans & haters hope to be his swan song performance.

Everyone across this board knows that I am a die hard Hopkins fan...& as biased as you might expect Wacko to be...it may come as a shock to most...but I just don't see him pulling out the win that many think he may be capable of doing. I'd love it if I were wrong...but I personally believe that it's been way to long of a tour of duty for my boy. He's served his time & he's done a hell of a job...but it's been a long while since the WAR came out of Bernard.

I can give you reason on top of reason why I think that Bernard could possibley win this fight...but I can give you just as many reasons as to why he could possibley lose. No one likes to listen to my long winded analogies...but hey...this is Wacko's Drunken Round by Round...& we all know that if you don't listen to what an alcoholic says as he spits & sputters...he just get's louder & keeps on going...

That being said...here's the way I see it:

In Hopkins favor:

1: Hopkins almost always rises to the occassion & seemingly lasts for the duration of the match.

2: Tactically, Bernard is the better boxer.

3: As far as chins go...Hopkins has one of the best in the biz...at 160lbs.

4: Bernard has a lot to prove with this match...he could be & seems to be the most determined of his life.

5: Tarver's stamina is questionable when Hopkins comes on the most...the latter rounds. If Bernard can maintain anything remotely close to an even fight & take Tarver into deep waters...he can drown him...but he has to be able to take a punch from a 175lb man.

6: Years ago Hopkins TKO'd Johnson...the man that recently knocked out RJJ & then beat Tarver by SD. That has to count for something...but it's kind of like Tarver's Factor #2...

Against Hopkins...

1: He's fought at 175lbs before...right at the crank of his career. He lost. Plain & simple...I don't believe that my bwoy is set to compete at 175lbs.

2: The fact that he is fighting way out of his weight class alone is the biggest feat for me...but, let's not forget that he's doing so against the man that beat the man that beat him. That being many years ago & Jones jr only being a shell of what he once was...the fact still remains, Jones jr & Hopkins fought a tactical fight at 160 & Jones got the better of it. Tarver has gotten the better of Jones twice (3 times IWO) & that could be a deciding factor in Hopkins mind.

3: The bully factor. Hopkins is a bully in the ring...but so is Tarver to an extent & Tarver is the bigger bully. Not often does size matter...but Tarver is on a pretty good streak & he will most definently maintain the fact that he is the biggerman. This is going to work against Hopkins because I truly believe that Tarver will push him all around the ring.

4: Age. Let's face it...Hopkins has gotten older & I honestly believe that he did indeed show it in his last fight a bit & also he seems to be a bit to copasetic for my likings regarding this fight.

5: Determination. Hopkins has lost his last two fights...maybe controversially...but they are still loses. Can he overcome that if he does fall behind on the cards & will he actually have the determination to defeat argueably the best 175lbs has to offer?

6: Speaking of determination...Tarver will be fighting to retain his reputation & the IBO & NBA Light Heavyweight titles...arguements always abound regarding the worth & merit of titles to a fighter...as insignificant as those two titles are...they are motivation for Tarver just as adding the name of another champion to his record.

We shall see. Either way...Hopkins is already locked into a head on collision course with the HOF & rightly so. It'd be nice if he could pull this one out.

This trash of Tarver calling himself "the Legend Killer" is pretty fwockin hillarious. Honestly, because he beat the remenants of the great Roy Jones jr., this fool thinks that he owns the rights to Danny Williams title...heh heh heh...whatta douche bag! Those two are real Legend Killers alright.

Like that motor mouth idiot or not...you have to extend credit to Tarver...he's had a pretty good career & he's defeated quite a few of the better 175lb'ers on his short rise to the top. It would thrill me to no end for my bwoy Bernard to beat the dog shat outta him.

Prediction: Tarver by split decision. Hope I'm wrong though.

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Same night...most likely same time...different channell...different weight class...& a much better undercard.

Up & coming Puerto Rican super star & WBO Light Welterweight Champ Miguel Angel Cotto (26 wins with 22 ko's) will match his title & power against the speed & the mouf of the WBC's Continental Americas Light Welterweight Champ Paulie "Magic Man" Malignaggi (21 wins with 5 ko's).

Not many in their right minds give Paulie Malignaggi a shot in hell against the powerhouse that is Cotto...but truthfully...I aint in my right mind...on the other hand...I aint stupid either. Malignaggi has a shot of winning if he can stay away from Cotto all night, but we all know that that's not going to happen. I don't see Malignaggi having the skills or the will to match up to Cotto...but as the ole's cliche' goes...styles make fights & Malignaggi has a pretty good bag of tricks & IWO quite a bit of speed...the lack of power is what seperates the two.

To list factors on how this fight will go down...honestly...would be a bit of a waste of time.

Cotto will eventually catch Malignaggi & that will be that.

Paulie should concentrate on what he does best...slipping & sliding. The kid has a good idea of what to do & when to do it...but he's way out of his league with Cotto.

Prediction: Cotto by 4th round TKO. Sorry Paulie...that's just how I see it...no magic tonight.

As always...pick your spots on the couch & let your beverage of choice sooth your weekend bloodlust...it's time for another one of Wacko's Drunken Round by Rounds.

Cheers bitches...oh...& koneecheewah.

:coolclick:

Nice assesments Wacko. I have to say after moaning that the Hopkins Tarver fight will be shite since it was first announced I am starting to look forward to it in spite of myself :) Good job HBO with the countdown, damn those guys could sell peanuts to a man with an allergy to peanuts ^-^

I hope Bernard wins, it's not outside the realms of possibility but it's unlikely. To win he will need to dig deep, and the two fights with Taylor demonstrated that he no longer seems to have the will or ability to do so.

Tarver will probably slog out a unanimous decision, but hey, with Calzaghe's next fight being put back until the Autumn then maybe this could all work out for the best...........

A Tarver Calzaghe winter war would be one of the biggest fights of the year bar none, fingers crossed, (although not Joe's cos even that would probably break one :P)

I don't know much about Maligianni other than everybody hates him. From what I've seen of him, which isn't much (no fights just a brief interview) he seems ok. Apparently from what I gather he's pretty slick just not a puncher.

I think your being a little harsh with a 4 round ko prediction against him though, I'd fancy him to go the distance. After the problems Ricky Hatton had with Collazo I'd not underestimate anybody who has some skills and knows their way around a ring.

Cotto is a great offensive fighter but a spoiler like Paulie might frustrate him and give him a longer night than he hopes for...........

:coolclick: for the DOUBLE DRbR this shoulc wear out your drunken fingers.

Not interested in the Tarver/Hopkins fight. Hopkins is not what he was, he has lost some luster after the two L's. And Tarver just annoys the hell out of me. "Legend Killer" my A@@!!!!!!

Looking forward to Cotto KTFO Paulie. I see it more as a middle to late round KO. First couple of rounds Paulie will run, but Cotto will catch up and when he does Paulie will get some uneasy sleep.

Wacko... if Hopkins gets knocked out.. I know it will send such a shock through your heart that you will be unable to type.. :(

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Originally Posted by Starr

Wacko... if Hopkins gets knocked out.. I know it will send such a shock through your heart that you will be unable to type.. :(

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Agreed. I've been takin that into serious consideration.

I'm just not sure how possible that will be...him getting KO'd...me being shocked...that's the easy part.

I will most likely shed a tear...no shat.

I agree... I think the world would be shocked...

And Tarver strutting around the ring in a victory lap that wears him out would probably want to make you get into training and beat him yourself wacko. The anger and shock at his gloating and credit stealing would be enough for you to get into training ;)

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Originally Posted by bilbo

:coolclick:

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:coolclick: back bilbo.

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Originally Posted by bilbo

Nice assesments Wacko. I have to say after moaning that the Hopkins Tarver fight will be shite since it was first announced I am starting to look forward to it in spite of myself :) Good job HBO with the countdown, damn those guys could sell peanuts to a man with an allergy to peanuts ^-^

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Thanks babe. Don't know how accurate I'll be on either one...but I think that I'm close on both. I agree with you about the fact that the Hopkins Tarver match up has started to get interesting. The countdown was pretty cool & yeah...I agree once again...HBO could sell a popsickle to a fwockin eskimo...or peanuts to...somebody who's allergic to peanut butter.

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Originally Posted by bilbo

I hope Bernard wins, it's not outside the realms of possibility but it's unlikely. To win he will need to dig deep, and the two fights with Taylor demonstrated that he no longer seems to have the will or ability to do so.

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I hope B wins too. He's got the know how...it's just the fact that he lost his first match to a 175er & I think that he's truly a middle & that's that.

As bad as I hate to say it...your'e right about his will seeming to be a bit on the slide.

I have begun to look at it like this...that was a 41 year old man fighting against a youngun...Tarver's age & stamina may be a bit more equal to what Hopkins has been tearing apart for the last 12 years.

We shall have to hold out breath & wait & see.

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Originally Posted by bilbo

Tarver will probably slog out a unanimous decision, but hey, with Calzaghe's next fight being put back until the Autumn then maybe this could all work out for the best...........

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Imagine if Hopkins does win...surely B will retire?

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Originally Posted by bilbo

A Tarver Calzaghe winter war would be one of the biggest fights of the year bar none, fingers crossed, (although not Joe's cos even that would probably break one :P)

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It's highly likely that that could be in the cards...it's quite possible that the hand injury could be another waiting game of Calzaghe's...if you believe in shat like that. Heh heh heh.

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Originally Posted by bilbo

I don't know much about Maligianni other than everybody hates him. From what I've seen of him, which isn't much (no fights just a brief interview) he seems ok. Apparently from what I gather he's pretty slick just not a puncher.

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In all honesty...I like that kid's skills & speed...I hate his mouth & arrogance. He's a fantastic boxer...I love to watch him work. I've made some drunken comparisons to his style being much like Mayweather jr's...not a match for it...but along the same lines.

Love Cotto though...& all that shat he's been saying about Cotto...let's just say that I would love it if Cotto dropped him in the 1st. That would be beautiful!

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Originally Posted by bilbo

I think your being a little harsh with a 4 round ko prediction against him though, I'd fancy him to go the distance. After the problems Ricky Hatton had with Collazo I'd not underestimate anybody who has some skills and knows their way around a ring.

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I'm not being harsh...I'm being hopeful.

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Originally Posted by bilbo

Cotto is a great offensive fighter but a spoiler like Paulie might frustrate him and give him a longer night than he hopes for...........

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True...but I hope not.

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Originally Posted by TyBuff

:coolclick: for the DOUBLE DRbR this shoulc wear out your drunken fingers.

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:coolclick: back.

You damn skippy...bloody numbs of fingers Wacko shall have. ;D

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Originally Posted by TyBuff

Not interested in the Tarver/Hopkins fight. Hopkins is not what he was, he has lost some luster after the two L's. And Tarver just annoys the hell out of me. "Legend Killer" my A@@!!!!!!

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The Legend Killer bullshat is just that...SHAT!!!

I'd love for B to come out & strap him...but it aint gonna happen...I don't see it.

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Originally Posted by TyBuff

Looking forward to Cotto KTFO Paulie. I see it more as a middle to late round KO. First couple of rounds Paulie will run, but Cotto will catch up and when he does Paulie will get some uneasy sleep.

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Agreed. ;D

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Originally Posted by Starr

I agree... I think the world would be shocked...

And Tarver strutting around the ring in a victory lap that wears him out would probably want to make you get into training and beat him yourself wacko. The anger and shock at his gloating and credit stealing would be enough for you to get into training ;)

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True words have never been spoken.

:coolclick:

Im big B-Hop fan but youre right Wacko, Tarvers just to big and strong. In thats just my honest opinion cause i cant stand the sob. If in the event that he stops Hop, Tarver will probably be left with less fans than he already has.

The only glimse of hope for Hop is that he fights Tarver the way that he fought Vanderpool back in the day. Counter with straight punches and move to the left. Lead right hands are key too. Just like the ones he got Taylor with. They probably wont hurt Tarver but they will score points

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Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Im big B-Hop fan but youre right Wacko, Tarvers just to big and strong. In thats just my honest opinion cause i cant stand the sob. If in the event that he stops Hop, Tarver will probably be left with less fans than he already has.

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I wanna say this...I can't stand Tarver either...period...but the bastard has talent & no if's &'s or but's he did defeat pretty much the best 175lb fighters that would fight him.

You just can't deny it.

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Originally Posted by BoomBoom

The only glimse of hope for Hop is that he fights Tarver the way that he fought Johnson back in the day. Counter with straight punches and move to the left. Lead right hands are key too. Just like the ones he got Taylor with. They probably wont hurt Tarver but they will score points

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Agreed.

Thing is...I just don't see it happening that way.

I just don't see anyone out there right now at 175lbs that can take Tarver out.

Truthfully...I'd have been a hell of a lot more satisfied with Hopkins retirement & Tarver vs Calzaghe...because I think that Calzaghe still has enough left to outbox Tarver.

:coolclick: Boom Boom.

Team Malignaggi fuming!

Tuesday, June 6 2006

http://www.fightnews.com/fightnews_2...ZqUGTzrjB.html


Team Malignaggi is upset about Friday's weigh in being held at 1 PM, rather than the traditional 5 PM start, for Saturday night's WBO light welterweight title match at Madison Square Garden between defending champion Miguel Cotto (26-0, 22 KOs) and Paulie "The Magic Man" Malignaggi (21-0, 5 KOs). Malignaggi's manager, Sal LoNano, questioned the weigh in time being so early. "This is a disgrace," he fumed. "Why is it at 1 o'clock? I've never heard of such a thing. It's usually at 5. I'm concerned about the safety of my fighter. By the time Paulie steps into the ring, he'll be fighting a super middleweight. I was even willing to do it at 3, but that's not an option. It (early weigh in) gives Cotto an edge; four extra hours to put weight back on, and four less hours of starving himself to make weight. It's just not fair and I'm very upset about this decision. I think we should consider asking a few doctors for their opinion about the potential safety and health issues of an early weigh in."

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

Truthfully...I'd have been a hell of a lot more satisfied with Hopkins retirement & Tarver vs Calzaghe...because I think that Calzaghe still has enough left to outbox Tarver.

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I agree. BUT if Hopkins pulls this one off it would be huge. He will have done something that no one else could...or it could go the way of his buisiness partner Oscar when they fought, and just be to much. I give B credit either way for getting in the ring with Tarver

and :coolclick: back. Im looking foward to the rbr. Just dont drink yourself into a coma if B-Hop loses ;D

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Originally Posted by BoomBoom

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Originally Posted by wacko3205

Truthfully...I'd have been a hell of a lot more satisfied with Hopkins retirement & Tarver vs Calzaghe...because I think that Calzaghe still has enough left to outbox Tarver.

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I agree. BUT if Hopkins pulls this one off it would be huge. He will have done something that no one else could...or it could go the way of his buisiness partner Oscar when they fought, and just be to much. I give B credit either way for getting in the ring with Tarver

and :coolclick: back. Im looking foward to the rbr. Just dont drink yourself into a coma if B-Hop loses ;D

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Heh heh heh. ;)