Al Bernstein On Boxing: Lost In The Shuffle?

[CFH]

I've been waiting to see Clottey get another chance for a while. It always seemed like his was the forgetten man in what has been boxings most exciting division. I think the "trap game" analogy is a good one, but I don't think too many people are underestimating Clottey. Cotto is the favorite, and rightly so, but Clottey is a very dangerous opponent and I think most people recognize that. I think Cotto will win, but I think it will be a very close fight.

Where the hell is Diane by the way?

Weren't they the same person?

No, they weren't. Anyone who thinks they were the same person is a gibbering moron. It sucks that she got run out of here because of childish beefs.

[Chris Nagel]

Thanks Al Bernstein, I enjoyed that. It brings some much needed attention to what some might not consider a high profile fight.

Cotto has always been a pleasing fighter to watch, even when the momentum turned against him in his bout with Margarito. Clottey is a worthy opponent for Cotto, showing that he's not just an average fighter in his fights against Zab Judah and Margarito. The fight should prove that he's not just a pick-me-up to jumpstart Cotto's career but rather a strong challenger that'll give Cotto a run for the money. I look forward to watching this action fight.

I didn't catch your first article here, but I'll be sure to tune in and read what you have to say from now on. Keep up the good writing.

[Preme]

nice read and a lot of good points, always enjoyed your work. Welcome to the site.

[bcollins]

Excellent article! I agree with most of the people here - Clottey is a dangerous opponent, but Cotto should be able to get past him. However, it still remains to be seen how Cotto will do against a fighter like Clottey so soon after the Margarito loss. This is a big challenge and should give us a good glimpse into what the future will hold for Cotto. I personally think he'll get back on track, but I'll be watching this fight to see for myself

[Scrap]

I think its a pickum, enjoyed the read easy to understand. Mind sense always is .

[boozeboxer]

Good article bringing to light a very relevant fight at one of the best weights.

[Gandalf]

Very interesting read, thanks Al!

The Cotto/Clottey fight does seem to be a little under the radar as compared with other big name fights taking place this year. It has the potential to be a very good fight. Two of the best in the same weight class going at it. No catch weights or anything like it to detract, just a good old fashioned fight between two fighters who are able to make in on equal terms. I have high expectations for it.

[JT Rock]

Good well rounded article Al. I have been singing Clottey's praises for a while now. The guy is solid as a rock with a great defense and a steel will.

I am picking Clottey and it wont be an upset IMO. Cotto has problems when he cant break his man down and with Joshua's size, strength and defense Cotto is going to have to fight in reverse and although he fought beautifully off the back foot against Mosely, Clottey will pick his shots better and be more measured about it limiting Cotto's counters.

Thanks and great to have you aboard AL

[Mark TKO]

cheers for that Al - I had forgotten about this one coming up

Have to admit I have yet to see Clottey fight but I had looked at his record when it was announced and thought that this may be an uneasy night for Cotto.

So now I am looking at the TV schedules - not too sure if we going to get it over here in UK ??

[XaduBoxer]

Good article Mr. AL ... I'm glad to have the same pick (Clottey) with a well known boxing historian...

More power...
.

[XaduBoxer]

link --> Pacquiao May Be Best Ever Under 135

by Al Bernstein

I have taken some time to let the events of May 2 gestate a little. I have rolled them around in my mind and come up with some historical perspective. I now believe this basic fact, IF Manny Pacquiao can beat any one of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, or Miguel Cotto, he will have stamped himself the best fighter EVER at 135 pounds or below. Here is my reasoning. The quartet of Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barerra, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales produced the greatest series of fights seen at any time in boxing. They occured during a decade's span in a few weight divisions. This series of fights exceeded even the Hagler, Leonard, Duran, and Hearns combinations of matches. I know, many of you are gasping at that last statement, but it's true. Pacman and his little crew overall had more classic battles than Hagler and his legendary bunch. And, even though Marquez has a legitimate argument to the contrary because of his two close fights with Pacquiao, Manny narrowly emerged from that pack with the best results and biggest name. And then Manny did something that really seperated him from that group--he moved up in weight and dominated. Now, I fully understand that David Diaz at i35 was only a so-so lightweight champ, and Oscar De La Hoya ended up being a shell of his former self when he fought Pacquiao (although he was a big favorite before the fight). And, I also conceed that Ricky hatton had slipped in recent fights--and many thought he was never a great fighter. But, still, the WAY Pacquiao won over Ricky was impressive.

All of that is why I am not quite ready to totally make Manny a deity--but I am close. If he beats one of the aforementioned fighters he will have proved that no one in history has been able to dominate the smaller weight divisions like him. From 112 all the way to 147 he has performed well. That's astonishing.

[ICB]

link --> Pacquiao May Be Best Ever Under 135

by Al Bernstein

I have taken some time to let the events of May 2 gestate a little. I have rolled them around in my mind and come up with some historical perspective. I now believe this basic fact, IF Manny Pacquiao can beat any one of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, or Miguel Cotto, he will have stamped himself the best fighter EVER at 135 pounds or below. Here is my reasoning. The quartet of Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barerra, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales produced the greatest series of fights seen at any time in boxing. They occured during a decade's span in a few weight divisions. This series of fights exceeded even the Hagler, Leonard, Duran, and Hearns combinations of matches. I know, many of you are gasping at that last statement, but it's true. Pacman and his little crew overall had more classic battles than Hagler and his legendary bunch. And, even though Marquez has a legitimate argument to the contrary because of his two close fights with Pacquiao, Manny narrowly emerged from that pack with the best results and biggest name. And then Manny did something that really seperated him from that group--he moved up in weight and dominated. Now, I fully understand that David Diaz at i35 was only a so-so lightweight champ, and Oscar De La Hoya ended up being a shell of his former self when he fought Pacquiao (although he was a big favorite before the fight). And, I also conceed that Ricky hatton had slipped in recent fights--and many thought he was never a great fighter. But, still, the WAY Pacquiao won over Ricky was impressive.

All of that is why I am not quite ready to totally make Manny a deity--but I am close. If he beats one of the aforementioned fighters he will have proved that no one in history has been able to dominate the smaller weight divisions like him. From 112 all the way to 147 he has performed well. That's astonishing.

Lets not get carried away Al and forget fighters like Ricardo Lopez, Willie Pep.

[ICB]

Good article Mr. AL ... I'm glad to have the same pick (Clottey) with a well known boxing historian...

More power...
.

Have you ever seen Joshua Clottey vs Richard Gutierrez ? because if you have i would be worried if your Joshua Clottey fan, because he struggled with body shots in that fight. He almost also got himself DQ again like he did in the Carlos Baldomir fight, and he only had an injured hand against Antonio Margarito, not a broken hand and fighters have won with far worst injuries. I seriously question Joshua Clottey's desire i really do.

[XaduBoxer]

Good article Mr. AL ... I'm glad to have the same pick (Clottey) with a well known boxing historian...

More power...
.

Have you ever seen Joshua Clottey vs Richard Gutierrez ? because if you have i would be worried if your Joshua Clottey fan, because he struggled with body shots in that fight. He almost also got himself DQ again like he did in the Carlos Baldomir fight, and he only had an injured hand against Antonio Margarito, not a broken hand and fighters have won with far worst injuries. I seriously question Joshua Clottey's desire i really do.

I think a healthy 100% Clottey will give Cotto a very tough fight or totally upset Cotto.... Sure Cotto can target Clottey's body but he must watch out very carefully the stinging counterpunches combos from Clottey...

I think Cotto will avoid a toe-to-toe battle coz Clottey got very fast hands and tight defense... Clottey will pressure Cotto with his forward movement, tight defense and fast stinging combos until Cotto gets tired and forced to go toe-to-toe which will be Cotto's downfall...
.

[XaduBoxer]

link --> Pacquiao May Be Best Ever Under 135

by Al Bernstein

I have taken some time to let the events of May 2 gestate a little. I have rolled them around in my mind and come up with some historical perspective. I now believe this basic fact, IF Manny Pacquiao can beat any one of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Shane Mosley, or Miguel Cotto, he will have stamped himself the best fighter EVER at 135 pounds or below. Here is my reasoning. The quartet of Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barerra, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales produced the greatest series of fights seen at any time in boxing. They occured during a decade's span in a few weight divisions. This series of fights exceeded even the Hagler, Leonard, Duran, and Hearns combinations of matches. I know, many of you are gasping at that last statement, but it's true. Pacman and his little crew overall had more classic battles than Hagler and his legendary bunch. And, even though Marquez has a legitimate argument to the contrary because of his two close fights with Pacquiao, Manny narrowly emerged from that pack with the best results and biggest name. And then Manny did something that really seperated him from that group--he moved up in weight and dominated. Now, I fully understand that David Diaz at i35 was only a so-so lightweight champ, and Oscar De La Hoya ended up being a shell of his former self when he fought Pacquiao (although he was a big favorite before the fight). And, I also conceed that Ricky hatton had slipped in recent fights--and many thought he was never a great fighter. But, still, the WAY Pacquiao won over Ricky was impressive.

All of that is why I am not quite ready to totally make Manny a deity--but I am close. If he beats one of the aforementioned fighters he will have proved that no one in history has been able to dominate the smaller weight divisions like him. From 112 all the way to 147 he has performed well. That's astonishing.

Lets not get carried away Al and forget fighters like Ricardo Lopez, Willie Pep.

Finito and Pep are great boxers but they dominated basically just one division unlike PAC who performed well from 112 to 147 division (an amazing span of 9 divisions)... PAC is a 4-time lineal champ and got titles in 6 different weight divisions... Very impressive resume...

I totally agree with Mr. Al Berstein that PAC probably the best fighter ever at 135 and below...
.