PATRICK MCELLIGOTT PREVIEWS THE UPCOMING WEEK’S BEST BOXING MATCHES

Posted on | June 9, 2009 | No Comments

THURSDAY – at Los Angeles (Versus) – 6 rounds, featherweights: David Rodela (12-1-2, 6 KOs) vs. Juan Garcia (14-2, 5 KOs); 6 rounds, featherweights: Charles Huerta (10-0, 6 KOs) vs. Noe Lopez Jr. (4-0, 3 KOs); 6 rounds, super featherweights: Cornelius Lock (18-3-1, 11 KOs) vs. Vernie Torres (27-12, 15 KOs).

FRIDAY – at San Jose, California (ESPN2) – 10 rounds, super featheweights: Robert Guerrero (23-1-1, 16 KOs) vs. Efren Hinojosa (30-5-1, 17 KOs); 8 rounds, welterweights: Danny Garcia (12-0, 7 KOs) vs. Pavel Miranda (16-3, 8 KOs); 8 rounds, heavyweights: Ashanti Jordan (9-0, 7 KOs) vs. Brad Gregory (11-3, 9 KOs).

SATURDAY – at New York (HBO) – 12 rounds, welterweights: Miguel Cotto (33-1, 27 KOs) vs. Joshua Clottey (35-2, 20 KOs); 12 rounds, light flyweights: Ivan Calderon (32-0, 6 KOs) vs. Rodel Mayol (25-3, 19 KOs).

2009 may well be remembered as one of the most competitive years in the sport of boxing. There are important, and very interesting, fights being made at all levels of the sport. I think that this is due, in large part, from the pressure that promoters are feeling from the growing interest in MMA. Obviously, as long as each sport presents high quality matches, there will be an interested and satisfied fan base for both.

Before we look at this week’s fights, let’s take a moment to discuss some of the other boxing news. This weekend, the annual induction ceremonies will be held at the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY. The weekend provides fans with a unique opportunity to mingle with many of the boxing community’s greatest fighters – both active and retired. This year, the most significant inductee will be former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis. I will be reporting on events there in a column next week.

In other news, while the highly anticipated Klitschko vs Haye fight is off, Wladimir will be facing Ruslan Chagaev (25-0, 17 KOs) on June 20 for The Ring’s heavyweight title. It will be the first time that there has been an actual undisputed heavyweight champion, since Lennox Lewis retired. More, there are rumors that Haye may soon be scheduled to fight Vitali Klitschko, in what would undoubtedly be a more dangerous fight for the former cruiserweight.

Also in heavyweight news, George Foreman III made his pro debut on Saturday night. It seems the son of the great former two-time champion had great difficulty in finding an amateur opponent willing to fight him. While the sons of former champions have not usually lived up to their father’s legends, there is reason to believe that young Foreman may become a serious force in a division that needs excitement.

Finally, there are rumors that Sugar Shane Mosley is going to sign to fight Paul Williams. Though Mosley had hoped to secure a fight for more money against one of the more popular superstars in the sport, Mayweather, Pacquiao, and Cotto have other business to attend to. For boxing fans, however, a Mosley vs Williams match is by definition a “Super Fight.” Both are among the highest level of the sport’s elite talents.

Now, let’s look at the televised fights. This week, boxing fans will be treated to some competitive fights, that will provide an interesting look at three levels of talent. On Thursday, Versus features a good card, as part of a series that will showcase young contenders who are looking to break into the top layers of their divisions. Promoter Oscar de la Hoya recognizes that the sport needs to introduce the general sports fans to how boxing moves its young lions forward. I believe that this is one of the most important ideas – similar to Showtime’s “ShoBox” – and with Oscar promoting the fights, it increases the chances that Versus will be successful in gaining sports fans’ attention.

The ESPN Friday Night Fights continue to provide boxing fans with a high level of talent, usually in competitive matches, this year. Again, this is due to Teddy Atlas’s advocating for both the fighters and fans. However, the main event on Friday does not appear to meet that standard. Robert Guerreo, who had a disappointing fight in March, is scheduled to knock out a 37-year old journeyman. The opponent, who was a serious contender a decade ago, has only one win in the last four years, and that came by way of a disqualification. The undercard of the FNF looks to be much more interesting.

The most important card will be on HBO on Saturday night. In the co-feature, one of the very best pure boxers, Ivan Calderon, defends his title against hard punching Rodel Mayol. While Mayol’s three loses have come in his last six bouts – and his three victories were against opponents with a combined 18-15-4 record – Calderon is probably going to have to move up a weight class in order to fight someone who has any chance of matching his skill level.

The highly anticipated main event features two of the toughest warriors in the sport, Miguel Cotto versus Joshua Clottey. This is the type of fight that deserves to be held in NYC’s Madison Square Garden. Cotto is on the comeback trail, after his now questionable lose to Margarito. Since that lose in July of 2008, he looked impressive in his 5-round TKO victory over Michael Jennings. However, Clottey is a far tougher test.

Clottey has won five straight fights, since losing to Margarito in December of 2006. This includes impressive wins over Diego Corrales and, most recently, Zab Judah. In between those wins, Clottey also gave undefeated prospect Shamone Alvarez his first loss, in a 12-round decision.

Clottey was giving Margarito a tough time, until he broke one hand and seriously injured the other. Although many people think Cotto is simply too talented for Clottey, as long as Joshua’s hands hold up well, it is going to be an extremely tough fight. In fact, for fans who enjoy toe-to-toe action, this has the makings for a Fight of the Year.

Both men are solid punchers, with a high level of boxing skills. Both are also known to bend the rules from time to time; let’s hope that something like an “accidental” head butt does not cause a cut that influences the outcome. The two factors that I think could be the most important in what may become a war of attrition is: who can avoid taking the most clean punches early in the fight – especially body punches; and who is physically stronger, and can tire the other man out as the fight enters the final four rounds. As good as he is, Cotto has tired late in a couple of fights. To win this fight, he will need to be at his best. And, of course, Cotto at his best is very good for the sport of boxing!

Enjoy the fights.