Geno’s Boxing Corner

HBO has mastered the documentary and their 24/7 series has proven a great promotional tool for their pay per views. The network has always done this but on a smaller scale, directly before the fight as they introduce you to the boxers in the ring. The 24/7 series is very entertaining and informative and makes the casual boxing fans care about the combatants. When you look at a show like “The Contender,” you can see the benefit for a boxer and boxing when the personalities of fighters are brought to light. Alfonso Gomez and Sergio Mora could have easily been fighting in obscurity for their entire careers without the benefit of the show. HBO’s 24/7 is good for boxing and obviously good for the network and the subsequent pay per views.

The first installment of the Manny Pacquiao – Miguel Cotto 24/7 aired on Saturday, bringing the viewers right into the training camps and lives of the two fighters. Manny, training in the Philippines, was caught in a natural disaster as a typhoon hit the country. Pacquiao has been forced to swim rather than run due to the turmoil of the Philippines, something that he is not very good at and not accustomed to. Training in his homeland amongst the numerous typhoons that are currently hitting isn’t the only problem that Team Pacquiao is facing. Turmoil amongst the group, spreading even to trainer and fighter are concerns for the team. Pacquiao has his mind set on staying while trainer Freddie Roach has demanded departure causing a conflict between the two, while others in the Pacquiao training camp exchange punches.

The Cotto camp has a much more relaxed and apparently focused camp. The WBO Welterweight Champion looks strong and will be much more of a threat to the “Pacman” than Oscar De La Hoya or Ricky Hatton, the last two victims of the Pacquiao attack. Cotto’s only defeat being to Antonio Margarito can be dismissed when examining the evidence. Margarito’s use of plaster in his hand wraps destroyed Cotto’s face but was thankfully exposed by team Mosley in his next fight. The public can dismiss the loss but can Cotto’s psyche? That is a key element in this match up. If it gets rough and it most likely will, how will Cotto react?

The 24/7 episode ends with a feud between Roach and Pacquiao. Despite the problems at camp, Pacquiao has never missed a step in the ring. He is a professional and expect the problems to pass, although it does make for good television. HBO has scored a knockout once again with the 24/7 series. I can’t wait for the next installment.

The Rise of the Cruiserweights & The end of Golota

Andrew Golota, 41-8-1, 33 KO’s, is one of those heavyweights that seemed to be destined for great things. Undefeated, he went in against one of the top heavyweights of the time, Riddick Bowe in 1996. He would beat Bowe from the opening bell to the end of the fight, but would lose via disqualification when his shots strayed too low. He would repeat this in the rematch, but despite the two DQ losses, he was still considered a top fighter in the division and a potential future champion…if he could control his emotions in the ring. When he signed to fight Lennox Lewis for the WBC Heavyweight Title, many felt that there would be a new champion crowned, but in 95 seconds, Golota was left in a mangled heap.

Golota would lose all key match ups throughout his career, but came close to being champion a couple of times. He would face off against IBF Champion, Chris Byrd in 2004 and fought to a draw in a fight that many thought he won. He just missed being a champion, but it put him right into another opportunity against WBA Champ, John Ruiz. After dropping Ruiz twice, Golota faded late and lost a close decision that could have easily gone his way. Due to his performances against Byrd and Ruiz and ties with Don King, Golota was put directly back in with a champion, WBO title holder, Lamon Brewster.

It only took 52 seconds for the fourth and final title shot to evaporate. Golota, a notoriously slow starter paid dearly for it with the aggressive attacker. He never allowed Golota to warm up, and that was the end of the second run at the title, but there were plans in place for him to challenge IBF/IBO/WBO Heavyweight Champion, Wladimir Klitschko. If Golota could get beyond Ray Austin, he would have been in the ring for yet another title shot, but he would be stopped in one round and permanently knocked out of the title picture.

Last Saturday, Golota had one more chance in the limelight against fellow Pole, Tomasz Adamek, the Cruiserweight Champion with plans to conquer the heavyweight division. Adamek’s move is nothing new in boxing. Most notable cruiserweights find their way up to the heavyweight division with mixed results. Adamek has the power apparently, stopping Golota impressively in the fifth round, but at 214 pounds and only 6’1” in height, it is yet to be seen if he is large enough to compete with the Klitschko brothers.

One of the most impressive things about Adamek’s destruction of Golota was his ability to conquer a man that outweighed him by 42 pounds, and he did take some heavy punches by “the Foul Pole.” Golota is heavy-handed and proved that the durable chin of Adamek can take the heavyweight punch, but the Klitschko brothers are a few levels up in power and ability and it’s doubtful that Adamek would stand up to their incoming bombs.

Adamek and David Haye, former Cruiserweight Champions, are now attempting to take over the heavyweight division. Haye will be taking his shot at a title on November 7th against “The Russian Giant” Nikolay Valuev. Haye will be giving away nearly 100 pounds as he attempts to chop down the biggest man in the division. Despite the huge disparity in size, many believe that Haye will walk away with the title around his waist.

The best heavyweights of all time weren’t giant men. Joe Louis in his prime was 200 pounds, Muhammad Ali was 215, Rocky Marciano was 190, Joe Frazier, 205. When you go down the list of great heavies, they are, with the exception of Lennox Lewis, all in the 200-215 pound range, and we may very well see a return to that with Adamek and Haye.

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Source: http://ringsidereport.com/rsr/news.php?readmore=2317