Boxing's Huge Fall Season
Hatboro, PA (Sports Network) - The NFL season just kicked off and the baseball season is ending with some very interesting pennant races. So sports fans have their pick of what they want to watch on the tube. But perhaps the most intriguing sport this fall will be boxing, as it is lining up the best fall fight season in recent memory. There are plenty of exciting bouts, including Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera II on Oct. 6th, and Ricky Hatton vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr on Dec. 8th, but two others in particular are most worthy of your attention:
Saturday September 29th, Live on HBO
Middleweight Championship Bout: Undefeated World Champion Jermain Taylor (27-0) vs. Undefeated Number 1 Contender Kelly Pavlik (31-0)
This action-packed affair, is a potential fight of the year candidate. These former amateur rivals have a lot to prove. Taylor has to show that his recent lackluster performances can be attributed to a lack of a marquee opponent, while Pavlik will be out to show that he is a supreme Middleweight knockout artist.
I really believe Pavlik will knock out Taylor, as Jermain has gotten complacent. Whether you attribute it to money or a lack of focus, no one can deny that Taylor is not fighting up to his potential. His last fight against Cory Spinks was one of the worst boxing bouts in the last five years. Pavlik, on the other hand, has looked spectacular, and his win over Edison Miranda was fantastic.
Saturday November 12th Live on HBO PPV
Sugar Shane Mosley (44-4) vs. Miguel Cotto (30-0) for the WBA Welterweight Championship of the World
Rarely do we get a fight where you are going to be guaranteed action, but this is one such event. Make no mistake, if you have the opportunity to scrounge up 50 bucks for this fight, do it. Or if you are on a budget, get your buddies to go 10 dollars a piece. This fight will be worth it.
The bout has it all. A legend who is a little bit past his best - Mosley - and a young superstar looking to ascend to the top of his profession - Cotto. A Mosley victory will put him among the top-5 fighters of the last 20 years. A Cotto victory will propel him into the Puerto Rican legend status that Felix Trinidad once owned. The fight will take place in New York's hallowed Madison Square Garden, home of some of the greatest fights in history. This one might take its place as one of those classics.
You want a pick? Well it's tough, a pick 'em fight in my opinion. I am leaning towards Cotto's youth, but the 36-year-old Mosley is not to be slept on. He is a special fighter and may be able to put together another great performance.
Watch this fight!
NOT GOOD FOR THE GHOST
You have to feel bad for IBF Featherweight Champion Robert 'The Ghost' Guerrero (20-1-1). First, respected hard-hitting Rocky Juarez backed out what would have been a title defense for Guerrero, instead jumping at an opportunity to engage top-10, pound-for-pound fighter, Juan Manual Marquez. Guerrero acquired a different opponent on the same card, Martin Honorio (23-3-1), only to find out the September 15th date was cancelled due to a Marquez injury.
But the best things come to those who wait, and the Ghost will get his opportunity to fight Honorio on Showtime on November 3rd. A prime time date, and he hopes it will be a prime time performance.
"I was a little bit disappointed, but this is boxing and you just have to be ready. I am excited to defend my title," explained Guerrero.
The Ghost is training with his father for this fight and is hoping to join the ranks of some other successful father-son teams, namely Shane Mosley and Jack Mosley. Ironically, he has had an opportunity to work out with the Mosley's.
"There is nothing better to accomplish something huge with your father. It is also a great opportunity to be working out with a great fighter like Shane Mosley," said Guerra.
Guerrero's opponent, Martin Honorio, is not a marquee name, but Guerrero will not be looking past him. "He ain't a pushover. And he will come to fight. You can't look past anybody, because anything can happen."
ESPINO EMERGING
Some might remember Middleweight contender Miguel Espino (16-2-1) from his experience during the first season of 'The Contender.' But since his close loss to Peter Manfredo on that show, he has won seven fights in a row. And he will be fighting Friday, September 21st against journeymen Arturo Ortega (12-5-1), and will be trying to make his way up the Middleweight ladder.
"I am like a mechanic, I like hands-on training," said Espino.
If he keeps on winning, there will be more opportunities out there for him. He is a tall rangy middleweight who can box, and has a chance to do some damage in the near future.
