THE BEAUTY OF BOXING
Fights like James Kirkland vs Alfredo Angulo are why boxing is the best sport one earth. I’m stumbling to find where this ranks in boxing history, but the mere fact that it all but promised to deliver and then did MORE than expected leaves me speechless. While boxing has its memorable wars, what are the top 5 fights that had as much hype and then delivered more than advertised? — JB
The top five high-profile fights that looked awesome on paper and still managed to exceed all expectations that I?ve had the honor of covering are as follows:
1. Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez III
2. Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo I
3. Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales I
4. Juan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz I
5. Johnny Tapia-Paulie Ayala I
Great fights that delivered more than advertised that I didn?t cover but watched on TV from home, a friend?s house or a bar (where I had the extreme pleasure of jumping out of my seat and cheering like a lunatic) include: Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward I, Wladimir Klitschko-Lamon Brewster I, and that badass scrap we all witnessed Saturday night from Cancun, Mexico.
BRING ON MARTINEZ!
After what I saw last night, Mexico better keep Canelo Alvarez away from James Kirkland because he would get destroyed. Kirkland is the best junior middleweight in the world and if he can’t get any of the junior middleweights to fight him, he should go north and fight Sergio Martinez. Lou Da Bully is saying there’s no one out there for Martinez, well give James a chance. Martinez would have his hands full with a non-stop pressure fighter like Kirkland and I don’t think he’s dealt with that kind of whirlwind since he was knocked out by Antonio Margarito. Plus, Martinez is no spring chicken and James is HUNGRY! — Tyler
Kirkland was nothing short of spectacular on Saturday. He out-badassed a card-carrying badass in thrilling fashion. However, born-again Kirkland fans should no get carried away. Yes, he proved to be the best 154-pound fighter on the planet, but that doesn?t mean he can beat the best 154-pound boxers around. I don?t think I?d pick him over Sergei Dzinziruk or Erislandy Lara or even Austin Trout (who finally gets some much-deserved TV exposure on ShoBox this Friday).
Put him in there with Paul Williams, Vanes Martirosyan or Alvarez, and yeah, he?ll get my pick. However, those fights won?t be a walk in the park for Kirkland. Williams can match Kirkland?s frenetic pace and insane punch output. Martirosyan can trouble ?Mandingo? with his hand speed and lateral movement. And Canelo might still be wet behind the ears but, unlike Angulo, the kid can do more than one thing in the ring. Alvarez actually tries to defend himself in there (something Angulo and Kirkland don?t really care to do) and he won?t march forward if it doesn?t suit him. He can move a bit and counter-punch well. If Kirkland fought Angulo now, he?d overwhelm Canelo, but I think it would be a fight. A year from now, I might go with Alvarez.
