THIS weekend, two boxers who figured in shameful misdeeds in their last fights will take center stage and hopefully redeem themselves and their sputtering careers.
One of them is our very own Bobby Pacquiao who will have his hands full against Humberto Soto of Mexico. The other is Zab Judah who will test the mettle of undefeated Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto.
To recall, Bobby misfired horribly several times during his seesaw battle with Hector Velasquez and was disqualified. Asked why he repeatedly targeted the Velasquez family jewels, Bobby who proudly carries the moniker “The Sniper” could only mutter the now (sadly) immortal phrase: “No, it was not a b..bb..blow blow!”
Judah was no slouch either. After falling behind on points, and realizing he could not beat Floyd Mayweather Jr., “Super” Judah finally agreed that his opponent was indeed a “Pretty Boy” and went right after the Mayweather heirlooms.
Pandemonium ensued, and luckily for Floyd, action was resumed a few minutes later and he was able to continue right where he left off-beating up Judah.
SOTO OVERRATED. The Last Round opines that Soto is vastly overrated at this point in his career. His only claim to fame is his unanimous decision win over featherweight bomber Rocky Juarez in 2005. He has five losses in his ledger, one of which was to Kevin Kelley whom Bobby kayoed inside of four rounds.
He is hardly worth the hype heaped upon him as a potential Manny Pacquiao opponent. Bobby is a much more credible opponent for him and a good measuring stick on how he would fare against the Pacman.
AIM HIGH BOBBY . I meant that both literally and figuratively. Bobby should just concentrate on boxing, period. No machismo stuff like what he showed against Velasquez. I always thought he had better boxing skills than his more illustrious brother and if he sticks to throwing combinations and outsmarting his Mexican foe, he will do just fine.
Soto also has a penchant for hitting the back of his opponent’s head and so Bobby better make sure his head is screwed on properly. He should make the most of this opportunity by not losing his cool. Beating a name opponent like Soto will go a long way to proving that his wins over world rated fighters Kevin Kelley and Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez were no flukes.
COTTO IN OCHO. Zab Judah will have his moments. He will probably find a home for that straight left hand several times in the fight. He might even stick out his tongue and showboat. With his fast hands, he surely will catch the slower Cotto with combinations.
But after Cotto weathers the storm, he will take over and impose his will on the immature Judah. When he does, Judah will implode, panic and do something regrettable.
The infraction against Mayweather was not Judah’s first.
If you recall, he went berserk and threw a chair at ref Jay Nady after being counted out in the first round against the legendary Kostya Tsyu.
My two-year-old daughter Jenya Mary Louise has shown more maturity than Zab as she apologetically strokes her older sister’s hair right after nailing her with a hard right hand.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK. Indeed, it takes one to know one.
“I am delighted that Paris is out. I look forward to seeing her with great anticipation…. What I would like to do is just see her, give her a big hug and tell her that I love her.”—Promoter Don King, a former prison inmate upon being informed that Paris Hilton was released from jail.
LAST ROUND. The last round is on Dr. Jesus Neri Jr. and his lovely wife Dr. Glenda Mayol-Neri who both read this column all the way from Detroit, Michigan. Cheers!
