This week, the TV Cheat Sheet combines the main event from tonight?s ?ESPN2 Friday Night Fights? show and tomorrow?s tantalizing super middleweight showdown on EPIX. This is brought about because the ?FNF? card lacked a co-main event until Wednesday; plus, I frankly wanted to give more exposure to the very attractive Lucian Bute ? Carl Froch clash on EPIX (6 p.m., ET, 3 p.m., PT). ESPN2 continues a year of international flair by pitting South Korean caveman impersonator Ji-Hoon Kim against Uzbekistan?s volume-punching Alisher Rahimov in the worldly environs of St. Charles, Missouri. The best 168-pound fight that can be made without Andre Ward is on tap for Saturday and it should be an evenly contested fight until Bute or Froch digs deep to separate himself from a worthy adversary.
At the Ameristar Casino, St. Charles, MO (ESPN2) Alisher Rahimov (23-0) vs. Ji-Hoon Kim (23-7)
Alisher Rahimov ? I liken this Uzbekistan native to 1930s-era fighters like Lou Ambers or Battling Battalino, a hard worker without much power who gets inside and throws punches that opponents can?t match and get tired of getting hit with. Like those men, Rahimov is more than a brawler, punching intelligently with form and not winging punches at his opponent?s head without an overall strategy. The 34-year-old Rahimov is a former amateur standout, fighting for 12 years in the unpaid ranks, amassing nearly 300 bouts. Topped out with an appearance at the 2000 Olympics but lost in the quarterfinals, turning pro four years later when he lost in the final pre-Olympic qualifier. Rahimov?s professional talent is an extension of that amateur pedigree, undefeated in 23 bouts (52% kayo ratio) and brought in by Manny Pacquiao as a sparring partner to emulate Ricky Hatton?s inside attack that Rahimov also likes to apply. A short fighter standing a smallish but stout 5?5??, Rahimov is a strong physical presence without possessing a big punch. I expected more from Rahimov by now but his career stalled over the last three years, only fighting twice in 2009 and 2011 and once in 2010. However, all except one of those fights was against solid opposition, with Rahimov proving himself by traveling to Mexico and winning a 12-round decision over tough Sergio Thompson. Has a nonchalant ?Been there, done that? facial expression while fighting and frankly, except for facing a championship-level foe, he has. Keeps both hands high on defense and because of it, sometimes releases his punches almost at shoulder level. Likes to come straight at opponents and almost squares his shoulders to foes but can lead with either hand because of that dangerous strategy. In fact, Rahimov?s biggest strength is that you never know what punch he is going to throw since he has such good balance. On the inside, will rattle off a series of punches based on openings instead of winging a combination he was taught to throw in certain situations. While primarily an orthodox boxer, Rahimov looks comfortable throwing leads with either hand and his jab is accurate but not particularly hard. Rahimov is fluid, changing from defense to offense and vice versa, seemingly always having his feet under him, providing a solid foundation for counters or infighting. Like most Eastern European boxers, always enters in top shape (gone 12 rounds three times), and tonight, Rahimov can prove he is ready for a title shot.
Ji-Hoon Kim ? Boxing fans enjoy Kim because he falls behind in fights before rallying to erase the judges? scorecards with one punch. Hard fights may be catching up to Kim, losing two of his last four, but he won a close 10-round decision over a 3-0 novice before a comfortable victory on ESPN against fellow brawler Yakubu Amidu. Kim had fashioned himself into a borderline top-10 guy but fell short in title bout against underrated Miguel Vazquez and was then unexpectedly blown out in one round by Leonardo Zappavigna. Scored impressive wins before those setbacks, roaring back from early deficits to bludgeon Tyrone Harris and Ameth Diaz into submission. The Korean came up the hard way, turning pro at 17 (only began boxing at age 16), losing three of his first five fights. Reeled off five wins before he was overmatched, losing two 10-rounders before his 13th pro fight. Kim displayed mental resiliency to fight his way to this point and did not lose in a four-year span, running up a 13-fight winning streak. Notably, five of those wins came outside of Korea. Beat former Olympian Koba Gogoladze in American debut, where Kim was rocked hard before coming back to score a first round kayo. An all-action, ?I dare you to stand in front of me? brawler with a legitimate 60% kayo ratio who can wear on foes or stop them with one punch. At 25, has blossomed in terms of strength, which he combines with the worth ethic of a manic monk. Despite lack of defense, has only been stopped twice and has shown endurance, retaining punching power late while taking punches throughout. Also, Kim just looks like a big beast, perhaps because of his height (5?9??) mixed with small waist and long arms. Wears on opponents through contact or leaning of any kind and is comfortable offensively on the outside or inside. Super strong for the weight, Kim?s right hand ranks with the most explosive in the division. Had no amateur bouts, learning on the fly and in gyms. Enters fights in phenomenal shape to continuously rally in fights and demonstrates superb recuperative powers. An awkward fighter as well, coming at opponents from odd angles with sweeping punches that are difficult to imitate for sparring partners. Win or lose, Kim will be a mainstay on American television because of his ultra-tough and exciting fighting style for as long as his body can endure the strains he puts on it.
Verdict ? Kim has the physical advantages while Rahimov is the superior boxer but, most importantly, Rahimov fights to his strengths and Kim does not use his size to maximum advantage. People overlook that Rahimov easily outpointed former world title challenger Stanyslav Merdov, who is taller than Kim (at 5?11? vice 5?9??) and a similarly physical force with a hard punch. On the basis of that and favoring boxers over brawlers when matched against another, I have to go with Rahimov?s skills and own brand of toughness. Rahimov?s feet will allow him to get breathers when needed but otherwise, I see the Uzbeki digging in and going inside to land shorter and more accurate punches. It is a dangerous strategy since Kim is more powerful in every way and sports one-punch kayo power but Rahimov?s pedigree and experience should see him through. I like Rahimov by two points on all scorecards since this will be a tough fight and not a one-way affair.
At the Nottingham Arena, Nottingham, England (EPIX) Lucian Bute (30-0) vs. Carl Froch (28-2) (The Ring magazine #1 light heavyweight vs. #2) (IBF light heavyweight belt)
Carl Froch – First, a mea culpa. Initially, I thought Froch was overhyped by the British press and that he most certainly thought too much of his own skills (calling out Joe Calzaghe before Froch was a champion). Though I am right on the second part, no one can be as good as Froch thinks he is. I thought Jean Pascal would defeat Froch when the pair met in 2008 and have to say Froch won me over the way he battled and outwilled a more physically gifted opponent. Since then, I have reassessed Froch and correctly picked him to defeat Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell and Glen Johnson. Froch started to box at the age of nine, was a two-time English champion and won a bronze medal at the 2001 World Amateur Championships. Estimates his amateur record at 88-8 and turned pro late at age 25. Continues to retain reflexes (needed for low guard on defense but uses his shoulders well as a barrier) that keep him out of trouble on defense and lend themselves well to his favorite fast up-jab/quick right hand combination. The Pascal bout was a give-and-take fight, the pair absorbing punches that should have dropped them, and both men had to rely on pure adrenaline to get through rough patches. I underestimated Froch in that fight but never again since he proved his worth fighting a list of opponents the equal of any fighter the last couple of years, taking on the hardest foes in his division. Froch exhibits a never-say-die attitude which will serve him well in any fight and keeps the pressure on foes, mentally and physically. I am most impressed by how Froch does not hesitate to launch punches simultaneously with speedier opponents, though obviously slower. Froch is willing to accept whatever comes his way in order to land his own punches. Watching that, you gain a lot of respect for a fighter and look forward to seeing him again. The Jermain Taylor comeback win was a breakout performance for Froch in America and his aggressive manner and post-fight interviews do not lose him any fans. I would classify Froch as an educated mauler who uses his skills to inflict damage on opponents instead of the scorecard. For one punch, Froch is as quick and accurate as anyone in boxing but has problems when asked to stretch that one punch into an effective combination. Simply put, a cocky S.O.B. who is must-see-TV.
Lucian Bute ? Romanian-born boxer/puncher has established himself as a fan favorite in Canada and fought his way to the top of the super middleweight division without the aid of Showtime?s ?Super Six? tourney. An affable personality and charity work aids his ticket-selling prowess, with only the beloved Montreal Canadiens hockey team receiving higher TV ratings. Mostly, as with all fighters, fans are drawn to Bute because he scores knockouts (24 stoppages in 30 fights) and does not duck challenges. Like many fighters from the former Soviet Bloc, Bute is an ardent student of boxing with a solid amateur background. However, Bute?s amateur pedigree is not overwhelming when compared to other boxers from Eastern Europe who graduated to professional titles. Apart from winning a bronze medal at the 1999 amateur world championships, Bute did not excel in major international tourneys. Bute?s pressing style, which slowly overtakes and envelops foes, is more suited for fights that extend beyond four rounds. Bute is a boxer who picks his shots wisely and makes every blow count as part of an overall strategy; no punch or movement is wasted. He rarely lunges or overextends to land a looping punch on a retreating opponent, aware that his style and wit will afford more opportunities as the rounds progress. Intelligence showed in Bute?s knockout of Librado Andrade with a body punch, knowing Andrade had an impervious jaw from their previous bout. Is solid on defense where, much like his offense, Bute does everything well and does not open up enough to cause large holes or leave himself off-balance. Because of a lack of dazzling speed, overwhelming one-punch power or fancy feet, Bute still remains underrated. Then Bute steps between the ropes and slowly reels in a big fish opponent, employing a sound strategy and cutting off the ring to force opponents to engage him. Best asset is the compactness of Bute?s punches (and he might be the best body puncher in boxing) which give little hint of their arrival since he has an uncanny ability to slide close to an opponent before hooking to the head or body. At age 32, is leaving his prime, so it?s disappointing to see Bute only averaging two fights a year. The schedule has worked for him, with Bute making the 10th defense of his title tomorrow night, winning all but two thus far via stoppage. The way I describe Bute?s boxing style is that he creeps up on foes and, like a boa constrictor, slowly chokes the air out of them as the rounds progress.
Verdict ? Instead of sitting on his butt and waiting for Andre Ward to sign a contract, Bute takes on the next toughest challenge by facing toughman Carl Froch in Froch?s hometown. Gotta admire that and I believe it is that kind of confident thinking which gets Bute through the fight despite a less-than-optimal training camp. Both men are to be complimented as Froch is due an easy fight after taking on nothing but elite competition since 2008. Bute?s punches are slightly straighter and are set up better with lateral movement, compared to Froch. Given that advantage, Bute beats Froch to the point of engagement and is why I am picking him. My concern is the judges do not see it that way and are swayed by the rabid fan support of Froch?s countrymen. I can?t get the vision of Jermain Taylor and Mikkel Kessler employing their basic but complete styles to control Froch?s aggression out of my head. Bute is every bit the complete boxer that Kessler and Taylor are, with better footwork and more precise punches to boot. Froch never goes away easily and will force his way into the fight in the middle rounds by getting his underrated jab on track to find the range of Bute at mid-ring. Bute will have his way early but barely holds on in the championship rounds with his early bodywork doing just enough to slow Froch?s late surge. Bute edges a split decision on the road that would have been a unanimous decision win by two points anywhere else. I can even see a draw but it should be an entertaining fight that warrants a rematch.
Prediction record for 2012: 82% (46-10) Prediction record in 2011: 88% (138-19) Prediction record in 2010: 85% (218-40)
