Miranda’s highs have included athrilling stoppage over South London’s Howard Eastman, a chilling first roundknockout over Willie Gibbs, and a rousing finish to his bout with Allan Green inwhich he floored the Tulsa, Oklahoma native twice late in the fight to cement adecision victory. In those fights Miranda showed great power and the necessaryhunger that is needed to survive in this sport, but unfortunately Miranda hashad his share of low moments inside the ropes.
In September of 2006 Miranda and IBFMiddleweight Champion Arthur Abraham engaged in one of the year’s most memorablebouts at the Rittal Arena in Germany. Despite breaking Abraham’s jaw and havingseveral big moments in the contest, Miranda was docked five points from JudgeRandy Neumann for low blows and an intentional head butt and would lose adecision by unanimous scores of 114-109, 115-109, and 116-109. The loss was hardto swallow but Miranda’s luster as a fighter was still intact due to the grit,determination, durability, and aggression he showed on that night.
While his initial loss to Abrahammay not have been completely devastating, Miranda has since had two knockoutlosses that must cause great concern to his followers. In May of 2007 Mirandamet up with Youngstown, Ohio’s Kelly Pavlik on the undercard of Jermain Taylorvs. Cory Spinks at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. On this night Pavliksimply seemed to overwhelm Miranda with his straightforward attack and adevastating seventh round stoppage ensued.
It was a humbling loss for Miranda,one that prompted a move up in weight and a different outlook for the Columbianbrawler. Miranda would go on to reel off a few more knockout victories beforeagain meeting up with Abraham in a hotly anticipated rematch. Little did he knowthat danger was again looming. After verbally degrading Abraham before thecontest, Miranda would get off to a fast start, only to be greeted by a crushingright hand in the fourth round. That right hand would floor Miranda and twofollow up knockdowns from Abraham had Miranda all but finished, with the fightbeing called at 1:13 of the fourth round.
In just a matter of a few yearsEdison Miranda has gone from a rising, can’t-miss prospect to a fighter with hisback against the wall and his career on the line. Miranda’s next pit stop is ahigh risk clash with undefeated Super Middleweight Andre Ward (18-0, 12 KO’s) atthe Oracle Arena in Ward’s native California soil. The buzz on this fightconcerning Miranda isn’t that of a fighter who’s engaging in a crossroads fightwith another up and comer, but that of just how badly Miranda needs this win.
The knockout losses to Pavlik andAbraham seemed to put a serious dent in Miranda’s armor and afterwards both hischin and mental psyche has been called into question. Despite being only 28years old, Miranda is regarded by some as having seen better days and a loss toWard, who is unproven in many areas yet undeniably talented, will put his careerin serious jeopardy.
On paper we have what looks to be anentertaining fight pitting Ward’s youth and athletic abilities against Miranda’spower and aggression, but underneath the surface the story is completelydifferent. This isn’t just a crossroads bout; this is a do or die fight forEdison Miranda. Long gone are the days when he was undefeated and fresh frominto his American venture in the sport and they have been replaced by the harshreality that this sport often dishes out. Edison Miranda is at a desperate pointin his career and the only thing that will keep it going will be a clear victoryover Andre Ward this Saturday night.
Questions or Comments can be sent to Chris atTrimond@aol.com
