Klitschko vs Klitschko.: Mama Said Knock You Out!
Wladimir Klitschko recently stated that he would entertain a fight against older brother Vitali under one condition. That condition would come down to the 'queen bee' of the family, Mother Klitschko. In an interview with "The Independent", Wladimir went on record saying that it would "be a very bloody and brutal war", as he is "the better technical fighter of the two, while Vitali is the stronger". For years it seemed the closest we would ever come to such a showdown would be on EA's Fight Night, but apparently, after such a stark revelation from Wladimir, we now learn that this possibility is not game at all....literally. That being said, we can now put away the X-Box and Playstations', and go retro by playing an old-fashioned game of "Mother May I"? (Am I getting old, or is there anyone else out there that remembers that game)?
Clottey: Last Chance To Dance?
This weekend, Joshua Clottey will get a well deserved shot at doing something that measures 'more than words' when he faces Puerto Rican phenom Miguel Cotto. Cotto is considered the favorite in the fight, but we learn time and time again in the sport of boxing that there's nothing like a fighter with the 'eye of the tiger'. After Cotto defeated Jennings, Clottey was - in his words - "beyond happy" because Arum "answered his prayers" prior to the fight when he promised (him) "a shot at Cotto". The only other time I could remember a fighter being this passionate about a shot at another fighter was when Antonio Tarver got the rematch against Roy Jones jr. After finally getting a shot at redemption for something he felt had eluded him, Tarver stepped in the ring in that night with an agenda and the rest was history. In a similar parallel, a lost for Cotto could be catastrophic for a fighter who has seen his share of turbulent times recently. No doubt, Cotto will come to fight, but thankfully for the fans, apparently, so will Clottey. Should be a wild one. Gentleman, protect yourselves at all times!
Paul Williams: Desperate For A Blind Date?
Paul Williams once again finds himself in an odd position. The wiry framed freak-of-nature recently stated that "most fighters have an opponent scheduled first, but in my case, I only have a date". Running back and forth between three divisions hasn't produced an opponent, but neither has it produced fatigue. Williams seems to be comfortable playing the role of the chaser....atleast for now. Among that list of candidates he'd like to see in the ring....Mosley, Pavlik, Calzaghe, Pacquiao, Mayweather and some unknown contender named Anyone L. Ssss. It doesn't seem like the first five on that list will come through anytime soon, so can the promoter of Anyone L. Ssss please contact Williams' management. There's a big dance scheduled in the world of boxing but despite having a date (set), he doesn't have a 'date' yet!
Mayweather jr.: Preparing for a rematch with Arturo Gatti?
Floyd Mayweather sr. was recently asked about his sons upcoming showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez and stated in so many words that he sees this fight being nothing more than a revisit to the fight his son had with Arturo Gatti. For avid fight fans, despite his tough mettle and bruising style, a comparison of Marquez to Gatti is quite a contrast. Gatti has had some great ring moments, but Marquez is arguably one of the top 5 fundamental boxers in the sport. Can't say I see this one being as one-sided....not even close; but what I can say is that considering the Mexican ancestry of Marquez, perhaps Castillo/Mayweather (1) would be the best revisit, because this fight may very well come down to a close controversial decision...which (if it goes to Floyd) would mean Marquez would go down as a great fighter who continued to come so close yet so far - questionably failing twice against Manny, and potentially once the 'Money-Man'.
Cotto/Clottey: Mercante, Mercante Not...
Many have felt for a while that the outcome of the Cotto/Clottey fight could come down to the way the fight is officiated. After wondering who would get the nod, we now learn that Arthur Mercante will be the man. Over the years, Mercante has seen his fair share of action, going all the way back to the first Ali/Frazier. Well, not so fast. Actually that was his Dad, Arthur Sr. Arthur Mercante Jr. - (who will officiate this fight) - is a referee that many respect, but his last major title fight was June of '07 when he was the third man in the ring between Cotto and Judah. Despite not having his Dad's resume, Mercante is well respected in the ring, but if the same Cotto who decided to 'go low' on Judah in that fight shows up, an inability to deduct points could be the difference in the outcome. Remember where this discussion started....and hope like hell that it also ends there! Another questionable outcome decision would not be good for the sport.
Mike Tyson: 3rd Times A Charm....
Mike Tyson has once again made the news. Recently, it was the sad and unfortunate loss of his daughter, but this time around it's a brighter note, as the 'Dynamite Kid' stepped into another ring of sorts....A wedding ring, as he and long time girlfriend Lakiha Spicer tied the knot. For 'Iron' Mike, this is the third time, and after dealing with a life of turbulent troubles and falling from grace, a more humbled and subdued Tyson may in fact be precisely what the doctor ordered. Congrats to Mike! This has to be a match made in heaven. Who else on this earth could ever be a more perfect match for a woman with the last name "Spicer"? Gotta love it!
Haye: From The Front To The 'Back'...
After seeing Ruslan Chagaev fail to make the bell for his showdown with Valuev, it appears the heavyweight trend is once again in full effect as David Haye backed out of his showdown with Wladimir Klitschko, citing injury. The troubling thing about this whole scenario was the fact that the stories from Haye's camp were initially conflicted. Some sources reported a hand injury, others reported that it was his back - which is now confirmed - but of all the reports, the ones which came from actual sparring partners in the camp (David Price in particluar) are perhaps the ones that most will find as a link to the truth. According to Price, Haye was "fine" when he last saw him, and hours later the camp was shut down and the sparring help was informed that they could return home. Playing devils advocate isn't always a great thing, particularly when it comes to questioning someones integrity, but sources close to the fighter have gone public with sentiments that say Haye's decision actually had more to do with the fact that U.K. sports satellite station Setanta's money trouble has finally caught up with them and they're literally on the brink of going bust. This theory is supported by Setanta's request that Haye take a reduction on their original contractual agreement for the pay he would receive in the fight. Whatever the case may be, perhaps we'll never know, but what we do know is that once again politics have won and defeated the desire of fans to see the best fights happen. Bummer.
Margarito: Dancin' In September?
News coming from several sources close to the situation is that welterweight Antonio Margarito may indeed be on his way back to the ring after initially being suspended by the California State Athletic Commision. For now, this is little more than speculation, but in the words of Margarito, his license will be reinstated "this month" if the efforts of his attorneys produce the desired results. With so much going on in the welterweight world, things could really heat up if granite-chinned Mexican warrior is added to the mix. With Mayweather, Pacquiao, Cotto, Mosley and company heating things up at '47, needless to say there's more than one 'big dance' in town, but after being idle for nearly 6 months now, it appears Margarito is once again ready to lace up those dancin' shoes. Stay tuned.
(Vivek Wallace can be reached at: Vivexemail@yahoo.com, Facebook, and Myspace).
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