Manfredo was ROBBED !

The least they could have done was let it go a little longer. Manfredo was still conscious to the point that he had both hands together in front of his face. He no doubt was praying that Calzaghe would punch himself out or at least break his other hand. Having watched it again, I just had this feeling that something was wrong. Sergio Mora had pretty fast hand speed when he an Manfredo had met. I didn't understand why Manfredo couldn't stop or at least defend better against Calzaghe. I would guess that Calzaghe's punches may have been hurting Manfredo where Mora's weren't. I also didn't appreciate Larry " I should have retired 10 years ago "Merchant making all those "reality TV boxers" type comments. You can have whatever opinion you want about Manfredo's ability, but he is a professional boxer and he deserves opportunities just like anyone else. I am proud to say that I am a fan of Manfredo's and congratulations should go to Calzaghe, but in Calzaghe's hometown, with his 35,000 fans and homegrown referee, I still say MANFREDO was robbed.

Joltin Joe !

No not Frazier, Joe Louis of course. He was a "joltin joe" long before Joe Frazier was. It is always tough to compare boxers from one generation to the next. Joe Louis defended his World title 25 times. I believe that is a record that still holds strong today. He was 10-3 vs other hall of famers that he battled and he was world champion from 1937-1948. In his 18 year career, he was 56-1 in his first nine years and 13-2 in his last nine years. One wonders how much greater he could have been if WWII hadn't happened. I don't think you need to compare any boxer vs another when you have guys like Sullivan, Johnson, Dempsey, Braddock, Louis, Marciano and Ali to set the bar.

Peter, what happened ?

I blinked and it was over. I am a big fan of Peter Manfredo, Jr. and enjoy watching him duke it out with the best of them. He has been doing well of late and I am glad that he had the opportunity for a match in the big league. Joe is a tough boxer and he isn't 20-0 as a champion for no reason. Hang in there Peter. I am looking forward to the day that they wrap a world championship belt around your waist.

Go Diego Go !

I was glad to hear that Diego Corrales was back in the ring and eager to see what he could do in the Welterweight Division. Well, I found out that he can take a good left hook for 10 rounds. I must admit that I didn't know a lot about Joshua Clottey, but boy can he box. He has fast hands that can get inside and do some damage. Considering that he did most of his boxing in the final minute of each round, Clottey made the difference and claimed the win. I feel bad for Diego. He has a heart bigger than Texas, but recent difficulties inside the ring have me wondering where it will turn a round, if at all. He was asked about going back to 140 and he didn't give a definite answer. I don't know if he can survive at the welterweight level, but I hope he continues.

Klitchko vs Klitchko

I never thought that much of Wladimir Klitchko as a boxer, but he has continually proved me wrong time after time, especially after his chin was exposed by Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster. I think that both Klitchko brothers are a class acts and they bring some much needed respect to the heavyweight division. Vitali is on his way back. Watch your back Wladimir.

Flyweight Doesn't Get Any Better Than This

Wow, what an exhibition of boxing talent. Little Victor Burgos vs. Vic Darchinyan. Darchinyan is such an intense guy. He is tough and strong and very good for 111lbs. No wonder nobody at that level wants to box him. I am not saying he is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but he is focused and determined inside the ring.
Also, Victor Burgos showed some metal. He was definitely outboxed and should have been knocked out in the 2nd round if not the first, but he didn't get discouraged. He definitely made a match of it. I wasn't hoping that Victor would win, but I was certainly praying that he wouldn't get hurt. I was never much for watching the little guys, but they are definitely worth the price of admission.

Classy Lady

Thomas Hauser's book about Vikki LaMotta is well written. She had a tough life growing up and then marrying Jake LaMotta. She definitely turned negatives to positives.
Through all the turmoil and misery, she survived and lived to tell about it. She even asked if the book could be kept on the shelf until after she passed on
I think that when you can read a book about a boxer and their family, it gets you into their head and gives you a great picture of what they are thinking and how they are living. It gives good insight into the sport and allows you to see beyond what you are watching in the ring.
Vikki married a complicated guy who seemed to have a nice side and an eternal place in his heart for her.
At age 51, she posed for Playboy magazine and that particular issue sold more copies to women than any issue of Playboy ever. A truly classy photo shoot for a dignified lady

Mayweather vs De La Hoya, Finally !

Expectations are high for this one. You can only hope that the fight will be better than the promotional tour ? I am not sure what to expect. I haven't decided who I want to win, how many rounds it should go, what has-beens I want to see in the crowd and what I should wear to the pay-per-view.
Will it be a fight-of-the-year ? Will it resurrect De La Hoya's career again ? Will it end in controversy like the last scene of Rocky III, when Rocky and Apollo simultaneously throw a punch ? I just don't know.
I don't care who wins. I don't want it to end in a TKO. These guys are warriors. It needs to go till the last second of the last round with the usual controversial finish in order to set-up the rematch and then of course, the rubber match.
Who will make-up the broadcast team ? Will it be Jim"I haven't had a career since ABC's Wide World of Sports" Lampley, Larry "I have been covering boxing since Jack Johnson was champ" Merchant, and Emanuel "I work with 2 frauds" Steward?
I am sorry, I shouldn't be so critical. I am just so excited about Mayweather-De La Hoya I that I plan on standing in line next week to get my Mayweather-De La Hoya II tickets.

Vinny "Boombatz"

I am grateful for a lot of things in life, ESPN Classics has to be one of them. I was watching some old Vinny Pazienza bouts and one can only wish some boxers have the heart that he did when he boxed. The "Comeback" aside, you had to beat him to beat him, because he just kept coming back for more. The last few episodes showed him against Greg Haugen and Dana Rosenblat. I enjoyed every minute of it.

"Tommy Who ?"

Tommy Morrison is making a comeback ? I guess I didn't realize he was retired. Wasn't his last brawl against Rocky Balboa ?
I became aware through the Associated Press article in USA today, 2/21/07 that Tommy is 38 years old, was misdiagnosed with HIV, and was a former WBO Heavyweight Champion.
I am not sure how I missed all if this , but he's back. One has to wonder what he has left in the tank.
Since he is both an actor and a boxer I'm not sure If I want him to act like a good boxer or box like a good actor. Either way, I wish him the best of luck in West Virginia.

No Wonder Why Floyd is Retiring ?

You can't help but like Ricky Hatton. He is one of the best pound-for-pound boxers, next to "Pretty-Boy" Floyd Mayerweather, of course. I know he hasn't shown much in his two most recent bouts, but he is still hungry enough to look for something better than what he experienced against Kosta Tszyu in 2005.
I am not sure he will find that "experience" against Castillo, but I hope as fans we see it.
I enjoyed Castillo's match against Herman Ngoudo, although it was hardly his best effort. One interesting observation was that neither Hatton or Castillo had a great night and that a win versus each other may bring one of them back to the top of their game. No wonder why Floyd is retiring.

Sergio's 15 Minutes of Fame Are Up

Where is Sergio Mora hiding? I haven't seen or heard much about him recently. I know he is a warrior, but he must have spent his "Contender" money by now and his 15 minutes of fame are up.
I like Mora's style. He is smart, fast and can take a punch as exhibited in his two matches against Peter Manfredo, Jr.. What is Sergio waiting for, another cameo appearance on the "Contender"?
You can only have so many moments sitting next to Sugar Ray Leonard in the converted warehouse watching two guys brawl like it was for their last meal. One would have to hope that he is getting good advice from his management and marketing team. If he is looking for attention he is always welcome at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, where the crowd would love to boo him one more time.

"Paulie", "Paulie","Paulie"

I missed most of the Paulie Malinaggi vs Ebner Cherry bout, but from the last 4 rounds, it wasn't as impressive as it could have been. Cherry looks lean and solid, yet seemed ineffective in hurting Paulie. You have to wonder if the judges (2 out 3) were being charitable in giving Cherry the final round. Your last round can be your best round if the match is close, but you're never going to win the match if your last round is your only round. The best part for Cherry is that he didn't get knocked out and lives to "brawl" another day.
Paulie, Paulie, Paulie. The best part of his performance was his post-fight interview with Max Kellerman. Admitting that his performance was lacking and that a punch in the 10th round from Cherry hurt him was eye opening in a day when boxers never give an honest assessment of their match. They're are too worried it will effect their next payday. Paulie's marketing skills are impressive in knowing immediately that his performance won't be enough to gain a big payday vs Ricky Hatton, whose American performance haven't been "Hattonesque". By making this comment, Paulie puts the idea in the fans heads which would help push for that eventual matchup.
I am looking forward to the day when they do meet, although deep down I would like to see Paulie take on Arturo "Thunder" Gatti. Either way Paulie will bring out the best in his opponent.
Until then, we can stay up late at night and watch those heavyweight farces they put on HBO and Showtime. Watching a heavyweight "title" fight is like watching cement dry. Try welterweights and middleweights, they give you better bang for your PPV buck !

Introduction

Welcome to Ring Roundup - I am looking forward to talking to people about boxing - something I am really interested in and want to talk about with others who are too. Keep tuned in - I'll be back online tomorrow.