Who Replaces Gatti ?

We are a couple of weeks from his death and the police are sticking to their investigation that Amanda did it. I am sure we will find out the truth once the trial begins. We now look forward to who will replace Arturo in the ring. The level of excitement he brought isn't easily matched. It was also ironic that he died as Mickey Ward's movie has started filming. I think most people believe that his battles with Ward were incredible. People have said that before during Ali-Frazier. I am sure we will see it again. I guess Vasquez-Marquez and Barrera-Morales are right up there. Maybe there are boxers out there with the work ethic and warrior spirit of Gatti and I am not looking hard enough to replace him yet !

Arturo Gatti, R.I.P.

What can you say when a legend is struck down. The latest reports say that his wife is a suspect and that he may have been dead for up to 8 hours before his body was discovered or reported. That really doesn't make much of a difference for the moment. When someone passes on you try to remember what legacy that person left behind. In Arturo's case it is easy. All you had to do was watch one of his battles. I think the first time I saw him he was dishing it out with Angel Manfredi. I hadn't seen a match like that since Ali-Frazier. He was incredible and quite the performer. You paid big money to see an event and that is exactly what you saw. It didn't matter whether he would win or lose, his fans loved him and they always will. I am proud to say I was a fan.

Rocky, Rocky, Rocky

It has been over 50 years since Rocky Marciano beat Jersey Joe Walcott for the Heavyweight Championship of the World and he still holds a special place in history. He has the obvious place in history with his 49-0 record. The other is that he was technically a light heavyweight taking on all the big heavyweights of his time.
The old fight films of him and others are a pleasure to watch and we learn more about Marciano a he learned more about his craft each and every match. His appeal to me was that he could stand toe-to-toe and give and take as good as he gave and still "break" his opponent.
It's unfortunate that more boxers today don't have the "heart" that he had.

"Bad" Chad Dawson vs "Magic Man" Antonio Tarver

"Bad" Chad Dawson vs. "Magic Man" Antonio Tarver. It has all the makings of a Rocky movie. Wait a minute, Tarver appeared in a Rocky movie. Tarver still had some stuff left even though he is clearly past his prime. He is entertaining and still gives his fans their monies' worth. For me, the jury is still out on Dawson. I like him, he is tough and he stays in it. He did win convincingly, but he is boring to watch. He wasn't that impressive vs. Glen Johnson, but he beat him too. This weight division certainly needs some young blood, but I would like to see someone take Dawson on who is younger and hungrier.

Where In The World Is Floyd ?

The biggest match ever or at least since Pacquiao vs De La Hoya, Mayweather vs Hatton or De La Hoya vs Mayweather and Floyd went bowling with his daughter. It seems that he wasn't interested in Hatton, whom he has already beat and Manny who stands in his way of being the best pound for pound boxer ever. Well Floyd, it is time to dust off your ego and get old Roger back in the ring to train you for another big payday.

Say It Ain't So Ricky

I would be pretty mad if I had committed money to the pay-per-view for this one. I can understand Manny winning, but not that quick. It seems that Freddie Roach, Manny's trainer, figured out the weak spot of Ricky. I guess that's what happens when you get to old to change your style and the opposition times your punches. I hope Ricky can come back from this one, although I don't know what's left for him to do.
This of course leads us to Manny, "the best pound for pound boxer" taking on Floyd "use to be the pound for pound boxer". I suspect that any day now we will hear from Floyd during his "coming out of retirement " speech to take on Manny.
Now, that might be the time to spend on pay-per-view ?

We Are Family

Yes, Manny and Rickey are one big happy family. I am going to try and keep this scorecard straight in my head. Freddie Roach is Manny's trainer. Freddie was in Oscar De La Hoya's corner when he boxed against Floyd Mayweather, Jr.. Oscar is promoting the fight for Hatton's side and Oscar fought and lost to Manny 4 months ago. Rickey's trainer is Floyd's dad who was Oscar's trainer for awhile prior to Oscar taking on Floyd, Jr.. I am totally confused and disoriented. I hope I figure it out soon or at least understand the conclusion tonight since everyone involved has fought, trained or promoted against each other.

Pacquiao vs Hatton

The Manny vs. Ricky show. This is the most exciting match up since Oscar vs. Floyd. Manny is riding a hot streak with no end in sight. He can't seem to lose. He has the Midas touch. Ricky has struggled on and off the last few years, but he isn't done yet. I like them both, but I think Ricky will have a similar problem to when he went up against Floyd Mayweather and that is can he stop Manny's hand speed? Ricky has some decent hand speed himself, but Manny will have the upper hand. If it comes to speed than Manny has the win. If Ricky can connect, then I think power is on his side. Right now, if Manny show up, he wins. If the Ricky that showed up against Kostya Tszyu shows up against Manny, than Ricky wins.

The recent retirement of Oscar De La Hoya was welcome news. This is not because he doesn't have it anymore, but because he still has more to offer, just not in the ring. I think when they vote to elect him in the International Boxing Hall of Fame they will have an easy decision since he has brought so much to the sport. He claimed an Olympic Gold Medal in Barcelona, many world titles at different weight levels and now as a promoter he brings a new generation to the ring. I have enjoyed watching him in the ring.