Michael Jackson Would Have Been BAD Inside The Ring

I was watching This Is It, a Michael Jackson documentary when I remembered an article (a tribute really, from a boxing writer who also happened to be a big fan) elaborating on how the Prince of Pop would have been a terrific and perhaps the perfect boxer specimen.

Although the writer of the article was clearly poking fun at then recently deceased Mr. Jackson, I cannot help but agree with the writer’s points, which really hold water.

Seriously, Michael Jackson cannot last a single round with a standout amateur, but after reading the said item, one cannot help but think, “He could have reduced Pacquiao to smithereens with those moves.”

Here’s a snippet of the MJ tribute from a boxing writer:

"Sources close to Jackson in the past indicate Jackson was a great fan of the sport of boxing and had great hand technique as well as footwork. When news came out about Jackson's potential in the ring and a rumoured ring debut, several world champions were concerned because of his hand and foot speed."

If you want to read the whole thing, click here. Do shoot me with what you think.

Why Mikkel Kessler Will Beat Andre Ward

There is a big reason why Mikkel Kessler of Denmark is the heavy favorite of the Super Six boxing tournament. Of all the tournament entrants, Kessler is the most experienced with 43 fights, having won 42 with 32 fights ending in knockouts. His lone loss came at the hands of one of the greats, the now-retired Joe Calzaghe of England.

Parading as the WBA super middleweight champion, Kessler will defend his title for the third time against a young American prospect, 25-year old Andre Ward, who is undefeated in 25 bouts. The fight will also be the third match of the of the Super Six contest and will be held in Oakland, California.

Several boxing pundits have claimed that Kessler is a washed-up fighter and that Ward will expose that to the world. While Kessler is five years older than Ward, the Viking Warrior is far from washed-up. Kessler is still a dangerous power-puncher who has an assortment of skills that could match or even surpass anything that Ward will bring to the ring.

There is no evidence of Kessler slowing down or eroded skills over the past five years. Though the Danish boxer had a lay-off for almost a year, he kept himself in great shape. Heck, he could box anytime and win. As Kessler enters the Super Six tournament, there is no doubt that he is in the best shape of his career.

Experience is a key element in any boxing match and that is something only Kessler can brag about. Ward may be superior in some skills, but overall ring generalship and boxing knowledge belong to Kessler.

With all that said, Ward has what it takes to beat Kessler. But his chances are slim. He may have won a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics in an impressive fashion and beat all 25 of his previous opponents, but Ward has never faced someone of the caliber of Kessler – big, strong, agile, and intelligent.

There is no doubt that Kessler will need to bring his A game to put Ward down. But it is Ward who needs to bring more than his best to seize a win and have a significant something to brag about.

David Haye vs Nikolai Valuev: Both Men Have Hard Work Ahead

In a dramatic pitting of Size versus Skill, heavyweight contender David “The Haymaker” Haye of England will try to dethrone the 2-time and reigning WBA heavyweight champion, the 7-foot, 300-pounder Nikolai Valuev of Russia on November 2, Saturday, at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung, Nuremberg, Bayern, Germany.

The smaller Haye, who sports a 6’3 frame, have predicted a knockout victory over the giant. While decking a man of the size of Valuev is almost impossible, a decision victory for Haye is not a farfetched reality.

Here are my points.

For starters, Valuev, despite his fearsome exterior, may have lost his touch for knocking out his opponents. While I do not discount the power generated by the Russian Giant, his last five fights went the distance. Most notable fights would be his wins over Evander Holyfield and John Ruiz and his loss to Ruslan Chagaev.

Valuev, if faced with a much skillful opponent, can be outpointed, outboxed, and outworked, as evidenced by his bouts against Chagaev and Holyfield.

Haye, who just recently moved to the heavyweight division, has more finesse than Holyfield and Chagaev, and perhaps more power too. Quite certainly, Haye has the skills required if he wants to win on points against the behemoth from Russia.

He can slip in throw some fast combinations and laterals to either left or right and threw more punches before pulling away.

The slow and sluggish Valuev will have little time to react to any assault the Englishman will concoct come fight night. Simply put, speed and skill will be Haye’s bestfriends in this bout.

That said, I also believe that Valuev can knock Haye out. If the giant can impose his will using his sheer size and reach advantage and pin Haye to the ropes, Valuev can wear the Englishman and set him up for the finish. But with Haye’s speed and superior boxing skills, it might be a herculean task for Valuev to press Haye and make him pay.

My prediction: David Haye via UD


Boxer Profile

David Haye

Record: 22 W 1 L 0 D 21 KOs
Alias: Hayemaker
Weightclass: Heavyweight
Stance: Orthodox
Style: Boxer
Height: 6'3"
Reach: 80"
Nationality: London, England
Date of Birth: October 13th, 1980

Nikolai Valuev

Record: 50 W 1 L 0 D 34 KOS
Alias: The Russian Giant
Weightclass: Heavyweight
Stance: Orthodox
Style: Boxer
Height: 7'0"
Reach: 85"
Nationality: St.Petersburg, Russia
Date of Birth: August 21st, 1973

Mayweather Contradicting Mayweather

Smart businessman, he claims to be. That may hold true since he has been quite successful in terms of money. But claiming he is the best is a tad too far for a true boxing fan (that may not be the case for his die-hard lickers). Floyd Mayweather got himself in a heated exchange of words with the R.A. the Rugged Man in a satellite radio show.

Obviously, Floyd Mayweather was losing every issue Rugged Man throws at him, even called PBF a liar at a certain point. I for one was thoroughly enjoyed with the verbal jabs spewed by both men. But as a lover of the sport, I could not help but notice that Floyd Mayweather is contradicting himself on numerous occasions throughout the debate.

For starters, Floyd stated that Carlos Baldomir was the legitimate welterweight when Floyd fought him in 2006. Rugged Man was quick to point out that Baldomir had 11 losses then. Floyd dismisses this and implying it is not about the losses.

If you guys remember the argument between Brian Kenny and Mayweather, Kenny asked Floyd why he would not fight Shane Mosley. The answer came quick and in Floyd’s own words, the guy has five losses. So what about it Floyd? Is it or is it not about the losses?

Then comes another claim from Floyd. He said that he came from smaller weight divisions and would fight anyone on his way to the top. The contradiction came when Rugged Man asked if he would fight Paul Williams. Floyd’s quick retort – he is TOO BIG.

I have mentally listed other Floyd’s contradictions and they all intersect like that of a web of drunken spider. If you want to see how many contradictions you can find, just click the following links:

Larry Merchant calls PBF a boring Fighter
Brian Kenny vs Floyd Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather Got Ass-Kicked in a Radio Show

Perez Dethrones King Kong

In a contest for the IBF bantamweight crown last October 31, Yonnhy Perez of Colombia dethroned Joseph King Kong Agbeko with a brilliant display of raw aggressiveness fused with polished boxing skills. Both fighters staged vicious assaults and no one gave up an inch. It was never a boring fight.

Both Agbeko and Perez traded bombs right at the sound of the first bell. With so much action these fighters generated that night, no doubt their ancestors were rocked as a solid shot landed one after the other. It was action packed and fight fans really got their money’s worth that night.

While the Agbeko-Perez fight was action packed, it was Perez who was getting the most of it. Agbeko, classy fighter that he is, forgot one rule though –PROTECT YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES. A head butt occurred late in the 10th round, which caused Ghana’s Agbeko to turn his back to Perez and complained to the referee. Perez in turn gladly delivered a left hook and decked the champion to the canvas.

Referee Robert Byrd explained that he did not see the head butt, which was obvious in the replays.

The judges of the bout scored 116-110, 117-111, and 117-111 in favor of Perez, who now improves to an impressive record of 20-0, 14 KOs. Agbeko drops to 27-2, 22 KOs.

Photo taken from: http://boxingledger.blogspot.com/