Boxing News Thread

heyzel · May 18, 2011

Pacquiao vs. Marquez now official

By Chris Williams: According to boxing news from Steve Kim, the November 12th match-up between 37-year-old Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao will now go ahead, as Golden Boy Promotions won’t be matching the offer made to Marquez by Top Rank.

Bob Arum, the promoter for Top Rank, met with Marquez to get the details of the Pacquiao fight, which will be taking place at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Golden Boy Promotions, the previous promoters for Marquez, had the right to match the $5 million offer made to Marquez by Top Rank plus the $10 million for a rematch.

However, with the catchweight of 144 pounds that Arum had put in the contract for the Pacquiao-Marquez, in addition to the big money Marquez was guaranteed, it made it difficult for Golden Boy to match this offer because they don’t have a huge star near that weight.

This is good news for Pacquiao and Marquez fans, because they’ve been waiting for three years for this rematch to happen and now it finally is taking place. The only question is whether Marquez is too old now and too small to beat Pacquiao.

With the fight taking place at 144 instead of a weight nearer to Marquez’s 135, it gives Pacquiao a huge advantage over Marquez. But this is the best that Marquez can get. I suppose he should be happy that the fight isn’t taking place at the full 147, because they could have done with him.

Giving Marquez a tiny advantage with the weight being dropped to 144 probably won’t be nearly enough for him to win the fight. For him to have a reasonable chance of winning, the fight would have to be at 135 or close to it. Pacquiao is far too big for him now and without giving Marquez a nice catchweight handicap, which Pacquiao has benefited from in the past while fighting for major titles at welterweight and junior middleweight, Marquez doesn’t have a chance. He’s too old and too small now. He needs the handicap like Pacquiao has had going for him in some of his fights against fellow Top Rank stable fighters.

heyzel · May 18, 2011

Sugar Ray Leonard says Olympic coach sexually abused him as a kid

By Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY

CAPTION
By Alberto E. Rodrigquez, Getty Images
Former boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard says in a new autobiography he was sexually abused as a young fighter by an unnamed Olympic boxing coach, according to the New York Times.

In his upcoming book, The Big Fight: My Life in and out of the Ring, the 5-time champion writes he was sexually abused as teenager by a "prominent Olympic boxing coach" who has since died.

The first instance of abuse came when he was 15-years old during a trip to a boxing event in Utica, N.Y. in 1971.The same coach sexually abused him in a parked car several years later.

That incident has "has haunted me for life," writes Leonard. "I didn't scream. I didn't look at him. I just opened the door and ran."

In his new book, the Times says the 55-year old Leonard also writes about a number of problems, including: his drug and alcohol abuse; growing up in a home with domestic violence and alcohol abuse; surviving a car wreck with his mother behind the wheel; almost drowning in a creek; and fathering a son at age 17.

Leonard won a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics. His autobiography will be published next month by Viking

heyzel · May 18, 2011

Foreman rooting for Hopkins to break mark

May, 17, 2011

It has been more than 16 years since a thunderous right hand helped George Foreman make history.

When Bernard Hopkins challenged light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal in December, B-Hop knew that a victory would mean not only winning yet another world title but that he also would become, at 45, the oldest world champion in boxing history.

Hopkins has fought as well into his 40s as any fighter and relishes his achievements, often joking about his age. He has answered questions about it for years. His age has become a big part of his boxing identity.

He already has accomplished historic feats -- a division-record 20 middleweight title defenses, for example -- but I know becoming the oldest champion in history means a lot to him. It would be the icing on the cake for his all-time great career.

Had Hopkins gotten the decision victory against Pascal that he deserved in December -- instead of a draw -- he would have edged past the great George Foreman by a few months as boxing's oldest champion.

Foreman was also 45 when he regained the heavyweight championship by pulling a huge upset in a 10th-round knockout of Michael Moorer in 1994. I can still vividly recall watching that fight and hearing the now-legendary call of the knockout by HBO's peerless Jim Lampley: "It happened! It happened!"

A few hours after Hopkins got the draw against Pascal, we spoke on the telephone. Hopkins was disappointed, but hopeful that he would get a rematch. We joked that although he had not become the oldest champion on that night, if he got a rematch and won the sequel, he could put the age record even further out of reach for any future fighter who might go after it.

Now Hopkins, who turned 46 in January, has his rematch. Lampley will again be ringside, with the chance to call more potential history on Saturday night (HBO, 10 ET) at the Bell Centre in Montreal, where Pascal will have the hometown crowd on his side.

If Hopkins wins, he will be 192 days older than Foreman was when he knocked out Moorer.

Foreman, retired since 1997 but still selling grills and sounding chipper at 62, was kind enough to take some time out recently to discuss on a teleconference his record and thoughts on the possibility of it being erased.

"I thought such a record would last a lot longer than it has lasted, because 45 is phenomenal and just think, Bernard Hopkins is 46," Big George said. "He's probably the only one who could break such a record, because not only does he possess this big punch to get a knockout, but he's also a good boxer and, at times, a counterpuncher. He can pull it off, no doubt about it."

I'll disagree with Foreman about Hopkins' knockout power because he hasn't stopped anyone since Oscar De La Hoya in 2004 (and that was 10 fights ago). But I certainly agree with Foreman that Hopkins can beat Pascal.

Foreman is clearly rooting for Hopkins to break his record.

"Once I became champion again, it pushed other athletes in other sports to even drive and do things at a later age," Foreman said. "If Bernard is able to win this thing and do it decisively, it's going to help boxing. I don't think guys should be looking at their career as over just because they're 35."

Although Foreman and Hopkins don't have many similarities in their fighting style, Foreman said they are cut from the same cloth.

"He looks in the mirror and he still sees a young kid," Foreman said. "Bernard Hopkins, he still thinks he's a kid, you know? I did the same thing.

"You step into the ring at 46, you just got to understand that you are just a kid like the other guy across the ring. You can't look at yourself as a 46, and that's a challenge, too. It is a challenge because you walk in the ring. Everybody you know, all your buddies and friends, got gray hair. You're going to have to just get over there and say, 'I'm not one of those guys!'"

Foreman said that if Hopkins breaks the record, he'll likely go through what Big George went through -- a period of disbelief.

"You find yourself at open houses with your children. Then, all of a sudden, you realize you have a grandchild. I had a grandchild. I was having grandkids. Then, you think, 'Is that possible? I'm the heavyweight champion of the world, a grandfather?,'" he said. "It did start to sink in. I wondered, 'I didn't think anyone would ever do this.' That's why it's very important. I'll be watching anxiously to see how this will turn out because grandpas are competing now."

Foreman was a tremendous puncher. The power was always there for him to turn around a fight, which is exactly what he did against Moorer, who was beating him easily until getting caught with one thunderous right hand after being blinded by a jab.

Hopkins is not a big puncher. Because the fight is in Montreal, Pascal's turf, Foreman said Hopkins should be gunning for a knockout so that he can leave no doubt.

"In the latter rounds, he should look for a knockout like I did," Foreman said. "There was no way I could have been in the record books without that 1-2 knockout punch. Bernard Hopkins -- he's got it, but he's going to have to get it by way of knockout."

Foreman said he watched the first Pascal-Hopkins fight and was rooting for Hopkins then, too, just as he'll be doing Saturday.

"I was just sitting there on the edge, hoping that he'd pull it off, but Bernard has to realize, as I did when I fought Michael Moorer, you must get a knockout," Foreman said. "This fight and the record will not be broken on a unanimous decision. There must be a knockout. ... The first fight is going to have to be erased. The decision was not of quality. The second time around, Bernard will get a knockout."

As Foreman was wrapping up his remarks, Hopkins joined for his portion of the conference call. Foreman was prompted to introduce him.

"Bernard Hopkins, probably the only man that stands a chance to break all records, one that's going to set and stay there for a long time," Foreman said. "Ladies and gentlemen, enjoy the great one."

Hopkins thanked Foreman and added, "There are not too many fighters able to have this kind of opportunity, so I will not sneeze at this. I will take this title. I will become the oldest champion. So thank you, George. Again, I would like to tell everybody it's a bittersweet opportunity for me because of George's legacy, but it's in good hands, George."

To that, Foreman said, "All records were set to be broken. I'm just hoping someone will come back and do it at 65 so I can come back again."

"I will be right behind you," Hopkins said. "Hopefully."

2-0-Sixx · May 18, 2011

lol @ the floyd diss at the end

2-0-Sixx · May 19, 2011

hell muthafuckin yeah!

Paul Williams-Erislandy Lara Reportedly Done For July 9

By Rick Reeno

Sources close to the situation have advised BoxingScene.com that a deal has been reached for a junior middleweight bout between Paul "The Punisher" Williams (39-2, 27KOs) and undefeated Erislandy Lara (15-0-1, 10KOs). The fight is going to take place on an HBO televised date of July 9. The network had previously approved, and then rejected, a fight between Williams and Nobuhiro Ishida of Japan.

On this very website, back on April 20th, Lara challenged Williams to a fight. The unbeaten Cuban wants redeem himself after fighting to a lackluster ten round draw against Carlos Molina back in March. Williams is also looking to redeem himself. The former champion returns for the first time since suffering a two round knockout defeat to Sergio Martinez back in November.

dookie1 · May 19, 2011

^^^ 15-0-1? is dude even ready for a fight v. a guy like paul?

heyzel · May 19, 2011

Katsidis wants title shot against Vazquez

By Dan Ambrose: The struggling Michael Katsidis (27-4, 22 KO’s) is reportedly interested in taking on IBF lightweight champion Miguel Vazquez (28-3, 12 KO’s) next in a fight that Katsidis is hoping will take place in his native Australia. It’s not exactly a good match-up for the pressure fighter Katsidis, as Vazquez is a pure boxer and likes to move a lot and make his opponents miss with his shots.

Katsidis has lost his last two fights to Juan Manuel Marquez and Roberto Guerrero. Neither fight was particularly close. It was thought that Katisidis would opt for an easy fight when he said recently he wanted to fight his next bout in Australia rather than the U.S. However, Vazquez is far from an easy fight, and in some ways, he’s even more of a problem for Katsidis than his last opponent Guerrero. Vazquez hasn’t lost a fight in three years since he was beaten by the hard hitting welterweight Saul Alvarez by a 10 round decision in 2008.

Vazquez was also beaten by Timothy Bradley by a 10 round decision in 2007. The other loss on Vazquez’s resume came in his first fight with Alvarez in 2006. It was asking a lot of the light hitting Vazquez to be in the ring with a much bigger puncher like Alvarez. Katsidis can hit hard, but he’s not heavy handed like Alvarez and doesn’t have much of a right hand. He’ll have problems if he gets in with a slick fighter like Vazquez unless Katsidis looks better than he did in his last two bouts. Vazquez is coming off of an impressive lopsided 12 round unanimous over previously unbeaten Leonardo Zappavigna in March. Vazquez made a very good fighter look amateurish in that fight and easily won.

heyzel · May 19, 2011

Timothy Bradley vs Amir Khan Fight Showing Signs of Life

By Steve Kim,

After being pronounced dead, it looks like the proposed bout between Amir Khan and Tim Bradley is now showing signs of life. There is more money being thrown Bradley's way and that the “Desert Storm” is absolutely convinced he will defeat Khan.

Another issue is that Ross Greenburg and Kery Davis (heads of HBO Sports), based on the exorbitant deal that they crafted for the Bradley-Devon Alexander bout, have to justify that investment by making Khan-Bradley come to fruition.

Not sure where this fight- should it indeed rise again like the Phoenix- will take place. Originally, it was slated to take place on July 23rd at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

2-0-Sixx · May 19, 2011

dookie1 said:

we'll find out. gutsy move by both guys. lara is one of the recently defected cubans with a lot of talent. 50/50 fight imo

heyzel · May 20, 2011

Chris Arreola: “Fans would love to see me smack you (Chauncy Welliver) around! It’s s

by Geoffrey Ciani (Exclusive Interview by Jenna J, Geoffrey Ciani, and Chauncy Welliver) - This week’s 125th edition of On the Ropes Boxing Radio (brought to you by CWH Promotions) featured an exclusive interview with heavyweight contender Chris Arreola (31-2, 27 KOs) who is coming off of an impressive third round stoppage against Nagy Aguilera (16-6, 11 KOs). Arreola is now preparing to fight again on May 27 against Kendrick Releford (22-14-2, 10 KOs). Arreola spoke about his recent victory and discussed his upcoming fight and his quick turnaround. Additionally, fellow heavyweight contender and On the Ropes Co-Host Chauncy Welliver (47-5-5, 17 KOs, #11 WBO, #9 WBC) issued a challenge to Arreola which he seemed both willing and eager to accept. A showdown between Arreola and Welliver would undoubtedly provide entertainment and fireworks between two of the more exciting ranked fighters in the weight class. Here is a complete transcript of that interview:

JENNA J: It is actually time for our second guest of this week’s show. He is a current contender in the heavyweight division making his second appearance “On the Ropes”. We’re joined by Cristobal Arreola. How are you doing today, Chris?

CHRIS ARREOLA: I’m doing good. I’m about to have some lunch right now in a little bit.

JENNA: Alright well last time we saw you in the ring against Nagy Aguilera you looked pretty good. You were down to 234. How did you feel?

ARREOLA: I felt great. You know I felt a lot faster obviously, but there are always things I need to correct. I think I should have given myself a little more space, and moved my head a little bit more, and not chased him around the ring as much as I did. But overall I would give myself about a C-. There is always room for improvement.

JENNA: Yeah, I saw Nagy was running a little but in the first few rounds and at one point you just dropped your arms and were daring him to hit you. How did you feel in there and what did you think about his strategy against you?

ARREOLA: I already knew he was going to run. He was going to try and fight me the way Tomasz Adamek fought me, but then again I’m not the same fighter that fought Tomasz Adamek. He was just trying to run. He would run to his left and then switch directions to his right, so it was just a matter of time before he stopped and fought.

JENNA: Okay, when he did stop and fight you had him against the ropes. You were just nailing him with shots. Do you think the stoppage was well timed?

ARREOLA: Yeah you know, actually I thought it was going to be stopped a little sooner but the good thing about the ref was he actually let it go on because he wasn’t as hurt as I thought he was. So finally when he was stopped I had seen his eyes just roll back so it was the time to stop.

JENNA: Okay well the interesting news to come out of this is since you won so quickly, you will actually be fighting next Friday against Kendrick Releford on Friday Night Fights. Why the quick turnaround?

ARREOLA: The main reason is I only got three rounds in and it’s actually been four rounds in t he past five months. It’s really not much work for me, so I might as well go in there and fight again. You know I’m not hurt. I’m fine. So I might as well go in the ring again.

JENNA: That’s good. Alright I’m going to toss it over to my Co-Host Geoff.

GEOFFREY CIANI: Hi Chris. It’s a pleasure to have you back on the show. Congratulations on the victory.

ARREOLA: Thank you. I appreciate it man.

CIANI: Chris I wanted to ask you, now the criticisms around your career has often revolved around your weight and the shape that you come into the ring, and we’ve heard you say before that you were going to come in good shape and get your weight down. But this time you actually did it and you surprised a lot of people. How did you go about doing it and what made you so determined to actually get to that point this time around?

ARREOLA: The main reason that I came in such great shape is to fight someone like Nagy Aguilera. I came in shape for him. Also I love boxing and it’s time for me to treat it like I do love it. 2010 was just a horrible year for me from a boxing standpoint and in 2011 it’s time for me to throw my name out there and make believers out of people and win the world title. That’s my main goal is to be a world heavyweight champion.

CIANI: Now you mentioned you want to make people into believers out of you. How do you think is the best way to go about doing that?

ARREOLA: Well it’s to do exactly what I’m doing—work, and then work a little bit more, and then also I have to work a little bit more. So that’s all it is, is just work. It’s just boxing. I need to make boxing easy and the only way it’s easy is by training hard.

JENNA: Alright well we’re also on the phone with my Co-Host Chauncy Welliver.

CHAUNCY WELLIVER: Hey Chris. I’m also a heavyweight so I have a couple of questions for you and one just to kind of break the ice. A couple of years ago, even when you were fighting tune-ups, you were fighting pretty tough guys—guys like Brian Minto and Travis Walker, but you were beating these guys. The last couple of fights and the fight you have coming up with Nagy Aguilera and Kendrick Releford seem to be steps down. Is this a promotional reason for doing this, or is it that you want to work with your new trainer and work on something he’s showing you?

ARREOLA: Well I still have the same trainer. I didn’t change trainers. One fight I went with Ronnie Shields and then I went back to my old trainer. Me personally, I’m just taking what they give me. I’m not the promoter. I’m not the guy who’s saying who I am fighting. My job is just to fight plain and simple. I’m not worried about who I’m fighting. Regardless I believe that any fighter that’s going to fight me is going to step up to the plate and is going to come in the best shape that they possibly can and give themselves the best position to possibly beat me, so I got to do the same for myself.

WELLIVER: Okay, also as I’ve said I’m a heavyweight. You’re one of the biggest names in the heavyweight division. I myself have been calling out David Tua as you were earlier in your career, and I think you’re still kind of gunning for that fight but neither one of us has gotten it and it doesn’t look like we will. You know I’ve been looking to get big fights on TV and stuff like that. I think I have a very exciting style and I think you’re probably the most exciting heavyweight out there, and I thought that me and you would be a good fight. Do you have any plans after Releford? Or what’s your future plans?

ARREOLA: You know my future plans are whatever Dan Goosen have in store for me. Whatever Dan, Al Haymen, and Henry Ramirez, whatever they say that’s what goes. You know my job’s to fight. I duck nobody. I fear no man. I’m willing to fight anybody. It doesn’t matter who it is. I mean I don’t know who you are, but sh*t! I’ll fight you too if I had to. You know it doesn’t really matter to me. I’ll fight the fight. You know I love boxing and like I said styles do make fights. People love watching exciting heavyweights so you never know. It could always happen.

WELLIVER: I’m a couple of spots ahead of you in the WBO. I’m ranked #11 in the WBO and #9 WBC, so I always thought it would be a fight that would definitely be TV worthy and be a good fight for you and a good fight for me to kind of hit the scene. I think it would be something that the fans would enjoy.

ARREOLA: Of course the fans would love to see me smack you around! It’s something that fans and people would love to watch. You know it’s not a problem with me. I’m not the person you need to call and ask for a fight for. For that you need to call Dan Goosen, because I’ll fight anybody who challenges me to fight. Basically you can call me out in public or call it whatever you want to call it, but that’s what I do. I’m in the hurt business. I’m in there to fight. If you want some of me you know where you can find me. I’m willing to fight anybody, bro. Like I said there ain’t nothing wrong with a little smack in the face.

JENNA: Alright well Chris, I have just a couple of more questions before I let you off the line. Your fight against Kendrick Releford is on May 27. What do you expect to happen?

ARREOLA: My main thing is just to be active and to make it an exciting fight. That’s my job. I love to fight and I love to bring the fights for the fans. I’m a fan friendly kind of fighter. I hate the judges. No offense to any judges, but I don’t like leaving the fights up to the judges. I’m in there to win by knockout as always.

JENNA: Well in your last fight you actually fought on the same card as Andre Ward, a fellow California fighter. What do you think of him?

ARREOLA: You know Andre Ward is probably by far one of the most skilled young American fighters, period. I don’t think there is any better American fighter out there right now. You know he’s a smart fighter. There is a reason why he is a champion and there is a reason why he has advanced to the Finals of the Super Six. He deserves all the accolades that he gets.

JENNA: Alright well I have one final question for you Chris. You have a lot of fans that obviously went out and supported you that night. Is there anything you want to say to them?

ARREOLA: For everybody that came out and for everybody that watched it on YouTube or whatever they watched it on, I appreciate it and this is just one fight. Like I said before I just got to keep going forward and looking forward to things in 2011. And if your boy over there still wants to fight me he knows who he can call and who he can reach. Like I said I’m not someone that’s going to duck anybody and I’m not someone that’s going to rain on somebody else’s interview and try to call him out. So it is what it is and we can get it done whenever he wants.

JENNA: Alright well thank you very much Chris for your time and we wish you all the best of luck in your upcoming fight.

ARREOLA: Thank you. Bye.

CIANI: Thanks Chris. Good luck.

JENNA: Alright well that was Cristobal Arreola. He had definitely a lot of things to say about the heavyweight division and his upcoming fight in just over a week, and of course to my Co-Host Chauncy Welliver who I’m going to go to first. What were your thoughts?

WELLIVER: You know I absolutely loved it! I’ll give him credit for one thing, he does fight any heavyweight. He’s proven he’s not scared of any man. So I’m glad that he would fight me. That’s great! I’m ranked ahead of him in an organization, in the WBO—one of the top organizations. I think me and him would be an excellent fight. As far as him saying I’m trying to steal his thunder or jump in front of his recent victory, I give him 100% props for his last victory. But I do think at the same time that me and him, for the fans of boxing, make an excellent fight. We’re both bigger guys, we both throw a lot of punches, and neither one of us gets very tired. I think we make an excellent fight for the fans of boxing. I think we help the heavyweight division. I hope it would be a fight that TV would pick up. Once again, as he said he accepts any challenge and he’ll fight any man. Hopefully he accepts my challenge that I posed to him today.

heyzel · May 20, 2011

Bradley given new offer of 50-50 for UK PPV money for Khan fight

By Sean McDaniel: In a sign of how badly WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan (25-1, 18 KO’s) and his promoters Golden Boy Promotions want a fight with WBC/WBO light welterweight champion Timothy Bradley, they are bumping up his original offer to $1.4 million plus 50% of the UK pay per view money, according to news from Dan Rafael.

This shows you bad Khan and his team want Bradley for this fight, because Khan could likely make more money and bring in bigger ratings against guys like Zab Judah and Marcos Maidana, two fighters that have already shown that they can bring in the fans. Bradley has yet get good ratings or draw fans to his fights. It’s pretty obvious why Khan and Golden Boy want Bradley.

He’s not much of a puncher and it would be a fairly safe fight for Khan, and it would be in effect a short cut to the big time. If he were able to beat Bradley, Khan would have three of the four light welterweight titles and that would help him get bigger fights in the future and might even make Khan a PPV star in the United States. Bradley is less dangerous than guys like Maidana, Breidis Prescott and Judah, all of who punch with a lot of power.

Judah, Maidana and Robert Guerrero are some of the names that Khan will have to pick over if Bradley doesn’t agree to the fight. With their kind of power, it’s pretty obvious why Khan and Golden Boy are trying so hard to get the Bradley fight. Those guys could knock Khan out, and end his hopes of striking it rich in the U.S. before they’ve got off to a good start. Bradley, however, can’t punch and is more of a hit and grab fighter at close range. Khan would have a good chance of jabbing and moving all night long to win a decision against him. Bradley, Maidana, Prescott and Guerrrero, on the other hand, might be a tad too dangerous for Khan to fight and risk taking another knockout loss.

2-0-Sixx · May 20, 2011

that is very generous by Khan and bradley has no excuses whatsoever not to take the fight now. I always respected Bradley for his willingness to fight everyone, anytime, but lost a lil bit of respect for him as he was demanding more money ($1.4 million, the original offer by HBO, is a lot of money for him!). Now that Khan is willing to split the UK PPV, there is no excuse. Bradley would be getting a whole lot of money for a guy with no fanbase.

dookie1 · May 20, 2011

^^^ so true, and i think khan can win the fight!

bigface · May 20, 2011

Bradley is waiting for his contract to end in July with Shaw. If he doesn't sign to fight Khan in July after the contract expires then he's ducking the fight plain and simple.

WYNO707X4 · May 20, 2011

i think bradley doesnt want that fight.he going to sign with top rank have 2 fights hype him up then its on with manny.

2-0-Sixx · May 20, 2011

nah, I know exactly what he's doing.

Dumbass HBO gauranteed both Alexander and Bradley $1.3 million for their next opponent on HBO, no matter who the opponent is.

Bradley is thinking, "why should I fight Khan for 1.5 million when I can fight a bum on HBO next for 1.3 million and possibly get Pacquiao right after?"

That's what he's thinking. He's thinking he'll get Pacquiao in May of 2012, that's what he's banking on. And he's not going to risk that by fighting Khan. A bitch move imo

WYNO707X4 · May 20, 2011

berto jr lol

Rumpelstiltskin · May 20, 2011

If I was Bradley, from a business point of view I don't think I would take the fight either.
Just being up front. His undefeated record is about to go out the door and it will be a while until anyone is willing to give him another generous payday. Khan is going to whoop his ass. For sure. I wouldn't even second guess it.

From a fighters stand point, ya, you don't really want to duck anyone. Especially with his attitude of believing he is the best at 140.

naner12 · May 20, 2011

2-0-Sixx said:

That's pretty dope. Kind of an unusual fight for two touted guys to face other after bad showings but it's dope. Paul seems to have problems with fast southpaws, even though Quintana & Martinez fought more erky jerky type than him, if they watched the Molina fight and thought they'd blow him down I have a feeling they're wrong.

2-0-Sixx · May 20, 2011

naner12 said:

same here.

I applaud both guys for taking this fight. Although I have a feeling HBO kinda forced the issue on Williams.

My concern with Lara was it seemed to me his problem in his previous fight was mostly inactivity. He just didn't let his hands go as much as he should have. Against a volume puncher like Williams, that obviously could be a problem, unless he's landing very solid counter punchers, which I'm sure he's going to try to do, but he better be careful not to fall behind on the scorecards.

As for Williams, you just never know how a guy is going to come back after a brutal KO loss like that. Lots of questions will be answered.

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