THE DREADED OPPONENT T.B.A.
Los Angeles, CA– One thing that bothers me about the future of boxing is fighters being given dates without opponents. Networks such as HBO have provided unworthy fighters with dates on the network without even having a foe lined up. Case in point, Gary Russell Jr.(18-0, 10 KOs) (who was showcased in an 8 round fight earlier this year), Adrien Broner (21-0, 17 KOs), whose fight Saturday is against an unknown Argentinean for a vacant belt, and American heavyweight Seth Mitchell (23-0, 17 KOs) (rated a dismal 42 by boxrec.com) who will face rugged journeyman Timor Ibragimov (30-3-1, 16 KOs) on HBO next month. What do all three have in common? They are advised by the influential Al Haymon. All three have been gifted with network time before having credible opponents in line. In essence they were being awarded showcase bouts. While no one is denying that each fighter has some talent, that talent should be displayed against the high level of opposition HBO should require. What does T.B.A. mean: To Be Announced or To Be Annihilated?
WISH MORE FIGHTERS HAD THE BALLS OF FROCH & WARD
I am looking forward to the conclusion of the Super Six World Boxing Classic between WBA super middleweight (168lb) champion Andre Ward (24-0, 13 KOs)
Andre Ward
and WBC king Carl Froch (28-1, 20 KOs) that takes place live on Showtime December 17th from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. At least these guys have put it all on the line against the best their division has to offer. People can criticize Ward all they want, but he whitewashed then champion Mikkel Kessler (44-2, 33 KOs). This wasn’t a victory for some paper title. He earned the belt by beating the best guy in the division at the time. That within itself commands respect when you consider that fight wasn’t even close. Froch has to be given credit for fighting the best fight after fight. The records of his opponents in his last 7 fights total 206 wins, 19 losses and 3 draws. 14 of those losses were all from one fighter; Glen Johnson(51-14-2). Ward may be slightly favored but it’s no shoe in that he defeats the Englishman who’s tough as nails.
BOUTS I’D INK FOR NEXT YEAR IF I WAS NEW HBO BOSS KEN HERSHMAN
1. MAYWEATHER VS. PACQUIAO-PPV
2. DIMITRY PIROG VS. ERISLANDY LARA-HBO AFTER DARK
3. GARY RUSSELL JR VS. MIKEY GARCIA-HBO AFTER DARK
3. ERIC MORALES VS JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ-PPV
4. YURIORKIS GAMBOA VS. CELESTINO CABALLERO-HBO AFTER DARK
5. ISMAYL SYLLAKH VS. TAVORIS CLOUD-WCB
6. JULIO CEASAR CHAVEZ JR VS. CANELO ALVAREZ-WCB
7. SERGIO MARTINEZ VS. JAMES KIRKLAND-WCB
8. AMIR KHAN VS. TIM BRADLEY-WCB
9. PAUL WILLIAMS VS. ALFREDO ANGULO-HBO AFTER DARK
10. WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO VS. ROBERT HELENIUS- WCB
11. NONITO DONAIRE VS. GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX-HBO AFTER DARK
12. AUSTIN TROUT VS. MIGUEL COTTO/ MARGARITO WINNER-WCB
13. ANDRE BERTO VS. VICTOR ORTIZ-HBO AFTER DARK
14. MARCOS MAIDANA VS. BRANDON RIOS-HBO AFTER DARK
This list could be extended but subjective and could change based on the outcomes of bouts some fighters already have scheduled, I could list many more. Any suggestions? Make your voice heard!
-Kevin Perry