Boxing (Dec 16 - 19)

[H2O Man]

December 16
At New York: Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Lante Addy, 8 rounds, junior featherweights

December 18
At Hinkley, Minn. (Showtime): Fernando Guerrero vs. Jessie Nicklow, 10 rounds, middleweight Shawn Porter vs. Jamar Patterson, 8 rounds, junior middleweights; Lanard Lane vs. Said El Harrack, 8 rounds, welterweights


December 19
At Youngstown, Ohio (Top Rank PPV): Kelly Pavlik vs. Miguel Espino, 12 rounds, for Pavlik's Ring/WBC/WBO middleweight title; Vanes Martirosyan vs. Willie Lee, 10 rounds, junior middleweights; Samuel Peter vs. Gabe Brown, 8 rounds, heavyweights

There are three fight cards worth looking at this week, two of which will be televised. Let's start with the New York card, featuring Guillermo Rigondeaux. This should be another opportunity for him to showcase his skills. As I've noted before, he was among the very best amateur fighters, ever. And he is making an impressive transition to the professional ranks. I find his ability to knock opponents out with body shots particularly noteworthy. He should be a title-holder in the junior featherweight division by the summer of 2010.

ShoBox will be featuring an interesting card on Friday night. The series has helped a number of young contenders get national attention, and several have gone on to win world titles. I consider ShoBox to be among the most entertaining, and important boxing coverage on television.

Then, on Saturday, Top Rank will feature Kelly Pavlik knocking out a grossly over-matched victim, in a bout taking place as a result of the numerous postponements of the Pavlik vs Paul Williama match. It is hard to believe that Top Rank is attempting to sell this as a “Pay-Per-View” card. It is stranger yet, considering not only was Williams' recent fight not PPV, but that Bernard Hopkins – who had destroyed Pavlik – fought recently on Versus.

The PPV card will also showcase Samuel Peter knocking out a 37-year old heavy bag. Bob Arum usually tries to promote decent fights, but this card seems more worthy of a Don King production. I wish I could say that I'm going to pass on it, but we are having a graduation party for my younger son, who likes Pavlik. And, as he points out, we did name two puppies “Kelly” and “Sam.”

[JonLP24]

1. I'm excited about Guillermo Rigondeaux

I still remember that hard counter punch to the body that he landed on the man from Glendale, AZ. One of those boxers I have my eye out for though it doesn't look like he'll be on TV. I hope he wins.

[H2O Man]

2. I'm not sure

that anyone in that division can beat him now, if he is fighting at 100%. He has a wonderful understanding of how to control the action inside the ring, and to avoid getting hit while creating the openings he needs to land his best shots. Add to that his natural, physical abilities -- reflexes, strength, spped and power -- and it necomes evident that it will take a very talented fighter to beat him at this point. That division has some good fighters, even some very good fighters. But he has the ability to become a great fighter, and except for something totally unexpected (a head butt, a bad decision, or failure to train properly), it will take a great fighter to beat him. And, when you think of that body shot you mentioned, even a great fighter runs a risk of being knocked out against him!

[H2O Man]

3. The ShoBox card

was pretty good. A previously undefeated fighter from Utica suffered his first defeat. I'd watched him from ringside in the past, and was impressed. However, he had problems with a contract, and had to take too much time off. I think he has the skills to make a comeback.

Soon, it will be time to watch Kelly and Sam.