Boxing: Mosley vs Vargas

[H2O Man]

Sat., Feb 25: HBO PPV will be having an interesting card, featuring Sugar Shane Mosley versus Fernando Vargas in the main event.

The undercard features two fights that might be fun to watch. In a 10 rounder, heavyweight contender Calvin Brock will knock out journeyman Zuri Lawrence. Then the WBO bantamweight "champion" Jhonny Gonzales (31-4, 27 KOs) fights Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson (44-4, 28 KOs) in a 12 round match.

The main event is interesting on paper. Mosley (41-4,35 KOs) was one of the best fighters of his era. Vargas was one of the best "tier 2" fighters of that era. But both are beyong their primes. It is interesting to note that both started boxing as children, and so while their ages alone do not indicate it, they are "old" as fighters. (DOB for Mosley is 9-7-71; Vargas 12-7-77.)

Both fought twice last year, and each won two 10 round decisions. Vargas had only 3 fights in '02 - '04, while Mosley had 6 fights in those three years. Style-wise Vargas has taken more punishment in his career, although Mosley absorbed some hard punches in his loses to Vernon Forest in '02.

Both are expected to weigh 154 the day before the fight; Vargas seems likely to put on more weight before the fight, in my opinion. (That may not translate to an advantage.) Both are listed at 5'10", though Mosley looks a little taller than Vargas. Mosley has 3 inches in reach, and surprisingly, a larger chest.

Vargas has had lower back problems. This will be a factor. He has attempted to box more than slug in his last two fights, and it seems unlikely he could out-box Mosley. Shane still has enough of his speed that Fernando will need to fight from a crouch. This is where issues of weight and endurance favor Mosley. But Vargas has power that always can be a factor -- body-punching is a must for him.

Bert Sugar's views can be found here:
http://www.hboppv.com/events/vargas_mosley/prefight.shtml

Enjoy the fight. We're getting closer to March, when the best Super Middleweight bout (on paper) is scheduled.

[dr.zoidberg]

1. Re: Mosley/Vargas

Both men are far from what they once were. Mosley no longer has the meanness, the aggression that he once had. When he was at Lightweight, Mosley had this killer instinct in the ring. It was like Mosley wasn't content on just winning, he wanted to win decisively. Vargas was once a fearless fighter and just oozed confidence. However, that confidence was destroyed by Felix Trinidad and buried by Oscar De La Hoya. In the fights after his comeback, Vargas had show neither the aggression nor the fearlessness that he once had. Vargas should not box with Mosley. Vargas needs to turn this into a brawl to win. The old Fernando Vargas needs to come out. If he tries to box, then Mosley wins, easily.

I'm going to let you know this, and you're the first person that I have told this to, Calvin Brock is going to be the undisputed heavyweight champion in the future. I firmly believe this.

The upcoming schedule for the heavyweights looks good. The Hasim Rahman/James Toney WBC title fight will be on March 18 and the Chris Byrd/Wladimir Klitsckho IBF title fight will be April 22. Both fights will be on regular HBO. Showtime is also planning on having Lamon Brewster defend the WBO title on April 1. His opponent has yet to be named.

About that supermiddleweight fight, does that mean that Mikkel Kessler is fighting? ;)

[H2O Man]

2. I remember that

you like Brock. I think he and Samuel Peter are the future of the division. Calvin Brock is one of the best things to happen to the division in over a decade, and he could make the sport "complete." I think that if there was proper media coverage, boxing would be one of the most popular sports today .... because the quality of fights today is a dream-come-true to boxing fans.

Both HBO and Showtime are featuring quality fights. Rahman vs Toney, in a strange way, is an interesting fight. Physically, Rahman has the clear advantages. Mentally, Toney may be the most intense athlete today.

Chris Byrd is simply too small, and has become too slow, to do the things he used to do. Too bad he was never fully appreciated as an outstanding talent among "small" heavyweights. I enjoy Lamon Brewster, too.

[dr.zoidberg]

3. About Peter.

Sam Peter only has a future if he is willing to learn how to box, and stop relying so much on wide, looping shots. Peter has so much potential, and has that ever marketable one-punch KO power, that it would be nearly a tragedy if he couldn't improve his game. If he doesn't, then we may be asking what could have been; kind of like how some people say about Ike Ibeabuchi.

[H2O Man]

4. He needs

a trainer/manager that can teach him how to punch with as much or perhaps more power, in the style of a boxer rather than the street-fighter. I agree that power doesn't mean much of anything in the top of the division, unless it can be delivered. I'm not sure who would be the best match for him in that way. I think Teddy Atlas understands the delivery of power.

[H2O Man]

5. Fight time .....

Tonight's the night!

[H2O Man]

6. In the 1st round,

I said that their heads hit; the three other people watching didn't see it. But within 20 seconds, the lump was visible on Vargas's brow.

Brock did not look very good, until the knockout punch. He was too easy to hit, and telegraphing his punches. I liked that he said he wants 2 or 3 more fights before going for the title.

[dr.zoidberg]

7. I saw the pictures of vargas...

he looked like Frankenstein. I didn't order the PPV, even the chance of seeing Brock fight wasn't enough to make me put down $50. I understand that Brock's KO was a highlight reel moment, though.

[H2O Man]

8. It was devastating.

For the first time, I appreciated Jay Nadey, because he called the doctor in immediately. The guy was out for several minutes.

The comparison was made between Vargas and Carmen Basilio in the 2nd Robinson fight. By coincidence, ESPN Classic had the 6 hour Robinson feature on Sunday, with the Basilio eye. Vargas's was different, going across the temple to close to the ear. Odd way for the eye to swell.

[dr.zoidberg]

9. Kinda like that lump on Rahman's head a few years back.

That was disgusting. It was caused by a Holyfield headbutt, I believe. I missed the Robinson feature because I went to see family this weekend. The one time they aren't talking about heavyweights or Muhammad Ali and I miss it. :(

[H2O Man]

10. I'm hoping it's on

next weekend. Very well done. I get a kick out of Carmen, who still holds a bit of a grudge towards Ray.

Holyfield was one of the dirtiest fighters of the modern era. He butted Rahman numerous times.

[dr.zoidberg]

11. Oh yes, it is.

BTW, ESPN is doing it's top ten greatest fights of all time on April 10. It'll be on ESPN Classics's "who's #1?" program. On ESPN.com they have a link on the boxing page that has you pick your top 5 fights of all time. I picked(in no certain order)Hagler/Hearns, Leonard/Hearns, Ali/Frazier I, Ali/Frazier III, and Arguello/Pryor I.

Holyfield was a fairly dirty fighter, but even then I don't think he can compare to Riddick Bowe. Bowe was a thug through and through and he was lazy to boot. Hell, I don't blame Golota for going ball hunting in both fights.

[H2O Man]

12. 10 Greatest Fights ....

Interesting. I'll have to give some thought to the 5 I'd pick. I'll likely start with Liston v Clay. It is hard, because the most significant fights are not always the most competitive .... like Louis v Schmeling 2.

Bowe was indeed lazy, and Holyfield was quite the opposite.