Boxing: Gatti vs. Baldomir

[TSIAS]

Tomorrow night features the true Welterweight Championship of the world between reigning champ Carlos Baldomir and the ultra-exciting challenger Arturo Gatti.

Baldomir won the title by beating Zab Judah at the Madison Square Garden back on January 6. Previously unheralded, the Argentenian, Baldomir, pulled off a close decision over the under-prepared Judah.

Gatti, of course, is known for his epic battles with Rafael Ruelas, Micky Ward, and many others. He recently lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is arguably the best welterweight fighter in the world. However, Mayweather chose to fight Judah, despite having lost to Baldomir in January.

I have to pick Gatti based on his experience. Since teaming up with trainer Buddy McGirt, he's modified his style and extended his career by avoiding the wars that made him a legend in the 90's and early 00's. However, I haven't seen enough of Baldomir to know if he's capable of knocking off another top-10 contender like Gatti.

[H2O Man]

1. Good fight ....

at least on paper. I'm expecting a good crowd here for it.

Baldomir has long been a journeyman contender. I admire Zab, and always cheer for him, but it goes beyond his being out of shape. He told his father, "I can't hurt him," after the 7th or 8th round. And Zab surely got hurt -- no surprise, considering he doesn't take a punch well. But Baldomir won the fight by being in shape, working hard, and using his smarts.

How will he match up with Gatti? I tend to agree with you. And you mention one of the big factors in Buddy McGirt, one of the smartest men in boxing. Still, Baldomir is on the rise, and Gotti is on the tail end of a long, tough, damaging career. The only thing we can be sure of at this point is that two proud warriors will get into the ring, in top shape.

Enjoy the fight!

[H2O Man]

2. ESPN (FNF)

Teddy Atlas provided some interesting insight on tomorrow's fight. He also said Baldomir would always be a tough fight for Zab Super Judah. Joe T. noted how well Zab did against Mayweather shortly afterward. They pointed out that Baldomir has not lost since 1998; his record is 18-0-2 in that period. Both pick Gatti by decision, though Teddy points out that Gatti needs to pile up some early rounds, because Baldomir will be more effective in the later rounds. Gatti does tend to stand in front of people.

The ESPN Friday Night card was intense. Jameel McCline looked good in taking a 10 round decision over a game and talented Terry Smith. Brock has decisioned both men in two of his better showings, but they are valid contenders. McCline is 6'6" and 270 lbs, and used his size very well. He looked fast and in good shape.

In the main event, undefeated Allan Green KOed victim Anthony Bonsante, in a warm-up for a fall fight against Jeff Lacy. Bonsante is from "the contender", and was looking to pull off something similar to the sparring partner that staggered Green recently on ESPN. It seems that Green has a great deal of ability and natural talent, but I think he should get a few more matches in before taking on the top guys. He makes some mistakes that could be exploited by a more mature fighter.

[H2O Man]

3. ???

How can there not be more interest in boxing?

[Stephist]

4. Gatti was just too small.

But he has the heart of the warrior, he never was as great of a fighter as he is an attraction but damn his fights are great. Baldomir's record means nothing he hasn't lost in 8 years and is confident that being said he doesn't want Mayweather. I am glad Baldomir stopped him because I doubt he would get the decision. And oh by the way...Larry Merchant sucks.

[H2O Man]

5. Agree 100%

Very entertaining fight. I thought Gotti would outbox him, at least for 7 or 8 rounds, and take a decision. By the end of the 3rd, it was clear that Gotti couldn't match power, and that he was going to have his strength sapped. I hope he retires. (A while ago, Gotti was saying he has a child now, giving him a reason to fight. I think it's a reason to quit.)

Baldomir is very good. There is a reason he is on this 8 year streak. Good luck to him. I hope he fights Ricky Hatton. That would be a heck of a fight for boxing fans.

[MessiahRp]

6. Sigh...

I sort of am sad to see Gatti get beaten so badly. I can't remember a fighter that was so exciting to watch in every one of his fights. I wanted him to win if only to keep seeing great Gatti classics.

Baldomir looked good here but I don't think he would do so well against Mayweather especially if Mayweather boxes him and uses more body shots. Hatton is out of place in the division and like Gatti he loses the power he had at Junior Welterweight by moving up. It's a shame that they're all so chicken to not want a piece of Margarito. Of course after I saw him rip that guy's ear off, I can't blame any of them for wanting no part of him.

Rp

[H2O Man]

7. Yep.

Though I never liked him as a fighter, I certainly have respected him as a warrior. But he has taken far too many punches, and in ten years, it will show. I wish that his corner had shut it down earlier last night. But the guy wings some outrageous punches when he is hurt, and so they must have been hoping against reason.

I do like Mayweather, but I'll agree with Manny (and Teddy Atlas) that he hasn't shown himself to be great at this weight. I think he'd have an easier time against Margarito than Baldomir .... unless he got hit with one big shot. Mayweather would, like Judah, outbox Baldomir early, but would face problems in the second half. Against Margarito, he would do about the same as he did to Corrales years ago.

You are right about Hatton. He faces real problems in the division. I think he should fight Margarito. Someone needs to, and whoever would win that fight would seem to have a claim to fight for the title.

Lots of great fights to be made in that weight class.

[MessiahRp]

8. I don't look at Mayweather to have to KO Baldomir

but outboxing him early and racking up a huge points lead is very possible. I also think Baldomir is vulnerable to body shots and if he were to take enough of them he could take a knockdown that way.

I don't see him getting knocked down with a head shot. Man has a helmet for a head.

Rp

[H2O Man]

9. Yep.

I agree with you, of course. Just trying to keep a conversation going.

Right now, Mayweather has the ability to beat anyone his weight. It might be that some fights are not going to be slugfests, because he can simply outbox anyone. But sometimes great fighters forget the simple fact that when they get in the ring to beat another man, anything can happen .... and sometimes does at the least expected time.

I though Baldomir had a few times when he looked a little tired, and he missed some wild punches. It's at those times that a Mayweather or other fast puncher might hurt him with a head shot.