Mayweather v Baldomir

[k_jerome]

potential to be a great fight. then again, Mayweather is the best right now. Baldomir has size and seems to be impossible to knock out.

[H2O Man]

1. Styles make fights.

It seems likely that Mayweather will outbox Baldomir and take a lopsided decision. But, as you point out, Baldomir has a significant size advantage. I remember at the end of one round, Zab Judah's father yelled at him to take Baldomir out, and Zab said he wasn't able to hurt the guy. And Zab hits hard.

Mayweather needs to keep the fight in the middle of the ring. Baldomir would be far more likely to tire Mayweather out if he can make it a physical struggle on the ropes. Late in the fight, Baldomir's strength could be a real factor.

[H2O Man]

2. PS

I'm curious what you think of the Shannon Briggs fight this weekend? I think it might be one of the most important fights of the last few years in the heavyweight division. My house will be packed Saturday night.

[k_jerome]

4. i'm rooting for Briggs...

I am amazed at how bare the heavyweight division is in the US. maybe a resurgence? Briggs has impressed me in the past. and disappointed me.

[H2O Man]

5. I like Briggs.

Always have. But I used him as the prime example when showing my son how a talented warrior could allow self doubt to exhaust him before a fight. I think he is at a level of maturity where he can relax in the ring. Rubin Carter used to impress upon me that if you stay relaxed, you never get tired.

I've heard that Don King anticipates Briggs will win. I've heard that he may match Evander Holyfield with Nikolay Valuev if Holyfield wins as expected this month. Then King looks to put Briggs against Valuev.

[k_jerome]

3. do you think the absence of Roger Mayweather will.

affect Floyd at all? Especially if it gets tough in the later rounds?

[H2O Man]

6. It sure could.

Even if we say probably not, it is important to keep in mind that if, for example, there is an accidental butt that leaves a cut over Mayweather's left eye in the 7th round, it becomes an issue. There is a possibility that the corner will play a role.

[H2O Man]

7. The HBO preview

is a wonderful 1/2 hour. It really covers why this is such a good fight on paper, and may be a great fight in the ring.

A couple points of interest: Floyd is so talented. He does his best against opponents who are a little taller. One thing he does that is high-lighted on the preview is gets the opponent to throw a jab .... and by all ring logic, that jab should hit Floyd. But, he doesn't just roll his shoulder -- he pulls his head back. Technically a terrible move, one that many experts knew would cause young Cassius Clay to get his ass kicked. Really, only Ali and maybe Pernell Whitaker have gotten away with that. Leonard didn't do it.

Now, when Floyd won his first title, and especially when he butchered Corrales, it worked. But with Judah, we know that Zab was looking to capitalize on it. And for a while, he was in the fight because Floyd couldn't do all his defensive magic.

But more important, for the sake of this fight, is to look at the first Castillo fight. Now, I think Floyd won it, but it was a tough fight. Floyd, the master of exchanges in the middle of that ring, was physically forced into another territory. And that, we know, is where Baldomir plans to bring the fight by the 6th round .... to those ropes. And he won't be shooting for Floyd's chin. He'll be throwing to the belly, the sides, the chest and even shoulders.

I expect Floyd is going to dazzle us with his foot movement. Not running, just that shifting of angles that allows him to win the exchanges and avoid being hit with consecutive punches. I think that he knows that Baldomir does pay a price when he drops from 180+ lbs to make weight. Sure, he's a strong fighter. But dropping weight isn't easy as you age.

What a fight.

[TSIAS]

9. I remember both Castillo fights

The 1st fight was very close. At first, I thought Castillo had won. The entire HBO team, including Lederman, was outraged. But after watching it, the decision wasn't horrible. I think Floyd easily won the rematch.

I'm glad you think this could be a good fight. I was waffling on buying it because I think Mayweather should win easily.

I agree that Baldomir is a durable fighter. I doubt that Mayweather would be able to win by KO unless there are cuts involved. Like most Americans, the only 2 Baldomir fights I've seen were against Judah and Gatti. The Gatti win was particularly impressive, since many people thought Baldomir was a one-hit wonder.

It's hard to pick against Floyd at the moment. Jim Lampley, on the Jim Rome show, echoed my sentiments. He said that you have to pick Floyd by UD unless we see some major weakness exposed in Floyd.

Frankly, Baldomir's best hope would be to re-aggrivate the injury to Floyd's hand. Jesus Chavez was able to make their fight competitive because Floyd damaged his hand during the bout.

I expect that Mayweather will indeed look impressive, further creating the impetus for a superfight between Floyd and Oscar De La Hoya.

[H2O Man]

10. Yep, I agree.

We are seeing one of the most talented fighters in the sport's history with Floyd Mayweather. I wouldn't be surprised to see him be too fast and just too good for Baldomir. It will be interesting to see where they make the fight -- Floyd is so good in the middle of the ring, but the ropes could present some problems. I'll be curious to see what angles Floyd gives him. His ability to move into position to land punches is a thing of beauty. That is where he might be able to hurt Baldomir.

If Mayweather is in shape, and he always is, I don't think Oscar would be a tough fight for him. It's hard to think of anyone right now that presents more of a risk than Baldomir. But the sport is full of surprises.

[H2O Man]

8. Friday Night .....

on HBO2, at 11 pm/est: first the 6-25-05 Mayweather vs Gotti fight, followed by the 7-22-06 Baldomir vs Gotti fight.

Of course, ShowTime has "ShoBox: The New Generation" on at the same time.

[H2O Man]

11. I'm curious

what people who saw the fight thought? It sounds like Mayweather is simply too good for anyone his weight right now.

[MessiahRp]

12. I didn't watch the fight but

I do think Mayweather is ducking some guys that probably would give him trouble, i.e. Margarito and Cotto. No offense to Baldomir but he really never beat anybody. He beat an overrated Judah and an over the hill Gatti. He was considerably larger than most of his opponents (he comes down from a pretty high weight to fight) and yet has only had the power to have 13 KOs in 47 wins.

I'm sort of sick of Mayweather saying he's god's gift to fighting but he is now talking retirement without fighting all the big names in the division and while expecting the lion share's of the money with guys like De La Hoya and Mosley when he himself has been a poor attendance and PPV draw.

Rp

[H2O Man]

13. Talk of retirement

is a common form of demanding a high price to fight.

I think Cotto would present a real challenge to him. I think Margarito would be a relatively easy victory for him, and Oscar even more so. Margarito's power would always give him a chance, of course. But the Cotto fight would be difficult.