The Boxing Diary: Opinion

Showing posts with label Opinion. Show all posts

Monday, July 28, 2014

How powerful Gennady "GGG" Golovkin's right hand?

Gennady Golovkin's right hand that landed as a hook on Daniel Geale's face, was the punch that ended the fight at the Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

If you look at that right hand punch on GIF provided by Zombie Prophet posted on Badlefthook.com, you'll notice that prior to that punch, Geale connected first and landed on Golovkin's face, with a right straight. It happened when Golovkin's right hook already traveled, but because a straight punch travels a shorter path, it landed first on Golovkin. In short, Golovkin was beaten by the punch.

What made me wonder, is how really powerful Golovkin's right hand? The fact that: he was hit in the face, before his right hook landed -- the power have been deflected and should have been ineffective. But still it possessed a devastating power. Although, Geale got up quickly, but it was obvious that he was hurt. And the gesture he showed opted referee Mike Ortega to stop the fight.

In this Golovkin-Geale highlight video from HBO, you'll see that Geale shook his head -- that it seemed to me indicating that he don't want to continue to fight.

Now my mind keep wandering, what if Golovkin was not hit in the face? And his right hand landed in full swing? What could possibly happen to Geale?

Fight Note: Absurd happening on Golovkin-Geale fight

Rey Tecson Opinion ,

Fight Note: Absurd happening on Golovkin-Geale fight

On Saturday night, at the Madison Square Garden, Gennady Golovkin won against Daniel Geale via knockout in Round 3. Boxing experts expected this result and Golovkin just did what was expected from him.

Golovkin (30-0, 27 KO) just did what he normally do in the ring: knocking opponents after opponents. This has been his 17 straight victories by way of stoppage. The most on current champion in the sport.

There are few absurd happenings during the fight. In the first round we've seen Geale (30-3, 16 KO) tripped by a camera-strap by one of ringside photographer and went down. I just don't know why our dear photographers on that fight spread the strap of his camera deep down inside the ring.

That incident was really dangerous, but I'm glad that there's nothing serious happened to Geale. He can be seriously injured. And take note; that was Geale's first knockdown of his career -- not by a punch but by a camera strap -- absurd!

Don't you know also that the first round lasted for four minutes instead of the regulations 3-minute a round. I don't know what exactly the reason. But it looks likely that the timekeeper enjoyed watching the fight and forget the time. That's a possibility.

I was not able to notice the time during the fight, I just happen to read it from here: http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/19044-gennady-golovkin-vs-daniel-geale-live-round-by-round-results and by watching the replay -- it's too obvious.

Why Guillermo Rigondeaux's cheap shot is cheaper than Floyd Mayweather?

Rey Tecson Opinion ,

Photo Credit: Top Rank

This past weekend, Guillermo Rigondeaux, the two-time Olympic gold medalist, knocked out Sod Kokietgym of Thailand, with a much cheaper, cheap-shot than that of Mayweather to Victor Ortiz.

Why I said it's cheaper than the Mayweather version of cheap shot?

First and foremost, Rigo and Kokietgym's clash of heads was pure accident. There's nothing wrong about it. It happens in boxing most of the time. But Ortiz deliberately head butt Mayweather. And he touched gloves with Mayweather, and then the cheap shot happened.

However, Rigondeaux was never apologetic. It's acceptable because the head butt was unintentional. But what is not acceptable for me: is that when the referee resumed the fight, Rigondeaux touched Kokietgym's glove with his right hand. And he immediately pulled back the same hand and came back as a right hook that landed on Kokietgym's left side of the face, followed by a left hand that sent Kokietgym down.

Kokietgym was counted out and the official time 1:44 in the first round.

Normally, when fighters touch gloves, they step back and then resume the fight. It's not a written rule in boxing, but it is a golden rule written in the heart of an athlete who understands sportsmanship. Rigondeaux absolutely understand only the rule that says "protect yourself at all times". But for me it doesn't mean attack at all times.

I think fighters should not only fight to win. But fight with honor so that you will earn glory -- not just money.

In team-game, they said "it's not whether you win or lose its how you play the game", but I think this phrase is also applicable for contact sport. Rigondeaux should understand that not all wins are good wins. He should have that better because of his win against Nonito Donaire that didn't give any good at him after that fight.

Mayweather and Maidana branded each other as dirty fighter

Rey Tecson Opinion ,

Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions

During the Mayweather vs Maidana rematch press tours in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles; the word "dirty fighter" is the common word that both men called each other. But who do you think is dirty?

Here's what Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Marcos Maidana said that says the other is a dirty fighter.

Official fight announcement - New York

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"Is Maidana a better fighter than Canelo? No. Cotto? No. He's just a dirtier fighter. I didn't get a deep gash from a punch; I got it from a head butt."

Marcos Maidana

"I fight dirty? He's the king of the elbows."

Press Tour - Chicago

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"I have to watch this guy in there. He's dirty."

"It's obvious he's doing something right if he is facing me again and he won a few rounds from me. But the referee had a bad night last time. We forgive him but this is going to be a much cleaner fight. Note of those dirty rabbit punches or elbows."

Press Tour - Los Angeles

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

"Marcos Maidana is a very, very dirty fighter. In our last fight he had over 10 low blows, head butts. He's in the wrong sport if he wants to fight a bare knuckle brawl, this is boxing. We are both looking to have careers after boxing; I don't want to risk my health."

"To be honest, Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez are better fighters than Maidana. They are better, stronger boxers. With me and Canelo, it was more of a chess match as opposed to Maidana who came at me very dirty and reckless. I knew something crazy was going to happen in our fight, which it did, I got a headbutt."

"Back in May, I tried to get the attention of the referee in the eighth round because Floyd was fighting very dirty and he didn't even honor that, he tried to pull a Victor Ortiz shot on me. That's the type of fighter he is - dirty and sneaky.

Marcos Maidana

"In all of his fights, he [Mayweather] brings his elbows out. He really likes to use his elbows. One of his moves is to put his elbow in the fighter's throat and the referee for some reason let him get away with it. We all know he [Mayweather] does whatever he wants because he has the judges in his pocket. He is a dirty fighter.

Maidana: "He's [Floyd] not that great, he's not that superhuman boxer"

Rey Tecson Opinion ,

Stephanie Trapp/SHOWTIME®

During the Los Angeles press tour of the Mayweather vs Maidana rematch, Marcos Maidana says that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is "not that great" or "superhuman boxer".

[For more photos of the Mayhem LA press tour visit here: http://shuttlepenboxing.com/2014/07/mayweather-vs-maidana-ii-la-press-tour-quotes-photos.html

"In my first fight against Floyd, I learned that he's not that great, he's not that superhuman boxer everybody talks about. If I wouldn’t have been so anxious looking for the knockout, I would have beat him." says Maidana.

But with the above being Maidana said, he has proven to his self that Floyd isn't the superhuman boxer everybody talks about. In the first fight, he cut Floyd. He bulldozed Floyd to the ropes that the undefeated American boxer almost went out from the ring. Maidana won several rounds -- that no other fighters did -- except Jose Luis Castillo.

Well, literally of course Mayweather is not superhuman boxer. But he made those fighters; he met in the ring look extremely bad. They look like ordinary fighters in front of Floyd. Then, I don't know how you'll call that. That even includes those who are perceived to give Floyd problems prior to the fight. Ask Canelo Alvarez.

In Floyd's career he made only one rematch -- against Jose Luis Castillo for the lightweight world title. In the first fight many believed Castillo won. Many had criticized Floyd and he gave Castillo a rematch right away. But in the rematch, it was totally a different story. Floyd dominated Castillo. The fight didn't look as competitive as the first fight.

Maidana anticipates what will happen in his rematch with the best boxer in the planet, and says Floyd is going to run around the ring. "I think Floyd is going to run around the ring. In our first fight, he said he was going to stand up and fight and he didn't. So, I wouldn't surprise me if this time around he does the same thing."

Mayweather will of course do the thing he did best and that includes a lot of footwork and ring usage. The burden is on Maidana on how to sustain the kind of assault that won him rounds.

Why Manny Pacquiao has so much to lose against Chris Algieri?

Rey Tecson Opinion ,

It is likely that Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will defend his welterweight title against Chris Algieri on November 22 in Macau, China. I think, Pacquiao has so much to lose than to gain in fighting the 5-foot, 10 inches tall Algieri.

The undefeated Algieri (20-0, 8 KO) earned his spot to face Pacquiao following his victory over heavy handed Ruslan Provodnikov in June. Although he picked up fans, after his gallant performance against Provodnikov, Algieri is totally unknown in China. And for sure, boxing fans there will come to see only Pacquiao. So, in the business standpoint it is solely Pacquiao who will draw fans in the venue. Without getting any backing from Algieri, who don't have a solid fan base, Pacquiao-Algieri could have an extremely disappointing result. Pacquiao-Bradley II has been reported having a disappointing result. And in fact it is held in the US. How much more for Pacquiao-Algieri?

Apart from a potential unfavorable revenue outcome, the 35 year old, Congressman, Singer, Commercial model, Product endorser, Basketball playing coach and Pastor, Manny Pacquiao (56-5-3, 38 KO) for sure will be having a lot of problems against Algieri in the ring. And right now, I wanted to lay down my prediction. My gut feeling tells me that Algieri will upset Pacquiao via unanimous decision.

Algieri has the style height and reach to pose problem with the lone eight division champion. Alright, you are correct, Pacquiao has been facing taller opponents; like Oscar De La Hoya and Antonio Margarito. But these fighters were there to come forward. But Algieri is a slick boxer, who has long arms and height to dwarf the 5 foot, 6 inches Pacquiao.

It is obvious that Pacquiao is no more as quick as he used to be. What has been the tailor made style for him recently are the guys that comes in. But the only thing, I see in this fight that Pacquiao can gain: is the experience to fight a tall and pure technical boxer. Algieri is a solid measuring stick to determine the chances of Pacquiao against Floyd Mayweather Jr. -- if they ever fight in fall next year.

Pacquiao of 2009, I'm sure, will win against Mayweather Jr. But at this point, I think Mayweather will win against Pacman. Opppss! don't get me wrong, why I'm talking about a fight that will never happen. But wait, Mayweather announced during Mayweather-Maidana official fight announcement in New York that he has a surprise in May. And I'm anticipating that the fight you want, I want, they want, and we all want will finally happen.

Pacquiao faces younger opponents in his remaining fights

Rey Tecson Opinion ,

9:00 PM July 6, 2014

Dear Diary,

When Manny Pacquiao first fought Marco Antonio Barrera on Nov. 15, 2003, he's only 24 old years, a month and few days short on his 25th birthday. While Barrera is 29 years old. Barrera is sitting at the top of the featherweight division. He's at the peak of his career. But Pacquiao made Barrera looks old on that night. He's a hungry lion that took Barrera's pride.

From 2003 until 2011, Pacquiao has been fighting older but more experienced opponents, except Jorge Solis (born 1979), and Miguel Cotto (1980). He won all those fights. He beat Morales, Marquez (twice) Barrera, Diaz, De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. These fighters are either current champions of former champions when Pacquiao defeated them.

But at this point of Pacquiao's career, he would probably face younger and younger opposition in the remaining fights of his career. He's now in the position of older lion. And younger lions are just around, ready to take over his pride.

I thought that Pacquaio's career was over when he suffer back-to-back losses in 2012. In his comeback fight in 2013, a younger opponent in Brandon Rios challenged him. The older lion prevailed. Last April another young lion and former conqueror (at least on paper) in Timothy Bradley challenged him. The older lion still prevailed.

But until when can Pacquiao keep his pride intact? I'am sure he will face younger and younger opponents in all of his remaining fights. Marquez (another old lion) still ruled out a fifth fight with him.

Chris Algieri, Terence Crawford, Shawn Porter, Kell Brook and Danny Garcia are few of the hungry lions looking for a pride to take over. I'm sure one of these names will be Pacquiao next opponent. My Dear Diary, who do you think among the names I mentioned above would retire Pacquiao?

Pacquiao is tentatively set to comeback in November most probably in Macau, China. Apart from those names above, Amir Khan (27) is also a hot name that floats whenever Pacquiao next bout is discussed. Robert Guerrero's (31) name also has been mentioned to be Pacquiao's next opponent following his FOTY candidate war with Kamegai.

Retech

Danny Garcia vs. Rod Salka: Boxing media's most hated match-up

Rey Tecson Opinion ,

June 24, 2014

Dear Diary,

I post press releases on shuttlepenboxing.com -- a boxing site that I also founded. I received press release from Golden Boy Promotion entitled "Danny Garcia, Lamont Peterson and Daniel Jacobs to headline Golden Boy Promotions' Return to Brooklyn's Barclays Center Saturday, August 9 Live on Showtime®"

At first glance, it made me excited. I assumed that undefeated Danny Garcia (28-0, 16 KO) and Lamont Peterson (32-2-1, 16 KO) will fight. My assumption is based on the press release title. But as I continued reading--I said "BULLSHIT!" after my brain digested what I read. Danny Garcia, Transnational Boxing Ranking Board (TBRB) light welterweight champion is fighting totally unknown Rod Salka! And Lamont Peterson, TBRB light welterweight rank number two faces Edgar Santana. Santana who? I can't believed it! So I decided not to post or write a story about this press release. I still can't believe it. I'm hoping maybe Golden Boy Promotion will recall that press release and send another one that says Garcia is fighting Peterson instead. But it did not happen.

June 25, 2014

In the following day, I started browsing the net. I wanted to find out how boxing media pickup this press release. I know it will be bashed. I started with The Sweet Science, as this site would post press releases as it is. And yes, TSS didn't post this press release as they normally do. Michael Woods, TSS editor-in-chief wrote his initial reaction of the card first, before posting the press release on the same page. Although he's not that brutal on his comments but I feel he's not happy at all. Here's the post: http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles-frontpage/18854-danny-garcia-danny-jacobs-and-lamont-peterson-top-aug-9-brooklyn-card

My next stop was Tim Starks' The Queensberryrules.com and here's what I've got: http://bloguin.com/queensberryrules/2014-articles/danny-garcia-and-lamont-peterson-wont-fight-each-other-on-the-worst-card-of-the-year.html Alex McClintock downright criticizing this card with the title "Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson won’t fight each other on the worst card of the year".

June 26, 2014

Next stop my facebook. When I browse for updates on my facebook account; a boxing friend shared video reaction for the Garcia-Salka upcoming fight. 78SportsTV whoever this guy is -- he was very upset of this match-up and titled his video-reaction "Danny Garcia an Embarrassment to Boxing". But Garcia is not to blame solely on this. Golden Boy's matchmaker should be. But anyway here's the link of his rant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4aVoIa4CLk

July 02, 2014

And the last but not the least is Teddy Atlas' rant during the FNF on Wednesday. Here's the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuGcIJyQbn4 I don't know if this is the first match that Oscar De la Hoya has while on the helm of GBP. But I don't think so. I don't think if former GBP CEO Richard Schaefer would allow this kind of card. This is outright embarrassing.

Retech

Monday, July 28, 2014

How powerful Gennady "GGG" Golovkin's right hand?

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Fight Note: Absurd happening on Golovkin-Geale fight

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Why Guillermo Rigondeaux's cheap shot is cheaper than Floyd Mayweather?

Friday, July 18, 2014