Boxing : This Should Interest Other Sports Fans, Too!!!

[H2O Man]

Tonight on ESPN's Friday Night Fights, starting at 8 pm est, the "main event" features heavyweight Samuel Peter on the comeback trail. Peter, 25-1, with 21 KOs, faces Julius Long, 14-7, with 12 KOs.

Peter is considered by many to be the hardest hitting heavyweight today. His power compares with some of the best punchers in the division's history. The question about Peter is if he will learn the skills required to deliver those blows to the top fighters in the division.

Long is reportedly 7' tall. I am wondering if this is a "warm-up" for Peter before a possible match against the tall, slow-moving Russian giant, Nicolay Valuev?

Also of interest is studio guest Calvin Brock, who is widely recognized as one of the best heavyweight prospects in the past decade. I consider Peter, Brock, and Serguei Lyakhovich to be the future of the division. Each has the natural gifts to beat any other man in the division. The three could make heavyweight boxing return to its proper place in the world of sports.

[H2O Man]

1. It's hard to keep track,

when everyone speaks at once.

Samuel scored a crushing one round knockout.

[dr.zoidberg]

2. Easy night for Peter.

There's nothing like fighting someone who doesn't want to be in the ring in the first place. Saturday is going to be good with Zahir Raheem vs. Acelino Freitas. Also, Andre Ward is on a televised undercard fight. It should be on HBO.

[H2O Man]

3. Yep.

It's on HBO. The main event might be a very interesting match up. I'd like to see Raheem win, although it could go either way.

Peter's victim looked like he was afraid as he walked into the ring.

[dr.zoidberg]

4. A shitty, sloppy fight.

Raheem performed three takedowns on Freitas and looked to be off balance the entire night. This happens because he crouches so low that a light breeze could knock him over. Both men clinched a great deal, with Raheem, IMO, being the instigator more often than not. I had Freitas winning 115-113. I felt that Frietas started strong and ended strong as well. I can see where people could have Raheem winning, as the fight was very close. I felt that Freitas landed the better, cleaner punches. Raheem had his moments, but failed to capitalize on them. Raheem did a great job when he used his double jab, but the problem was he didn't use it often enough.

The first fight featured Andre Ward against Andy Kolle. Kolle was live, but was outclassed by Wards' superior talent. The fight also had a nasty accidental headbutt in the 6th or 7th round that led to the doctor stopping the fight. Kolle showed that at least some midwestern white guys can fight. :)

While I'm at it, the announcing team was terrible. There were times in both fights where there was dead air and the crew seemed awkward together. Also, Lennox Lewis seemed unsure of himself and was pretty much stating the obvious.

[H2O Man]

5. Very disappointing fight.

The styles seemed to clash in a way that made for one of the least appealing fights I've seen in a long, long time. It was a surprise for me, as I anticipated a good fight.

I agree about the undercard, and the announcers.

What do you think about the upcoming Mayorga vs De La Hoya fight? In a sense, Oscar has been in a class above Ricardo, and should be able to win an easy decision. On the other hand, Oscar has been inactive, is old(er), hasn't had great power at the higher weights, and is reportedly looking ahead to a match against Mayweather; Mayorga has reportedly been training longer and harder than for any fight, takes a good punch, and is unpredictable in his methods in the ring.

I don't buy as many PPV fights these days, but it will be my younger boy's birthday, and he wants to watch it.

[dr.zoidberg]

6. I think DLH takes it.

A few years ago I would have picked DLH with no hesitation. Now, I'll still pick DLH, although I don't think it will be an easy win. I expect DLH to dance circles around Mayorga and pick up a UD victory. I have no faith in Mayorga, not after being shown up by Cory Spinks and decapitated by Felix Trinidad.