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WEDNESDAY - at El Cajon, California (ESPN2) - 10 rounds, welterweights: Jose Luis Castillo (56-8-1, 48 KOs) vs. Lanardo Tyner (19-1, 11 KOs).
FRIDAY - at Montreal (ESPN2) - 12 rounds, middleweights: Sebastien Demers (25-1, 9 KOs) vs. Fulgencio Zuniga (20-2-1, 17 KOs); 10 rounds, super middleweights: Adonis Stevenson (11-0, 8 KOs) vs. Anthony Bonsante (31-9-3, 18 KOs).
FRIDAY - at Brooklyn, New York (Showtime) - 10 rounds, light middleweights: Pawel Wolak (21-0, 14 KOs) vs. Ishe Smith (19-3, 9 KOs).
SATURDAY - at Tacoma, Washington (Showtime) - 12 rounds, IBF junior bantamweight title: Dimitri Kirilov (29-3-1, 9 KOs) vs. Vic Darchinyan 29-1-1, 23 KOs); 10 rounds, super middleweights: Andre Dirrell (15-0, 10 KOs) vs. Mike Paschall (17-0-1, 4 KOs).
SATURDAY - at Las Vegas (HBO) - 12 rounds, vacant IBF welterweight title: Joshua Clottey (34-2, 20 KOs) vs. Zab Judah (36-5, 25 KOs); 8 rounds, flyweights: Brian Viloria (22-2, 13 KOs) vs. Antonio Maria Cochero Diaz (9-9, 6 KOs).
You can’t beat the sport of boxing this summer. After last week – including a true "super fight" – fans are in for another outstanding week. There are, of course, many other interesting fights taking place this week, but I thought I’d concentrate on these five cards. The five are on ESPN, HBO, and Showtime.
Wednesday features former two-time WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo. As he approaches his 35th birthday, he is "older" than even his age indicates. Let’s take a look at his last six fights, to appreciate why.
In May, ’05, he fought a "super fight" against Diego Corrales; as everyone remembers, he had decked Corrales, but was TKOed in a shocking 10th round. That fight took as much out of both warriors as the Manilla battle between Ali and Frazier did those two. Five months later, he KOed Diego in 4, in a bout where he didn’t make weight. Since then, he has had problems making weight, and it isn’t simply because he is getting older (though that plays a significant role). But it is also because his body isn’t able to do what it once did.
In 2006, he decisioned Rolando Reyes, then was awarded a split decision over Herman Ngoudjo. Most fans thought Castillo was out-worked by the younger, faster Ngoudjo. Then, in ’97, Ricky Hatton easily KOed Castillo with a body shot in the 4th round. Since then, he only fought once, six months later, against an easy opponent.
Castillo was matched against Lanardo Tyner (18-1), though it appears he now faces a less talented foe, Sebastian Andres Lujan (29-5-2). The fact that Castillo is on WNFs against Lujan suggests that his career is ending, at least as far as competition at the top goes.
The ESPN FNF looks good. Also, Showtime’s show will let us see how good Pawel Wolak is. At 21-0 (14 KOs), he is facing Ishe Smith, 19-3 (9 KOs). Smith is an inconsistent fighter, who may provide an interesting test for the young contender.
On Saturday, HBO and Showtime "compete" again. On Showtime, former flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan challenges IBF super flyweight champion Dimitri Kirilov. Both men have similar records in their last three fights: both lost their titles; won a fight; then fought to the first draws on their respective records.
On HBO, Joshua Clottey and Zab Judah face off for the vacant IBF welterweight crown. Clottey, 30, has a 34-2 (20 KOs) record. He was giving Antonio Margarito a tough fight, before an injury ended his chances of pulling off an upset. Since then, he has won four in a row, including a decision over Corrales in Diego’s last fight.
Judah, approaching 31, is 36-5 (25 KOs), and the former 2-time jr. welterweight and 3-time welterweight title-holder. He gives up a half-inch in height, but 8 inches in reach (if the information I have is accurate).
Both men are well-known for "dirty tactics." Referees tend to call fouls against each early, due to their reputations. Zab is still very fast, and hits hard. He doesn’t always train hard, and thus can tire out after 6 or 7 rounds. When tired, his defensive skills are reduced, and he is not known for having the toughest chin in the business.
Clottey has great defensive skills, though they are based on his covering up with his long arms, rather than avoiding punches as Judah does. He has a good body attack.
Either man could win, but I think Clottey has the advantage. He wants to fight Margarito again, and actually has the best chance of any fighter today against him.
Enjoy the fights!
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