This might be a consistent thing on my blog here - my random thoughts and opinions on things going on in boxing, probably some MMA here and there.
A news blurb on BoxingScene.com mentioned that junior middleweight/welterweight contender (and not to mention drama queen) Kermit Cintron had said "That punk [Andre] Berto hasn't fought anyone yet at 147. He should fight me."
After the stunt Kermit pulled against Paul Williams in May, who the hell is Kermit Cintron to call anyone a "punk?" And I mean literally...that shit was a stunt. Like, Kermit should be a stunt man. The guy dramatically flew out of the ring, grabbed his head like he hit his head, then grabbed his back, then acted like he was unconscious, then punched the ambulance door as he was being whisked away to a magical and distant hospital trauma center.
And that's not even mentioning the numerous waterworks incidents before, during and after fights of his, win or lose.
I wasn't kidding about his recent antics though. Here:
See?
Kermit's right about one thing though: Andre Berto really hasn't beaten anyone relevant at 147 lbs. Luis Collazo was arguably relevant when they fought, but many fans seemed to think Berto didn't exactly deserve that decision. At this rate, Berto may be one of the best junior welterweights in the world without ever having fought in the division. The kid sure can tweet his ass off though, eh?
This past Saturday night HBO, boxing gave us what was, if nothing else, a very interesting stylistic fight between Jean Pascal and Chad Dawson. Dawson really screwed himself by letting Pascal get away with so many unanswered shots and flurries, even though he probably landed the more flush and quality punches overall. Pascal just seemed to stun him or rock him back often enough to 1. sway the crowd and judges, and 2. keep Dawson from getting into any kind of offensive groove.
I didn't see the decision as very controversial. Many rounds didn't have a clear winner, and Dawson didn't do much to clearly set himself apart from Pascal.
It seems now that Pascal's options are a rematch with Dawson and a Montreal rumble with Lucien Bute. I like Dawson to do better in a rematch and maybe win a decision, but a lot of the problem the other night might have been a combination of style and psychology. Chad doesn't throw a ton of shots and he doesn't like to either lead or really attack. And I think that rules out Chad coming into a rematch looking for blood...for now.
As for a potential Bute fight, Lucien can be hurt and doesn't seem to like getting hit much. Pascal's awkward timing and good handspeed may mess with Bute a bit too. But at the end of the day, Bute's more apt to being active and taking chances, and I think he'd exploit those openings Pascal was leaving for Dawson.
The past two weekends may have been a much-needed shot in the arm for the light heavyweight division. Not sure the medicine works long, but it now seems a lot more fun with Chad Dawson not hogging all the headlines.
Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao UPDATE: This Shit is Not Happening
They've brought in Don King, they've brought in The Wolf, they've brought in everyone short of Rev. Jesse Jackson to convince these two fairy little brats to fight. And it's still not happening. Floyd says he's not fighting again this year for some ridiculous reason, Manny's still afraid of needles and blood and unicorns, and Buboy's kneepad endorsement contract in the Philippines is lucrative as ever. Fuck all of em.
Ok Inty, you're stuck with me now. Hearing you rant is cool. Love that you have you're own forum to do that. Dawson is all mental. He's soft mentally. I actually wish he lost to Johnson in the first fight. I think we'd really know where he stands mentally now. This might just be a minor glitch because Pascal fought a smart fight but is not the better fighter. It's not like Hearns/Barkley where one had the others number. Dawson wins in a rematch but i still don't see him "bringing it" like a great does.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Pascal's stock went up and Dawson's went down, but Chad's probably the better fighter still. Jean may have fought just about as well as possible and Dawson looked flat. But I also agree Chad may have a head problem. Of course over the past few days ex-managers and all that have been magically appearing saying money has changed him and he's a diva. If that's true...light heavyweight might not be good enough to punish him. But he won't continue to dominate.
ReplyDeleteP.S. - Thanks for the kind words fekker!
ReplyDeleteI like Pascal a lot.
ReplyDeleteDawson is talented but there's something missing.
I like either of them over Bute (who I also like)
I didn't use to like Bute, but I think I'm coming around.
ReplyDeleteI remember a few years back when both Bute and Pascal were making names for themselves, I said both seemed to be very talented but Bute would go farther. That's probably the reality of it now, but Pascal surprised me a bit the other night. Bute might just be a bit too hittable. Andrade is slow as hell and was still able to lay some hands on him from time to time, and that could equal a nasty stoppage from either Dawson or Pascal.
As for Chad, he does seem to be missing initiative. Maybe it was getting hurt and/or floored by some guys that did it, maybe it's just how he is as a fighter...not sure. But he's talented as shit and should still go far if he can "put it all together," so to speak.