chop
09-13-2006, 12:08 PM
By Evan Korn: With the summer schedule winding down, boxing fans can look forward to the Labor Day malaise, where big fights and competitive battles go the way of "Old Yeller". Before the jam-packed fall schedule, we will be subjected to putrid bouts like Paul Williams-Sharmba Mitchell, Evander Holyfield-Jeremy Bates, and another Sergio Mora exhibition. While the end of the summer fights are as dry and flavorless as Diet Tab, there is more than enough to wet the appetite of the boxing fan before the end of the year. Here are five fights to mark on your calendar.
1. Barrera-Juarez III (Sept. 16)- The last four rounds of their first go-round begged the question: is Barrera finished as an elite fighter? While Barrera built up enough of a lead to pull out a disputed decision, Juarez doled out a wealth of punishment to a now seemingly faded champion. But Barrera, who rose from the grave like the zombies from the "Thriller" video after Manny Pacquiao embarrassed him nearly three years ago, might have one more great performance brewing in his belly. More likely than not, Barrera will become cannon fodder for the younger, fresher Juarez. For some reason, I want to see if Marco can wail some tail once more because, who knows, this might be his swansong. When he finally rides off into the sunset on a white horse, we're going to miss him. In 1997, after his second loss to Junior Jones, his obituary was being written. Nearly a decade later, the Juarez rematch will provide the answer as to whether his name will fill the pugilistic obituary page once more
2. Diego Corrales-Joel Casamayor III (Oct. 7)- What gets lost somewhere between the Castillo saga and Casamayor's subsequent comeback is that their first two bouts were damn good scraps. With everyone and their mother clamoring for a Corrales-Juan Diaz showdown, people forget that there is unfinished business with the low-blow savvy Cuban southpaw. Their first bout was marred by an untimely cut on the inside of Corrales' mouth, forcing Dr. Margaret Goodman to halt the contest. The rematch was a razor-thin split decision victory for Corrales. A third and final fight is needed to determine the superior fighter, although Corrales and Casamayor, both of whom have been through some punishing battles, might be past their respective expiration dates. Whether these two cartons of milk are already curdled remains to be seen.
3. Somsak Sithchatchawal/Celestino Caballero (not yet official)- Only five months ago, Sithchatchawal knocked out Frenchman Mahyar Monshipour in one of the greatest fights of the past quarter-century (and for my money, better than Castillo-Corrales I). Since the bout was not aired in the United States, only internet mavens and obsessive tape collectors have viewed this masterpiece of fisticuffs. For an encore, the Thai 122-pound titleholder takes on Caballero, who has flown relatively underneath the radar with wins against the likes of Daniel Ponce De Leon and Jose Luis Valbuena. In all honestly, it does not matter who Sithchatchawal fights: he is must-see television. Hopefully, in the near future, mega-fights with Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez can materialize, although I would not hold my breath.
4. James Toney/Samuel Peter (Sept. 2)- It doesn't even matter how great or putrid this fight ends up being. The weigh-in for this bout alone warrants a place on this list. Will Toney enter the arena with an entourage of Dom DeLuise, Roberto Duran, and the fat kid from "Old School"? Will he have to order custom trunks from a SUMO company? Judging by his comments after a recent workout, nothing is out of the question. Here, for your reading pleasure, is the latest pearl of wisdom from "the round mound of the pound for pound": "I am a fu**ing heavyweight. No one questioned Ali and Foreman, so don't question me." Despite James' typical lack of class and professionalism outside of the ring, these questions need to be asked. If he shows up on Sept. 2 looking like, as Bert Sugar once dubbed Buster Douglas, "a poster-boy for 'Save the Whales'", Peter will send Toney into a retirement full of fried Snickers bars, Churros, and gallons of Crisco. Then again, Toney has proven time after time, that unlike Alicia Silverstone, gaining extra poundage will not always ruin a career. For Peter, this fight is his last chance to prove he is more than a fly-by-night power-puncher.
5. Emanuel Augustus/TBA - Seriously, what does Augustus, boxing's greatest treasure, have to do in order to receive a big money fight? After he fought Micky Ward in 2001's "Fight of the Year", Ward got the call to fight Arturo Gatti. The rest is history. Since Ward's ascension to cult status, Augustus has fought his share of prospects, journeymen, and championship-caliber pugilists. He has won some, lost some, been robbed in others, but in the end, he is always entertaining. Whether it is landing a "double punch" against Ray Oliveira or clowning then top-10 Lightweight contender Alex Trujillo for 12 rounds, Augustus remains the most consistently entertaining fighter in the sport. In an era where promoters are expected to be our greatest showmen, Augustus has become the Harlem Globetrotters of boxing, a skilled practitioner who wins over fans and pisses off purists.
Other Fights to mark on your calendar
Glen Johnson/Clinton Woods 3 (Sept. 2)- Johnson looks to return to Light-Heavyweight prominence following his ridiculous exile after his loss to Antonio Tarver.
Jorge Barrios/Joan Guzman (Sept. 16)- As the main preliminary to Barrera Juarez 2, it will provide more than enough pre-event fireworks.
1. Barrera-Juarez III (Sept. 16)- The last four rounds of their first go-round begged the question: is Barrera finished as an elite fighter? While Barrera built up enough of a lead to pull out a disputed decision, Juarez doled out a wealth of punishment to a now seemingly faded champion. But Barrera, who rose from the grave like the zombies from the "Thriller" video after Manny Pacquiao embarrassed him nearly three years ago, might have one more great performance brewing in his belly. More likely than not, Barrera will become cannon fodder for the younger, fresher Juarez. For some reason, I want to see if Marco can wail some tail once more because, who knows, this might be his swansong. When he finally rides off into the sunset on a white horse, we're going to miss him. In 1997, after his second loss to Junior Jones, his obituary was being written. Nearly a decade later, the Juarez rematch will provide the answer as to whether his name will fill the pugilistic obituary page once more
2. Diego Corrales-Joel Casamayor III (Oct. 7)- What gets lost somewhere between the Castillo saga and Casamayor's subsequent comeback is that their first two bouts were damn good scraps. With everyone and their mother clamoring for a Corrales-Juan Diaz showdown, people forget that there is unfinished business with the low-blow savvy Cuban southpaw. Their first bout was marred by an untimely cut on the inside of Corrales' mouth, forcing Dr. Margaret Goodman to halt the contest. The rematch was a razor-thin split decision victory for Corrales. A third and final fight is needed to determine the superior fighter, although Corrales and Casamayor, both of whom have been through some punishing battles, might be past their respective expiration dates. Whether these two cartons of milk are already curdled remains to be seen.
3. Somsak Sithchatchawal/Celestino Caballero (not yet official)- Only five months ago, Sithchatchawal knocked out Frenchman Mahyar Monshipour in one of the greatest fights of the past quarter-century (and for my money, better than Castillo-Corrales I). Since the bout was not aired in the United States, only internet mavens and obsessive tape collectors have viewed this masterpiece of fisticuffs. For an encore, the Thai 122-pound titleholder takes on Caballero, who has flown relatively underneath the radar with wins against the likes of Daniel Ponce De Leon and Jose Luis Valbuena. In all honestly, it does not matter who Sithchatchawal fights: he is must-see television. Hopefully, in the near future, mega-fights with Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez can materialize, although I would not hold my breath.
4. James Toney/Samuel Peter (Sept. 2)- It doesn't even matter how great or putrid this fight ends up being. The weigh-in for this bout alone warrants a place on this list. Will Toney enter the arena with an entourage of Dom DeLuise, Roberto Duran, and the fat kid from "Old School"? Will he have to order custom trunks from a SUMO company? Judging by his comments after a recent workout, nothing is out of the question. Here, for your reading pleasure, is the latest pearl of wisdom from "the round mound of the pound for pound": "I am a fu**ing heavyweight. No one questioned Ali and Foreman, so don't question me." Despite James' typical lack of class and professionalism outside of the ring, these questions need to be asked. If he shows up on Sept. 2 looking like, as Bert Sugar once dubbed Buster Douglas, "a poster-boy for 'Save the Whales'", Peter will send Toney into a retirement full of fried Snickers bars, Churros, and gallons of Crisco. Then again, Toney has proven time after time, that unlike Alicia Silverstone, gaining extra poundage will not always ruin a career. For Peter, this fight is his last chance to prove he is more than a fly-by-night power-puncher.
5. Emanuel Augustus/TBA - Seriously, what does Augustus, boxing's greatest treasure, have to do in order to receive a big money fight? After he fought Micky Ward in 2001's "Fight of the Year", Ward got the call to fight Arturo Gatti. The rest is history. Since Ward's ascension to cult status, Augustus has fought his share of prospects, journeymen, and championship-caliber pugilists. He has won some, lost some, been robbed in others, but in the end, he is always entertaining. Whether it is landing a "double punch" against Ray Oliveira or clowning then top-10 Lightweight contender Alex Trujillo for 12 rounds, Augustus remains the most consistently entertaining fighter in the sport. In an era where promoters are expected to be our greatest showmen, Augustus has become the Harlem Globetrotters of boxing, a skilled practitioner who wins over fans and pisses off purists.
Other Fights to mark on your calendar
Glen Johnson/Clinton Woods 3 (Sept. 2)- Johnson looks to return to Light-Heavyweight prominence following his ridiculous exile after his loss to Antonio Tarver.
Jorge Barrios/Joan Guzman (Sept. 16)- As the main preliminary to Barrera Juarez 2, it will provide more than enough pre-event fireworks.