Random thoughts on random fights

Random thoughts on random fights

by Andrew Schweitzer

     I haven't been writing a lot because I've been pretty busy and there's been a lot of fights going on. So instead of trying to write an article about each one and getting done by August, I've decided to write down some point form notes that I took as I watched each one. So without further ado here are some quick thoughts on some fights that happened in the last little while and some that are yet to come...

Bradley vs Alexander

Wow...was this fight boring.

• I was surprised that Gary Shaw was so nervous about the outcome that he sitting back in the locker room. Considering that Bradley as the favourite, it just seemed out of character. That and he had no problem being in the front row for Dirrell/Abraham where Andre Dirrell was a heavy underdog.

• While I did expect Timothy Bradley to win the fight in my earlier prediction, I can't believe I forgot to make any mention of his head. Whether it's intentional or not (I might be starting to shift towards the 'intentional' side), the ref in his next fight has got to keep a good eye on that.

• Fight took place at the Pontiac Silverdome. Kinda sad when you think that back in the 1980s, Wrestlemania III was sold out in that location and a real sport (not to disrespect professional wrestling), with two of the best fighting each other can barely draw half that size crowd.

• It's about time HBO gave Emanuel Steward his own little segment to say how he thinks the fight will go. He's been saying it for years and I don't know why it took HBO so long to get a clue.

• My favourite part of the fight? Seeing Thomas Hearns between rounds

Donaire vs Montiel

• If I can be honest, Nonito Donaire used to bug me. I thought he was someone who was just barely keeping his name in pound-for-pound lists by reminding us that he knocked out Vic Darchinyan back in 2007. But after that and his lack of doing anything noteworthy, I found him annoying and dubbed him 'No-Need-To Do-Nothing'.

• What is it with all these big fights ending in the second round because of a left hand (Pacquiao/Hatton; Martinez/Williams II and now Donaire/Montiel)? Not that I'm complaining...
  
  

• Watching Montiel twitch on the canvas was a bit scary. While there's been a lot of people criticizing the referee for letting him continue (For about five seconds), nobody seems to remember that Montiel's corner didn't throw in the towel when they knew their man was hurt. Not like they were watching another fight, guys.

• Roy Jones Jr. was back doing commentary for this fight. This is the only time we should see him on HBO Boxing or any boxing program for that matter. Stay behind the mic, Roy.

• I sent a Youtube clip of the knockout to my father, who was even more impressed with the impact than I was. You know it's a good knockout when it impresses my dad more than me.

• I don't have a Top 10 pound-for-pound list of my own...but I think Donaire may have punched himself somewhere in there.

Alvarez vs Hatton

I can understand people being disappointed in the result but at the same time, he won almost every round and just dominated Hatton. You can't always get a knockout...

• I listened to Freddie Roach in an interview recently criticize the WBC for making Alvarez/Hatton a title fight. Hey, Freddie, I noticed that you didn't have any complaints the last time someone fought for that same title. What made Margarito worthy of a title shot? Or a fight with Manny Pacquiao for that matter?

• A lot of Mexican fighters really seem to hate Alvarez and some of it is understandable. Juan Manuel Marquez had to wait until he was in his thirties before he was recognized for the great fighter he was and here comes this twenty year old punk who looks like Ron Howard and is suddenly the next big star? Yeah, it's understandable though it would be nice if they just came out and said, "Uh-huh, I really hate Saul Alvarez."

• Needless to say, if it comes down to Alvarez vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, I'll be picking Alvarez. Say what you want about Saul, at least he hasn't been cashing in on the legacy of a great man and trying to build up an undefeated record by fighting nobodies like Jr. has. That and we know he can knock people out

• Hatton showed a lot of guts hanging in like he did. He'll probably get a few more fights on HBO but I don't see him ever winning a title
  
  
  Klitschko vs Haye

• Oh, we're going down this road again?

• Personally, I was looking forward to a fight between Wladimir and Tomasz Adamek. Adamek comes to fight every time and if you want to have a big heavyweight fight in America, have it take place in New Jersey where Adamek has a huge following. Yeah, Klitschko is big in Germany but a little variety, huh?
  
  

• The proposed dates they are talking about are either July 2 or June 25th. Personally, I'd go with June 25th though I admit I bias for that date since it is my birthday.
  
  

• This is probably the most significant heavyweight championship fight in the past ten years so I really hope that neither Haye nor Klitschko injure themselves before the fight or turn it into a snorefest when the bell finally rings.