What's next in the UFC Lightheavy Weight Division?

With the recent domination over Shogun Rua, Jon "Bones" Jones breathes life back to the UFC light heavy weight division with storylines and drama will taking center stage.

Jones’ first title defense will be against his former teammate and close personal friend Rashad Evans. Both of which have strong wrestling background, meaning you can expect lots of action on the fence and control on the ground. Evans was originally scheduled to fight Rua for the title but withdrew due to an knee injury in training and Jones was selected as the replacement.

(As storylines go, Evans has quit Greg Jackson’s gym, the gym he and Jones trains at.)

The experience factor will no doubt favor Evans, as he has fought a much stronger pool of fighters, but a year of ring rust due to a knee injury, reach disadvantage of 10 inches, Evans may be facing a tall (pun intended) order. More than likely Evans will need a submission or knock out if he’s to come out the octagon with the belt.

Jones is one of the new young gun generation. He's very athletic with a strong ground game and even better striking. Most of his weapons seem to nullify most of Evans strengths. Of course, he’s virtually undefeated (1 DQ) and has a large size advantage as well.

Of course, lurking drama is here, Dana White has Quinton “Rampage” Jackson fighting the winner of Jones & Evans.

If Evans comes out as the victor, it will be the second time Jackson and Evans will fight each other. Their first meeting Evans easily subdued Jackson with his wrestling and tired him out against the fence. Jackson admits to ring rust due his role as Mr. T play a large factor. So far Rashad beat Jackson in the ring, on the Ultimate Fighter and volleyball so Jackson should be fired up the second time around.

A Jones Rampage matchup will be a good fight. Jackson’s style will make the fight interesting (as long as it lasts) if he can get past Matt Hamill. Of course, just another wrinkle in the storylines, Hamill was the fight Jones was DQ'd in.

Henry Liu

Andre Berto versus Victor Ortiz Preview

I am eagerly awaiting the Andre Berto (27-0 21KOs) versus Victor Ortiz (28-2 22KOs) matchup coming up on April 16th. It has promise to be a good action fight and two prime fighters going head to head. They both have great hand speed, like to come forward, good power for their weight, young and hungry.

Victor Ortiz

Is Victor Ortiz really back? After two good wins against Nate Campbell and Vivian Harris he puts in a horrible performance against Lamont Peterson where he looked like he didn’t know how to close a fighter. Against Peterson he withstood a few good hooks and right hands, it would be unwise to stand and take those against Berto. He needs to beat Berto to the punch while sitting in the pocket. It will be very interesting to see if he can do so.

One interesting note is from a promotional strategy point of view. Many will wonder why Golden Boy is taking this fight for Victor Ortiz? He still isn’t very far from the most devastating fight (egosticly more than physically) of his career with Marcos Maidana and only with two knockdowns avoided a loss with a Majority Draw in his last fight with Lamont Peterson. Now they are deciding not only to move up in weight, but to fight the 3^rd best welterweight in the world?

I think I just hear a slot machine whirring in Richard Schaefer head. It’s gamble time for Ortiz. They are either going to get an instant headliner with Victor Ortiz or he falls completely by the wayside.

Perhaps that’s the same reason why Victor’s camp probably took the fight as well. If Victor Ortiz gets brutally destroyed, remember those words he uttered after the Maidana fight, he might be done with boxing. But if he wins, all we will be talking about is his “vicious” right hook and “vicious” left uppercut.

Andre Berto

On the Andre Berto and Lou Dibella side this also good chance for them. They have been heavily criticized in recent years are also looking to ratchet up Berto’s opponent skill level. While others will continue to criticize Berto I applaud him and Dibella for taking this fight. While this is no giant step up, as I am sure that Andre Berto will tout, it is a good test to see if Berto can handle someone with the hand speed and power (albeit Jr. Welterweight power) like Ortiz.

However, don’t see this as an easy fight for Berto at all. Remember Callazo, who is also a southpaw, pushed Berto to the limit. He also seems to get lulled into other fighter’s style. In this fight I see he has a distinct advantage in the lateral movement, to see if he uses it is yet to be seen.

Prediction:

I really don’t know how to pick. My brain says Berto. My gut says Ortiz. Foolishly, I am going with Berto KO10.

SW

Boxing Recap 3/21

A quick boxing recap of the weekend's fights.

Lucian Bute TKO10 Brian Magee
First of all, Bute's entrance was one of the best I have seen this year. The banner was impressive and the Canadian crowd was alive. The fight was relatively close until Bute dug a left hand into Magee's body in the 6th round. Magee is a tough guy who countered well with a few hooks but just couldn't handle the Bute body attack.


Vitali Klitschko KO1 Odlanier Solis
A world heavyweight belt was at stake this weekend if anyone cared. Unfortunately, the fight didn't create any more interest. As Vitali somehow landed a solid shot to Solis temple causing the undefeated fighter's knee to buckle and collapse. Great. Perhaps Solis wasn't faking he went to the hospital and they found tears to his anterior cruciate ligament and external meniscus, as well as cartilage damage in his right knee.

Brad Solomon W10 Demetrius Hopkins
Brad Solomon pounded out a grabbing filled fight with Demetrius Hopkins. Solomon is boring, but a good fighter. Probably not going to make anyone want to watch or fight him unless he keeps on winning. My favorite thing about Brad Solomon? "You know what I'm sayin?" ends almost every answer during interviews.


Vanes Martirosyan TKO2 Bladimir Hernandez
Martirosyan won an easy fight against an over matched opponent knocking him out in the second round.

Guillermo Rigondeaux TKO1 Willie Casey
If only Rigondeaux had this type of performance when he last fought (on the Pacman Margarito PPV) maybe he would be shown more on TV.


Random thoughts...

With the NFL lockout almost upon us and NBA lockout looming next year. All the other sports are probably planning to make a push to gain more viewership. Shouldn't Boxing and MMA be doing the same?

MMA note: Is it just me or did Shogun look tired after the first round? How does a belt holder look tired after the first round? Yes, I understand he may have been losing... but to be dead tired? That's on you bro.

Another MMA note: Please my fellow Americans, stop chanting USA, USA during matches, it's just plain out stupid. Be a fight fan. This isn't the damn Olympics.

Everyone says Bute v Kessler. I say anything but Bute v Pavlik.

I am happy that Epix wants to show fights. Boxing on TV is always a good thing.

I'm getting excited for Calderon v Segura

Floyd Mayweather's birthday cake. No, it's actually really his cake...

UFC 128 Shogun vs Jon Jones Recap 03/19/11

UFC 128 Shogun vs Jon Jones Recap 03/19/11

Mauricio Shogun Hua vs Jon Jones Bones

1^st round Jones comes out with a huge flying knee and a few high kicks.  While trading right hands they clinch and jones is able to take shogun down.  Shogun tries to use his half guard to sweep but  was unable too.  Shogun does a good job of not taking too much damage on the ground.  But while scrambling to get up near the fence he is caught by a right kick left hook.  Coming back to the middle of the ring Shogun looks very fatigued more than hurt.  Jones reach advantage is apparent.  Keeping Shogun at bay with side kicks to the legs and using his left hand as a measuring stick.  The round ends on the ground after Shogun tries to take Jones down but fails.

2^nd round Shogun looks tired coming out of the corner.  He is having trouble landing anything because of Jones range and having Jones’s left hand in his face.  When Jones gets a break in the action he throws big head kicks, Shogun is unable to do much but block.  Jones get the takedown and Shogun is unable to get a sweep or back to his feet.

3^rd round Shogun still tries and fire over Jones’s jab or left hand but Jones is just too far away.  After Shogun ducks a huge head kick Shogun is able to take Jones’s back go for a leg lock but instead trips Jones instead but ends up on the bottom.  The ground is pound is starting to land on Shogun which short elbows and hands from the guard.  Hurting Shogun with huge elbows, Shogun is forced to bail and roll to his all fours and gets back to his feet but Shogun looks very hurt, and Jones puts Shogun away with a big left hook to the body against the cage.

Jon Jones by TKO in the 3^rd

Uriah Faber vs Eddie Wineland

1^st Round The come out feeling each other out and they clinch.  Wineland pushes Faber against the fence.  They scramble both trying o take each other down.  With separate after a failed takedown attempt by Faber and eats a right hook for his troubles.  Faber tries to take Wineland down but they end up in a clinch, Faber continuously tries to throw or takedown Wineland but both remain standing.  Wineland is able to take Faber’s back and slams him down but Faber right back up but eats a right hand.  Faber catches Wineland with a hand right then a left hook countering Wineland.  Uriah again tries for a takedown but ends up in a clinch and Faber tries to throw him but still cant get Wineland down.  Uriah goes for a leg kick but is counter with a nice right hand by Eddie.  Faber seems unfazed and lands his own looking right hand then a left hook.

2^nd round Both come out aggressive Faber coming out with some kicks mixing up his strikes.  Eddie triest o establish a jab mixing it up with a left hook.  Faber mixes it up fakes a strike than goes gets a single leg and takes Eddie down with a trip.  Uriah immediately works ground and pound.  Continually landing rights and elbows and Eddie is unable to get up as Uriah does a good job of keeping it on the ground.

3^rd round Both fighters try to find their range and Uriah still looking to counter.  Faber tries to take Wineland down but is stuffed.  Wineland lands a good leg kick but is unable to land anything up top.  They clinch again and both fight for takedown and positioning but both end up separated instead.  Faber mixes it up and fakes to grab a leg and instead throw a nice right uppercut catching Wineland and lands another straight right after that.  Faber smells blood as he pushes forward catching Wineland with a left hook.   Faber continually catches with short shots and shoots and gets a takedown.  Faber is able to land some ground and pound until the round ends.

Uriah Faber by Unanimous Decision (29-28)(29-28)(29-28)

Jim Miller vs Kamal Shalorus

1^st Round Miller with a southpaw stance Kamal with the orthodox stance.  They come out with huge shots both men trading, Kamal ending this exchange better landing a left hook up top.   They exchange again both landing but shots are partially blocked.  Both men continue to trade but Miller with more footwork coming in and out using his reach advantage.  Kamal more with a stand and brawl body position.  Both men continue to trade but nothing significant landing for either fighter.  Kamal is swinging for the fences which is not a surprise.  They scramble after Miller misses a lead knee, but both end standing and they both throw more leather.  Miller is trying to time the wild hands of Kamal and lands his own left elbow when Kamal charged in.  Miller lands a big left high kick but Kamal throws back instantly.  Kamal seemed to slow down after catching that kick with his face.  The aggression by Miller ending his combination with a left bodykick and drops down with a guillotine but quickly slips off and Kamal ends up on top.  The referee stands them up fairly quickly with some pause in the action on the ground.  They stand and trade again Kamal landing a nice right hook, but Miller answers with a left after Kamal attempts a leg kick.  At the end of the round catches Kamal with another nice left high kick.

2^nd Round They come out throwing leather again, nothing significant landing.  They continue trading, and Kamal lands a nice leg kick.  Miller is beign more aggressive coming forward and countering Kamal with a uppercut.  As they clinch Miller tries to jump into a triangle but Kamal shrugs it off.  They  continue to stand with a good amount of striking activitiy but Miller goes for the takedown and quickly gets to Kamal’s back.  They hand fight and Kamal is defending the RNR choke till the end of the round.

3^rd Round they come out and trade but Kamal shots are wide and Miller isn’t in danger of getting caught and catches Kamal with a straight left twice.  Miller’s counters are near misses.  Miller catches Kamal with a big uppercut he was looking for since the 2^nd round and follows it up with a knee hurting Kamal and ends the fight with ground n pound.

Jim Miller by KO in 3^rd round

Nate Marquardt vs Dan Miller

1^st Round Both trying to find their distance with a right hand lead the clinch scramble and Nate ends up ontop looking for a choke.  Both scramble and Miller tries to take Nate down and after some good takedown defense by Nate he is unable to stay standing and falls into the fence.  After a scrambling and Miller goes for a guillotine Nate gets his own takedown but has to fight hard to get out of the guillotine.  Nate picking his spots and landing some good elbows in Dan’s guard.  Dan tries to shoot his legs up but finds nothing.  Some time of inactivity and refree stands them back up.  Nate keeps his jab effective not commiting with it then feints his jab to and a very clean straight right.  Falling into a clinch after the right hand he gets a big takedown picking Dan Miller up.  Dan Miller giving up the kimura gets hit with some ground and pound to end the round.

2^nd Round Nate comes out with a low kick and still does a good job of keeping his distance measuring Dan with his lead hand and comes with a nice combination landing on miller.  Then catching Miller with a nice lead high kick.  Dan lands a good 1-2 on Marquardt.  Using feints and footwork Nate gets in and out of range without Dan able to do much.  After a miss by Dan, Nate pushes forward landing a nice combination 2 straight rights and a left high kick then a flying knee but gets taken down.  They scramble against the fence and Nate is able to get into a neutral position clinch standing.  They separate and they trade as Nate comes forward both landing right hands.  Marquardt lands his right hand leads throughout this round and gets a takedown but is caught in Miller’s guillotine but is able to get out.  Marquardt ends the round on top with some ground n pound.

3^rd Round Marquardt sets up another right hand with his jab but is countered with a uppercut for his troubles.  But Marquardt quickly comes back with a left high kick which again lands for him.  Again Marquardt lands a right hand and tries again and Miller tries to counter with his own right hand.  Continously Marquardt tries to set up his right hand with feints and jabs with footwork.  Marquardt landing multiple right hands again and Miller’s face is split open because of this and forces Miller to go for a takedown which is stuffed by Nate.  Marquardt is able to stay ontop and work some ground n pound. 

Nate Marquardt by Unanimous decision judges (30-27)(30-27)(30-27) 

Weekend Fights Preview Friday Night Fights 03/18/11 UFC 128 03/19/11

Some good action this weekend in the octagon as well as the square ring.

In the MMA world that now begins and ends with Zuffa, UFC 128 is the only event that you need to see.

Mauricio “Shogun” Rua takes on Jon Jones in the main event that should not be missed. While some may not like Shogun, no one can say that he doesn't entertain. This will be an entertaining fight and will be hotly contested. Bones is essentially undefeated (besides his DQ) and doesn't seem to enjoy decisions as he has only gone the distance twice in his career. Great job on the UFC's part finding a good action fight when Rashard Evans went down with the injury.

In other action the co feature is Urijah Faber vs. Eddie Wineland.

The other fight I will be interested in is Crocop VS Shaub (who I still think looks like a gigantic version of my brother's friend).




Boxing starts off tonight with Friday Night Fights.

Brad Solomon (16-0, 7 KOs) takes on the toughest test of his career when he steps into the ring with Demetrius Hopkins (30-1-1, 11 KOs). This is a really interesting fight that really could go both ways. While Hopkins has the better jab, Solomon is pretty imposing. I think this is a close decision win for Hopkins.

This Saturday we have the return of Lucian Bute on Showtime along with prospect Vanes Martirosyan.

Bute (27-0, 22 KOs) should handle his opponent Irishman Brian Magee (34-3-1, 24 KOs) pretty easily with superior boxing skills in every category. This fight will likely not go the distance. Hopefully we can see Lucian take on tougher opponents before his eventual mega showdown with p4pder Andre Ward.

Finally also on Saturday we have the beginning of what Epix hopes is a new era in boxing for them. They are trying to become a premium channel, much like Showtime and HBO, and are using their same business model of using Boxing to get into our living rooms. This fight will also be streaming on Epixhd.com Vitali Kiltshko V Odlainer Solis. This will be a major step up in class for Odlainer (17-0, 12 KOs) beat Ray Austin via DQ in his last fight. I expect a wipeout here.

Random thoughts:

Lou Dibella has long been one of my favorite promoters in the sport. While many point to Dana White and his cursing during press conferences and interviews, few can beat Lou when it comes to candor. When asked if he would match up Sergio Martinez with Dmitry Pirog (WBO belt holder) he had this to say.

"Fuck Dmitry Pirog. We're never fighting Dmitriy Pirog, that was our belt that [the WBO] stole from him and we're not fighting Dmitry Pirog, who has never done anything but beat Daniel Jacobs to deserve a big fight. Fuck Dmitry Pirog."

Now that's a quote.

Sergio Martinez looked great against a guy nobody looks good against. Another impressive win.

Has anyone seen Floyd Mayweather?

Really UFC? The co feature is a TUF coach eliminator? This is getting a bit ridiculous don't you think?

Sigh, Donaire moves to Golden Boy and looks as though there is going to be a legal battle over the legality of it. Sound familiar? Yes, Pacman was in the same situation a few years ago. Can't we just all get along?

SW

Miguel Cotto vs Ricardo Mayorga Summary 03/12/10

Miguel Cotto vs Ricardo Mayorga, when i first heard this fight was happening, i thought to myself its going to be a slug fest but there is no way Mayorga can win this fight.  Both like to come forward, both like to throw power shots.  Though Cotto has recently started to use his boxing skills a lot more in his latest fights, against Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito, Yuri Foreman, Joshua Clottey, showing he has the ability to outbox his opponents, having a very good jab.  Cotto's aggression has slowed down in his recent fights but still has ability to push foward and land his vicious body head combinations.  Cotto has been exposed in fights that he is very susceptible with shots down the middle of his guard, uppercuts and straights, Cotto with limited head movement and more blocking than dodging in his defensive arsenal.

Ricardo Mayorga, a very aggressive fighter that has a very dangerous looping right hand that can come anytime, him being off balance will not stop him from trying to knock you out with a right hand.  He is dangerous but as a boxing technician he has a lot of room to improve.  But his aggression and his ability to overwhelm is opponents has got him where he is today.

The fight was a good fight, with back and forth action, but Miguel Cotto with his sharper and shorter punches, he seems to get the better of every exchange.  Throughout the fight Mayorga's chin is way up in the air getting caught with multiple left hooks that Cotto throws viciously after most of his combinations.  Mayorga has some success coming forward and using his aggression but not frequent or often enough.  Most of his shots are winging shots and are blocked by Miguel, but is entertaining for the crowd to see.  With Cotto's footwork and constant circling to his left Mayorga is always left 1 or 2 steps behind showing the crowd Mayorga's footwork needs help.  Mayorga throughout the fight shakes his head and shows the crowd he isnt hurt, until the last left hook of the night brought to you by Miguel Cotto.  An exchange in the 12th with both mens' hands flying, Miguel Cotto once again finishes his combination with a big left hook upstairs catching Mayorga.  Mayorga gets up but has to quit moments after.

A couple things surprised me in this fight.  Mayorga catches Cotto with a wild combination at the end of round 4 while Cotto was in a semi defensive shell and Cotto actually smiles.  Now this is not uncommon in boxing, a lot of fighters do this, but Miguel Cotto NEVER does this.  I have seen many fights with Cotto and him showing any bit of emotion is surprising enough.
Another thing is that Mayorga withstood the pace.  Though you can see Mayorga slow down during the end of the right i expected him to get a lot gassed near the end then he did.  Maybe it was because Miguel wasn't pushing the pace I expected, using his jab and boxing skills more than his aggression.

Mayorga Quit!!!  Mayorga was blaming his left hand which I don't see where he ever hurts his hand.  The way he took his hand out of the glove doesn't resemble a real painful broken hand or thumb.  This immediate "pain" supposedly happen right after he gets caught with Cotto's big left hook that pretty much ended the night and he never even lands a left hand in that exchange.  So that sudden "pain" in his left hand must of came from Cotto left hook to the head which is surprising because in all my years of watching boxing i have never seen someone hand get broken from getting hit in the head.  Now what i thing happen was is that his pride was hurt from getting hurt.  He was showing the crowd the whole night for 12 rounds that Cotto has never hurt him. that he was more willing to brawl than Cotto, and when Cotto really hurts him, he doesn't want to show it and uses his hand as a scapegoat to go down in the 12th.  That is just my opinion.

Thoughts on Zuffa Strikeforce

All we can do as fans is hope.  Maybe some interesting things might happen.  One of Pride's last events before it shut down there was Nick Diaz vs Takanori Gomi also Hayato Sakurai vs Mac Danzig, fights that may never have happened if Zuffa never bought them out.  Hopefully we might see some legendary match ups before fighters are out of jobs.  Any of the top heavyweights of Strikeforce and UFC would be amazing match ups.  Nick Diaz vs George St. Pierre or anyone at the top of the welterweight division.  Other fighters such as Bobby Lawler, Jacare Souza, Gegard Mousasi would be very exciting to watch in UFC.  For the other fighters that aren't going to get an extended contract or get a "1 fight win or get dropped" contract, I dont know where they can turn.  Maybe Bellator Fighting Championships.  Seems like the decisions of UFC determine the future of MMA.  With that type of power/responsibility they should have a sense of obligation to the fighters they turn away who help make this sport what it is.  I have a sense that Zuffa is thinking "if you're not with us you're against us" and that type of attitude may not help the sport grow.  MMA has come a long way and UFC has done a lot for the sport, but I just hope Zuffa has more than just UFC in mind and do what's good for MMA as a whole.

DREAM mix martial arts promotion and their fights in Japan are an ongoing and always growing event.  Having much of Japan as their audience and fans and also support internationally i hope these types of organizations can become something more than just another take over by Zuffa merged into UFC.

Strikeforce sold its soul for money and is put on a morphine drip by Zuffa.
Pride was slain by Zuffa, forced to go out with a bang with Pride 33 and 34.
RIP Pride, their presentation was amazing and fights were second to none.

Zuffa buys Strikeforce!!

Wow. Breaking news in MMA as Zuffa, parent company to UFC, buys Strikeforce.

UFC Dana White confirms to MMAfighting.com that they made the purchase. While this news brings a certainty to which logo displayed we will see at the end of all of our PPV broadcasts it also bring a lot of questions.

Will this mean an the inevitable UFC takeover much like it did to Pride, WEC?

It seems like Dana White has two strategies when it comes to rival companies: Wait for them to die or when it starts gaining steam buy them out. In this writer's opinion, this may not be the best business strategy. While Strikeforce was gaining reputation, I don't think they were making fans of the UFC not watch UFC fights. MMA fans will watch good fights regardless of venue. If the UFC continues to provide good exciting MMA fights that people want to see they shouldn't be concerned with the other organizations. Who wants to play football in the Arena Football League? No one is going to stop watching the NFL because they now have arena football to watch. No one is going to stop watching the NBA because the NBDL started a team in their city.

Which fighters will come over if they do merge?
Fedor in the UFC cage?
Does Paul Daley come back?
Does Dan Henderson come back?
Allistar Overeem?
Nick Diaz?
Jacare?


Is this good for MMA?

I think this is a very debatable issue. I'll let the commenters and their comments take care of this one.

Boxing Weekend Wrapup

Golden Boy decided to put on a showcase of it's latest up and coming talent this weekend and ended up with some interesting results. On the undercard we saw James Kirkland, Daniel Jacobs and Seth Mitchell get spoon fed opponents and they stopped them all before the third round. The opponents had a combined 35 losses between the three of them.

On the televised side there was an interesting matchup between Adrien Broner and the always tough Daniel Ponce de Leon. Even before they stepped into the ring everyone knew what the respective fighters were going to do. Broner was going to counter punch and try to outspeed PdL. PdL was going to the body and wear down Broner.

Daniel did a good job of attacking and controlling the tempo in the first couple of rounds. Eventually the advantages that Broner had in hand speed, defense and footwork ultimately turned the rounds into a boxing match that PdL had no chance of winning.

I had the fight close with Broner ahead at the end of the fight. The scores were 96-94 twice and a ridiculous 99-91 score by Judge Tony Crebs. This is another instance our need for regulation. Someone needsto figure out what exactly fight this judge was watching. Perhaps he can wait until after the fight to fill out his score card. Remember, this is the same guy who ruled the Adamek v Arreola fight a draw in a clear cut win for Adamek. The same guy who saw Fres Oquendo win 9 rounds against James Toney when the two other judges saw it as a close decision for Toney. This is the same guy who almost cost cost Andrey Tsurkan some serious injury in the beating against Angulo by not stopping the fight earlier. I think my blind cousin is looking for a job California Boxing Commission...

In the main event there was another spoon fed match for the always exciting Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. The always game Mathew Hatton lost nearly every single round (except for one due to a point deduction) and still made it to the bell all while stepping up in weight class. I'm excited for the fights on the horizon for Canelo. However, as Golden Boy's prized horse, I wonder how many more opponents are going to be Hatton's level before he steps up in class. I'm guessing at least 3 more.

Random thoughts...

MMA note: Henderson finally getting on the winning side with a big right hand (what else?). Good for him. Maybe Strikeforce will finally get something for their troubles.

Zab Judah sighting! He won in convincing fashion on a PPV card for the IBF protion of the junior welterweight championship. I still didn't like the lack of action he brought early, but he showed finishing power at the end.

Ismayl Sillakh looked good in a victory over Cuban standout Yordanis Despaigne. It's refreshing to have two undefeated fighters take a chance and fight each other. Sillakh moving up in class is a good thing. I think that Despaigne may want to try out the cruiserweight ranks in a few years.

Should be a good Sergio Martinez weekend.