Weekend Preview - 6/24

The year has been littered with great weekends of fights so far and this weekend will be no different.

As usual it get kicked off with a good main even in the Friday Night Fights card, then a 3 fight HBO card, and a free streaming EPIX middleweight championship fight. I will be previewing these fights below.

Plus, for us boxing junkies, Telefutura has Brian Vera and James Kirkland on the same card, Telemundo has prospect Jesus Pabon in a sure action fight and FSN is broadcasting Mike Jones likely knockout of professional “opponent” Raul Munoz. Get your DVR’s ready to roll!

HBO Card
On Saturday on HBO's Boxing after dark 9:45ET/PT, there will be triple header headlined by Devon Alexander and Lucas Matthyse.

Devon Alexander vs. Lucas Matthyse
Many may remember Matthysse (28-1, 26 KOs) from his recent loss on HBO to Zab Judah in a close fight that Judah was lucky to squeeze out a SD victory. He doesn’t have great boxing skill but has great power. He is coming off of a KO win against, now stepping stone, DeMarcus Corley back in January. He is the brother of Walter Mattyse and has Carlos Baldomir in his corner. He owns a KO victory against Vivian Harris and is slowly building his resume to become a 140pd contender.

Boxing fans may still have a bad taste in their mouths from Alexander’s last performance on HBO against Timothy Bradley. It was hyped as great fight to kick off the year and turned out to be a dud. Both fighters promised action and fireworks while the fight contained more posturing than anything. Bradley controlled Alexander with good distance control as well as outworking (relatively) the St. Louis native until a head butt ultimately sent the fight to the scorecards. This is a crossroads fight for a Alexander who many thought was at the top of the division with his KO victory against Juan Urango last year.

This is a tough fight to handicap, but because of Matthyse’s issues with good boxers (see Zab Judah) I expect Devon to carefully pick him apart. My pick is Alexander in another so so performance. Alexander UD12

Tavoris Cloud vs. Yusaf Mack

The second fight on the televised undercard is Tavoris Cloud vs. Yusaf Mack for Cloud's IBF light heavyweight title in what should be a bang bang fight. Cloud does not know how to not come forward and Mack is no laydown opponent. Cloud has shown good boxing skills, a great right hand and stamina to maintain his pressure over 12 rounds (see Glen Johnson fight)

For Canadian - Haitian Yusaf his last two losses have came against good competition (Glen Johnson and Librado Andrade) and has good boxing skill. Many feel he has a suspect chin and doesn't do well against pressure (once again see his Glen Johnson fight). Sidenote: See why I love Glen Johnson? Win or lose, he exposes fighters for who they are. This is the sign of a real veteran.

Mack should give Cloud a test, but with Cloud’s crowd and judge appealing aggressive pressure Tavoris should come out with a KO victory in the later rounds. What makes this fight even more exciting is the fact that Mack likes to fight when attacked, which will undoubtedly will be the case Saturday night.

If Cloud can get past Mack there are huge fights on the horizon. Dawson, Pascal, and Hopkins loom at the top of the list. Cloud KO10

Bermane Stiverne vs. Ray Austin

Also televised will be upcoming heavyweight Bermane Stiverne vs. Ray Austin in an WBC heavyweight eliminator. Stiverne (20-1, 19KOs) has very good power and a good skill set. His only loss came in spectacular fashion against Demetrice King back in 2007 and he is (8-0-1 since then).

Ray Austin, 40 years old, will keep fighting as long as he gets a paycheck as a stepping stone. It’s too bad good fighters like him will sacrifice his body in this horrendous heavyweight era. With the competition so weak, he will continue to get fights and make “prospects” beat him.

Unfortunately, the Cornelious K9 Bundrage rematch with Sechel Powell for Bundrage's IBF junior middleweight title will not be televised. Fight junkies will remember their first punch double knockdown fight last time they met. (VIDEO AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST HERE IF YOU MISSED IT). If K9 can win this fight he should be in line for a good payday in an unification matchup.

Felix Sturm vs. Mathew Macklin – EPIXHD.COM, EPIX
Sturm (35-2-1, 15 KOs) will be defending his WBA middleweight belt for the 10th time against Irishman Mathew Macklin (28-2, 19 KOs). Both fighters have been criticized for weak competition, but both have plodded away with their careers in workmanlike fashion to rise to the this stage. It’s a very close fight but Sturm should have too boxing skill and will use his good jab to beat Macklin. Also, because of the fact that Sturm is the defending champion and fighting in his home country, Macklin has to win convincingly in order to take this belt away. Sturm UD12.
There is also no reason to miss this fight. It will be shown on Epixhd for a free trial if you sign up. HD streaming boxing? What can be bad about that?

Friday Night Fights
John Molina vs. Robert Frankel
John Molina (22-1, 18 KOs), who is never in a dull fight because of his lack of boxing prowess but incredible power will be facing off with Frankel (28-10-1, 5 KOs). Frankel will likely give Molina a tough fight, but will be eventually overmatched by the sheer talent and power of John Molina. You have no excuse to miss this one as it is once again streaming on ESPN 3.

Things I think I think - 6/22/11

We are now officially on twitter. This @thefightknights thing is just weird. I must be too old school.

God that was a bad Strikeforce card.

Don't want to watch the full replay? Look below for highlights

I wonder how judges score jump guards (thanks to Werdum). Maybe they should start using the BJJ scoring for the ground submission scoring in MMA?

Jeff Monson is done.

Strikeforce is losing momentum ever since the sale to Zuffa.

Cain V, JDS, then Alistair still?

Takanori Gomi V. Nate Diaz announced for UFC 135. Let's hope Nate doesn't smoke weed this like his brother last time. I'm guessing no gogoplata for the other brother.

Get ready for an action packed boxing weekend starting with a great main event on FNF.

Felix Sturm vs. Matthew Macklin free on Epixhd.com may be the best fight of the bunch with Tavoris Cloud vs. Yusaf Mack in a close second.

Saul Alvarez doesn't just look good. He looks exciting.

Tickets for the Alvarez Rhodes fight were as low at 100 pesos. I would have loved those seats.

HBO Real Sports report about Ann Wolfe is a must watch.

With the signing now finalized.. SO EXCITED FOR MAIDANA GUERRERO Aug 27th. Best part? It's in my hometown of San Jose, CA. Can you say live coverage?

Very very excited about joining Bloguin. Check them out at www.bloguin.com

UFC 132 Quick Preview

UFC 132 is July 2nd! Time to start the hype! Here is the extended exclusive UFC promo reel as well as the full fight card.

Dominick Cruz has been on a tear since his lost to Faber. Hair gel can do amazing things. How can Silva v Leben be a bad fight?

This card should be a lot better than last weekends snoozefest Strikeforce card. Full preview coming on the week before the card.

Full card and TV listing

PPV:

Dominick Cruz (17-1) vs. Urijah Faber (25-4) [Bantamweight Title]

Wanderlei Silva (33-10-1) vs. Chris Leben (25-7)

Carlos Condit (26-5) vs. Dong Hyun Kim (14-0-1)

Ryan Bader (12-1) vs. Tito Ortiz (15-8)

Matt Wiman (13-5) vs. Dennis Siver (18-7)

SPIKE TV:

Melvin Guillard (27-8) vs. Shane Roller (10-3)

George Sotiropoulos (14-3) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (14-5)

Preliminary Card:

Brian Bowles (9-1) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (14-5-2)

Brad Tavares (7-0) vs. Aaron Simpson (8-2)

Anthony Njokuani (13-5) vs. Andre Winner (11-5-1)

FK

Saul Alvarez V Ryan Rhodes BAD Wrap

This weekend we saw a glimpse of the future. Saul Canelo Alvarez has been a rising star in the Golden Boy stable for a few years now. Now it seems as though they cannot hide him anymore. He is a bonafide star in his hometown, home state, and home country. Because of his active aggressive style, he pleases the masses and continues on his meteoric rise through the division.

Up this weekend against him was Ryan Rhodes. Rhodes (45-5, 31 KOs) is a battle tested veteran who was supposed to give Alvarez trouble with his jab, his switching stances, and his toughness. Instead, Alvarez passed the test in flying colors. Alvarez showed patience, poise, and decent hand speed.

He won every round on the Fight Knights scorecards and eventually stopped the Englishman in the final round. Alvarez’s sharp crisp combinations were unmatched and unanswered by Rhodes. Instead all Rhodes could do was turtle up every time Alvarez would start throwing, leaving room to work to the body.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has been mentioned as a possible opponent. However, this will likely wait and simmer because they are both making such good money taking fights that don’t have as much risk. Alvarez’s team is targeting the Victor Ortiz V Mayweather PPV for another match and early rumors have Vanes Martirosyan (2004 Olympian 30-0 19Kos) as the early favorite to get that match. Regardless of who he fights next, the boxing world will be waiting. Huge fights are on the horizon with big names that promise big action. (Cotto, Margarito, Williams, Martinez). Best quote of the night? The star himself when being asked who he wanted next.

“I will fight anyone, even if it’s the devil.”

If only more fighters would do and say that.

Also on the undercard was Adrien Broner taking out Jason Litzau quickly in the first round. In our preview, we noted that Litzau’s style was tailor made for Broner’s mayweather-esque style. Broner controlled most of the action in the beginning of the first round and then connected with a right left combination. After that, it was the “American Boy” hanging on for until referee Curtis Thrasher had to step in after a hellacious uppercut that landed flush. Broner should be considered a title contender soon and will have to start taking on bigger and bigger names. Jason after a good upset win against Celestine Caballero, will need to go back to the drawing board. He is still young enough to pick back up and get another good name fight before calling it a career.

HBO Weekend Preview 6/18/11

Saul Alvarez V Ryan Rhodes

HBO – B.A.D. – Boxing After Dark – 6/18/11

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will be defending his newly minted 154 pound belt for the first time against his mandatory challenger Ryan Rhodes.

Alvarez (36-0-1, 26 KOs) has been an exciting prospect to watch. He has a entertaining style, a good story, and interesting demeanor. His left hook and right hand are as good as any in the division and he has big fights looming on the horizon. The last time we saw him he fought another UK fighter in Mathew Hatton. Hatton, Ricky’s younger brother, was able to go the distance with Alvarez despite taking huge shots throughout the fight. Because of Hatton’s lack of punching power, Alvarez was able to maintain a large amount of pressure throughout the fight.

Ryan Rhodes (45-4, 31 KOs) is a well traveled a 34-year-old southpaw who tendency to switch to orthodox throughout his fights. Rhodes, a former European junior middleweight champion, has been fighting in the middleweight weight class for most of his career. This is his third shot at a world title, he lost to Otis Grant in 1997 much earlier in his career and an interim middleweight shot in which he was stopped by Jason Matthews in the 2^nd round. His last four fights have been TKO victories and is currently on a 10 fight win streak. He is best remembered probably for his 2009 bout with Jamie Moore (when he won his first European title) in a slug fest. (See below for the full fight, it’s a damn good one)

Both fighters have good jabs and use it to set up their hooks with the same hand. Both fighters like to wear down their opponents (albeit in slightly different manners). Rhodes will be the bigger man in the ring and probably has a foot speed advantage. The fight storyline will likely whether the stalker and can more effective or the stalkee can effectively stay away. It’s hard to see Rhodes coming out with a victory here, it is his first fight outside of the UK and is up against a rising superstar. However, while many in the boxing community is seeing this as the first fight that Alvarez has a chance of losing.

While I expect Alvarez to have a tough fight against Rhodes counter punching southpaw style, I also expect Alvarez to wear Rhodes down with raw power and talent and eventually stopping him.

Jason Litzau V Adrien Broner

Broner (20-0, 16 KOs) is coming off of a disappointing performance against Daniel Ponce De Leon in his last fight on HBO. Broner will have the motivation to put that fight behind him against someone who is tailor made for his flicker stance style. Jason Litzau is coming of a career reviving win against Celestino Caballero last November on HBO. If Broner doesn’t show up and work, Litzau with his aggressive high punch output style, may make it a tough night. I expect Adrien Broner to cruise here.

Interesting note on the telecast. Howard Lederman is going to be commentating as an analyst for the televised undercard match. Roy Jones Jr. has to sit out because he promotes Jason Litzau, Max and Larry were both unavailable. Interesting to hear Mr. Lederman speak more than 30 seconds at a time.

Now sit back and enjoy the what many consider to be Fight of the Year of 2009.

Things I think I think - 6/15/11

Let's say this first.

RIP Genaro Hernandez. Good career. Good boxer. Great Person.

With that... on with things that I think I think

UFC 131 was satisfying.

Dave Herman’s UFC debut should keep him around for a while.

Dos Santos V Velasquez has become a very big fight.

When are we going to start having non title 5 rounders main events? We pay enough money for at least one.

K-Flo already in title contention after one fight in the division? Only in the UFC.

Nice to see Sergio Martinez re-up with DiBella. They both deserve better than to be in the Golden Boy v Top Rank drama.

Still still salivating over Maidana V Guerrero. Finish this deal.

Congrats to the STAR STUDDED hall of fame inductees. Tyson, Chavez, Tszyu thanks for the memories.

Please no one buy the proposed Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. V Peter Manfredo Jr. fight. PLEASE. Take a stand.

I love this weekend's HBO Boxing After Dark. I mean c'mon, the nicknames of the main event is Cinnamon VS. Spice Boy.

UFC 131 Recap

Jesse Bongfeldt vs Chris Weidman

This fight was aired on Spike TV as one of the prelim fights but still had to have been a contender for submission of the night with Bongfeldt tapping out Weidman with a perfect standingguillotine choke.

He told Joe Rogan in the after fight interview that he had suffered a knee injury during the fight also stating that he had already had 4 surgeries on the same knee, we will keep an ear out to see if this injury will result in surgery number 5.

Sam Stout vs Yves Edwards

3 mintues and 50 seconds is all Sam Stout needed to put Edwards to sleep with a devastating left hook which left Edwards still on the ground as the post-match interview was taking place.

Donald Cerrone vs Vagner Rocha

The stand up skills of Cerrone were on show in this bout and Rocha’s lead leg was the target. Rocha was unable to take Cerrone to the ground and was made to pay. Cerrone was the winner in a unanimous decision.

Dave Herman vs John Olav Einemo

A two round war with each fighter hurting the other at one point or another but it was Herman that stopped Einemo after a big knee followed by a big left hook that dropped Einemo with Herman then opening up on Einemo before the referee stepped in to stop the fight.

Demian Maia vs Mark Munoz

This fight went the distance with both fighters known as grapplers to many peoples surprise this ended up being a stand up battle with both fighters possessing explosive power eacher had the other rocked during the fight. Mark Munoz getting the victory with a unanimous points decision.

Kenny Florian vs Diego Nunes

Florian showed no ill effects from the dramatic weight cut to make 145lbs telling Joe Rogan after the fight that before going into camp he weighed in at well over 180 lbs.

He controlled the second and third rounds with ease to take the points victory also saying that he plans on staying at this weight class and making a run for the title.

Junior Dos Santos vs Shane Carwin

Shane Carwin showed great hart to survive a first round onslaught from Dos Santos that had Carwin on the ground against the cage and left him bloodied and with a badly broken nose. Junior controlled the remaining rounds with his super-fast hands and even took Shane to the ground twice in the third round to come out the victor by a unanimous points decision.