Big Apple Boxing Thoughts 07.11.09: A Recap of the First Half of 2009

Posted by Jonathan Yaghoubi on 07.11.2009

How has the year gone down so far in the sport of boxing? Let's take a look back at what we witnessed over the past six months in case you missed it!


Photo by Laura De la Torre / 411mania.com

January 2009

Andre Berto defeats Luis Collazo - This fight was the toughest test in Berto's young career. Going into the fight, I remember thinking that this fight could be a pretty hard fight for Berto even though Shane Mosley handled Collazo quite easily. So logic would dictate that the younger Berto would have a field day right? I knew better and Berto would too.. Early on, Berto seemed very troubled by the style belonging to lefty Louie, it was clear that for the first 6 or 7 rounds that Louie's experience and ring generalship was the difference. The second half found Berto digging deep to land the harder shots on Louie. I thought that Collazo did enough to take the decision. It does not take away the fact the fight was classic and among the best so far in 2009. Will a rematch sooner or later? Stay Tuned to find out!

Shane Mosley KOs Antonio Margarito - The upset or shocker of the year so far. When the fight was announced, the boxing media and I included thought that the 37 year old Mosley had no shot at dethroning the Tijuana Tornado. There were bigger fireworks before the fight even took place, when just minutes before the fight it had been reported that Margarito's trainer was trying to plaster the wraps. The plaster was removed and the beating began. Mosley not only beat The Terminator, but Mosley simply dominated the younger lion with ease. Mosley shocks the world, Mosley destroyed Antonio. After the fight, Antonio was suspended up to a year for the attempted foul play, as for Mosley, well Mosley looked so sharp that he may have shelved himself after such a brilliant performance. The man at the welterweight division right now and he can't get a big fight.



Photo by Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos / Golden Boy Promotions

February 2009

Vic Darchinyan KOs Jorge Arce - The fight to me was all Darchinyan with Arce providing a shoot out in the middle rounds, but in the end the heavier shots of Vic were just too much for Arce to handle. Can Vic repeat this performance in his next bout?? Well this Saturday, Vic will take on a very tough opponent in Joseph Agbeko. If Vic defeats Agbeko, then there is no choice but to give Vic another chance at the only guy to beat him. It was back in 2007 when Vic was part of the knockout and upset of the year but no thanks to him. Nonito Donaire is the only man to drop Vic and those two could be line for a rematch soon if all things fall right.

Tomasz Adamek KOs Johnathon Banks - This fight showed how much the Pollack's really love this guy and why not? Early on it looked like Banks would win behind that jab of his, Banks early on made Adamek look uncomfortable. Once Adamek landed a clean shot, it was then a matter of time until Banks would blink the Adamek would unload. I want to see Adamek/Cunningham 2soon. Cunningham has now seeked the services of the master trainer, Nazim Richardson.

Juan Manuel Marquez Storms by Juan Diaz - The second fight of the year!!! Early on the rush of the Baby Bull was just too much for the older Marquez to handle. When the fight would meet center ring it was all Marquez, but Diaz would let it be known that the corners is where he wanted to take Marquez. The fight went on like this back and forth, by round 6 however, Marquez the mad scientist began to dissect. Marquez then began to pick his spots and was able to land flush shots from all sorts of angles. Was the blood too much for Diaz? I think so and he needs to handle being cut much better or we will have more trouble down the line in his career. In late August, Diaz will return against the crafty Paulie Malignaggi. In September, Marquez will lay it all on the line and face the one and only Floyd Mayweather Jr.


March 2009

The best fight may have been Amir Khan defeating the great Marco Antonio Barrera. A lot of blood but not much else to talk about.



Photo by Tom Casino / Showtime

April 2009

Timothy Bradley defeats Kendall Holt - Early in this fight, I was shook as anyone when Holt landed that bomb on Bradley. Had Holt landed that shot on anybody else, well it would have killed them. The fact that Bradley took the shot so well simply amazed me. After that bomb, Bradley fought a very intelligent fight. In the center ring just seconds before the fight, Holt asked Bradley if he was ready to see that heart, well on this night it was Bradley's heart that would shine like a diamond. In August, Bradley will face another tough test in Nate Campbell. As for Holt? I am not really sure where they go. Another fight with Torres?

Paul Williams Punishes Winky Wright - The most avoided fighter in boxing gave another reason to be ducked. He totally dominated Winky and was shocked how easy it was for Paul. No doubt that the very long layoff for Winky made matters worse for Wright, but still it looked like Winky was fighting a machine in there. What's next for Williams? I would love to see him in against Sergio Martinez at 154, Kelly Pavlik at 160, or Allan Green at 168. For Wright, I hear that they are trying to land him on the Mayweather/Marquez card but sources tell me that Golden Boy may pin Andrade/Bute instead. For Winky, the biggest fight for him out there right now may be a rematch with the very vulnerable Jermain Taylor.

Carl Froch upsets Jermain Taylor - What an ending!!!!!. Early on, the fight was all Taylor. Even with Taylor winning the fight, Froch never looked discouraged or beaten. The tide changed for me around the 8th round, it was clear to see that Froch had landed something and sensed that he now knew when and where to land his heavy shots. Froch was down on the cards by at least 2 points, Froch knew this so like a real champion Froch then decided to close the show. Great fight. For Froch, it sounds like a fight with Kelly Pavlik could come soon and that would be a joy to watch for sure. As for Taylor, time to look at the mirror long and hard but a rematch with Winky is possible.



Photo by Laura De la Torre / 411mania.com

May 2009

Manny Pacquiao smashes Ricky Hatton - The fight was supposed to really be the fight to really see how the Pacquiao storm would do when put up against a Bulldog that wants it just as bad as he does. The fanatics for both fighters were out to represent to the fullest. The fight was supposed to be a 12 round war but in the end, it would find Hatton smashed on the floor. In November, the Pacquiao Storm is almost inked to face the Boricua Bomber, Miguel Cotto. As for Hatton, let's just say that the search continues.



Photo by Chris Farina / Top Rank

June 2009

Miguel Cotto slams Joshua Clottey - This fight just like every Cotto fight had drama, drama, and more drama. Early on, Cotto was giving Clottey the biz, then around round 5 or 6 with Cotto looking uncomfortable with the bad cut, Clottey then brought the heat. Clottey to me fought as good a fight as you can. He just didn't do enough to win the fight. When you got a bloodied up fighter in front of his rabid fans, you must go in and close the show like Froch did to Taylor. All signs point to Cotto facing the Pac-Monster in November.. As for Clottey, there is a lot to be had right now? The perfect fight would be against The Punisher because no one wants to fight either of these guys. If no Williams, then pursue a date with Sugar Shane because it looks like he has nothing to do right now.

Marcos Maidana stops Victor Ortiz - As bad a fight as Victor Ortiz could fight.. Power vs. Power, in the end it would be Maidanas power that would rattle Ortiz physically and mentally. For Maidana, maybe Amir Khan could be in his future after this huge win. For Ortiz, it's back to the drawing board.

Boxing's first half Grade = B

Five Fights I am looking forward to happening or already happening:

1. Marquez vs. Mayweather
2. Cotto vs. Pacquiao???
3. Donaire vs. Darchinyan 2
4. Berto vs. Collazo 2
5. Diaz vs. Malignaggi