Big Apple Boxing Thoughts 07.18.08: Someone Save the Heavyweight Division
Posted by Jonathan Yaghoubi on 07.18.2008
411's Jonathan Yaghoubi gives his thoughts on the heavyweight division, Pavlik-Hopkins and Margarito-Cotto.
I THINK it's finally official for me to say it. I am FINISHED with heavyweight boxing!! The love is gone for me. The appeal to heavyweights has long been gone for many years but many people don't realize how horrible the situation is. Back in the day when there was a heavyweight title fight, all kinds of boxing fans were tuned in no matter what kind of boxing fan they were. It became part of popular culture to occur a heavyweight title fight. Now days, I bet if you go to 20 people on the street to name you who the heavyweight champion of the world, I still think a few might say Mike Tyson. I am dead serious when I say that. That distinction goes to Wladimir Klitschko who once again cementing his status as the man ( the only legit man) in the heavyweight division with an 11th round KO last Saturday night in Hamburg, Germany against Tony Thompson.. Who the f*c* is Tony Thompson? It makes me appreciate Lennox a whole lot more now. He wasn't very loved but he was a dominant heavyweight champion in a weak class for more than half his career but his 2002 destruction knockout of Mike Tyson with blood pouring all over the face, that image was the last great heavyweight image we have seen and Lennox deserves his props.
Anyways, I watched the fight on HBO and the only thing I can say is " Except for Klitschko, there is NOTHING in heavyweight boxing. I will say that the fight was a little better than expected. But that is all it was. But I will review it for a bit.
The accidental head butt caused Klitschko and Thompson cuts on their right eyes and put Wladimir to a sluggish start all the way until the 5th round as Thompson caught him with some pretty good shots. But Klitschko would rebound after that with an awesome 6th round landing his trademark right hand and it was all over after that for Thompson as Klitschko finished him off in the 11th round when it was clear Thompson had nothing left in his legs. It was Klitschko's ninth straight win after his awful 2004 knockout loss to Lamon Brewster and in all the fights since then, he has dominated relatively less skilled fighters.
Next up for Klitschko is likely Alexander Povetkin, the IBF mandatory challenger, if the Russian can beat Taurus Sylkes next Saturday. If not, cruiserweight champion David Haye, who said he wants to fight Klitschko -- was in the audience for the bout. Oh Great American Heavyweight, where have you gone??
As I write this, it has just been announced that Kelly Pavlik will up to light heavyweight to face Bernard Hopkins on October 18th in Atlantic City. Wow that is a pretty interesting match up to say the least. While it wasn't Pavlik's first choice of fight, it's not a bad alternative do a big buck. With Calazaghe squaring off against Roy Jones in September, it only seemed logical to face off against Hopkins so it could possibly help Pavlik for a future fight against the winner.
Atlantic City has been like a second home for Kelly and you know Youngstown, Ohio will be out big time to represent Kelly in such a high profile match up. But let's not forget that the Executioner hails just down the road in Philly and you know he is going to have a big rep at the Boardwalk Hall. Whatever the case is, it's going to be an awesome atmosphere come October 18th and hopefully yours truly will be in attendance to cover that fight live. My early forecast has Kelly winning decision but I could see a late TKO as well. Pavlik is just too good right now.
We are a little more than a week away for the biggest match up of the year with Cotton squaring off against Margarito. I was just recently in Puerto Rico with my girlfriend and we noticed all the posters for this fight all over the island. I mean no joke, they had posters everywhere as I can clearly tell they are defiantly ready for this fight as is the entire boxing world I am sure. Next week, I will get us ready for the big fight when I take a look back at HBO's replay of Cotto- Judah and Maragrito- Cintron with my edition from the Vault!
Please email me with comments if you have any!!!!
I THINK it's finally official for me to say it. I am FINISHED with heavyweight boxing!! The love is gone for me. The appeal to heavyweights has long been gone for many years but many people don't realize how horrible the situation is. Back in the day when there was a heavyweight title fight, all kinds of boxing fans were tuned in no matter what kind of boxing fan they were. It became part of popular culture to occur a heavyweight title fight. Now days, I bet if you go to 20 people on the street to name you who the heavyweight champion of the world, I still think a few might say Mike Tyson. I am dead serious when I say that. That distinction goes to Wladimir Klitschko who once again cementing his status as the man ( the only legit man) in the heavyweight division with an 11th round KO last Saturday night in Hamburg, Germany against Tony Thompson.. Who the f*c* is Tony Thompson? It makes me appreciate Lennox a whole lot more now. He wasn't very loved but he was a dominant heavyweight champion in a weak class for more than half his career but his 2002 destruction knockout of Mike Tyson with blood pouring all over the face, that image was the last great heavyweight image we have seen and Lennox deserves his props.
As I write this, it has just been announced that Kelly Pavlik will up to light heavyweight to face Bernard Hopkins on October 18th in Atlantic City. Wow that is a pretty interesting match up to say the least. While it wasn't Pavlik's first choice of fight, it's not a bad alternative do a big buck. With Calazaghe squaring off against Roy Jones in September, it only seemed logical to face off against Hopkins so it could possibly help Pavlik for a future fight against the winner.
