Santos Saul Alvarez Barragan, better known to the boxing world as Saul " Canelo " Alvarez.
Yes folks, mark that name down, he could be the next Golden boy,
40 fights , 39 wins and 1 draw, zero defeat. how about that as a record.
Blessed with very good looks, baby face and movie star facial features, needless to say he is already a superstar in Mexico. ( actually it pays off any place anywhere if you are good looking )
I have seen him fought twice, and he's got a very exciting style, hits hard, and he welcome opponents to trade with him, just like the great Roberto Duran.
2 months ago, he ko Alfonso Gomez in brutal fashion.
Yesterday, Pueto Rican star Kermit Cintron was mercilessly beaten in 5 rounds before referee stop contest.
Cintron himself a fearful puncher was just outclassed completely.
So will Alvarez be the next big thing, well time will tell.
Sunday 27 November 2011
Sunday 20 November 2011
Boxing movies.
I hate watching boxing movies, I find them horrible, with no resemblance to reality.
They are in fact an insult to this noble sport.
Much as I respect other's wish to choose what they like to watch,but what I do not understand is the logic and thinking when they made their choice, take that horrible movie " Rocky " for example, I understand from my friend that the audience here actually clap and cheer when Sly made a comeback and start landing blows on his opponent.
In reality the way Sly stumbles and staggers and wobble around the ring, in a real match, the referee would have stopped the fight.
And yet the sport of boxing, in terms of interest is ranked very low here. I wonder why ???????????
I presume people are more interested in form rather than substance, as Abe Lincoln once said,
we think of the shadow more than the real thing.
Now you know why the statue of Rocky Balboa as a boxing icon is prefered to that of a real legend, Smoking Joe Frazier.
Rev. Jesse Jackson said in a speech earlier this week at the Joe Frazier's funeral service that the film Rocky never feel any pain or shed any blood. Precisely. what a farce.
The only Rocky I know is Rocky Marciano, 43 fights, 43 wins. a true legend. RIP CHAMP.
They are in fact an insult to this noble sport.
Much as I respect other's wish to choose what they like to watch,but what I do not understand is the logic and thinking when they made their choice, take that horrible movie " Rocky " for example, I understand from my friend that the audience here actually clap and cheer when Sly made a comeback and start landing blows on his opponent.
In reality the way Sly stumbles and staggers and wobble around the ring, in a real match, the referee would have stopped the fight.
And yet the sport of boxing, in terms of interest is ranked very low here. I wonder why ???????????
I presume people are more interested in form rather than substance, as Abe Lincoln once said,
we think of the shadow more than the real thing.
Now you know why the statue of Rocky Balboa as a boxing icon is prefered to that of a real legend, Smoking Joe Frazier.
Rev. Jesse Jackson said in a speech earlier this week at the Joe Frazier's funeral service that the film Rocky never feel any pain or shed any blood. Precisely. what a farce.
The only Rocky I know is Rocky Marciano, 43 fights, 43 wins. a true legend. RIP CHAMP.
Monday 14 November 2011
Pacqiao vs Marquez. post fight comments.
Well well well, after 3 fights still as controversial as ever.
However much I like Manny, I cannot in all fairness agree with the verdict, at most it will be a draw.
I gave points for Manny's agression but then JMM lands the cleaner punches. It is clear that Manny has problems with counter punchers and JMM is an expert in this particular technique. He reminds me of that great Pueto Rican legend, Wifredo Benitez.
No way Manny won, a draw will be a fairer result, in fact a JMM victory is certainly not far fetched.
The alarming thing is Manny seems to grow old overnite, definitely declining at a very frightening rate.
Against Mayweather, I know I have said it before, my heart goes for Manny but my head says Mayweather, only this time, I will say it louder. Definitely very much less than 50 % chance.
However much I like Manny, I cannot in all fairness agree with the verdict, at most it will be a draw.
I gave points for Manny's agression but then JMM lands the cleaner punches. It is clear that Manny has problems with counter punchers and JMM is an expert in this particular technique. He reminds me of that great Pueto Rican legend, Wifredo Benitez.
No way Manny won, a draw will be a fairer result, in fact a JMM victory is certainly not far fetched.
The alarming thing is Manny seems to grow old overnite, definitely declining at a very frightening rate.
Against Mayweather, I know I have said it before, my heart goes for Manny but my head says Mayweather, only this time, I will say it louder. Definitely very much less than 50 % chance.
Tuesday 8 November 2011
A tribute to Joe Frazier.
Today was a lousy day at work, and it worsens with news on the death of Smoking Joe Frazier, one of my hottest favourite character in boxing. Joe was what I called a blue collar , honest , no frills fighter.
I always have a soft spot for small heavyweights like Joe, Rocky Marciano, David Tua, Floyd Patterson,Mike Tyson etc.( I leave that to further discussion )
Being small and having a short reach is a serious disadvantage, you have to eat some jabs and hits before you can unload your ammunition. I remember Joe at times need to take 3 punches before he can unlease his deadly left hook, Most of his opponents are much bigger and taller than him. Yet his record stands as 32 wins , 27 by KO and only 4 loses, only 2 men has managed to beat him, Ali and George Foreman. My first encounter with Joe was when he was an unknown fighting against Canadian George Chuvalo, who have went 15 rounds with Ali, and has never been stopped.
Joe scored a TKO in the 4th round. That year was July 1967.
Of course the fight of the century on March 1971 against Ali was an eventful and unforgettable occassion for me personally.
The fight was telecast live by TV Malaysia, a first in S'pore and Malaysia. but it was a schooling day at Ponggol VI. what I did was hide in the store room with a few classmates and listen to the radio broadcast, again radio Malaysia where you have great sports commentators like VijayaNathan, Lee Pak Kong, Vincent Fernandez and Reggie Augustine.
Anyway it was so eventful and I cheered the loudest when Joe scored a knockdown on round 15.
That same evening we watched the recorded telecast, oh boy, life was that simple in those days.
I have always supported Ali when he fights someone else, but Joe Frazier was and will always be my man,
Everyone knows the movie Rocky, with Stallone punching a carcass in the abbatoir, well that is friction, Joe Frazier is the real thing, he works in the abbatoir and they actually get the idea from there, yet refusing to give credit where it is due. However the most sickening fact is in the city of
Philadelphia, a statue of that fictitious character, Rocky balboa was erected, definitely Joe deserved better treatment than that.
Well life is always full of ironies and paradox, but this one takes the cake.
Rest in peace, Smoking Joe Frazier, thank you very much for your tremendous contributions to the sport of boxing. You are a true great and as far as I am concerned, an IMMORTAL.
R.I.P. Joe Frazier.
I always have a soft spot for small heavyweights like Joe, Rocky Marciano, David Tua, Floyd Patterson,Mike Tyson etc.( I leave that to further discussion )
Being small and having a short reach is a serious disadvantage, you have to eat some jabs and hits before you can unload your ammunition. I remember Joe at times need to take 3 punches before he can unlease his deadly left hook, Most of his opponents are much bigger and taller than him. Yet his record stands as 32 wins , 27 by KO and only 4 loses, only 2 men has managed to beat him, Ali and George Foreman. My first encounter with Joe was when he was an unknown fighting against Canadian George Chuvalo, who have went 15 rounds with Ali, and has never been stopped.
Joe scored a TKO in the 4th round. That year was July 1967.
Of course the fight of the century on March 1971 against Ali was an eventful and unforgettable occassion for me personally.
The fight was telecast live by TV Malaysia, a first in S'pore and Malaysia. but it was a schooling day at Ponggol VI. what I did was hide in the store room with a few classmates and listen to the radio broadcast, again radio Malaysia where you have great sports commentators like VijayaNathan, Lee Pak Kong, Vincent Fernandez and Reggie Augustine.
Anyway it was so eventful and I cheered the loudest when Joe scored a knockdown on round 15.
That same evening we watched the recorded telecast, oh boy, life was that simple in those days.
I have always supported Ali when he fights someone else, but Joe Frazier was and will always be my man,
Everyone knows the movie Rocky, with Stallone punching a carcass in the abbatoir, well that is friction, Joe Frazier is the real thing, he works in the abbatoir and they actually get the idea from there, yet refusing to give credit where it is due. However the most sickening fact is in the city of
Philadelphia, a statue of that fictitious character, Rocky balboa was erected, definitely Joe deserved better treatment than that.
Well life is always full of ironies and paradox, but this one takes the cake.
Rest in peace, Smoking Joe Frazier, thank you very much for your tremendous contributions to the sport of boxing. You are a true great and as far as I am concerned, an IMMORTAL.
R.I.P. Joe Frazier.
Sunday 6 November 2011
Boxing vs MMA, who will win.
This has been debated and argued many times and we can argue until the cows come home and we still will not have an answer.
Of course being a boxing fan, I will try and be as neutral as I possibly can.
In my opinion, I think we are actually talking about 2 different sports with 2 different sets of rules.
It's just like asking a Badminton champion to play in Wimbledon and a Tennis champ to play in the All England championship. It's basically comparing apples with durians, not even oranges, remember Mohd.Ali vs Antonio Inoki in a farcical contest held in Tokyo.
Well lately we have MMa stars trying their luck in boxing and they get thrashed by unranked boxers.
Mighty Mo, Ray Sefo among others come to mind.
Just a few months ago, boxing legend James " Lights out " Toney faces former UFC champion Randy Couture, Oh goodness what an embarassment it was to boxing fans, Randy only need 3 minutes and 19 seconds to choke James out, forcing him to surrender by tapping out.
I saw the fight and I feel Randy was being very merciful, he could have ground and pound James till his face become a pulp, but as ever, Randy is always a first class gentleman, in and out of the ring.
Actually a real thrashing would have done James a lot of good.
So my take is there will never be a clear cut answer to this question, maybe in time to come, some smart Alec can devise a so called in between rules and regulations that will be fair to both contestant.
Of course being a boxing fan, I will try and be as neutral as I possibly can.
In my opinion, I think we are actually talking about 2 different sports with 2 different sets of rules.
It's just like asking a Badminton champion to play in Wimbledon and a Tennis champ to play in the All England championship. It's basically comparing apples with durians, not even oranges, remember Mohd.Ali vs Antonio Inoki in a farcical contest held in Tokyo.
Well lately we have MMa stars trying their luck in boxing and they get thrashed by unranked boxers.
Mighty Mo, Ray Sefo among others come to mind.
Just a few months ago, boxing legend James " Lights out " Toney faces former UFC champion Randy Couture, Oh goodness what an embarassment it was to boxing fans, Randy only need 3 minutes and 19 seconds to choke James out, forcing him to surrender by tapping out.
I saw the fight and I feel Randy was being very merciful, he could have ground and pound James till his face become a pulp, but as ever, Randy is always a first class gentleman, in and out of the ring.
Actually a real thrashing would have done James a lot of good.
So my take is there will never be a clear cut answer to this question, maybe in time to come, some smart Alec can devise a so called in between rules and regulations that will be fair to both contestant.
Friday 4 November 2011
Knowing when to hang up the gloves.
One of the most painful sights in boxing is watching old legends getting beaten up from pillar to post.
Their reflexes, speed, head movement,defense, power, they are not there anymore. Seeing Mohd Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, among others being beaten by opposition who would probably not even last a few rounds during their heydays. Of course one of the main reasons is always financial, it could also be pride and a loss of resemblance to reality.
2 Sundays ago, MMA Legends Mirko Crocop and BJ Penn announces their retirement from the ring and I think that was a right move. We should thank them for their contributions to the sport and surely it's time for them to take a dignified bow. May their future plans be just as successful.
Their reflexes, speed, head movement,defense, power, they are not there anymore. Seeing Mohd Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, among others being beaten by opposition who would probably not even last a few rounds during their heydays. Of course one of the main reasons is always financial, it could also be pride and a loss of resemblance to reality.
2 Sundays ago, MMA Legends Mirko Crocop and BJ Penn announces their retirement from the ring and I think that was a right move. We should thank them for their contributions to the sport and surely it's time for them to take a dignified bow. May their future plans be just as successful.
Tuesday 25 October 2011
Quotable quotes.
I used to hear comments that footballers have their brains in their feet and boxers have theirs in the gloves, how bloody aloof and snobbish can one be.
Let me share with you some beautiful quotes made by who else boxers.
1. Darling , I forgot to duck. Jack demsey after losing to Gene Tunney. In fact President Reagen adopt that quote after being shot.
2. I want no pie in the sky when I die, I want sometihing here on the ground when I am still living. Muhd Ali.
3. Float like a butterfly,sting like a bee. Muhd.Ali.
4. I aint got no nothing against the Vietcongs. Muhd Ali refusing to fight in the Vietnam war.
5. We will ground the peanut and sent it to Georgia, Muhd.Ali, peanut was refering to Larry Holmes whose head is shaped like a peanut. Georgia refers to President Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer.
6. the judges, the referees and promoters can kiss me where the sun don't shine - and because we're on HBO, that's my big black behind Larry Holmes after losing a disputed decision to Michael Spinks.
No. 6 is my favorite with some adjustment of course.
Let me share with you some beautiful quotes made by who else boxers.
1. Darling , I forgot to duck. Jack demsey after losing to Gene Tunney. In fact President Reagen adopt that quote after being shot.
2. I want no pie in the sky when I die, I want sometihing here on the ground when I am still living. Muhd Ali.
3. Float like a butterfly,sting like a bee. Muhd.Ali.
4. I aint got no nothing against the Vietcongs. Muhd Ali refusing to fight in the Vietnam war.
5. We will ground the peanut and sent it to Georgia, Muhd.Ali, peanut was refering to Larry Holmes whose head is shaped like a peanut. Georgia refers to President Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer.
6. the judges, the referees and promoters can kiss me where the sun don't shine - and because we're on HBO, that's my big black behind Larry Holmes after losing a disputed decision to Michael Spinks.
No. 6 is my favorite with some adjustment of course.
Sunday 23 October 2011
Nonito Donaire vs Omar Navaez post fight comments.
What an anti climax. This is truly a very bad advertisement for the sports. Nonito tried but Navaez main intention is to survive and so he put on a cycling show. He doesn't wants to fight. Nonito commented that he felt sorry for the audience and I think he should be because the only hurt that Navaez inflicted is on people like us the audience.
The scoreline was a complete shutout, 120 - 108. on all 3 judges' scorecards.On my scorecard, I gave him the 5th round, with the benefit of hindsight, I was just being over generous.
It is no surprised that MMA has overtaken boxing in many fronts like action and excitement, and it is a matter of time when boxing will beacome a poor cousin to MMA.
The scoreline was a complete shutout, 120 - 108. on all 3 judges' scorecards.On my scorecard, I gave him the 5th round, with the benefit of hindsight, I was just being over generous.
It is no surprised that MMA has overtaken boxing in many fronts like action and excitement, and it is a matter of time when boxing will beacome a poor cousin to MMA.
Thursday 20 October 2011
Filipino champions.
I always have a soft spot for fighters from the Philipines, and before any smart Aleck calls me a fairweather fan by virtue of Manny Pacman being a Filipino, let me tell you this, brother, the boxer who left an everlasting memory on me is not Manny but a guy called Flash Elorde. He was the undisputed junior lightweight champion for 7 years, making 10 title defences, I remember when TV was first introduced to S'pore. I watch Flash challenging Carlos Ortiz for the lightweight title. Flash was KO in the 14th round but he impressed me with his skill and speed, hence the nickname Flash.
Yes brother, the Great Flash Elorde. RIP.
Other greats are Dodie Boy Penelosa who overcame childhood polio with a shorter left leg. Even with this handicap, he captures the world title. Lusito Espinosa, Pancho Villa etc.
As for Pacman, well my first impression was formed when I first saw him fight in 2001 in Las Vegas, if my memory doesn't let me down , it was an undercard on a Oscar DelaHoya main event.
Anyway Manny took the fight on a few days notice and KO Lehlohomolo Ledwaba and in the process capturing the IBF super Bantamweight title.So dominant and brutal, I knew there and then that this then 21 yr old will attain greatness, At least I was right, ( most of the time, wrong in everything )
Afterwhich he went on to beat the likes of JMM, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, among others.
I would have like to see him smash FloydMayweather Jr, and retire for good.
OK Salamat for reading this long winded message.
Yes brother, the Great Flash Elorde. RIP.
Other greats are Dodie Boy Penelosa who overcame childhood polio with a shorter left leg. Even with this handicap, he captures the world title. Lusito Espinosa, Pancho Villa etc.
As for Pacman, well my first impression was formed when I first saw him fight in 2001 in Las Vegas, if my memory doesn't let me down , it was an undercard on a Oscar DelaHoya main event.
Anyway Manny took the fight on a few days notice and KO Lehlohomolo Ledwaba and in the process capturing the IBF super Bantamweight title.So dominant and brutal, I knew there and then that this then 21 yr old will attain greatness, At least I was right, ( most of the time, wrong in everything )
Afterwhich he went on to beat the likes of JMM, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, among others.
I would have like to see him smash FloydMayweather Jr, and retire for good.
OK Salamat for reading this long winded message.
Wednesday 19 October 2011
It's Live, Nonito Donaire vs Omar Navaez
Folks, this is live . for the bantam weight championship, 2 belts WBO and WBC.
Donaire might not be as well known as Manny but believe me, he can punch and he is fast, hence the nickname the Filipino Flash.
Omar Navaez, he is Argentinian, I do not know anything about him but I do know that Argies are tough nuts, remember Oscar Bonavena, Carlos Monzon etc.
Omar is 35-0, wow that is quite a record, it means he is unbeaten to date.
Thanks to Starhub, at least my feedbacks are answered, maybe soccer's loss is boxing's gain.
Donaire might not be as well known as Manny but believe me, he can punch and he is fast, hence the nickname the Filipino Flash.
Omar Navaez, he is Argentinian, I do not know anything about him but I do know that Argies are tough nuts, remember Oscar Bonavena, Carlos Monzon etc.
Omar is 35-0, wow that is quite a record, it means he is unbeaten to date.
Thanks to Starhub, at least my feedbacks are answered, maybe soccer's loss is boxing's gain.
Tuesday 18 October 2011
Controversies
Some people says controversies make life more interesting.
I am not so sure about that, more so with the sport of boxing. Take last weekend fight between Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson for example. I personally do not like Hopkins alot, he like many Yank fighters
tends to be rather brash, cocky and indulges in lots of trash talk. But then you cannot deny the fact that this guy is super talented. I mean a world boxing champion at age 46. We are not talking about Bowling , sepak Takraw or Ping Pong.
Coming back to the fight, if you watch the replays, Chad definitely lifted Hopkins up, in fact one of his hands was wrapped round Hopkin's legs and he clearly dumped him.
Now you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that this is a clear cut intentional foul.
Pls refer to my earlier post about below par referees and this ref is certainly one.
The other recent one was the fight between Victor Ortiz and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
It started when Ortiz fouled Mayweather by headbutting him. Ortiz was rightly punished and given a 1 point deduction. He apologised and give Mayweather a hug, after which Mayweather hits him immediately with a left hook and knock him out with a right cross.
While the rule book says that what Mayweather did was legitimate, I feel that was a rather ungracious and ungentleman thing to do. Definitely not in Queensbury fashion.
I don't understand a fighter of Mayweather's calibre, he do not have to do that. He is winning the fight comfortably. He just lacks class.
Again the performance of a inefficient referee will affect the whole scene.
I am not so sure about that, more so with the sport of boxing. Take last weekend fight between Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson for example. I personally do not like Hopkins alot, he like many Yank fighters
tends to be rather brash, cocky and indulges in lots of trash talk. But then you cannot deny the fact that this guy is super talented. I mean a world boxing champion at age 46. We are not talking about Bowling , sepak Takraw or Ping Pong.
Coming back to the fight, if you watch the replays, Chad definitely lifted Hopkins up, in fact one of his hands was wrapped round Hopkin's legs and he clearly dumped him.
Now you don't have to be a rocket scientist to know that this is a clear cut intentional foul.
Pls refer to my earlier post about below par referees and this ref is certainly one.
The other recent one was the fight between Victor Ortiz and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
It started when Ortiz fouled Mayweather by headbutting him. Ortiz was rightly punished and given a 1 point deduction. He apologised and give Mayweather a hug, after which Mayweather hits him immediately with a left hook and knock him out with a right cross.
While the rule book says that what Mayweather did was legitimate, I feel that was a rather ungracious and ungentleman thing to do. Definitely not in Queensbury fashion.
I don't understand a fighter of Mayweather's calibre, he do not have to do that. He is winning the fight comfortably. He just lacks class.
Again the performance of a inefficient referee will affect the whole scene.
Trick questions.
I have been questioned many times and my answer remains unchanged.
Here it goes.
Oh so you loved boxing, don't you think it's inhuman and barbaric, 2 grown ups beating the living daylights out of each other and you called that sports.
Btw, would you have enjoyed it that much if your son is in the ring eating leather ?
As I mentioned, my answer remained unchanged.
1. Boxing as a sport do have some risk, just like motor racing, mountain climbing and even gymnastic.
If you do not have what it takes, then you have no bloody business to be in the ring. Short sweet and
simple.
2. Will I enjoy it if my son is a boxer, sure why not ?
If my kid have the talents of Oscar DelaHoya, Sugar Ray Leonard, Manny Pacqiao or Floyd Mayweather
for that matter, I will be the first to call up Emanuel Steward, Freddie Roach or Angelo Dundee.
I will yell at the top of my voice, take my boy, he is world champion material.
Fortunately or unfortunately unlike me, my son has got no interest in boxing, and I respect his choice.
BTW, democracy is widely practiced in my household.
3. So when a guy choses boxing as a career or as an amateur sports, he ( I do not favor women's boxing )
he must be aware of the requirements needed, the risk involved and the realistic expectations he should
have.
Coming back to the dangers of the game, I think the referee plays a very important role.
He should be able to sense when a boxer is taking unnecessary punishmnet and must not hesitate to stop the contest immediately. We have seen so many inefficient and below par referees who have no business in the
ring. Their license should not be renewed.
Here it goes.
Oh so you loved boxing, don't you think it's inhuman and barbaric, 2 grown ups beating the living daylights out of each other and you called that sports.
Btw, would you have enjoyed it that much if your son is in the ring eating leather ?
As I mentioned, my answer remained unchanged.
1. Boxing as a sport do have some risk, just like motor racing, mountain climbing and even gymnastic.
If you do not have what it takes, then you have no bloody business to be in the ring. Short sweet and
simple.
2. Will I enjoy it if my son is a boxer, sure why not ?
If my kid have the talents of Oscar DelaHoya, Sugar Ray Leonard, Manny Pacqiao or Floyd Mayweather
for that matter, I will be the first to call up Emanuel Steward, Freddie Roach or Angelo Dundee.
I will yell at the top of my voice, take my boy, he is world champion material.
Fortunately or unfortunately unlike me, my son has got no interest in boxing, and I respect his choice.
BTW, democracy is widely practiced in my household.
3. So when a guy choses boxing as a career or as an amateur sports, he ( I do not favor women's boxing )
he must be aware of the requirements needed, the risk involved and the realistic expectations he should
have.
Coming back to the dangers of the game, I think the referee plays a very important role.
He should be able to sense when a boxer is taking unnecessary punishmnet and must not hesitate to stop the contest immediately. We have seen so many inefficient and below par referees who have no business in the
ring. Their license should not be renewed.
Monday 17 October 2011
Boxing in Singapore
Boxing is a dead sports over here.
Looks like S'poreans are just not interested. Sad sad sad.
I have been following the sports since Muhd Ali captures the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston.
Since then my day is not complete without surfing websites like 24 hrs boxing, Eastside boxing etc.
Feel free to join in on any discussion,
Cheers
Looks like S'poreans are just not interested. Sad sad sad.
I have been following the sports since Muhd Ali captures the heavyweight title from Sonny Liston.
Since then my day is not complete without surfing websites like 24 hrs boxing, Eastside boxing etc.
Feel free to join in on any discussion,
Cheers
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