If You’re Into Boxing, There’s a Big Fight this Weekend
Ed Mulholland/FightWireImages.comWe’re not big fight fans these days, but one guy we can get behind is Kelly Pavlik. The reigning middleweight champion and Boxing Times Fighter of the Year will be squaring off with Jermain Taylor again tomorrow night on HBO PPV.
Pavlik, a Youngstown native, served up a mild shock to the boxing world when he knocked out previously unbeaten Taylor in September of last year.
No word yet on whether both fighters will don trunks representing their favorite schools again, but Pavlik appears to be one of the few guys in Ohio that have a handle on the SEC.
(Thanks to TLB for the tip.)
Nice trunks! Where can I get some of those?
Until boxing stops attempting to charge me $70 to watch it, I will not be paying attention. I’m not holding my breath…
Boxing is dead.
I just heard that Pavlik will NOT be wearing his Buckeye trunks. He will be, however, representing Ohio, by wearing Penguin trunks. Yep, Yougstown St….I’m all for representing your hometown, but aren’t boxers a superstitious bunch? You knocked out the undefeated champ and now your going to change trunks?
He’s the Ghost, baby. What shorts he wears won’t matter to JT, because when JT’s on his ass, knocked the fuck out, he won’t have time to think about what style the shorts the Ghost was wearing.
I used to really enjoy boxing. Especially when you used to be able to catch good fights on ESPN or HBO. Anyone who witnessed the Tyson v. Douglas fight live on HBO probably has some great memories of that fight. It may be my favorite fight ever. Also, those Holyfield v. Bowe fights were outstanding. And who can forget the amazing middleweight fights in the 80’s (Hagler, Hearns, Leonard, Duran, etc.)
But I was already a bit jaded about the sport (because it was run by criminals) when I watched the biggest travesty I ever witnessed. And I haven’t felt the same about boxing ever since. It may have been an HBO fight (I don’t remember), but my roomie & I watched the George Foreman v. Shannon Briggs fight. Foreman was beating the crap out of Briggs. No shit, Foreman probably dominated 10 out of 12 rounds…maybe more. Briggs’ face was puffy, red, & tore up. Foreman barely broke a sweat by the end of the fight. And guess what? The judges ruled a unanimous decision that Briggs won the fight! At the time, Briggs was supposed to be the next upcoming stud heavyweight who could give Lennox Lewis a challenge. It was ridiculous. Of course, Don King was in the ring smiling behind Briggs. I think Foreman finally retired for good after the fight. Boxing obviously wanted Briggs to win & Foreman to lose. Briggs was young & Foreman was old. And I’ve never felt the same about boxing since this fight.
Foreman was smiling and jibber jabbering in the post-fight interview. He didn’t care one bit because he obviously knew the outcome when he signed the contract to fight months earlier.
Another thing that bugs me is the payday is set before a punch is thrown. I can’t think of very many individual sports where this is the case (tennis, golf). Watching dudes take a dive after a couple glancing blows is not my idea of excitement. There are still good fights out there but I’m not willing to drop the PPV cash and take the chance.
Pavlik apparently gave those shorts to Tressel. The dispatch has a good article today on their mutual respect for each other.
I saw replay of that first fight on HBO the day after or something. Had no idea who the kid was. Was just flipping channels, and saw this dude wearing Buckeye trunks. I was all like “WTF? this is awesome!” and watched him get knocked around a bit, but never stop swinging. Fell in love with him. Ran to the Intertube to figure out what his dealio was, if he was married, if I had a shot, you know.
I love boxing, too. For awhile I ignored it, as UFC was just so much more exciting. But the novelty has worn off a bit, and I’m willing to chip in and watch this fight with a couple buddies. I wouldn’t pony up the full $70, mind you. But I’ll kick in $10.
You should have seen his fight with Edison Miranda. It was supposed to be a tune up fight for Miranda to then fight Taylor for the title. The Ghost straight up whooped his ass, and the announcers were in disbelief. Knocked him out in the 7th round, and it was a devestating knockout, Miranda looked like he was dead.
I’ll see if I can find it. Thanks!
Here’s highlights.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFr_uPHUnFo
Holy shit, did I just hear Larry Merchant talking about “crunk”?
Unanimous Decision for Pavlik. He is now 2-0 vs. SEC speed.
I actually shelled out for this fight* and I’m glad I did. Both fighters threw bombs and there were few clutches through the 12 rounds.
The Ghost is for real — unanimous decision makes him 2-0 against a guy that’s beaten Winky Wright and Hopkins twice.
* This was the first fight I’ve purchased in about 5 years and I’m all aboard the boxing is dying bandwagon, but this fight was money.
Scott, you were right. He was rocking the YSU trunks tonight.
Damn, I shoulda spent the dough and watched it. I instead wasted my time waiting around for the Kimbo Slice/Tank Abbot fight. Muy decepcionado.
Oh well, HBO should have it replayed during the week. I’ll have to tell my Tivo to go get it.