Boxing Notebook: Corrales-Castillo III Should Be Mucho Macho! Posted on Sabtu, 26 November 2011 | 0 komentar

Code Red! Code Red!

Saturday is the final clash between Diego “Chico” Corrales (40-3, 33 KOs) and Jose Luis Castillo (54-7-1, 47 KOs) for the lightweight championship of the world. Though 70 pounds south, they’re true heavyweights. Sportsbook odds are Castillo -220, Corrales +180 - based on what?

Tale of the tape: Corrales, 28, is a lightweight freak, 5-11 with a half-inch fist, forearm and thigh advantage over the 5-8, 32-year-old Castillo – plus a one inch bigger expanded chest, reach, bicep and calf. Castillo needs a ladder to reach him (on paper).

Corrales has had great success against smaller, aggressive guys. Castillo is strong enough mentally and big enough physically (He demonstrated that last time with Chico) to mete out plenty of pain of his own.

But the physical discrepancies don’t apply here. “Chico” doesn’t fight tall. He likes to walk in and unload hooks and rights – bang on the inside, fight short. He likes it physical.

Reviewing their first bout, I was amazed at Corrales’ success when he made space. When he pushed off on Castillo and attacked from the outside, he was effective dropping right hands and short hooks. He used the jab to control the pace - Castillo had no answers. So, why doesn‘t he stick with it? He’s like the guy that threw himself on cactus and when asked why said: “It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Think back to Corrales-Casamayor II. Stick and move. Outbox the guy. Corrales' trainer, Joe Goossen, should put it in letters of fire on a ringside billboard. Also, Castillo is prone to cuts. Spear him with the jab; open the scar tissue. Double-jab – right over the top, keep moving. Do that all night, and Corrales gets the W. But, it isn’t a safe bet.

Chin Check: Corrales is no stranger to the canvas.

Floyd Mayweather dropped him five times one night. Castillo and Joel Casamayor scored five knockdowns and one knockout against him. You can develop muscles, strengthen your mind, but you can’t train a chin. Plus, Castillo has found something with that short left hook.

In a recent FHM interview, Corrales analyzed the punch:

“I got a left hook in that second fight and that was purely my mistake. I caught him with my right hand, and he was ready for it. I felt him pulling himself down and really losing some steam. I need to make sure my hand is at home and never cocked.”

You can read the full interview here: http://www.fhmus.com/articles-1267.asp?cnl_id=5&stn_id=46&idx_id=1267

These guys bristle with macho. Expect the first few rounds to be more controlled: Corrales moving and setting the pace. Once Castillo breaks through, it’s “MACHO TIME”. I’ll agree with the sportsbook odds - if Corrales’ chin holds up, he’ll land enough punches to eke out a split decision.

Jhonny Gonzalez-Fernando Montiel: Is it over yet?
Who made this fight? Was this a Barrera concoction? Maybe law school has him out of touch. Being Guatemalan, I can relate to the poor souls who were expecting a slugfest and got a snoozefest.

Look, when you match Mexicans, you don’t expect Leonard vs. Benitez. To Latinos boxing equals fighting. Hit and get hit. We don’t want a ballet. After a 12-hour shift, getting a crap paycheck, my wife yelling at me and my car breaking down … all I want to do Fridays is hang with the boys, suck down some Coronas and watch two guys trying to kill each other cause they're pissed.

How about an “I’m sorry bout?” Daniel Ponce De Leon was on the same card, and he scored another KO. Doesn’t a guy with a 90 percent KO ratio deserve to be on TV?

Joe Rein describes De Leon’s style: "He’s a clenched fist, sparring - an impatient 5-5 southpaw – he brings it! -with little give in his legs – over-wide stance - and constant I-want-to-kill-you lead lefts, making his handlers cringe. But he shrinks from no exchange - head down, squared-up, furiously winging to knock down a building. None of it by design, more a random act of violence.

Many of his free swings are blocked or parried, but when his sparmate steps back, thinking he’s out of range, Ponce brings new meaning to "reach out and touch someone" with a wingspan just shy of Marciano’s. The shudder when he lands makes it clear why he’s dangerous.

Read more about De Leon here: http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/3849/are-you-making-any-money/ . Next time a fight sucks, HBO should sneak in a bonus bout. Who cares which, as long as it’s brutal.

Last Round
Chad Dawson should look awesome against Eric Harding in his first light heavyweight go. Harding’s not lacking confidence:

“I am willing to fight for winner-takes-all,’’ he said. “Dawson has made a big mistake. This is like a man against a young kid. He better be ready. Every fight is a must-win for me.”

Harding outpointed Antonio Tarver in a WBC eliminator on June 23, 2000. He also fought ex-world champs Montell Griffin and Glen Johnson. Harding, the WBC No. 10/IBF No. 9 contender won USBA and NABF 175-pound crowns in his past two starts, 12-round decisions over David Telesco and Daniel Judah.

Dawson, the WBC No. 7/WBA No. 15 contender, said, “I am looking forward to this. It is a great fight for ‘ShoBox.’ I am a still an improving, young fighter who is stepping up in competition. Harding is a great fighter. He has a good resume, but I definitely think I am the stronger fighter. I am in great shape. The world will know my name when I walk out of the ring with a victory.”

Dawson knows how to deal with awkward fighters. I was at Dawson’s bout against Ian Gardner in New Haven, Conn. with TN promoter Jake Donovan, who commented about the fight:

“The first few rounds were typical of a Gardner fight, even if the southpaw wasn’t in complete control. Dawson carried the action, but Gardner’s awkward style caused him to miss nearly everything. Action was so dismal, that many in press row were more interested in the war of words between the two camps at ringside. By round five, Dawson took over for good. Gardner offered an occasional straight left, but seemed more concerned with a shot that caught him above the bridge of his nose. By round’s end, Gardner was slow to walk back to his corner, grabbing his head, as if something was amiss.“

Chad Dawson was “amiss.” The guy’s the goods.

You can read the full story here: http://fightbeat.com/badchadfinal.php

10 seconds
WBA welterweight champion Ricky Hatton will sit ringside in Las Vegas on Saturday for Castillo-Corrales III, intending to challenge the victor of this epic trilogy, says his dad, manager Ray Hatton.

"He'd like to fight the winner, although we have heard rumors that Castillo will jump right up to welter afterwards and possibly fight Miguel Cotto."

I’m skeptical of a Cotto-Castillo bout coming off. On June 10, Paul Malignaggi has his own plans.

Boxing Gloves – How To Choose The Right Ones Posted on Jumat, 25 November 2011 | 0 komentar

Boxing has been a very popular sport for a very long time. But, it’s not only the athlete’s ability that is important, but also the equipment that he/she uses that matter. Boxing gloves are perhaps the most important thing a boxer needs to have before stepping into the ring. Choosing the right pair is a must to ensure the best performance possible.

If you plan to step into the boxing ring anytime soon, you know that you must first have the proper pair of boxing gloves for you. Before you buy your first pair of the familiar, red gloves, there are some things that you should know.

Leather gloves are usually the most recommended. Sure, they may cost a little more than boxing gloves made out of other materials, but they will definitely last longer as well as offer better support. If you want to use boxing gloves strictly for a fitness class, the material may not matter, but if you want to train it is definitely important.

The next thing to consider is how the gloves close. Boxing gloves of the classic style, usually seen in prize fights, are often tied onto the boxer’s hands with laces. As with your shoes, a pair of gloves with laces can ensure a very snug fit.

But, Velcro enclosures are another choice. The advantage to using boxing gloves that have Velcro straps is that they can easily be put on or removed by yourself and without the help of anyone else. In fact, for anyone who has tried to lace gloves up themselves and without anyone else’s help, it is just about impossible. If you are just an average person who wants to use the gloves for general training purposes, then Velcro straps are ok for you to use.

The size of the boxing gloves that you choose is of great importance. The come in small, medium, and large, and also for men and women. Any average man will usually need a size large, while the average size boxing glove for a woman is a medium. The size can vary with different manufacturers, but it is usually standard.

Boxing gloves can weigh anywhere from 10 to 20 ounces, but those used in a professional boxing match are usually 10 ounces. If you plan to use the gloves for training, then the standard sizes are 12 ounce, 14 ounce, and 16 ounce. If you are looking for more protection, then a heavier glove is for you. If you are a beginner, then 14 or 16 ounce gloves are usually recommended. But if you plan to use them for sparring, 16 ounce gloves are the norm.

Most people think they must buy a glove that fits their hand, but this isn’t the case. If possible, put 180’ inch wraps on your hand when trying a glove on. By doing this, you can see how the feel will change with the handwrap and if a bigger size is needed.

When shopping for boxing gloves, also look for a great feature called a thumb attachment, or a thumb-lock. Most gloves made nowadays have this feature, which helps to prevent thumb injuries or any accidental eye gouges than can occur during a match.

Stallone Filming New Boxing Movie Posted on Selasa, 08 November 2011 | 0 komentar

The next biggest boxing film, a new Rocky sequel, is set to be released in December 2006 or early 2007. Written and directed by Sylvester Stallone, Rocky VI, also called Rocky Balboa, has primarily been filmed throughout Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. However, in December 2005, the production team for the new boxing movie set out to Las Vegas for a series of fight scenes, which were filmed over a four day period. A call for extras was placed on sylvesterstallone.com, as well as at beinamovie.com. Fans traveled far and near for their opportunity to spend several days with the cast and crew, obtain autographs and to have the chance to say “I was there.” The film has been closely followed by local news stations based in Philadelphia, which is noted on Stallone’s official website.

The latest boxing saga for the one-time prize fighter, Rocky Balboa, played by Stallone, is said to parallel the comeback story of boxing legend, George Foreman. According to a statement printed on BeInAMovie.com, Stallone said that he wanted to tell Foreman’s comeback story.

In the newest boxing release from the Rocky series, Balboa is now a restaurant owner grieving over the loss of his wife, Adrian. After deciding to return to the ring for local fights, Balboa is confronted with the opportunity to fight the reigning heavyweight champion. This act garners major boxing media attention, as does any major bout that Balboa has faced, and so is the story of Rocky VI.

While focusing on the story of boxing, the films from the Rocky series are geared more toward not giving up and staying in the fight, whether you win or lose. Fans who have followed the films since their inception will recall Balboa, a struggling boxer, never turned away from a challenge. It is the story of preserverance that has not only kept the boxing career of Balboa going, but also the desire to do what he loves.

Rocky VI, also called Rocky Balboa, is currently defined as being in post-production. While it’s exact release date is not yet confirmed, industry experts believe it to be in late 2006 or early 2007 as previously noted. Some believe the film is slated for a Christmas Day 2006 release, but only time will tell. After a long hiatus from filming the world of boxing, Rocky makes yet another visit to the big screen with a crowd of eager fans anxiously awaiting the next storyline in one of the most anticipated boxing sequels ever made.

Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays Posted on Jumat, 28 Oktober 2011 | 0 komentar

Rogers Centre

Mark Buehrle worked quickly and efficiently last Friday, looking a lot like Greg Maddux -- the pitcher he beat, in game the White Sox won 6-1 against the Cubs in the first Interleague game of the season.

The White Sox started trailing by 1 at the top of the first, but thanks to an efficient offense they managed to tie the game at the bottom of the first and from then on the game was all theirs.

Buehrle had a smooth two-hour ride through the Cubs struggling lineup throwing a two-hitter in the White Sox victory. "We don't throw hard. We use a lot of movement in our pitches. You go out there and beat one of the best pitchers in the game, it makes you feel a lot better about yourself," Buehrle said after the Interleague opener at U.S. Cellular Field.

The White Sox are playing a lot like they played last year when they were World Champions and if they continue with this pace they most certainly will get to the World Series this year also.

Lineup
1. Scott Podsednik, LF. 2. Tadahito Iguchi, 2nd B. 3. Jim Thome, DH. 4. Paul Konerko, 1st B. 5. Jermaine Dye, RF. 6.A.J. Pierzynski, C. 7.Joe Crede, 3rd B. 8. Rob Mackowiak, CF. 9.Alex Cintron, SS.

Josh Towers (1-8) from the Blue Jays became the majors' first eight-game loser by following up his best outing of the season -- two runs and five hits in eight innings Sunday against Tampa Bay -- with one of his worst, giving up five runs and eight hits in five innings on Friday against Colorado.

The right-hander left a fastball up in the first inning that Atkins hit out to left for a solo homer and then gave up a two-run double in the fourth to Barmes.

"I think I was able to put the ball where I wanted to, but I did get a couple of sliders out over the plate," Towers said. "When I located pitches, they couldn't do anything with it."

Despite what Towers thinks this wasn’t one of his best games in the season. The Blue Jays performance sometimes depends a lot on how good their bullpen is on a certain day. And on Friday, the Bullpen left committed too many mistakes that cost them the game against the Rockies.

They face a very difficult series against the White Sox this week; most sportsbooks will have as favorite the White Sox in what many expect to be a series sweep by Chicago.

Lineup
1.Reed Johnson, LF. 2. Alexis Rios, RF. 3.Vernon Wells, CF. 4.Troy Glaus, 3rd B. 5. Lyle Overbay, 1st B. 6.Bengie Molina, C. 7.Aaron Hill, 2nd B. 8. Russ Adams, SS. 9.Josh Towers, P.