Expect Any Different?
Like pretty much the whole boxing world, I too watched the first episode of HBO’s 24/7 featuring Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz who will face each other on September 17th from Las Vegas for Ortiz’s new acquired WBC welterweight title on HBO PPV. Like many of us, I was appalled at the verbal tussle that went on between Mayweather Jr. and his father, Floyd Sr. Truthfully, I didn’t expect any different, Mayweather Jr.’s role on the show is pretty much carved out where he really comes off as the “black hat” in equation, making sure nobody sane really likes his personality. From the arrogance to the overt displays of “bling”, in my eyes, Mayweather Jr. is a very unlikable character.
"Vicious" Victor Ortiz
In my opinion, Ortiz doesn’t come across any better.
To me, Ortiz seems like an immature young man trying to convince himself of being able to beat the greatest fighter of our time. I don’t really believe he believes he can do it and he has to keep trying to convince himself that he somehow can.
I am not asking for him to say that he is only there for the paycheck which should be the biggest of his career but I think he is coming across as extra confident, thinking that Mayweather is in the same caliber as his latest opponents, Berto, Peterson, Maidana. I think he is going to get a rude awakening come September 17th.
For the first time in a long time, I am not sure I will be rooting against Mayweather….
Ceiling Fans Are Dangerous but Scales Are More…
A lot of people are up in arms over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.’s recent cancellation of his next fight scheduled for September 17th in Culiacan, Mexico. Chavez Jr. was supposed to face the son of another boxing great, Ronald Hearns, son of the “Motor City Cobra” Tommy Hearns. Amidst rumors that Chavez Jr. was tipping the scales pretty heavy, a story was circulated that Chavez Jr. cut his hand on a ceiling fan after stretching. If this is true, then the cancellation is more than understandable. A cut can get infected pretty quickly in a boxing environment. With used hand wraps and sweaty gloves used daily, I am sure that can’t be good for an open wound.
Julio Cesar "Julito" Chavez Jr
More than likely, the cut was not enough to cancel the fight and the weight issue is the real culprit in Chavez Jr. not going head to head in the ratings versus “Canelo” Alvarez who defends his WBC 154 lbs. title the same night versus Alfonso Gomez. It’s not the first time that Chavez Jr. balks at a fight. Last December, Chavez Jr. was slated to face Gomez but pulled out last minute, claiming a flu but boxing insiders rumored that it was a money issue with his Mexican promoter Zanfer. Basing it on Zanfer’s track record regarding money, it is believable that was the case.
According to Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who was always against the Hearns fight, he has secured a date with HBO mid-November for Chavez Jr. What are the odds he fights then?
Give Me a Louisville Slugger
Former WBC Welterweight Champ Andre Berto
Never have been too impressed by Andre Berto. Not really looking forward to seeing him perform against a virtual unknown in (), the IBF welterweight champion. According to Steve Kim of MaxBoxing.com, this bout had been talked about before as an unification fight when Berto held the WBC strap but was declined by HBO because of () anonymity. Now that Berto is belt less and the powerful Al Heymon controls the strings, we have it on HBO. I have never thought Berto deserved to be on the network and much less be a champion.
I look forward to his fights like I look forward to a baseball bat to the face.
Good Luck To “Morita”
David "Morita" De La Mora
Later on tonight, August 30th, Tijuana’s David “Morita” de la Mora will challenge hometown favorite Koki Kameda for the WBA bantamweight strap in Tokyo, Japan. De La Mora is an aggressive come forward Mexican spark plug in his first challenge for a world title. The order is a tall one because Kameda is a talented fighter in his hometown but here is hoping that the Tijuana native who enjoys one of the biggest followings in the border city can pull it off.
Top Rank’s Top Secret
Christopher "S.D. Kid" Martin
In more border boxing news, it was confirmed to me that world ranked Christopher Martin has signed with Top Rank Promotions. The undefeated bantamweight was previously signed to Don Chargin/Jorge Marron Productions but now has signed to the biggest promoter in the planet. Looks like he might be debuting under the Top Rank banner on the undercard of Margarito-Cotto II in December. For some reason, Top Rank has not made an official announcement or confirmed the signing, even going as far as calling Fightnews.com, where I first broke the story last Friday, and denying the signing.
I guess they want to be the first with the news…
