By Paul Sims
Tired of superfights fallout last year? Mayweather-Pacquiao, Klitschkos-Haye or Lopez-Gamboa? How about waking you up from dreaming into the reality of the year 2011 dubbed as mind-bending amount of upsets. Partly a continuation from the last quarter of 2010 when we witnessed Hopkins troubled the younger Pascal, or maybe earlier that Litzau upsetting the once most feared fighter named Caballero.
Truly, last year could have generated several upsets. However, surprising results like those mentioned above plus fights such as Perez-Agbeko or Keb-Baas - Nino Romero, could not get even close in terms of the leverage of the Boxers who got results overturned by unknown if not washed out fighters.
Take an example from a potential skilled fighter James Kirkland who was just coming from a superb first round (KO) performance against Gibbs. It was his first fight in two years layoff due to legal troubles, thus, I considered that fight an exceptional one. Not until when he stepped inside the ring a month after and being floored three times by a weak puncher Japanese guy Nobuhiro Ishida with a record of 7 only KO’s in 29 fights.
Next in line was a once thought crappy one Madaina-Morales bout. Albeit the underdog lost the decision, the fight was still highly regarded as one of defining bouts of Morales, not just because of the scorecards but mainly how he dominated the a hardpuncher like Madaina. In everyones heart and even in my scorecard, it was Morales who rightly remained victorious.
Another upset has been witnessed a week after and this time the sheer impact was much ardent. A frustrating lost against a fighter whom name was even being lined to Manny Pacquiao’s intended opponent. Andre Berto, a pure-boxer that possess imposing skills with perfect record shattered his dreams by a fighter named Victor Ortiz that had once lost from Madaina in which believed way below his (Berto) calibre. Although the fight ended as Berto’s showing his heart, still the conclusion was in favour of Ortiz relentless attack.
Lastly, who would ever thought that a Boxer reigned in a division for vast years, all of a sudden being outpointed by boxer that was only supposed to be a tune up fight for a proposed mega fight? Juan Manuel Lopez, a Puerto Rican boxer with a then perfect record 30 wins with 27 Kos reigned and crushed all contenders in Superbantam and Featherweight divisions. A Boxer that was known that could only beaten by a one skilled and powerful fighter named Gamboa. A mega fight that has been desired since years before until gone devastated by a fight that was mentioned a “preparation bout”. Orlando Salido, an average fighter and extremely underdog before the fight pulled a controversial stoppage against Lopez. An upset that would break every boxing fans heart as the Lopez-Gamboa mega clash out has been expected afterwards. Nevertheless, it was an immense reprisal to the Top Rank Promotion for delaying the fight which could had happened year back.
The influence and impacts of these upsets could generate various results. We might have lost a star or in return had gained another one. One thing is for sure, a boxing glove shape like a rounded circle that could means every fight could favour any fighter.
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