The Year of the Upsets

By Paul Sims

http://www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

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.

Nonito the Great

By Paul Sims

http://www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

MANILA, Philippines- crowd have been clamoring of Nonito Donaire to patched up things with his Family and when they get to know that everything have been perfectly ended like a true story telling tale made it a sigh of relief when the meeting between two parties happened last 03 Mar 2011.
But the drama did not end in a smooth sailing way as apparently Nonito, Rachel and her Family started an ugly fight for blaming the media and called out specific scribes names. It turned out worst when the media throwed back a stone, back and forth or so.

That recent drama has been a part of his story, however, as a Boxing fan, I could care less about those stuff because personal matter has to be resolve at your own crib and retribution will be enforced accordingly. As far as the sport is concern, Nonito has gone all the way to the stardom that experts consider him one of the most gifted and enticing fighter in this generation. Technically superior boxer with great footwork, speed and underrated power.

His latest two bouts has been regarded as total domination in which he outpointed the former WBA Bantamweight Champion Sidorenko in a very brutal way all through the fourth round and was being regarded as the number one in Bantamweight division rankings. Months later, Top Rank announced the long awaited clash between Donaire and the legendary Fernando Montiel. It was the fight Nonito had been longing for as it was even postponed due to Montiel's injury occured before Sidorenko's bout.

I predicted the fight to be the easiest one for Donaire since Montiel's style really suites for him, in other words "style makes fight". And so it happened, for the first time of his career, Montiel has been floored in the second round that turned him out like a noob fighter and much worst when it turned out that the outcome caused him a hairline jaw fracture and severe rib injury. Was it because of the new nutritionist namely Victor Conte or simply the vast betterment?

Having said that, at this stage in my opinion he already cleanse the Bantamweight division (118) and there will be noone that could give him a roughneck one as challengers such as Mares, Moreno and Agbeko sloppy fighters with middling power rate, for Donaire to figure out how to beat them at first quarter rounds. Besides these fighters are below Montiel's caliber. Thus, I recommend him moving to 122 weight limit to fight Vasquez and move all the way to 126 beating future hall of famers, new comers and contenders and that he could build his own legacy beside the greats. As the matter of fact, I could consider him better than Manny Pacquiao in terms the quality of opponents.

I am more impressed to a fighter cleaning up divisions and facing quality opponents before moving into different divisions rather than a fighter who picks opponents at his own preferred catchweight to acquire titles that eventually inks his name in the history book.

A wish for 2011

By Paul Sims

http://www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

Early 2010, Boxing was never been expected to turned out classy as the last quarter of the year outcome. Pace has been set up and momentum kept rolling in preparation for upcoming year 2011. We have witnessed Pacquiao outpointing Margarito through round 12, Donaire literally toying Sidorenko, Martinez knocking Williams out cold in the canvas, and of course how could anyone forget Grandpa B-hop relentlessly bullying the prime Pascal till round 12 though resulted draw still earned respect that almost served him the crown for being the oldest champ in Boxing history.

Great fights will be inevitable to come forward on 2011; however, I could not resist producing my own wish list.

1. Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao: Who would have not desired about this fight? Quality fights like Ali-Frazier, Leonard-Hagler, Tyson-Lewis name it. The Greatest fight could have ever be between one of the best offensive fighter trying to crack up the skill of the best defensive fighter I've ever seen in my entire boxing life. Not to mention potentially being the most lucrative fight ever that could even reach the stature of bringing back boxing visibility to non-boxing fans again. Word is Self-explanatory.

2. Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao vs Sergio Martinez: Call me a Pactard or Homofloyd or whatever but I would still love to see these great fighters if their supposedly negotiation failed to give their best performance against a guy once thought a mediocre fighter now eventually to become the toughest SOB  in the Boxing industry.

3. Klitschko vs Haye: This is the heavyweight version of Floyd-Pacquiao drama apart from there are two Klitschkos that are willing to fight. There has been noone that can put any of those two brothers into a competitive fight; unfortunately the one seems to deserve it continuously quacking while ducking.

4. Nonito Donaire vs Abner Mares: Of course Nonito is being setup to a great monumental fight against Montiel on February and the contract has been signed before now. I pick Nonito not just because he is a Filipino, but technically speaking I could see him stealing away the show by unanimous decision. Mares on the other hand can handle Agbeko effortlessly. Hence, I expect them to fight mid of the year.

5. Juanma Lopez vs Yuriorkis Gamboa: equally talented, best of the best current featherweight fighters. Upside Gamboa is a speedy monster that resembles with the prime Cotto or even Tyson. Lopez on the other hand could provide the power and heart that any probable great fighter possesses. Downside, both of them had their trips on the canvas although rebounded afterwards to knock their opponents out. Lastly, they have both perfect records, nuff said.

6. Amir Khan vs Timothy Bradley: Khan will not go anywhere without facing this type of fighter. Bradley who will likely to win against Alexander this upcoming month will give Khan the toughest fight of his dear life. Khan has been water tested when he fought Maidana that gave me the impression of signing him into sprint competition; hence, I would everyday tweet him to stop dreaming fighting the likes of Mayweather, Pacquiao or Berto. Somehow, being too slick and fast, if he could bring back his speedy dodging against Maidana, he may pull a unanimous win decision.

7. Miguel Cotto vs Andre Berto: if Arum could have just think what's best for Boxing Fans, this will be a great matchup. Both hard hitting with extraordinary skills, I pick Berto slightly over Cotto though for being the aggressive one and that usually brings Cotto in trouble. PRESSURE

Pacman GBOAT

By Paul Sims
www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

After facing the Tijuana Tornado last Nov 13, 2010 that turned out to be a one sided beating in favor of Pacquiao; an idea of dubbing him as the Boxing best ever loomed out again. A widely debate spurred all over the media especially with the so called Boxing experts as I myself turned to wonder how do we compare a boxer that by now reached 8 world titles in different divisions but merely fought 57 fights, into a boxer who fought more or less 200 fights reigning 2 or more divisions.

Those persons I picked as my top 2 closest with Pacquiao’s legacy would be Sugar Ray Robinson and Henry Armstrong. It would bring much wider picture by breaking down their resume.

Robinson has a record of 175-19-6-2 with 109 KOs and almost fought a no contest bouts. Out of his first 123 fights he only had one loss. Most of the respected personalities, scribes, and even boxers consider him as the best Boxer of all time, and to name a few, it would be Bert Sugar, Mohammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Kevin Iole, and ESPN. He dominated both welterweight and Middleweight division (first ever 5 time champion). Additionally, the Ring Magazine ranked him as the best Pound for Pound fighter of all time; in fact the term “Pound for pound” was coined after him, he was also regarded as the Greatest Puncher in boxing history. He was indeed a very charismatic person to the point that many regard him as the first African-American to get mixed up outside the sports such as involvement with Celebrities, business and many more. His name Sugar was attributed by the greats Sugar Leonard, Sugar Shane Mosley, and even the UFC fighter Sugar Rashad Evans. However, he was stopped for the light heavyweight title on 1952.

Armstrong aka Hammerin Hank, is a hard puncher boxer who won titles for three or more divisions. I remember Larry Merchant tagged Pacquiao as the modern Henry Armstrong of our generation. With 149 wins, he managed to get a KO record of 101 which means a hugely great KO percentage. He even KOed 21 opponents in 22 bouts, 6 or more knockouts in a row in different circumstances, so on and so forth. Many believed his accomplishments ranked him either top 1 or 2 greatest boxer of all time, though was not as firmed and leverage as Robinson.

Manny Pacquiao- BWAA fighter of the decade, the first boxer in the history to hold eight world divisions title crushing legends such as Barrera, Morales, Dela Hoya, and Miguel Cotto. Critics recently stated that most of his opponents have been cherry picked by Bob Arum that brought him into easy fights without even looking further back. His first limelight was against the former Jr. Featherweight champ Ledwaba as the only replacement of his original opponent. Afterwards he moved up to Featherweight division fighting the highly favored Barrera and won via TKO. After beating David Diaz in Lightweight division, everyone thought the apparently fight against Delahoya was absurd, many considered as a joke but eventually appeared on the other way around. The next fight was Hatton, and people started to name it as Pacquiao’s first acid test against a natural 140 welterweight with perfect record in that division. After stunning Hatton out cold in the very first round, he challenged a once one of the most avoided body puncher Miguel Cotto which was natural at 147. Never would I ever thought Cotto was being cherry picked by Pacquiao since I have never thought of anyone else that would deserved a fight against him at 147 aside from Mayweather. Cotto was not a bum fighter, Pacquiao was just too much for him and moving all the way to Middleweight say against Williams will be too much too quick for him. Hence, as the time goes on I absolutely believed that we will reach the moment of seeing him fighting Martinez if not against Mayweather.

The main difference between fighters now and then is the fight intervals. Robinson and Armstrong fought way frequently in compare to Pacquiao with sometimes only one week interval and rounds actually lasted till 15 rounds.

These endless debates will remain forever. Pacquiao as the Best of this Era, legacy yes so far, but as a fighter he must fight Mayweather or Martinez first in order to get my big nod.

Iron Fist

By Paul Sims
www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

MMA dubbed the Couture-Toney fight as MMA vs Boxing match. Boxing fans will surely find this prejudiced. It was the same thing I felt that I thought Dana or whoever labeled it fouled offensive to the one who governs Boxing.

A totally unfair and biased BS thing that an aged fighter who will make his debut in the MMA world, fight a freestyle MMA fight type, set him up pit toe to toe against a veteran grappler/fence clincher, and still labeled him as a Boxer against an MMA fighter.

This will be more likely a one sided fight in favor of Couture. And that would be the only thoughts of Dana White and the whole gang for now, expecting to see how people eventually realize that a Boxer won’t get any chance beating up an MMA fighter inside Octagon or anywhere else in a street fight. But the thing is, how if the 10oz less gloves strike onto the face of an MMA fighter?

Yes, Toney was never been an offensive fighter, in resemblance with Floyd Mayweather or Pernell Whitaker. But ALL Boxers has been trained hard to defend and definitely PUNCH no more any less. Vitality has never been a huge factor inside the Gym in amateur Boxing, on the reason that they have been donned by a protective headgear with sometimes body armor, and in order to crack the armor up is to improve the punching power and speed up to the limit.

Take a look of an MMA Veteran Tim Silva, who just caught by a straight punch by a Boxer named Ray Mercer. It was the only punch threw in the fight that made the MMA veteran turned out like Ricky Hatton stunned cold in the canvas before the game was declared over.

This never ending Boxing-MMA competition question will never be answered on 28 or 29 here in UAE. But absolutely, it will be an acid test of a Boxer’s iron fist without the 10oz gloves.

Who are you picking? I turn my LIGHTS OUT!

Unfinished Trilogy

By Paul Sims
www.octaringsports.blogspot.com

After Juan Marquez schooled a younger guy Juan Diaz for the second time around, an idea loomed instantly in everyone’s head. Why not Pacquiao-Marquez 3?

Marquez could have been the second most exciting fight for Pacquiao next to Mayweather I definitely believed. The past two fights were very tight and both of those were judge decisions where we could hardly determine who was the legitimate triumphant; although it came into sight that both results were beyond doubt fair when you get to see the rerun.

Before the adverse fight of Marquez against Mayweather, everything’s were set on the track against Pacquiao. After Pacquaio went lightweight and demolished David Diaz, Marquez KOed Joel Casamayor for the Lightweight Title. Afterwards, Pacquiao fought all the way to Welterweight division and crushed an aging Oscar Dela hoya while Marquez floored a younger and hungrier fighter Juan Diaz. Both of them were ranked top two spots consecutively for pound for pound rankings.

Apparently Marquez would be the lighter and weaker counter puncher in resemblance of Floyd, but I can’t still figure out how could Pacquiao not been able to decipher the puzzle behind Marquez of successively countering his attack. Despite the fact that although Barrera lost against Marquez, yet he seems much tougher against the counter punching style of Marquez in compare of Pacquiao.

Now when the supposedly Mayweather-Pacquiao fight turned off, I was at least expecting a clear negotiation between both camp. Unfortunately, none of them initiated the talks and instead set up the fight Pacquiao vs Margarito immediately, and for that reason, I assume that it was for Bob Arum’s compensation since both of them are under Top Rank’s Promotion.

Say Arum was not convincingly impressed with the final trilogy. Hence, obviously the likes of Paul Williams, Sergio Martinez, or Timothy Bradley could have gone way better than a matchup against Margarito or even Cotto at 154.

How could be a cheater with cemented hand wrap controversy deserves a spot to be a contender with more likely to earn big purse shot against Manny Pacquiao with or without title? Plus the fact that the Nevada State Commission has not granted him yet to fight inside the border, hence, the probability is outside US such as either Mexico or Abu dhabi will take place which will bring lesser PPV buys.

All I suggest is let us give the unfinished trilogy a chance with an undercard Donaire-Montiel match-up and I’ll bet a house the results will be roughly 1.5 million or more PPV buys.

Little Floyd hiding hood

By Paul Sims
octaringsports.blogspot.com

An article from a guy Williams cried he does not believed Lil Floyd is afraid of Pacquiao in any way because inside the ring he could see Mayweather start countering punches of Pacquiao till he wind down get knocked out on the canvas as soon as they get into the ring.

Well this gentleman misses the point. No person inside the ring is afraid of anyone. Enough said.

Let me add into that, 9 years back, it was Floyd who fought the highly favored Corrales that eventually ended up in a brutal bashing that put late tall guy on embarrassment. Later on he moved up weight and challenged Castillo for the Lightweight Title and turned out to be a controversial decision in favor of Mayweather. Although it seems that was the toughest and closest fight in his entire career, I still believed however that his win decision was truly fair. The rematch came up afterwards and was entirely one sided in favor of Mayweather. Subsequently, he beat numerous guys, including the late Arturo Gatti who turned out to be Gatti’s worst nightmare. After Mitchell’s fight, he moved all the way up and grabbed the Welterweight belt against Zab Judah. And that was the last fight I was being impressed at him.

He never fought any contender after Judah. There were frequent public demands for him to fight tough contenders but he picked easier opponents upon his first retirement such as Baldomir, Oscar Dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton instead of signing the prime Cotto, Margarito, or Clottey for the contest.

Fast forward post retirement, everybody expected him to fight the likes of Paul Williams, Sergio Martinez, Clottey, or Shane Mosley; instead he opted to fight a no-brawler, slow counter puncher, and a welterweight virgin Juan Manuel Marquez.

Now here comes the Pacman. There is no reason for a fighter to turn down a $40 million purse for just one single fight. Everyone got excited because the negotiation just run smoothly that no one expected as Mayweather himself agreed demands like $10 million per pound penalty and the glove weight issue; but not until the entire Mayweather clan accused Pacquiao on roids and demanded the Olympic Style Drug Testing procedure which I believed was absurd. The negotiation came up nowhere but brought to an end that apparently everybody dubbed it the end of the sports.

Meanwhile, everyone were impressed when he signed the contract against Shane Mosley, but we almost forgot the fact that the Mosley-Berto fight was halted due to Berto’s backing out to support his Family and countrymen under Haiti’s Earthquake. And so I could assume, Mayweather had no choice but to reluctantly fight Mosley, on the grounds that he allowed Mosley and Berto gone through signing contract, therefore, I guess he could have fought easier fighter again since Pacquiao was scheduled to fight Clottey, Margarito was supended, Cotto came up from a bad beating against Pacquiao, and as far as I remember there was a Pavlik-Martinez scheduled and so Williams-Cintron. Besides he would have accepted the first challenge of Mosley right after the Marquez bout if he would have chosen to. Nobody knows.

Lately, for the second time around, the mega blockbuster fight between Mayweather and Pacquiao discontinued and is getting worst on the reason that Mayweather was allegedly ruining the negotiation despite the term and demands agreed by Pacquiao’s side including the Drug testing procedure. Bob Arum has been accused of lying and so the HBO President Ross Greenburg for not keeping in touch with Mayweather’s Team; fortunately, there was a response from Greenburg that turned fans upside down. Now who’s duping fans? If there was no negotiation happened ever, then why have Oscar mentioned that the fight is getting almost done deal soon in the first place? Or Ellerbe was just manipulating the entire scene under the command of his BBF aka Floyd Mayweather?

The truth beyond the statement of that said article “Mayweather is not afraid of Pacquiao”, is that Mayweather isn’t afraid of anyone to fight inside or outside the ring, but he certainly glorifies his perfect record above everyone else demands.

Introduction - Boxing and MMA as one

By Paul Sims
octaringsports.blogspot.com










Boxing Arena

Have you ever wondered how it feels like combat sports such as Boxing or MMA could be the source of your living? Discipline, intense workout, exhausting cardiovascular exercise, agility improvement, and vitality where eventually being pit against another guy who might surpass the training you have done? And so on and so forth.

In Boxing, people have their own reasons why do they love the Sport. Some consider it as a stepping stone, while others as a Hobby. Mostly in Philippines, the dissimilarity of financial stature reflects the way of training a boxer undertake. With pricey facilities, first class gyms and experience trainers, chances are higher to reach Professional level. But then, an underprivileged boxer is more likely to focus on the training, and for that reason, courage will still prevail.

I do not think Erik Morales has ever undergone hard inexpensive training the same amateur experience of Manny Pacquiao during the pre circa 90's Blow by Blow era; same thing goes to Cuban compare to American boxers. Amateur fights are indeed vital source of experience in preparation of your upcoming professional fights, hence, a professional Boxer is considered as well trained and prepared fighter.








UFC Octagon


Meanwhile, MMA is on the other way around. Albeit most of the MMA fighters are experienced Martial Artist before they get into the cage, some of them are being highly regarded as top contender abruptly when they only fought professional bouts several times or never at all. The likes of Brock Lesnar who just went inside the cage roughly 6-7 times yet still recognized as the current best heavyweight fighter in the world. A You Tube sensation namely Kimbo Slice got his chance to go all the way became a professional MMA fighter in an instant and being priced as the EliteXC Main Event fighter.

However, without the 10 oz Gloves, few limitations and rule still one heck of a task to do. Take a peek of the current pound for pound king Anderson Silva. This guy was a professional Boxer and holding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black belt too, not to mention that he still managed to show some Muay Thai mastery during his fights. In short, versatility is the main component for being a pound for pound King

In general view, I consider Boxing as more technical sports than MMA, however, an MMA fighter must possess more skills but not limited to grappling, wrestling, jiu-jitsu or boxing for you to become a potential champion.

Different Sports with the same Vision. Let us tackle Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts.