Pacman vs TBE – What’s the Matter?

03/25/2015 Paul Strauss

The incessant chatter has gone beyond “shooting the breeze”. Voices of disharmony hope to gain support for their viewpoint. Much of their utterings, gossip, and jawboning drifts off into the land of piddling. That should come as no surprise to us, because it would seem that anyone who has ever laced on a pair of boxing gloves, or helped someone else do so has been asked to give his 2cents. There’s no need for him to elbow to the front either. He just needs to hang tight and quicker than later someone will shove a mic under his nose and try to capture the elusive essence of the upcoming May 2nd mega event. Unfortunately, the public is discovering the camera is shaky and so are the opinions.

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Kovalev stops the unstoppable Pascal and sets up fight with Stevenson

03/16/201503/15/2015 Paul Strauss

(Photo Credit: David Spagnolo/Main Events) Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev stopped the unstoppable Jean Pascal, but not before Pascal gave him his toughest fight to date. Pascal’s hometown capacity crowd at the Bell Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada were in shock when, in the eighth round, Referee Luis Pabon waived an end to Pascal valiant efforts to continue. Loyal Pascal fans were muted as they witnessed Kovalev’s powerful and efficient dispatch of their hero.

As loyal as they are to Pascal, they were obliged to respect Krusher. He had vanquished their champion. He did it by overcoming, overpowering and quashing all Pascal had to offer, which was considerable. His victory came with a price in the form of some bumps and bruises, but the Krusher proved yet again that he is a helluva fighter. Ringside analyst Bernard” Alien” Hopkins explained that Sergey continues to improve with each fight, adding “That’s scary!”

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PBC is The One and Keith Thurman’s a Close 2nd

03/10/201503/08/2015 Paul Strauss

Premiere Boxing Champions (PBC) series kicked off on NBC with junior welterweight Adrien “The Problem” Broner’s one-sided victory over John Molina, Jr. came as no surprise at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV. The surprise was the total ineptitude of Molina. Boxing fans know he is clumsy and without much skill, but they also know he has a big heart and can punch.

Unfortunately, PBC hoped for a barn burner with Molina. Instead the flames were doused when Molina failed to press the fight as promised. He impressed no one except for Referee Robert Byrd, who early on warned him to keep his head up. Molina’s style was head down, eyes closed, throwing wild right hand swings. He impressed no one, including the crowd.

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Rios Stops Alvarado – Bam Bam’s name is a misnomer

01/26/201501/25/2015 Paul Strauss

The definition of “bam” is (a word) used to imitate the sound of a hard blow. No need for special sound effects tonight in the ring at 1st Bank Center, Broomfield, CO. The stuff heard was no died in the wool imitation. It was the real article! Genuine, double-rectified bust head! (John Wayne, True Grit). Mike “Mile High” Alvarado looked like a bobble head doll. He let Rios get in close, and Bam Bam went to work. He literally hit him with every punch in the book, and Mike’s face took on a bruised and battered look before the end of the first round.

Alvarado’s corner scolded him for not moving and punching more. Everyone knew that’s why Mike was victorious in the second fight of this trilogy. However, even in that fight, it took him approximately half of the rounds before the light bulb came on. Once he started lateral movement, it opened up punching opportunities, and he was able to out throw and out land Rios. There was a lot less bam bam in the second half of that fight.

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Take the Play Away from Mayweather

01/23/2015 Paul Strauss

Why wait for Floyd “TBE/Money” Mayweather, Jr. to make his choice of a 5/2 opponent. Pacquaio and Top Rank’s Bob Arum ought to move ahead and use their influence to sign Miguel Cotto to a rematch with Manny. At the same time, they could push for Amir Khan to fight Kell Brook. That would leave Money with a real problem coming up with an opponent fans want to see him fight.

Why fight Cotto again? Both he and his hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach believe he is an improved fighter. Let Cotto prove it against a fighter who dominated him. See if Cotto has truly improved, and/or whether Manny has slipped. Plus, there would be another belt on the line for Manny to possibly add to his collection. Fan interest could be stimulated for a rematch, and fans would love to see Freddie wave to Cotto from Manny’s corner. He could use hand signals to relay advice and motivation.

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Wilder Answers Questions – Some Remain

01/23/2015 Paul Strauss

Deontay Wilder kept his win streak alive Saturday night at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV. Despite his victory, he disappointed some when he failed to kayo Bermane Stiverne to keep his streak alive. On the other hand, he demonstrated his endurance by totally dominating Stiverne over the course of 12 rounds. Stiverne was sure that if he could take Wilder into deep water, Wilder would tire and be vulnerable to the knockout. But, as is always the case, the water rose over the shorter man’s head first.

The compact Stiverne was the one submerged and gurgling. He stumbled around pushing his punches like he was underwater. Wilder was enjoying himself grinning and at the ease. He was making a monkey out of Stiverne., winning just about every round. He had Stiverne in trouble on more than one occasion, and used his reach to keep Stiverne at bay, piling up points with his jab.

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Terence Crawford Shows Mastery in Win Over Beltran

11/30/2014 Paul Strauss

Terence Crawford thrilled the standing room only crowd at the Century Link Center Omaha, Nebraska with his skill and finesse. Once again he managed to display a touch of artistry in the most violent of sports. He always remains calm and poker-faced while he carves and sculpts his subject. Saturday night, after twelve one-sided rounds, the skillful practitioner named Terence “Hunter/Bud” Crawford 25-0-0 (17KO) presented his finished work in the form of a swollen and bruised Raymundo “Sugar” Beltran 29-7-1 (17KO). Everyone was impressed. They liked what they saw.

What’s not to like about this young man. First of all, he seems to have his priorities straight. The first thing he did after winning his fight against Ray Beltran was to give thanks to God. He obviously understands and his grateful for the gifts with which he has been blessed. He also acknowledged he fought his last fight as a lightweight and will be moving up to the 140lb division.

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Pacquiao – Algieri: Roach Was Wrong About One Thing

11/25/201411/23/2014 Paul Strauss

Freddie Roach, hall of fame trainer, promised a first round knock out. He was wrong about that, but that’s about the only thing he was wrong about. He was right about everything else. He said Chris Algieri doesn’t box, he runs. Check that box correct, as Algieri wore out a pair of shoes running Saturday night at the Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort, Macao, Macao S.A.R. China. Freddie also promised Manny would easily take Algieri’s jab away from him. Check that off as well. Finally, he said Algieri was in over his head. Put a big check in that box.

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Reasons Why Algieri Will Lose and One Why He Won’t

11/20/201411/19/2014 Paul Strauss

The big day is quickly approaching. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Chris “The Real Rocky” Algieri collide this Saturday (here) in Macau, China at the Venetian Casino. The undefeated Algieri is expected to suffer his first defeat. Betting odds makers have made him a big underdog. Why?

Well, there are lots of reasons when added together sum up the better fighter. First of all, Manny has accomplished things that no other fighter ever has. He’s won more titles in more weight classes than any other fighter in history. In doing that, he has been in the “big show” many times. The pressure associated with it has already been experienced over and over, so it is no longer a distraction.

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It Was One Helluva Shot – Klitschko KOs Pulev

11/17/201411/16/2014 Paul Strauss

Volodymyr Volodymyrovych Klychko better known as Wladimir “Dr.Steelhammer” Klitschko, 63-3-0 delivered his 53rd KO on the way to his 17th heavyweight title defense. This particular defense was a spectacle held in a filled to capacity O2 World Area, Altona, Hamburg, Germany. It was against Kubrat Pulev 20-0-0 (11KO), from Sofia, Bulgaria, who ended up the most recent victim. The KO win pushes Klitschko a little closer to Larry Holmes (20) and Joe Louis (25).

The Champ seems invincible, just too damn big and powerful for anyone in the division. He is aptly named Dr. Steelhammer. Many years ago he was bludgeoned, walloped and clobbered by three different opponents. Instead of those kayo losses destroying his confidence, and convincing him he was in the wrong profession, they banged, pounded and forged him and his nickname into one unassailable, indomitable force.

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