January 18th, 2009 – By Suge Green , photo by Naoki Fukuda — Winner of the seemingly coveted “BS Decision of the Week (after all, there always seems to be contenders),” goes to the HBO production of Andre Berto vs. Luis Collazo. With their beautiful prefight vignette on Berto history, and the presentation of what can politely be called a voice “sympathetic” to Berto, due in part to the contribution of at least one Hollywood Boxing Office analyst….who would expect a close fight like the one witnessed to go to Collazo (aka “the other guy”)…??? It wasn’t as bad as it could have been for Berto, who clearly was able to win rounds if not the fight, by the summaries of most impartial observers. Andre Berto was 2008’s OTG Radio Breakthrough Fighter of the Year, scraping by Collazo ensures he has the opportunity to receive more accolades in 2009. After all he’s already a name, he holds a belt in one of boxing’s most stacked divisions, and perhaps most importantly, has the support of the sport’s most powerful network. Not a bad start for a guy who is still considered by some a prospect..
Is it time for former multi-division World Champion and future Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. to hang ’em up…??? Jones has determined to persevere, if you put any stock in the still unconfirmed reports surfacing within days of his 40th birthday, which indicate a tentative March 21st return could be against Omar Sheika. Roy still has fans and talent, and champions would still like to add his name to their resume…regardless of the seriousness of the threat he poses to a world champion at this point.
Amir Kahn vs. Marco Antonio Barrera is scheduled for March 14th, at Manchester’s Evening News Arena . Though Frank Warren has barely taken a breath since confirming the fight, it’s already starting to generate discussion. Two names…one on his way out late, the other on his way out early. Or is the jury still out on Amir Kahn…??? With a young fighter you have to see if they can bounce back from defeat and adversity…or if they are, “never the same.” This bout will prove to be pivotal in Kahn’s career one way or another. As for Marco Antonio Barrera…well, does anybody remember when he said Rocky Juarez didn’t deserve a war…???…which is why he claims to have employed a more elusive boxing style than he had previously been known for, in “boxing” his way to victory in their rematch. If Juarez didn’t deserve a war, will Kahn…???
Only one weekend remains until “Sugar” Shane Mosley challenges Antonio Margorito for 147lb dominace. This fight will not disappoint. Score one for HBO for keeping it off of PPV, every once in a while they remind us why we pay for these subscriptions. I pay my cable bill with joy when they put on these kind of fights.
Along with “Iceman” John Scully and “BigTime” Tim Kudgis, Suge Green is part of the On The Grind Boxing Radio team. OTG Radio is live at 8pm est/5pm pst Sundays and Thursdays (1am UK, Mondays and Fridays) right here on eastsideboxing, listen to past episodes by clicking the “On The Grind Boxing Radio” button.