By Ted Sares – Okay fans, it’s that time again. Pull up a chair near your key pad and monitor and torch up a nice Ashton Churchill -7 1/2 x 52. From beginning to end, the draw of this classic cigar is never disappointing. For scotch this month, I am featuring a Talisker single malt (with above average strength and a smooth afterglow). It goes great with smoked salmon, grilled smoked mackerel, and/or oysters on the half shell.
In the background, I again have jazz and, like our choice of cigar and scotch, I’m going classic with Miles and Bird–and some Clifford Brown, but I will entertain any reasonable request. Along other musical lines, Jeff Beck just might make an unannounced appearance.
Now then, it’s time to discuss boxing, and I have listed a few subjects that might spark your interest, but as always, feel free to inject your own topic..
1. Pacquaio-Hatton
I have finally prepared to make a call on the Pacquaio-Hatton mega fight and I’m going with Manny. Why? Well, for one thing, he has grown into his current weight comfortably and perhaps even naturally. Secondly and more importantly, Freddie Roach has managed to make a more complete fighter out of him. He now blends his in-and-out style with an assortment of other effective stuff including jabs and great hooks. His defense and foot-movement have also improved. I truly love Ricky Hatton, but the guy he will be fighting on May 2 may be more than he can handle. Indeed, as the fight wears on, I see “Pac-Man” using heavy-handed pot shots to slow down and possibly even stop “The Hitman.” Ricky’s best chance in my view is to try to manhandle Manny using his patented body work and then tie him up to prevent payback. What do you think?
2. “Pantera”
One thing I like about trash-talking Edison “Pantera” Miranda is his penchant for fighting tough competition, and his next fight with streaking Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (19-0) is no exception. Ward’s amateur accomplishments including a Gold Medal in 2004 were superb. So far, he has been perfect as a pro, but Randall Bailey’s recent and scary one-punch destruction of Francisco “El Gato” Figueroa suggests that Miranda could change Ward’s profile if he connects flush with one of his bombs. Here we have the streaking and hyped contender against the raw banger. It’s the kind of fight that has the kind of drama I love and I won‘t miss it. How do you see this one playing out?
3. The Heavyweights
Here is how I see the mix in the heavyweight division getting sorted out to some degree. First, let’s get the two leading American heavyweights to square off, and for me, this means Chambers vs. Arreola (with Brewster lurking). Alexander Povetkin vs. Alexander Dimitrenko is another that will answer some questions. Finally, Ruslan Chagaev vs. Sultan Ibragimov is another that makes sense to me. Of course, should Haye (who may be stepping up too quickly) upsets Klitschko, all bets are off.
4. “Macho” vs. “Yori Boy”
Recently, I engaged in an exchange about why Eric Morales should not fight Marco Antonio Barrera and visa versa. My reasoning was not related to concern for the fighters as much as it was that such a fight proves very little and more than likely will prove less-than-compelling. Now Hector “macho” Camacho is scheduled to fight Ramon “Yori Boy” Campas in May. Camacho (79-5-2) is 46 year old. Campas (92-14) is a decade younger and could be the first to stop the “Macho Man.” It won’t be the circus act of a Morrison vs. Williams, but what will it really prove?
5. The Welterweights
Each club session, I like to feature an ESB Divisional ranking. This month’s is the talent-packed welterweight division and here are the rankings:
Welterweight (147 lbs)
1. Shane Mosley
2. Miguel Cotto
3. Joshua Clottey
4. Andre Berto
5. Antonio Margarito
6. Carlos Quintana
7. Luis Collazo
8. Delvin Rodriguez
9. Vitaliy Demyanenko
10. Isaac Hlatswayo
11. Zab Judah
12 Jesus Soto Karaas
13. Rafal Jackiewicz
14. Shamone Alvarez
15. Said Ouali
Any reactions?
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