Boxing fans in a bind tonight

Saturday November 21, 2009 1:55 PM By Bobby Cassidy

It's a tough call for boxing fans tonight. HBO is replaying the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto fight at 10 p.m., while, at the same time, Showtime is airing a Super Six showdown between Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward.

You can't go wrong either way. This is also why God invented DVRs and VCRs.

Super Six Fighters make Kessler-Ward predictions

Friday November 20, 2009 5:02 PM By Bobby Cassidy

Showtime's Super Six tournament is comprised of three American fighters and three European fighters. As you might have imagined, the picks for Saturday night's Mikkel Kessler-Andre Ward fight were split geographically. One fighter, though, played the role of Switzerland:

“I'm going with Ward,” said Andre Dirrell after his Group Stage 1 defeat to Carl Froch in October. Dirrell, along with Arthur Abraham, are expected to be at ringside to catch the action. “Ward has the ability to win,'' Dirrell continued. “This is his biggest fight so he'll have to stick to his game plan but I'm going with him."

“Mikkel Kessler will win because of his strength and ring experience,” said Froch. “I'm looking forward to it because obviously it's a fight that has major implications for me in the Super Six tournament. Andre Ward has that terrific amateur pedigree, winning the Gold medal at the Athens Olympics. He's had some good wins in the pros but we will only find out how good he really is when he steps in there with Kessler.”

“Because I have not ever seen an Andre Ward fight live or on tape, I cannot say much," said Arthur Abraham. "But Kessler is the favorite in this fight nevertheless. I have seen Kessler fight many times and he is very clever and very strong. I have to give the advantage to Kessler because of his strength, experience and cleverness."

Jermain Taylor, who was knocked out by Abraham in the 12th round on Oct. 17, sees it going either way: “Andre Ward and Mikkel Kessler will be a very competitive fight and both want to make a statement in the Super Six tournament,’’ Taylor said. “I think the key to the fight depends on who will dictate and set the pace in the early rounds. Both fighters have a lot of skills and will be well prepared to do battle. It's a very close fight to make a prediction on. I would call the fight a toss-up.” 

Courtesy, Showtime

Pacquiao-Cotto draws 1.25 million pay-per-view buys

Friday November 20, 2009 2:29 PM By Bobby Cassidy

HBO Sports reported today that 1.25 million pay-per-view buys were generated from last Saturday’s welterweight title fight between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto at the sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.  The fight was promoted by Top Rank, Inc..

 The 1.25 million buy total represents the highest performing boxing pay-per-view event in 2009, generating $70 million in pay-per-view revenue.  The figure includes 650,000 buys from cable homes and 600,000 from satellite and telco homes.  A record 110,000 buys from Puerto Rico, Cotto’s home market, are included.

It is the second time that an event featuring Manny Pacquiao, a worldwide superstar, has passed the one million mark in pay-per-view buys.   

 Pacquiao vs. Cotto will be replayed this Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10:00 p.m. ET/ PT on HBO.  The 12-round TKO triumph by Pacquiao marked his seventh world title in as many different weight classes.

Kessler-Ward, from the mouths of the fighters

Thursday November 19, 2009 4:27 PM By Bobby Cassidy

The Super Six continues on Saturday night with Mikkel Kessler defending his WBA super middleweight title against Andre Ward on Showtime.

John Beyrooty -- a friend of this corner for years -- has sent us some quotes from the final presser:

From Kessler: “I have had only one defeat and that was to Joe Calzaghe and it still eats at me today," he said. "Even thinking about that fight makes me even more motivated. That’s why I am looking at this fight as a second chance to prove that I am the best."

And then, “I hurt my hand and had only two weeks to spar for Calzaghe, but there will be no mistakes or excuses after this one. I may be 30 but I have a lot of fight left. Saturday night can’t come soon enough.’’

From Ward: "No one expected me to win the Olympics. No one expected to me to get this far as a pro. But, now, if I win, it is because I’m supposed to, and if I ever lose, it’s a huge thing."

As well as: "I approach all my fights the same. Every fight I had as an amateur, I took seriously. But obviously the stakes are much higher. I have prepared for a fight like this since I was nine years old."
 

A trio of Philly tough guys -- Frazier, Schultz and Hopkins

Wednesday November 18, 2009 1:58 PM By Bobby Cassidy

Former Two-Division World Champion Bernard Hopkins (Right) poses with Former Heavyweight World Champion "Smokin'" Joe Frazier (Left) and Philadelphia Flyers Great Dave "The Hammer" Schultz (Center) on November 16, 2009 at the Flyers hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Hopkins made an appearance at the game while finishing preparations for his December 2, 2009 bout against Enrique Ornelas at The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia which will be televised live on VERSUS.
 
"Broad Street Brawl": Hopkins vs. Ornelas, a 12-round light heavyweight bout which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions East and sponsored by MGM Grand in Las Vegas will be televised live on VERSUS beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.  Doors open at 5 p.m. and the first bell rings at 6 p.m. ET.
 

PHOTO CREDIT: Zach Hill of Comcast-Spectator.

The hype begins for Mikkel Kessler vs. Andre Ward

Monday November 16, 2009 12:29 PM By Bobby Cassidy

The Super Six hits American shores this week. The countdown begins for Saturday's Mikkel Kessler-Andre Ward fight. The hype has started.

Press release and photo, courtesy of Showtime

The Viking Warrior is in town! WBA Super-Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler arrived in San Francisco in the early hours of Sunday morning. He left Sacramento after watching the Pacquiao-Cotto clash. “That was a great fight,” he said. “I have the utmost of respect for both fighters. They really put on a great show.”

 Kessler will take on Oakland hero Andre Ward in their hotly-anticipated Super Six World Boxing Classic opening clash next Saturday. Today he caught a first glimpse at the Oracle Arena when he and his team attended the NFL Game between the Oakland Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Coliseum.

 “The atmosphere was great,” Kessler said. “It was the first time I watched an NFL game live and I really enjoyed it. The fans were very passionate and enthusiastic – I was really impressed. To us Europeans, American Football is a complex sport because we are not so much into the rules, but as soon as you get the idea, it is really entertaining. Speaking of entertainment, you could once again see that the Americans are great when it comes down to organising events. They know how to entertain the fans. I am sure my fight with Andre Ward will also be very entertaining.”

 On Monday, Kessler and Andre Ward will hold an open training session in Oakland. “Things have been going great in practice,” Kessler added. “My physical shape could not be better. Now it is just about keeping up the form until I enter the ring on Saturday.”
 

Showtime's Fight Camp 360, episode 2

Sunday November 15, 2009 9:06 PM By Bobby Cassidy

Here's the second episode, it was a good one.

Best Spoken Line, Andre Dirrell: "Sir Kicks Ass A lot."

Best Spoken Line, Linse, Kessler's sister: "When you started boxing I thought you were not going to stick to it... you were a little wussy." Clearly, not anymore.

Best Spoken Line, Mikkel Kessler: "I took my beatings and I learned how to fight."

Best Spoken Line, Andre Ward: "The worst part of what Daddy is going through is missing you guys." To his son.

Best Supporting Cast: Gary Shaw actually carried the show, but I liked the inside, genuine look at the Kessler family. So let's give it to Mikkel's mom and sister. I'm sure Shaw will be in the running again.

The scenic view: Fantastic footage of Nottingham and Copenhagen.

Loved ... the whole pre press conference scene with Gary Shaw and Andre Dirrell. But my only thought --  was this a battle really worth fighting? I am all for courtesy and respect but it doesn't make a difference come fight night. Not sure the logic of win the press conference, win the weigh-in, win the fight works. But maybe that's what his fighter needs. Carl Froch played it cool, Dirrell played it like an amateur. (Even though he said he was trying to get into his head) In contrast, Jermain Taylor played his press conference dis like a seasoned vet.

Funny how both camps were a bit upset about waiting. Let me just tell you that no one waits around more than sports writers. No one.

Loved ... Arthur Abraham rehearsing his lines.

Loved ... that one of Andre Dirrell's boxing idol is his grandfather.

Wow ... Rehearsal night? For a fight? Interesting. Elevators and rock bands? I guess we have Naseem Hamed to thank (or blame) for that. They do do things a bit differently overseas.

Nice scene of Abraham talking about his mom.

A likeable lot. Here's one thing about all six of these fighters. They each come across as likeable guys.

It's official: Shane Mosley and Andre Berto to fight in January

Sunday November 15, 2009 12:42 PM By Marcus Henry

In what many will view as a warmup fight for a possible bigger payday, "Sugar" Shane Mosley will take on WBC champ Andre Berto in a welterweight match January 30 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

The bout will be broadcast on HBO's World Championship Boxing.

For Mosely, it's the type of fight he needs to keep himself tuned up just in case he gets a shot at Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao or another shot at Miguel Cotto.

"Andre Berto's a good young fighter, but he's bitten off a little more than he can chew with all the talking he's been doing," Mosely said. "I've forgotten more about the fight game than he knows and the world will see that in January."

Berto, fresh off a unanimous-decision win over Juan Urango in May, thinks he's ready to battle the future hall-of-famer. "This is the fight I've waited my whole career for and now it's finally reality," he said. "Shane Mosley made me chase him for a while, but he won't be able to run when we get into the ring on January 30 and I can't wait."

Random thoughts on the state of boxing

Sunday November 15, 2009 12:21 PM By Marcus Henry

After witnessing the Manny Pacquiao beat down of Miguel Cotto on Saturday, many things come to mind about the state of boxing.

1. The welterweight division is the best in the world. No division can match the star power this division brings.

Manny Pacquiao -  Yes, I know he's considered a lightweight / junior welterweight, but he's beaten two welterweights -Oscar de la Hoya, Miguel Cotto- in his last three fights.

Floyd Mayweather - If Pacquiao isn't the pound-for-pound king, Money Mayweather is.

Shane Mosley - He's a man few fighters want to tangle with right now.

Joshua Clottey - Gave Cotto a run for his money. Like Mosley, few fighters want this guy now.

Andre Berto - Should be a good challenge for Mosely.

Kermit Cintron, Antonio Margarito, Carlos Baldomir, Zab Judah - Second tier fighters who can still bring it for the top contenders.

2. The heavyweight division actually has some juice for the first time in a while. While none of the fighters in the division bring back memories of Ali, Frazier, Norton or any of the other all-time great heavyweights, former cruiserweight king David Haye has breathed a little life into the division. 

3. Showtimes Super Six tournament has been great for the sport. Having six of the top eight or nine super middleweights in the world go at it for two years is just what the sport needed. 

4. A Pacquaio-Mayweather fight HAS TO HAPPEN. And it should happen at Yankee stadium next June. If it doesn't, boxing will find itself right back near the bottom of the sports hierarchy.  A place where the sport should've never been in the first place.