The Last Cotto Fight

I have such great memories from watching Cotto's fights. This is really the end of an era for me. Here are some of the more memorable bouts (for me) from Cotto's career.

Cotto vs. Judah (June 9, 2007) I had just moved to New York City - barely been there a week - and my first order of business was to make a trip to Madison Square Garden. It's called boxing's Mecca for a reason. It was the night before the Puerto Rican day parade and as I looked around the stadium, I noticed the place was packed to the rafters with Puerto Rican Cotto fans. When they played the Puerto Rican national anthem (state song? U.S. territory ditty?), the whole pace sang along, including little children (Puerto Rican pride is no joke). I quickly realized that if Cotto didn't win, there would be a riot. I scanned my area for the nearest exit and worried about how fast I'd be able to move in a dress and heels. Luckily, Cotto won by TKO in the 11th round.

September Watching/Reading/Listening

Watching:

Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin (HBO PPV): It's now on HBO Go, but I watched it live and it gave me life. So good. There was great action between two well-matched fighters who have good technique and hit hard. It was a thing of beauty. I didn't agree with the result, though.

One Mississippi Season 2 (Amazon Prime): Just as good as the previous season. Calm, sweet, dark, funny. The seasons are way too short! If you like Master of None, there's a good chance you'll like this one.

Transparent Season 4 (Amazon Prime): Still good. I hated Ali in the previous seasons, but that character is so great in this season. I feel you, girl!

Fuller House Season 3 (Netflix): It's still good. It just feels like there are too many characters and storylines. Was it like this when I was young, but I didn't care? Maybe I should watch old episodes, but I remember the show dealing with some real stuff every once in a while. Candace Cameron Bure is gorgeous. I just like staring her. I get mad when they light her poorly. I know it's an actress' job to stay in shape and look good and they have trainers and chefs and meal delivery services, etc., but still.

Louie Seasons 4 and 5 (Netflix): I don't know why I resisted this show. I saw half an episode a while ago with Parker Posey (I love her. She's so dark and funny), liked it, but didn't continue watching. It's low key insane. Super low key, but also super insane.

July/August Watching/Reading/Listening

WATCHING-

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2 seasons on Netflix): Severely emotionally damaged woman moves across the country to try to get back together with her summer camp boyfriend. LOVE this show so much that I was sad for a couple of days when I finished. I hate musicals. I thought it might be a good show to have on in the background when cleaning, but it's super addicting. (I do sometimes skip over the musical numbers.) It's crazy and stupid and so funny. I do regularly sing some of the songs I like (West Covina, Period Sex, Love Kernels, Rush to Be a Bride). Don't YouTube Rush to Be a Bride. You have to see it in the show. The transition is part of how amazing it is. THIS IS NOT A SHOW TO WATCH WITH KIDS OR YOUR PARENTS. NSFAnything really. New season on the CW starts October 13!

Friends from College (1 season Netflix show): People who would normally be okay turn into severely emotionally damaged people when they are around their college friends. And they can't stop being around each other. None of the characters are likable, but, again, I LOVE this show. It's dark, but funny. If you were super into the Wonder Years, Fred Savage in this show will make you so happy.

Life in Pieces (CBS show watched on Netflix): It's about siblings and their families. It's really funny sometimes, but sometimes it's offensive. Also, fairly unlikable and damaged characters. (Hmmmmm . . . I'm sensing a theme.)

April 2017 Read/Watched/Listened

Read:

Down the Rabbit Hole: Curious Adventures and Cautionary Tales of a Former Playboy Bunny by Holly Madison - I was riveted by the Girls Next Door. If you were, too, I recommend this book.

The Taliban Shuffle (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot) - Good, but kind of sad.

My Voice: A Memoir by Angie Martinez - If you came of age in the 90s and listened to hip-hop, I recommend it.

So, I think something is broken inside of me. I can't get into any fiction books. I even went back to my old standbys John Connolly and Walter Mosley. Nothing took. I don't even know who I am anymore.

Watched:

Life in Pieces - This show is weird and I can't figure out if in a good way or bad way. Some seriously offensive jokes in the show. A couple of good characters, though.

Chewing Gum Season Two. Michaela Coel is a global treasure. May the muses always be by her side.

Lost Girl - Love this show. So upset it's only five seasons long. I love it so much, I've actually been able to parcel it out to make it last.

Life - I liked it when it came out, but I had a feeling it would get canceled, so I stopped watching. Good show to have on in the background.

GirlBoss - Made it about five minutes into episode 1. No gracias.

Frasier - Series Rewatch #726

Netflix removed Buffy. I had a rough couple of days over it.

Joshua v. Klitschko - Damn good fight.

Listened: It was an Al Green, Emmylou Harris  type of month.

March 2017 Reading/Watching

March was absolutely pathetic reading-wise. It's even sadder, because it was my birthday month and reading is my favorite thing. Probably explains my janky-ass mood lately.

Books I finished:

-Difficult Women by Roxane Gay (Love her writing. Love her Twitter. Lover her. She is my Beyonce.)

-Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitten Holy (This is a graphic novel, but it counts, okay?! I put it on my Amazon wish list to remember to get it for my daughter when she's older. Husband purchased a couple of volumes for me for my birthday and I'm glad he did, because it was pretty good. I've started the second volume.)

-I re-read my favorite poem more than usual. (To You by Walt Whitman: http://www.bartleby.com/142/175.html - Get you some!)

Books I started, but didn't finish:

-Queen Sugar: A Novel by Natalie Baszile (Seemed promising, but it fizzled out. I think it's a TV show now, but I don't have cable, so . . .)

-A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf (Look, I really tried. There were some good morsels in there, but wrap it up, sister.)

-The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert (Um, I checked it out from the library. This was supposed to be my non-fiction for the month.)

-The Wangs vs The World by Jade Chang (Too much set up. Maybe the whole book was set up? Made it about a quarter of the way through.)

-I Almost Forgot About You by Terry McMillan (I made it a third of the way through. It didn't grab me.)

-Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild (I read the first page of the preface and it's too soon and I'm still too pissed off and I don't see a lot of the right trying to understand us, so eat me.)

-I've started re-reading the Godfather. Still great.

Watched/Watching:

-Schitt's Creek (So good, just for Catherine O'Hara's accent alone.)

-One Mississippi (Dark and light and wonderful.)

-Transparent (Bummed I'm so late to this, but glad, because I was able to binge.)

-The Kettering Incident (Couldn't get into it. Kind of a cross between Top of the Lake, which I loved, and The OA, which was decent.)

-Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Finished the second season.)

-Moonlight (I already posted about this. I still think about this movie on the regular.)

-Logan (Brutal. Dark. Gory. And I cried harder than I've cried at the movies in a long time. I watched the X-Men cartoons as an older kid when I thought I was done with cartoons. I've loved all of the movies, except X-Men: Apocalypse. I'm going to cry just thinking about it.)

-Lost Girl (Just started and it's surprisingly good if you choose to ignore the production value and some plot holes.)

-Rewatching Buffy (I start about halfway through season 3, skip the latter half of season 5, then finish it up. My gajillionth rewatch?)

Looking forward to:

-Getting my reading mojo back. (Pray for me, y'all. Also, any fiction recommendations? Ease me in with some detective novels or beach reads.)

-More Lumberjanes!

-The second season of Chewing Gum.

-Trying to get back into boxing. My multiple Kovalev sightings MUST BE a sign to get back into it.

Mayweather-Pacquiao 5/2/2015

Going in, I was never under the illusion it was actually going to be the fight of the century. Maybe the most anticipated fight of the century so far. The fight had more action than I expected, but with a predictable outcome. Though it wasn't the most exciting fight of t he century, it may have been the most important. It may actually be The One to change sports viewing, especially the pay for viewing structure.  

Periscope and Meerkat, live-streaming applications for smartphones, allowed those that had purchased the fight to stream it and, those that didn't, to view it. It probably cost the promoters, the networks, and cable companies pennies on the dollar, but big companies are not known for their proportional responses when it comes to money and for good reason. Anyone remember Napster? How about buying whole CDs after only hearing a song or two? Yeah. The ability of consumers to share content for free changed the music industry forever. This might, too.

It makes sense for boxing fans to be the pioneers/original criminals. If you want to watch boxing these days, you need a $100+/mth cable bill*, not including PPV services that cost almost as much. If you're a fiscally responsible person living within a budget and don't make a living from watching sports, you probably cut the cable cord a while ago. Showing up at friends' houses with snacks and booze every Thursday/Friday/Saturday isn't sustainable. So, what to do?

Return to Boxing by Way of Froch v. Kessler - Super Middleweight

I took a break from boxing. Not cold turkey (that would be impossible), but a break from allowing it to rule my life. Whenever I've watched a fight in recent months, I realize how much I miss it. I'm overjoyed to an almost overwhelming point.

I tried to get back into it by starting to watch Friday Night Fights again. I went to the Lazy Dog. It's a huge restaurant with a huge bar area and multiple big screens. I asked the bartender if I could get a channel change to ESPN 2. As usual, the bartender asked me what was on. This (almost*) ALWAYS happens to me. I fear it's because I'm a female. I always want to reply "Cheer nationals" and see what happens. Who gives a fuck what's on?! It's a bar with big screens. That means sports. ESPN 2 is a sports network. Shut the fuck up and change the channel. I'm also really disappointed that bars, even sports bars don't automatically put it on ESPN 2 on Friday nights and that the management and bartenders don't know that there's boxing on television on Fridays. That's just un-American.

I tell the bartender "Friday Night Fights".  He has to ask his manager. So I wait. And I wait. After 10 minutes I ask him if he's actually asked the manager. He says yes. 10 minutes later he comes back and says the manager said they can't put on boxing because it's a family restaurant. It's almost 8 pm on a Friday night. I don't see anyone under the age of 21 in the entire restaurant. And I'm in the bar area. Boxing isn't suitable for viewing in a family restaurant? I'm pretty sure they show hockey and football, which are also violent sports. Boxing is an Olympic sport and once upon a time it was one of the big three (boxing, horse racing, baseball - I miss you Bert Sugar!).

I now consider the Lazy Dog an anti-American organization. Don't go there. Don't give them your money.

So, I leave the Lazy Dog and head into the dark night, unfamiliar with my surroundings as I'm still new to the area. My phone tells me there's a bar in a strip mall a mile away. The Shady Nook. It was both. It was a bit of a scary crowd for a woman alone, but I pressed on. I sat down and asked the FEMALE bartender for a channel change to ESPN 2. SHE DIDN'T ASK ME WHAT WAS ON. *This is the first time that's ever happened to me. It was a great fight night and I started contemplating letting boxing take over my life again. However, it's a difficult sport to follow. I don't have cable. I haven't found a bar to watch Friday Night Fights. I don't know anyone near me with HBO or Showtime. I miss McCann's in Astoria so much. Best bar to watch any fight. HBO is right. Boxing isn't a sport. It's a way of life.

But oh my stars Froch-Kessler may have pushed me to be really aggressive with my performance review at work to better my chances of a big raise so that I could get cable. What a spectacular fight! Both excellent technical fighters, but with the ability and willingness to brawl. Froch looks great physically. He's filled out and he was able to take Kessler's punches better. Kessler, who's been a favorite of mine since I watched him work Librado Andrade like he was a hanging side of beef. He's lost a step, but he can still throw bombs and he's very active in the ring.

Digression: I drove up to Oakland to watch Kessler fight Ward in 2009. I had to leave for the trip right after a morning practice. I was still in my sports bra and didn't have a chance to shower before attending the event. Talk about a place a woman shouldn't travel alone. I was happy to have the extra funk as protection. I felt safe in the Oracle Arena, but I had to park far and it was a long walk in the dark. Kessler lost, but I was so excited that he was fighting stateside. I still regret not seeing Naseem Hamed when he fought in Vegas. I had traveled alone and done some other activities alone a bit, but I wasn't at a place where I felt comfortable going to Vegas alone.

I wholeheartedly agree with Froch about a fight with Ward - a good fighter, but not entertaining (fight-wise or personality-wise). Personality is important, not just in sports or entertainment. If you're a cubicle dweller at American, Inc., you still need to have some sort of engaging personality to succeed. I would welcome Froch-Kessler III. Maybe I'll be able to afford to watch it in the comfort of my own home by then. Keep your fingers crossed for my performance review!

Rios v. Alvarado – Junior Welterweight

Was it action packed? Yes. Did fans and boxing analysts nut themselves over it? Yes. Was it a good fight? Yes. Was it a great boxing match? No. Rios has had 400 amateur bouts. It certainly didn’t show. It looks like he decided he knew all he needed to know about boxing after his first couple of fights and stopped developing his skills after that.

A minute into the first round, Rios started to lose control of himself and started brawling. Despite his record, I think this is as good as Rios will ever be. If Alvarado were younger, I would say that he has a future. If he can learn not lower himself to the level of brawlers and work a bit on his defense, I think he could still have some great boxing moments. Also, ain’t no shame in taking a knee and a standing eight count. It’s a more noble defense strategy than Mayweather’s shoulder defense. *eye roll*

Marquez or Pacquiao would dismantle Rios, especially if they catch him on one of his off nights. Rios is a bit inconsistent. That could be attributed to his problems with making weight, but even if has all of that under control, I wouldn’t put up against any high caliber fighters.

Rios did do something that’s not done as much in boxing anymore: He worked the body. He did a great job, early on, of working over Alvarado. It gave him the edge by making Alvarado just a little bit more fatigued as the fight went on.

This fight didn’t rise to the level of Barrera-Morales or Gatti-Ward, but it was the slugfest it was promised to be. I just wish there had been more technical skills displayed.  I would definitely watch a rematch!

Rios did win by TKO as the ref stopped the fight in the 7^th round.

Donaire v. Nishioka – Junior Featherweights

“High intensity chess match.” A display of “extreme athleticism.” That’s what most boxing matches should be. This was more of a slightly active chess match than a high intensity one. I do love the lighter weight classes, because when they let those fists fly, it’s beautiful. They remind me of hummingbirds in flight.  This did not happen here.

Nishioka looked tired from the beginning.  Donaire seemed to have some difficulty with Nishioka’s fighting style.* Waiting until the 6^th round to start boxing was a little odd for this weight class. I guess Nishioka getting knocked down lit a fire under him. Hey, whatever it takes.**

Donaire won his 29^th straight fight over the span of 11 years with a 9^th round TKO with a stoppage by the ref.

*This led to the first instance I have experienced where Roy Jones, Jr. had some good advice for a fighter in the ring and that his personal story actually related to the fight. Not quite a miracle, but a cool breeze may have blown in hell.

**Also known as “whatever the fuck it takes.” My favorite “move” from one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long, long time, Win Win. 

24/7 Mayweather/Cotto

First Episode:

"What would the show 24/7 be without me?" – Floyd Mayweather, Jr. 

An actual look at what a boxer does in order to prepare for a boxing match and not a sad display of what one man thinks a rich person is supposed to be. 

Second Episode:

“Adventures in rational discourse are rare . . .” - Narrator of 24/7

And that pretty much sums up Floyd Mayweather, Jr. 

This is pretty accurate, too: 

Martinez-Macklin 03-17-12

Middleweight Fight for (eye roll) WBC Diamond Middleweight Title

While I wish Martinez were fighting a higher caliber fighter, Macklin is eager and aggressive. Most boxers spend the first round slowly feeling out their opponent. These two are actively trading punches.

So far, halfway into the second round, they seem about equal, with Martinez having an edge by being a little less hesitant. And Martinez gets Macklin with a left, similar to the left that knocked out Williams. Macklin is shaken. Martinez gets two good punches in the second. Macklin still trying to move forward.

Martinez is more focused and it shows in the accuracy of his punches. I just wish he were more serious. Macklin throws a great combo in the fourth. Martinez does not look like the 10-1 favorite. And he gets in a hard left as I wrote that last sentence. Macklin answers with a hard right later on in the fourth.

Macklin gets in several great rights in the fifth, but Martinez goes in hard at the end of the round and the boxers trade punches. Macklin definitely won that round. Either Martinez is reining it in so as to entice the cowardly Mayweather or Macklin is benefitting from the power of St. Patrick’s Day.  Whatever. It’s better than watching a one-sided fight.

Macklin hits Martinez with a right. Martinez’s stumbles and his right glove touches the ground. It’s ruled a knockdown. That’s legit. The middleweights are starting to slow down in the seventh round. Martinez fights hard at the end of the round.

Martinez showing why he’s the favorite a little more in the eighth. Macklin isn’t just taking it, though. Martinez is hitting HARD.  Damn Irish chin! You gotta give it up to the Irish. They can take a punch, literally and figuratively.

I’m surprised by the lack of combinations. Even counterpunchers throw combos. Macklin has a disturbing blank look on his face, but his body is still reacting. Martinez makes the Irishman wobble, but can’t drop him.

The fighters are going at it. Macklin looks spent and like he’s going on with sheer force of will. Martinez has great head movement. Macklin isn’t moving side to side enough. Martinez finally knocks (back and then) down Macklin with a perfect straight left to the chin. Standing eight count for Macklin. Martinez knocks him down with another left, this time to the jaw, at the bell. Another standing eight. Macklin’s corner throws in the towel. Man, I love middleweights: stamina AND heavy hands!

I enjoy Martinez. I think he’s a classy and skilled fighter. But I can’t stand the hands down fighting stance. It annoys me to no end. Much credit to Macklin. His punch stats and performance were impressive. I think he could have a future on American television. I’d watch him on Boxing After Dark.

On a personal Irish note: I did see old Irish favorite, John Duddy, fight in Madison Square Garden on February 21, 2009. He was on an undercard for Cotto-Jennings/Pavlik-Rubio. That was the night I met Bert Randolph Sugar!

[I wrote this review last week and I remember thinking about what a great night it was at Madison Square Garden and meeting the great Bert Sugar. I was saddened when I heard news of his passing yesterday. I'm so glad I was able to meet him when I did and where I did. One of my fondest memories. He will be missed!]

Khan-Peterson 12-10-2011

Light Welterweight Fight for WBA and IBF Titles

Round 1: Amir jumps forward with a straight arm. Left jab by Peterson. Left hand and left elbow and left forearm by Khan. Left hook to the body by Khan. Left jab by Peterson. Peterson slipped/tripped on the referee’s feet. Combination by Khan. Left to the head and right to the body by Peterson. Left hook by Khan. Lft and a right by Khan. Left hook by Peterson. Hard right by Khan and Peterson barely touches the ground. Left jab by Peterson. Left to the body by Peterson.  Even (10-10)

Round 2: Right by Khan to the body, then the face, then a combination. Fighters trade punches. Forearm by Khan. Two to the body and a nice uppercut by Peterson. Hard right to the body by Peterson. Right by Khan. Left by Khan. Right by Peterson. Left jab by Peterson. Right by Khan. Left jab by Khan. Left to the body by Khan. Combination by Peterson. Combination by Khan. Fighters trade left jabs. Left hook by Peterson. Left to the body by Peterson. Left jab by Paterson. Combination and two rights by Khan.  Peterson (19-20)

Round 3: Fighters trade jabs. Combination by Khan. Right uppercut by Khan. Right by Khan. Three rights by Khan. Left to the body by Peterson. Left to the body by Khan. Blocked combination by Khan. Hard right by Peterson. Fighters trade lefts. Left by Peterson. Clinch. Peterson punching. Left hook by Peterson. Right hook by Khan. Uppercut by Peterson. Fighters trade lefts. Right by Khan. Body shots by Peterson. Right by Peterson. Right by Khan. Peterson clinches. Right by Peterson, then a body shot. Combination by Peterson. Combination by Khan.  Khan (29-29)

Round 4: Hard right by Peterson. It took 4 rounds for Amir to calm down. Combination with an elbow by Amir. Right uppercut by Khan. Body shots by Peterson. Khan is taunting Peterson. Left with an elbow by Khan. Left jab, then left hook by Khan. Two body shots by Peterson. Combination by Khan. Right by Peterson. Two rights by Khan, then a left. Body shots by Peterson. Hard right by Khan, then a left. Hard right, then a body shot by Peterson. Body shot by Peterson. Right by Khan. Right uppercut by Khan. Right by Peterson. Body shots by Peterson. Peterson (38-39)

Peterson’s corner is not ready for him. WTF?

Round 5: Fighters trade jabs. Right to the body by Peterson. Headlock by Khan. Combination to the body by Khan. Combination by Khan. Body shots by Peterson. Slip by Khan. Left hook by Peterson. Combination by Khan. Two lefts by Peterson. Left jab by Peterson. Khan (48-48)

Round 6: Right by Khan. Left to the body by Peterson. Clinch with Peterson getting in a few punches. Combination by Khan. Headlock by Khan. Ref tells Khan to stop pushing. Fighters trade punches. Flurry by Khan. Hard left by Peterson to the body. Right by Khan. Another hard left to the body by Peterson. Body shot, uppercut, and left hook to the body by Khan. Uppercut and flurry of punches by Peterson. Left and right to Peterson’s face. Left hook by Peterson. Answered by Khan. Khan (58-57)

Round 7: Left by Peterson. Combination by Khan. Two to the body by Khan. Two to the body by Peterson. Combination by Khan. Another combination by Khan. Left hook by Peterson. Left jabs by Khan. Peterson holds Khan’s arm between his forearms. Shots to the body by Peterson. Right by Peterson. Combination by Khan. Another headlock by Khan. Left to the body by Khan. Combination by Peterson. Kahn is running around the ring backwards. Right uppercut, shots to the body, and a left hook by Peterson. Khan is against the ropes. Hard right by Peterson. Peterson just advancing. Khan holding Peterson’s head. Hard right by Peterson. Ref takes away one point from Khan for pushing Peterson.  I won’t deduct due to Peterson holding Khan’s arm. Peterson (67-67)

Round 8: Shut up Kellerman. Left jabs by Khan. Right uppercut by Khan. Left to the body by Peterson. Peterson trying to throw punches. Khan holding. Left hook to the body by Peterson. Body shots by Khan. Khan against the ropes. Left hook to the body, left uppercut by Peterson. Right hook by Peterson. Combination by Khan. Combination by Khan. Hooks to the body by Peterson. Headlock by Khan. Rights and a left uppercut by Peterson. Body shots and an uppercut by Peterson. Left hook by Khan. (There was a low blow by Peterson, but there was a low blow by Khan earlier that even the commentators didn’t notice.) Peterson (76-77)

Round 9: Khan misses several shots. Clinch. Right hook to the body by Peterson. Right uppercut by Khan. Two to the body by Khan. Left hook to the body by Peterson, then several body shots and an uppercut. Khan against the ropes and taking body shots. Two rights by Khan. Peterson a little wobbly. Left upper cut and a left hook to the body by Peterson. Combination by Khan. Left to the body and an uppercut by Peterson. Left uppercut by Khan. Hard right by Khan. Peterson hurt. Khan follows up with an uppercut. Left hook and uppercut by Peterson. Combination by Khan. Hard right and an uppercut by Peterson. Headlock by Khan and a shove to the ground. Khan (86-86)

Round 10: Peterson comes out swinging. Several blocked punches by Peterson, and then he connects with a left. Blocked combination by Khan. Weird jumping punch to a clinch and then almost a slip by Khan. Fighters trade punches. Combination by Khan. Another combination by Khan. Fighters look tired. Hard right by person. Flurry by Khan. Several body shots by Peterson. Khan has finally stopped running away from Peterson. Khan holds Peterson’s head and Peterson works Khan’s body.  Khan (96-95)

Round 11: Headlock by Khan. Combination by Khan. A left and a right by Peterson. Hard left hook by Khan. Peterson answers. Khan against the ropes. Uppercut by Khan. Headlock by Khan. Combination by Khan. Two to the body by Peterson. Two to the head by Khan. Khan against the ropes. A few to the body and an uppercut. Combination by Khan. Several punches by Khan. Even (106-105)

Round 12: Combination by Khan. Another combination by Khan. Clinch. Right by Khan. Body shots by Peterson. Right by Khan as the ref was breaking them up. Ref takes another pint from Khan for pushing. Combination by Khan. Right hook to the body by Peterson. Right uppercut by Khan. Left jab by Peterson. Left hook and a combination by Khan. Both fighters jumping around and throwing wild. Amir Khan fakes being pushed into the ropes. Khan jumps into Peterson. Even (116-115)

I have Khan by 1 point. I didn’t deduct any points from Amir Khan. Instead, I’ll describe how Khan is a dirty fighter in my analysis below.

Official Decision: 113-112 Peterson, 114-111 Khan, 113-112 Peterson > Peterson by Majority Decision

REMATCH!

What an exciting and exhausting fight.  Seriously, I need a nap.

For a second I thought Shaggy was in the front row. It was David Haye. I also thought I saw Stevie Wonder in the audience. Not confirmed or denied.

There’s been a lot of hullabaloo over Khan’s point deduction. The first deduction would’ve been legit if the ref had warned Khan that he would deduct a point if Khan kept pushing. The second deduction was just excessive and unnecessary. Here’s the thing: If you’re a dirty fighter, the ref or the judges will find a way to screw you. Khan loves following up his punches with the forearm and elbow of his punching hand. I’m annoyed just watching. I can’t imagine how his opponent feels. More evidence that Khan is a dirty fighter: My mother admires his fighting style and says he’s a baala (naughty) fighter. If my mom is cheering for someone, trust that they’re shady.

Khan is a cheap, dirty fighter. I don’t understand why he’s a star. He reminds me of Gamboa. A brawler lacking in fundamentals. Except Gamboa doesn’t fight dirty. Khan uses his elbows and forearms almost as much as he uses his fists, with a nice head butt thrown in every once in a while (see McCloskey fight). He’s fought and beat some “name” fighters that were just like him: Malignaggi and Judah. And the required: Legend in decline, Barrera.

 

“I was the more [sic] cleaner fighter.” Note he didn’t say I’m a clean fighter or I was the clean fighter. He said “cleaner.” It’s like saying my dog’s ass is cleaner than your dog’s ass. Still not somewhere you’d like to store sterilized medical instruments.

Peterson did a great job and held his own against Amir who can be a manic brawler. I think Peterson would have chance for a clearer victory in a rematch . . . Unless it’s in England. Hometown advantage is a reality of all sports and not just another slimy facet of boxing. A rematch would be quite exciting. I wonder if Khan would revert back to his back alley fighting style or clean up his act and be a good, clean, technical boxer. Only time and a rematch will tell.

Side note: I whole heartedly agree with the DC commission’s decision to not allow an immediate interview with the ref. Ref’s shouldn’t be interviewed. Interviews = opinions. Refs should just be about the facts occurring in the ring. Are they always? No, but that’s the ideal. Allowing interviews would erode the credibility of boxing decisions. Well, more so.   

Short blurb on Ibragimov-Mitchell

Mitchell is a former football player who began his boxing training in his twenties. Ibragimov is another heavyweight from the former Soviet Union who is 36 and unlikely to go much further.

Fight stopped in the 2^nd.  Mitchell looks like he’s still learning the fundamentals, but seems to have some natural ability and timing.  Mitchell’s a contender. It remains to be seen if he can go the distance.

Tonight’s fights brought to you by Golden Boy, which means B Hop and Oscar in the front row. If you’re thinking to yourself, “I didn’t see B Hop,” he was the guy in the annoying, hipster glasses. If only someone had thrown an elbow at HIM and knocked those glasses right off of his face.

Cotto-Margarito 12-03-11

Oh, man, Margarito doesn’t want to touch gloves. Eeeeek! This is gonna be good!

Round 1: Cotto comes out of his corner ready to swing. Left by Cotto to Margarito’s stomach. Hard right by Cotto. Left hook to the body by Cotto. Left jab by Cotto. Margarito missing several punches. Tradeing jabs. Left to the body by Cotto. Fighters trade jabs. Combination by Cotto. Right by Margarito. Body shot by Cotto. Left to the body by Margarito. Hard left jab by Cotto. Hard right by Cotto. Left jab by Cotto. Combination by Cotto with a nasty left hook. Another combination by Cotto. Combination by Margarito. Cotto (10-9)

Round 2: Hard left hook by Cotto. Hard right by Margarito. Cotto answers with his own hard right. Combination by Cotto. Fighters trade jabs. Left hook by Cotto. Left jab by Cotto. Combination by Cotto. Hard left by Cotto. Another left hook by Cotto. Two left jabs by Cotto. Upper cut by Margarito. Fighters trade jabs at the bell. Cotto (20-18)

Round 3: Combinatino by Cotto. Left by Cotto. Fighters trade jabs. Left jab by Cotto. Right by Margarito. Right to the body by Cotto. Both fighters are punching. Right by Cotto to Margarito’s face. Right to Margarito’s body. Left hook by Cotto. Another left hook and then a right jab. Right to the body by Margarito. Cotto (30-27)

Round 4: Combination by Cotto. Right by Cotto to Margarito’s face. Left hook by Cotto. Right by Cotto. Right to the body by Cotto. Clinch with Margarito punching Cotto’s head. Left by Cotto. Right upper cut by Margarito. Combination by Cotto. Left Hook by Cotto. Small punches to Cotto’s head. Right by Cotto. Left jab by Cotto. Cotto (40-36)

Round 5: Cotto seems tired. Left, measuring jabs by Margarito. Left jab by Cotto. Right hook by Margarito. Combination by Margarito. Combination by Cotto. Combination by Margarito. Combination by Cotto. Left hook to the body by Cotto. Clinch with upper cuts by Margarito. Two lefts by Cotto. Left hook by Cotto. Left jab by Cotto. Fighters trade left jabs. Margarito (49-46)

Round 6: Cotto seems reenergized. Left jab by Cotto. Right by Cotto. Left jab and combination by Cotto. Left jab by Cotto. Clinch with Margarito punching. Two lefts with Cotto. Left uppercut by Cotto. Combination by Cotto. Left to the body by Cotto. Combo by Cotto.   Cotto (59-55)

Round 7: Left jab by Cotto. Left jab by Cotto. Clinch Margarito lands punches. Left by Cotto. Two lefts and a right by Margarito. Upper cut by Margarito. Hard right by Margarito. Combination to the head by Cotto. Left to the body by Margarito. Clinch. And some wrestling? Combination by Cotto, including after the bell. That’s not nice. Let’s not stoop that level. Cotto (69-64)

Round 8: Combo by Cotto. Left hook to the body by Cotto.  Margarito swinging wild. Clinch with Margarito getting a punch in. Time out due to Cotto’s tape becoming undone. Two lefts by Cotto. Right by Cotto. Left hook by Cotto. Combination to the body and head by Cotto. Combination to the head by Margarito. Uppercut and right by Margarito. Right by Margarito. Right then left by Cotto. Right by Cotto.  (79-73)

Round 9: Margarito almost doesn’t answer the bell because of his eye. Combination by Cotto. Left uppercut by Cotto. Left to the body by Cotto. Clinch. Margarito getting in some punches. Flurry of body shots by Cotto. Combination by Cotto. Two lefts by Cotto. Upper cut by Margarito. Left by Cotto. Left upper by Margarito. Right uppercut by Cotto. Two uppercuts by Margarito. Right by Cotto.  Cotto (89-82)

Round 10: The ringside doctor won’t let Margarito continue. Cotto wins by TKO

Cotto fought very well. He was precise, focused, and determined. His punches hit hard and the target was clearly Margarito’s rebuilt eye. Going to Margarito’s chin wouldn’t have been effective, so I understand the lack of uppercuts, but more shots to the body would’ve been nice.  If Cotto opens his own gym, he could teach a class on left hooks.

However:

Neither one wobbled. Neither one stumbled. Only Margarito’s eye was damaged. Cotto was tagged all over his face. Cotto went after Margarito with everything he had and Frankenstein kept lurching forward. Did this fight provide enough evidence to prove Margarito had loaded wraps in his first fight with Cotto? Not in a court of law, but definitely in the court of public opinion and for fight fans.

I don’t think that Cotto will go down in Puerto Rican boxing history as great of a fighter as Trinidad. The Cotto-Margarito saga will go down as an interesting and dramatic turn in a sport known for its drama.

Cotto, the only fighter other than Pacquiao that can legitimately say the name Mayweather, earned a lot of respect from me for not mentioning Mayweather for a future matchup.   

In the post fight interview, Cotto says about Margarito, “He means nothing to me.” I think that’s the general consensus for anyone involved in boxing, including fans. A guy known for taking punishment can no longer take punishment. It doesn’t seem like he can be knocked out and, because of his eye, all of his fights will likely be stopped by a ringside doctor. That doesn’t make him a viable opponent and that doesn’t leave him a lot of options. I hope he’s had a great money manager, because it’s time to retire.

Oh, but the glory that was!  Their first fight renewed my hope in boxing.  They were two well-known fighters in a well-matched, explosive, entertaining fight. It took me back to my youth when boxers would really fight in an attempt to establish dominance. If you were king of the ring, you were a battle-tested king. When it was revealed that Margarito was using illegal wraps at the Moseley fight, it broke my heart. Boxing went back to being a shady, dirty-ass, fringe sport. I can and do still recall the greatness of the first fight, even though it makes me ache. I’m still waiting for a boxing savior, but I’m no longer hopeful.

Cotto-Margarito II Preview

24/7 Cotto-Margarito II

I’m so excited about this matchup!  When Cotto and Margarito first met, they were both undefeated, heavy-punching, stars. The winner would emerge as king of that division. (Mayweather was on hiatus and Manny hadn’t showed up to that division, yet.) It was a slugfest.  Both took major punishment, but every time Margarito threw a punch, it looked like Cotto was getting hit with an anvil.  Six months later, we find out a possible reason why Margarito’s punches were so devastating.  

Cotto took the loss hard and it manifested in a super early mid-life crisis. He started getting tattoos. He separated from his wife. This could be an argument for my hypothesis that every fighter should have a loss or two early in his career to help build resiliency. Or, just losing to Margarito sends one into a downward spiral.*  

Both now have losses to Pacquiao, who dismantled Margarito to such a degree that Margarito was almost denied (and probably should’ve been) denied a license by the New York Athletic Commission due to the lingering damage to one of his eyes. (Cotto said the fight is at the Garden or it doesn’t happen at all. Bob Arum probably had a few kneecaps broken to get Margarito his license.**) Margarito’s corner should’ve stopped the Pacquiao fight long before the final bell.

The 24/7 series covering Cotto’s and Margarito’s training camp could’ve been way longer. This would’ve been a great multi-episode 24/7. Margarito’s eye issues.  Some analysis from Margarito and his camp of what happened in the ring with Pacquiao.  Some more background on Cotto’s new trainer and how he adjusted to his new trainer’s style in comparison to his other trainers.

I do like Cotto’s new trainer, Diaz. Cuban athletes have an amazing work ethic. There are few distractions in Cuba. You have nothing to do, but be dedicated. Maybe I just have a soft spot for people who have to leave behind everything they know and everyone they love due to an oppressive government.

Cotto’s best friend needs to put the tweezers DOWN. That is not a good look for a big man.

I find the interviews with the wives and mothers the most interesting – for all fighters and trainers. They seem resigned at best and fearful at worst. I can’t imagine being married to someone who was so involved in boxing. It’s all day, every day, and such a dangerous sport.

Margarito’s drills at the track look like so much fun, but, man, his trainer has AGED since the Pacquiao fight. I do feel bad for Margarito having to make the unscheduled trip to New York. Every day is crucial this close to a fight, but he has to go the extra mile for all requests due to, well, you know.

This is a big fight career-wise and psychologically for both fighters. Cotto to avenge the previous loss and regain his confidence. Margarito to redeem his reputation as a hard-hitting fight, WITHOUT plaster on his hands and to quiet those that scream out he’s a criminal. This fight will, hopefully, bring closure to both fighters as well as fight fans.  So, it comes down to one thing: What’s stronger? Revenge? Or redemption?

*See: Kermit Cintron

**Not even allegedly. It’s a joke. I kid. Bob Arum is a paragon of ethics. 

Alvarez-Cintron 11-26-2011

Saul "Canelo" Alvarez v.Kermit "The Killer" Cintron for the WBC Light Middleweight Title

Round 1: Both fighters go to the center of the ring quickly. Both seem focused. No hesitation or apprehension. Cintron throwing the majority of the punches. None are landing. He’s measuring the distance and gauging Alvarez’s reactions. Alvarez staring to react. Combination and shots to the body by Alvarez. Combo by Alvarez. Left and right connect to Cintron’s head. [De la Hoya is in the front row looking like an 80s Mexican drug dealer straight out of Miami vice. ]. Cintron misses a good opportunity for a counter as Alvarez throws a punch and lets down his guard.  Alvarez (10-9)

Round 2: Alvarez lands a left to Cintron’s head. [RJJ talking some nonsense and distracting me from a good exchange.] Cintron to the body. Left upper cut by Alvarez and then a right to the body. Left jab by Cintron. Alvarez answers with a combination. Two left jabs by Cintron. [These left jabs are not going to cut it.]  Alvarez (20-18)

Round 3:  Alvarez counters wild and misses. Both fighters swing wild and miss. Left jab by Alvarez. Left jab by Cintron. Combination by Alvarez connects to Cintron’s face. Left uppercut by Alvarez.  Alvarez missing several punches. Both fighters have great rhythm. They both also have great head movement. Right to Alvarez’s head. The fighters trade left jabs as the bell sounds. Alvarez (30-27)

Round 4: Right uppercut by Cintron. Left to Cintron’s body. Jab by Cintron. Fighters are trading jabs. Now trading upper cuts. Trading jabs. The boxers are mirroring each other. Alvarez to the body. Great left hook to Cintron’s head. Left jab by Cintron. Three rights to Cintron’s head. Cintron goes down and gets up. Cintron can’t put up his gloves after the standing eight so the ref does it for him. Alvarez attacks. Cintron slips. Body shot by Cintron. Left hook to Cintron. Cintron is hurt at the bell. Sits on the ropes. There is a cut on the bridge of Cintron’s nose.  Alvarez (40-35)

Round 5: Cintron legs look stiff. Not good. Hook combination by Cintron, but he’s wobbly and swinging wild. Left by Alvarez. Right by Alvarez. Hard right by Cintron to Alvarez’s head. Right hook by Alvarez. Left jabs by Cintron. Light, not really connecting.  Left hook by Alvarez. Then a combination. Cintron answers. Alvarez can take a punch. I am seriously worried about Cintron.  Combination by Alvarez. And the ref stops the fight. TKO for Alvarez

Would everyone please stop asking for Mayweather? Unless you’re ready to take the money and retire, there are other, better fighters. Stop indulging that ignorant a-hole and pissing off true boxing fans. It’s like any boxer within two weight classes of Mayweather has Tourettes and can only say “Mayweather.” Ugh.

Cintron’s descent is a little sad. He participated in one of the greatest nights of boxing for me: July 14, 2007: Paul Williams whooping on Margarito; Cintron versus Matthysse; Gatti’s last fight (I teared up); and I think it may have been Amir Khan’s HBO debut. It was such a beautiful night of boxing. I feel bad about Paul Williams’ career, too, but I’ll save that for another article.   

Now, as to whom Alvarez SHOULD (could) fight next . . . Sergio Martinez? Paul Willams? The winner of the Cotto-Margarito fight? Julio Caesar Chavez, Jr.? Yes, some of those match ups would require someone to change their weight class, and it would be a rematch with Cotto, but so what? Do it. I want to see a good (big name) fight (that doesn’t include Mayweather).

Manfredo-Chavez 11-19-2011

Peter Manfredo, Jr. v. Julio Caesar Chavez, Jr.

Middleweight Championship Fight – WBC Belt

Going into it, it seemed like an evenly matched fight. Two boxers who have something to prove. One a former reality show contestant. The other the son of a legend. Manfredo’s previous notable fights include Joe Calzaghe and Jeff Lacy. He lost to both. I was impressed by how many professional fights Manfredo has had, especially at his age (43-0-1).  It showed during the fight.

Round 1: Right away, I dislike Manfredo’s trunks. I’m of the Mike Tyson school of boxing wear: less flash, more punching people in the face. Chavez is the aggressive. He gets in a good shot at the body. Chavez showing great head movement and great timing early on. He’s quick, but not overeager. Not at all like Freddy’s other protégé, Amir “King of Nothing” Khan.  Chavez easily bats away Manfredo’s jabs. Chavez connects with two jabs. Manfredo swings wild to end the round going for a good showing at the end, but fails. Chavez (9-10)

Round 2: Chavez connects with a jab. Then a left hook.  There are a lot of punches being thrown, but not a lot are landing. Both have good defensive styles. Hard right by Chavez. Some more exchanges that are defended. Hard counter right by Chavez. Manfredo to the body. Manfredo needs to pace himself. He is going to get tired. Left upper cut by Manfredo. Jab by Manfredo.  Chavez (18-20)

Round 3: Hard right by Chavez. Another hard right by Chavez. Exchange of jabs. Manfredo is losing his patience and moving in with his hands down. He’s lucky he didn’t get knocked out. Chavez to the head. Manfredo to the body. Chavez with a right to the head. Manfredo with a left to the head. Manfredo’s tape around his glove becoming undone. Time out by the referee to fix it. Hard left and then the bell and then a hard right by Manfredo. Even (28-30)

Round 4: Missed the first 30 seconds (long trip to the refriderator). Chavez charges in. Exchange of jabs. Crowd is chanting Chavez. Hard right to the head by Chavez. Manfredo swinging wild. Chavez swinging focused. Body/head combo by Manfredo. Chavez taunting Manfredo.  Right roundhouse by Chavez. Very exciting round. Chavez brawling a bit. A risky endeavor that pays off. Chavez can mix it up. Hard left jab by Manfredo. Right to the head by Chavez. Chavez (37-40)

Round 5: Left jab by manfredo. Manfredo blocks a combo, but his counter misses. Manfredo has a great left jab. He just needs to follow up like his corner suggested. Left jab by Chavez. Left to the body by Manfredo. Hard Right by Chavez and Manfredo wobbles. Manfredo against the ropes. Chavez is going to town. Manfredo moving side to side along the ropes. He’s not throwing punches. He’s not protecting himself. Manfredo tries to clinch at the same time the Ref jumps in to stop the fight. If it had been later in the round, I would’ve called it a bad stoppage, but there was still over a minute left in the round.  TKO for Chavez

Punch stats show that Manfredo threw much more, but landed much less.

Chavez has great timing. He can box and he can brawl. He’s focused and calm in the ring. Seems like a much mature fighter. I would think that the son of a legend would be flashier than someone with Amir Khan’s background. You can’t tell at all that they have the same trainer.

Manfredo’s corner told him to work his combinations off of his jabs. Excellent advice.  Classic boxing. Too bad he didn’t take it. I think Manfredo is going to be one of those boxers that up and comers fight and beat on their way to the top. And “Pride of Providence” has to be one of the worst nicknames ever.

Roy Jones: “I saw a very, very good young fighter.”  It’s nice that he’s expanded his vocabulary.  I think he’s heard all of the taunting of his “really, really bad” comments from my friends Chris and Preston. It’s nice to know that you can make a difference as a fan.

I love that Julio Caesar Chavez, Sr. eschews the uniform of his son’s corner for a tux. Now that’s really, really classy.

Pacquiao-Marquez III

"Highly open to interpretation." – Jim Lampley

Round 1: Pacquiao moves to the center of the ring quickly. The boxers trade jabs. Both are hesitant and just feeling each other out, as most boxers are wont to do in the first round, but it’s a bit unusual for these two fighters. Pacquiao’s left makes an effective appearance.  Flurry of punches traded. Both fighters just as interested in avoiding getting hit as hitting in this round. Both throwing wild lefts. Marquez gets in some excellent body shots right before the bell rings.  Even (10-10)

Round 2: Marquez and Pacquiao miss a few shots. Great head and body movement by both fighters.  Another body shot, then an upper cut by Marquez. Pacquiao lands a left. Marquez’s movements are a little crisper and more deliberate than usual.  Marquez (19-20)

Round 3: Both fighters looking for an opening. Pacquiao lands a left. What a surprise. Where’s the right I’ve been hearing so much about? Both fighters still a little hesitant, but starting to warm up. Manny taking the more aggressive stance as usual. Marquez falling back on his counterpunching ways. Finally, a right by Pacquiao.  Marquez seems to have forgotten his new found ability to move. The fighters trade punches as the bell rings. Pacquiao (29-29)

Round 4: Pacquiao getting aggressive and moving forward with combinations. The commentators are saying this is the fastest they’ve seen Pacquiao. I disagree. Another combination by Pacquiao. Marquez goes to the body. Marquez getting aggressive.  Marquez gets in a right. Marquez throwing great combinations. Pacquiao defends himself well and throws a great right. Pacquiao (39-38)

Round 5: Pacquiao defends a few shots by Marquez. Marquez connects to the body. Pacquiao moves forward. Right hand from Marquez. The fighters are trading combinations, none of which land. Jab by Marquez. Pacquiao answers with a combo. Marquez losing his lateral movements. Hard right by Marquez. Pacquiao tags Marquez. Marquez tags him back. Hard right by Marquez. Marquez (48-48)

Round 6: Jab by Marquez. Pacquiao lands a left, but Marquez blocks the next left and answers with a shot to the body. Pacquiao backs up Marquez. Marquez counters with a hard right. Left and then a right by Pacquiao. Right by Marquez. Pacquiao with a right. Marquez with a left. Fighters are trading punches. Marquez gets in some body shots at bell. Marquez (57-58)

Round 7: Hard right by Marquez. Pacquiao throwing punches and moving forward aggressively. Marquez is a dangerous fighter to have against the ropes, though. Left to Pacquiao’s chin by Marquez. Left to Marquez’s chin. Right by Pacquiao. Right by Marquez. Marquez’s rights look just as quick as Manny’s lefts.  Right by Pacquiao. Pacquiao can move. Marquez tags Pacquiao at the end. Even (67-68)

Round 8: Right by Pacquiao. Right by Marquez. Upper cut and right by Marquez. Right by Pacquiao. Right by Marquez. Jab by Marquez. Marquez (76-78)

Round 9: Marquez throws a combination, which is blocked by Pacquiao. Another combination by Marquez. Right by Marquez. Left by Pacquiao. Marquez is controlling the fight. Fighters trade lefts. Fighters look tired. Combination by Pacquiao. Right by Marquez. Body shot and uppercut by Marquez. Right by Pacquiao. Left upper cut by Marquez. Pacquiao answers. Left by Pacquiao. Pacquiao (86-87)

Round 10:  Right by Marquez. Another right by Marquez. Marquez slips. The fighters trade a flurry of punches. Right by Pacquiao. Right by Marquez. Right by Pacquiao. Left by Pacquiao. Nasty head butt during the round. Pacquiao is bleeding. Pacquiao (96-96)

Round 11:  Body shot by Marquez. Body shot by Pacquiao. Left by Pacquiao. Right by Marquez. Right uppercut by Marquez. Left by Pacquiao. Hard right by Pacquiao. Right and left by Marquez. Right by Pacquiao. Left by Marquez. Left by Pacquiao. Hard right by Marquez. Even (106-106)

Seriously, why the EFF was Nacho telling Marquez he was winning? Amateur mistake.

Round 12: Right by Pacquiao. Left by Pacquiao. Right by Marquez. Pacquiao’s mouthpiece magically falls out of the side of his mouth. Looks like he spit it out. I guess someone needed a breather. Blocked right and combinations by Marquez. Right by Pacquiao. Right to the body by Pacquiao. Left by Pacquiao. Pacquiao (116-115)

Actual Scores and Decision: 114-114 Even; 115-113 Pacquiao; 116-112; Pacquiao wins by majority decision. Deafening booing from the crowd.

It wasn’t a great fight, but it was a good fight demonstrating that the best fighters can and should adjust their fighting styles depending on their opponent.

Marquez fought intelligently. If he had showed this much patience with Mayweather, he would’ve still lost that fight, but lost by less. Maybe he realized he needed to adjust after the Mayweather fight. Maybe it was just the upcoming rubber match that sparked the change. Either way, it made him a much better fighter. Mayweather should take note. This is how you fight a defensive, yet still entertaining fight. Ortiz should take note. This is how you protect yourself at all times. My only complaint about Marquez in this fight is that he should’ve gone more to the body.

Pacquiao did just fine in this fight. He did win by one point, according to me. It’s not that Pacquiao has fallen off. It’s just that the hype surrounding this fight reflected the mythic status he has acquired and understandably so. He has won titles in more divisions than anyone else. He was also more cautious than usual in this fight and rightfully so. Marquez is his kryptonite and just knows how to fight Pacquiao. I think the Pac-Man will recover just fine. The decision was as lopsided as it was, because a defeat for Pacquiao would’ve killed the .000000001% chance for a fight with Mayweather.

A note on Pacquiao-Mayweather: It should happen. Who cares how Pacquiao-Marquez went down. Mayweather fought Victor Ortiz for Pete’s sake. Quality of opponent is not high on Mayweather’s list.* I think it’s unlikely that Manny will win, but I do think it’s possible. Pacquiao has incredible timing. If he is able to be patient and suppress the desire to give boxing fans a good fight (hey, Mayweather can do it), he has a shot.

*Reasons to Fight an Opponent: $

A note on Pacquiao/Marquez 24-7:

Where’s the drama? Don’t get me wrong. I don’t like the Mayweather, fake-ass rivalry, WWF theatrics, either, but once upon a time, 24-7 provided a real glimpse into a boxer’s training camp. Judging by this 24/7, there was nothing going on in either training camps. HBO could’ve showed so much: the dissention in the Pacquiao team ranks (Michael Koncz v. Everyone; Freddy Roach’s and Alex Ariza’s disapproval of Manny’s many appearances; Ariza’s issues with Manny’s flagrant ignoring of his conditioning regimen; etc.). True, not all training camps have drama. However, fighters at that level have bloated entourages and I’m pretty sure not everyone gets along. Post fight, I read an article hinting at rumors of infidelity, disagreements with trainers, and various other distractions all of which occurred during training camp. So, where was the footage of that? I thought the “documentary” series was an infomercial for the fight, not for the individual fighters. Maybe instead of 24/7, HBO should call it Keeping Up with the Cotto/Margarito/Marquez/Pacquiao/Mayweather/Etc. Kamp. It’s about as real as that other K show.