DECEMBER, 2006
Boxing Shows Promise in 2006
WED December 27, JULIUS STECKER - Rocky Balboa is back. Oscar De La Hoya is back. What more could boxing want in 2006? Maybe a legitimate heavyweight champion, but that can wait until 2007. In a year highlighted by great fights and the rise of a boxing superstar, not named Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Boxing made its presence felt over the sports world. As we always do every year, lets reflect back and hand out awards for some great performances, and some not so great ones.
Not So Random Thoughts About Random Howlings
THU December 21, BUSTER PARIS - I recently read the “Random Howlings” of one of my favorite internet writers – Coyote Duran (DogHouse Boxing.com) and part of what he said confused me – no, not the randomness and quick wit and speed of his fantastic writing style, but of the content of something he said.
As always with his work I had a great time reading, had some good laughs and as usual he got me thinking ... and it’s one paragraph in particular that caused my eyebrow to go up and the questions to start stirring...
Calzaghe to Taylor: Your Not Ready!
TUE December 19 - With an April 7th title defense versus Peter Manfredo Jr. on the horizon, Ring Magazine 168-lb champ Joe Calzaghe took aim at undisputed middleweight champ Jermain Taylor.
"I would love to defend my title against Jermain Taylor. Not only is he a terrific middleweight champion, he's the man who beat the man - Bernard Hopkins - TWICE...I just don't think it's fair to push him up to my level yet. It's frustrating for me because it would be a big money fight, but it's obvious he's just not ready."
The arms race begins in 2007 for MMA
MON December 18, ALEX PAPPES - The arms race begins in 2007. This upcoming year will most likely resemble an MLB offseason. IFL, BodogFights, UFC, EXC, and PrideFC all seem to have endless financial backing. Never before have there been as many rumors or questions about top organizations and fighters.
VIDEO: TalkingBoxing Post Fight Footage of Mighty Mike Anchondo
FRI December 15 - TalkingBoxing caught up with Mighty Mike Anchondo (27-1) after his unanimous decision victory over Armando Cordova. The win represents Anchondo's second since losing his jr. lightweight title in April of 2005. In this interview Mighty Mike discusses his thoughts on the performance and what he would like to do in 2007. This is a can't miss with the popular Southern California fighter as he gives TalkingBoxing a message for his fans. Click the link above to watch what the former champion had to say!
Miranda-Gibbs: You can bet on some B.A.D action
FRI December 15, MICHAEL MOORE - 114-109, 115-109, 116-109. Doesn’t make sense, does it? These were the scores read at the end of the Arthur Abraham-Edison Miranda bout less than three months ago. With those scores all in favor of Abraham, washed away were Miranda’s hopes of claiming the IBF middleweight title. The bout was one of the sloppiest, grimiest fights in recent memory...
Rocky Balboa – I Saw You Knocking On My Cellar Door
TUE, December 12, BUSTER PARIS - “It ain’t about how hard you hit – it’s about how hard you can get hit … and keep moving forward” – Rocky Balboa
It’s coming … and it’s coming forward.
Rocky Balboa hits theaters on December 20th 2006 - have you seen the previews? – if not - do yourself a huge favor and go to the official Rocky Balboa website now (http://www.rocky.com) – watch the preview and play around the site.
Jermain Taylor And The Power To Win
MON December 11, FRANK GONZALEZ - Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor improved his record to 27-0-1, 17 KO’s after successfully controlling the action and scoring the better punches over rookie Middleweight and seasoned veteran Contender, Kassim “The Dream” Ouma (25-3-1, 15 KO’s). The fight took place in Taylor’s hometown of Little Rock, where the Arkansan pugilist wanted to impress his fans with a knockout victory. He hasn’t KO’d anyone in two years now and as Taylor suggested before the fight, its about that time...
Why is Calzaghe Ducking Kessler, but Calling Out Taylor?
MON December 11, CLIFF ROLD -Jermain Taylor (27-0-1, 17 KOs) won a fight without controversy and he won without really losing a round. The World
middleweight champion did it against a solid contender in former junior middleweight titlist Kasim Ouma (25-3-1, 15 KOs). This should be enough to drive rave reviews but it’s unlikely that anyone will read such reviews anywhere (including here). [Links Take You To RingTalk.com]
Saturday Night Provides Intriguing Match-Up…And it’s not Taylor
FRI December 8, MICHAEL MOORE - Tomorrow night, for the first time in months, there are no significant football games on television, leaving most Americans confused as to what to do or watch. While a good portion of the country will be suffering withdrawals due to lack of 11 on 11 competition, we will be perfectly content. Why, you ask? Well, lucky for us boxing fiends, HBO is providing us with some solid match-ups that we can sit inside and enjoy, avoiding the elements while getting our fix at the same time.
Is Kassim Just Dreaming?
WED December 6, BRIAN BLAKE - This Saturday night at the Alltel Arena in Little Rock HBO Championship Boxing will televise the fight between middleweight champion Jermain ‘Bad Intentions’ Taylor as he attempts to defend his title against challenger Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma.
Most experts don’t see this as much of a contest, and it’s not without good reason. Just last year Ouma dropped a bout to Roman Karmazin. Not to take anything away from Karmazin and his performance, but the fact of the matter is…he’s no Jermain Taylor.
No Real Float, A Slight Sting, But You Can’t Deny It – It’s Winky Ali!
TUE, December 5, Buster Paris - There was no real butterfly float – and only a slight bumblebee sting, but you can’t deny it – we all tasted it – that wonderful flavor - of a Southpaw Ali.
Sure that’s a feeble attempt at a Muhammad Ali-esque poem, but it seemed appropriate based on a Muhammad Ali-esque performance by Winky Wright.
Saturday – December 2nd, 2006 – at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, FL – Ronald “Winky” Wright (W 51 - 25 ko's, L 3 & D 1) and old friend Ike “Bazooka” Quartey (W 37 - 31 ko's, L 4 & D 1) laced them up and went at it in a fun, but pretty one-sided Middleweight bout (160 lbs) – and in the end I have to say Winky really had this Ali feel about him – and it was very impressive.
Cotto Wrecks Quintana In Five, Wins WBA Title
SUN December 3, FRANK GONZALEZ - Saturday night, winter said hello with some icy wind on a cold, clear night, but inside the Broadwalk Hall in Atlantic City NJ, a heated battle was on the menu as former 140-pound World Champion, Miguel Cotto (28-0, 23 KO’s) of Caguas battled fellow Puerto Rican, Carlos Quintana (23-1, 18 KO’s) of Moca, for the vacant WBA Welterweight Title...
VIDEO: TalkingBoxing Delivers Footage of Margarito In Training
FRI December 1 - TalkingBoxing was able to spend a day in the gym with WBO welterweight king Antonio Margarito as he prepared for his upcoming showdown with Joshua Clottey. Click the link above to witness Margarito spar, hit the speed bad and work the pads.
Immediately following the workout footage TalkingBoxing readers are treated to an exclusive interview with the champ.
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