FEBRUARY, 2008
An Era: From 02/03/1996 to 03/01/2008
FRI February 29, CLIFF ROLD - The fight comes first. We know that much. But there's something else that might be at play this weekend.
The third bout, this Saturday on Showtime (9:30 PM EST/PST) between World Jr. Featherweight champion Israel Vasquez (42-4, 31 KO) and former champion Rafael Marquez (37-4, 33 KO) could be the least of their three and still be worth every second, every drop, of emotion invested into it. Just thinking about how many fewer people have seen their first two bouts, will see this rubber match, and what that means to their bank accounts in contrast to what is commanded by something like last Saturday's Wladimir Klitschko-Sultan Ibragimov Heavyweight bout is depressing. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
Klitschko Takes Decision Over Ibragimov, Unifies WBO/IBF Titles
SUN February 24, FRANK GONZALEZ - Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, Ukrainian Heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko (50-3, 44 KO's) defended his IBF and IBO titles against Russian WBO champ, Sultan Ibragimov (22-1-1, 18 KO's). Klitschko stood four inches taller on paper but looked a foot taller in the ring. Ibragimov earned his stripes beating former WBO champ Shannon Briggs by UD 12 in June of last year. A month later, Wladimir avenged his loss to Lamon Brewster by administering a beating. Brewster retired in his
corner after the sixth round.
Jermain Taylor - Just Shy Of Breaking Through That Wall
TUE February 19, BUSTER PARIS - Let's be honest, Jermain Taylor isn't that great a fighter. He's not impressive, and he's not skilled or remarkable enough to be the Middleweight Champion of the World.
There's something incredibly special and unique about the Middleweight division (160 lbs) and even though Light Middleweight (154 lbs) is only 6 pounds south and Super Middleweight....
Respect Leads to More Competitive Fight; Pavlik Victorious Again
MON February 18, ANTONIO ANDRES CARRIEDO - Shortly after deciding to enforce his rematch clause with World 160 lb. champion Kelly Pavlik, former 160 lb. champion Jermain Taylor fired his trainer for the first fight, Hall of Famer Emmanuel Stewart, in favor of his amateur trainer and mentor, Ozell Nelson. Immediately, the prime question heading into the 166 lb. catchweight rematch became whether a novice trainer like Nelson could really prepare Taylor to put up a better fight with Pavlik than perhaps....
Pavlik Beats Taylor at 166 via Decision
SUN FEBRUARY 17, FRANK GONZALEZ - Five months after Kelly Pavlik (33-0, 29 KO's) knocked out Jermain Taylor (27-2- 1 Draw, 17 KO's) and captured his WBC and WBO Middleweight Titles; they met again Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where Taylor got a chance to redeem himself and win back his pride if not his Titles, which were NOT on the menu for this rematch. The contracted weight for the fight was 166-pounds, six pounds over the Middleweight limit. It was Taylor's request and Pavlik graciously accepted.
Taylor's Dilemma
THU February 14, ANTONIO ANDRES CARRIEDO - Jermain Taylor emerged victorious from the ring at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on the evening of July 16, 2005 because he fought well against long reigning middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins, but also in large part because he looked to be the more lively and exciting of the two. Projections that he was 'the future' of the 160 lb. division hinged on Taylor's steadily improving skills, charismatic personality and 'exciting' fighting style...
Too Soon for Jermain Taylor?
THU February 14, CLIFF ROLD - Six months ago, Jermain Taylor (27-1-1, 17 KO) of Little Rock, Arkansas could walk into any room and be introduced as 'Champ.' Specifically, he was the World Middleweight champion, ascendant to the throne, if not the esteem, of 160 lb. greats Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Harry Greb, Sugar Ray Robinson. [Links Take You To BoxingScene.com]
On Second Thought; Quintana Emerges as New Dark Horse at Welterweight
MON February 11, ANTONIO ANDRES CARRIEDO - Prior to his title losing effort on Saturday night, WBO 147 lb. 
titlist Paul Williams and his team had grand plans. They had many options. They could have remained active in an effort to build a groundswell for a huge matchup with either Miguel Cotto or Floyd Mayweather Jr. Or they could have been selective and waited their turn in hopes of landing a coronating fight. In a division as deep as the 147 lb. welterweight class, options are plentiful. The one thing they did not account for was the danger that any of the top 10 welterweight pose within the limits of the squared circle.
Carlos Quintana Conquers Tall Paul Williams
SUN February 10, FRANK GONZALEZ - Congratulations to the new WBO Welterweight Champion, Carlos 'El Indio' Quintana (25-1, 19 KO's), who challenged Paul 'The Punisher' Williams (33-1, 24 KO's) and came up big against the biggest, most feared fighter at Welterweight. Who really thought that the man who quit on his stool after five bruising rounds with Miguel Cotto would be the man to beat the man nobody wanted to fight. Williams' phone will be ringing off the hook now.
Woods, Tarver Press Conference Video from London
TUE February 5 - Promoters Gary Shaw and AT Entertainment will be announcing a spectacular light heavyweight world championship doubleheader: "TNT: Title Night in Tampa," Thursday, February 7th, at the XO Club at the St. Pete Times Forum. Mr. Shaw will be joined by IBF light heavy champ Clinton Wood and Antonio Tarver along with undefeated WBC light heavy champ Chad Dawson and former champ Glen Johnson. The video link will take you to the video shot today in London announcing this mega-card taking place April 12th on Showtime.
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