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Miranda-Gibbs: You can bet on some ‘BAD’action
SAT December 16, 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.
Unfortunately, most US fight fans were unable to view it, due to the fact that it was not televised stateside. The early rounds had some good back action, until the 4th round when Abraham broke his jaw. Eight rounds later, after 5 various point deductions from Miranda for headbutts and low blows, after a tough, yet more cautious performance by Abraham, the fight was over.
Edison ‘Pantera’ Miranda rose through the middleweight ranks, carrying an undefeated record when he got a shot on ESPN with tough perennial contender Howard Eastman. Miranda stepped up to the plate, stopping the never before stopped Eastman in the 7th round, moving to 26-0 (23KO’s), and forcing the world to take notice of the Colombian power puncher. This is what catapulted him into the aforementioned title shot. Miranda is a big, strong, middleweight, who appears to have a huge right hand, and is more than willing to trade.
His opponent Saturday night, Willie Gibbs, is no stranger to action himself. Gibbs (20-1, 16 KO’s) is also a big middleweight in his own right, and carries some pop as well. Gibbs is a ‘Philly fighter’ in every sense of that oh so romantic term that boxing fans like to use.
What does Gibbs do? He comes to flat out fight, period. Most people will remember him from his 2004 slugfest with Daniel Edouard on ESPN. Despite losing, Gibbs showed tremendous heart and grit. Anyone who hasn’t seen that fight should get a copy of it, because Gibbs’ will to keep going in that bout is not unlike something you would have seen from Arturo Gatti. After suffering his first loss, Gibbs took some time off, refocused, and has rattled off 3 straight wins, including his most recent, a 12th round come from behind TKO over Lenord Pierre.
This Saturday night, these two one-loss brawlers will meet on HBO’s Boxing After Dark, which happens to be HBO’s final broadcast of the year. Miranda, less than 3 months removed from coming up short in his title shot overseas, and Gibbs, trying to work his way back up the rankings to get a title shot. These two in the ring together, regardless of how long it lasts or who wins, will undoubtedly close out the year in dramatic fashion. Tune in to HBO Saturday December 16, at 9:45 pm.
Michael Moore can be reached at: mmoore@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions.
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