It's Monday. Welcome back for another edition of Observe and Fight, The Boxing Observer's compilation of observations and random thoughts from the week that was in boxing. Get caught up on some of the most recent events you may have missed out on, including Danny Garcia's huge victory over Amir Khan, Golden Boy's "history in the making" event, a new star in the making, and much more. Without further ado, check out the latest observations from The Boxing Observer.
- A new star in boxing has been born. Danny Garcia's upset victory over Amir Khan improved him to 24-0 (15 KO's), and vindicated those fans who believed he didn't deserve the WBC championship after he defeated the faded Erik Morales in March. There may now be mounting pressure on Garcia to move up to 147 pounds and take on some bigger names, however, Garcia should stay at 140 and try to clean out the division. Garcia's mandatory is still Ajose Olusegun, and hopefully the WBC will make that fight happen for Olusegun's sake (he has been the #1 contender for almost 2 years and has yet to earn a title shot). Unfortunately for Olusegun, Garcia's spectacular performance may only hurt Ajose's chances of landing the fight. However, the WBC said the winner of Garcia vs. Khan will have to vacate one belt because it does not want to associate with the WBA. One possibility is for Garcia to vacate the WBC belt, leaving an open championship fight for Olusegun against possibly Lucas Matthysse. In the meantime, Garcia could defend his WBA title against Zab Judah or possibly Robert Guerrero, should he defeat Selcik Aydin on July 28th. Either way, lots of possibilities and lots of potential for great fights. In the end, a new star has been born, and boxing fans will reap the benefits.
- I guess we can put all that "Amir Khan is an elite level fighter" talk to rest. How exactly is Khan elite? Yes, Khan is an upper-level fighter. Looking at his resume, however, tells another story. He has wins over an aging Marco Antonio Barrera, Andriy Kotelnik, Paule Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana, and Zab Judah. His losses have come to Breidis Prescott, Lamont Peterson, and now Danny Garcia. Believe me, I understand completely that Peterson may have been on performance-enhancing drugs during the fight, but if Khan was truly "elite," he should have beaten a "B" fighter in Peterson. There are currently only a few truly "elite" fighters in my mind. They are: Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao (he still beat Timothy Bradley in my eyes), Andre Ward, Sergio Martinez, and Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko. That's it! "Elite" is a special word that requires special accomplishments and recognitions. With all that being said, I still have to agree with Max Kellerman saying he's glad to have Amir Khan in the sport of boxing because he gives fight fans nothing but entertaining fights every time out. I do hope to see Khan on TV again, but moving up to 147 may not be the best idea because he probably cannot handle the punching power at welterweight.
- Why is Danny Garcia's father, Angel, any worse for what he said than anything Ricardo Mayorga has ever done? While I don't agree with what Angel Garcia said, or the way he conducted himself, what Ricardo Mayorga has said and done in the past is far worse in the buildup to fights. Mayorga is the most controversial, tactless figure in the fight game, yet he is known as colorful. Everyone needs to get off of Angel Garcia's case already.
- David Haye's knockout victory over Dereck Chisora did nothing to make me a believer. Haye beat a "B" level fighter in Chisora. Haye was clearly the superior boxer and avoided Chisora's money punch. He had a wonderful game plan, but it was still another boring David Haye performance. If anyone believes Haye can beat either Klitschko brother, he or she is certifiably insane. Haye did nothing against Wladimir, and I've got news for all of you, Vitali is another beast entirely. Vitali would destroy David Haye and knock him out.
- How exactly is Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Josesito Lopez a "history in the making" event? I'm still trying to wrap my head around this one. The fight is now on Showtime and not pay-per-view. The only fight currently scheduled on the undercard is Johnny Gonzales vs. Daniel Ponce De Leon for the WBC featherweight title [Editor's note: since the time of this writing, Maidanda vs. Soto-Karass has reportedly been added to the card]. It's a very good, entertaining fight, but not exactly "history in the making." Golden Boy has discussed the possibility of putting together a 154-lb tournament. Here's an idea. Let's put WBA champ Austin Trout up against IBF champ Cornelius Bundrage on the undercard instead. That's four titles on the line in one night, and the winners could face off in the "championship" in December or early 2013 on pay-per-view. If Josesito Lopez upsets Alvarez, damnit he deserves the opportunity.
- I'm still excited about Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. That fight is going to be a battle, in my opinion, because Chavez will not give up. Even if Martinez puts a beating on Chavez's face, Chavez will keep coming. If Martinez can land some vicious body shots on Martinez, who knows what can happen? I will say though, after seeing another defensively challenged Freddie Roach fighter go down Saturday night, my money is leaning more and more toward Martinez.
- I am getting tired of the BS feud between Top Rank and Golden Boy. That's all I really have to say on that subject.
- It's kind of amazing to me that Floyd Mayweather won an ESPY award. I know that Mayweather is the best combat sports fighter on the planet (although Anderson Silva makes a strong case in the UFC), but I was honestly shocked that fans voted him "Fighter of the Year." Not that he didn't deserve it IN the ring (notice the word "IN" is capitalized). Andre Ward is not a mainstream enough name to win. Proof is in the pudding that Silva didn't win the award only four days after winning the biggest fight in UFC history. Anyone who says MMA is taking over boxing is completely idiotic. Just look at the guaranteed purses that Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen received for the main event of the biggest UFC fight ever. Silva made $200,000 and Sonnen made $50,000. Even thought that was a pay-per-view event and there's a possibility that both men could have received pay-per-view upside (although there's no guarantee that they did), that's still a small amount when it comes guaranteed purse standards. To put that in perspective, Cornelius Bundrage made just over $158,000 and Cory Spinks made over $52,000 for their fight on ShoBox a few weeks ago. I'm willing to bet that the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in the UFC, Silva, never made $32 million for a fight like Mayweather did against Cotto. Need I say more?
- I'm not going to lie about it, I hope Ricky Hatton does make a comeback. I would love to see him fight someone of worth if he truly is returning. Maybe Kell Brook in the U.K. or a fight for a welterweight title. Hatton immediately brings that character-figure back into the fight game, and I would watch Hatton fight a pillow because chances are it would be entertaining.
- Chris Brown vs. Drake in a boxing match? Why the hell not? Are Rihanna's lady parts the grand prize? I hope Drake wins, but Chris Brown is not afraid to mix it up. Brown's rage issues may be the difference in this one.
- Adrien Broner is a future superstar in the fight game. People may not like him, some may think he is trying to be the next Floyd Mayweather, but nobody can deny the talent the 22-year-old champion possesses or the charisma he carries with him. His cockiness is his biggest strength. He is quick-witted and always makes for a great soundbyte. I wouldn't be surprised if Broner is in a big fight in 2013 and HBO decides to put together an entire 24/7 series on the fight. We need new characters in boxing and Broner is the perfect candidate for the job. In the meantime, we'll have to wait while Broner defends his title Saturday night against Vicente Escebedo. Escebedo is tough, but Broner is on another level. Like Roy Jones once said, "And they got the nerve to say I ain't fight nobody. I just make 'em look like nobody." Broner has that kind of talent.
- Each week, I feature an email from a fan on Observe and Fight. This week's email comes to us from Captain Jack Sparrow (no joke) on my assessment on Nonito Donaire...
"If you were not sold that Nonito Donaire is the best in the division, I think you have to remember his past winning when he fought Darchinyan, people said there was no way he could beat the guy but he proved them wrong. Now, you are gauging Donaire's power if he could beat the foes you had mentioned < Gary Russell Jr., Elio Rojas, Mikey Garcia, Chris John, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Orlando Salido, Celestino Caballero, and a host of others.> You know what, you need to study boxing coz you know nothing about it!!! shame on you. Those guys will be out powered and smarted by THE FILIPINO FLASH, I can guaranty you that DAVID!!. SUCKER!!!"
Haha. Thanks for the comment my man. Truth is, I never said anything about him being on the P4P list or anything like that. All I said was I wasn't sure he is the best 122-lb fighter in the world. To prove that, he should fight those guys instead of moving up to 126 after winning one more belt. He really didn't even want to entertain the possibility of fighting Rigondeaux. What's up with that? I'm not hating on Donaire or taking anything away from what he has accomplished. Read the article again. Never did I say he couldn't beat any of those guys. You gotta read what's written and not what you think is written before making comments...SUCKER! LOL. - Finally, I want to give one last, official farewell to "The Road Warrior" and "The Gentleman" Glen Johnson. The 43-year old Johnson went out like the true champion that he is on Friday night. Johnson is one of the classiest individuals anyone will ever come across, and he has given boxing fans three decades of excellence. From boxing fans everywhere, I say THANK YOU GLEN FOR ALL THE GREAT MEMORIES!
