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 the triumphant return of Juan Manuel Marquez, a Knockout of the Year and Round of the Year candidate over the weekend, a preview of this weekend's fights, and much more. Without further ado, check out the latest observations from the Boxing Observer, David Kassel.
Juan Manuel Marquez is the real "Mexican Rocky!" What a fight he and "Mile High" Mike Alvarado put on Saturday night at The Forum in Los Angeles. Marquez has successfully transformed himself into the type of fighter all Mexican fans love. He stood toe-to-toe with Alvarado and not only out-skilled him, but out-toughed him as well. I know people are going to complain that they are tired of seeing Top Rank fights being recycled over and over again, but you're crazy if you don't want to see Marquez vs. Pacquiao 5! Every time these two fight, there's a possibility it's going to be the Fight of the Year. I would pay money to watch these guys fight every week. I just wish Marquez seemed more interested in fighting Pacquiao during his post-fight interview with Max Kellerman. I know he had just been through a war with Alvarado, but Marquez did not seem at all intrigued at the idea of taking on Pacquiao for a 5th time, which is the same sentiment he has displayed since the 4th fight. Bob Arum needs to step up with a huge payday for Marquez to make it worth his while.
Mike Alvarado may have lost a shot against Manny Pacquiao, but he gained a lot more. Most boxing fans knew Alvarado from his wars with Brandon Rios, but because he fought Marquez, Alvarado was exposed to an entirely new group of boxing fanatics. Yes, Mike Alvarado just lost a big payday against Pacquiao, but he earned himself another main event fight with either Brandon Rios or Ruslan Provodnikov. How about Timothy Bradley? I would like to see that fight as well.
Round 9 is my new leader for Round of the Year! After Alvarado got knocked underneath the bottom rope in the 8th round, I turned to my father, who was watching the fight with me, and said, "Marquez is going to finish him in the 9th round." Boy, was I wrong. Alvarado stormed back, in true Alvarado style, and knocked Marquez down. Instead of going into retreat mode, Marquez got back up and proceeded to deliver a back and forth affair with a huge puncher. There was so much drama, and both men were very hurt. What a round!
What about this idea for Top Rank's next pay-per-view? Marquez vs. Pacquiao 5, Rios vs. Alvarado 3, and Bradley vs. Provodnikov 2. I know logistically, and financially, this fight card is pretty much impossible, but who in their right mind wouldn't pay big bucks to see this kind of action? If this fight card were to somehow come together, we might be looking at close to 2 million pay-per-view buys, which would easily pay out the purse money given to the fighters. No matter how many people say they don't like these rematches, those same people would shell out $75 to watch this pay-per-view card come together.
How intense was the "Face/Off" between Sergio Martinez and Miguel Cotto? I think that was the best "Face/Off" HBO has ever produced. The animosity and tension that exists between Martinez and Cotto is definitely real, but I believe Martinez holds a personal grudge against Cotto. I don't think Cotto has as much hatred toward Martinez. "Maravilla" put Max Kellerman on the spot by asking who he thought should win the fight, and after some pushing and prompting from Cotto as well, Kellerman gave an honest, accurate answer. He said Martinez is correctly favored in the fight, and at one time, each man would have been a big favorite. Now, it's an interesting and competitive fight. I believe that Martinez's prediction could come true. Martinez says he will knock Cotto out before the 9th round. If Martinez is healthy, he has all the advantages: size, speed, chin, and strength. However, if Martinez isn't healthy, it could be very interesting. Martinez certainly seems extremely focused and dangerous, and that does not bode well for Cotto.
We have another Knockout of the Year candidate as well! Undefeated, #1 contender at junior welterweight Viktor Postol delivered a highlight-reel KO in the 11th round, against Selcuk Aydin, in the co-feature to Marquez/Alvarado. I didn't know Postol had that kind of power, but his constant barrage against Aydin was slow and methodical. The fight hit a lull until Postol landed a ridiculous 3-punch combination on the inside; the final blow, a right uppercut, to the chin of Aydin, snapping his neck backwards and his left leg bending awkwardly underneath his body. Postol may not be the most exciting fighter, but he is there to be hit, which makes for entertainment, and he is going to give everyone at 140lbs major problems.
Congratulations to Omar Narvaez on making boxing history on Saturday! Narvaez, who is the WBO 115lb champion, successfully defended his title for the 10th consecutive time with a 4th-round knockout of Antonio Garcia. Narvaez becomes the first fighter in history to successfully defend a world title in two different weight classes 10 or more times. Narvaez is certainly a future hall-of-famer. It's a shame he will be remembered by most boxing fans for his lackluster performance against Nonito Donaire.
I hope Bernard Hopkins was watching Friday Night Fights this past Friday. Delvin Rodriguez was robbed of a victory, in Montreal, against faded, former champion, Joachim Alcine. Rodriguez should have earned a clear decision, but the hometown boy walked out with a draw. If Hopkins is serious about fighting Adonis Stevenson in Canada, he may want to make sure he receives proper compensation and none of the judges or referees considered are Canadian. That decision was atrocious.
Speaking of Stevenson, he's got a big fight this weekend. Stevenson will defend his light heavyweight title against Andrezj Fonfara. This should be an easy night for Stevenson, but Fonfara will have the height advantage, and he must use that if he wants any chance to survive against "Superman." This is supposed to be a showcase fight for Stevenson in hopes of landing a light heavyweight unification bout with Hopkins. Stevenson better show up to fight because he needs to impress.
Don't forget to watch the Boxcino Tournament Finals on ESPN Friday Night Fights. Both the middleweight and lightweight tournaments come to a close in what should be fantastic affairs.
Each week, I feature an email from a fan on Observe and Fight. This week's email comes to us from Marty regarding my theory about the way Floyd Mayweather fought Marcos Maidana...
"I am a very big fight fan and have been my whole life. I have uncles who have boxed and I am a big Puerto Rican non bias fight fan maybe besides Trinidad. Lol. I have to say this was about the worst (no offense) comments and analogy of a fight I have ever read. First you say you think this was part of his big plan. I called Maidana to beat Broner just cause Broner is a fighter who fights and if you stay in front of this Argentinian he will give you problems. Mayweather knows he can't run like he use to and a couple reasons is contract with ShowTime people don't want to see that and also he's not a spring chicken any more. I think he is a great great fighter no doubt does he do things that make no sense absolutely. He ducks certain fighters he has a great team that puts him in the best position to win. The glove issue you have to be kidding me that was another way of his team putting him in the best position to win. I do think his team does believe he is beatable and do stuff that I think not even Mayweather knows. I am thinking you are a very big Mayweather fan. Let me become a help for you to get what the real fight fan at home sees. In no way is what you said in any way possible Maidana was a guy that could care less about Floyd and proved it he missed to many punches however but If I was Floyd I would not fight this guy again. Taking a big chance."
That's the best part about my editorial. It is an opinion. I appreciate the comments, but I did say it was only a theory. I just saw some things in the fight that Mayweather could have done, but refused to do (such as getting off the ropes). Canelo is quicker than Maidana and Mayweather was definitely more careful. I do think the glove issue was ridiculous, and I think once the Nevada Commission approved the 2nd gloves, that should have been it. I am a fan of a lot of fighters (Mayweather and Maidana included). I respect all guys that get in the ring. I'm not a fan of some more than others. I just call it like I see it. Hopefully, if they do fight again, Maidana proves my theory wrong because it would make for one hell of a fight. I just doubt that the rematch would be as difficult for Mayweather.
That's all I've got for this week. Email any questions or comments to dkassel@fighthype.com and I will answer them throughout the week. Your email may be featured in the next "Observe and Fight." Follow me on Twitter @BoxingObserver, and be sure to "Like" The Boxing Observer on Facebook.
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