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What We Learned From This Past Week in Boxing

Since I’m up late (and really should be in bed) I’ve decided that hey, why not recap this week in boxing. There were some interesting developments this week within “The Sweet Science” with some very good bouts in the ring, and some interesting happenings outside the ring. 

Here are some of my observations:

1. We’ve Found a New Force in the Light Heavyweight Division (as well as a potential future star in boxing), and His Name is Sergey Kovalev –  Kovalev, who has been the buzz of boxing hardcore fans throughout 2013, lived up to all the hype with his four round destruction of Nathan Cleverly to win the WBO Lt. Heavyweight title Saturday night in Cardiff, Wales. There is already talk of a potential showdown between Kovalev and current WBC 175lb champ Adonis Stevenson which is a potential fight of the year, as well as questions whether Kovalev may be the best Light Heavyweight in the world.  The future for Kovalev is limitless.

2. I Want A Daniel Geale vs. Darren Barker Rematch!!! – In the main event of a HBO double-header in Atlantic City this past Saturday, Barker scored the upset, winning the IBF Middleweight title from Geale via split decision. Geale for his part put on a terrific fight as well.  It was all action, fast paced boxing that was the best fight of this past week.  The fight was so good that I want an immediate rematch.  Will it happen? I have my doubts.  Reason being is that former WBA Middleweight champ Felix Sturm is the number one contender, and good bet that Barker will fight Sturm first because that bout would be mean significantly more money.

3. Carl Frampton Must Be Really, Kiko! – Why? Because in February, the undefeated Frampton scored a 9th round TKO win over Kiko Martinez, the same Martinez that just stopped Jhonatan Romero on the Geale – Barker undercard to win the IBF Jr. Featherweight tile.  At least Frampton knows in his heart that even though he not currently a world champion (not yet anyway), he has a win over the current IBF Champion.  Now will Martinez try to avenge his loss to Frampton with a world title on the line? In a word, NOPE!

4. The “Baby Bull” is Back!!! – If you’re wondering who am I referring to, I’m talking about former Lightweight champion Juan Diaz, who is continuing his comeback from a nearly 3 year layoff with a 5th round TKO of Adailton De Jesus in Laredo, Texas.  Diaz looked sharp, and plans to return to the ring in October. Don’t be surprised if Diaz continues on this track that he gets a world title shot in 2014. And given the rather weak status of the Lightweight division, I wouldn’t be surprised if the “Baby Bull” becomes a champion once again.

5. Sometimes It’s Better to be Lucky Than Good – Andrzej Fonfara, fighting in his adopted hometown of Chicago, scored a dramatic come from behind 9th round stoppage over former Lt. Heavyweight champion Gabriel Campillo on Friday Night Fights.  Truth be told that Campillo was dominating this fight, but got caught in round eight, and Fonfara finished him off in the 9th.  With the win, Fonfara is not the mandatory challenger for the winner of the upcoming bout between IBF Lt. Heavyweight champ Bernard Hopkins and Karo Murat.  While I still don’t thing highly of Fonfara and believe he would get schooled by Hopkins (assuming he beats Murat), give credit for Fonfara for hanging in there with Campillo and finding a way to come back.  What’s the old saying, luck is when opportunity meets preparation.

6. Looks As if Curtis Stevens Has Indeed Agreed to Fight GGG – Following Stevens 1st round KO over Saul Roman on August 3rd, Steven went on a full-scale, trash talking campaign to call out current WBA middleweight champion Gennady (nicknamed “GGG”) Golovkin, claiming that he would destroy Golovkin and knock him out.  However on August 10th, the camp of Stevens turned down a $300k offer to fight Golovkin.  Well last week, Stevens tweeted that he has agreed to fight Golovkin, with the bout tentatively scheduled to take place on November 2nd at MSG.  Stevens has talked a lot of smack.  Will he show and prove, or will his mouth write a check that his behind (or more to the point, his chin) can’t afford.

Now, there’s my ramblings and thoughts about the past week in boxing.  Things were good for “The Sweet Science” last week. Given what’s planned down the line for the sport, it’s sure to get better. Happy trails boxing fans!  Now that I’ve gone on a boxing rant, let me get some sleep.