Chad Dawson vs. Antonio Tarver Set To Go

The Sweet Science posted a released from Showtime confirming the deal for a interesting match up between two of the top light heavyweight title holders.

Antonio The Magic Magic Tarver and Bad Chad Dawson will step between the ropes on October 11th, to find out who is the better man when it comes to fistic combat - the aging one-time super star of the light heavy's or the best young talent in the division.

The fact that they came to terms did not come as a surprise.  Dawson, who is coming off a unanimous decision victory over tough veteran Glen Johnson, recently opted out of a low cash purse and low visibility (no visibility actually, it was not even going to be broadcasted) mandatory defense that would have taken place over seas, against Adrian Diaconu.  By doing so he relinquished his WBC light heavyweight title and Diaconu has subsequently taken the reign as champ.  

There is no way Dawson would have given up his title without knowing he was going to have a shot at two more in his upcoming fight. Even if he knew, we still think the move is a little risky. How many done deals have we seen fall through in the past? (Enough to say hold on to your belt)

In this case, it was the right move.  Dawson is what Tarver once was (when he defeated Roy Jones on two occasions) conditioned, skilled, fast and powerful. It will be quite the role reversal for Tarver from when Mason The Line Dixon (his character) defeated the veteran Rocky Balboa. In this battle of southpaws, Dawson dethrones the aging Magic Magic and claims his second and third (IBF & IBO) light heavyweight titles. 

This year has been as stand out display of great fights in the sport of boxing.  And the main reason is the fact that the promotors and fighters seem to be doing their best to make the best possible fights (minus Calzaghe) happen in a timely manner. With the stable of talent in all divisions below the 200 lbs mark, there should be no reason why this can't continue for quite some time.

The fight will be broadcasted on Showtime at 9:00 PM EST

Weekend Fight Preview 2: Andre Ward, Eddie Chambers, Edison Miranda, Aurthur Abraham

Showtime - Friday Night

Andre Ward (15-0, 10 Ko's) vs Jerson Ravelo (18-2, 12 Ko's)

Ward, the former olympic gold medalist and the other super prospect from Goossen Tutor Promotions that will be featured this weekend, is looking to continue his ascension up the ranks.

His opponent, Jerson Ravelo, is a good fighter, but his only real competition was when he stepped in the ring with then undefeated Allen Green, finding himself on the losing end of a lopsided decision.

At 22 years old, Ward can slowly develop his boxing skills and record at the professional level.  He has already proven to be a great champion in the amateur ranks and should eventually do the same in the super middleweight division.

Under-card: Eddie Chambers (30-1, 16 Ko's) vs. Raphael Butler (31-4, 24 Ko's) 

Eddie Chambers will be looking to avenge his recent loss to Alexander Povetkin in what would have propelled him to receive a shot at the IBF heavyweight title.  

After showing that he had the ability and speed to land clean punches on Povetkin in the first three rounds, he began to falter in the middle of the fight.  He stopped throwing any punches and was engulfed by Povetkin's relentless pressure, resulting in a wide unanimous decision loss. 

Raphael Butler stands in front of him and his journey back to the top contender spot in the lackluster heavyweight division.

Showtime - Saturday Night

Edison Pantera Miranda (30-2, 26 Ko's) vs King Arthur Abraham (26-0, 21 Ko's) II

Their first match up was a grueling battle that ended in a controversial decision.  After watching the fight it is apparent that Abraham's jaw was broken before the "intentional" head butt from Miranda, that many believed caused the ailment. 

Miranda, fore the most part, seemed to dominate the fight and would have won the bout if it wasn't handled so horribly by the referee (and if he wasn't in Abraham's backyard). Forget the fact that he let the doctor work on Abraham during his 5 minute timeout, and the fact that he couldn't make anything that resembled a quality decision in the ring.  He deducted two points for a very weak head butt (should have been 1) and deducted 3 more points for very questionable low blows.

Before any of the controversy started, Abraham was losing rounds due to his low work rate.  He really showed us nothing except that he is one tough mother f-er, finishing the last 7 rounds with a highly visible severly broken jaw.

Miranda claims the fight would have been his if not for the deducted points (we agree) and Abraham claims that the only reason he didn't win more convincingly was due to the fact that his jaw was fractured in two places.  It wasn't very hard to get these two back in the ring together to settle the dispute. 

If Abraham can get through Miranda (not and easy task by any means), it seems he will be a possible future opponent for The Ghost, Kelly Pavlik.

Catch the first match on Showtime tonight @ 10:00 pm (EST) on SHO 2 and directly before the rematch at 6:00 pm (EST).

Weekend Fight Preview 1: Andre Berto and Cristobal Arreola

Once again Showtime and HBO have decided to hold two compelling boxing events on the same evening. And once again, it would be tough to pick one or the other.

HBO - Saturday Night

Andre Berto (21-0, 18 Ko's) vs. Miguel Rodriguez (29-2, 23 Ko's) 

Although facing mid-level talent up to this point in his young career, Andre Berto has defeated every opponent in an overwhelmingly convincing fashion.  He is built with an even combination of great speed and power, and we think he is the best young prospect in the talented welterweight division.

His opponent, Miguel Rodriguez, is a slight step up in class from Berto's previous foes and has never been stopped within the time limit.  However these factors should not play a part in another dominating victory for Andre Berto.

Berto's camp is content with having him slowly develop and build his unblemished record (which is a smart decision considering the talent at the top of the division). He is only 24 years old and will be challenging for the world title soon enough.

Chris Arreola (24-0, 21 Ko's) vs. Chazz Witherspoon (23-0, 15 Ko's)

Ever since our meeting with Cristobal Arreola's promotor, we have heard nothing but good things about this heavyweight prospect out of Los Angeles, CA.  Heard. We were under the impression that his last two fights were supposed to be televised, but somehow fell through due to unforeseen circumstances.  It will be great to finally see him in action.

From the clips on the Goossen Tutor Promotions website and YouTube, this ugly mug, standing at 6'4" and 250 lbs, looks like one bad mother (his trunks are even sponsored by a bail bonds company; see left).  

Chazz Witherspoon will be Arreola's first major test inside the ring.  If the pressure of fighting on the main stage doesn't get to The Nightmare, then he should be able to take care of business on his way to possibly becoming the first Mexican heavy weight champion of the world (and finally an American one at that).

Showtime fight preview to come...

Miranda & Abraham: Coming to America

Edison Pantera Miranda (30-2, 26 Ko's) will meet IBF middleweight champ King Arthur Abraham(26-0, 21 Ko's) at a catch weight of 166 lbs in a highly-anticipated rematch slated for June 21.  

The first time these two met, Abraham won a fairly close unanimous decision despite his jaw being broken in two places halfway into the controversial fight.  

From the random video clips on you tube and the comments from the European contingent in the boxing forums, we have heard that this is one worth watching.  However, the fight took place in Abraham's backyard (Germany) and was not broadcasted to us yankees. Until now.

In the days leading up to the rematch, Showtime will air Miranda vs. Abraham I for our viewing pleasure.  The dates and times are as follows:

June 16th on SHO 2 - 10:00 pm (EST)

June 19th on SHO 2 - 10:00 pm (EST)

June 21st on Showtime - 6:00 pm (EST)

Something for the Weekend Sir? Saturday Night Fights Preview

We cancelled all plans for this Saturday night based primarily on two reasons.  1.)  HBO and Showtime will be transmitting four outstanding boxing matches directly to the comfort of our living rooms   2.) Second and more importantly, my new roommate refuses to go to the cable company with me to pick up a DVR box for the house (cable bill's in his name and the damn company refuses to grant me access to the account, I've tried)  

With that said, there should be a mandate that forbids HBO and Showtime to hold major boxing events that fall on the same day of the lunar calendar.  Space em' out a little, so every weekend we can enjoy a good match or two instead of just crammin' it all in to one.  You would think that two of the largest television companies would have this worked out to prevent them from having to worry about competition from the other guy. 

Anyway, I think HBO wins this battle and, it seems this weekend's under-cards may be more exciting than the main events - here is this weekend's preview.

HBO

Kelly The Ghost Pavlik (33-0,  30 Ko's) vs Gary The Pocket Rocket Lockett (30-1, 21 Ko's) - The Pride of Youngstown, Kelly Pavlik, is currently the undisputed, undefeated, middleweight champion of the world. He is coming off a huge KO victory over #1 middleweight contender (at the time) in Edison Miranda and back-to-back dominate performances against the former undefeated, undisputed, best middleweight in the world, Jermain Taylor (not anymore; see Pavlik KO video here). 

Gary Lockett is coming off a fight against Kai Kauramaki, who is 13-15 with 9 of his losses coming by way of knock-out. Some seriously stiff competition there Lockett, excellent tune-up before getting in there with the best middleweight in the world.  

Lockett's record looks pretty on paper but it does not carry a single win of any significance.

- Pavlik KO's Lockett within 6 rounds-

The real story line in this fight lies in the identity of Lockett's trainer - one Enzo Calzaghe. You can bet Joe will be sitting ringside to see one of his training 'mates' getting his clock cleaned by The Ghost, setting up a possible super-fight between the two down the line. 

On Wednesday, Kelly discussed his thoughts on the current light heavyweight and super middleweight champ Joe Calzaghe with Max Kellerman. He was seemed as confident as I am about the outcome of a potential mega-fight with Joe C., another victory for Youngstown's finest.

Daniel Ponce De Leon (34-1, 30 Ko's) vs Juan Manuel Lopez (21-0, 19 Ko's) - The two meet on the under-card of the Pavlik/Lockett fight for the WBO super bantam weight title. Ponce De Leon will try to fend off up-and-coming Lopez in a high action, exciting, and closely matched bout -possibly the most interesting fight of the night. Do not miss this one. 

Showtime

Vernon Forrest (40-2, 29 Ko's) vs. Sergio The Latin Snake Mora (20-0-1, 5 Ko's) 

Don't expect to be writing home after this WBC light middleweight title bout. Vernon Forrest is coming off a long layoff due to an injury and, at age 37,  isn't getting any younger.  Sergio Mora is coming off a few recent fights that were mediocre at best, one of which he should have lost but was awarded a mercy decision (against Elvin Ayala).  And the begging for a shot at a title then turning down a championship bout against Jermain Taylor a few years back caused him to lose the little credibility that he once had. 

Neither fighter is a big puncher and both will be looking to go the distance for a decision. If you have to pick one to DVR, you're looking at it.

Paul The Punisher Williams (33-1, 24 Ko's) vs. Carlos Quintana (25-1, 19 Ko's) - Paul Williams will attempt to reclaim the WBO welterweight championship from the man who took it from him and handed him his only loss.  

Before the somewhat stunning upset at the beginning of the year, Williams was considered by many to be the top welterweight in the division and a direct threat to Floyd Mayweather (he was obviously overrated).  Coming off a win against the always tough Antonio Margarito, Williams looked ready to sit atop the division until Quintana exposed the lengthy boxer's weaknesses and took the belt from him. Quintana is no slouch though, his only loss came when he managed to get his face beat in by Miguel Cotto in a 5th round stoppage. 

If Williams overlooked Quintana the first time, it will not happen again on Saturday.  Look for him to come out fighting for his life to regain his belt. Should be a good one.