"TKO"
08-14-2008, 04:19 AM
Hey guys
Latest article now up on pound4pound.com. Have a look at it, an informing and well written website with some good correspondents. The article is below. Please nobody kick off if your favourite fighter gets a ribbing as the sub headline does stress irreverant.
Two Steps Forward:
The Gospel According To “TKO”
British correspondent Andy “TKO” Houghton takes an irreverent look at the movers and shakers on the domestic scene the other side of the pond
By Andy "TKO" Houghton
Well folks, two months on and the Brit pack have just about recovered from the hangover left by the period from the April – June period. The dust has settled and the outcome is fair to middling at best.
The domestic heavyweight scene, which has been about as much fun as trying to blow dry paint over the last few years has at least become a tad more interesting due to the arrival of David Haye. There has been a lot of will he-won’t he about the Hayemaker’s first heavyweight opponent with former champs Oleg Maskaev and Hasim Rahman together with perennial fringe contender Monte Barrett all mentioned as possibles for the O2 Arena on November 15th. Haye, as ever, has been doing his best to talk up his arrival claiming today’s heavies are fat and lazy and calling out champ Wlad Klitschko. Haye has what it takes to make some noise at the top end, but this writer ain’t totally convinced that shaky jaw won’t fight him out first. Still, should be fun watching him try.
A few pounds to the south Enzo Macarinelli, who Haye beat like he caught him in bed with his missus, is scheduled to get an immediate shot at regaining the WBO belt he lost in that bout against America’s Jonathon Banks. Enzo claims he is mad at himself after losing because he made a mistake. The only mistake the big Taffy made was getting into the ring with a harder, faster and better fighter. Still, Enzo is still a top ten cruiser and has a shot in this one.
Clinton Woods put up the most disappointing show we’ve seen from him in a while in meekly surrendering his IBF 175lb belt to Antonio Tarver in April. It was the second time Woods, who doesn’t seem to travel well, had lost in the States (to be fair the first was a prime Roy Jones). This writer was screaming for him to take the action to Tarver, who looks like a little boy lost under pressure. It just never materialized. Woods stated in the aftermath that he will consider his future, which at 36 may be a good idea for the durable and likeable Yorkshireman.
Meanwhile, one Brit managed to escape from the US with a victory as Joe Calzaghe seized Bernard Hopkins’ Ring belt with a split decision. The fight was messy with Hopkins landing the cleaner shots but doing a lot of spoiling and holding, while JC Superstar landed more but struggled for anything clean. Calzaghe looked his age in there and should maybe think about calling it a career after his upcoming payday fight with Jones.
Another option mooted is a bout with Kelly Pavlik, who treaded water in June by destroying another Enzo Calzaghe fighter, Gary Lockett, in three rounds. Let’s get one thing clear now, nobody this side of the pond thought the Rocket had the slightest chance with the prematurely balding KO artist. Pavlik, though, is signed for Hopkins next up. At super middle, Carl Froch treaded water with a four round KO of Albert Rybacki, a fourth choice opponent after Dennis Inkin, Rubin Williams and Alejandro Berrio all came and went. The dangerous “Cobra” seems to have been pulled out on more times than a ten pound hooker, but that elusive title shot needs to come his way soon at 31.
At welter, Matt Hatton was resoundingly out pointed by skilled fellow Manc southpaw Craig Watson on his brother’s big homecoming undercard. Nobody should sleep on Watson, who attributes his EBU title loss to Daniele Petrucci to short-notice forced on because “I was skint”. Nothing like eloquent wording hey. Still, he looked handy in there and with more prep time could conceivably climb the ladder. Watson is best known at the moment for decking Amir Khan in the amateurs, which was done again by Michael Gomez last month. Khan came off the floor to prevail in the five round shoot out. He seems to have everything needed to progress to world level except a chin.
On the top fight of the Watson-Hatton bill, British boxing’s current biggest star Ricky Hatton pounded out a 12 round verdict over tough top 10 contender Juan Lazcano. Hatton didn’t look like he’d learned any new tricks (a jab ain’t just something you get for flu Ricky) but still did most of the giving in this one as he pounded Lazcano for most of the 12. Either way, he should have enough to account for Paulie Malignaggi who became the first fighter to my knowledge to get a mid-fight haircut during his undercard bout with Lovemore Ndou. The excuse was that his dreadlocks were all over the place and hampering his vision. Malignaggi scraped a split decision but needs to decide whether he prefers the ring or the catwalk as a career option.
Junior Witter’s claims for a shot at the winner of that bout went out of the window when he surrendered the WBC belt to little known American Timothy Bradley. The “Desert Storm” who was making his first appearance outside of his native California looked a tough little handful, dropping Witter in the sixth with a right hand before going on to take a decision which was more conclusive than the 115-113, 114-113, 112-115 verdict suggested (judge Franco Chiminale looked to have taken a leaf out of the Eugenia Williams book with his scorecard). The proposed Hatton bout now looks to be out of the window for good, meaning Witter will need to find himself another get rich quick scheme. Hey Junior, that pyramid selling ain’t a bad idea...
At 130, Alex Arthur inherited the WBO belt as champ Joan Guzman decided to move up and take a lightweight title shot rather than defend against the Edinburgh man. Next up for Arthur will apparently be Londoner Nicky Cook, last seen being hammered by Steven Luevano whilst badly weight drained for the featherweight belt. No doubt the winner of that one will soon be a candidate for greatness with a five year reign and ten defences against the Tocker Pudwill likes of this world (right, Frank?)
Meanwhile, boxing’s equivalent of Joey Barton, former featherweight champ Scott Harrison was convicted of breach of the peace and resisting arrest at Glasgow Sheriff Court in February. Harrison was acquitted of assaulting a police officer. One down, ten or so to go. Harrison has pledged that he has stopped the drinking behavior which led to his downfall and intends to apply for the return of his license with a view to a massive all Tartan bout with Arthur one weight up. Love him or loathe him, you can never call Harrison dull. This writer, for one, hopes a genuine world class Brit can get his life back on track.
At super bantam, punching dustman Rendall Munroe made a first successful defence of his EBU title forcing Salem Bouaita to retire in seven rounds. At 27, Rendall is entering his peak years and could go further as a real gym rat.
That’s all from The Gospel for now folks. And remember, protect yourself at all times!
Questions or Comments? Please Email Andy "TKO" Houghton ([Only registered and activated users can see links])
Latest article now up on pound4pound.com. Have a look at it, an informing and well written website with some good correspondents. The article is below. Please nobody kick off if your favourite fighter gets a ribbing as the sub headline does stress irreverant.
Two Steps Forward:
The Gospel According To “TKO”
British correspondent Andy “TKO” Houghton takes an irreverent look at the movers and shakers on the domestic scene the other side of the pond
By Andy "TKO" Houghton
Well folks, two months on and the Brit pack have just about recovered from the hangover left by the period from the April – June period. The dust has settled and the outcome is fair to middling at best.
The domestic heavyweight scene, which has been about as much fun as trying to blow dry paint over the last few years has at least become a tad more interesting due to the arrival of David Haye. There has been a lot of will he-won’t he about the Hayemaker’s first heavyweight opponent with former champs Oleg Maskaev and Hasim Rahman together with perennial fringe contender Monte Barrett all mentioned as possibles for the O2 Arena on November 15th. Haye, as ever, has been doing his best to talk up his arrival claiming today’s heavies are fat and lazy and calling out champ Wlad Klitschko. Haye has what it takes to make some noise at the top end, but this writer ain’t totally convinced that shaky jaw won’t fight him out first. Still, should be fun watching him try.
A few pounds to the south Enzo Macarinelli, who Haye beat like he caught him in bed with his missus, is scheduled to get an immediate shot at regaining the WBO belt he lost in that bout against America’s Jonathon Banks. Enzo claims he is mad at himself after losing because he made a mistake. The only mistake the big Taffy made was getting into the ring with a harder, faster and better fighter. Still, Enzo is still a top ten cruiser and has a shot in this one.
Clinton Woods put up the most disappointing show we’ve seen from him in a while in meekly surrendering his IBF 175lb belt to Antonio Tarver in April. It was the second time Woods, who doesn’t seem to travel well, had lost in the States (to be fair the first was a prime Roy Jones). This writer was screaming for him to take the action to Tarver, who looks like a little boy lost under pressure. It just never materialized. Woods stated in the aftermath that he will consider his future, which at 36 may be a good idea for the durable and likeable Yorkshireman.
Meanwhile, one Brit managed to escape from the US with a victory as Joe Calzaghe seized Bernard Hopkins’ Ring belt with a split decision. The fight was messy with Hopkins landing the cleaner shots but doing a lot of spoiling and holding, while JC Superstar landed more but struggled for anything clean. Calzaghe looked his age in there and should maybe think about calling it a career after his upcoming payday fight with Jones.
Another option mooted is a bout with Kelly Pavlik, who treaded water in June by destroying another Enzo Calzaghe fighter, Gary Lockett, in three rounds. Let’s get one thing clear now, nobody this side of the pond thought the Rocket had the slightest chance with the prematurely balding KO artist. Pavlik, though, is signed for Hopkins next up. At super middle, Carl Froch treaded water with a four round KO of Albert Rybacki, a fourth choice opponent after Dennis Inkin, Rubin Williams and Alejandro Berrio all came and went. The dangerous “Cobra” seems to have been pulled out on more times than a ten pound hooker, but that elusive title shot needs to come his way soon at 31.
At welter, Matt Hatton was resoundingly out pointed by skilled fellow Manc southpaw Craig Watson on his brother’s big homecoming undercard. Nobody should sleep on Watson, who attributes his EBU title loss to Daniele Petrucci to short-notice forced on because “I was skint”. Nothing like eloquent wording hey. Still, he looked handy in there and with more prep time could conceivably climb the ladder. Watson is best known at the moment for decking Amir Khan in the amateurs, which was done again by Michael Gomez last month. Khan came off the floor to prevail in the five round shoot out. He seems to have everything needed to progress to world level except a chin.
On the top fight of the Watson-Hatton bill, British boxing’s current biggest star Ricky Hatton pounded out a 12 round verdict over tough top 10 contender Juan Lazcano. Hatton didn’t look like he’d learned any new tricks (a jab ain’t just something you get for flu Ricky) but still did most of the giving in this one as he pounded Lazcano for most of the 12. Either way, he should have enough to account for Paulie Malignaggi who became the first fighter to my knowledge to get a mid-fight haircut during his undercard bout with Lovemore Ndou. The excuse was that his dreadlocks were all over the place and hampering his vision. Malignaggi scraped a split decision but needs to decide whether he prefers the ring or the catwalk as a career option.
Junior Witter’s claims for a shot at the winner of that bout went out of the window when he surrendered the WBC belt to little known American Timothy Bradley. The “Desert Storm” who was making his first appearance outside of his native California looked a tough little handful, dropping Witter in the sixth with a right hand before going on to take a decision which was more conclusive than the 115-113, 114-113, 112-115 verdict suggested (judge Franco Chiminale looked to have taken a leaf out of the Eugenia Williams book with his scorecard). The proposed Hatton bout now looks to be out of the window for good, meaning Witter will need to find himself another get rich quick scheme. Hey Junior, that pyramid selling ain’t a bad idea...
At 130, Alex Arthur inherited the WBO belt as champ Joan Guzman decided to move up and take a lightweight title shot rather than defend against the Edinburgh man. Next up for Arthur will apparently be Londoner Nicky Cook, last seen being hammered by Steven Luevano whilst badly weight drained for the featherweight belt. No doubt the winner of that one will soon be a candidate for greatness with a five year reign and ten defences against the Tocker Pudwill likes of this world (right, Frank?)
Meanwhile, boxing’s equivalent of Joey Barton, former featherweight champ Scott Harrison was convicted of breach of the peace and resisting arrest at Glasgow Sheriff Court in February. Harrison was acquitted of assaulting a police officer. One down, ten or so to go. Harrison has pledged that he has stopped the drinking behavior which led to his downfall and intends to apply for the return of his license with a view to a massive all Tartan bout with Arthur one weight up. Love him or loathe him, you can never call Harrison dull. This writer, for one, hopes a genuine world class Brit can get his life back on track.
At super bantam, punching dustman Rendall Munroe made a first successful defence of his EBU title forcing Salem Bouaita to retire in seven rounds. At 27, Rendall is entering his peak years and could go further as a real gym rat.
That’s all from The Gospel for now folks. And remember, protect yourself at all times!
Questions or Comments? Please Email Andy "TKO" Houghton ([Only registered and activated users can see links])