By Frank Gonzalez
12.09 - This was an exciting week for Boxing fans as we got to see Cruiserweights Vasilly Jirov (30-0-0-27 KO’s) who weighs 190 lbs. defend his IBF title against Julian Letterlough (17-2-1-16 KO’s) who weighed in at 186 lbs. Saturday night on HBO. Although this was a ‘one-sided’ fight, with Jirov winning every round, Letterlough was game and gave a valliant effort. He was simply overmatched by the consummate professional Vasilly Jirov, who is interestingly similar to Marco Antonio Barrera in his approach to the sweet science. Like M.A.B., Jirov constantly attacks the body, boxes, slugs, always changing up. Although Jirov is not fast, he moves well enough to be quick without looking quick. Jirov seems the complete package, patience, good head! movement, stamina, footwork, and ring generalship. Although he originates from Russia, he now lives in Phoenix Arizona and has American trainers in his corner. His corner is great, keeping him relaxed and focused. He is an excellent combination of European and American Boxing finesse.
In his last fight, against Adolpho Washington, Jirov lead with his head a lot, often fouling, whether intentionally or not. In this fight, Jirov has made technical improvements to his style; which has virtually eliminated leading with his head, hence a cleaner Jirov.
Julian “KO” Letterlough gained great experience fighting Jirov. I really think Letterlough could be much improved; he does have heart and showed a decent chin. He needs to work on his technical skills; jabbing, head movement, and footwork are areas he is weak in. I think this loss will help make Julian a better all around fighter. There was talk of an injury to one of his arms, explaining his lack of jab output. I look forward to seeing if he gets better in the future.
Between the scheduled bouts, HBO’s commentators engaged in their usual gabfest. Larry Merchant, Jim Lampley and this time Emanuel Steward, went on to speculate about next week’s match-up of Trinidad and Hopkins. There were some film clips of interviews with both fighters. At the end of the clips, Lampley made a remark about how Trinidad’s currently having an issue with some gossip about an affair outside of his marriage. Why is it anybody’s business? Does it pertain to Boxing? No. During the early rounds of the Jirov/Letterlough fight, Lampley remarked how Julian had met his father for the first time in his life--in prison. Why does HBO and the American media always have to dig up per! sonal, privacy invading, irrelevant business and act like gossipers? Why do they have to bring this garbage into focus? Always looking for a “Monica Lewinsky” situation to gossip about. I don’t need to know about his personal life, that is HIS PERSONAL BUSINESS. Unless they are indicted for some criminal behavior, it’s none of our business. I would be more interested in how he trains, his strategies, his relationship with his trainers and Boxing related stuff.
Vassily Jirov answers Critics
By Vaughn Marcellus
09.09 - On the undercard of Marco Antonio Barerra/Enrique Sanchez, Vasily Jirov stopped Julian Letterlough at 1:24 seconds of round 8 in a hard hitting battle of Knockout punchers to retain his IBF Cruiserweight crown. Jirov (30-0, 27 KO) used a stiff jab and a combination of powerful left hooks and right crosses to finish off the heavy hitting Letterlough. Early in the fight, neither fighter gave ground while firing hard shots looking to end the fight early.
Jirov used a pawing jab followed by a vicious right cross to rock Letterlough (17-2-1-16KO's) late in round one. The trend continued through the next three rounds as Letterlough began to slow down. Letterlough, himself, threw heavy shots that momentarily rocked Jirov in round 3 and 5. Jirov showed great poise in picking Letterlough apart.
With about ten seconds left in the round, Jirov wobbled Letterlough with a perfect right cross, sending Letterlough staggering back into the ropes. Round eight saw the demise of Letterough as Jirov came out sticking the jab and landing hard left hooks and uppercuts. Letterlough showed great heart but the punishment Jirov was administering was too much for referee Jay Nady to see.
Jirov proved 3 points in his victory:
1) He can take a punch.
2) When needed, he has lateral movement..
3) Although Jirov is a knockout puncher, he does have the stamina to go the distance.
Vasily is definetly on the map.
Until next week, keep ya hands up and ya chin tucked!
If you have any comments feel free to contact me
What lies ahead for the Eastern Assassins?
By Vaughn “Bigboscoe” Marcellus
Before Vasily Jirov put his IBF Cruiserweight title on the line against Julian Letterlough last weekend, there were questions that needed to be answered. One main I asked was “could he take a punch?” Although he pretty much dominated Letterlough (17-2-1. 16 KO), the game challenger managed to land some heavy shots that rocked the power punching Kazakhstan native. (Note: Jirov now lives and trains in Arizona). Jirov answered that question and also showed lateral movement. History has shown that boxers from the East (Poland, Ukraine, etc.) to be methodical and plodding like machines. Although they pack a punch, they are also susceptible to punches. Fighters like Max Schmeling, Andrew Golota showed great punching power, but also showed the methodical styles that has plague them. Vasily Jirov seemed the same, especially in his fight with Adolpho Washington.
However, Jirov shows the skills that can make a fighter look very ugly.
Unlike his predecessors, Jirov packs a stiff jab, a jarring right hook, and a head rattling left cross. (The left cross was the beginning of the end for Letterlough). His straight up style may get him in trouble against a quick fighter, but without any punching power what can a quick fighter do to him?
So, what does Jirov do now? He is too heavy a fighter to drop down to Lightheavy and he is too small to be a bonafide Heavyweight.
Previously, I wrote that he could battle possible future opponent James “Lights Out” Toney (62-4-2, 40 KO). (An earlier was scheduled this past summer but was canceled). Or he could challenge fellow Champion Virgil Hill or undefeated Juan Gomez.
The Cruiserweight's have long been a division that has lacked the respect and competition to compete with the other weight classes. A ”catch weight” matchup with some of the top Lightheavies (Antonio Tarver, Eric Harding, Jose Luis Gonzales, Undisputed Light-Heavyweight Champion Roy Jones Jr., or fellow Assassin Dariusz Michalczewski) could bring “The Tiger” top honors. However, after his destruction of Letterlough, who will be willing to move up to fight him?
Next week: Sven Ottke and Dariusz Michalczewski
Boxing tip of the week: A good way to develop power and balance is to tie your ankles shoulder width apart and hit that heavy bag. You will learn to throw a harder shot from a shorter distance. (Especially effective for in-fighters). This training exercise was utilized by former power-punching Champion Jaime Garza
