Classic American West Coast Boxing

[kikibalt]

They said it couldn't be done, they laughed at the Giants and said they were a team of has-been's and never-was, nobody is laughing now.....

[bennie]

The agony and the ecstasy. Basilio-DeMarco, second fight.

[CNorkusJr]

Vladimir Klitschko vs Derek Chisora on Dec.11 by writer Ted Sares (Bad Left Hook article)

Haye, Povetkin, Dimitrenko, and Valuev won't fight the 6'6" Dr. Steelhammer for whatever reasons. Derek "Del Boy" Chisora, by some kind of strange process of elimination, now gets his opportunity to earn a big payday and likely get knocked out. And he gets to take on this daunting task in the unfriendly environs of Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany before a packed house of adoring German and Eastern European Klitschko fans on December 11, 2010. At stake will be the IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.

The likable and somewhat idiosyncratic "Del Boy" is a Zimbabwe native who lives and fights out of the United Kingdom and sports a 14-0 record in contrast to Klitcsko's outstanding 55-3 mark and astonishing KO percentage of almost 85.
Surprisingly, at least to me, relatively few are calling this a mismatch even though the chunky Chisora has never fought anyone in he same boxing universe as The Doctor. Danny Williams was totally shot when Del Boy finished him in May, and it took him almost 10 rounds to stop Sam Sexton in September. But many feel Chisora is a young, fast, and hungry opponent who will not freeze like so many other Klitschko opponents and will give it his best when the bell rings. Unlike The Doctor's recent victims, Chisora is light on his feet and has decent ring movement, but he lacks one-punch knockout power. And if Sexton could land easily on him with the jab, imagine what Wald will do. Chisora's best chance is to get inside and maybe hammer and roughhouse Wladimir during the clinches, but that's a lot easier said than done. With Klitschko's long and punishing jab, clinches don't seem to be in the offing for Del Boy. One thing, though, Wladimir needs to keep his distance from Chisora during the stare down. The Finchley man, who definitely likes to play rough, has been known to kiss, butt, and bite his opponents.

Speaking of the Ukrainian bomber, he has not lost since 2004 (a fight he later avenged) and seems to be improving with each outing. His modus operandi is no big secret. He jabs and toys with his opponents for several rounds before going into cruise control. He then picks up the pace as the German crowd senses the beginning of the end and screams "Kleeetschko, Kleeetschko." Though predictable, the late-round end always seems to come in a brutal manner to which Hasim Rahman, Tony Thompson, Sam Peter and Eddie Chambers can attest. Under the watchful eye of Emanuel Steward (who works best with tall fighters), and a savvy corner, Klitschko has become a killing machine who uses a prescribed formula to win and win and win. Will the much younger and much smaller Del Boy be able to handle this challenge, this spectacle? I think not, though I give Del Boy full respect for taking a fight that many others have rejected.

The Implications

Is Derek Chisora is better than most of the heavyweight contenders in the division? If Chisora (the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion) is in fact a deserving opponent, what does that say about the others out there?

First, Chisora is not, in my view, the best available opponent. My God, he is still a comparative novice and taking on Klitschko brings back memories of Rademacher vs. Patterson in 1957. Of course, some might counter this with the first Spinks-Ali bout. But while Del Boy might not be the best, he clearly is the most willing.

Secondly, fourteen fights against so-so opposition hardly qualify him as viable, but if they do, then the implication is manifest to wit: everyone out there except perhaps David Haye (and maybe Tomasz Adamek and Odlanier Solis) presents a mismatch. Povetkin is a questionable re-work in progress, and most of he others have been dispatched by the Ukrainian brothers. David Tua, off his performance against Monte Barrett, seems to be near the end though I question whether Chisora could stay with him. Jean Marc Mormeck and maybe hard luck Fres Oquendo are others that might warrant some consideration. Denis Boytsov (27-0) has a great record and a great KO percentage, but who has he fought? Even ancient Oliver McCall could become "viable" should he beat Oquendo. If Chris Arreola gets serious and dedicates himself, he could become a factor again, but even now, he would be too much for Chisora. Arguably, so would Johnathon Banks (25-1-1).

The fact is, I'd rather see rematches (maybe with Chambers, Chagaev, Thompson, etc) than mismatches with first-time opponents but therein is the rub. Even the rematches could be mismatches. It's a catch-22.

In the scheme of things, Ray Austin, Hasim Rahman, and Audley Harrison are one win away. The heavyweight division is indeed in dire straits.

[Randyman]

Not a having a mama sucks, I want my mama back, said James as he fix dinner for him and I....mama is in AZ. with Anthony, she will be coming home this weekend, I'm going to AZ. to bring her home, enough is enough!!....

That's right, Frank! Now that we know Tony will be OK, Connie must refocus on her "kept man".
You tell her that. Women just love it when you tell them what to do. They crave guidence and direction.
Just give them some orders and they fall right into place.

Can't tell Connie all that, Don't want to ruin a good thing.....

[Randyman]

They said it couldn't be done, they laughed at the Giants and said they were a team of has-been's and never-was, nobody is laughing now.....

Congrats to the S.F. Giants, bitter enemies though they be of the L.A. Dodgers.

[Randyman]

Vladimir Klitschko vs Derek Chisora on Dec.11 by writer Ted Sares (Bad Left Hook article)

Haye, Povetkin, Dimitrenko, and Valuev won't fight the 6'6" Dr. Steelhammer for whatever reasons. Derek "Del Boy" Chisora, by some kind of strange process of elimination, now gets his opportunity to earn a big payday and likely get knocked out. And he gets to take on this daunting task in the unfriendly environs of Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany before a packed house of adoring German and Eastern European Klitschko fans on December 11, 2010. At stake will be the IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.

The likable and somewhat idiosyncratic "Del Boy" is a Zimbabwe native who lives and fights out of the United Kingdom and sports a 14-0 record in contrast to Klitcsko's outstanding 55-3 mark and astonishing KO percentage of almost 85.
Surprisingly, at least to me, relatively few are calling this a mismatch even though the chunky Chisora has never fought anyone in he same boxing universe as The Doctor. Danny Williams was totally shot when Del Boy finished him in May, and it took him almost 10 rounds to stop Sam Sexton in September. But many feel Chisora is a young, fast, and hungry opponent who will not freeze like so many other Klitschko opponents and will give it his best when the bell rings. Unlike The Doctor's recent victims, Chisora is light on his feet and has decent ring movement, but he lacks one-punch knockout power. And if Sexton could land easily on him with the jab, imagine what Wald will do. Chisora's best chance is to get inside and maybe hammer and roughhouse Wladimir during the clinches, but that's a lot easier said than done. With Klitschko's long and punishing jab, clinches don't seem to be in the offing for Del Boy. One thing, though, Wladimir needs to keep his distance from Chisora during the stare down. The Finchley man, who definitely likes to play rough, has been known to kiss, butt, and bite his opponents.

Speaking of the Ukrainian bomber, he has not lost since 2004 (a fight he later avenged) and seems to be improving with each outing. His modus operandi is no big secret. He jabs and toys with his opponents for several rounds before going into cruise control. He then picks up the pace as the German crowd senses the beginning of the end and screams "Kleeetschko, Kleeetschko." Though predictable, the late-round end always seems to come in a brutal manner to which Hasim Rahman, Tony Thompson, Sam Peter and Eddie Chambers can attest. Under the watchful eye of Emanuel Steward (who works best with tall fighters), and a savvy corner, Klitschko has become a killing machine who uses a prescribed formula to win and win and win. Will the much younger and much smaller Del Boy be able to handle this challenge, this spectacle? I think not, though I give Del Boy full respect for taking a fight that many others have rejected.

The Implications

Is Derek Chisora is better than most of the heavyweight contenders in the division? If Chisora (the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion) is in fact a deserving opponent, what does that say about the others out there?

First, Chisora is not, in my view, the best available opponent. My God, he is still a comparative novice and taking on Klitschko brings back memories of Rademacher vs. Patterson in 1957. Of course, some might counter this with the first Spinks-Ali bout. But while Del Boy might not be the best, he clearly is the most willing.

Secondly, fourteen fights against so-so opposition hardly qualify him as viable, but if they do, then the implication is manifest to wit: everyone out there except perhaps David Haye (and maybe Tomasz Adamek and Odlanier Solis) presents a mismatch. Povetkin is a questionable re-work in progress, and most of he others have been dispatched by the Ukrainian brothers. David Tua, off his performance against Monte Barrett, seems to be near the end though I question whether Chisora could stay with him. Jean Marc Mormeck and maybe hard luck Fres Oquendo are others that might warrant some consideration. Denis Boytsov (27-0) has a great record and a great KO percentage, but who has he fought? Even ancient Oliver McCall could become "viable" should he beat Oquendo. If Chris Arreola gets serious and dedicates himself, he could become a factor again, but even now, he would be too much for Chisora. Arguably, so would Johnathon Banks (25-1-1).

The fact is, I'd rather see rematches (maybe with Chambers, Chagaev, Thompson, etc) than mismatches with first-time opponents but therein is the rub. Even the rematches could be mismatches. It's a catch-22.

In the scheme of things, Ray Austin, Hasim Rahman, and Audley Harrison are one win away. The heavyweight division is indeed in dire straits.

I know next to nothing about Derek Chisora but the fact that he's being given a shot at the title while supposedly better fighters are hiding out hoping no one notices says a lot about the state of the heavyweight division and boxing in general. I hope he kicks the sh*t out of Klitschko.

Randy

[Rick Farris]

Vladimir Klitschko vs Derek Chisora on Dec.11 by writer Ted Sares (Bad Left Hook article)

Haye, Povetkin, Dimitrenko, and Valuev won't fight the 6'6" Dr. Steelhammer for whatever reasons. Derek "Del Boy" Chisora, by some kind of strange process of elimination, now gets his opportunity to earn a big payday and likely get knocked out. And he gets to take on this daunting task in the unfriendly environs of Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany before a packed house of adoring German and Eastern European Klitschko fans on December 11, 2010. At stake will be the IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles.

The likable and somewhat idiosyncratic "Del Boy" is a Zimbabwe native who lives and fights out of the United Kingdom and sports a 14-0 record in contrast to Klitcsko's outstanding 55-3 mark and astonishing KO percentage of almost 85.
Surprisingly, at least to me, relatively few are calling this a mismatch even though the chunky Chisora has never fought anyone in he same boxing universe as The Doctor. Danny Williams was totally shot when Del Boy finished him in May, and it took him almost 10 rounds to stop Sam Sexton in September. But many feel Chisora is a young, fast, and hungry opponent who will not freeze like so many other Klitschko opponents and will give it his best when the bell rings. Unlike The Doctor's recent victims, Chisora is light on his feet and has decent ring movement, but he lacks one-punch knockout power. And if Sexton could land easily on him with the jab, imagine what Wald will do. Chisora's best chance is to get inside and maybe hammer and roughhouse Wladimir during the clinches, but that's a lot easier said than done. With Klitschko's long and punishing jab, clinches don't seem to be in the offing for Del Boy. One thing, though, Wladimir needs to keep his distance from Chisora during the stare down. The Finchley man, who definitely likes to play rough, has been known to kiss, butt, and bite his opponents.

Speaking of the Ukrainian bomber, he has not lost since 2004 (a fight he later avenged) and seems to be improving with each outing. His modus operandi is no big secret. He jabs and toys with his opponents for several rounds before going into cruise control. He then picks up the pace as the German crowd senses the beginning of the end and screams "Kleeetschko, Kleeetschko." Though predictable, the late-round end always seems to come in a brutal manner to which Hasim Rahman, Tony Thompson, Sam Peter and Eddie Chambers can attest. Under the watchful eye of Emanuel Steward (who works best with tall fighters), and a savvy corner, Klitschko has become a killing machine who uses a prescribed formula to win and win and win. Will the much younger and much smaller Del Boy be able to handle this challenge, this spectacle? I think not, though I give Del Boy full respect for taking a fight that many others have rejected.

The Implications

Is Derek Chisora is better than most of the heavyweight contenders in the division? If Chisora (the British and Commonwealth heavyweight champion) is in fact a deserving opponent, what does that say about the others out there?

First, Chisora is not, in my view, the best available opponent. My God, he is still a comparative novice and taking on Klitschko brings back memories of Rademacher vs. Patterson in 1957. Of course, some might counter this with the first Spinks-Ali bout. But while Del Boy might not be the best, he clearly is the most willing.

Secondly, fourteen fights against so-so opposition hardly qualify him as viable, but if they do, then the implication is manifest to wit: everyone out there except perhaps David Haye (and maybe Tomasz Adamek and Odlanier Solis) presents a mismatch. Povetkin is a questionable re-work in progress, and most of he others have been dispatched by the Ukrainian brothers. David Tua, off his performance against Monte Barrett, seems to be near the end though I question whether Chisora could stay with him. Jean Marc Mormeck and maybe hard luck Fres Oquendo are others that might warrant some consideration. Denis Boytsov (27-0) has a great record and a great KO percentage, but who has he fought? Even ancient Oliver McCall could become "viable" should he beat Oquendo. If Chris Arreola gets serious and dedicates himself, he could become a factor again, but even now, he would be too much for Chisora. Arguably, so would Johnathon Banks (25-1-1).

The fact is, I'd rather see rematches (maybe with Chambers, Chagaev, Thompson, etc) than mismatches with first-time opponents but therein is the rub. Even the rematches could be mismatches. It's a catch-22.

In the scheme of things, Ray Austin, Hasim Rahman, and Audley Harrison are one win away. The heavyweight division is indeed in dire straits.

I know next to nothing about Derek Chisora but the fact that he's being given a shot at the title while supposedly better fighters are hiding out hoping no one notices says a lot about the state of the heavyweight division and boxing in general. I hope he kicks the sh*t out of Klitschko.

Randy

I'm with you, Randy. It will be a bum that flattens the K boys. That's all they fight.
They are members of the Roy Jones Jr. "Don't take a chance" club.

[kikibalt]

Anthony in the hospital. With Anthony is his ex-mother-in-law, Dorothy Larkin....

I'm told that he is going home today....

[kikibalt]

I had never heard of Derek "Chorizo" Chisoro....

[Rick Farris]

Anthony in the hospital. With Anthony is his ex-mother-in-law, Dorothy Larkin....

I'm told that he is going home today....

[Rick Farris]

Don Fraser Interview . . .

This Sunday morning I have a cameraman, sound man and myself available to interview Don Fraser.
Would be nice if Dan Hanley were along on this one too, but I'll wing it.
Dan's a part of it, I'll be asking his questions as well as my own.
Don Fraser, Don Chargin and Hap Navarro are the last living links to the Golden Era of California Boxing.
If anybody has any questions they'd like me to ask Don Fraser, post them here and I'll do so.


-Rick Farris

[telboy66]

There are plenty of people this side of the pond calling it a mismatch Chisora is a 14 fight novice,You have to look all the way down to No 29 in the world ratings to find his last opponent & yet he's sitting at No13 & he's not fought anyone within the 16 spots beneath him. I'm not naive enough to think these ratings are done purely on boxing talent it's all about the mighty $ & the not so mighty £ . For Del Boy's sake I hope it's not the same Ref that mishandled the briggs fight

[Rick Farris]

There are plenty of people this side of the pond calling it a mismatch Chisora is a 14 fight novice,You have to look all the way down to No 29 in the world ratings to find his last opponent & yet he's sitting at No13 & he's not fought anyone within the 16 spots beneath him. I'm not naive enough to think these ratings are done purely on boxing talent it's all about the mighty $ & the not so mighty £ . For Del Boy's sake I hope it's not the same Ref that mishandled the briggs fight

Thanks for the stats, tellboy.

[kikibalt]

Tony is spending one more night at the hospital....

[Randyman]

I bought this old postcard at an antique shop the other day. Remember when L.A. used to look like this? Once upon a time the City Hall was the tallest building in town. You can hardly see it now, depending on where you are. I miss the old Los Angeles.

Randy :(

[Randyman]

Tony is spending one more night at the hospital....

http://boxing-ring.blogspot.com/

[Randyman]

I'm not naive enough to think these ratings are done purely on boxing talent it's all about the mighty $ & the not so mighty £ .

Sad but true, not just in boxing but in almost every sport.

[Rick Farris]

I bought this old postcard at an antique shop the other day. Remember when L.A. used to look like this? Once upon a time the City Hall was the tallest building in town. You can hardly see it now, depending on where you are. I miss the old Los Angeles.

Randy :(

I remember that, Randy. That's what I saw in the mid-50's, when I was a kid riding in a car with my parents on the freeway thru downtown L.A.

[Rick Farris]

I had never heard of Derek "Chorizo" Chisoro....

Chorizo!!
I never heard of him, either.
The name just doesn't inspire confidence.
However, one of these bums is due for a lucky night.
When a bum is challenging another bum, champ or not, anything can happen.

[THEHAMMER321]

I had never heard of Derek "Chorizo" Chisoro....

Chorizo!!
I never heard of him, either.
The name just doesn't inspire confidence.
However, one of these bums is due for a lucky night.
When a bum is challenging another bum, champ or not, anything can happen.

Sounds like a ham n egger, or is that chorizo and eggs, either way bum of the month club candidate most likely.

[Randyman]

I had never heard of Derek "Chorizo" Chisoro....

Chorizo!!
I never heard of him, either.
The name just doesn't inspire confidence.
However, one of these bums is due for a lucky night.
When a bum is challenging another bum, champ or not, anything can happen.

Sounds like a ham n egger, or is that chorizo and eggs, either way bum of the month club candidate most likely.

Paulie, now you went and made me hungry!

[Randyman]

I posted Tony's fight with Roger Mayweather on my blog. Just a little something to cheer us up!

http://boxing-ring.blogspot.com/

[bennie]

Anthony in the hospital. With Anthony is his ex-mother-in-law, Dorothy Larkin....

I'm told that he is going home today....

Under the circumstances, Tony looks good.

[bennie]

The anxiety is building as Derek Chisora, a 14-fight youngster from Finchley in North London, draws closer to his shot at Wladimir Klitschko for two world heavyweight belts in Germany on December 11.
The unbeaten Chisora takes on a Ukrainian giant of a man having turned pro just three years ago, having never fought outside of Britain, having never done 12 rounds and having never topped a bill, and you really do wonder if he is ready. Yes, Chisora knows how to box and yes, he holds British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, but surely there must be more to say as he squares up to the punishing Klitschko, who is unbeaten in the last six years and has a record of 55-3 (49). I am afraid the answer to that is no.
Chisora lacks a big punch, and a big punch is vital against Klitschko, and he lacks any kind of experience at world level, unless you stretch to his win over a 'shot' Danny Williams in the summer ('shot' by Danny's own admission) or to his nine-round stoppage of Norwich stylist Sam Sexton in September. He never looks in great shape, either.
Just days ago, Vitali Klitschko pounded on Shannon Briggs for 12 rounds in Germany, leaving Briggs in hospital and pondering the future. It was sickening, career-ending fare, and Chisora risks the same fate against the younger Klitschko. The Londoner is a baby by heavyweight standards at 26, a cocky, immature individual who goes by the nickname of "Del Boy" and needs protecting from himself.
The inevitable questions are these: has Chisora been thrown in by his team to spite David Haye, or because he really stands a chance?

[kikibalt]

Every now and then I feel like I woke up dead too....