Can Witherspoon Continue Winning Streak?

A common storyline that is known to anyone who follows the sport of Boxing is one of a fighter attempting to climb the ranks and work their way into world championship contention. From prospects, to contenders, and fighters who were at one point considered a contender, but are attempting to work their way back into the mix it is a storyline that just about any Boxing fan can relate to.

One division where questions regarding who are the next potential contenders is a consistent topic of discussion is the Heavyweight division. A division that has been ruled for much of the last decade by the Klitschko brothers. Although Vitali Klitschko is no longer active as a fighter, the Klitschko dominance remains atop the division as unified IBF/WBO/WBA/IBO Heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko has continued his reign. As Klitschko has continued to defeat challengers to his unified world championship, questions regarding who may be in line to eventually challenge him are asked.

Although a lot of the focus in regard to who is a contender in the division centers around fighters who are currently rated in the top ten of the sport’s respective sanctioning organizations, a story that should be focused on from time to time is of a fighter attempting to work his way back into contention. One such fighter is Heavyweight Chazz Witherspoon.

Witherspoon (33-3, with 25 Knockouts) has been a contender in the Heavyweight division for several years since turning pro in December 2004. Although Witherspoon has put together a fine career in winning thirty-three of his thirty-six professional fights, an argument can be made that he has failed against fighters who most would consider top contenders, most notably against former world title challengers Chris Arreola, who defeated Witherspoon in June 2008 and Tony Thompson, who scored his own victory over Witherspoon in December 2009.

Witherspoon was able to rebound from each of those losses winning three bouts after his loss to Arreola between November 2008 and August 2009 in which he scored three knockout victories over contenders Adam Richards, Travis Fulton, and Willie Perryman. Following his loss to Tony Thompson Witherspoon won four fights over the likes of Livin Castillo, Alexis Mejias, Ty Cobb, and David Saulsberry between August 2010 and February 2012.

This led to Witherspoon’s fight against Heavyweight contender Seth Mitchell in April 2012. Mitchell, who at the time of the bout was a highly touted undefeated prospect was able to score two knockdowns of Witherspoon in the third round en route to a stoppage victory. Following this setback Witherspoon took a layoff of over a year before returning in July of last year scoring an eight round stoppage of Tyyab Beale. Witherspoon would continue his comeback in January of this year scoring a second round knockout over Cory Phelps.

In his last fight in April of this year Witherspoon faced an awkward opponent in the form of seventy-three fight veteran Galen Brown. Witherspoon appeared to have some difficulty landing consistently on Brown early on due to Brown’s awkwardness. Witherspoon however, was able to gradually wear Brown down scoring knockdowns in the fourth and fifth rounds before the fight was stopped in the fifth round.

Now with three knockout wins in three fights since the loss to Mitchell Witherspoon looks to continue his comeback on Saturday night when he faces prospect Nicholas Guivas at The Playground in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Guivas, who will enter the fight with a record of 11-2-2, with 9 Knockouts comes into the fight with a four fight winning streak of his own winning all four bouts by knockout.

The story of this fight in my eyes is whether or not Chazz Witherspoon can continue to build momentum on his comeback and if he is successful in this fight whether or not it could lead to a bout against someone who is rated in the top fifteen or top ten in one of the sport’s respective sanctioning organizations. For the thirty-three year old Witherspoon this is a fight where a loss one might argue could put his career as a future contender in question. A victory however, would likely put him in the discussion for a fight against a contender in hopes of eventually getting opportunity to face the winner of the upcoming unified IBF/WBA/WBO/IBO Heavyweight championship fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury or a fight that could lead to an opportunity to face undefeated WBC world champion Deontay Wilder.

Although Witherspoon is currently not rated in the top fifteen of either of the sport’s five major sanctioning organizations, each victory will move him closer to an opportunity against a top contender. Even though Witherspoon will have a significant experience advantage over the thirty-six year-old Guivas, who did not turn pro until he was thirty-two years old in this fight it is important to remember as this observer has often said over the years “Anything can happen at any given time in the sport of Boxing and that is what makes the sport so great.” This is especially true in regard to the Heavyweight

division.

This fight represents the biggest opportunity thus far in the career of Nicholas Guivas and should he pull off what would likely be considered an upset in this fight it could established him as a rising contender. Whether or not Guivas will be able to provide a test for Witherspoon remains to be seen.

If Witherspoon manages to look impressive in this fight and can reestablish himself as a contender in the Heavyweight division his storyline of a fighter looking to get back in the mix could be one that will continue to generate buzz. It will be interesting to see what will happen in this chapter in the comeback of Chazz Witherspoon.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

For more information about Witherspoon vs. Guivas please visit: The Playground Atlantic City at http://www.playgroundpierac.com/events/event.php?id=223 or GFL Entertainment at http://www.gfl.tv/event/Fight/Boxing/Championship-Boxing-at-the-Playground/2943. 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison 

Reader Poll: The Future of Pay-Per-View

Greetings Boxing fans. We here at The Boxing Truth® would like to let our readers know that a feature regarding the future of traditional cable/satellite pay-per-view in regard to the sport of Boxing is currently in the works for the month of December.  Boxing has been a fixture on cable/satellite pay-per-view television for many years. The recent fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao broke all existing pay-per-view records generating 4.4 million pay-per-view buys in the United States and nearly $400 million in pay-per-view revenue.  The pay-per-view broadcast however, was the most expensive on record being priced at $100 for the HD broadcast and $80 for the Standard Definition broadcast.  

Although the sport has seen a resurgence across broadcast and cable television recently due in large part to the success and increasing popularity of the Premier Boxing Champions series, the sport remains pay-per-view centric.  Over the next three months there are three pay-per-view Boxing cards scheduled to take place as well as a fight that may take place in November that has not yet been signed, but will likely be carried on a pay-per-view basis if it is signed.  We would like to know your opinion on which of these events you are likely to buy or if you are not interested in buying pay-per-view cards.

Please cast your vote in our polling section for the following:

Shane Mosley vs. Ricardo Mayorga II – August 29th

Floyd Mayweather vs. Andre Berto – September 12th

Gennady Golovkin vs. David Lemieux – October 17th

Miguel Cotto vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez- (Not yet signed, could take place November 21st.)

Or,

Not interested in ordering Pay-Per-View

This reader poll will be open from Saturday August 8th until Monday December 14th with the feature to be released on Wednesday December 16th.

Please also feel free to comment in the comments section below.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Stay Tuned “And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

Thoughts On The Decision To Put Mayweather-Berto On Pay-Per-View

It was officially announced earlier this week that undefeated multi-division world champion Floyd Mayweather, the fighter widely considered the best pound for pound fighter in the world will take on former WBC Welterweight world champion Andre Berto on September 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather last appeared in May of this year scoring a lopsided twelve round unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao in a fight that some called the “Fight Of The Century.”

Speculation regarding what Mayweather would do for his next fight began immediately following his victory over Pacquiao. Mayweather stated following the fight that he intended to relinquish the world championships he holds in both the Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight divisions saying that his next fight could be a non-title bout. As speculation increased as to what Mayweather’s potential plans were, discussion among both Boxing fans and experts alike began as to who might be Mayweather’s opponent for what is billed as potentially the final time Mayweather will enter the ring as a fighter.

Since that fight readers have seen this observer discuss who Mayweather’s opponent could be as several fights took place in recent months featuring fighters looking to position themselves as a potential opponent. Along with an ongoing discussion regarding who Mayweather would face in his scheduled bout in September, rumors began to circulate that Mayweather’s next fight would not be televised via traditional cable/satellite pay-per-view in the United States as has been the norm for most of his fights in the last decade, but would instead potentially be televised on free broadcast television by CBS.

Some may remember following undefeated Welterweight contender Keith Thurman’s stoppage win over former WBA Welterweight world champion Luis Collazo last month, I stated that an argument that some could make is if Mayweather’s fight, the last in a lucrative six fight contract with CBS/Showtime in September was to indeed be broadcast by CBS instead of pay-per-view that it could be an attempt by CBS/Showtime to avoid further backlash as was the case following Mayweather’s victory over Manny Pacquiao. Backlash from consumers, both who attended the fight as well those who paid $100 for the HD broadcast and $80 for the Standard Definition broadcast of the fight who felt they did not get their money’s worth.

At that time I stated that one should consider that a problem that might have been present for Mayweather and CBS/Showtime could have been difficulty in finding an opponent that will convince consumers who felt they did not get their money’s worth from the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight to spend more money on another pay-per-view event that would likely be priced between $70 and $80 if not higher. Although it was rumored that this fight would be broadcast by CBS, when it was announced that Mayweather will be facing former WBC Welterweight world champion Andre Berto on September 12th, it was also announced that the fight will be broadcast by Showtime pay-per-view for the price of $74.95 for the HD broadcast and $64.95 for the Standard Definition broadcast.

Although many have already criticized Mayweather for choosing Andre Berto as the opponent in what is billed as what could be his final fight, this observer believes that the main source of the criticism is not so much about whom Mayweather’s opponent will be, but rather the decision to put this card on pay-per-view. In fairness the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight did break all existing pay-per-view records generating 4.4 million pay-per-view buys in the United States and nearly $400 million in pay-per-view revenue.

Even though the sport as a whole may be approaching a new era where it is prominently featured on several broadcast and cable networks, featuring well matched and competitive fights where consumers are not asked to pay for the expense of what has become an increasingly expensive price tag to see such fights on a cable/satellite pay-per-view basis, the sport is still one that is pay-per-view centric and has been for many years. It will be interesting to see how well this fight between Mayweather and Berto will do in terms of pay-per-view buys. One should keep in mind that pay-per-view numbers for Boxing cards with the exception of Mayweather-Pacquiao have underperformed in recent years. One reason for that could be the perception of the main event of a card, could be the overall value of the cards for the asking price to the consumer, or it could be the steady increase in pay-per-view prices over the years, which has some believing that cards may be overpriced. All of the above should be considered.

Floyd Mayweather however, is the best pound for pound fighter in the world in the eyes of many and a fighter with that distinction is often a pay-per-view attraction even when the concept of pay-per-view may not be one that is popular with consumers. For those who were expecting a more exciting fight from Mayweather-Pacquiao and feel that they did not get their money’s worth, one should keep in mind that Floyd Mayweather is a master boxer.

Mayweather is not known as a knockout puncher, but rather as a tactician and a chess player. At the end of the day his job is to win fights regardless of whether he succeeds in entertaining his audience. Although Mayweather does possess the skill, quickness, and hand speed that is capable of scoring knockouts, the appeal of his fights is not whether he will stop his opponent within the distance, but rather if that opponent can solve the puzzle that to date forty-eight previous opponents have been unable to. Whether an opponent can nullify the elusive movement and breakthrough the superb defense and precision timing that is Floyd Mayweather’s Boxing style. Simply put, when it comes to a pure world-class boxer, Floyd Mayweather is as good as they come.

Although this observer was not surprised by the announcement of Mayweather-Berto as being a pay-per-view card and look forward to providing further analysis regarding the fight in the coming weeks and even though the sport as a whole remains pay-per-view centric, I do believe an opportunity was missed here to continue to usher in what may be a new era. An opportunity to give the American public a chance to see the best pound for pound fighter in the world without a pay-per-view price tag as well as what would likely be a guaranteed ratings winner for CBS.

If this does prove to be Mayweather’s swansong as a fighter, some may say that a good way to end his career as one of the sport’s top pay-per-view draws in the last decade would have been to signal the beginning of a new era for his final act. It would be a shame however, if what could be the final fight for a man who will go down in history as a great fighter regardless of the outcome of that fight and regardless of whether fans may like him or not, if that moment in Boxing history were to be largely rejected by consumers. Only time will tell.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison 

 

A Look At The Cruiserweight Division

For Boxing fans when the  Cruiserweight division is discussed it is only natural to discuss the division during perhaps the period of time where it got the most recognition and exposure. The 1980s where the Cruiserweight division was part of the rise of future Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield. Prior to having four separate reigns as a World Heavyweight champion, Holyfield began his career as a Cruiserweight and on July 12, 1986 he would win his first world title defeating WBA Cruiserweight world champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi by fifteen round split decision. 

Many observers, this one included consider that fight to be perhaps the greatest fight in the history of the Cruiserweight division. Following his victory in what was a grueling battle, Holyfield would successfully defend his title four times including a fourth round knockout over Qawi in their rematch in December 1987 and successfully unifying the WBA and IBF Cruiserweight world championships along the way. This would lead Holyfield to his battle against WBC champion Carlos De Leon for the Undisputed Cruiserweight world championship in April 1988. Holyfield would stop De Leon in eight rounds to become the Undisputed Cruiserweight champion of the world.

Following this win however, Holyfield would move up to the Heavyweight division. As Holyfield departed the Cruiserweight division it seemed that the focus of the sport in the United States would largely be elsewhere and as a result the division has never really seemed to get the kind of exposure that it once did when Evander Holyfield was it’s central figure.

Over the years there have been a few memorable fights that brought attention to the Cruiserweights for brief periods of time. Some fans may remember James Toney’s clash in 2003 with Cruiserweight champion Vassily Jirov, which earned acclaim among both Boxing fans and experts alike as one of the best fights of that year and a bout that earned the 2003 Fight Of The Year award from the Boxing Writers Association Of America.

Some may also remember the back and forth battle between longtime Cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck and O’Neill Bell in their first encounter in January 2006 or the memorable first battle between Steve Cunningham Tomasz Adamek in 2008. Two fights that much like Toney-Jirov were very competitive and were successful in putting the spotlight on the division here in America. Despite the success those fights were able to have in bringing attention to the Cruiserweight division, the division has continued to struggle for mainstream exposure here in the United States.

The division however, has been able to garner more of a spotlight internationally as fighters such as Mormeck, Cunningham, Marco Huck, Denis Lebedev, and others have been able to establish themselves as stars of the division. One problem the division has had is that much as Evander Holyfield did in the 1980s, some fighters who have been able to have success in the Cruiserweight division in winning world championships have set their sights on attempting to move up in weight to the Heavyweight division to attempt to win a world title as Holyfield was first able to do when he knocked out James “Buster” Douglas for the Unified WBC/WBA/IBF Heavyweight world championship in October 1990. To date only David Haye, who won the unified WBC/WBA Cruiserweight world championship from Jean-Marc Mormeck in November 2007 was able to move up in weight and successfully capture a Heavyweight world championship when he defeated Nikolai Valuev for the WBA Heavyweight world championship in November 2009.

An argument could be made that one reason the division has struggled for long-term exposure is because there is more appeal for fighters who reach the top of the Cruiserweight division to attempt to move up in weight to seek not only world championships, but potentially more lucrative opportunities in the Heavyweight division. James Toney, David Haye, Jean-Marc Mormeck, Steve Cunningham, Tomasz Adamek, and even current Cruiserweight world champion Marco Huck, a fighter widely considered to be the best Cruiserweight in the world all migrated at one time or another to the Heavyweight division.

In the case of Marco Huck however, although he attempted to move up in weight in losing a hard fought twelve round majority decision to top contender Alexander Povetkin, in a fight to determine interim/regular champion status in the WBA’s Heavyweight ratings in February 2012, he has remained in the Cruiserweight division having successfully defended the WBO world championship thirteen times since winning the championship in August 2009. Huck, who tied the record for most successful championship defenses set by former WBO world champion Johnny Nelson, who successfully defended his title thirteen times from March 1999 until September 2006.

Huck will attempt to surpass Nelson when he defends his world championship against undefeated number one contender Krzysztof Glowacki on August 14th. It will not only mark Huck’s attempted fourteenth title defense, but it will also be his debut in the United States as the fight will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on a card televised as part of the Premier Boxing Champions series broadcast by Spike TV. 

The Premier Boxing Champions series, a series that is televised across several different networks on both broadcast and cable television has quickly risen in popularity as it has staged several competitive bouts since its inception earlier this year. One such bout that recently took place was a Cruiserweight fight to determine interim/regular champion status in the WBA’s Cruiserweight ratings between top contender BJ Flores and former WBA Light-Heavyweight world champion Beibut Shumenov on July 25th.

In what was a competitive fight Shumenov was able to score a twelve round unanimous decision over Flores in an encounter that could have gone either way. Now only a few weeks later there will be another top level Cruiserweight bout that will be presented to the American public. It is also worth noting that the division is a growing division as along with Huck, WBC champion Grigory Drozd, WBA champion Denis Lebedev, and IBF champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez currently sit atop the division.

The division also has several top contenders in addition to Shumenov and Flores including Ilunga Makabu, Lateef Kayode, Tony Bellew, Ola Afolabi, and Dmitry Kudryasho just to name a few who could all find themselves in the Cruiserweight championship picture. The Cruiserweights also has an interesting storyline as future Hall of Famer Roy Jones has continued his career in the division and is continuing to attempt to position himself for a possible world title shot down the line. Jones has won his last seven bouts since being stopped by Denis Lebedev in May 2011. In an interesting move Jones has three upcoming fights scheduled in a relatively short period of time for a fighter in the modern era of the sport. Jones is scheduled to face journeyman contender Billy Bailey on August 15th, veteran contender Danny Santiago on August 29th, and veteran contender Tony Moran on September 12th.

Although some would say that Jones is a fighter who is past his prime, it is nevertheless an interesting storyline of a fighter attempting to work his way back into world title contention after winning world championships in the Middleweight, Super-Middleweight, Light-Heavyweight, and Heavyweight divisions.

Whether or not the latest exposure that the Cruiserweight division is receiving in the United States results in the division getting the type of exposure it received in the 1980s as part of the rise of Evander Holyfield remains to be seen. If however, the division continues to be showcased on American television and on the Premier Boxing Champions series, which has received significant attention since its inception and who this week added Fox Sports to the list of networks carrying the series, the better for the long-term growth of not only the sport overall, but just maybe the growth and exposure for the Cruiserweight division here in America as well. In a sport that is constantly subject to criticism and ridicule for its flaws, it is time that the positives of the sport get the attention it deserves.

Why not the Cruiserweight division?

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison