“The Moment “ Can Maidana Solve Mayweather’s Puzzle?

Following a lopsided decision win last September over previously undefeated Jr. Middleweight world champion Saul Alvarez the familiar question most Boxing fans and experts alike had was what would be next for Floyd Mayweather? Of course, any time you bring up the name Floyd Mayweather the idea of a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao is bound to come up when discussing potential fights.

The idea of a Mayweather versus Pacquiao encounter has been something that Boxing fans worldwide have been hoping for, for several years now. Despite Manny Pacquiao’s two losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, Pacquiao was and still is a significant marquee draw no matter who he fights. Although some may be of the opinion that the luster and demand for such an encounter between the two diminished somewhat due to those losses suffered by Pacquiao, a fight between the two would still be a big money draw.

The fight however, did not seem as though it was any closer to being made last September as it was when the public began calling for the fight to happen several years ago. So, who would be next for Mayweather and more specifically who could draw significant interest in terms of a pay-per-view draw?

As fate would have it the answer to that question would emerge last December and in the process present perhaps the perfect storyline for a pay-per-view attraction. In the build up to his clash with previously undefeated three-division world champion Adrien Broner, the power punching Marcos Maidana was viewed by some as a non-threat for a fighter in Broner who had modeled himself after Floyd Mayweather, despite Maidana having scored victories over the likes of Victor Ortiz and Erik Morales in his career.

On December 14th of last year Marcos Maidana showed that he was not a mere opponent and not someone to take lightly. Maidana’s consistent pressure and thudding blows dominated the action as he dropped the champion twice in rounds two and eight to score a convincing unanimous decision to win the WBA world Welterweight championship. A defining victory for Maidana that was unexpected by some. The victory however, over a fighter who has been called a protege of Mayweather did set up what this observer feels is an intriguing storyline.

After scoring what was viewed as an upset over Broner, could Maidana do what forty-five previous opponents have failed to do and defeat Floyd Mayweather? One might argue that one element of this storyline that makes this fight so intriguing is a scenario of Mayweather looking to avenge the loss of his friend Adrien Broner.

The idea of Mayweather facing a fighter who has a career knockout percentage of over 80% as Maidana has would seem to have enough merit to draw significant interest as it is. Maidana’s victory over Broner however, does add some sizzle to this fight as it approaches.

In thinking of how this fight might be fought I think it is important to remember that although Adrien Broner fights in a similar style to Floyd Mayweather, that does not necessarily mean this fight could end up looking similar to Maidana’s fight with Broner. There are however, things that Maidana was able to do against Broner that is a must against a fighter like Mayweather if he wants to be successful.

The obvious thing that Maidana was able to accomplish very early on in his fight with Broner was he started going to the body early and that set up his offense to the head. Maidana’s varied attack to the body and head of Broner, particularly how effective he was in being able to land overhand rights along with consistent pressure was what won him that fight.

There is no question in my mind that Marcos Maidana has the punching power to be a threat to anyone in either the Jr. Welterweight or Welterweight divisions. He has more than proven that he is a threat throughout his career. The key however, in this fight will be whether or not Maidana can apply consistent pressure on Mayweather, maintain that pressure for the entire fight, and deal with Mayweather’s precision timing and quick hands.

Fighters such as Jose Luis Castillo, Oscar De La Hoya, and Miguel Cotto all had success in their fights against Mayweather by applying pressure on him. Some observers, this one included felt that Castillo’s consistent pressure along with his body punching were enough for him to defeat Mayweather in their first fight in April 2002. An argument can be made however, that both De La Hoya and Coto stopped pressuring Mayweather in the middle and late rounds of their respective encounters and that was a contributing reason as to why both lost against him.

In order for Marcos Maidana to be successful in this fight he has to pressure Mayweather from the outset and not allow him any room to use his lateral movement. Maidana cannot be reckless however, as Mayweather has the hand speed and timing that can catch and has caught fighters off guard in the past. The primary difference in my eyes in this fight will be that unlike Adrien Broner, Mayweather will likely look to be elusive in looking to use his lateral movement to deflect and evade Maidana’s offense, in contrast to Broner who was more willing to engage and was a more stationary target in his fight with Maidana.

 Although Broner has a similar style to Mayweather, there is only one Floyd Mayweather Jr. What has made Mayweather such a defensive master throughout his career is his ability to anticipate an opponent’s offense, avoid the majority of that offense with quick reflexes and respond with counter punches with precision accuracy.

Even though Marcos Maidana does have momentum coming into this fight, he does have his work cut out for him. Maidana was able to defeat and solve a fighter known as “The Problem” in his last fight. Will Maidana have the answer to solve the puzzle of Floyd Mayweather or will Mayweather befuddle another opponent leaving fans and experts alike asking the familiar question of what’s next for him after this fight? We will find out Saturday night.

“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

Wladimir Klitschko: 16 Successful Title Defenses, Pulev Next?

When long reigning IBF/WBO/WBA/IBO Heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko entered the ring to make the sixteenth defense of his world title against WBO number one contender Alex Leapai on April 26th in Germany there was not a feeling of suspense. Leapai, the relatively unknown challenger had emerged on the scene after scoring a convincing ten round unanimous decision upset win over previously undefeated number one contender Denis Boytsov in November of last year.

There is no doubt as this fight approached however, that most considered Leapai to be a considerable underdog against a fighter who in addition to being a two-time Heavyweight world champion had also not lost a fight in over a decade. In the lead up to this fight I stated that Leapai needed to bring the fight to Klitschko from the outset and not allow him to establish distance. I went on to say that there was no way that the 6’0 Leapai could win this fight from the outside against the 6’6 Klitschko, who in addition to his height also has an eighty-one inch reach.

When the two fighters entered the ring there would be no element of surprise, but rather a great fighter at his best giving the Boxing world and another demonstration as to why he has been so dominant since regaining the Heavyweight title in 2006 in his second fight with Chris Byrd. Leapai began the fight trying to establish head movement and looking to apply pressure on Klitschko. Klitschko however, would score a knockdown of Leapai with the jab midway through the first round.

Although Leapai did not appear hurt he was not able to disrupt Klitschko’s rhythm in that Klitschko was able to establish his jab and in doing so began looking to land his right hand. This has been the fundamental style that has befuddled many an opponent for Klitschko in the last decade. It may not be the most entertaining style to watch in the eyes of some, but you simply cannot argue with success.

As has become the norm any time an opponent gets close to Klitschko, Klitschko immediately ties that opponent up and does not allow an opponent to get off with anything effective. Such was the case for Alex Leapai. Any time Leapai got close, Klitschko quickly tied him up and then reestablished the distance. Even though Leapai continued to try to get underneath Klitschko’s jab he eventually became a stationary target for Klitschko’s offense and could not establish hardly any offense of his own.

The one-sided encounter came to an end as the effects of Klitschko’s jabs and right hands gradually broke Leapai down as the champion scored two knockdowns in the fifth round to force a stoppage of the fight. In all truth and honesty there is not much to say about this fight nor is there much to analyze.

Sometimes it is a simple as one fighter doing what he has to do. With the win Klitschko has now successfully defended his title sixteen times leaving him four title defenses away from tying Larry Holmes who had twenty successful title defenses during his title reign from 1978-1985. Currently, Klitschko is nine defenses away from tying the all-time record of twenty-five successful title defenses, which was set by Joe Louis from 1937-1949.

Although there will be some who will say that Leapai, who was out landed 147 to 10 over the course of the fight simply did not provide any resistance for Klitschko and say that this title defense does not prove anything, I respectfully disagree. At the end of the day this was another day at the office for Wladimir Klitschko. In the bigger picture however, this fight was one more step on Klitschko’s march towards Boxing history. Even though there will be detractors who will say that there was a lack of depth in the Heavyweight division during Klitschko’s era, I believe statistics do not lie and when Wladimir’s career is said and done it will be hard for anyone to say that he was not an all-time great. All a fighter can do is face who is put in front of them.

Some may choose to debate as to the state of the Heavyweight division and whether or not that has played any role in not only Wladimir’s dominance, but of the Klitschko brothers as a whole. This observer believes that it may not necessarily be a case of a weak division, but maybe the two men who have dominated the last decade of Heavyweight Boxing Wladimir and older brother Vitali are simply just that good.

As for what’s next for Wladimir, it is logical to assume that he will face the IBF’s top contender the undefeated Kubrat Pulev later this year in another mandated title defense. As for the rest of the division, all the attention will now focus on the bout to determine a new WBC world champion as top contenders Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola meet in a rematch on May 10th. The winner that fight will probably be mandated to face undefeated top contender Deontay Wilder who defeated Malik Scott in March in a fight that was billed as an elimination bout.

No matter what happens with the WBC championship, the biggest story in the Heavyweight division will continue to be Wladimir Klitschko’s march towards Boxing history. As Klitschko’s reign atop the division continues it is logical to assume that if he were successful in defeating Pulev that Stiverne, Arreola, and Wilder would all be potential future opponents no matter who might be WBC champion.

The question that this observer will continue to ponder is can any of the above or anyone else in the division for that matter derail Wladimir Klitschko’s march towards Boxing history? It will surely be interesting as opponents continue to attempt to answer that question.

“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 

Can Leapai Derail Klitschko’s March Towards History?

For over a decade one name has dominated the Heavyweight division. Klitschko. A name shared by the most dominant brothers in Boxing history. Both Vitali and Wladimir have ruled over the division with two iron fists and have become what this observer has called “The Two-Headed Heavyweight Championship Monster.”

There have been few challengers that have been able to go the distance with the brothers, much less been able to compete effectively. It’s no secret to those who have read my work over the years that I have been of the opinion that the Klitschko brothers are not likely to get the respect that either of them are due for their dominance until both are long retired from the sport.

After a decade at the top of the division, and having taken possession of the World Heavyweight Championship between them, I wondered if there would come a time when the Heavyweight championship of the world would become universally vacated. This scenario did seem as though it were a possibility as most are probably of the opinion that the brothers were likely to retire on top as world champions. Part one of that equation came when Vitali vacated the WBC title earlier this year to focus on his political ambitions leaving a vacancy in the Heavyweight division, and more importantly the first time since 2008 that a portion of the Heavyweight championship of the world is not in possession of either Klitschko.

This now leaves Wladimir as the sole Klitschko in the Heavyweight division. What has gone unnoticed by some is since regaining a portion of the Heavyweight championship in 2006 and successfully unifying four of five world titles, Wladimir has also been quietly marching toward history.

Following his fifteenth successful title defense over previously undefeated Alexander Povetkin in October of last year, Klitschko has put himself on the verge of joining elite company in regard to the most dominant Heavyweight champions of all time. There are two legendary fighters that have successfully defended their titles more times. Larry Holmes who successfully defended his Heavyweight title twenty times and Joe Louis who holds the all-time record for title defenses in any weight class in Boxing history with an incredible twenty-five successful defenses.

For the thirty-eight-year-old Klitschko it would be a fitting way to close his career if he were to come closer to Holmes and Louis, and maybe even break the all-time record. The next step for Klitschko is title defense number sixteen, which will come on Saturday when he defends his unified IBF/WBO/WBA/IBO world title against WBO mandatory challenger Alex Leapai in Germany.

Leapai, an Australian-based native of Samoa emerged on Wladimir’s radar after he scored an upset ten round unanimous decision over previously undefeated number one contender Denis Boytsov last November. Leapai, who will enter the fight with a record of 30-4-3, with 24 Knockouts comes into this fight with a five fight winning streak.

Leapai however, is probably not well-known outside of Australia and is likely to be viewed as an underdog as this fight approaches. This opinion could be based on his record. Although Leapai has built momentum coming into this fight, he has beaten several fighters who are not particularly well-known. Despite his victory over Boytsov, Leapai’s most notable opponents were former world title challengers Owen Beck and Kevin Johnson. Leapai scored his sixth round knockout over Beck in 2010, but was stopped by Johnson in nine rounds two years later.

Although some may consider this fight to be a mere formality as Klitschko continues to rule over the division, it is important to remember as I have said many times over the years that anything can happen in Boxing and that is what makes the sport great. There was also a time when Klitschko was susceptible to being caught off guard, most notably in his fights with Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster.

There is no doubt however, that in the years since suffering those losses Wladimir has become a much more technically sound boxer who makes full use of his physical advantages. Even though both of the Klitschko brothers have been criticized over the years for their Boxing styles, you can’t argue with success.

It has proven to be an extremely difficult task in the last decade for opponents to land anything effective on Wladimir. This can be attributed to the legendary late great trainer Emanuel Steward, who took over as Klitschko’s trainer in 2004. Under Steward’s guidance Klitschko was able to make full use of his 6’6 frame and eighty-one inch reach. Even though some may criticize the Boxing styles of the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir’s career in the last decade is a shining example of why Emanuel Steward is regarded as one of the greatest trainers in the history of the sport. Some might argue that if it weren’t for Steward, Wladimir’s career might have been different and probably would not have achieved the level of dominance he has over the last decade.

How can Leapai win this fight? Although some might say that Leapai has a puncher’s chance, he needs to get close enough in order to attempt to land that punch. He must bring the fight to Klitschko from the outset and not allow Klitschko to establish distance. Simply put, there is no way that the 6’0 Leapai can win this fight on the outside. He needs to make Klitschko fight.

This is however, easier said than done. In Klitschko’s last fight Alexander Povetkin attempted valiantly to bring the fight to Klitschko, but was nullified every time that he got on the inside.  Klitschko was able to make full use of his height and weight as he roughed up and grappled with Povetkin on the inside, scoring four knockdowns and dominating throughout.

Much of the blame for Klitschko’s ability to rough up Povetkin throughout that fight was pointed in the direction of Referee Luis Pabon. This observer however, stated following the fight that if a referee will allow you to make full use of your physical advantages and size, why not use it to your advantage?

Povetkin is only two inches taller than Leapai. This means that Leapai will be in the same predicament of having to find a way to get on the inside of Klitschko and avoid being caught where Klitschko can lean and use his body weight to his advantage. In order to do this Leapai must first find a way to get on the inside and avoid Klitschko’s jab and straight right hand, which has gradually beaten down many opponents. Alex Leapai clearly faces an uphill battle in this fight and we will have to see what he has to offer in the ring.

Although this fight has been dismissed by some and from a business standpoint has been passed on by some networks both here in the United States and abroad, this fight does have an element of intrigue. Wladimir Klitschko’s march toward Boxing history. If he is able to get past Alex Leapai, each successive title offense will continue to increase interest regardless of who the opposition might be. Wladimir Klitschko must now deal with two opponents each time he gets in the ring. The opponent standing across the ring from him and the increasing element of chasing Boxing history.

For Boxing fans in the United States Klitschko-Leapai will be televised by ESPN on Saturday afternoon at 5PM EST/2PM PST. Will Klitschko continue to inch closer to Holmes and Louis? Or, will an unheralded challenger be able to pull off another upset?

We will have to wait and see.

“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

Hopkins Gives Another Lesson In The Science Of Boxing

The Light-Heavyweight championship unification clash between IBF champion Bernard Hopkins and WBA champion Beibut Shumenov had in it’s lead up what has become a familiar storyline to all Boxing fans. Could the future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins continue to defy father time and in the process continue to rewrite the book of Boxing history?

After only fifteen fights as a professional, despite holding the WBA championship for over four years, and defending his title five times, Shumenov entered this fight as an underdog. In addition to the storyline that accompanies practically all of Hopkins’ fights at this stage of his career, this fight also had the question of whether or not Shumenov could defeat a fighter with the skill level and experience of Bernard Hopkins. All questions would be answered when the two world champions entered the ring Saturday night at the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C.

In the lead up to this fight I stated that some may have said going into the fight that Shumenov was to establish a fast pace with the intention of making Hopkins feel uncomfortable from the outset.  Shumenov was after all facing a man nineteen years his senior.  Most Boxing aficionados will likely agree that the approach in just about every case where there is a significant difference in age between two fighters, the younger fighter should try to make the older fighter fight the younger’s type of fight where the advantage would be in their favor.

This however, would not be the case as right from the beginning of this fight the pace was tailor-made for Hopkins. Shumenov needed to establish that this would be his kind of fight and not the type of fight where Hopkins would not only dictate the pace, but look as though he was putting on an exhibition.

The pace of this fight could likely be described as a pace of a friendly sparring session. Both fighters seemed a bit reluctant to make the first move. In the early rounds this seemed to be an example of the Boxing equivalent of a chess match. The first three rounds could have a significant difference of opinion as to who won those rounds due to the lack of action and offensive rhythm.

Although some may not consider the way the early rounds were fought to be entertaining, it is important to remember that Boxing is a science and therefore, can be extremely tactical at times. Shumenov seemed to be slightly more active early on, but simply being more active does not always translate into winning rounds. As is the case with most Bernard Hopkins fights, he was very elusive, able to deflect much of his opponent’s offense, and work effectively in spurts looking for opportunities to counter punch.

In most instances where Bernard Hopkins is allowed to dictate the pace he uses the first couple of rounds to study his opponent and as the fight progresses, he begins to implement his strategy. This is essentially what happened in this fight.

Hopkins’ ability to be elusive, make his opponent miss, and make the most out of his offense, particularly when he threw his right hand was really what this fight was all about. A future Hall of Famer giving a lesson in the science that is Boxing. As the fight progressed, Shumenov just couldn’t find an answer to turn the fight in his favor.

What was most troublesome for Shumenov is that he trains himself, and there was no one to offer input as the fight went on as to any potential tactical adjustments that Shumenov might have attempted to make. Although Shumenov appeared to the aggressor in this fight he was not able to land consistently and this played right into Hopkins’ hands. The highlight of the fight came in round eleven when Hopkins knocked Shumenov down with a right hand and appeared that he might have been able to get stoppage in this fight. Hopkins, who has not scored a knockout since his victory over Oscar De La Hoya in September 2004, at age forty-nine being able to stop a man nineteen years his junior would have been impressive. Nevertheless, a forty-nine-year-old man dominating a younger opponent is impressive and noteworthy. 

Although one may not expect to see a knockout whenever Bernard Hopkins fights, to see a legendary figure of the sport continue to outwit much younger opposition and to do so with relative ease is entertaining to watch. What by all accounts was a dominant victory for Bernard Hopkins was briefly overshadowed by one scorecard at the end of the twelve round championship bout.

The consensus is that Hopkins dictated the fight from start to finish and was able to win most of the rounds. The consensus however, was not the opinion of Judge Gustavo Padilla who scored the fight 114-113 in favor of Shumenov, while judges Dave Moretti and Jerry Roth both scored the fight 116-111 for Hopkins getting Hopkins a split decision victory.

Following the fight I commented on Twitter that Boxing needs some sort of regulatory board to oversee the sport beyond the local and state athletic commissions. Even though it is very tempting to criticize judge Gustavo Padilla for his scorecard in this fight, the reality is that the scorecard is evidence of an ongoing problem throughout the whole sport. The memories of judge C.J. Ross’ scorecards in the first Manny Pacquiao-Timothy Bradley and Floyd Mayweather-Saul Alvarez fights are still and will likely remain in the conscience of Boxing fans for years to come.

Much like Ross’ scorecard in the Mayweather-Alvarez fight, the scorecard of Gustavo Padilla differed significantly from the consensus opinion as to who won the Hopkins-Shumenov fight. Not only did Padilla’s scorecard differ as to who won, but it also differed from what happened in the ring from a visual standpoint. This fight was not close and although it was very tactical, it was easy to see who was dictating how the fight was being fought. That man was Bernard Hopkins.

Unlike the scorecard of C.J. Ross in the first Pacquiao-Bradley fight, Gustavo Padilla’s scorecard would not lead to a controversial outcome much as Ross’ scorecard in the Mayweather-Alvarez fight ended up not being a focal point as to who won the fight. Credit to judges Dave Moretti and Jerry Roth for turning in adequate scorecards in this fight.

There is no doubt in my mind that had Gustavo Padilla’s scorecard been the determining factor in the outcome of this fight that Boxing fans and experts alike would be filled with great passion and anger over what would be another black eye for the sport. The ongoing problem that continues throughout the Boxing world is the absence of an independent regulatory board to oversee the sport worldwide.

The slight controversy notwithstanding, the bigger story that emerged out of this fight was Bernard Hopkins’ quest to become the first man in Boxing history to completely unify world championships in two weight divisions. The logical next step in my eyes would be to see Hopkins face the winner of the Adonis Stevenson-Andrzej Fonfara fight that will take place next month, later this year in another unification clash.

There is of course the possibility of a fight between Hopkins and Sergey Kovalev as well at some point. If circumstances were to emerge where rival networks and promoters were to come together, it is possible that we would see Hopkins vs. Kovalev sooner, but does not seem likely at this point in my eyes.

At the end of the day Hopkins-Shumenov was another demonstration of a master of the craft of Boxing plying his trade. The loss for Shumenov will only benefit him in the long run if he can take the lessons taught to him by Hopkins and use it to improve as a fighter. Shumenov has only had sixteen professional fights and this may only be the beginning for him. I am of firm opinion however, if he does not obtain a trainer on a fulltime basis, this also could be the beginning of the end.  

As for Bernard Hopkins, he continues to defy odds, defeat father time, and amaze Boxing fans and experts alike as he continues to be at the top of his game at nearly fifty years old. As Hopkins continues to rewrite the book of Boxing history, the Boxing world eagerly awaits the next chapter.

“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