Aug 6 - ESPN2 6:00
Eric Morel vs. Francisco Espitia
Eric Morel is an up and coming banger and former Olympian who is destined for a REAL world
title shot in the near future. He is ranked in the top 3 by ALL major world organizations.
Eric is the current IBA continentals 115 lb title holder, a "fringe" title he
won last Oct with a unanimous decision against Victor Burgos. He wants to continue his
undefeated streak with a win over Francisco.
Francisco is a banger in his own right. He sports a 15-1 11KO record. Not a bad KO to win
ration, and he was the 1996 Golden Gloves National Champion.
But does he have the tenacity to catch a rising star? Probably not.
Eric has scored 29 knockdowns in 21 fights. Eric has Olympic experience.
Francisco has national experience but no world experience, and no world ranking.
An impressive win over a heralded puncher like Espitia would look good on Eric's resume.
Morel inside 4
BlubberBean is fighting another nobody tomato can on this same card. What I meant
earlier by the IBA being a "fringe" organization is simple. They have NO
rankings, and Eric "BlubberBean" Esch is the IBA Super HW Champ.
Enough said.
Oh, about the BlubberBean fight - Another easy KO.
WHO CARES!!
Aug 7 - PPV 6:00
Francois Botha vs. Shannon Briggs
This will prove to be a most entertaining fight! It's almost like a do or die for both of
these former world contenders, with the victor getting a possible chance at Tyson.
(provided Mikey gets past the unconfirmed rematch between him and Douglas)
The big names Francois has been in the ring with were Shultz (in which he won the IBF
title, and a month later the match was declared a no-contest and he was stripped of the
title), Michael Moorer in his 2nd bid for a world title (he was stopped in the 12th) and
Mike Tyson. A fight in which Francis snatched certain defeat out of the jaws of victory.
Ahead on all scorecards, he gets stopped by a single overhead right from Iron Mike. That's
where Shannon comes in.
Shannon went 12 with Big George Foreman and took the decision, and in his only title bid
damn near stopped Lennox Lewis in the 1st and 2nd rounds, but became a KO victim himself
in the 5th. In both of Shannon's losses, he was stopped. (then again, so was Botha in both
his losses) The first to expose Shannon's chin was Darroll Wilson in Mar of 96, then
Lennox in Mar of 98.
I've had my eye on Shannon since he burst out on the scene. He's a fast starter with BIG
KO power. He has the ability to drop a big overhand right and stop the White Buffalo, just
like Mikey did last Jan.
Francois has lost weight, but looked soft at weigh in. It was reported last week that
Shannon broke one of Jimmy Thunders' ribs in sparring practice. Could Botha handle body
shots like that? I'll go with my braided hair brother in 8 heats. I think the weight loss
will affect Francois' stamina.
Briggs inside 8
Omar Sheika vs. Kevin Pompey
Omar's career was born on the USA TNF's series. He is a dramatic finisher, and has uncanny
power. This super middleweight has fought mainly unknown competition, but tough none the
less, and last May scored an impressive 2nd round stoppage of Demetrius Jenkins.
Kevin is a road tough warrior who has been in the ring with the best of the best in his 13
year tenor. In his last outing last Apr, he lost an 8 round decision to Frederik Alvarez.
Kevin has had a long career, alot of set backs and he's getting slower and more
susceptible to big shots.
(I hate to say he's getting old . . he's my age . . from the '65 vintage)
Kevin is past his prime and in my opinion has no chance against the younger, faster Omar.
Kevin can be stopped, and has been on many occasions.
Sheika inside 6
Marco Antonio Barrera vs. ?
This is going to be a tough one to call. Since Junior Jones exposed Marco, I've been leery
of him every since. He regained the WBO 122 lb title by stopping Richie Wenton last
Holloween, the title he lost in Apr of 97 to Jones by 5th round stoppage, and in the
rematch lost by unanimous decision.
This will be his 2nd defense of the reclaimed title. In his first defense, he traveled to
London, England and stopped Paul Lloyd in 3.
I seem to be a bit confused about EXACTLY who Marco is to fight. Some report it is Pastor
Maurin. Other's report Angel Vasquez. I'm not sure, so this will not go on my record. But
I will say, off the record, Barrera stops Maurin inside 9, Vasquez stops Marco inside 6. I
might make this official if I'm right =)
In Retrospect:
Eric Morel vs. Francisco Espitia
As expected . . . and then some! I expected Francisco to last a little longer and
give Eric a more competitive fight. Instead, Eric walks in and stops the overwhelmed
Francisco in one round! This imressive stoppage will make Eric more marketable, and
hopefully, he'll get a shot at a REAL world title. I'll keep an eye on him.
Francois Botha vs. Shannon Briggs
Briggs started EXACTLY as I expected him to. I didn't expect him to coast in the
mid rounds, score a knockdown in the 8 (which saved his butt!!), then lose the 10th round
by a 10-8 margin!! I have yet to view this fight. It will be replayed at the same time the
Johnston/Manfredy fight will be on HBO, so I'll catch it on another date and elaborate
further then.
Omar Sheika vs. Kevin Pompey
I might make this official if I'm right =)
Marco Antonio Barrera vs. ?
I might make this official if I'm right =)
