Nov 12 - ESPN2 at 6:00
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Phil Jackson
This is a really exciting fight, because one of the Klitschko bro's finally get exposure
on American TV! I just hope they don't strike a deal with ESPN2 because considering ESPN's
main sponsor Budweiser is not renewing their broadcast support, no telling how long the
Friday night fights will be around . . . enough of that.
Phil Jackson is a durable fighter who was once considered a contender. He's been in the
ring and has lost to some name opponents. Lennox Lewis stopped him in 8 in 94, Brian
Nielson stopped him in 7 in 96, and on USA TNF, Jeremy Williams stopped him in one of the
quickest heavyweight stoppage in like 10 seconds of round 1. Phil's best days (if there
ever were any) are behind him, as demonstrated by his last loss to unknown Chicago native
Fres Oquendo this past Sep by decision. Actually, Phil has lost his last 2 bouts and has
no hope against the rising star Wladimir.
In Wladimir's last outing he stopped Axel Shultz in 8! A feat George Foreman, Frans Botha,
Henry Akinwande and Michael Moorer couldn't do. Prior to that stoppage, Axel had NEVER
been stopped. The young Ukranian will walk through Jackson.
Klitschko inside 4
Nov 13 - PPV at 6:00
Sharmba Mitchell vs. Elio Ortiz
Sharmba is a boxer that is renowned for his skill and ring savvy. Since taking the WBA
title from Khalid Rahilou in Paris in Oct 98 by decision, he has defended the title twice;
both by distance wins. Sharmba has not had a KO in over a year, since the fight before his
title win when he stopped Bobby Elkins in 1 round. He has a dominate style and good hand
speed that dictates the pace and ultimately the outcome of his matches. He faces up
against WBA #2 ranked Elio. A fighter that is virtually unknown. He touts a modest 17-3
record, and as far as I can tell, no KO's. I'll be honest, I cannot find ANY info on this
Venezuelan native. Nothing. Ranked #2 huh? With a banger and known fighter like Hector
Comacho Jr. ranked 3rd? Hmmm. . . what's up with the WBA.
That being said, look for Sharmba to conduct another boxing clinic for a distance nod.
Mitchell by Decision
Fabrice Tiozzo vs. Ken Murphy
Fabrice is a banging Frenchman who has had an impressive run. His only loss was a decision
loss at light heavy to Virgil Hill for the WBA title. In June of 95 he beat Mike McCallum
for the WBC light heavy title, defended it once, then jumped up to cruiserweight. His
first shot at a cruiser title was a convincing decision to Nate Miller in Nov 97 for the
WBA cruiser title. He has defended this title twice stopping Terry Ray in 1 in May 98, and
stopping Ezequiel Paixao in 2 in Nov 98. He has not fought since
then. Although with almost a year to the day lay off, he should have no problem against
the journeyman Ken.
Although ranked 10 by the WBA (why??), Ken hasn't a chance against the much seasoned Fab.
Hell, Ken's never been past 10 rounds, lost his last fight this past Feb to Alex Gonzales
(. . . Alex who?) and is pushing 36. He's just a tomato can lined up for Fab to knock
down. Come on, Ken's been boxing since 1982, and has only fought 24 times? (1.4 fights per
year)
What a bogus overmatched sham of a fight! Not only is the fight lame, how could this LOSER
be ranked in the top 10 by the WBA? Is Don King near . . .
If Fab doesn't crush this can fast, he might as well hang it up.
And when he does, be a REAL champ and fight worthy opposition.
Tiozzo inside 3
Nov 12 - ESPN2 at 6:00
Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield
This as everyone knows will determine who the undisputed heavy weight champion of the
world is. Many believe Lennox was robbed the first time around. He was. Not nearly a
runaway as most would like you to believe, but he indeed won. He has now entered a new
realm. The deuce realm of Evander.
Lennox is nearly as inactive as Evander is. Both have fought less than a dozen times since
94. Both went the distance prior to their first meeting to less than stellar opposition.
Both fought the safety first style. Neither went after the other with a champions
tenacity. This will prove to be a true fight of wills.
I've said it before, I'll say it again . . . Lennox has no chin. To beat him you need a
solid jab and side to side movement. That was Evander's mistake. He moved straight back
and bended at the waist. He needs to jab and keep moving to his right to keep Lennox off
balance, and maintain a fruitful body attack. Like I have to tell him that . . .
Evander is the king of rematches. He is undefeated in rematches. In his loss to Bowe, he
rebounded to a spectacular finish to get the nod. (one of the best fights of 93!) When he
lost to Michael Moorer, (later determined he had a heart condition) he retired, got
better, then stopped Michael in 9. His only other loss was in the rubber match to Bowe.
I've wrote off Evander many times, and he has always came back. Evander is a tape
studying, style scrutinizing professor of rematches. He has Lennox's number, just Lennox
doesn't know it. Especially with Lennox running his mouth like he does. Saying he's going
to KO Evander. Bowe did the same thing in their second match and it infuriated Evander.
Remember, this rematch thing is old hat to Evander.
Don't believe age is a factor either. Evander is 3 years older than Lennox. Get real!
Lennox has something to prove. I expect him to open fast and furious, and to expend his
energy wastefully. Evander will weather the bombs, then in mid rounds start to land some
bombs of his own. I'm probably the only one who believes this but Lennox will fold by 10.
Holyfield inside 10
In Retrospect:
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Phil Jackson
Exactly as expected. Wladimir walked through and bombed the poor unsuspecting Jackson.
Phil didn't have a chance from the opening bell. Keep an eye on both Klitschko brothers,
especially Vitalij. He's the man to fear in the HW division. Ross Purity proved Wladimir
can be stopped, but Vitalij has not been chin checked yet.
Sharmba Mitchell vs. Elio Ortiz
As expected. Sharmba gets into a groove, and just cruises for wins. A news source reports
this was his 4th title defense, I can only find 2 other defenses . . . whatever. Sharmba
knocked the challenger down with a right-left combination in the first round and opened a
cut over his right eye two rounds later. By the middle rounds, the challenger's left eye
was almost swollen shut and Mitchell cruised to the win. He is quoted as stating, "I
don't get any slouches. That's why I'm the best pound for pound fighter in the
world."
Yeah right! Fight some REAL opposition Sharmba. Show some REAL finishing ability and STOP
your challengers. Until then, you've proved nothing to nobody.
Fabrice Tiozzo vs. Ken Murphy
As expected. Fab bombed Ken all night. Fab dropped Murphy late in the seventh round with a
right hand, although he got up and finished the round. But referee Joe Cortez stopped the
fight with Murphy back on his corner stool after the end of the seventh round. He was
taking much too much damage.
Lennox Lewis vs. Evander Holyfield
Not as expected. Lewis won according to the judges, but not convincingly. Evander was the
aggressor, he was busier and alot of those rounds could of went either way. Lennox didn't
rise to championship form. Now that the old wood has been weeded out of the woodpile, it's
time for Lennox to prove his worthiness and give some of the younger heavies an
opportunity. Only then will he be without a doubt the true undisputed champion.
