Jan 14 - ESPN2 7:30 pm
Irene Pacheco vs. Pedro Pena
This should prove to be a terrific match up against 2 formidable forces in the flyweight
division. Irene is the current IBF champ and fights for the first in the U.S. and only the
second time outside of Columbia. He has an impressive 12 win by KO streak going, but has
not fought top shelf opposition. He won the title by a 9th rd TKO over Luis Cox, a fight
he was winning on all 3 judges cards. Pedro will prove to be his toughest foe to date.
Pedro has a very impressive resume. He is a 2-time USBA flyweight champion, former
California flyweight champion and a U.S. national amateur champion. Pedro has much more
international experience and has done more rounds against tougher opponents then that of
Irene. I am probably the only person who smells an upset in the making, but I see Pedro
taking the unanimous nod.
Pena by Decision
Ross Puritty vs. Frankie Swindell
This should be billed as the battle of the has beens. Both were one time contenders, and
both need wins to continue their campaigns as credible opposition. Ross has been in the
ring with some of the best heavyweights in the division. He lost decisions to Brian
Neilson (Mar 94), Hasim Rahman (Mar 96) and went the distance with the big man Michael
Grant (Jul 96). He has stoppages over Jorge Luis Gonzales (Dec 96) and even stopped the
much acclaimed Joe Hipp (Jun 97). Frankie was on a win streak until Elicecer Castillo
derailed it. (last night Castillo proved his worthiness in a solid 10 round draw against
Alexander Zolkin) The 84 Olympian needs a win to get back on track, but unfortunately, it
will not be tonight. Ross has momentum on his side and Frankie has soft head syndrome from
being stopped so many times. Ross will turn it up and stop Frankie in the mid to late
rounds.
Puritty inside 8 rounds
Jan 15 - HBO 6:45 pm
Roy Jones Jr. vs. David Telesco
Like David has a snowballs chance in hell against Roy. Honestly, he doesn't even belong in
the ring with the current undisputed LH champ. David takes a tremendous step up in
competition, and at the same time, is vying for 4 world belts! Let me tell you, it's not
out of the realm of possibility. As we all know, a boxing match can be determined by one
punch, and David has the one punch ability to turn things around, but Roy is much to
intelligent a fighter to allow this to happen. Since the match with Graciano Rocchigiani
fell through (twice!) and terms couldn't be met to fight Dariusz Michalczewski (the WBO
champ), this was the fall back plan. Both the aforementioned boxers (I didn't want to type
those names again!!) are scheduled to clash on April 15, and I'm sure the winner of that
scrap will be next in line for Jones.
Expect Jones to open fast and establish his jab, then begin to methodically pick David
apart. Once Roy gets in his zone, David's done. I don't expect David to hear the final
bell.
Jones inside 9
David Izon vs. Derrick Jefferson
Derrick is another up and coming heavy. I had him losing to Maurice Harris, but boy was I
surprised! With Maurice coming of a huge upset against Jeremy Williams, I figured he was a
shoe in. NOT! Derrick landed bombs from the opening bell and Maurice finally buckled in 6.
Derrick shows good boxing skills and has a promising future as a hw contender. Last Sep he
stopped Melvin Foster in 4 and last Nov stopped Harris in 6. David Izon (formerly
Izonretti) was an up and coming hw contender. He has been in the ring with many of the top
talents, but hasn't faired well. Michael Grant stopped him in 5 (Jan 98) and David Tua
stopped him in 12 (Dec 96). the most important fight to note is his 8 round loss to . .
none other than Maurice Harris (Mar 96). David has become a stepping stone for up
and coming talent, and expect him to be just that against the undefeated heavy handed
prospect Derrick.
Jefferson inside 8
In Retrospect:
Irene Pacheco vs. Pedro Pena
Not as expected. Pedro was taking the fight to Irene, and was on his way to a
possible points nod when he was caught by a big left hand to the chin midway through round
11. Pedro had NO gas left in the tank. He recovers then another combination has him on the
back of his lap again which prompted referee Robert Gonzalez to stop the fight at 2:32 of
round 11. Pedro was so exhausted he lay in the ring for ten minutes before leaving under
his own power. It was everything I expected though, and Pedro DID prove to be a tough
challenger for the now 13 KO win streak Colombian. Expect big things down the pike from
this little big banger from Columbia! He more than proved his mettle as a world champion
last night.
Ross Puritty vs. Frankie Swindell
Not quite as expected. I wonder if they read my predictions and were out to prove
they weren't has beens =) They fought a wall to wall match which had Ross landing the big
bombs and Frankie dropping mondo combo's! One judge scored the bout 97-93 for Puritty, one
judge had it 96-94 for Swindell while the third judge scored the fight even, 95-95. So,
Obviously, one judge liked bombs, one liked combinations and one felt the bombs and the
combos cross canceled each other. None the less, it amounts to two boxers fighting for the
right to remain contenders, and after tonight, both are attractive opponents for the up
and coming heavies like the Klitschko brothers, Michael Grant, David Tua, John Ruiz, Ike
Ibeabuchi or even Aluminum Mike Tyson.
David Izon vs. Derrick Jefferson
Not at ALL as expected. What a lame ending to a great effort on Derrick's part.
He goes in and out boxes, out punches and even occasionally hurts David, to run out of gas
in the ninth! I also dispute the stoppage, which was in my opinion, premature. But back to
the lack of endurance on Derrick's part. What retard signs a contract to fight 10 rounds
and doesn't train for it? Maybe he didn't realize they meant ten rounds . . . in a row!
You got me.
Yes, David got the nod, but who was impressed by his performance. He proved nothing except
perhaps he can take lots of damage. Definitely not a showcase of his ability. Both referee
Art Merchanti Jr. (with his premature stoppage) and Derrick showed their inexperience in a
match that in reality ended with no REAL winner.
Roy Jones Jr. vs. David Telesco
As expected. Damn can David take a punch or what? It reminds me of two guys
playing catch. Roy was pitching, David was catching. From the opening bell Roy was
dropping bombs from every angle and doing text book body work. It's always a pleasure to
watch Roy work. He has such blazing speed, and has such an unorthodox style that you are
always off balance.
Hell, he won EVERY round on ALL judges score cards. An awesome performance from one of the
best fighters in the world. His final step is to secure a match with the winner of the
Dariusz Michalczewski / Graciano Rocchigiani fight (who then will be the WBO LH champ),
beat him and hold all 4 of the belts. He should then defend them a couple times, then
retire. Not because he is done, but this classy boxer should go out when he is on top of
his game. Kudos' to Roy Jones for his great work and David Telesco for his uncanny ability
to emulate a heavy bag.
