June 18
Larry Holmes vs James Smith
Some are saying this is the battle of the century, hmmm or is that their combined ages?
Well, none the less, it's a lame fight that I can't believe is on PPV!! Who would pay for
this? Larry Homes should just retire, like he has done on at least 5 different occasions.
I just wish we can remember him for the tremendous heavyweight he was, not the punch drunk
retard he's on the road to becoming. More than likely he will use that jab, and James will
hold on for dear life for 10 rounds. This was to be a "WHO CARES" decision, but
I believe the Easton Assassin will take the distance win.
Holmes by Decision
June 18
Hector Camacho vs P.J. Goosen
Hector has always been a secret favorite of mine. He has that funny flash and style that
makes most people hate him, and has others (Jorge Paez, Prince Naseem Hamed) trying to
emulate his outrageousness. 10 years ago, he was a dominate middleweight. He was washed up
until stopping an over the hill Sugar Ray Leonard 2 years ago, and survived the onslaught
by Oscar De la Hoya in his fight following that. PJ is an undefeated boxer who
hasn't seen the tricks the elusive southpaw Hector can deal out. The boy is in for a
boxing lesson, and expect Hector to give the kid his first loss. Gossen or not!
Camacho by Decision
June 19
Michael Grant vs Lou Savarese
Lou really surprised me in his last bout with Mount Whittaker. I expected the boy to fold,
but just like when he fought Foreman, he hung in there and upset the much favored Mount.
(although officially George won, I believe Lou was the true victor!)
Lou is the latest installment in the saga of the great white hope. I underestimated him
before, but I don't believe I am this time. Michael Grant is a dominant force. Of all the
matches this week-end, I expect this one to be the most exciting of them all. Grant is a
huge, hard hitting heavy that does damage to EVERYONE. He is in my top 5 heavy list to date. He is currently ranked in the top 10 in ALL boxing organizations,
not just the top 3. He has STOPPED David Izonretti (who STOPPED Lou in Nov 97), Jorge Luis
Gonzales, Al Cole and in his last fight, Ahmad Abdin in the 10th round. First or last
round, this gifted boxer will get ya! Lou will hang for a bit, but power has a tendency to
soften determination. This time, Lou WILL fold.
Grant inside 6
Jeremy Williams vs Hasim Rahman
Hasim is another heavy who has done his rounds with some well known names. Until his only
loss at the hands of David Tua last Dec (stopped in the tenth, and it was no
fluke!!), he banged out names like Steve Pannell, Jesse Ferguson, Obed Sullivan and Jeff
Wooden. All journeymen that have been around the heavy weight division a while.
Jeremy is another heavy I have followed since the beginning of his career. He has one of
the fastest knockouts ever in the heavyweight division (like 11 seconds). He has fought
some seasoned competitors, but when faced with ranked opposition, he crumbles. Henry
Akinwande stopped him in 3 about 3 years ago, and Larry Donald took him the distance and
took the decision. Jeremy is a fast starter that fades quick, and you can't do that in
this division, and ever be a viable contender. Look for Hassim to take him into mid fight
and stop the by now inactive Williams.
Rahman inside 7
In Retrospect:
Larry Holmes vs James Smith
This fight happened EXACTLY as I expected. Holmes went to town with the jab
and broke down Smith. Now he believes this is a springboard to better paydays. I don't
think so. Like in the past, nobody wants to risk ranking or reputation on a fighter that
can be dangerous. What would any of the top heavies have to gain by fighting Holmes
anyways? They have everything to lose. If they beat him, the boxing world will say - So
what, you beat an aging and over the hill Holmes. If they lose to him, they'll say - What,
you couldn't beat an aging and over the hill Holmes? It's a lose lose situation. Holmes
will not score any fights of noteriety, so the aging champ in my opinion will continue to
fight has beens, and wither on the vine.
Tim Witherspoon vs Greg Page
Not as I expected. Tim had to quit due to a torn back muscle and didn't answer
the bell in the 8th round. Page stormed him in the first and sent him to the canvas, and
it was down hill from there. Tim should hang it up . . . well, there's always a match up
with Holmes.
Hector Camacho vs P.J. Goosen
Happened as expected. I do stand corrected, PJ has had 2 losses prior to this
match up. My records showed him at 17-0. My bad. Hector dictated the pace, and the outcome
of the bout and boxed his way to an easy victory. Hector seems hopefull for another title
shot. More than likely, won't happen. He has failed in his last two tries (Trinidad and De
La Hoya), and has held world titles in both the 130 and 135 pound weight classes. At 37,
it's not out of the realm of possibility, but I don't see it happening at Jr Middle
Weight. Not with Fernando Vargas and David Reid out there.
Michael Grant vs Lou Savarese
Michael fought a most interesting fight. In my opinion, he broke down Lou
mentally, then he beat him physically. He never gave Lou the chance to mount any kind of
attack. Michael has a tremendous chin, and has a perpensity to take excess shots. He
fought the tuck an hold fight and mounted a most vicious body attack that had poor Lou so
demotivated by the 8th round, Grant was picking his shots at will. I have to give Lou a
shout for taking the amount of damage he did and ended the fight on his feet. Lou survived
a tenth round that most would of folded. Michael is still one of my top 5 heavyweights. A
press release today stated that he is not the type of opponent that Lennox Lewis would
want to fight. That's because Lennox see's the writing on the wall. Michael would break
him down too.
Jeremy Williams vs Maurce Harris (Hasim Rahman pulled out due to
injury)
Hasim pulled out 5 day's prior to the bout, and was substituted by Maurice
Harris. What a mistake for Jeremy this was. The 14-9 fighter showed the much heralded KO
artist Williams a thing or two about heart and determination. I was most impressed with
Jeremy in the first 2 rounds or so. He showed greatly improved head movement, and hand
speed. but as predicted, Jeremy started fading in the 4th. Harris wobbled Williams in the
4th, and from that point on Jeremy was on the road to ruin. Maurice showed signs of
fatigue but pressed the attack for 10 rounds and received the much deserved decision. This
was a big feather in the cap of Maurice, and can propell him to better paydays. Against
some of the better heavies out there, he will not fare as well. Remember, Maurice has 9
loses. Most all by TKO. He can be stopped, and people like Ike Ibeabachi (one of my
favs!), Michael Grant, David Tua or even a Chris Byrd could take him to task. Don't expect
great thing from Maurice.
