Sep 24 - ESPN2 6:00
Orlando Canizales vs. Frankie Toledo
Orlando is a future hall of famer that is still banging. He owns the all time bantam
weight record for most title defenses (16), a record that stood since 1947. He also holds
the record for the longest bantam weight title reign (6 years 3 mo). Orlando is fighting
at featherweight now, and wants to continue this campaign against weak hitting Frankie.
Frankie is an extremely inactive fighter. He has only fought a hand full of times since
losing a fringe title bid to Cassius Baloyi in Nov 96.
Inactivity will play a major role, experience and power will be the winning factors.
Canizales inside 8
Sep 24 - Showtime 8:00
William Joppy vs. Julio Cesar Green
This ought to prove to be an interesting fight. This is Joppy and Green's 3rd match-up.
Green beat Joppy by unanimous decision after surviving two 3rd round knockdowns and took
Joppy's WBA middle weight title (Aug 97). In the rematch, Joppy took the title back via
unanimous decision (Jan 98). Joppy defended the title in Aug 98 with an ugly one sided
dismantling of Roberto Duran in 3, then in Jan of this year, he was involved in a
car accident that resulted in a broken neck. In his first bout since the accident, he
stopped Napolean Pitt in 1 round last July in a non title bout.
In Green's last outing he outpointed Jerry Williams this past May.
Expect to see a revitalized and motivated Joppy take the fight to Green and score the KO
he's been waiting for to avenge his only loss. Green won't go easy. Expect an all out war!
Joppy inside 6
Sep 25 - HBO 6:45
Shane Mosley vs. Wilfredo Rivera
Shane is cut from the same cloth as Oscar De La Hoya. Hailing from the same home town of
Pomona, they have similar natural ability and speed. He is a truly "pretty"
boxer to watch with natural foot and hand speed and devastating KO power as demonstrated
by his 32-0 with 30 KO record (%94 win to KO ratio - the highest KO percentage of a
reigning world champion in history!) He owns a win over Oscar in the amateurs, and ended
his amateur career at 250-10. Trained by his father Jack, they utilize their own style of
fighting appropriately called "Power Boxing". In his first title bid, Shane
defeated a clinching and holding Ivan Robinson (Aug 97) by unanimous decision and has
since then terrorized the light weight division with impressive stoppages over John John
Molina, Manual Gomez, Demetrio Ceballos and most recently, ring tough Jon Brown (as predicted). Some believe Oscar jumped weight to 147 to
avoid him. (I always believed Shane was the only man on the planet who had a chance
against Oscar). Shane has relinquished his IBF LW title to campaign as a welterweight.
Wilfredo Rivera is welter weight contender hailing from P.R. He has always been on the
edge of greatness, but has not performed at the championship level when given the
opportunity. He owns stoppages over former world champ Livingstone Bramble and Mark
Hammon. His only losses were 2 to Pernell Whitaker in 96, and was stopped by Oscar De La
Hoya in 8 in Dec 97. I believe Oscar's first fight at welter was against Wilfredo also.
Hmmmm . . . probably with the same outcome. Only quicker . . .
Mosley inside 5
In Retrospect:
Orlando Canizales vs. Frankie Toledo
Not as expected. Orlando sucks! He let a soft punching, inactive nobody beat him to the
punch and out hustle him. Orlando's move up in weight will be catastrophic if he continues
to look his age. He should rethink his boxing career if this is is his best performance
against weak opposition. Hats off to Toledo for the biggest win in his career. Orlando, I
have one world for you my brother . . . . RETIREMENT!
William Joppy vs. Julio Cesar Green
EXACTLY as expected. Joppy TOTALLY outclassed an unsuspecting Green. Joppy intended to
prove that their first meeting was a fluke and the second proved him the better fighter.
Joppy's hand speed and awkward angles was the beginning of the end for Green.
Surprisingly, Joppy did most his punching going backwards, and didn't land alot of his
shots sitting down on his punches. Anyone that can hurt you going backwards is most
dangerous.
On the same card Keith Holmes defended his title against a tough Andrew Council. I opted
not to do a prediction on that fight because in their first meeting I believed Council
won, and this would be to close to call. Holmes methodically out punched and picked apart
Council, and dropped him in a stunning 9th round knock down. Holmes scored a well deserved
unanimous decision. There is now talk about a unification bout between Holmes and Joppy.
Judging by their respective performances, I believe Joppy to have the upper hand.
Shane Mosley vs. Wilfredo Rivera
As expected. Wilfredo is a damn tough fighter that gave Shane a little trouble. Moving up
from LW to welter (12 pounds), coupled with the fact he did so against one of the most
durable welters in the world was a little tougher than Shane expected. Shane landed MAJOR
bombs on Wilfredo all night, and I expected him to close the show early, but a resilient
Wilfredo would not go easily. Shane stormed out in the 10th round and scored an uppercut
that left Wilfredo sprawled out on the canvas. A feat NOBODY has ever done. Shane has made
his mark on the welter weight division and has given all who fight in that weight class
something to worry about. Now there's talk about a De La Hoya matchup, a bout Shane would
entertain on a moments notice. Keep an eye on Sugar Shane, he's going to make major waves
at 147.
