Aug 18 - HBO 10:30 pm
Vernon Forrest vs. Raul Frank
(vacant IBF welterweight championship)
Vernon has his sights set high and is looking for a mega showdown with Shane
Mosely. Considering the fact that Vernon is the person who prevented Shane from making the
92 Olympic team, I would like to see that match up!
Raul is the #1 ranked contender. Vernon is Ranked #2. They are battling for the vacant
belt. The belt Felix Trinidad gave up when he moved up to 154 lbs.
Vernon has showed great promise since turning pro, and has performed well against
experienced opposition. In Aug 98 he stopped veteran Adrian Stone to win the NABF Welter
Championship. Recently, he took former world champion Vince Phillips to a convincing 12
round decision this past Jan (as predicted). He
continues to out work and out land his competition. Tonight will be a coming out party for
Vernon.
Vernon puts his undefeated streak on the line against a tough and ready fighter Raul.
Raul has had few fights of notoriety. In Oct 97, he scored the split decision nod to
Purcell Miller and won the USBA Welter belt. So, like Vernon, he has won a regional belt.
But unlike Vernon, he has faced no-named opposition. Not only has he faced no-named
opposition, he has lost and drawed to them! Vernon has faced known, ranked opposition and
has always excelled. So what's the verdict?
Vernon will open and close early. Actually, as mentioned before, Vernon is hoping for a
big showdown with Sugar Shane. Raul is a thorn in his side that must be dealt with quickly
and convincingly. Expect bombs to drop, followed by a beaten Raul in the early to mid
rounds. Raul will be lucky to see the ring card girl hold up the "Round 7" card.
Forrest inside 6
Fernando Vargas vs. Ross Thompson
(IBF jr middleweight championship)
This will prove to be a most interesting defense for Fernando. Earlier this week,
Ross has been saying Fernando is a bum, Fernando has called Ross a crackhead, and at a
press conference earlier this week, the heated words led to fists flying. Believe me, this
fight will be ugly. Ugly for Ross that is. Although Ross is the ranked #1, and is
Fernando's mandatory challenger and tune up for his mega fight against Tito this winter,
Ross is just fodder for the champ. Ross has both an unimpressive record (24-3-1 16 KO's),
and has faced less then mediocre opposition. He faced Oba Carr in Jun 97 to lose the nod
with scores of 99-89 (twice) and 99-90. In other words, he lost EVERY round on ALL judges
cards. Prior to that fight, Ross went the distance with champion James Page in Feb 96 to
lose the nod. When faced with technically sound pugilists, Ross becomes lethargic and
defensive. How Ross achieved the #1 ranking is beyond me.
Fernando on the other hand is a world class boxer. Fernando KO'd EVERY person put in front
of him up to his 18th fight. That would include winning the IBF belt (Yori Boy Campas TKO
in 8) and his first two title defenses. Winky Wright was the first to take Fernando the
distance, and in his last outing, he dominated Ike Quartey to a convincing 12 round
decision this past Apr.
Ross has a snowballs chance in hell of beating Fernando.
Considering the fact Ross has never been down, is it a possibility that Fernando can stop
him? Probably, but it would be in the mid to late rounds. Thompson weighed-in at 2 lbs
over the 154 lb limit and had to sweat off the excess weight. He made weight successfully
the second time. Could this hurt his stamina?
Fernando will take his time and pick Ross apart.Fernando already said he would take him
into the later rounds because he wanted to punish him. Expect just that. Fernando will
open fast to establish his jab and right hooks to the body. After taking a sound beating
for most the fight, Ross will fall inside 10 frames.
Vargas inside 10
In Retrospect:
Vernon Forrest vs. Raul Frank - NO
CONTEST
Not as expected. Unfortunately, both fighters in the 3rd round were trying to drop big
left hooks, and clashed heads. This opened up a major cut on Raul near his hairline that
immediately started bleeding profusely. The fight was stopped, and declared a no contest.
This is most unfortunate for Vernon, who has waited a long time to vie for a championship
belt. Now he has to wait longer. At least 4 months.
As for how the match was going, I had a slight edge for Vernon. I expected him to open
from the bell with bombs, but Raul for the most part was holding his own. In the few
exchanges that occurred, I felt Vernon had the lead. This fight will be rescheduled for a
later date. There's still a vacant belt. . . We'll see then.
Fernando Vargas vs. Ross Thompson - VARGAS
TKO IN 4*
Almost as expected. I had it a Vargas sweep. For the first 2 rounds, there were cases for
both guys, but Vargas was landing the cleaner shots, and Ross landed some well placed
bombs on Fernando. In the third round, Ref Joe Cortez took a point from Fernando for
hitting behind the head. That started Fernando's motor! Shortly after the deduction,
Fernando dropped a picture perfect left right combo that had the previously never KO'd and
never down Ross on the back of his lap and in serious trouble. Fernando jumped on him and
dropped Ross for a second time at the bell. Round 4 opened and so did Fernando. Sensing
that Ross was still in trouble, Fernando swarmed and dropped Ross with a flurry. I'm not
sure how many noticed, but when Fernando dropped Ross the 3rd time, he spit on Ross while
Ross was down. It was obvious at this point the end was near. Ross makes the count, then
an unanswered flurry of Vargas left and rights to Ross' head prompted Joe Cortez to grab
Fernando and waive the fight off at 1:07 of the 4th round.
Ross made the same mistake that Raul Marquez made in
Jul 99 prior to fighting Fernando. He ran his mouth! Look where it got him. Only
difference is Fernando made Raul pay for 11 rounds. Perhaps Ross got off easy.
Fernando showed great poise and patience in this outing. He stopped a man who had never
been down or stopped. Neither has Fernando. That in itself speaks volumes.
Now he looks down the road to Felix Trinidad. Felix is a great boxer himself. Although I
believed Oscar was robbed that Sep day last year, Felix showed superior endurance and
heart especially in the later rounds.
How do you think Tito will fare against the one deemed Ferocious?
I'll get back to you on that . . . . ;)
