July 29 - Showtime 10:00
pm
Hector Camacho jr. vs. Phillip Holiday
Hector is another rising star who in the past year has risen above all
competition. Like his dad in younger days, he demonstrates excellent natural ability and
big banging power in a little package. Hector has earned top 10 spots in all 4 major
ranking organizations. He is currently ranked #1 by the WBA, #6 by the IBF and #8 by the
WBO at 140 pounds, and #5 by the WBC at 135. This fast handed southpaw has shown
championship poise and skill and explosive power as exposed in his crushing first round
stoppage of veteran Harold Warren this past Feb. In his last outing this past Jun, he
dismantled Manard Reed in 4. Camacho the Younger steps into the the ring with his toughest
test to date in former IBF champion Phillip Holiday.
Phillip was the IBF Lightweight champion for 6 title defense until losing a one sided
decision (and his title) to Shane Mosely in Aug 97. Philip made impressive defenses
against the likes of Joe Diaz, Ivan Robinson and Pete Taliaferro. Philip has much world
experience and has fought many championship rounds. Since losing to Shane, he is 5-2-1,
with all wins by KO and all loses by decision. This tough South African has never been
stopped, and I suspect he will end this match standing on his feet.
Look for Hector to use his flip top power right jab to set up the big left hand leading
combo's. Philip may visit the canvas, but he won't stay. Hector will box his way to a
convincing decision, but can make a thunderous statement if he stops Philip.
Camacho by Decision
Kostya Tszyu vs. Julio Cesar Chavez
(WBC Super Lightweight title)
Like this is even a matchup at all. This is such a joke of a matchup, I feel
sorry for poor Julio Cesar Chavez who is about to get his ASS handed to him in a basket!
I'm not sure what's more ridiculous . . . this match up, or Julio's #1 ranking!! I totally
underestimated Kostya in the Miguel Angel Gonzalez fight, and was very surprised to see
Kostya dominate and stop the man who gave De La Hoya so much trouble. Kostya continued
with his 8th round stoppage of heralded Ahmed Santos this past Feb (as predicted). Kostya utilized a superb body attack and
stopped yet another tough pugilist (Like Miguel) who previously had never been stopped
before. He continues on his quest for world supremacy against over the hill and Mexican
tax evasionist Julio Cesar Chavez.
This past his prime bum needs to go away. He was in my opinion NEVER a champion, and never
lived up to the hype when faced with top flight opposition. Pernell was one of the first
to discover a chink in his armor, Frankie Randall beat him, Oscar convincingly stopped him
twice and most recently, unknown Willie Wise took him 10 rounds and made the boy look old
and slow. In his last outing, he stopped professional opponent Buck Smith in 3. Julio is
washed up and hopefully tonight will be the last time we have to see this loser climb
through the ropes.
There's a reason I mentioned Miguel Angel Gonzalez. Kostya man handled and stopped Miguel,
but in Mar 98, Julio fought him to a draw. Hmmm. . .
Don't buy into the hype. This fight is in reality a colossal mismatch, and even if it goes
the distance, it will be barely competitive and extremely on sided. Kostya will out hustle
and out land the over matched Julio, and Julio will be incapable of withstanding the
punishment beyond 9 frames.
Kostya is in his prime, is hungry and is about to be charged with manslaughter. Well,
involuntary manslaughter. It's the WBC who is forcing Kostya's hand. They, for $ome rea$on
or another, gave Julio the #1 ranking, thus the mandatory challenger $tatu$.
Tszyu inside 9
In Retrospect:
Hector Camacho jr. vs. Phillip Holiday
As expected. Hector dictated the pace of the fight and was landing some very clean shots.
Had he not of dropped that elbow and cut Phillipp's eye, I bet it would of went the
distance. Hector showed patience and utilizes the unorthodox southpaw stance to his full
advantage. He was uncharacteristically cautious, but that's understandable considering his
foe was a former world champion. Remember, Phillip had never been stopped. Albeit it was a
technical decision at 6 rounds, Hector still in a way ended the bout inside the distance.
Needless to say, this kid has a long promising career ahead of him, and I'll be keeping an
eye on him.
Kostya Tszyu vs. Julio Cesar Chavez
Exactly as expected. Kostya laid back and they fought the first couple rounds fairly even,
then the inevitable began. Kostya started landing more and more at will, solid devastating
punches. As expected, he was leading with a strong jabs and setting up the big right hand.
In the 5th, Chavez slipped and moments later Kostya dropped 3 lefts, a big right
and split Julio's melon open. In the 6th, Kostya turned up the pressure and knocked down
Julio. Julio staggered to his feet, then Kostya had him leaning on the ropes and unleashed
the game ending flurry. Referee Bobby Ferrara stopped the fight. Shortly after the fight,
Julio announced he should retire! Damn! I got my prediction and my wish =) Julio left the
ring and that was that. We'll never see that loser climb through the ropes again! He never
took the post fight urinalysis, he never made it to the post fight press conference, he
high tailed where ever. Hopefully, he will stay where ever. What surprised me was he
didn't talk smack after the fight. Usually, when he loses, he say's how the other person
can't punch, they really weren't hard shots, blah, blah, blah. You know, the stuff whining
LOSERS say. Whatever.
Kostya looked promising tonight, extinguishing the flame of a legend. He sits atop a
division that is loaded with talent, and there will be many more exciting title defenses.
I look forward to seeing what's next for the Russian banger from down under.
