Boxing!

[H2O Man]

On 11-19, HBO carries the fight between Floyd Mayweather, Jr and Sharmba Mitchell. It is for Floyd's "WBC Jr. Welterweight title," which is one of the fictional "championships." However, Mayweather is possibly the most talented boxer in the sport today.

Mitchell is a talented fighter, too. He would be a top contender in any era. He has speed, is a smart fighter, and has found some surprising power late in his career. He is, however, an example of a fighter who has allowed the demons of self-doubt to create flaws in his career.

I had read that Mitchell had planned to fight as a welterweight, and was closing a deal on a fight with Zab Judah. I had wondered if Floyd was going to try moving up, to see if he could carry the weight well, and perhaps look for a match versus his friend Zab, too.

(Those who enjoy the classic boxers should watch ESPN Classic tonight. They will be showing Ezzard Charles defending against an ancient Joe Louis. Not the best fight, by any means, and sad in the sense that such a great champion as Louis was forced to fight so long after he should have retired. But Charles is fascinating to watch. He was the greatest amateur boxer ever, and was one of the best light heavyweight and small heavyweight champions ever.)

[H2O Man]

1. I often wonder...

how come there are so few boxing fans on DU.

[Kingofalldems]

2. Fight fan here

Strictly heavyweights lately though. Started watching boxing in the fifties. Weekly fights with Don Dunphy announcing.

[dr.zoidberg]

4. Hey man, you know I'm around here.

Well, sometimes anyway:D .

[dr.zoidberg]

3. Isn't Mitchell older that dirt?

I think I remember Ring magazine had him ranked as far back as 1993. Floyd wins this fight because he's just too good to be beaten right now.

I found out today that Showtime will televise Jean Marc-Mormeck vs. O'Neil Bell in a crusierweight unification match in January. That will be a hell of a fight. IMHO, the crusierweight division is the best division in boxing right now. you have great fighters in Mormeck, Bell, Guillermo Jones, Dale Brown, and Wayne Braithwaite. Also there are a number of good,young European fighter coming up the ranks as well.

[H2O Man]

5. I remember Mitchell

from way, way back. There was a time that one of the fighters I trained was considering taking a fight with him. Nothing came of it, but I remember my guy saying he didn't have to worry, because Mitchell couldn't punch. Well, he would have stomped my guy.

The cruiserweights are indeed coming into their own now. In a way, it makes sense they would have such a talented group, because so many of the best small heavyweights from the past would be in that division today. It is really beneficial to the sport to have some very talented big men, and the case can be made that the cruiserweight division can produce the most interesting contests of skill and power among the large men.