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TUESDAY - at Las Vegas - 10 rounds, lightweights: 10 rounds, super featherweights: Kevin Kelley (59-8-2, 39 KOs) vs. Abdul Malik Jabir (11-6, 9 KOs); 8 rounds, super middleweights: Aaron Pryor Jr. (10-0, 7 KOs) vs. Arturo Ortega (12-7-3, 7 KOs).
WEDNESDAY - at Houston (ESPN2) - 10 rounds, light heavyweights: Chris Henry (24-1, 17 KOs) vs. Ruben Williams (29-4-1, 16 KOs).
FRIDAY - at Chicago (ESPN2) - 10 rounds, cruiserweights: Tomasz Adamek (34-1, 23 KOs) vs. Gary Gomez (18-9-1, 7 KOs).
FRIDAY - at Albuquerque, New Mexico (TeleFutura) - 10 rounds, welterweights: Ray Sanchez (21-2, 15 KOs) vs. Joaquin Zamora (15-2-1, 10 KOs); 10 rounds, welterweights: Jesus Soto Karass (20-3-3, 14 KOs) vs. David Estrada (22-4, 13 KOs).
FRIDAY - at Montreal - 12 rounds, WBA light middleweight title: Joachim Alcine (30-0, 119 KOs) vs. Daniel Santos (31-3-1, 22 KOs); 12 rounds, middleweights: Sebastien Demers (25-1, 9 KOs) vs. TBA.
SATURDAY - at Hamburg, Germany (HBO) - 12 rounds, IBF heavyweight title: Wladimir Klitschko (50-3, 44 KOs) vs. Tony Thompson (31-1, 19 KOs).
This will be an interesting week for boxing fans. Of course, we are all looking forward to the big fight at the end of the month, between Cotto and Margarito. But there are plenty of quality fights between now and then, and there may even be a few surprises in the sport. Let's take a look.
I listed the Tuesday fight card, though it isn't being shown on tv, for two reasons: first, it features Aaron Pryor, Jr., who seems dedicated to the sport (though lacking the natural talent of his father); and second, it lists Kevin Kelley in the main event. And yes, it is the Kevin Kelly who turned pro in 1988, and who was once an outstanding talent. Though the schedule lists one opponent, it has been reported that the promoter had another fighter waiting in the wings, because the state boxing commission had concerns. Why the heck do they let this guy fight? Kevin is actually a good boxing announcer, and it would be best if he were allowed to make a living at ringside.
ESPN continues to provide the types of fights that boxing fans like to see. WNF = light heavyweights, and FNF = cruiserweights. Good fighters, and both nights should make for good fights.
On Friday night in Montreal, WBA Jr Middleweight champion Joachim Alcine has a tough fight. His "cut man" used to work with Dave Zyglewicz. Good guys, both. I haven't seen Dave in many years, but he was hilarious. He used to make jokes about losing a disputed home-town decision to Joe Frazier.
Remember that the Saturday fight on HBO airs in the afternoon in the USA. I think it plays at 4 pm est, but will check to be sure. It airs again, I think at 10 pm est. Klitschko has to be favored, but it is a potentially tough fight for him. Tony Thompson has all the physical tools, and the boxing ability, to upset Klitschko. It will all come down to how prepared each is mentally.
Wladimir still has self-doubts when it comes to a tough fight. Manny S has made real progress with him, but it's still Klitschko doing the fighting in the ring. Styles make fights, and Klitschko does best against significantly smaller opponents. This time, he faces someone about his own size. A good measure for this fight, in my opinion, was WK's October '04 fight with DaVarryl Williamson. Klitschko started strong against a guy who too often fights like a sparring partner. Soon, though, Williamson realized he could beat WK. Even KO him. Jay Nady did his best to protect the favored fighter, and it went to the scorecards, with WK winning a technical decision after 5 rounds.
In sad news, one of boxing's under-appreciated great fighters, Mando Ramos, died yesterday at the age of 59. He won the lightweight title at age 20, with a TKO over Carlos Teo Cruz (who died with his wife and children in a tragic plane crash, and is also under-rated). He fought the best fighters of his day, and was known as one of the best "LA fighters." Six years later, he was homeless. But he pulled his life together. I think he had been sober since 1983.
Unfortunately, Mando loved to party, and so he never really fulfilled his potential. I see that some folks on the West Coast are saying he was the Oscar de la Hoya of his time, which in a lot of ways is true. But the "fast life" took a toll on him. He had serious heart problems by the time he was 30.
In recent years, he was among a growing number of retired fighters who invested his time and energy into helping young fighters outside of the ring. He tried to educate young fighters on the dangers of substance abuse.
He was a heck of a fighter. I've read a couple things that say he was fast with his hands and on his feet. I don't recall him being particularly fast on his feet -- Ismael Laguna was able to beat him by being so much faster -- but in his prime, Mando could deliver powerful punches really, really well.
RIP, Mando Ramos.
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