Grady Brewer to fight Winky Wright…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Lawton’s Grady Brewer has been waiting for a chance to showcase his skills, and he just might have one now.
The season 2 winner of The Contender is slated to fight former world champion Winky Wright on Dec. 11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
A presser will officially announce the bout Wednesday in Puerto Rico, and Brewer’s people said they will send me anything newsworthy that happens there.
Brewer has won eight fights in a row, but his career hasn’t really taken off since winning The Contender.
A win against Wright would get him another big fight. Wright’s inactivity has taken him away from the spotlight. His last win was three years ago against Ike Quartey, and he’s lost back-to-back fights to Bernard Hopkins and Paul Williams.
Wright has been one of the best pure boxers in the sport the last 15 years but never really garnered that acclaim after two wins against Shane Mosley and a near wipe out decision win against Tito Trinidad.
Much more on this fight as we get closer.
***
Eric Fields’ opponent for the Remington Park card has been announced. The Ardmore cruiserweight will take on Adam Harris (10-1, 7 KOs) of Massachusetts in the main event Nov. 12.
Oklahoma lightweight champion Noah Zuhdi and Arkansas middleweight Delray Raines will also be on the card.
For tickets and more info, head over to catboxentertainment.com or call (800) 595-4849 or (405) 408-3599.
Changes made to UFC 106…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The UFC didn’t take long to figure out what to do for a main event at UFC 106 on Nov. 21 in Las Vegas.
After heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar pulled out of his bout with Shane Carwin because of illness, the UFC announced that Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin II will be the new top attraction.
Not bad, huh?
The UFC also announced it hopes Carwin and Lesnar can be rescheduled for early 2010.
Griffin and Ortiz fought 3 1/2 years ago with Ortiz earning a tough decision. Ortiz was originally supposed to fight Mark Coleman, but he withdrew because of injury.
This fight is good, I’m liking it. Ortiz wants to make a splash in his return to the UFC while Griffin wants to become relevant again. Yeah, Griffin’s last two losses (Rashad Evans, Anderson Silva) are against some of the best in the world, but he needs a win. Not deperately, but a loss won’t do him any good.
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Also at UFC 106 will be the return of former Oklahoma State wrestling star Jake Rosholt.
Rosholt, coming off a career-defining victory (at this point) at UFC 102 against Chris Leben, is going to take on Kendall Grove. Grove lost a three-round decision to Ricardo Almeida at UFC 101.
Machida escapes Rua…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Well, it’s not too often I’m wrong. Wait, it’s not too often I’m RIGHT. But UFC 104 once again proved that even the most predictable outcome sure is fun getting there.
Really thought Lyoto Machida was going to walk on, through and everything else against Shogun Rua.
With the way Machida handled ‘my boy’ Rashad Evans and that Rua was getting the rub off of beating Chuck Liddell (though a legend, he’s past his prime), thought Machida would cruise to the easy win.
Wasn’t so. All three judges scored it 48-47 for Machida, who lost his first rounds ever in his eight UFC bouts.
What is clear after watching it Sunday and judging from the crowd reaction is that Rua won the last two rounds, and that’s what people remember.
It’s all about the finish. Very close fight. Initially, I called it a draw. I might watch it again for a better assessment.
Either way, all it really did was build up the anticipation to an immediate rematch that has earned the right to headline a PPV. UFC president Dana White said he thought Rua won and also said there would be a rematch.
In the other notable bout, heavyweight Cain Velasquez continues his rise with a second-round TKO victory. Stoppage was a bit premature, but Cain was handling his business.
Don’t know if he’s ready for a title shot, but he dang close at this point. I would like to see him win one more fight against a well-seasoned fighter that could give him fits.
***
Caught the first episode of 24/7: Pacquiao and Cotto as must say both Manny and Miguel are coming off as likable dudes.
Still torn on who I’m picking in this one. Something in me keeps saying this is Cotto’s moment and Pacquiao has never faced someone with such power.
But Cotto has never faced anyone with such blinding speed. Hmm, see, could go back and forth every day.
Sets up a good November as I forgot about Chad Dawson vs. Glen Johnson II on Nov. 7, then PacMan and Cotto on the 14th and Andre Ward vs. Mikkel Kessler to close off the first stage of the Super Six on Nov. 21.
Few weeks away from Fields’ Remington debut…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Fields to make Remington debut
The buzz has never been higher for the Oklahoma City-based boxing promotions group, catBOX Entertainment.
The organization recently signed world-ranked cruiserweight contender Eric Fields of Ardmore, and Fields will fight his first bout under the catBOX banner Nov. 12 at Remington Park.
Fields, 27, is a two-time National Golden Gloves champion and fought for the WBO cruiserweight championship in April 2008.
He has only fought once since, an easy second-round technical knockout in January and is 12-1 with 10 knockouts.
Also scheduled on the card will be Oklahoma lightweight champion Noah Zuhdi. Zuhdi is 8-0 with eight knockouts. It will be his seventh fight at Remington.
Tickets are on sale. For more information, call (800) 595-4849 or visit www.catboxentertainment.com.
This is pretty exciting for the local boxing scene, and it will be very interesting to see how much interest is generated from having someone like Fields around.
The last Remington card left a bad taste in a lot of people’s mouths, but this sounds like a winner on paper.
I’m hoping that since it’s a Thursday night, I’ll be able to check it out. It shouldn’t interfere in my HS football duties, but we shall see.
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Couple of boxing fights to update on as it Vitali Klitschko will take on Kevin Johnson in December in Switzerland.
I’ve long been a fan of Johnson and what he brings to the table. Though I don’t think he is anywhere near ready for this type of bout, hey, go for it.
Johnson, from what I’ve seen, has an incredible jab and great handspeed. The knock on him has been his lack of power. He’s won his last three fights by KO, so that’s a step in the right direction.
There isn’t a name on his ledger, and he’s not someone the most casual of a fan should even recognize, buy hey, go get ‘em.
Also, Shane Mosley is now said to be fighting Andre Berto. I’ll believe it when I see it as Mosley has had no luck at all since destroying Antonio Margarito in January.
***
And for those who want a look of what being a boxing writer in the 21st century means, here is a poignant piece from Thomas Hauser at maxboxing.com.
It’s a look at the lack of boxing coverage by The New York Times.
This will give you some real insight on how perception becomes reality real quick, and it’s a constant battle. A battle (of getting boxing out there) that I feel can be won (or I wouldn’t fight it). But as always, tremendous piece by Hauser.
Back Friday with some UFC 104 thoughts.
Bellator added to the big boys?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Bellator Fighting Championships announced a partnership with NBC, Fox Sports and Telemundo on Tuesday to broadcast Seasons 2 and 3 of Bellator in 2010.
A little conflicted on this one. On one hand, it’s great to have a TV deal locked in place, and it lets fighters know it won’t be going away anytime soon.
But on the other, after doing gangbuster ratings on ESPNDeportes, you have to think Bellator was hoping for a spot on ESPN2 or somewhere like that.
I think it’s a matter of perception. When I see something on Fox Sports, I don’t get too excited. I’ll still watch because I have the sickness. But in terms of production values and things that add to a broadcast, hmm, it hasn’t always been Fox’s best asset.
Fox has had the International Fight League and PRIDE events before on its affiliates, so it’s not like it’s new to the MMA world.
From the press release:
“Since our launch earlier this year, there has been an overwhelming demand from MMA fans nationwide for us to broadcast our events live and through a widely available platform,” Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “We are thrilled to have signed this groundbreaking agreement with FOX Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo, which will bring our unique and exciting brand of tournament-based MMA events to a dramatically expanded audience of both English- and Spanish-speaking fans.”
Under this new multi-tiered alliance, Bellator events will be distributed live in primetime on Thursday nights beginning April 8, 2010 on FSN and its regional sports network affiliates. The top moments from each week’s live events will then be condensed into an action-packed 30-minute highlight show, broadcast every successive Saturday night in the all night daypart on NBC, and a one-hour highlight show will air in Spanish on Telemundo every Saturday night from midnight to 1 a.m. Each of the three broadcasts will be aired in high definition.
In talking with Rebney before, he’s got a good head on his shoulders. And maybe the best thing he’s done with this is to have the live fights on Fox, and then shine it up all nice for NBC.
The goal (you would think) is for the NBC viewings to be the the ones that add the new viewers. The diehards are going to watch on FSN anyway, so it’s an interesting approach.
Bellator made a pretty big splash for a first-year MMA group in April with some fantastic fights and some even better finishes. The second season will start in April with another 12-week tournament. The third season is set to commence in August with another 12 weeks.
It took MMA back to its roots with a tournament setting and a fighter getting more and more money with each win.
Former Central Oklahoma wrestler Jared Hess made it to the finals of the middleweight tournament. He lost to Hector Lombard but was praised for his grit and toughness.
Bellator came to the Lloyd Noble Center at OU, and I was impressed with the setting and production. Hope to get in touch with Hess and get his thoughts about this agreement.
What do you think? Has Bellator officially arrived with this deal, or is it too early to make such a proclamation?
Super Six giving boxing buzz…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
While MMA and UFC are seemingly doing everything right in trying to create new fans and exploring new marketing ideas, boxing has been well behind the curve.
For years, us ‘experts’ thought there needed to be the Next Great Star to try to bring fans to the game. But after watching the Super Six World Boxing Classic, that is not needed.
Imagine that all it took was fighters willing to risk everything for the chance at getting everything. The buzz was there this last weekend for Arthur Abraham and Jermain Taylor and Carl Froch vs. Andre Dirrell.
Taylor has left the hospital and is now vacationing in Europe. That’s the best news you could hope for at this point.
Some thoughts, observations
- European crowds are absolutely fantastic. Great atmosphere at both venues. Wish it would be like that again in the US.
- Antonio Tarver is going to be one heckuva announcer. What he’s doing a real good job of right now is not turning the focus back to himself. He’s talking about the fighters. Really hope he sticks with it. I love the “Magic Man” but the last couple of years have stained what I remember of him.
- Glad we finally know the format of the Super Six. Three stages with two points for a decision win and three points for a KO win. After that, a semifinals and a final. Thank you.
- How cool is the Super Six? Because of the format, not one person (well, almost) has mentioned how Andre Dirrell is now done because he just had his first loss.
- Taylor needs to get out. And I’m not just saying that because I’m an advocate of Tulsa’s Allan Green taking his place. Taylor gave us everything he had. He took on one tough fight after another. He’s good to great, but it seems he’ll always end up just a little short. The money isn’t worth the memory loss.
- But that leads to an interesting conundrum. Say Green (or whoever) replaces someone. Does the replacement inherit the other guy’s point total, and how would that be fair? We’ll see.
- I love Gus Johnson’s excitement, but he was off the mark on Dirrell and Froch. I thought Dirrell won, too, but Johnson seemed to only notice what Dirrell did the whole night. And great to see Steve Albert back for the Abraham fight, a true class act.
- Well, we got almost a month now. 24/7 for Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto starts Saturday. That fight is Nov. 14, with Mikkel Kessler and Andre Ward concluding the first stage of the Super Six on Nov. 21.
- Back later in the week as I try to muster up some enthusiasm for UFC 104. I don’t know, just think Lyoto Machida is going to wipe the floor with Shogun Rua. We’ll see.
Super Six: Good as advertised…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
After watching hours upon hours upon hours of high school softball all last week, it felt good to watch some boxing Saturday night.
Showtime presented the first two bouts of the Super Six Super Middleweight Classic, and it was solid. A great night of action.
But you know I love Jermain Taylor and everything he has represented. And it’s probably why I didn’t post something Sunday because my heart was still going out to Taylor after being brutally knocked out by Arthur Abraham in the final seconds of the 12th round.
I don’t think this was a case of Taylor tiring down the stretch, but more it was Abraham simply coming on and making his imprint in the fight.
Taylor had the edge through six rounds but didn’t do enough to make me think it wasn’t going to be a sad end.
He jabbed like nobody’s business, but it wasn’t effective and he didn’t follow it with a right and left hook. It was just a double jab into the ear muffs of Abraham.
In round 9, Taylor was buzzed something awful. Thought it was done, almost hoped it would be. I knew if it wasn’t, that maybe something even worse was in store.
And in the final half minute of round 12, it happened. Abraham wasn’t looking for the kill shot but found it anyway with a right hand. Taylor went completely limp and thudded on the canvas.
When he hit the ground, his gloves remained in the air. In other words, stop counting referee. Amazingly, Taylor gave a postfight interview but has been said to be suffering from memory loss and of course has a nasty concussion.
Big win for Abraham in front of his home crowd. Not sure where Taylor goes from here. And honestly, not sure if I want him to go anywhere from here. That’s three brutal KOs in two years. Retire and live the good life.
In the other bout, didn’t expect much from American Andre Dirrell as he took on England’s Carl Froch.
Boy was I wrong. Dirrell is the real deal, even if two of the judges didn’t see it that way.
Dirrell lost a close split-decision by scores of 115-112 twice for Froch and 114-113 for Dirrell. I believe The Boneman had it 115-113 for Dirrell. Don’t remember what round I had even.
Thought Froch was out of line in his postfight interview, lambasting Dirrell for how he fought. Which is it: did Froch want to show he had some skills like he said before the fight? Or did he want it to be a rough affair where he gets away with every dirty trick in the book?
A day later, not too peeved about the decision. Live, I was frustrated. More for American boxing than anything else. It was a close one, and Dirrell didn’t do what he needed to do in the 12th round on foreign soil.
The interesting thing to me is the first five rounds. That’s where this fight was won or lost by Dirrell. It was just a lot of ‘blah’ and running and an occasional flurry by the American. But Froch had no answer. Didn’t cut off the ring and landed next to nothing, too.
After the fifth round, the action heated up, and I know that Dirrell hurt Froch at the end of the 10th round but didn’t press it enough. I know it. From the way Froch’s body language was and his legs unsteady, he was there to be had.
Either way, chalk it up as a W for Froch and the first loss for Dirrell.
More thoughts and analysis Tuesday on the Super Six as this has kinda got me pumped about the boxing/MMA world again after a couple of listless weeks following Ultimate Fight Night.
Hendricks added to UFC 107…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Kinda slow time here in the MMA world as we gear up for the next big UFC PPV, but there are a couple of local names making news.
First is former Oklahoma State star Johny Hendricks. Hendricks is coming off a first-round TKO against Ultimate Fighter winner Amir Sadollah and will be a part of UFC 107 on Dec. 12 from Memphis.
It hasn’t been officially confirmed by the UFC, but all reports say Hendricks will fight UFC newcomer Ricardo Funch. Funch is undefeated and from Brazil, but I admit that’s about as much knowledge as I have about the guy at this time.
Hendricks is one of my favorites to talk with when it comes to his honesty about everything going on. Definitely try to catch up with him before the bout.
***
Another former Cowboy is making some noise as “King” Mo Lawal has signed with Strikeforce.
Sources say Lawal might even be ready to go as early as December. Lawal has some of the most entertaining videos out there right now.
He’s been gaining steam in the last couple of years in the Japanese organization Sengoku. Has quite the buzz around him right now.
Lawal would definitely add a lot to the Strikeforce light heavyweight division, which isn’t the strongest right now. So win-win for both parties involved.
The Super Six is here…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Even when it was made official I couldn’t believe it was actually going to happen. No way could this six-man super middleweight round robin actually occur.
Well, the first two boxing fights are Saturday on Showtime, so ha, take that, Boneman.
This is truly something I haven’t seen in my lifetime. The only thing remotely close to this was the middleweight tournament in 2001 on HBO featuring Bernard Hopkins, Keith Holmes, Tito Trinidad and William Joppy. Hopkins, of course, added to his legacy with a brutal one-sided 12th-round knockout of Trinidad.
But this Super Six is intriguing at all levels with Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell and Andre Ward representing the US and Arthur Abraham, Carl Froch and Mikkel Kessler representing Europe.
It kicks off with Taylor vs. Abraham and Dirrell vs. Froch, both fights are in Europe.
You know I love Jermain, but there is no way the Arkansas native doesn’t get stopped in this one. He tires out, and Abraham is in his prime, too, and is certainly one of the best fighters in the world today.
Taylor should dictate early as usual, but then Abraham should figure him out, let Jermain wear himself out and take him down.
Dirrell and Froch is interesting because not sure if Dirrell belongs with the rest of these cats.
He has the most to prove, if you ask me (but you didn’t). Froch is coming off that memorable 12th-round KO of Jermain Taylor in the spring.
If Dirrell chooses to box from the outside, he might be able to do enough to eke out a decision. But Froch never stops coming, so I don’t know. And it’s in Europe, so I don’t know. Think Dirrell has to try to make some sort of statement in this one.
Gonna go with Abraham TKO 8 and Froch by close unanimous decision against Dirrell.
***
Able to talk with Oklahoma lightweight champion Noah Zuhdi this last weekend about how things are shaping up for the Nov. 12 card at Remington Park.
Exciting time for catBOX Entertainment, based here in the Oklahoma City area. Able to sign its first big name in cruiserweight Eric Fields, and he’ll make his debut under the catBOX banner in the main event Nov. 12.
There was a press conference last week at Remington to officially announce it, and it seems like interest in the local boxing scene is starting to pick up.
***
Back Thursday with some MMA news and notes, including the latest on former OSU start Johny Hendricks.
Green wins, but was it enough?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I know there was a late opponent change, but it’s stuff like Friday night why nobody starts tooting the horn of Tulsa super middleweight boxer Allan Green.
Because sometimes, he just looks like he doesn’t want to be there. Green was originally supposed to fight Victor Oganov, but it was switched to Travis Simms.
The result was an underwhelming decision for “Sweetness” (or is it Ghost Dog). He was coming in with huge momentum following the second-round destruction of Carlos De Leon Jr., but this, ugh, not what people wanted to see.
Green is arguably the best fighter not involved in Showtime’s Super Six Super Middleweight Round Robin tournament. But he didn’t make a case for inclusion with his outing Friday in Newkirk.
Lawton’s George Tahdooahnippah picked up another win, this time by decision. Good experience for Tahdooahnippah, interesting to see where he goes from here.
Biggest winner of the night was Antwone Smith in an undercard bout against Harry Crawford. Walked him down and put ‘em out. Fine performance.
This weekend sees the return of Israel Vazquez, who rose up the Boneman’s rankings faster than anyone I can remember with his three bouts with Rafael Marquez.
Hope he’s the same Izzy as before, but who knows what those fights have done to him?
Also be keeping an eye on The Ultimate Fighter this week to see if Kimbo Slice comes back. His bout with Roy Nelson did record ratings for Spike (kinda figured that). The teaser sure was setting it up for Kimbo to be an injury replacement. We’ll see.
