Fields, Zuhdi score KO wins…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I’ve always been a believer that how you leave a show is a lot more important than how you start it. That was definitely the case with the boxing event Thursday night at Remington Park.
After a dreadful first hour that saw three fights go less than four rounds total (you could hear the groans and boo birds), the last two bouts gave the fans what they wanted and sent ‘em home happy.
In the main event, cruiserweight Eric Fields of Ardmore shook off the nerves and rust to earn a fourth-round TKO over Adam Harris.
Fields admitted it was hard for him to concentrate this week, he just wanted to get in that ring so bad.
By the third round, Fields started to compose himself and work his plan. And one big left hook to the body in the fourth spelled the beginning of the end for the Massachusetts native.
The win improves Fields to 13-1 with 11 KOs. Harris drops to 10-2 with 7 KOs. Fields told me he wants to get right back out there. I guess when you had only fought once in 19 months but feel like everything is back under control, that’s attitude you want.
For more on Fields’ win, go here.
***
Oklahoma lightweight champion Noah Zuhdi isn’t sure if it was the best knockout of his young career, but he said it was definitely the cleanest.
Zuhdi landed a picturesque left hook to knock out Robert Flaherty in the second round.
I feel like I’m really maturing as a fighter. I give a lot of credit to Robert for the way he fought. My jab was working beautifully tonight, and I set it up the way I wanted to.” – Zuhdi
Zuhdi is now 9-0 with 9 KOs. Videos of both Fields and Zuhdi should be up on NewsOK later today or this weekend. Zuhdi’s KO is something you must see to believe.
***
Now we’re done with the prospects, time to get to the stars as Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto is Saturday night. Ooh boy.
Fields ready for next chapter…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Well, the time for talking is done. Thursday is the Remington Park boxing event, featuring the Oklahoma City debut of cruiserweight Eric Fields.
Fields is a real quiet guy but definitely packs some punch. Fields is taking on Adam Harris of Massachusetts. Harris comes in with a 10-1 record with 7 KOs. I haven’t seen any film of Harris, so your guess is as good as mine when it comes to his potential.
Anyway, for the Fields story, go here. And for a video with Fields training, here ya go. See ya at the fights.
Photos: Zuhdi and Fields in the gym…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Yeah, I won’t quit my day job anytime soon. The fights are Thursday at Remington Park. Cruiserweight Eric Fields is on the left while Oklahoma lightweight champion Noah Zuhdi is on the right.
Is this Pacquiao’s toughest test?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
It’s so hard to bet against Filipino icon Manny Pacquiao. He is the one fighter in the last 10 years that you always feel like you can count on.
And as he’s gotten older, he’s become an even more complete fighter under the tutelage of Freddie Roach. And in his unbelievable career, these last two years probably stand out more than anything.
But now, Pacquiao faces his toughest test Saturday night against Miguel Cotto in a fight that has been dubbed ‘Firepower.’
Pacquiao is coming off one of his best outings ever in a two-round destruction against Ricky Hatton in May.
But for some reason, I find myself leaning toward Cotto. It’s fun to say Floyd Mayweather hasn’t fought anyone in their prime or at the right weight, but can’t you say the same about Pacquiao lately?
His last two wins (where a lot of the legend of PacMan has grown from) was against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Two undisputed Hall of Famers, but two fighters whose best days were definitely behind them.
What can he do against a welterweight in his prime like Cotto? What will happen when Cotto lands a flush right hand?
Pacquiao fans (which I totally include myself in) can counter with ‘will Cotto ever find Pacquiao long enough to land that big shot?’
I’m done betting against Pacquiao because of the moment. I’ve thought the last couple of times that maybe trying to get up for these big fights might just be too much. Each time, he’s performed even better than he had before.
So even though there are some distractions in his home land in the Philippines and some unrest in his own camp, that is not going to play a role in what happens Saturday night.
It’s all going to be Cotto. Ooh boy, getting closer and closer.
***
The video with cruiserweight boxer Eric Fields should be up on NewsOK sometime today. It’s the last plug I can give for Thursday’s card at Remington Park, featuring Fields and Oklahoma lightweight champion Noah Zuhdi in separate bouts.
I’m very excited to see Fields live. I’ve seen him on TV a couple of times, but this should be an eye-opener. Tickets are still available.
Fedor makes splash…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Well, I’ll be honest. I did not expect Fedor’s fight to be all that competitive or exciting. It was both, so score one for Strikeforce.
Fedor stopped Brett Rogers (as if you didn’t know that by now) with a thunderous right hand in the second round of their heavyweight bout Saturday night on CBS.
I think if I watched it again that I wouldn’t say it was all that competitive. But watching it live, seeing Fedor’s face a crimson red probably swayed my opinion.
Because if you take out the left jab by Rogers that appeared to break Fedor’s nose, Rogers really didn’t do anything. Of course, you can’t take that out because boy, did that add drama to the contest.
Almost looked like Rogers was gassed with about 1:30 left in the first round, though. He tried some ground-and-pound tactics and looked like he had nothing left in him after that.
Once Fedor landed that right, I initially thought referee Big John McCarthy stopped it too soon. No, that was a good stoppage. Rogers was spent and was defenseless at that point.
Great US national TV debut for Fedor.
Over on HBO, light heavyweight boxer Chad Dawson nearly put me to sleep with his win over Glen Johnson.
I get that it was a very efficient performance from Bad Chad. It’s just not one that is going to make a casual viewer say ‘hey, I need to see that guy again.’
Dawson controlled everything and negated Johnson’s offense. But the bout never really escalated into anything, and I think a comfortable 117-111 or 116-112 decision sounded about right.
Not sure where Dawson goes from here, but I still like the kid. I just can’t convince anyone else to like him after his last couple of bouts.
***
It’s here. Less than a week away from Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. Does this have Fight of the Year written on it? Boy, I hope so.
MMA counters with UFC 105 with Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera as the two sports duke it out all month. Last week’s edge goes to MMA.
And of coure, Thursday is the boxing event from Remington Park, featuring cruiserweight Eric Fields and Oklahoma lightweight champion Noah Zuhdi.
Noah Zuhdi training video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
It was a busy Saturday night in both boxing and MMA. I’ll have more thoughts on Fedor’s big, exciting win over Brett Rogers and Chad Dawson’s sleep-inducing decision against Glen Johnson on Monday.
This week is another big one in boxing and MMA. There is UFC 105 featuring former Oklahoma State star Randy Couture and of course, the huge boxing PPV between Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto.
But before that, we have a night of boxing at Remington Park on Thursday. I had a chance to catch up with Oklahoma lightweight champion Noah Zuhdi and cruiserweight contender Eric Fields last week.
Here is a short video with Zuhdi. The one with Fields will run later this week as will a story on how Fields started his boxing career.
Fedor vs. Dawson, who ya watchin’?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
This weekend begins three straight weekends of major MMA events going head-to-head with major boxing fights.
Very interesting to see who will win these mini-wars. Boxing picked up a big W with Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez going up against UFC 103.
This week, I’ll give the edge to MMA. I’m pumped to see a Fedor fight live when he takes on Brett Rogers on CBS. I’ve watched so many on the ‘Net that it’ll be great to see what all the rage is about.
Rogers is talking a big game, which I like. I’m glad he’s got the confidence and as a fellow Chicago boy, I can appreciate that. Still don’t think he has a chance of beating Fedor, but things change quickly in MMA and boxing. One punch can turn a career around.
The buzz has been great and CBS has done a good job in trying to promote it as much as possible. I think they can hook a lot of viewers Saturday afternoon with the Alabama-LSU football game.
Over on HBO, we have the light heavyweight rematch between Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson. Dawson won a close unanimous decision the last time these two hooked up.
Most thought it was a draw and maybe Johnson pulled it out. Kinda the same old story for Johnson.
You know I’ve been a Dawson supporter, but my support expires Saturday night if he doesn’t do more than what he’s been doing.
Maybe I want him to be better than what he really is. I just feel like he should be able to put all the pieces together and become not only a huge star but a great fighter, too.
Either way, prob watch Fedor live and catch Dawson on a replay. Or actually depending on when the fights happen, should be able to see both live.
Also getting closer and closer to Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. I’m salivating at this one. This is going to be fun. Still on the fence. I got a week to make up my mind.
***
Put in the Noah Zuhdi video to NewsOK late Thursday night. Hopefully that will be posted later today or this weekend. Saving the Eric Fields video for when his story comes out Thursday.
Zuhdi and Fields will be a part of the Remington Park boxing card Thursday night. Tickets are still available. For more info, head on over to www.catboxentertainment.com.
***
And of course if you haven’t heard by now, UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has mono and has been forced out of UFC 108 in January against Shane Carwin. Hey, hope Brock gets better. Still one of my favorites to watch.
In the gym with Fields and Zuhdi…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Sounds like a bad name for Web cast show or something, huh? No, actually I watched cruiserweight boxer Eric Fields and Oklahoma lightweight champion Noah Zuhdi train Wednesday.
The two will both be fighting next Thursday (Nov. 12) at Remington Park in separate bouts. For more info, head on over to www.catboxentertainment.com.
It was an eye-opening experience. I hope me being there didn’t distract from their normal routine. It didn’t feel like it did, but who knows?
I haven’t been to many live fights and not nearly as many I would like to, but the THUD of Fields’ punches is downright scary. I don’t know what was louder, the right cross or the left hook? All I know is I never ever even want to be close to the left hook.
Was my first opportunity to really sit down and talk with Fields. His is an interesting story that you find more about next week as we get closer to the fight.
A real quiet, reserved guy. A lot of the boxers in this area have tended to be that way. Fields turned pro after limited amateur experience because he needed to support his family.
Fields has a wife and four kids that live in Ardmore. But it wasn’t like he couldn’t compete. He was a two-time National Golden Gloves champion, which is more than enough credentials for anyone.
What I thought was most interesting is that even though Fields is 50 pounds (give or take) heavier than Zuhdi, they both push each other.
Zuhdi commits so much on his punches that it seems like his biggest issue is being too wound up. Needs to try to relax a little more. That’s a tough one to teach.
Fields, on the other hand, is learning the game. He’s come so far with natural gifts, but he’s starting to real learn the ins and outs of the game, starting with footwork.
Boxing becomes a lot more fun when you watch fighters who are so dedicated to their craft like these guys are.
Unfortunately, I picked the wrong day as neither was able to get in sparring, but I was just happy to see them working the mitts with trainer Pete Ramirez.
Also had a chance to meet Fields’ manager Jim Schaffer for the first time, very knowledgable man in the sport.
What’s great about the Azteca Boxing Club is Zuhdi and Fields can use it whenever they want. And when they’re there, it’s basically their gym. That is so crucial to be able to do what you need to do when you want to do it.
I was there for more than three hours and also had a chance to catch up with Capitol Hill student Juan Alex Saucedo. Think his biggest concern is finding a good fighting weight. He’s got some real skills, and Schaffer was pointing out to me the things Saucedo does well. As he starts listing ‘em, you start to realize how much talent this kid has.
Anyway, I shot a bunch of video with Zuhdi and Fields. That should be posted on NewsOK sometime later this week or on the weekend. Hope it gives people a little taste of what the fighters go through on a day-to-day basis.
And once again, the card is next Thursday at Remington Park. Tickets are still available.
Catching up with Fields and Zuhdi…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Here in a few short hours, I plan on going to a sparring session with Ardmore cruiserweight Eric Fields and Oklahoma lightweight champion Noah Zuhdi.
No, they’re not sparring each other.
Fields has breathed fresh life into the Oklahoma City boxing scene. Names like Zuhdi, George Tahdooahnippah and Carson Jones have been around for a while. Each has had a fair share of success, but Fields might have a chance to eclipse them all.
Fields is an interesting story in that I know he didn’t have much amateur experience, yet he is a two-time National Golden Gloves champion.
I’m interested in learning why Fields decided catBOX Entertainment was the best option to go to. It was a real shot in the arm for the promotional group to get such a world-class boxer.
Bringing along my trusty video camera to get a little one-on-one time with the two of them and that should be posted late this week or early next week.
Fields and Zuhdi are among the fighters with bouts at Remington Park next Thursday (Nov. 12). Tickets are still on sale. For more info, head on over to www.catboxentertainment.com.
***
With Kelly Pavlik out, looks like it’s been confirmed that Paul Williams will take on Sergio Martinez.
If styles make fights, this should actually be tougher for Williams. Pavlik was a straight ahead, no nonsense-type of fighter. Martinez is a crafty lefty who isn’t afraid to box, box, box, to get the job done.
***
Received a couple of e-mails as to why Brett Rogers will beat Fedor on Saturday. But this one says it all: “Because he’s American.” Nationalistic pride runs deep with me in boxing and MMA, so though not the most articulate, I like it. But I still don’t give him a chance vs. Fedor on Saturday night on CBS.
Did we just see the Fight of the Year?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I didn’t watch the live telecast of Joseph Agbeko and Yonnhy Perez, too busy watching Oregon destroy USC. As a Notre Dame and Oklahoma fan, always nice to see the Trojans get touched up.
But I caught the West coast replay. Boy, am I glad I did. I have to watch it again to fully dissect it, but it was one heck of a scrap.
For the record, I gave it to Perez because of the questionable 10th-round knockdown. I didn’t give him a 10-8 round because of it, but it did switch a 10-9 to Perez instead of Agbeko for a finaly tally of 115-113.
Those 117-110 and 116-111 cards for Perez were crazy, but you just shrug your shoulders at this point.
What I loved most about this fight was both men from the opening bell decided it was going to be a war.
Nobody was going to give an inch, and we were going to be in that proverbial phone booth for 12 rounds. Agbeko looked so dominant against Vic Darchinyan this summer, but Perez was ready to go toe-to-toe.
My only complaint is that nobody was ever really hurt, so it can’t be an all-time classic. It can’t be something like Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo or Irsrael Vazquez-Rafael Marquez. Instead, it’s more going to remind me of Paulie Ayala-Johnny Tapia.
A great fight, maybe Fight of the Year. Great shots landed by both fighters but none of them actually making an impact. In a fight like that, you can always make an argument one way or the other. Hope it leads to a rematch. They’ve earned the payday.
Regardless, a pleasant surprise on a night where I wasn’t looking for an entertaining tilt.
Unlike this weekend where I am expecting Chad Dawson to bring the goods against “the ageless wonder” Glen Johnson. If Dawson wants to remain “one of my boys,” I need to see a complete performance from him. He’s got so much potential, just want to see him put it all together.
***
Get that clicker hand busy as to go along with that bout will be Fedor against Brett Rogers on CBS. CBS has hyped this up pretty good in the last week.
As of today, I think Fedor wipes the floor with Rogers. But I’m willing to listen to a Rogers fan as to why I should give their boy a chance.
