Fascinating Fall includes Mayweather, Hatton, Mosley, Cotto, Taylor and more
By Vikram Birring (Aug 23, 2007) Doghouse Boxing
With the turn of autumn arrives the bristled breeze of leaves that have changed color, but this year along with them arrives a sport seemingly changed for the better. Boxing, as recently as earlier this year seemingly down for the count, has roared back to the mainstreams attention with a final quarter sure to be full of fistic fireworks.

On September 29, with all apologies to the skilled Armenian champion Arthur Abraham, the two top undefeated middleweights in the world stake their claim to the throne when they clash in Atlantic City. In one corner is the reigning
champion Jermain ‘Bad Intentions’ Taylor, who at one time was a dominating force, knocking out opponents with frightening regularity. Of late, Taylor has been something of an enigma, winning lackadaisical decisions against smaller opponents who are supposed to be nothing more than highlight-reel knockout opposition. The challenger is Kelly ‘The Ghost’ Pavlik of Youngstown, Ohio, the same town that produced boxing champions Harry Arroyo and Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini. Pavlik has been quietly making a name for himself on the Versus Network for some time, but this past May made a giant statement when he beat up and knocked out trash-talking Colombian Edison Miranda. Though Pavlik is the challenger, Taylor is the one who must prove his worth as champion of the world to the legion of critics that grows larger after each title defense. This match-up pits a champion who is barely holding onto his belt and who wants to regain credibility against a contender that wants to begin a new era in the middleweight division.

On November 10, from New York City, at the Mecca of boxing, undefeated Miguel Angel Cotto of Puerto Rico faces the toughest test of his career when he faces ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley, a man who has won titles in three different weight divisions. Like Pavlik, Cottos career has been carefully constructed. In each fight he has faced a better level of
competition, and so far he has passed every test, albeit at times with some rocky moments. In June, he reached the zenith as he stopped Brooklyn’s former undisputed welterweight champion Zab ‘Super’ Judah in the same Madison Square Garden ring. Mosley was left for dead after losing twice to Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright three years ago, having to rebuild his career slowly until blasting back into the spotlight with last year with two spectacular knockout victories against fellow California legend Fernando Vargas. In February of this year, he dominated young contender Luis Collazo, and now once again faces a fighter with a perfect record, but for the first time since he fought Vernon Forrest in 2002. The young, hard-hitting champion looks to make a statement while the veteran interim champion looks to prove his greatness yet again, an electric match up.

On December 8, two fighters that have been on a collision course for two years finally face off in a highly anticipated match up that boxing fans have been craving for years. The best fighter in all the world, ‘Pretty Boy’ Floyd Mayweather faces rugged Ricky ‘Hitman’ Hatton of Manchester, England. After Hatton shockingly upset immortal Kostya Tszyu and Mayweather battered Arturo ‘Thunder’ Gatti in the same month two years ago, the logical fight to be made was Hatton against Mayweather. It took thirty months, but finally now the mega-fight has been made. Mayweather is the perfect fighter, his craft perfected from the day he was born, a fact made evident as he smiles as if on a an afternoon stroll, all the while rolling off punches and punishing opponents mercilessly for each mistake. Hatton may be the perfect foil for the perfect fighter, a man who truly makes a boxing match into a fight, bulling opponents around the ring while relentlessly hammering his opposition with alarming intensity.

Three months, three big fights, a mouth-watering menu for fans of a sport whose prayers have finally been answered.





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Vikram at: slickvik69@hotmail.com
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