Finally!


	<SCRIPT language='JavaScript1.1' SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/N3245.BoDog/B2561294;abr=!ie;sz=740x125;ord=[timestamp]?"> </SCRIPT> <NOSCRIPT> <A HREF="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/N3245.BoDog/B2561294;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=740x125;ord=[timestamp]?"><IMG SRC="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/N3245.BoDog/B2561294;abr=!ie4;abr=!ie5;sz=740x125;ord=[timestamp]?" BORDER=0 WIDTH=740 HEIGHT=125 ALT="Click Here!"></A> </NOSCRIPT>

Finally!

By Dan Horgan at ringside (Dec 18, 2007) Doghouse Boxing

Every great fighter deserves a last hurrah, a final moment of glory. For a while, it looked like former light-middleweight and current light-heavyweight Carl Daniels would never get that triumph. But after his 6th round TKO of rugged light-heavyweight Fred Moore on Saturday, Daniels can finally retire in peace.

‘The Squirrel’ started his career at just 18 years old, fighting everywhere from 140-160 pounds. He ran up 26 straight wins before getting a crack at the WBC light middleweight crown in 1992, but came up short, losing via 9th round TKO

to the more experienced Terry Norris.

Following the loss, Daniels won eight straight fights and put himself in position for another title shot. This time, against Dominican Julio Cesar Green, Daniels won the crown via 12 round unanimous decision. The victory, easily the best of Daniels' career, etched the Saint Louis native in stone as one of the 90's best light middleweights.

Daniels would go on to lose his first title defense against Julio Cesar Vasquez in 1995, and after three rebound wins, he lost another title fight to Laurent Boudouani. But he continued success in his next nine fights by going 8-0-1 and capturing a USBA light-middleweight title in the process. He eventually got a crack at knockout artist Brian Barbosa in an IBF middleweight title eliminator, and with his slick style, Daniels out pointed his foe to put himself in position as middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins' mandatory challenger.

Although Daniels was battered by Hopkins en route to a tenth round knockout loss, he was still able to fight his way back into contention. He beat Nicolas

Cevera (34-3) and Rico Cason (16-10) before taking on hot middleweight prospect (and current light-heavyweight champion) Chad Dawson. At 34, however, Daniels couldn't handle the younger Dawson and was knocked out in the seventh round. It looked as if his career had come to an end.

But Daniels wanted to end his career on a high note. After another loss to Joachim Alcine, he took on Providence banger Joey Spina in the latter's hometown, and after ten close rounds, it looked as if Daniels would get his final moment of glory. But judges gave the nod to Spina, and Daniels was forced to fight on. He lost four more times, each in more embarrassing fashion, and many experts wondered if he should even be allowed to lace up the gloves.

On Saturday, however, Daniels found his last hurrah. Fred Moore, his opponent, had racked up a solid 30-8 record against good competition before his fight with Daniels, and Daniels won the bout via 6th round stoppage on cuts.

Finally, Daniels can move on with his life knowing that he ended his fight career on a high note.

Dan Horgan's new book: "Bringing Back Boxing" is now available for purchase, and you will find encounters such as these -- as well as other exclusive information and analysis -- all throughout the book. To find out about the book, go to myspace.com/boxingbook or purchase it at http://www.lulu.com/content/1499553.

Questions or comments,
e-mail

Dan at: danhorgan2@gmail.com
Dan's archives at: www.myspace.com/danhorganboxing