Mike Tyson Arrested

Mike Tyson is back in the news. Apparently, Tyson got into a scuffle with a photographer at an LA airport. There are conflicting reports as to what really happened. It's possible the photographer provoked Tyson so he'd lose his cool, which would allow the photographer to sue. As we all know, the paparazzi are scum of the earth, so I wouldn't be surprised if the photographer did indeed provoke Tyson. And truthfully, I wouldn't be surprised if Mike Tyson was the one who overreacted and went overboard; lord knows he's went off the deep end before.

It's a shame, but Mike Tyson's latest run in with authority exemplifies his life outside the boxing ring and his career inside the boxing ring; that of hostility and instability.

Mike Tyson, a one time feared, exciting and gifted heavyweight boxer -- now a freak-show, even long after retirement. I don't say that out of disrespect, but pity. I can't recall there being as tragic a heavyweight life-story as Mike Tyson's is.

HBO 24/7

HBO's 24/7 series is probably the best thing to happen to boxing in the last 10 years. One thing boxing was lacking, and has been lacking for quite some time, is personalities. Every fighter can't be a Floyd Mayweather, so HBO's 24/7 is perfect; it allows the casual boxing fan a glimpse into what goes on behind the scene and a window into a boxer's life. And it obviously helps with garnering interest for fights.

HBO finally realized the potential of introducing the individual boxing personalities to the general public. Hopefully 24/7 is here to stay. Now if only HBO would broadcast more big fights on their regular cable station, and cut down on the pay-per-views. So many pay-per-views is one problem that is hampering the sport.

StrikeForce (an MMA organization) just put together a card and broadcasted it on CBS - network television - for free. Millions tuned in. Why can't the greedy promoters make some deals to get fights on network television? Even if only a few higher-end cards a year, it would do wonders for the state of boxing in America.

Final Prediction For Cotto-Pacquiao

After giving it a lot of thought, my prediction for the Cotto-Pacquiao fight hasn't changed much. I started off thinking Miguel Cotto might be too big of an opponent for Manny Pacquiao to overcome. But now I'm back to where I was in the beginning; thinking Manny will win by TKO in the latter half of the fight.

Miguel Cotto isn't like Ricky Hatton, and he isn't shot like Oscar De La Hoya, but I don't think he'll have the speed to be effective against Manny. Cotto's jab might be a neutralizer for the first half of the fight, but I expect Pacquiao's speed and stamina to overcome the odds.

I don't believe Manny will get Cotto out of there quick like he did Hatton, because Cotto is well rounded and much more versatile. But Cotto has always had stamina issues. That's where I see Manny drowning Cotto - later on in the fight.

Cotto of course has the power to gain Manny's respect, but I don't foresee his power bailing him out. Manny's footwork, in-and-out style and speed will best brawn.

Miguel Cotto will have to force the action and back Pacquiao up if he wants to be successful. IF he can constantly back Manny up he has a real shot. Cotto's most important tool in this fight will be his jab. Pacquiao's most effective tool will be his footwork.

It is going to be speed vs. power on November 14!

So here it is: Manny Pacquiao by TKO in round 9.

Chad Dawson Outpoints Glenn Johnson

Chad Dawson defeated Glenn Johnson more thoroughly than he did the first time around (many argue that Johnson beat Dawson in their first encounter). Dawson won a UD in the rematch.

It was business as usual for young Chad Dawson, who seem disinterested at times. He easily outboxed Johnson, using his superior speed and footwork to rack up points without putting himself in too much danger.

Chad Dawson has fought two rematches in a row, against over the hill fighters -- Antonio Tarver being the first of the old men, Glenn Johnson the most recent.

Dawson has a natural athletic gift and is a great fighter, with even greater potential, but leaves something to be desired. Last night he "did enough." Lately, it seems as though Chad Dawson only "does enough" to win.

Chad Dawson has some things working for him: He's young, in his prime, a southpaw, natural speed, able to put together combinations, great footwork and decent defense.

Dawson also has a few things going against him -- things that he needs to work on if he wants to make fans forget about Joe Calzaghe: He seems to have stamina issues for one; he lets off the gas and frequently takes breathers in the middle portion of a fight. He also has a lack of power. And Dawson's mentality seems to be lacking a killer instinct -- like I said before, "doing just enough to win."

Chad Dawson really shouldn't be labeled a prospect, but strangely, that's what he is. He's still growing as a fighter. He still has a lot of tricks to learn. Dawson has potential -- you can see flashes of brilliance when he fights -- but his true potential might not be fully realized by boxing fans until he fights someone in their prime, or a Bernard Hopkins (Yes, I know, Bernard Hopkins isn't technically in his prime, but he's an uncommon exception to the rule).

If Joe Calzaghe were still around - and based on Dawson's last two performances - I don't see anything from Dawson that makes me think that he could beat Joe.

Be that as it may, Chad Dawson needs to fight Cloud, Hopkins, or move up to the Cruiser weight division and take on the likes of Adamek and/or Cunningham (Dawson came into the ring last night weighing 191 pounds!).

David Haye Decisions The Giant

David Haye came away with the victory against Russian giant, Nikolay Valuev, tonight in Germany. David Haye was awarded a majority decision points victory.

I personally thought it was a lackluster performance by David Haye, who promised to 'slay' the giant. Truth be told, it was a boring fight.

The fight could have gone either way really, but I thought the judges got it right. I think Haye shaded it.

It can be argued the ancient Evander Holyfield defeated Valuev more clearly than Haye did. But whatever the case, Haye got the victory, and finally had a fight. It might be too soon to judge Haye at heavyweight or estimate his potential in the division by this performance, when he's up against a behemoth like Valuev.

David Haye says he hurt his hand early on in the fight. Is this injury wiggle room for Haye, to excuse himself for not doing the job he promised he'd do in the lead up to the fight, or is it a sincere injury? Sincere injury or not, I hope it's not a pretext to delayed and canceled fights. Fighting once a year and then living off his mouth doesn't hold any weight to the fans who want the heavyweight division spiced up.

I'm tired of the waiting. I'm tired of the scouting. I'd much rather see David Haye face either Klitschko brother next. Let's finally get it on!

Tomasz Adamek Looks Impressive Beating Andrew Golota

Tomasz Adamek looked impressive in beating Andrew Golota, stopping him in round 5. Adamek carried his speed and combination punching from cruiser weight to heavyweight quite well.

Granted, Andrew Golota isn't the fighter he once was, but there were a lot of skeptical boxing fans out there before the fight, who picked Golota to beat Adamek, mainly, because of the size advantage Golota has.

It remains to be seen what Tomasz Adamek can do in the heavyweight division. I personally feel he is a little too small in stature to mix it up with the Klitschko brothers.

Adamek has a cast iron chin, good speed, decent jab, but his lack of size and lack of head movement would see him getting bludgeoned to death by either Klitschko.

The Polish boxer could easily mix it up (and probably be successful) with the Eddie Chambers of the division.

In any case, Tomasz Adamek has made it clear he wants to stay in the heavyweight division. After all, that's where the big money fights are. . . he can add some much needed excitement to the division.

Super Middleweight Super Six

Carl Froch vs. Andre Dirrell: It was a boring, uneventful fight. Carl Froch practically did all the engaging, chasing Andre Dirrell from pillar to post, from the first round to the last. However hard Froch tried to make it an exciting boxing match, he didn't land all that much.

Dirrell was too fast for Froch; he landed more punches than Carl - and I fail to see how you can score the fight in Froch's favor when he was out landed by Dirrell. Just because a fighter forces the action (like Froch did), doesn't mean he should be awarded the victory. Not when the boxer's aggressiveness is ineffective.

Carl Froch is lucky the fight took place in England, otherwise, I don't think he would have gotten the nod. Andre Dirrell, in my opinion, was robbed. He clearly outpointed Froch.

Jermain Taylor vs. Arthur Abraham: Jermain Taylor might be damaged goods. Yet again, he gets knocked out in the final round. First against Carl Froch, and most recently against King Arthur.

The fight between Abraham and Taylor was much more exciting than Froch/Dirrell. Abraham continues to improve with every fight - and I think there is no question he has some serious power that the rest of the super middleweights should be weary of.

Arthur Abraham just might be the dark horse in the super middleweight tournament. If he can get to Dirrell within the course of a 12-round fight, I see Abraham knocking him out. The other possibility is Dirrell outboxing Abraham, which I can also see.

Abraham vs. Kessler would be a great fight to watch, although I favor Kessler to win. Kessler is a better all-around boxer than King Arthur. The only category in which Abraham is superior to Kessler is in the power department. Other than raw power, Kessler has the speed advantage and is fundamentally more sound.

Whatever the case, I'm enjoying this supper middleweight super six tournament. It's a win for boxing fans. I'm looking forward to the next round!

P.S. I firmly believe Jermain Taylor should hang up the gloves!