Notes From A Title Bout Universe

[Jersey-Jim]

Well, I've gotta say, they don't get much more dramatic than that. Close fights with sudden endings make boxing, as one reporter put it, the "theater of the unexpected."

I wouldn't have in any other way. So that's all for tonight. Thanks for joining us and if you're watching from somewhere else in the World, thanks for tuning in.

Be watching for us this week when Tony Galento, staying busy while waiting for his shot at the title, takes on an opponent TBA.

Until then, this is Jersey-Jim. Goodnight!

[PWillisTheMan]

That's exactly how I think that fight would go.

[Jersey-Jim]

I think you may be right. I bet in the "other universe" (the one we're supposed to be living in) Floyd Mayweather wishes he would have taken the fight with Antonio Margarito. He could have employed a stick and move strategy all night long and come away with a decision.

[PWillisTheMan]

The only reason he didn't fight Margarito was because of his hands. He knew it would be a long night if one of them broke. I always thought it would be more like his fight with baldomir. But a bit more competitive.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see this fight later this year. margarito isn't going to be fighting anytime soon, if ever.

[javier_83]

wow, very nice fight!! im glad he won!!

[Jersey-Jim]

Lamon Brewster prepares for the first "Gimme" defense of the title he won several months ago - upsetting Ruslan Chagaev for the title. Tonight, he will face Dominick Guinn. On the undercard, Jersey Joe Walcott will face Chris Byrd for the NABF Heavyweight title!

[Jersey-Jim]

Walcott, along with Tony Galento, continues the long road back to the top under the guidance of Lou Duva. Chris Byrd is just past his peak but feels Walcott's style is perfectly suited for him at this stage in his career.

"I can't go on forever, says Byrd. But I got a good 3 or 4 fights left in me and I have to make them count. Beating Walcott will show that I still have my skills, my defense and my elusiveness. Walcott's a harder puncher than people give him credit for... and I'm a better overall fighter than I've been given credit for. Tonight, we're going to see who was what left."

Walcott and Byrd will be fighting for the vacant NABF title.

[Jersey-Jim]

Jersey Joe Walcott arose from a first round knockdown to defeat Chris Byrd by a unanimous 12 round decision tonight to capture the vacant NABF title. In spite of the victory, Walcott looked ordinary in his effort.

Max Kellerman: "I've gotta say, Joe, you need to exit gracefully. Your comeback with Tony Galento was a great idea, but tonight... fate fired a warning shot. I only hope you reconsider and go out a winner instead of on your back!"

Trainer - Lou Duva: "I'm happy with the win. Chris Bryd's got one of those styles. Neither guy looked like a world beater against the other because of styles. If Joe didn't have it anymore, I would be the first to tell him."

[Jersey-Jim]

.

[Jersey-Jim]

Guinn upsets Brewster and Takes Title via Majority Decision!

[Jersey-Jim]

.

[Jersey-Jim]

Talk about the unexpected. I never expected Dominick Guinn to be the Heavyweight Champion of the World in ANY UNIVERSE, let alone mine. Although this is a modern universe with just a seasoning of old-time fighters, it's set in an alternate universe that mixes the depression era 30's with the depression era early 21st century, mixing the best of technology with beer, cigarettes, coffee, cheap dives, more cigarettes and lots of boxing newspapers, newletters and magazines.

Tony Galento and Jersey Joe Walcott are both in midst of comebacks under the guidance of Lou Duva.

Zab Judah has a mouth and ego twice as large as Ali's ever was and was seeking a revenge match against Kostya Tsyzu - who was also making a comeback until he was stopped by Vivian Harris.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has returned as a Jr. Welterweight and seeks revenge against Zab Judah who he fought to a draw with 3 years earlier. In the midst of his comeback, he halted the reigning Jr. Welterweight King - Miguel Cotto for the title.

The reigning Lightweight King is Cuban Exile - Joel Casamayor who boast victories over Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo and Edwin Viruet. Casamayor is soon to be recognized as the new pound-for-pound King.

Julian Jackson is piled up bodies at Jr. Middleweight.

Joe Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler have been at the negotiating table for 3 years in a stagnating Super Middleweight Division.

Manny Pacquiao got blasted by Eric Morales on his way to fame and fortune. Now, it's Morales who's in the top 3 of every pound-for-pound list.

Put all the above in a nice size bag with a generous mix of beer, cigarettes, coffee and whiskey and what do you have?

Notes From A Title Bout Universe

[Ric915]

Great stuff Jim Gotta love the upsets

[Mad Bomber]

That is what I love about alternate universes, as anything can happen, but as surprising as this may seem he only beat Lamon Brewster, and he is hardly an all-timer.

[Jersey-Jim]

Lamon Brewster could knock anyone out - provided they stay absolutely still while holding their chin out . In this universe, he was being touted as the "next big thing!" Now he's an ex-champ.

Well, it now looks like Jersey Joe Walcott will have his chance to once again become the oldest man to win the Heavyweight title.

Tony Galento has already signed to face Franco Cavicchi for the "People's Championship" in Rome.

And Dominick Guinn is getting ready to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Gotta love these alternate universes!

[Jersey-Jim]

Joe Calzaghe just mowed down fellow title holder Mikkel Kessler in 10 rounds. The fight was scheduled for 15 as it was a title unification bout. Kessler had a few moments here and there... but was otherwised picked apart.

This led me to question whether or not Joe Calzaghe is overrated in the game... or if Mikkell Kessler is underrated.

By the 8th round, Kessler was out of gas an it was just a matter of time. I'm leaning towards that possibility of Kessler being underrated. Does anyone have any insights in Mikkel Kessler?

[PWillisTheMan]

He is a good/solid fighter. I don't find him him to be rated poorly. Calzaghe beat him fairly easily at 35 yrs old. Not out of the question that a prime Joe stops him.

I must admit to never being as high on Kessler as many are.

[Jersey-Jim]

Originally Posted by PWillisTheMan

He is a good/solid fighter. I don't find him him to be rated poorly. Calzaghe beat him fairly easily at 35 yrs old. Not out of the question that a prime Joe stops him.

I must admit to never being as high on Kessler as many are.

I didn't see the Kessler fight. Some described him as being a monster and others... overrated. I think I'm going to have him hang up his gloves after the pounding he took. No one will want to see him take another!

[Jersey-Jim]

UNIVERSE UPDATE


Heavyweight
Prospect Larry Holmes stops a disappointingly ineffective Andrew Golota in the 3rd Larry Holmes was defeated several years ago by the current “People’s Champion” Franco Cavicchi. Cavicchi defeated Holmes via 10 round decision in New Orleans. Since that time, Holmes has kept semi-active against a variety of so-so fighters. His biggest win came 5 months ago against a past-prime Wlad Klitschko who’s best days are clearly behind him. round.

Cruiserweight
O’Neil Bell capture the vacant World Cruiserweight Title with a thrilling 15th round over Grigory Drozd with only 15 seconds remaining in the fight. Bell climbed off the floor in the 8th round after absorb and “head turning hook” to the chin. He beat the count and manage to survive the round. Behind on all three cards, Bell roared back during the second half of the fight. Drozd was deducted a point by referee Carlos Padilla in the 11th round for a flagrant low blow. Going into the 15th and final round, Drozd was ahead by 3 points on one card while the other two judges had it even at 132-132.

O’Neil Bell captured the title vacated by Jersey Joe Walcott who is now campaigning at Heavyweight.

Light Heavyweight
Chad Dawson defends the title he won against Antonio Tarver for the first time with a convincing 10th round knockout against Daniel Judah – the brother of Zab Judah. The younger Judah is in training for an upcoming bout against Vivian Harris and was not present at the fight. From the 4th round on, Dawson was clearly in control – rattling Judah with hard combinations to the head and body. Judah made a total of 3 trips to the canvas, the final one being for the complete 10 count.

Super Middleweight
Joe Calzaghe defeated Mikkel Kessler via 10th round TKO to finally unite the Super Middleweight belt at Wembley Stadium. It was all Calzaghe from the 2nd round on and many experts were surprised by the one-sidedness of the fight.

Middlweight
Nigel Benn made a successful return to the ring in his first effort since getting kayoed by reigning champion – Jermain Taylor a year ago. Benn scored a 9th All-time great Bob Fitzsimmons is also fighting as a Middleweight in this universe (I “leak” a small number of all-time greats into this universe from time to time. No more than 2 or so per division. The rest are all current fighters – active within the last decade and/or currently active). Fitzsimmons only has 6 pro fights, so it will be awhile before he’s making any noise. I’m simming his entire career from first fight to last. round knockout over Jonathan Reid.


Jr. Middleweights
Julian Jackson has successful defended the Jr. Middleweight title 4 times. He defeated Fernando Vargas conqueror, Joachim Alcine in the opening round and followed by an 8th round stoppage of David Estrada a week ago in an entertaining slug fest. Jackson will next defend against former Welterweight Champ – Antonio Margarito.

Welterweights
Mark Breland has replaced Joey Fariello with Emanuel Steward as trainer and chief strategist. Obviously, it was a good move. Breland looked like a rejuvenated fighter in his one sided beating of Demetrius Hopkins – avenging a draw the two fighter fought to over a year ago. The scores were 99-90 twice and 98-91. This was Breland’s first return to the ring since being stopped by Ricardo Mayorga several months earlier.

More action upcoming in the next few weeks as my workload slows down a bit!

[Jersey-Jim]

These results are just in...