Flurried Ramblings!

I know that it has been some time since we’ve had an edition of “Flurried Ramblings” so here are my thoughts on the latest happenings in the “red light district of sports”, boxing:

*Over the weekend, I took in the return of ring legend Marco Antonio Barrera. Like his arch-rival Erik Morales, Barrera is trying to make a comeback in search of that coveted fourth title in as many divisions that many other Mexican born fighters are going after to become the first to achieve it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem that the “Baby Faced Assassin” has much left in the tank. He did do quick work of Jose Arias, a 43-year-old fighter that had never fought past six rounds. The difference in skill was apparent. What is next for Barrera? I don’t think he is at an elite level anymore. We’ll see how far his run goes. One thing is for sure, that in his comeback last year, Morales made a better selection in opponents, something that he has over his bitter rival.

*Speaking of “El Terrible”, it has been announced that Morales will face off against the hard hitting Marcos “Chino” Maidana on April 9th in Las Vegas. Many people, media and fans alike, think this will result in the funeral of the once great Morales. Even though I think the Tijuana native is more skillful than the Argentinean Maidana, Maidana is a hard puncher who has rocked natural Jr. Welterweights like Victor Ortiz and Amir Khan. I do think that Morales has a chance here to box the non-technical Maidana but as soon as “Chino” lands a hard punch to the chin of Morales, it will be lights out.

*In what is surely to be the fight of the night on the Morales-Maidana undercard, southpaw Robert Guerrero will take on Australian warrior Michael Katsidis in a lightweight clash. I like this fight a lot and I think it has all the makings of a classic. Although Guerrero has not really impressed me in his last couple of outings, I know he is a fighter and Katsidis, well, if you haven’t seen him fight, then you are missing out. I think Katsidis bullies himself to a win in this one; I don’t think that Guerrero has really faced a guy that can press him as much as Katsidis.

*Originally, the April 9th date was slated for a match up between the aforementioned Morales and lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez. After some tense negotiations, the fight fell through. Now the rumor is that Marquez might want to take a page out of the Mosley playbook and leave Golden Boy Promotions for a chance to face cash cow Manny Pacquiao in the fall. It is no secret that Roach preferred a match up against Marquez than with Mosley. Since Pacquiao’s jump into the boxing consciousness in the western hemisphere, Marquez is the only man close to defeating Pacquiao besides Erik Morales. Marquez fought to a draw in their first match up after being dropped three times in the first round and then Pacquiao earned a split decision win several years ago over Marquez. Richard Schaeffer assured Steve Kim of MaxBoxing.com that Golden Boy Promotions still hold a contract with the Mexico City fighter but he did admit that Zanfer Promotions from Tijuana has contacted Marquez about a possible Pacquiao fight. Zanfer is the Mexican farm system for Top Rank. In my opinion, Marquez shouldn’t leave and look for the Pacquiao fight. It would benefit Marquez to face Pacquiao at 140 lbs. and I just don’t think that Pacquiao is willing to make that limit. With that said, I am sure that Marquez would agree at welterweight division fight to accommodate the Filipino congressman and go for the pay day but we all know what Marquez looks like in that weight class. I think a third fight under those circumstances would diminish those two first great fights. Marquez should just stay put with Golden Boy Promotions and go for the fourth title but that too I think would elude him but it sure would be fun to watch Marquez go against the elite of the junior welterweight class.

*After downloading the Bradley-Alexander fight a couple of weeks ago, it took me three nights to get through it. I kept falling asleep…

*I don’t understand all the hoopla about Pacquiao’s hair, granted he does look like the love child of Bruce Lee and Justin Bieber but I think it was taken a bit far. It created countless of articles and it even trended on twitter. I guess when your in-ring antics are almost perfect; people have to find something, right?

*On Saturday, multiple time title challenger Rocky Juarez will be facing local fighter Alejandro Sanabria in Rosarito, MX. The bout will take place in the municipal gymnasium of the small coastal town. Oh, how far has Rocky fallen? Juarez, a local hero in his native Houston, has fought on all the big stages, from the Toyota Center of his hometown to all the major casinos in Las Vegas against true greats of our generation like Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez among others. He just never has been able to put it all together to conquer a belt. Always the bride’s maid, never the bride. Now he will be used as a test for the young Sanabria but I think that the experienced Juarez still has something up his sleeve. I think Juarez walks away with a knock out win and hopefully a step towards one more chance at a strap.

*Also on Saturday is the much anticipated face off between Nonito Donaire and Fernando Montiel. The whole boxing world is anxiously waiting for the bell to ring to signal the first round. This fight has all the making of a classic with two fighters who really leave it all in the ring and are capable of making some great fights. Donaire’s KO win over Darchinyan and Montiel’s stoppage of Hozumi Hasegawa come to mind as two exciting fights each of these warriors have participated in. Even though my heart is with Montiel, I see Donaire winning a great fight with advantages in size, speed and technique.

*There is a rumor that a fight between WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto and Jr. Lightweight contender Victor Ortiz is pretty close to being made for April 16th for a HBO broadcast. Finally Berto will face a living, breathing opponent. Granted, Victor Ortiz is a junior welter which gives Berto the advantage but let’s take baby steps here. Let’s get him a name opponent and see how it goes and maybe, just maybe in his next fight he actually faces a legitimate welterweight threat. We can dream, can’t we?

*Finally, watch out for this Friday night’s “Solo Boxeo Tecate”, it will feature a San Diego fighter, the quick as lighting Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta. Gesta will be in a rematch with Genaro Trazancos who the Filipino fighter knocked out last year. Trazancos was not the first choice for Team Gesta but after several possible opponents were reached out to, including veteran title challenger Hector Velazquez of Tijuana, declined the offer to face off against the phenom, the promotion had to settle for Trazancos. Also on the card but not in a televised bout, San Marcos, CA’s Aaron “Gavilan” Garcia makes a comeback after a two year hiatus. The amateur stand out has been sharpening his skills under the same trainer as Gesta, Vince Parra, and he mentioned to me that he feels refreshed with his new team and has found a new love for the sport. Wish luck to both…