December 5 - IT'S ON

No Match for Vitali

Vitali Klitschko easily defended his heavyweight title on Saturday night by defeating Chris Arreola by 10th round TKO. Klitschko was his usual tall, active and strategic self as he battered Arreola around the ring with a wide variety of punches. To his credit, Arreola showed a good chin in never going down and never really being on wobbly legs. The referee and Arreola's cornerman decided to stop the fight after round 10. In a punchcount, Klitschko outlanded Arreola 149 to 46. An angry Jim Lampley gave a speech at the end of the fight telling American heavyweights that if anyone wants to defeat a Klitschko, they're going to have to train 365 days a year. The win gives Joel B's Ready to Rumble Option A: 2, Option B: 3 and Option C: 17.

For the Heavyweight Title

Tomorrow night, "Dr. Ironfist" Vitali Klitschko (37-2) defends his WBC Heavyweight Championship against Chris "The Nightmare" Arreola (27-0) on HBO. With wins over fellow prospects Travis Walker and Chazz Witherspoon, as well as a 4th round TKO of Jameel McCline, Arreola has proven himself to some extent to be a legitimate challenger. He's a hard puncher with a decent activity level and a good chin. Meanwhile, Klitschko has just dominated all opponents of late. Vitali has looked so good against both Samuel Peter and Juan Carlos Gomez, one might never know he was out of the ring for 4 years. Both weighed in around 250, but the strength advantage has to go to Klitschko. In a fight where I expect some early bombs from Arreola, I'll take Vitali Klitschko to wear him down due to either cuts or stamina problems. Joel's Ready to Rumble squad is looking for a quality knockout, around the 7th round.

2 Fight Results and some thoughts on Floyd

With astonishing ease, Floyd "Money" Mayweather systematically smacked Juan Manuel Marquez over 12 one-sided rounds. A win for Andrew's Sweet Chin Music (Option A: 1, Option B: 2, Option C: 17) and a loss for Joel M's Hurricane Candlebox (Option A: -1, Option B: -2, Option C: 2) Mayweather knocked Marquez down in the 2nd round with a sharp left hook and was the faster, more accurate fighter all night long. Although Marquez showed determination and heart, he never really had Floyd in trouble. Mayweather's return was shockingly good, albeit against a smaller, older opponent.

In the co-feature, Chris John of Mark's Sweet Scientist scored a unanimous decision win in his rematch with Rocky Juarez, defending his Featherweight Title and running his record to 43-0-2. John was the faster and more accurate fighter all night long, although Juarez rattled his cage in the waning moments of the 12th round. Mark picks up Option A: 1, Option B: 2 and Option C: 15.

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So, some thoughts on Floyd....This guy is good. I mean, his speed is ridiculous. He was throwing punches and evading punches like no one I've ever seen, with the possible exception of a prime Roy Jones Jr. Mayweather has everything but the killer instinct. He even seems to have a good chin, which was tested on a handful of occasions by Marquez. Who can beat him? And who does he have to beat in order to make a serious case as being the greatest of all time? In my opinion, Floyd is just 4 victories away from a legitimate claim as the best to ever lace em up. The men he has to defeat are:

Miguel Cotto---especially if he defeats Pacquiao, Cotto is clearly the man to beat. But even if he doesn't win, Cotto is still a legitimate welterweight champion with proven skill. He has wins over Zab Judah, Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosley. Nuff said. Floyd would need to show that he could take Cotto's hard body attack and match and exceed his boxing skills. My prediction in this fight: W 12 Mayweather

Shane Mosley---Shane called Floyd out after the fight, and a scuffle almost broke out. Mosley said, "Let's get it on" and Floyd looked a little rattled. Mosley has the speed, size and experience to give Floyd all he can handle. I think the difference would be father time, as Mosley's age would undoubtedly leave him the slightly slower man who would be slightly easier to hit. In a close fight, I'd go: W 12 Mayweather

Manny Pacquiao---let's face it, he beat De La Hoya and Hatton in much more convincing fashion that Floyd did. Plus, he's clearly the most accomplished boxer of the last 2 or 3 years. Pac has the sick speed that could match Floyd and may even hit as hard. But Pacquiao was virtually even with Marquez and Juan had no odds against Floyd. Plus Pacquiao has had a bit of trouble with excellent boxers in general. As much as I like to think that the unique Pacquiao machine could be the one to topple Floyd, I once again have to say: W 12 Mayweather

Paul Williams----at 6'1", this is not a man that Floyd wants to face. Williams is a freak, long arms, southpaw and having a crazy work-rate. Williams would not be easy for Floyd to hit and would keep punches raining down for Floyd to think about. Williams would be the bigger man and possibly the more active man. I can't imagine Floyd hurting him and I think Williams would actually have a chance to put Floyd on the deck if big shots landed. My prediction in this fight: W 12 Williams. Another prediction? I don't think Floyd will ever sign to fight him.

So, for me, at the end of the day it won't be right to call Floyd the greatest ever. Because he'll dodge someone and that's not what a greatest does.

The Biggest Fight of 2009

Floyd Mayweather (39-0) vs Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1) pits together 2 of the top 3 fighters in the sport of boxing. For his part, Mayweather has been able to outbox every one of his previous opponents, including Jose Luis Castillo, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Diego Corrales, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. Mayweather relies on superior speed and defense, applying a consistent game plan of occasional straight shots while constantly protecting himself. Mayweather was last seen picking apart Ricky Hatton over 10 rounds in December of 2007. At 32 years of age, he can still be referred to as being "in his prime", particularly because he has taken so few damaging punches in his career. To my knowledge, he has never even been knocked down (although replay footage showed that his glove touched the canvas when he got clocked by Zab Judah).

For his part, Juan Manuel Marquez has boxed many of the top fighters of the past 4 or 5 years. He outboxed Marco Antonio Barrera and outslugged Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz. He lost a close decision to Chris John in 2006. Marquez also has a draw and a split decision loss in 2 fights with Pacquiao. He's proved himself to be on the absolute top level, but is he strong enough to outmuscle Floyd? It would seem necessary for Marquez to back Floyd up and to damage him to the body and control the pace of the fight if he is to win. Marquez last fought at 135 lbs, so the contracted weight of 144 lbs for this fight will surely be a challenge.

If Mayweather is rusty and missing punches, we could have an interesting fight. Marquez may get brave and test Mayweather's chin with his technically accurate shots. The best case scenario might actually be Marquez controlling the early part of the fight, this might force Floyd to throw with a vengeance and bring out the best of his skills. Even in this type of battle, I feel that Floyd is too fast and too strong, and would likely win by TKO around the 9th round. If the fight is more tactical and cautious, I think we'll see Floyd's heavier punches and better defense carrying him to a unanimous decision win. So my prediction: A win for Andrew's Sweet Chin Music and a loss for Joel M's Hurricane Candlebox.

Ready to Rumble adds a win; Standings

Humberto Soto of Joel B's Ready to Rumble squad scored a 2nd round KO in his fight with Aristides Perez. Soto scores Option A: 2 pts, Option B: 1.5 pts and Option C: 17

STANDINGS:

1st.....Ready to Rumble (2-0, 2 KOs)...Option A: 4, Option B: 3, Option C: 35

2nd...Head Hunters (2-0, 1 KO)....Option A: 3, Option B: 2.5, Option C: 32

3rd...Sweet Scientist (2-0, 1 KO)...Option A: 3, Option B: 2.5, Option C: 31

4th...Hurricane Candlebox (2-0, 1 KO) Option A: 3, Option B: 2, Option C: 32

5th...Death is Forming (1-0, 0 KO)..Option A: 1, Option B: 1, Option C: 16

6th...Sweet Chin Music (0-0-1, 0KO)..Option A: 0, Option B: -1, Option C: 2

The wins roll in, except for Andrew

In the night's most expected result, Andre Ward dominated Shelby Pudwill on his way to a 3rd round TKO. The faster, sharper Ward scored often with hard body shots and stinging hooks. Hurricane CandleBox moves to 2-0 and collects OPTION A: 2, OPTION B: 1.5, OPTION C: 17

WBA Super Middleweight Champion Mikkel Kessler moved to an impressive 42-1 with a 4th round TKO over Gusmyr Perdomo. Kessler will now face Andre Ward on Nov 21st. Kessler gives Joel B's Ready to Rumble their first win. Kessler earns Option A: 2, Option B: 1.5, Option C: 18

Jay's Head Hunters added a much-expected victory as well as Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. disposed of Jason LeHoullier in round one. Chavez scored a knockdown and moves his record to 40-0-1. Jay earns Option A: 2, Option B: 1.5, Option C: 17

WBO Light Flyweight Champion Ivan Calderon remained unbeaten with a disappointing split-technical decision in his rematch with Rodel Mayol. Calderon was once again cut, necessitating that the fight be stopped after 7 rounds. Calderon lead 68-65 on 2 cards, while Mayol lead by the same score on the 3rd card. Mark's Sweet Scientist adds a win and Option A: 1, Option B: 1, Option C: 14

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Also, Andrew's Sweet Chin Music got off to an unproductive start as Fernando Montiel fought to a technical draw with Alejandro Valdez. Montiel was cut badly and the fight was stopped before the 4th round began. Both fighters scored knockdowns in the fight. Montiel gets Option A: 0, Option B: -1 and Option C: 2

Huge Night for League Action

On tap tonight:

Mikkel Kessler (JoelB's team) vs Gusmyl Perdomo. This looks like a clear win for Kessler.

Andre Ward (JoelM's team) vs Shelby Pudwill. Ward is going to KO this scrub.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (Jay's team) vs Jason LeHoullier. Jason Le WHO?

Ivan Calderon (Mark's team) vs Rodel Mayol. Competitive title fight.

Fernando Montiel(Andrew's team) vs Valdez. Should be a win for Montiel.