White boxers rule the ring
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The first month of 2008 is done and white boxers are picking up right where they http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=2282 and Alexander Povetkin blasted the latest Great Black Hope, Eddie Chambers, back to the ESPN circuit. But the really big fights involving white boxers begin in February. Here is a brief summary of the matches that will make or break our fighters in 2008:
February 16 (PPV) Kelly Pavlik v. Jermaine Taylor
Kelly’s destruction of Jermaine Taylor was one of the biggest victories by a white American fighter in decades. The rematch will be at 166, meaning Pavlik’s WBC and WBO middleweight title straps are not on the line. The increased weight seems to favor Pavlik, who at 6’2 is taller and struggles to make the 160 limit. Perhaps more important is the psychological edge “The Ghost” has over Taylor by knocking him out and dealing him his first loss. Pavlik did get numerous stitches in his hand in November though, and it is hard to believe he will be at 100 percent only three months removed from that accident. Still, he should have enough to take care of business again.Prediction: Pavlik KO 6
February 23 (HBO) Wladimir Klitschko v. Sultan Ibragimov
You know things have really changed when two white fighters are meeting in a heavyweight title unification match. But the times have indeed changed and these Eastern European products will square off for supremacy in boxing’s glamour division. IBF champ Klitschko will have a 5-6 inch height advantage and a 20-25 pound weight advantage over the WBO titlist from Russia. Thanks in part to trainer Manny Stewart, Wladimir looks unbeatable and is truly in his prime. An impressive win should move him to the top-10 pound-for-pound ratings. What Klitschko really needs is a rival to help drum up interest for a superfight. He won’t find that in Ibragimov.
Prediction: Klitschko KO 7
March 8 (HBO) Oleg Maskaev v. Sam Peter
At 38 years of age, Oleg Maskaev is fighting better than ever. But he has been out of the ring for over a year and has never had a great chin. Peter is crude and can be outboxed but does posses awesome power in both hands. Whoever wins this fight will not likely keep the WBC belt for long, however, as Ukrainian power puncher Vladimir Virchis is in line for a mandatory defense. This fight could go either way but the feeling here is that Oleg has a lot of rust after a 15 month layoff and will eventually get caught.
Prediction: Peter KO 9
March 8 (SHO) Enzo Maccarenelli v. David Haye
One of the most interesting cruiserweight bouts in years features two U.K. fighters. WBO champ Maccarenelli is half Welsh and half Italian. He is 6’4″ and is trained by the same team as Joe Calzaghe. Haye is a mulatto who recently won the WBA and WBC belts by KOing Jean Mormeck. Both guys are big and could easily move to heavyweight. Haye will be the favorite and probably packs more power than Enzo. But Enzo has shown improvement in each fight and has a very good corner. If he can survive the first few rounds he could pull a mild upset.
Prediction: Maccarenelli by Split Decision
April 12 (SHO) Clinton Woods v. Antonio Tarver
Showtime is promoting this fight and hoping to set up a Tarver-Chad Dawson fight later in the year. Antonio Tarver may be one of the more overrated fighters in boxing as he made his name off of a pair of victories over a badly faded Roy Jones. Like Woods, Tarver split a pair of fights with Glen Johnson (Woods also has a draw with Johnson). Tarver has since lost to Bernard Hopkins in 2006 and has not looked impressive in his comeback fights. Woods is the IBF champ and has defeated Johnson, Rico Hoye and Julio Gonzalez. The Englishman is 35 and enjoying his greatest success in the twilight of his career. My guess is that Woods will outwork a lethargic Tarver only to lose a hometown decision.
Prediction: Tarver by undeserved Split Decision
April 19 (PPV) Joe Calzaghe v. Bernard Hopkins
This is one that many readers of Caste Football will be waiting for. In an attempt to hype this fight, Hopkins claimed that “I will never lose to a white boy.” Of course, there was no John Rocker/Don Imus treatment for Hopkins . That would not have been the case had Joe said similar words. Must be white skin privilege!
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