TQBR 4/1: Sergey Kovalev vs. Cedric Agnew Recap, Adonis Stevenson vs. Kovalev Fallout

Satisfaction: what boxing has been largely unable to provide lately; Source

What exactly do we get when a predatory butcher like Sergey Kovalev is granted a major pay cable network time slot to pulverize a virtually unknown opponent, and have it mean…nothing at all? Well, boxing, that’s what. While Adonis Stevenson’s departure to Showtime and the subsequent implosion of a likely matchup against Kovalev isn’t quite on the level of everyone failing miserably to make Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, it’s a solid middle finger to boxing fans, regardless of the weight added to Stevenson’s wallet.

Though Kovalev’s hatchet job of Cedric Agnew was comprehensive, enough questions were raised that it actually made a showdown against light heavyweight champion Stevenson even more attractive. Needless to say, James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR’s Patrick Connor should have plenty complain about on this one. Also on the dart board? Thomas Dulorme’s win over Karim Mayfield on the HBO undercard, ESPN’s Boxcino tournament, and more.

Click this link to tune in live at 12:30 p.m. Pacific/3:30 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Throwback Thursday - Gunboat Smith Outpoints Sam Langford

The names Sam Langford and Ed "Gunboat" Smith are two that would be enough to pen an entire shelf-full of books. While one is often considered one of the greatest fighters to ever smash his mitts into a pair of gloves, the other is largely lost to the wake and smoke trails of history. 


They fought twice, though, highlighting massive social issues of the time, and underlining what exactly it might take to craft a truly great fighter.


Smith and Langford had already been scheduled to meet in New York, but the city's ban on "mixed race" bouts snuffed out the idea. In early October, when it became apparent that the fight would be rescheduled for November 17 or thereabouts, Sheriff Julius Harburger issued the following statement: "From the days when Abraham Lincoln issued his pronunciamento and proposition making colored men free and equal, which was ratified by the Fourteenth Amendment and received and lived up to in fourty-eight states and territories, no board in the city, known as a boxing commission, can adopt rules in violation of the principles of our constitution and governmental affairs."  

In essence, a white sheriff stuck his neck out to not only support the rights of a black fighter to prove his worth against a white counterpart, but to thumb his nose at a hypocritical and misguided system that wouldn't come crashing down until decades later. 

Gloves helped build the system, and over time, gloves would tear that system to pieces. 

TQBR Radio 3/18: Danny Garcia vs. Mauricio Herrera Recap

Pictured above: boxing, for the most part; Source

Oh, boxing. The jabs, the constant conflicts and drama, the back and forth action -- and that's just the media side of things!

It's easy to feel let down by the sport lately, and especially in comparison to the whirlwind that was 2013. Danny Garcia got a majority decision few seemed to think he deserved, Deontay Wilder scored an odd-looking knockout over Malik Scott, and even Juan Manuel Lopez's thrilling stoppage over Daniel Ponce de Leon was tainted by what looked to be an early yank from the stage. It could have been worse, sure. But it also could have been a lot better.

This week on Queensberry Rules Radio, James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor trudge face-down through the muck of pugilism to bring their veritable army of listeners another week of questionable jokes and analysis. And since internet and Daylight Savings Time-related gaffes prevented an episode from happening last week, they'll also do some talking about the Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo Pay-Per-View.

Click this link to tune in live at 12:30 p.m. Pacific/3:30 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Throwback Thursday - Benny Leonard Snags Freddie Welsh's Title

Jack Dempsey, left, pretends to punch Harry Houdini, with Benny Leonard's help

There exists an adage in boxing: "As the heavyweights go, so goes boxing." It's a fancy way of saying that most people extract more pleasure out of the sport the larger the fighters are, and the harder they're hitting each other. It also means that the smaller a fighter is, the more difficult it will be to swat a path into public consciousness.
 
Times have changed, needless to say, but though the popularity of heavyweights has waned in recent years, the little scrappers still find it difficult to earn top billing. 

Many boxing fans are either too young to remember but for eras on end  the heavyweight champion was not only the proverbial "baddest man on the planet," but he was often among the most famous or easily identified. It was rare indeed that a smaller fighter could step into that world of celebrity. 

On May 28, 1917, "The Ghetto Wizard" Benny Leonard took a huge step toward achieving exactly that.

TQBR Radio - Julio Cesar Chavez Jr vs Brian Vera II Recap, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs Alfedo Angulo Preview

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., left, rekindled the above magic last Saturday on HBO; Source

 
Sometimes Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. asserts himself in the ring, using his size and brute strength to muscle around opponents en route to slowly beating them down. Other times he just gets high and eats cereal in his hot pink bikini briefs, which both co-hosts of Queensberry Rules Radio can possibly relate to.

Last weekend, Chavez scored a unanimous decision over Brian Vera, redeeming himself in the eyes of many, and extinguishing the torches that accompanied the pitch fork-wielding mob calling for his head. In the co-feature, Orlando Salido served Vasyl Lomachenko a 12 round reminder of the differences between the amateur and professional game.

This week on TQBR Radio, James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor recap all of that stuff, and preview the upcoming Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Alfredo Angulo card. Even better, this coming weekend seems to signal the end of a dry spell in the sport, as action should get better from here. So let's see how negative and sarcastic we can get about it.

Click this link to tune in live at 12:30 p.m. Pacific/3:30 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.