Throwback Thursday - Miguel Cotto Battles Ricardo Torres, Stops Him

Miguel Cotto revels in his hard fought win over Ricardo Torres; photo: AP

When Bernard Hopkins effectively ended Felix Trinidad's run as a world class fighter with an emphatic stoppage in 2001, a sort of vacuum of power was created in Puerto Rican boxing. Era after era, Puerto Rico essentially overachieved in the sport despite simply not being home to that many people. 

Carlos Ortiz and "Chegui" Torres paved the way for Wilfred Benitez, Esteban de Jesus and Wilfredo Gomez, who in turn saw Edwin Rosario and Hector Camacho climb the tangled vines of contender-ship and beyond. Felix Trinidad was the first Puerto Rican to demand the eyes, ears and respect of his people so completely in years, a fame cemented by defeating Camacho himself. And Bernard Hopkins took that away.

TQBR Radio 12/17: Marcos Maidana vs. Adrien Broner Recap, Year End Awards

Photo: Facebook user Dobie Gillis

 
It was not a dream. Marcos Maidana really did slap the waves off of Adrien Broner's head. And those were indeed the droids you were looking for.

On Sunday morning, the world woke up to a reality in which Marcos Maidana, just the night before, had probably done enough to be knighted by the British Empire in flat-out embarrassing Adrien Broner and ganking his belt in the process. And if not knighted, at least immortalized in some sort of song or sonnet. The not-so-gentle ribbing we've seen since has been unforgettable -- rivaling that of Manny Pacquiao in the wake of his KO loss to Juan Manuel Marquez.

This week on Queensberry Rules Radio, James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor ask the boxing world such existential questions as, "Et tu, Brone?" and "If Marcos Maidana chops a tree down in the forest, does it also do the Charleston?" Joining the troublemaking twosome is TQBR contributor and Twitter legend Matt Swain.

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 - Kelly Pavlik Sledgehammers Jermain Taylor, Gains Middleweight Title

A triumphant Kelly Pavlik after stopping Taylor (Ed Mulholland)

It all made sense. 

Bernard Hopkins more or less created a new line in middleweight title management by defeating Keith Holmes and unifying two belts, but he waited to order his official "Middleweight Champion" stationary after he'd made Felix Trinidad contemplate pugilistic existence. And Jermain Taylor ousted that younger version of Old Man Winter in 2005, albeit controversially. 

Forget that the four "major" belts, which had never all been held simultaneously, had been splintered and sent off to different homes like the children in some tragic divorce case; Jermain Taylor was THE middleweight champion.

TQBR Radio 12/10: Adrien Broner vs. Marcos Maidana Preview, Paulie Malignaggi vs Zab Judah, Guillermo Rigondeaux vs Joseph Agbeko Recap

Those gluttons strewn about as Dante and Virgil continue their stroll are us boxing fans; Source

Just like our instinctive holiday gluttony this time of year, we've feasted on so much late-year boxing that there's barely any room for more. Over the weekend, we had Paulie Malignaggi winning a decision from Zab Judah, Guillermo Rigondeaux embarrassing Joseph Agbeko, Felix Sturm unseating Darren Barker, and various undercard zaniness and tedium. James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor hop back on Queensberry Rules Radio this week to dissect it all -- scientifically, and not-so-much.

Oh, and some potential pre-2014 insanity arises next weekend in the form of an Adrien Broner vs. Marcos Maidana Showtime card that also features Jesus Soto Karass vs. Keith Thurman, Leo Santa Cruz vs. Cesar Seda and Beibut Shumenov vs. Tamas Kovacs. TQBR Radio will spearhead that stuff too.

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.

Guillermo Rigondeaux Effortlessly Blanks Joseph Agbeko Over the Distance

Guillermo Rigondeaux, center, stands victorious and untouched; photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

All "names" prevailed on the final HBO boxing card of 2013, ending a very strong late year run for the network on a lower note than perhaps was intended when put together.

At the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, Guillermo Rigondeaux left no doubt as to whether or not his talent and ability are at the upper echelon of the sport, as he handed the usually-spunky Joseph Agbeko a one-sided instruction on how to completely incapacitate a foe. And quite often, it wasn't very thrilling. 

It wasn't all for naught, however, as James Kirkland prevailed in a slugging match with Glen Tapia, and Matthew Macklin proved to be more crafty than late substitute Lamar Russ could put up with.

Throwback Thursday - Julio Gonzalez, Cyborg, Decisions Julian Letterlough, Cyborg

Julio Gonzalez, shortly after winning his first belt from Dariusz Michaelczewski in 2003; Source

Just because a fight doesn't take home all sorts of awards, honors and palpable recognition, doesn't mean it wasn't good or even great. On odds alone, it's probable that there are untelevised matches all over the world that would overwhelm the system with adrenaline -- fights few know or care about aside from the fighters and some immediate family, that are nonetheless outstanding. 

In 2001, Micky Ward vs. Emanuel Burton took home "Fight of the Year" honors by almost everyone, including Ring Magazine. But another bout on ESPN's Friday Night Fights that season was a perfect storm of leather, canvas and ego. 

Julio Cesar Gonzalez was 25-0 (14 KO), and Julian Letterlough was 15-0-1 (15 KO). Both preferred to move forward and keep their punches free flowing, both had respectable power, and both lusted for wins in the face of danger. 

Recreating Greatness - Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko Preview and Prediction

As the sport of boxing becomes more digitized along with society at large, fight fans and even fighters themselves constantly seek to cherish snapshots of a career -- frozen moments perhaps closer to what we'd prefer than the present. In that sense, not only are fighters from the past revered in some apparent ageist conspiracy, but your average battler may actually have a need to psychologically live in a different time to succeed.  

But much like a photograph, it's impossible to recreate those moments. A fighter will never land blows in quite the same way, move in quite the same way, or produce quite the same results as that one moment. The outside contributing factors and intangibles will never combine in quite the same way. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. 

All three A-side fighters on this weekend's HBO tripleheader are hoping to recreate a sort of greatness, or even just very goodness. Cuban anti-superstar Guillermo Rigondeaux wants to reassure a doubting sport, network and public that his skills are legitimate; James Kirkland attempts a second act in the looming Greek tragedy that very well could be his career; Matthew Macklin returns to erase as much of his summer KO loss to Gennady Golovkin as is humanly possible. 

TQBR Radio 12/3: Adonis Stevenson vs. Tony Bellew Recap, Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko Preview, Much More

Queensberry Rules Radio staff can't be sure, but we think Sergey Kovalev may have landed another punch at the site above; Source

If you have a boxing itch that needs scratching, it's possible that Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev's respective disembowelments of Tony Bellew and Ismayl Sillakh didn't do it for you. Hey, some people don't like it when steamrollers do what they do, and that's okay. But if that's the case, there's almost no way you won't be able to find something to like this weekend.

Boxing has already hit a stride to close out the end of the year, but this weekend and the next are absolutely filled to the brim with pugilism. James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor will go over Stevenson-Bellew and Kovalev-Sillakh, then talk some Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko, Zab Judah vs. Paul Malignaggi, James Kirkland vs. Glen Tapia, Erislandy Lara vs. Austin Trout, Sakio Bika vs. Anthony Dirrell... the list truly does go on. Trust us. There's a lot of boxing this weekend, and not just in the U.S.

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 - Zack Padilla Braves Maelstrom, Takes Carlos Gonzalez's Belt

Zack Padilla before being inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011; Photo: San Gabriel Valley Examiner

Zack Padilla was already a local celebrity in his hometown of Azusa, Calif. By June 9, 1993. Having retired after a TKO loss to a journeyman named Dwayne Prim, Padilla was in the midst of a comeback that saw him headlining cards at the Irvine Marriott and fighting in co-featured bouts at the Great Western Forum and the Hollywood Palladium only a few fights in. 

We often hear from and about men who honestly declare that they were "born to fight." It's one of those phrases we've come to expect essentially every fighter to utter at some point, whether it's true or not. But fate has a peculiar way of correcting the mistakes of the stubborn and motivated. 

TQBR Radio 11/26: Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios Recap, Stevenson vs. Bellew Preview

Above, a "pre-enactment" of what Manny Pacquiao did to Brandon Rios in Macau; Source

Sometimes a fight fan invests in watching a fight card that, on paper, seems as though it should be high quality, and it falls short of expectations when all is said and punched. When that happens, nothing can be done. But other times, a card looks overpriced and underwhelming, and that's exactly how it ends up. 

For some, Manny Pacquiao's dominant win over Brandon Rios was a living legend regaining at least a portion of his standing as one of the best few fighters in the world, and for others, it was basically a showcase served up after an undercard of mismatches. Bad Left Hook's James Foley and TQBR's Patrick Connor will be happy to stammer through their takes on the event, in addition to a recap of Carl Froch vs. George Groves, and their preview of Adonis Stevenson vs. Tony Bellew and Sergey Kovalev vs. Ismayl Sillakh.

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.

TQBR Radio 11/19: Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios Preview, Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez Recap with Tim Starks

Manny Pacquiao, left, and Brandon Rios, probably mere moments from playing a game of Rochambeau to see who has to hold the antenna in order to listen to TQBR Radio in remote regions of China; photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

From this weekend’s Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios bout forward -- or at least to the end of the calendar year, almost -- us boxing fans will be like helpless hoopties being conveyor-belted through carwash after carwash of pugilistic goodness, slowly purified by the thousands of punches. By 2014, we may all even reach Prius status.

This week on Queensberry Rules Radio, TQBR and Transnational Boxing Rankings Board founder, debutante and all around dapper fellow Tim Starks once again joins Bad Left Hook’s James Foley and TQBR’s beardstard son Patrick Connor in previewing Pacquiao-Rios and undercard, Carl Froch vs. George Groves, and recapping Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez.

Click this link to tune in live at a special time of 3:30 p.m. Pacific/6:30 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Throwback Thursday - Squinting James Toney Chops Up "Prince" Charles Williams

"Prince" Charles Williams, left, goes lateral courtesy of James Toney; Source

By 1994, the world had already known a few different versions of James Toney: the young prospect under crack-dealing manager Johnny Ace; the thoughtful lamb who would buy newer manager Jackie Kallen sweaters and diamond rings; the ultra-competitive lusus who would arbitrarily kick spectators and patrons alike out of the gym if someone looked at him cross-eyed.

L.A. Times writer Chris Dufresne said a few months after the Charles Williams bout, "So far... rage has paid Toney nice dividends. There is time later for therapy to purge his demons, to psychoanalyze how a man's father might come to shoot his mother six times while cradling a baby--James--in her arms."

TQBR Radio 11/12: Mikey Garcia vs. Rocky Martinez Recap, Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez Preview

Juan Manuel Marquez and his son, who is noticeably NOT Mikey Garcia; photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

A little hyperbole never hurt anyone. Unless it was hyperbole like, "Yeah, just take that fight with Mikey Garcia. All he does is jab." Or, "All you have to do to beat Nonito Donaire is fight weird." That kind of hyperbole might hurt someone.

A little bit of baloney is what Queensberry Rules Radio does best, however. James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor fully intend on talking about that time Mikey Garcia Juan Manuel Marquez'd his way through Rocky Martinez after suffering a knockdown. And that time Nonito Donaire wrapped Vic Darchinyan in a cocoon of horror, sparing his career a second setback in a row in the process. Demetrius Andrade vs. Vanes Martirosyan, Andre Ward vs. Edwin Rodriguez -- those types of things will probably be in there too.

Tune in. It'll put hair on your chest.

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.

TQBR Radio 11/5: Gennady Golovkin vs. Curtis Stevens Recap, Rocky Martinez vs. Mikey Garcia Preview, with Jimmy Tobin

Scientists don't know what happened to the above house, but they're 79 percent sure Gennady Golovkin happened to the above house; Source

 
Trash talk coffins can't contain him. Dynamite cannot destroy him. He picks Chuck Norris out of his teeth with a machete, and that's to make room for more 1980s action stars. Gennady Golovkin is just waiting to be given one of those Super Mario Brothers star power-ups and set loose upon the sport of boxing, divisions strawweight through heavyweight. And then when aliens are discovered and they invent new weight classes, he'll want in on those, too. And anytime something so catastrophic, so immeasurable and so galactic happens in the sport of boxing, you can bet that James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor will be read to step in and make jokes at its expense. And joining the bastardly bloggers this week is Jimmy Tobin of The Cruelest Sport. Also on the agenda is this coming weekend's HBO tripleheader that includes Rocky Martinez vs. Mikey Garcia, Nonito Donaire vs. Vic Darchinyan II and Demetrius Andrade vs. Vanes Martirosyan. 

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.

Halloween Hostilities for the Ages

As air chills and begins to bite, year after year, the boxing "season" tends to heat up. Whatever the reason, the last part of the calendar year tends to be kind to boxing fans. Below are examples of that, and fights that just happened to unfold while the ghouls and zombies were meandering about, October 31.

Joe Gans DQ5 Jimmy Britt, 1904

In 1903, Britt initially refused to fight a non-white fighter for the lightweight title, and instead fought Willie Fitzgerald for the "white" lightweight title. Britt and his camp then went on to demand 60 percent of the purse against Gans win or lose, until lengthy negotiations -- that included $1000 put forth by the Gans camp to make sure that Britt's second, Spider Kelly, would be unable to offer audible advice to Britt while he was in the ring -- finalized the fight in early October. Britt had his way during the fight, timing Gans to the tune of four knockdowns. On the final knockdown in round 5, Gans was sent to the canvas by a body shot, and Britt rushed over to swat at him some more as he was down. When the referee moved to stop the fouling and declare a disqualification, insanity broke loose. Said the AP, "Britt was frantic with rage when he realized he had lost the fight, and he rushed at [referee] Graney, striking wildly. Graney, who is something of a boxer himself, fought back, but the police interfered and separated the belligerents." 

Throwback Thursday - Azumah Nelson Bowls Over Wilfredo Gomez Late

Azumah Nelson, left, whacks Wilfredo Gomez with a left hook; Source

By the age of 26, Wilfredo Gomez had seen more successful title defenses of one belt than most fighters would see in multiple careers. A record 17 defenses of the WBC junior featherweight belt, all by stoppage, and a shiny WBC featherweight prize are what Gomez brought into the ring against "The Professor" himself, Azumah Nelson.

When most press reported Gerry Cooney vs. George Chaplin as the main event of the December 8, 1984 card, Greg Simms of the Plain Dealer called that line of thinking "blatant ignorance of the fight game," as a defense of the WBC featherweight belt by Gomez, not far from home in San Juan, Puerto Rico, against a finely-edged anvil like Nelson deserved top billing. A more somber way of looking at it, however, was that it was a bout between the last two men Salvador Sanchez sent packing prematurely before his demise in a 1982 auto accident.

A pre-fight wire report out of Puerto Rico quoted Gomez, 41-1-1 (40 KO) going in, as saying, "Nelson comes from Ghana with hopes to win, but lamentably, this title will stay here because it belongs to Puerto Ricans. My goal is to win three world titles, and Nelson is not going to block my career." Fully intent on blocking WGomez's career -- and his intention to face a young and newly belted Julio Cesar Chavez -- Nelson, 19-1 (14 KO), said via AP wire, "I won't have a problem. I'll knock out Gomez in the fifth round."

Late legendary trainer Eddie Futch's prediction: "I think Nelson does hit hard enough to knock out Gomez, but I hardly think that's likely. I would have to pick Gomez to win because of his overall ability and punching power."

Mr. Futch was off a tad.

TQBR Radio 10/29: Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat Recap, Gennady Golovkin vs. Curtis Stevens Preview

Above, what Karo Murat should've done to Bernard Hopkins, or Steve Smoger; Source

At the age of Abe Vigoda-years-old, Bernard Hopkins continues to crotch-kick the Grim Reaper -- in the ring, anyway. Some loved his showing against Karo Murat, some hated it, and some were perplexed by the subpar handling of the action by the usually solid (if not very good) referee Steve Smoger. But even the hating-est of the Bernard Hopkins haters will reluctantly offer up a "Well, for his age..." concession. This week on Queensberry Rules Radio, James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor take a stab at answering the question plaguing boxing fans the world over since last Saturday night: should Bernard Hopkins scale back on the shuffleboard, on account of his trick hip?

There are other matters to discuss, like what size army could've been marched through the cut that Gabe Rosado incurred against Peter Quillin, or how many more wins Deontay Wilder needs to be considered this week's Heavyweight That Opened On A Showtime Card Of The Week, etc. Also, there's an issue of Gennady Golovkin vs. Curtis Stevens to hold a geiger counter to.

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.

TQBR Radio 10/22: Ruslan Provodnikov vs. Mike Alvarado Recap, with Kelsey McCarson

Ruslan Provodnikov, left, in pursuit of Mike Alvarado; photo: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Usually the Queensberry Rules Radio preview post opens up with some nonsensical picture or reference, if not some borderline infuriating non sequitur. But this week, Ruslan Provodnikov and Mike Alvarado should simply get more and more attention, when possible. It was an outstanding fight, and one that in a way kicks off what should be an outstanding late-year run for fans of gloved combat.

As always, James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor will try to make sense of what we saw on Saturday night -- that, or make juvenile jokes that have the well-respected celebrity boxing scribes calling for blogger heads to roll. There will also be some previewing of Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat, Peter Quillin vs. Gabe Rosado, and much more. And joining the Milli and Vanilli of boxing radio is Kelsey McCarson, writer for The Sweet Science and Bleacher Report, and member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.

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 - Bobby Chacon Rallies to Decision Cornelius Boza-Edwards

Andre the Giant, left, fends off Bobby Chacon; source

There was some outstanding boxing in the 1980's. But as in every other decade of boxing, rankings and sanctioning bodies who created them really mimicked what was loosely considered the fashion of the times: funky, eccentric, and downright embarrassing in hindsight. 

The years have been kind to Larry Holmes and Marvin Hagler in terms of perception and all-time rankings; they usually are, however. But in the early eighties, the World Boxing Council threatened to snatch the rug out from under both great champions and leave them sans belts. Holmes would famously ditch the belt, of course, before the organization could act decisively, but a smaller fighter with less influence might be more easily manipulated. A fighter like, say, Bobby Chacon.

Entrenched in legal matters with Don King and still coping with the death of his wife, Bobby Chacon was lined up to defend his WBC junior lightweight belt in his only fight of 1983. Initially, the WBC refused to sanction the rematch between Bobby Chacon and Cornelius Boza-Edwards, demanding that Chacon instead defend against Hector Camacho, who was actually ranked lower than Boza-Edwards, but happened to be promoted by Don King. That King happened to be pals with WBC president Jose Sulaiman probably made no difference. Or maybe some. 

By May 16, 1983, Cornelius Boza-Edwards was chest deep in a professional boxing career that saw him turn pro not long after representing Uganda in the 1976 Olympics. His short, yet already explosive pro career had seen him to a record of 38-3 (30 KO), including a stoppage win over Bobby Chacon in 1981.

Having already retired a number of times -- memorably in 1976, after barely winning a decision over David Sotelo in which Chacon hit the deck a few times -- Chacon was using his ninth life in taking on Boza-Edwards once more, even if he had won a belt in the meantime. 

After the bout, Chacon said, "[Ringside physicians] kept saying I could go one more round, but they said it for seven rounds. After the 6th round, I knew they wouldn't stop it."

In context, Chacon would need 40 stitches for the cuts over and under his eyes, all told. His left eye was just about completely shut after the 12 rounds were done, his nose was destroyed, and cuts about his eyes likely had a cocktail party. Boza-Edwards wasn't any better for wear, though, having felt the tight grip of the canvas thrice during the evening, during rounds 1, 2 and 12. His cut up physique had no say in the contest.

Richard Steele, who refereed the scrum, would say after Chacon lost his next fight to Ray Mancini in three rounds, that, "The difference there was that Boza-Edwards doesn't punch like Ray Mancini."

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE FIGHT IN ITS ENTIRETY

                                                                                *******

Feel free to follow Patrick on Twitter: @Integrital

TQBR Radio 10/15: Tim Bradley vs. Juan Manuel Marquez Recap, Mike Alvarado vs. Ruslan Provodnikov Preview

Frolicking above, one of Tim Bradley's relatives. Maybe; via

By now it should be clear that nobody will be stealing Tim Bradley's Lucky Charms. Not Juan Manuel Marquez, not those bratty kids in the commercial ...and perhaps not even Floyd Mayweather? Discussing the possibility of harnessing Bradley's prosperity, putting it toward winning some type of mega lottery and subsequently buying a medium-sized island will be James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor, per usual. Also on the agenda is Orlando Salido's win over Orlando Cruz, Vasyl Lomachenko's successful pro debut, and eventually Mike Alvarado vs. Ruslan Provodnikov.

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 - Simon Brown Rallies to Decimate Tyrone Trice

Some fighters are made to work harder for belts than others -- both in the gym and in terms of political maneuvering. And actual records simply didn't mean as much in eras past, though the term "undefeated" has always shined a bit brighter than anything else in that regard. Still, two once-defeated men fighting for a strap wouldn't lead to any over-batted eyelashes even in today's sport. On April 23, 1988, Simon Brown sported a record of 24-1 (18 KO), while Tyrone Trice was 28-1 (23 KO). And this may come as a shock, but there was funky stuff going on in boxing all the way back in 1988, too. 

In October of 1987, Lloyd Honeyghan lost control of the IBF welterweight belt when he lost his WBC belt to Jorge Vaca in eight rounds on a cut, despite being only the second ever IBF welterweight titlist. Per WBC rules, Honeyghan was deducted a point for the accidental headbutt that caused the cut, which swung the close decision Vaca's way. The situation with the IBF wasn't immediately clear, however, as numerous publications stated that Vaca had also won the IBF belt, while others remained mum, only mentioning the WBC transfer. But a few days later, it was confirmed that the IBF strap had been declared vacant, as Vaca vs. Honeyghan was a 12 round title bout, and the fight was in London, where the British Boxing Board of Control didn't allow 15 round championship fights, and the IBF didn't allow 12 round championship fights. Chicken vs. egg vs. chicken vs. egg...

TQBR Radio 10/8: Miguel Cotto vs. Delvin Rodriguez Recap, Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Tim Bradley Preview, with Alex Barry

When Miguel Cotto stopped Delvin Rodriguez, the above Mark Morrison tune may or may not have become TQBR Radio's official anthem

Miguel Cotto is a mack, in every sense of the word. We think. But it's possible we here at TQBR don't really understand the hip lingo today's kids are using. So we'll just say he's cool and fresh, and give thanks that he's seemingly "back." 

On the other hand, we're also kind of obligated to mention the Wladimir Klitschko vs. Alexander Povetkin travesty. But the antacid tablet to that heavyweight gut bomb should be Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Tim Bradley. There should be plenty of comic relief for James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor to work with, though. And joining the Flotsam and Jetsam of boxing radio this week is Alex Barry of The Boxing Seed.

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 - Jeff Harding, Blood Tinged, Pulverizes Dennis Andries

Dennis Andries, left, slams a jab toward Jeff Harding in their first bout; source

At the time this fight was made, nobody really knew that putting WBC light heavyweight titlist Dennis Andries in with Jeff Harding would be like aiming two high-powered jackhammers at each other. But the punches rarely stopped, and they carried punishment with them. 

Andries was to have squared up against Canadian hunk Donny Lalonde. About three weeks out from the June 24 date, Lalonde announced his retirement from boxing, saying that he couldn't even handle beating up sparring partners, much less opponents during a paid bout. The revelation, though strange, was right in line with Lalonde's eccentric mannerisms. It should be noted, however, that Lalonde went back to boxing in 1991. 

As Top Rank's Bob Arum remarked before the fight, Donny Lalonde's oddball personality was a draw, though, and his pullout left a gap in the schedule that ABC needed to fill, and quickly. Unheralded Australian prospect Jeff Harding, who hadn't yet gone 12 rounds -- and hadn't beaten any ranked contenders --  was given the opportunity. Harding's trainer Johnny Lewis would later remark that it was a chance he felt they needed to take. 

TQBR Radio 10/1: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Brian Vera Recap

TQBR Radio: So good, it even makes Miguel Cotto smile; photo credit: Action Images

 
Queensberry Rules Radio is back. Really back. Really, really back, even. And the kind of stuff the last part of the year is bringing may just be enough to choke the Strait of Gibraltar with fistic goodness. Never mind that whole thing where Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. won a decision over Brian Vera that very, very few people seemed to agree with. We're looking forward.

Wait. Not so fast. This week on the show, James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor are all but obligated to discuss this last weekend's action, which included Adonis Stevenson's dominant victory over Tavoris Cloud. Also in play are Wladimir Klitschko vs. Alexander Povetkin, Miguel Cotto vs. Delvin Rodriguez and more.

Click this link to tune in live at a special time of 4:00 p.m. Pacific/7:00 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. Handed Disputed Decision Over Brian Vera

Chavez Jr., left, after weighing in for his fight against Brian Vera; photo credit: Chris Farina/Top Rank

Sometimes the more compelling match ups in boxing are accompanied by back stories, grudge matches and pre-fight shenanigans. It seems to be better for the long term (and even short term) health of the sport when the antics are innocuous or light hearted. 

But with approximately 98 percent of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Brian Vera pre-fight news rightly centered around Junior's trials and tribulations, weight-related and not, it makes one wonder exactly what we're looking at here. Is this serious pugilistic business, or some manner of half-cocked joke?
Signs pointed to the latter after Chavez was awarded a unanimous decision over Vera that few seemed to feel he clearly deserved.

In the split-site co-feature, Adonis Stevenson sauntered over Tavoris Cloud in what was supposed to have been a competitive fight.

TQBR Radio 9/17: Floyd Mayweather vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez Recap

The wake of a ship's stern; photo credit: here

Since you're here on TQBR, reading and whatnot, there's a good chance you caught the pre-#TheOne Roundtable Discussion on last week's episode of Queensberry Rules Radio. But if you didn't, then we just feel sorry for you.

That churned-up water in the picture above is exactly where we are -- the wake of the big event, staving off suffucation of stimuli while trying to figure out what it all means. The build up to Floyd Mayweather vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, and undercard, was massive, which leaves us exhausted.

So let Bad Left Hook's James Foley and TQBR's Patrick Connor nudge you through the post-extravaganza minefield one crude joke at a time. On this episode, find out what happens next to Angel Garcia's cranium, Lucas Matthysse's eye, and Justin Bieber's upcoming cool tattoo.

Click this link to tune in live at a special time of 1:00 p.m. Pacific/4:00 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez - Algorithms and Blood

Even for complainers, cynics and pessimists, 2012 was a solid year for the pygmachia congregation, and 2013 has shaken out nicely. There have been cancellations, weird decisions and failed match ups in 2013, yes. But if you haven't gotten used to that yet, then you haven't gotten used to boxing. 

We now approach the the last third of the calendar year -- more specifically Floyd Mayweather vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez -- and statistically speaking, that means good things for us boxing psychotics. Traditionally, the last handful of years have scheduled big fights in September and November. 

Even better, in the last five years, three Fights of the Year have taken place in the second half of the calendar year. And of the two that didn't, one, Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz I, had stiff competition from Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez I in December -- a month that often isn't factored in to the awards, barring extreme circumstances like Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Manny Pacquiao IV, or Jorge Castro vs. John David Jackson. 

So, what do the bones say as far as the kind of chance Mayweather vs. Canelo has of being not only a good fight, but worth the lip service? 

We'll be using the Ring Magazine awards as a barometer. That's not to say Ring necessarily always gets it right, or that the best fight of a particular year, as voted by a panel, is a great indicator of how entertaining boxing was in a given month or year. But Ring has been the most consistent in giving out said awards, yielding the best data to work with here. 

A lot of the numeric mumbo jumbo is encouraging to the late summer, fall and early winter crowd...

TQBR Radio 9/10: Floyd Mayweather vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez Roundtable Preview

Left to right: Tim Starks, Patrick Connor, James Foley, Scott Christ and Jimmy Tobin, probably; source

Once every eleventy billion years, distant planets align in a manner that allows the existence of a rumble -- a smash up noteworthy enough to summon multiple superheroes together, fighting as one, creating a veritable wall of greatness. That's not happening here. 

If you're unaware that Floyd Mayweather and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez are fighting this coming weekend, there are truly only three options when it comes to how that could possibly be: you're legitimately in a coma, you live in a very remote part of the country (like Hoboken, N.J.), or you're a communist. This week on Queensberry Rules Radio, James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's Patrick Connor attempt to reach the other parts of society in previewing #TheOne. Joining these loveseat leviathans this week are TQBR fraternity president Tim Starks, Bad Left Hook's Scott Christ, and The Cruelest Sport's Jimmy Tobin.

The current pause is to allow you to pick up the pieces of your mind that were just blown out of your skull by that revelation. Then remember that we'll also be getting to Danny Garcia vs. Lucas Matthysse. Rest up. 

Click this link to tune in live at a special time of 3:30 p.m. Pacific/6:30 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio. 

TQBR Radio 9/3: Seth Mitchell vs. Chris Arreola, Ricky Burns vs. Raymundo Beltran Preview

Ol' Blue Eyes and TQBR Radio agree, like always -- it's been a good year; source

There are still just under three full months to go on the calendar year, but 2013 has already been memorable and, at the least, above average in terms of action, quality match ups and fan desires mostly coming true. From here on out, with as many intriguing fights on the horizon as there are, it's all gravy; a three month long dessert.

So let Queensberry Rules Radio be the cream in your coffee. This week's episode has co-hosts James Foley of Bad Left Hook and TQBR's own Patrick Connor previewing HBO's Seth Mitchell vs. Chris Arreola main event, as well as Ricky Burns vs. Raymundo Beltran. There may also be some uncouth banter in regards to the latest episode of Floyd Mayweather vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez' "All Access." 

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.

TQBR Radio 8/27: Jhonny Gonzalez vs Abner Mares, Leo Santa Cruz vs Victor Terrazas Recap with William Dettloff

Katy Perry as a boxer at the MTV VMA's, probably inspired by listening to TQBR Radio; photo credit: WENN

 
Enough of that pseudo-musical nonsense. You come here for boxing.
 
We may be due for a really crappy weekend of fighting, but don't tell the boxing gods that. Two supposedly ho-hum weekends in a row turned into inspiring ones -- depending on who you were rooting for. We've been just a little bit spoiled, so it would be nice if things could stay that way.

This week on Queensberry Rules Radio, BadLeftHook's James Foley and TQBR's Patrick Connor will make a few ears bleed recapping Jhonny Gonzalez' upset demolition over Abner Mares, Leo Santa Cruz' stoppage of Victor Terrazas, a controversial outcome on Friday Night Fights, and so on. Also covered will be previews of Seth Mitchell vs. Chris Arreola and Ricky Burns vs. Raymundo Beltran. Joining the gormless gulpins this week is author, boxing writer and co-host of the Ring Theory podcast William Dettloff.

Click this link to tune in live at a special time of 5:30 p.m.  Pacific/8:30 p.m. Eastern, or download the episode later via iTunes or Stitcher Radio.

Symbiotic: 10 Important Days in History That Tangled with Boxing

There exist very few avenues a reasonable person could saunter down in arguing that the sport of boxing hasn't infused itself into the fine spirits of history. In fact, the idea of boxing and the fates of laws, nations and ethnic populations being intertwined -- sometimes violently, sometimes less so -- has been pointed out on TQBR time and time again.

In this more specific list, we explore what pugilism was taking place on days that could be described as pivotal in the history of the last 100 or so years -- or about how long boxing has been widely covered in reasonable detail. In these cases, the boxing had little to do with the history, but they demonstrate how the sport has carried on while clocks appeared to stop in other facets of life.

Aug. 1, 1981: MTV makes its debut; Eusebio Pedroza defends his belt...again

A couple of hours after The Buggles helped video lyrically and somewhat literally kill the radio star by being the first music video played on MTV, Panamanian featherweight Eusebio Pedroza was sentencing Venezuelan contender Carlos Piñango to a torturous demise. Piñango, who passed away in March of this year, became Pedroza's 12th defense of the WBA featherweight belt by way of slow bleed, ending in round 7 with a flurry punctuated by a left hook downstairs. Thousands of miles away from MTV airwaves that scattered musical magnetism here and there, Pedroza was elected to Panama's Legislative Assembly as a hero in his motherland. Of course, Pedroza didn't quite have MTV-level influence. That was reserved for fellow Panamanian Roberto Duran.