Boxing

[H2O Man]

Tonight on Showtime/PPV, there is an exciting card. In the first match, two of the hardest-punching bantamweights go head-to-head. Silence Maboza (18-0, 15 KOs) fights Rafael Marquez (34-3, 30KOs). This could be a main event in and of itself.

In the main event, Jeff Lacy (20-0, 16KOs) takes on Scott Pemberton (29-3-1, 24 KOs) in the Super Middleweight division. Promoters had originally hoped to match Lacy against Joe Calzaghe for a WBO/IBF unification bout; it was announced that they would meet in England.

Pemberton is not a fighter that Lacy can take for granted. He will be there to try to upset the hard-punching Lacy, who seems to be one of the types of fighters who gets stronger in the second half of fights. Still, I think he lacks in some very basic defensive skills, and I'll always remember my friend Rubin Carter telling me, "When you get in that ring preparing to kick that other man's behind, always remember you brought your own in with you. Hands up, chin down!"

On a sad note, I've had a few messages regarding Muhammad Ali's health in the past week. "The Greatest" is not well. I hope for the best for Ali.

[Stephist]

1. Have you heard anything on the kid who got knocked out in 18 seconds?

:( Sorry I don't know his name.

[H2O Man]

2. I believe he

does not have a fractured neck, as was first feared; but he is being sent for an MRI. Hopefully, his career is over.

Jeff Lacy scored an impressive two round knockout. Pemberton was looking for the ref to rescue him, and this is dangerous against a fellow who hits so hard. Lacy nailed him with a hard right that flattened Scott. The ref stopped it without counting, and Scott complained he was okay to fight. He should have fought back after the first knockdown. I doubt that Calzaghe will ever fight Lacy.

Marquez looked good in winning his fight by a 4 round TKO. The referee in that match should not be involved in serious fights, as he made mistake after mistake. Marquez would almost certainly have won the fight if there was a mildly talented ref in the ring, however.

[dr.zoidberg]

3. Impressive win for Lacy.

Lacy beat a legit top 10 supermiddle in Pemberton. I wonder what is next for Lacy? Will he go to the UK to fight Joe Calzaghe or will he set up that rumored match-up with Antonio Tarver? I would think that he would go after Tarver, especially after he made it know how upset he was with Calzaghe after he got hurt.

[H2O Man]

4. I'd be surprised

if Calzaghe will ever fight Lacy. It creates something of a bind for Jeff. Tarver has physical advantages that would be difficult to overcome. Lacy has power, even above shoulder heighth, but moving up that weight class is hard.

The middleweight rematch in December could help him, unless Hopkins wins. Bernard isn't going to fight a bigger man.