We have two big fights coming up in April. The truth is, I'd rather pay for the free one.
After a good, hard rain this morning, a gentle northern breeze has moved the heavy, leaden clouds to the south, leaving mostly clear skies and a kind of hyper-oxygenated energy to the air. It's a Missouri Spring.
I traveled out here for the Cory Spinks vs. Verno Phillips fight in St. Louis, but scheduled a two week stay with family down the Mississippi river in Ste. Genevieve. OK, my wife, Shelly, arranged for me to stay with family. She seemed rather adamant about it too.
Whatever, I'm enjoying the slower pace and post card scenery of country life while I'm here. The boxing world has moved at such a torrid pace lately, it's been difficult to track the reprecussions of it beyond simple fight reporting. The current lull in the actions gives me a chance to mull over Hopkins vs. Calzaghe on April 19, and Miguel Cotto vs. Alfonso Gomez on April 12.
Frankly, Hopkins/Calzaghe doesn't interest me much. Cazaghe, while talented and busy enough in the ring, is a bit of a slapper, and Hopkins is so good at controlling the pace of his fights the become a bit dull, even for a boxing junkie like me. Oh, and the undercard is a liitle thin too. I'll just catch the free replay on HBO the following week.
Cotto/Gomez, however, will be a good fight. Anyone who thinks Gomez is going to lay down for Cotto is very much mistaken. Gomez is strong at 147 and, more importantly, is technically sound and mentally tough. Cotto has been given too much credit for a virtual draw with a faded Shane Mosley.
Forget spending 50 bucks on the 19th, and instead, enjoy beer, pizza, and a good fight with your buddies on the 12th.
