Boxing Blog – TSS Tidbits

June 23 A Ring of Their Own’s “Women of Mass Destruction”

Two career defining fights are on tap – the “rematch with a vengeance” between Lisa “Bad News” Brown and reigning WIBA super Bantam champ Jeannine Garside; and a “crossroads” fight between Mia St. John, the veteran striving to end her career triumphantly, and her challenger, Jelena Mrdjenovich, seeking to capture another title by defeating one of women’s boxing’s biggest names. Below are predictions, comments and opinions from those “in the know” from the world of women’s boxing on what they believe the outcome will be on June 23 in Edmonton.

MIA ST. JOHN- JELENA MRDJENOVICH, WIBF Lightweight Championship

Jackie Kallen, “First Lady of Boxing”
“I never bet against experience, so Mia St. John gets my vote in the fight with Jelena.”

David Baggs, Editor, fightnews Canada
“This has the making for an incredible fight. St. John will be the most experienced fighter Jelena has faced to date. Having shared the ring with the likes of Holly Holm, Jessica Rakoczy, Christy Martin, and Jenifer Alcorn, St. John won’t be intimidated by Mrdjenovich while fighting infront of a pro Jelena crowd. While experience and ring savvy favor the veteran St. John, youth, strength, and momentum will certainly favor the Canuck. This is a fight that Mrdjenovich has been waiting for quite a while. You know she’ll be ready when the bell rings. The biggest question is how seriously Mia has taken this bout. At 38 and with 52 bouts already under her belt, how serious did she train for this bout. Did she spend enough time in the gym or has other interest taken over? Has Jelena motivated her enough to come in top shape and ready to go the full 10 rounds? Should Mia enter the ring less than perfect, the evening will prove to be a short one for her. Mrdjenovich can and willmake her pay immediately. If she’s (Mia) ready, I see this one being very competitive. My opinion is that when the final bell rings, the Canadian will have her hands raised. How quickly that happens depends on which Mia shows up.”

Terry Washington, Manager/ Trainer of NABF champ Jeri Sitzes
“I’m going to go with Jelena Mrdjenovich to win the WIBF title. Mrdjenovich has been consistent in her training and her trainers. Mia has been changing trainers, and you can’t keep changing trainers and hope to win. And- Mrdjenovich wants to be a champion. Mia St. John is fighting for all the wrong reasons.”

Bonnie Canino, Women’s boxing veteran, Kickboxing World Champ, and trainer
“You can’t take anything from Mia St. John, but her love of the sport is different than Jelena Mrdjenovich’s. I’m going with Jelena- being the hungrier fighter and not giving up.”

Jesse K. Cox, Michigan City (Ind.) News-Dispatch, thesweetscience.com
“Mia St. John (43-6-2) is an accomplished runner. She’s run the Los Angeles Marathon and around the country peddling merchandise — namely herself. Somewhere in the mix, she’s found time to train. All right, that’s purely an assumption. One would figure a boxer with 50 fights, mostly wins, would take a 16-1 opponent like Jelena Mrdjenovich seriously. Please allow an amendment: One would hope training for a fight in the hometown of her opponent would be reason for St. John to consider sparring or simply skipping rope before the next Matt Lauer clone asks about her weight loss cream. St. John will run again in this fight, much as she did in her previous outing. She had better run before Mrdjenovich plants and lines up on her head like Barry Bonds on a baseball. Sprinting or jogging won’t matter much. Mrdjenovich will tag her, maybe not for a knockout, but enough for a win. Mrdjenovich by decision.”

Pat Goossen, boxing, trainer, manager, promoter and guru:
“Mia St. John is a crafty pro, but she will have her hands full.”

Chris Cozzone, Editor, fightnews.com Women’s Boxing
“Mia’s movement might give Mrdjenovich trouble but I will bank on a decision by the Canadian.”

Krysti Rosario, Team USA Boxing Rep And Team Manager:
“Both are popular, but I say that Jelena and Mia will be a draw.”

Bernie McCoy, Women’s Boxing Journalist
“Jelena Mrdjenovich is going up to 135 for the first time and that may take a bit of getting used to. Mia St. John will employ plenty of movement as she has done in all her bouts against quality fighters and she does that well. It will be a question of whether Mrdjenovich can “cut the ring” and catch St. John in corners or on the ropes. If so, it’s a mid round stoppage. If not, a ten round decision. Probably the latter, with Mrdjenovich winning 8 of 10.”

Chevelle Hallback: WIBA, IBA Women’s Jr. Light Weight champ:
“I really feel they are at the same skill level- Mia has been improving from when she started. A lot of people underestimate her, and think it will be an easy win for Jelena. I know Mia has this pretty girl, Play Boy model image in the female boxing world, but at the same time she has improved and been continuing to improve as a fighter and has fought tougher opponents. Jelena hasn’t really fought anyone that is at her own skill level, but usually below and Mia has stepped up to the place and faced opposition at or above her skill level. Even though Mia doesn’t have that much respect when it comes to female boxing, she does have heart and she’s not gonna back down from Jelena. Jelena will really be in the fight, and it won’t be as easy as she and her camp think it will be. If Mia doesn’t KO Jelena, she’ll have to beat her badly or be very impressive, and if Jelena does win, it won’t be by KO, but by decision. Not a walk in the park.

“Butch Gottlieb: boxinginlasvegas.com
“Jelena by unanimous decision. Mia will move and will not get into a battle.”

Franchesca “The Chosen One” Alcanter:
“Jelena is strong, forward fighter. Definitely if she can get a hold of Mia, I predict Jelena winning. Mia has done a good job of learning to run. Depending on Jelena actually being able to cut Mia off, Jelena will come out ahead. But Mia has learned to keep her distance and make it her fight, so it’s hard to say- I’m interested to see how that fight goes- if it goes the distance or if Jelena stops Mia.”

JEANNINE GARSIDE/LISA BROWN, WIBA Super Bantam Title Defense

Jackie Kallen, First Lady of Boxing
“I see Jeannine Garside winning again against Lisa Brown.”

Terry Washington, Manager/Trainer, NABF champ Jeri Sitzes :
“I’ve watched the tape of Jeannine Garside and Lisa Brown’s first fight more than once, and I believe Garside will handle Brown again as easily as she did the first time. She totally controlled the fight, and I don’t see anything changing. Garside is bigger and stronger, and Lisa Brown looks to be in decline.”

Franchesca “The Chosen One” Alcanter
“Knowing both fighters, it will be an absolute war. A freaking war! And a good fight to watch.”

Jesse K. Cox, Michigan City (Ind.) News-Dispatch, thesweetscience.com
“As for Jeanine Garside (5-0) and Lisa Brown (12-2-2), the former has already proven herself despite the assumed inexperience of her record. She earned a decision over Brown at the same venue in November. I sense a little history repeating.”

Bonnie Canino, women’s boxing veteran, Kickboxing World Champ and trainer:
“This will be Jeannine Garside’s hardest fight and true test- to see if she really is one of the top fighters. Brown will come back with lots of heart, but this fight will either be the end or the beginning for Lisa Brown.”

Chris Cozzone, Editor, fightnews.com Women’s Boxing
“While Brown has all the experience behind her, the first fight, a lopsided decision for Garside, says it all. Brown will, no doubt, be better prepared and make it a closer fight but the end result will be a decision for Garside.”

Krysti Rosario, USA Team Boxing Rep/Team Manager
“I think Garside will win again but this time it will be a close decision.”

Bernie McCoy, Women’s Boxing Journalist
“Clearly, this should be the best fight of the night, certainly the one with the most skills. The first bout was surprisingly one-sided and Brown is enough of a veteran to learn from that bout (see Kelli Cofer) However, Garside, however, is the “real deal” (those are Jimmy Mallo’s words and, to my knowledge the only time in recorded history that he has spoken that glowingly about a fighter not named Mary Jo Sanders). Garside by decision, probably by a substantial margin, but not as wide as the first time.”

Chevelle Hallback: WIBA, IBA Women’s Jr. Light Weight champ:
“The first fight I don’t think Lisa really knew what to expect from Jeannine, I really think Jeannine took her by surprise. But second time, Lisa will be more aware of Jeannine and come ready. At the same time, Jeanine is a hungry fighter and a hungry fighter is always a dangerous fighter. My advice is Lisa needs to really use her experience in the ring to get past Jeannine and relax and box, and not try to fight toe to toe with her because Jeannine is much stronger than she is. For Jeannine to keep her title, she should continue like she did for those first 10 rounds- and that is to keep the pressure on and not allow Lisa to breathe.”

Pat Goossen, boxing, trainer, manager promoter and guru:
“Garside goes all the way- she is a complete fighter”.

David Baggs, Editor, fightnews Canada
“Jeannine Garside impressed many with her title winning performance against Brown last year. What looked like a mismatch on paper that evening (Garside a veteran of just 3 professional bouts) turned out to be a give and take war with Garside winning a decision and Brown’s Super Bantamweight title. Was Garside that good? Did Brown underestimate her inexperienced opponent. The answer was probably a little bit of both. While Garside did have limited professional experience, she does have an extensive amateur background. Could Brown have taken her too lightly? Sure. Will she again? Definiately not. In an age where rematches often fall short of their initial encounters, this one will again prove to be another war of attrition. Look for Brown to be a better prepared fighter this time around and regain her title by the narrowest of margins. Can you say “Trilogy”?”

Butch Gottlieb, boxinginlasvegas.com
“Garside by KO.”

AROTO’S Arnie “Tokyo” Rosenthal on Joey Reynolds Show

Arnie “Tokyo” Rosenthal, one of the founding partners of “A Ring Of Their Own,” the only all women’s boxing series, will be a guest on the Joey Reynolds Show on Monday May 15. He will discuss the past, present and future of “A Ring of Their Own” and the evolution of women’s boxing. Host Joey Reynolds is known as “the leader of the royal order of night people,” and is also a member of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. The radio program is heard nationwide on the WOR radio network and can be heard on the web at www.wor710.com/Joey_Reynolds.shtml.

“A Ring of Their Own” is the ONLY all women’s boxing series, and is broadcast weekly to over 40 million homes in Canada and the United States.

Is it over for Zahir Raheem?

Zahir Raheem’s twelve round clash against Acelino Freitas at the Foxwoods was a fight that left a lot to be desired. Raheem and Freitas possess styles too confusing for each other to offer much more in a match-up than the chaos that ensued in the ring – both fighters ending in a tangled heap on the canvas or careening nearly through the ropes. This was an emotionally charged bout with both fighters having urgent statements to make at this stage of their careers. Freitas recognizing the need to vindicate himself after quitting on his stool against Diego Corrales in his last appearance at the Foxwoods in 2004, and Raheem fighting to infuse his career with more momentum after masterfully defeating Erik Morales last September.

The split decision gained by Freitas I felt could have gone to Raheem, who seemed to settle down in the seventh round and be more powerful and regain his usual ring composure. Freitas appeared to be wearing out and Raheem finished the twelfth round harder and with more authority in an effort to seal the deal and take home the WBO title. Statistically Raheem had the edge, however slight, but boxing not being horseshoes, he suffered a very narrow defeat.

Freitas’ hand raised in victory against Zahir Raheem doesn’t convince me he’s the same or even more improved fighter he was prior to Corrales. The talk ringside by the HBO Boxing After Dark Team of Lennox Lewis, Max Kellerman and Fran Charles verbally place Freitas facing the victor of Corrales/Castillo III. But what for Zahir? Naysayers seem to believe he will drop off the radar just as he did after the huge Morales upset, largely ignored, his future and his rightful place among the marquee fighters and the high profile fights questioned.

Question away, but don’t forget another slick, crafty fighter who toiled in the low end of the professional ranks before rising to the top. For fourteen years, Winky Wright fought, honed his craft, frustrated opponents and weathered criticism to emerge and beat Shane Mosley twice, Felix Trinidad and Sam Soliman, all on his way to the newly crowned super middleweight king Jermain Taylor. So, if good things come to those who work and wait as in Wright’s case, Zahir Raheem is hardly over after barely losing to Acelino Freitas. In fact, as he told me prior to leaving for Connecticut, “It’s saving the best for last.”

Byrd vs. Klitschko cries out for female commentary

The old saying goes, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” Wladimir Klitschko, aka Dr. Steel Hammer, will have his hands full of “Rapid Fire” Chris Byrd Saturday night in Mannheim, Germany. This is a heavyweight rematch that cries out for some serious female commentary.

STYLES MAKE FIGHTS
Neither fighter will light up Mannheim this Saturday. Byrd has an aimless, pawing jab that lands somewhere between annoying and prissy, while Klitschko is a heavy-handed puncher who connects often and you realize you’ve been hammered, but he possesses all the grace of William Perry at a Cotillion.

IF LOOKS COULD KILL
These guys would be dead in the water. I am in total agreement with Bert Sugar’s oft-quoted line on the heavyweight division: “In a line-up in their gloves, robes and trunks, NO ONE would pick them out as boxers.” Amen, Bert. And these two sluggers are no exception. Who can mistake Byrd’s lame locks for anything but bad? Nice try, but the champ with the best braids, Lennox Lewis, retired and the proclaimed “linear champion,” Shannon Briggs, is still fighting his way across the United States, riding a streak of knockouts. Heads up, Chris. Wlad on the other hand sports a look so challenging the Fab Five of Queer Eye fame are all rushing to get to Mannheim. How do you make 6’7, 250 pounds look appealing to the general public and not like he belongs in the Rocky Horror Picture Show? If this Dynamic Duo failed to be recognized as boxers they will fail in GQ or Esquire as well.

WAITING IN THE WINGS
Whoever wins this tango Saturday night will have an interesting list of dance partners when they return stateside. Some possible CLASSIC matches to be made here, and I know matchmakers right here in the Sooner state that would maim to make these fights….Wlad versus Nikolay Valuev – Dear God, shades of Ed Wood Jr. Chris Byrd and Nikolay Valuev – slaphappy Byrd would have the same results were he to go bear hunting with a flyswatter. Someone’s going to get pissed off, then some Byrdy will get hurt. After those freak shows are over, it will be “Lights Out” for these two contenders.

Byrd and Klitschko have interesting boxrecs. There’s the drama: Byrd defeated Vitali on April Fool’s Day 2001 by ninth round TKO, then within six months lost to Wladimir by unanimous decision. Some family justice gained there. And boxing makes for familiar bedfellows. Both Wlad and Byrd’s fight resume share some of the same foes, both having done battle with Ross Puritty, Eliecer Castillo, Jameel McCline and DaVarryl Williamson.

But those guys are in the past. All fun and games aside, this is a make it or break it fight for these two heavies – the hardware for the vacant IBO heavyweight title is up for grabs and Byrd is defending his IBF heavyweight crown. I am going out on a limb here and hope Wlad doesn’t saw it off underneath me and lose to Chris Byrd.

Amy Green writes for The Sweet Science

Amy Green weighs in on the weigh-in

In October I sat a few feet away from the dais at the Jose Luis Castillo/Diego Corrales II press conference at the beautiful Wynn Las Vegas. As Diego waited his turn to speak, he had a bowl of grapes in front of him which promoter Gary Shaw swatted away. He needn’t have. Come weigh-in time, we remember the story – Castillo was somewhat over the limit and Diego made the weight. The afternoon of the Corrales/Castillo weigh-in, I was an hour or so away in Laughlin, Nevada for the weigh in for “A Ring of Their Own,” the all women’s boxing series. All 10 girls made weight and the event somewhat resembled a lingerie fashion show. Today I weighed in at Honeycutt Gym at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and OH MY GOD – I am a 45-year-old, 5’5¾ super middleweight. Wearing a ripped ChromeLink t-shirt and baggy sweats. Otis Gentry, who has taken over (somewhat reluctantly) in attempting to train me where Clarence Dewberry left off when the boxing gym closed, remained calm and diplomatic. “I see we’ve got some work to do,” he said, and proceeded to tell me how we would achieve getting me to near welterweight.

When I started out at the boxing gym five years ago I always said my goal was to weigh as little as Grady Brewer. And I have been able to realize that goal. Now it seems I am starting over. New gym, five years older, occasional bad attitude. So when Judah and Mayweather weigh in this Friday, I will be in a panic. It’s my husband’s birthday weekend. That means lots of beer drinking, Harley riding and dining at the restaurant of his choice. Thank God I’m not a real fighter – Gary Shaw swatting a drink out of my hand could result in injury to somebody, and make Marc Ratner’s remaining days at the Nevada Commission interesting indeed. But visions of Otis Gentry holding the computer printed slip of paper with my weight on it will dance in my head as I peruse a Red Lobster menu or even consider a drink with whipped cream on it. And a thousand or so miles away, Floyd Jr. and Zab will step on the scales and it will be announced, LOUDLY, as is the custom, for the entire room of assembled media, promoters and other important people, what each fighter weighs.

Next Thursday, I will stand in front of Otis Gentry in his office and be weighed. This is to be a weekly procedure from now until I make my welterweight goal. Unlike a Vegas weigh-in, there will be no lingerie (I’m hardly in shape for that!), photographers or entourages present. Otis will SILENTLY hand me the slip of paper and the date will be written on the back. It will go on my refrigerator door, secured by a magnet that reads “It’s Good to be the Queen.â€? This ritual will be repeated as often as is necessary for me to achieve the desired weight limit. When that day arrives, Mary Ann Owen and Tom Casino will be on hand to snap photos as I take Otis Gentry out to dinner….

Amy Green writes for The Sweet Science

Rahman vs. Toney from the women’s point of view

I prefer being ringside for a fight…the sound of the crowd, witnessing the excitement in the ring firsthand. The mist of blood, sweat and water that flies through the air and wets your clean notebook paper. Never have I missed it more than during the James Toney/Hasim Rahman heavyweight battle. Listening to the commentary between Larry Merchant and Emanuel Steward was incentive enough for me to hitchhike from coast to coast. In the rain even. Just so I would be out of earshot of their verbal meanderings. Hasim Rahman is no Rocky Marciano, never will be. And James Toney is never going to be on a par with Richard Simmons. Those facts we accept and know to be true. Bear with me as I examine a few points on this fight from a woman’s point of view.

So can we dismiss Steward’s comments about Toney’s hand size compared to Rahman’s? Being female, I am well aware that hand size being important and relevant to anything else of size is a myth. And big feet don’t mean a damn thing either. After that’s settled, let’s decide for SURE if Toney is a relaxed fighter, used to working so hard in the gym that as the fight wears on he actually improves OR is so out of condition he can barely make it through the round and that “this pace is certainly one Toney won’t want to keep up.”

We’ve got to choose here, fight fans. It’s obvious our crack commentary team is having a difficult time with this! Then there’s the rope issue – is James Toney laying on the ropes because he is a master at luring his opponent in, or is it because are his legs and knees shot? OR better yet, is his “Against The Ropes” routine something he learned from his early-day manager Jackie Kallen? Definite points to ponder. And I can surely recognize the fact that Hasim Rahman was the busier fighter – the lumps on the back of James Toney’s head are pure testament to that. Rahman also displayed a few holding patterns and elbowing tactics that many veteran shoppers employ when deep in the retail trenches battling for bargains. And it is tiring, but I can keep it up much longer than 12 rounds. Give me Bob Arum’s credit card and I can assure you I’ll emerge the victor.

Safe in his ringside seat, the retired and elegantly attired Lennox Lewis smugly observed the havoc he created by exiting the heavyweight ranks. Before him Toney and Rahman tried in vain for over half an hour to restore order in the heavyweight division. But it was not to be. Not on March 18 anyway. By the time the judges decision had been handed down, I nearly had whiplash from the back and forth between Steward and Merchant, and the back and forth between James Toney and Hasim Rahman, in a fight where each man suffered defeat in separate ways. Toney was somewhat beaten by his Lou’s Tobacco habit and enjoying good beef at Flemming’s Steak House, the curse of good living accompanying him into the ring. But Rahman emerged the bigger loser in this draw. By simply not being able to dim the lights of this boisterous, well fed and crafty James Toney, it makes one wonder: if he can’t deal with less than perfectly conditioned James Toney, is he heavyweight champion material after all? I’ll take a rain check and come back for the Lights Out Sale – when James Toney has slimmed down to at least his Ruiz victory weight, elbow my way into a good seat and let the games begin.