By Brian M. Rodriguez

brian@pugilismandthepen.com

Here are P&TP’s ruminations and ramblings for this week:

John the Baptist: Talk about wandering in the wilderness; the past two weekends (and this upcoming weekend) have found fight fans praying for manna from heaven.  This lack of pugilistic action is causing major delirium tremens (DTs) in my household.  We need a Savior.  For the sake of my sanity and the redemption of the fistic world, let’s hope that Cotto – Clottey lives up to expectations (by the way, would it kill HBO to televise the Ivan Calderon – Rodel Mayol fight?  I love watching the “Iron Boy” practice the Sweet Science).

Angulo – Cintron & Berto – Urango: At least HBO’s “Boxing After Dark” last weekend offered enough action to satisfy my palate for pugilism.  I thought the Angulo – Cintron fight was quite entertaining, and Berto – Urango wasn’t completely sleep-inducing (well, it certainly was not all action, but not every fight can be a “fight of the year” contender).  Cintron boxed beautifully and his right hand stunned the typically unflappable Angulo several times.  Cintron’s win makes the junior middleweight and welterweight divisions even more exciting (if that is possible).  Even though “El Perro” went down in defeat, I could watch him fight every weekend.  He always comes forward, pressing the fight, giving the fans their money’s worth.  I think it is safe to say, however, that Angulo is at a decided disadvantage when he has a boxer in front of him.  Sergio Martinez would really give him problems.  Cintron’s win now sets up a mandatory rematch with Martinez; let’s see if Cintron can avoid that straight left “head butt” from Martinez in their second encounter.

Andre Berto appears to have all the physical skills necessary to be a truly great fighter, yet, he seems to suffer from CDS (“Chad Dawson Syndrome”).  He wins all his fights, but lacks that “spark”, which is necessary if he wants those big paydays.  Maybe another fight with Luis Collazo will do the trick.  One thing is for sure:  Berto needs to dispense with the quick combination-hold strategy that he employed against Urango.  If and when he gets in the ring with a true welterweight, i.e. not Steve Forbes or Urango, he’ll get crushed with that game.  Mosley, Cotto, and Margarito (assuming he is reinstated) will have none of that.

Dog Fighting: Here is Alfredo Angulo on why they call him “El Perro”:  “When dogs fight, they go at it and don’t let go.”  Was I the only one who immediately thought of Michael Vick?

Coolest Name for a Cutman: Creed Fountain, the cutman working Kermit Cintron’s corner.  He doesn’t even need a nickname, like Jacob “Stitch” Duran.  In fact, Creed Fountain’s name would be just as sweet if said in reverse:  Fountain Creed.

Cotto in the Corner: Speaking of people in a fighter’s corner, it was nice to see Evangelista Cotto training Juan Urango…and there wasn’t a cinder block or Jaguar in sight.

Manny Pacquiao and “Street Fighter”: Check this out on YouTube…classic.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XEbmVgu3qk

“Money” Mayweather?: While we’re on the subject of Manny Pacquiao, we all know that the megafight out there is against Floyd “Money” Mayweather.  But, I have to ask, is one allowed to use the sobriquet “Money” when the IRS has had several liens on one’s property?  I think it’s time to go back to “Pretty Boy”, Floyd.

“I saw ten thousand talkers whose tongues were all broken”: Two people not flapping their gums as of late:  Floyd Mayweather Sr. and David Haye.  While I am confident that this trend will not last long, it is nice to have a reprieve from the endless self-proclamations of “the greatest” this, and the “best of all-time” that.  Thanks for the break, guys.

Motion for Summary Judgment: Victor Conte’s quest to have “Sugar” Shane Mosley’s defamation lawsuit against him dismissed fell short.  Mosley is suing Conte, in essence, for slander because Conte had the gall to say that Mosley knowingly injected steroids prior to his second fight with Oscar De La Hoya.  Mosley does not deny using the illegal drugs; he just claims that he did so unknowingly.  Okay…isn’t that the same excuse that Antonio Margarito used with regard to his loaded hand wraps?  So, please tell us State Athletic Commissions, when is ignorance a legitimate defense?

Rob Frankel: Now it’s time to get serious.  The recent news that Rob Frankel has been sentenced to ten years in prison is, quite simply, sad.  Sad for his wife, his children (who will be without a father for an extended period of time), the Colorado boxing community, and for Frankel.  Let’s just hope that Rob will take this time to reflect on his life, and come out of confinement a better person.  And, for the record, just because something is sad, does not mean it is not just…Frankel perpetrated an appalling crime, and he is now being justly punished.

“Battle Under the Stars II”: I have received several comments and email regarding the absence of a fight report for this card, which was held on May 30.  Yes, I was at the fights.  Unfortunately, the show was severely lacking in both entertainment and quality boxing, which is why my reporting of the results was sufficient to describe the evening.  This is not me “hating” or whatever other synonym one wishes to use.  I am just telling the truth as I saw it from the $25 seat that I purchased.  Man, am I glad I didn’t shell out $50 for the ringside seats.

The Fight Vault: Given the inactivity in professional boxing recently, I decided to delve into my fight collection for some fistic fury.  Having watched the Pacquiao – Hatton fight for the umpteenth time, I went back to watch the last fight that Pacman actually lost, which of course was his first of three battles with Erik Morales (March 19, 2005).  Even in a losing effort, Pacquiao is fun to watch.  Does it get any better than the final round, when Morales, fight securely in hand, turns southpaw to go toe-to-toe with Pacquiao?  I wanted to screen this fight for my Mom, who did not know the outcome.  When the final verdict was read, the look of shock on her face was priceless.  She couldn’t believe that Pacquiao could actually lose.  On a side note, is there anybody who exudes “slimeball” more than Pacquiao’s former promoter, Murad Muhammad?

Well, that’s all for now fellow fight fans.  Until the next post, Godspeed, and remember to protect yourself at all times.