We've got three damn good fights on HBO tonight, headlined by an excellent main event in the welterweight division between Antonio Margarito and Paul Williams ... two of the sports emerging stars. My cousin previews all three fights on the card for us tonight, one of which features Arturo Gatti (fighting in Jersey, on HBO, go figure).
A great way for boxing to become main stream again is to have good fights on the undercard. Tonight we have three fights from two locations on one network. When I look at the matchups, it's going to equal one helluva night for fight fans.
The first two fights of the night will be coming to us live from Atlantic City. The third is from LA. The network is HBO.
In Jersey, Kermit Cintron (27-1, 25 KOs) will be taking on Walter Matthysse (26-1, 25 KOs) in a welterweight showdown. This match-up has slugfest written all over it as both fighters are known for their knockout power and heavy hands. Cintron's only loss came to the hands of Antonio Margarito who fights in the main event tonight. Matthysse's only loss came to Margarito's opponent, Paul Williams.
Cintron has slick hands and pretty good defense for a slugger. The same can be said for Matthysse. On paper, this is a very evenly matched fight and should be exciting to watch.
The second fight from New Jersey will have just as much to watch for. Home town boy Arturo Gatti (40-8, 31KOs) will do battle with former Contender fighter Alfonso Gomez (16-3-2, 7 KOs). When these two fighters step into the squared circle, most time their defense is left behind. Both guys love to bang and usually pay a pretty heavy price to do so.
Over the last few years Gatti has given us many memorable fights. A few of those were because his heart is bigger than the rest of his body and then the others where when he took beatings like I have never seen before. The trilogy he had with Micky Ward (who is now his trainer) was simply crowd pleasing. On the other hand, he was destroyed by De La Hoya, Mayweather, and Baldomir and those all made my eyes hurt.
Gatti will be in front of his hometown crowd and probably is making his last trip into the ring, so I look for him to once again leave everything in there with him. I just hope we don't see the wear and tear like we have seen for other fighters in the recent past.
After two solid matchups we move from Atlantic City to California. Live from the Home Depot Center in LA, we have ourselves a must see main event.
The Welterweight division is stacked and two of the top guys will meet when Antonio Margarito (34-4, 24 KOs) faces Paul Williams (32-0, 24 KOs).
Paul Williams is a six year pro who has destroyed every fighter to step in with him. He is a very high energy guy who likes to throw a lot of punches and wear his opponents down. Williams is a tall silky smooth lefty that will look to outwork Margarito. His defense wil be tested more than ever tonight.
Antonio Margarito just might be the best in the loaded welterweight division. The top guys have ducked him for a few years now. The fact that William took this fight shows just how bad he wants to be the best. Williams will have to contest with a fighter that also throws a good deal of punches with bad intentions. As the old saying goes "defense win championships." That might be the difference in this bout with two crowd pleasing brawlers. This matchup have fight of the year canidate written all over it. It has the makings of a highlight reel fireworks display. It's too close to pick a winner and I think I'll just tune in and enjoy it. I can't wait.
Overall, the three fights tonight will be the best card in a long long time from the world of boxing. The fight fans that decide not to tune in, will be missing a treat.