Boxing Thread 4.0

[GS Warriors 1]

Finally got around to seeing Tapia/Kirkland(that's really the only HBO fight I wanted to see) on-demand earlier today as I saw the SHO broadcast live and couldn't catch the HBO west replay due to early work.

Brutal fight. It was really quite similar to Kirkland/Angulo without the KD's. Tapia had a monster start, he simply couldn't miss Kirkland in round 1. Then afterward, it was all Kirkland. The body work was outstanding and took the wind out of Tapia, it truly changed the fight. Tapia had some moments here and there, but Kirkland was pretty much dominating the fight. The fight should've been stopped after round 5, Tapia looked done by that point. What's strange is that the corner does mention the punishment Tapia was taking before round 5. I know he stung Kirkland early in that round but by the end of the round 5, Kirkland was clearly having his way with him....again. I was surprised that they went into round 6. I think both the corner and Smoger share the blame for what happened. For Kirkland, this is a real good win for him. If only he can keep his head on straight, he's someone people are going to want to watch with his style. I saw earlier today that more people tuned into HBO during his fight than the main event, that's something that I don't think I've ever heard of.

[Maluco Beleza]

what time is the weigh in for broner?

[Butch718]

More good fights this weekend.

Broner/Maidana
Thurman/Soto Karass
Plus Leo Santa Cruz

[GS Warriors 1]

All the fighters on the telecast made weight, Broner came in about 2.5 under the WW limit.

I happen to think this fight makes Broner look good, Maidana is a stationary target rather than Malignaggi, who I felt puzzled Broner early on in their fight with his footwork and jab. I'll be interested to see if Maidana can get to him, especially if Broner isn't moving around the ring much.

Thurman/Soto-Karass has a good chance to be the fight of the night. Thurman has tremendous power and JSK is one of the toughest fighters out there who does whatever it takes to win, he can be a bit dirty at times.

[Butch718]

I'd love to see the winner of Thurman/Soto-Karass get Porter next.

I think Broner will look good as well. He might be a bit flat footed, but Maidana is there to be hit. Give me Garcia/Broner next year.

Oh and in other news, Brandon Rios tested positive for a banned substance.

[cowboyronnie]

"I can say unequivocally that it was not a steroid-related substance," Arum told ESPN.com. "It was some substance that was like a minor kind of thing that you're not supposed to take, something you take for weight loss, like a diuretic. They say it's not a steroid but it was something you should not have in your urine after a fight. So it went to the [Macau] commission that was in charge of the fight, and they gave him a suspension. He is allowed to appeal."

The Macau commission was set up by the WBO to oversee the fight, since China does not have a commission that oversees professional boxing. The WBO sanctioned the fight for one of its regional titles.

Ring magazine earlier reported the failed test on its website Friday.

Arum blamed Alex Ariza, Rios' strength and conditioning coach, for the failed test.

"Brandon had the genius, Ariza, trying to help him make weight," Arum said. "It is not the fighter's fault. It's the people who are conditioning him. He's following orders on what to eat and drink, so I don't blame him. Brandon's not a nutritionist. It's generally the conditioner's fault if the kid doesn't make weight. This is Ariza's fault.

"The fighter, in my experience, follows religiously what he is told to eat and drink. If he's being advised by people who consider themselves experts, but who really don't know s---, that's when you get in trouble."

Ariza is in San Antonio, working as Marcos Maidana's strength and conditioning coach for his welterweight title challenge against Adrien Broner on Saturday night at the Alamodome. After the weigh-in Friday, Ariza briefly addressed Rios' positive test.

"We disclosed everything we were taking," Ariza told ESPN.com.

[Butch718]

Damn, even with the move to 147 Ariza felt it was necessary to give Rios something to help cut weight?

I also read that the supplement that he was tested for was banned last year. So it's not as if Ariza accidentally gave him something you could get over the counter these days.

Honestly, I don't see this as a reputation killer for Rios. But Ariza may be done working as a trainer for name boxers. Not only is he an attention seeker, but he just put one of his fighters through a lot of bad publicity with his carelessness.

[Blame Rasho]

Damn, even with the move to 147 Ariza felt it was necessary to give Rios something to help cut weight?

I also read that the supplement that he was tested for was banned last year. So it's not as if Ariza accidentally gave him something you could get over the counter these days.

Honestly, I don't see this as a reputation killer for Rios. But Ariza may be done working as a trainer for name boxers. Not only is he an attention seeker, but he just put one of his fighters through a lot of bad publicity with his carelessness.

He was drinking redbulls during training... lets be honest... you aren't exactly serious about your health if you are drinking that ****.

[Blame Rasho]

I'd love to see the winner of Thurman/Soto-Karass get Porter next.

I think Broner will look good as well. He might be a bit flat footed, but Maidana is there to be hit. Give me Garcia/Broner next year.

Oh and in other news, Brandon Rios tested positive for a banned substance.

I really want Broner to lose and than see Paulie interview him....lol

I also would love to see him fight Garcia... just for the trash talking between each fighters and the fact that both rub me the wrong way.

It would be like when Cotto/Margarito first fought. Two dirty fighters that I just hated facing each other.

The Thurman/SotoKarass fight will likely steal the show... I can't wait.

Oh... Jermiane Taylor is fighting in the undercard.... I felt he never got his due for his W's vs Hopkins. I just hope that he doesn't get hurt after his ugly KO vs Abraham that caused a brain bleed. He isn't Rocky Balboa.

[Butch718]

I really want Broner to lose and than see Paulie interview him....lol

I also would love to see him fight Garcia... just for the trash talking between each fighters and the fact that both rub me the wrong way.

I wonder if Paulie is itching to take shots at Broner during his color commentary tonight.

Also, I don't know who the bigger POS is. Garcia's father or Broner.

[Butch718]

Hopkins is such a dick. Shumenov said it would be an honor to fight B-Hop, and B-Hop responds by saying that it would be an honor to take his belt.

[Rich Rane]

Thurman is making Soto Karass look really old.

Vicious finish by Thurman with 5 thunderous power punches.

[Rich Rane]

Maidana landing wildly early, but landing nonetheless.

This is a brawl that Maidana is winning, not a fight. It's working.

What a knockdown!

Wouldn't be surprised if Maidana punched himself tired there.

[Blame Rasho]

Broner needs to lose and lose badly...

[Maluco Beleza]

Broner is now winning!

and these showtime idiots wont give broner no credit.

broner is now winning or its a draw at this point

[Rich Rane]

Broner is now winning!

and these showtime idiots wont give broner no credit.

broner is now winning or its a draw at this point

Granted, I agree Broner is improving from the early rounds, but I wouldn't be surprised if anyone has this a shutout for Maidana so far because of Maidana's activity.

[Rich Rane]

Maidana looks gassed.

Anoter knock down, whoa.

That headbutt saved Broner. He can take all those 5 minutes to recover.

[Blame Rasho]

Broner is such a pussy...

[Rich Rane]

Yeah, a deducted point was the right call, but Cole should've gotten there earlier to break the clinch.

[Rich Rane]

Could be a 10-8 round without a knock down for Maidana. Broner needs to start throwing something.