This Saturday night, professional boxing will showcase a bout between Heavyweight Mike Tyson against Jr. Welterweight Miguel Cotto.  While the two will obviously not be squaring off between the ropes, they will certainly be competing for the attention of the world wide audience.  Tonight, June 11^th, some fight fans will be tuning in to Showtime's over hyped pay per view event, featuring Mike Tyson vs Kevin McBride.  As a writer and a fight fan, I will not be tuning in to that fight, but rather another, HBO Boxing After Dark's  tantalizing card including the names of the highly touted Miguel Cotto, and Joel Casamayor in separate bouts.

The Tyson fight is a gimme bout.  It is inevitable that the tall, lanky fighter in McBride will be fortunate to hear the third round bell.  Tyson will most likely keep true to his words and “gut him like a fish.”  Regardless of the legacy that Tyson may or may not leave, his impression has certainly been cemented into boxing.  He has always brought us action, surprises, and drama, although not always the good kind.  But the best of Tyson is behind us.  It is now time to look forward. 

HBO will showcase one of their most promising prospects in Miguel Cotto.  The Puerto Rican heir apparent has had his way with 23 opponents, 19 by KO.  He possesses an exciting style, keeping true to Puerto Rican form with extreme accuracy and superior punching power.  Cotto also has a very tight defense, and keeps the Borinquen trend of hands held very high.  He had his chin tested during his last outing against the division gatekeeper Chop Chop Corley.  This was due in part because Cotto was the aggressor, pressing Corley with no respect for his punching power;  Cotto has his hand unusually low.  The bout was highly controversial due to very poor officiating on the part of the local referee.    Either way, DeMarcus would have been knocked out, but the events of that night have left many fans with questions about the legitimacy of Cotto, and references to his possible comparisons to the Golden Boy.  Cotto will fight against Mohammad Abdullaev, the last man to beat him in the Olympics. 

 On the undercard, Joel Casamayor will face top contender Almazbek Raiymkulov known as Kid Diamond.  Kid Diamond is said to be stiff competition with a record of 20-0 with 12 KO’s.  The two will be facing off for a shot at a Lightweight title.  Joel has one win against Diego Corrales, as well as a loss in their rematch.  His most recent loss was to Mexican warrior Jose Luis Castillo.  Speculators are looking at Casamayor’s fight as a do or die career defining moment.  Should he walk with the win, he will hush his critics and prove he has what it takes to be the champion.  Should he lose, he may stain his legacy as one of the best lightweights.  Either way, Casamayor has always been very exciting to watch and will be in top condition tonight.  

Tyson offers us excitement in a division that has lacked excitement and appeal since the late 1980’s.  While the best of Tyson is behind us now, so is the hype of the heavyweight division for the time being.  The Jr. Welterweight is currently the most talent rich division in boxing.  Fans have the option of paying the fee to see remnants of Iron Mike, or they can tune in to the future of boxing.  The future of all things lies in youth.  Not only does Cotto bring youth, but he also draws in young fans.  And young fans are what boxing’s future needs.  In with the new and out with the old! 

Xavier ‘El Mago’ Cepeda

6-11-2005

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