Archive for September, 2017

Hef’s Playboy Pugilism

Thursday, September 28th, 2017

By William Trillo
Photo: Bret “The Threat” Newton

On the passing of Hugh Hefner, Pound4Pound will always remember the times we were invited to his private party in Holmsby Hills that was centered around a good night of boxing. Among the contestants were Sergey Kovalev, Andre Dirrell, Julio Diaz and Tony Thompson, just to name a few.

We always had a fun time at The Mansion and send condolences to the Hefner family and friends.

Click Here For Playboy Mansion Feb. 16, 2007 Photo Gallery

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Supremacy: Black & White

Tuesday, September 26th, 2017

By William Trillo

Before the GGG vs. Canelo fight and the ensuing debate becomes yesterdays news I thought we here at Pound4Pound would take one more last look at the proceedings from a slightly different perspective both literally and figuratively.

Before I made the roadie to Las Vegas for the big showdown I packed my old school film camera along with a roll of Kodak Black and White.

For all the positives of Digital Photography there is just something about the Gray Scale that gives the clarity to the atmosphere and attitude of the event that tends to get lost in the rapid fire “Spray & Pray” technique that has turned seemingly everyone into pugilistic personal photographers.

Looking back at these shots you may see the personalities of both camps just a bit more clearly. I know I do.

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From turning your back on the crowd at the weigh-in or saluting the fans it’s not difficult to separate those who have earned their way to the top from those who feel just a bit too self entitled for their own good.

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On fight night I snapped a shot milliseconds after the opening bell rang to start the battle that captures the moment everyone had been waiting for. You can almost hear the crowd screaming.

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I took one shot during the action and then a couple when the final bell rang. Certainly no one is suggesting these are Fight Of The Year photos but they do give you another view of the night, albeit a Bird’s Eye View.

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Lastly, considering the outcome of the fight the post fight press conference was a can’t miss event. Again the Black and White perspective seems to hold the personalities of both camps under a microscope and give us a view some might not have wanted to be seen.

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For Camp Golovkin it was all about smiles and gracious farewells.

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But on the side of Camp Canelo there were plenty of grimaces and frowns for every question thrown at them.

Yet seconds after the press conference was over the main players from Golden Boy got together and for the first time their true feelings were there for all to see, (remember that microscope?).

Please tell me what these guys found so amusing.

Now, I believe in miracles
And a miracle has happened tonight…

But, if you’re thinking about my baby
It don’t matter if you’re black or white….

They print my message in the Saturday sun
I had to tell them I ain’t second to none…
And it’s true, either you’re wrong or you’re right….

But, if you’re thinking about my baby
It don’t matter if you’re black or white….

I am tired of this business
So when the going gets rough….

…Don’t tell me you agree with me
(Line sung by Adelaide Byrd) When I saw you kicking dirt in my eye …..

It’s black, it’s white
It’s tough for you to get by
It’s black, it’s white

Black Or White – Michael Jackson

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Knob Knocker: Farewell Ward

Friday, September 22nd, 2017

By William Trillo

As defined by Urbandictionary.com:
knob: An obnoxious person

He is leaving the sport an undefeated champion; he was the winner of the highly publicized Super Six Super Middleweight tournament. He jumped up from Super Middleweight Champion to light heavyweight and not only took the belts away from Sergey Kovalev but in the rematch he manhandled and KO’d Kovalev and successfully defended those crowns.

But, for all those accomplishments when someone mentions Andre Ward the first thing that will come to my mind is the ingrate who tried to get out a promotional contract he agreed to and signed with Dan Goossen, (twice), and when he did not get his way he feigned injury and for what seemed to be an eternity, Ward stonewalled.

Two times in arbitration the California Athletic Commission sided in favor of Goossen and told Ward he must honor the contract he signed. Click here to see order.

It was only after the untimely death of Dan Goossen that Ward basically danced on the deceased promoter’s grave and weaseled his way out of the contract. Although exact details of how Ward exited Goossen Tutor were never released Tom Brown of TGB Promotions was unhappy with the result saying, “That chapter is closed, I have moved on.”

This is from a fighter who calls himself S.O.G. (Son Of God). It’s Christian’s like Ward that will continually have those in the world looking at them as nothing more than hypocrites because of their witness.

Sorry I can’t get all choked up and slobber all over Ward after his unexpected retirement announcement like the rest of the reports I am seeing today. But for whatever he did inside the ring I will never see Andre Ward as anything other than a Knob for the way he handled his business with the late Dan Goossen.

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Who’s Shortsighted?

Monday, September 18th, 2017

By William Trillo
Photos by Al Applerose

Golden Boy brass admonished the media in attendance at the GGG vs Canelo post fight press telling them that if they didn’t write about the excellent performances of both fighters but instead only focused on the abysmal score rendered, it would be very shortsighted.

Unfortunately for the promoter by the time he uttered those words the internet was ablaze with negative reaction to not only that horrific score but social media was inundated with boxing fan commentary that made it clear they thought Gennady Golovkin was the victim of Las Vegas robbery at its best. In the eyes of the majority of the fans Golovkin won that battle hands down.

So to somehow point fingers at the media, trying to lay an early blanket of blame for the injustice that took place and the negative fallout that was sure to follow is simply laughable at best.

No one can question the gutty performances by both men.

Canelo showed great head movement and countered well. Gennady was masterful at cutting off the ring forcing Canelo to fight in retreat almost the entire night.

Both men showed they have tremendous chins as each one tasted some huge doses of heavy leather but never went down.

Canelo started out nice early but GGG owned the middle rounds. Round five had the house rocking.

To his credit Canelo sucked it up and closed the show well. Round 10 was a barn burner.

For the record I scored the fight like Dave Moretti, 115-113 Golovkin.

A close round here and there and the 114-114 score is more than acceptable.

But 118-110 Canelo?

When it comes to being accused of being shortsighted the only person one can point the Fickle Finger of Fate at is none other than Adelaide Byrd.

It would be one thing if this was an isolated incident. But Byrd has been at the forefront of some very major scoring botch jobs during her career. It’s time someone step up and relieve her of her duties.

Shortsightedness can also be defined as being Near Sighted. Meaning that if an object is not right in front of your nose it becomes blurry and hard to make out. It’s pretty clear Byrd could not see or make out what was in front of her on Saturday night.

The clinical term for being shortsighted is Myopia.

A myopic person is unable to see things as they truly are.

Do with that definition as you will.

Check out www.Pound4Pound.com for all the latest boxing news.

Pound4Pound sends congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Golovkin on the birth of their baby girl on September 8th.

Supremacy Thoughts
For What It’s Worth

Saturday, September 16th, 2017

By William Trillo
Photos: Marlene Marquez

The time is finally here. It’s the biggest fight to come around the bend in many moons. No doubt it’s going to live up to the hype. With fighters the likes of GGG and Canelo it’s a given, this one will be spectacular. You can take that to the bank.

From arm chair boxing fan to seasoned journalists the common theme all along seems to center on GGG’s last two fights and the fact that maybe Golovkin has peaked and is now on the downside of his illustrious career. The speculation on that topic has gone so far as to suggest that this so called erosion is the only reason Canelo finally took the fight. Of course that would suggest that his promoter Golden Boy has bought into the Golovkin demise themselves.

Gosh, if only Golovkin had somewhat recently fought and easily beat a similar version of Canelo. You know, someone who comes forward and wants to engage. Some young gun with a sledgehammer punch who incapacitates his foes with one blow. Maybe if GGG had a virtuoso performance against a guy like that then people would be singing a different tune.

Oh wait a minute. He did, and in dominant and epic fashion. That fighter was Montreal’s David Lemieux. GGG systematically dismantled Lemieux with a powerful jab and thunderous bodywork that stopped the young fighter from Canada in the 8th round. The performance by Golovkin was easily one of his shining moments on his 20+ fights KO streak.

If you’re looking for comparisons I think you would be better suited to look at this fight instead of the Brook fight or the last outing by GGG against a very large Danny Jacobs.

When I asked K2 Promotions managing Director Tom Loeffler about this he said, “I don’t know why people don’t want to give more credit to Gennady for beating Lemieux. He was a world champion. David proved with his KO of Curtis Stevens and others that he has tremendous punching power. Yes Lemieux lost to Rubio and Alcine but sometimes fighters have bad nights and David admitted he didn’t train as seriously as he could have for those fights. But when Lemieux is on he is one of the most dangerous middleweights in the world. The way Gennady was able to so thoroughly dominate another champion was a huge statement for GGG. Now, Canelo has a similar size and style to Lemieux and I think Gennady will be able to dominate Canelo in similar fashion.”

When I put the same question to Abel Sanchez he quipped, “People only mention those Brook and Jacobs fights because they think there is a story there, it’s all about selling a story.”

And Golovkin was short on words just stating, “Every fight is different, very different. Right now it’s time for a new story.”

So yeah, if you are asking me how I see it, look to the Lemieux fight as a blueprint for what you will see tonight. I expect GGG to work behind a strong jab that will thoroughly frustrate Canelo. That will lead to the Mexican taking some desperate risks and it is then that Golovkin will lay some serious leather on Canelo who will be stopped inside of 10.

How bad will that beating be?

That remains to be seen.

But when I asked Loeffler if he thinks Canelo will reconsider asking for an immediate rematch if he suffers a crushing KO at the hands of GGG tonight. Loeffler smiled and answered, “It depends on how the victory goes. Abel thinks that Gennady is going to hit Canelo so hard they might not want a rematch. I know this fight has all the ingredients and will live up to the hype. The two styles fit perfect. Gennady is never in a boring fight. Canelo does counterpunch but he doesn’t run away. So this will be a tremendous fight and if it lives up to what we all expect I think this could be not just one fight, but two or three fights.”

I asked Loeffler if Abel was saying that tongue in cheek or does he really think Gennady is so powerful that no one from the other side will want to fight him again? “He really thinks Gennady has the ability to hurt Canelo,” said Loeffler, “ He doesn’t think Canelo can go 12 rounds with GGG.”

I must admit that I am thinking Abel may be making a very good point.

For what it’s worth.

We better stop,
Now, what’s that sound?
Everybody look – what’s going down!

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Fortune Telling Elvis Says…
Age Before Beauty!

Friday, September 15th, 2017

By William Trillo

With the biggest fight weekend of 2017 upon us I felt it was my duty to get to the boxing Capital of the world, Las Vegas, as early in the week as possible.

OK…….truth be told I just wanted to get the heck out of dodge, and the sooner the better. So with a hearty Hi Ho I jumped in my ride and hit Interstate 15 and set the GPS for Sin City.

As per usual I made my usual midpoint stop at Peggy Sue’s Diner in Yermo and along with a fountain shop made Cherry Coke there was the obligatory check in with Elvis The Soothsayer. Could the King have some insight on this weekends huge 160 pound Championship battle?

Over the past few big fights Elvis has been unclear and seemed to be speaking another language. In the end his predictions came up hollow.

Elvis was as clear as his Crystal Ball when he addressed this fight saying, “A man that is young in years may be old in hours.”

Simple!

Canelo is going to come into the ring looking like the next new young super star but after a few rounds of GGG’s punishment Alvarez will become the same old story for Golovkin’s opponents and when he leaves the ring the only thing around his waist will be the band of his heavily worn trunks.

Yes, I know, The King is a dismal 0-3 in his past years predictions but on this one it’s hard not to consider what he has to say.

Viva Las Vegas!

Check out www.Pound4Pound.com for all the latest boxing news.

Perceived Decline May Lead to Fall of Golden Empire

Monday, September 11th, 2017

By William Trillo

Let’s make no mistake about it. The reason that it took over two years to make the GGG vs. Canelo fight a reality is the fact that “someone” at Golden Boy was not going to put his Meal Ticket on the line until he believed that Gennady Golovkin has peaked and is now on the downside of his career. After performances against Kell Brook and Danny Jacobs that had many so called experts speculating that GGG is not the same fighter anymore…well…the fight coincidentally got made.

Everyone at Golden Boy will adamantly deny there was any such plan on their part. There is no way they can openly admit to the fact that they were playing a waiting game before putting their Golden Egg laying Goose on the line against Golovkin.

In fact, in a recently published interview on Boxingscene Canelo himself states, “We basically had a deal done before the (Jacobs) fight…He just had to be victorious and I had to win my fight, so no, it had nothing to do with it.”

Doing a little fact touching I reached out to Golovkin’s promoter Tom Loeffler in regard to that statement. The Managing Director of K2 Promotions said, “No, the deal was night finalized until fight week of the Chavez, (vs. Canelo), fight.”

So, you have to ask yourself, why would Canelo make that false statement?

I will let my readers come to that conclusion on their own.

Coincidentally, on the day of the GGG/Canelo Los Angeles open workout I briefly touched on the subject with Loeffler himself. The following is a transcript of that interview:

Pound4Pound: There are those who say that they, Golden Boy, finally believe that Gennady has peaked and is now on his downside of his career, how do you answer that?

Tom Loeffler: There is only one way to find out and that will be on September 16th. I know there have been critics of Triple G pointing to the fights with Kell Brook and Danny Jacobs but the true test will be how he looks September 16th. I think Gennady will put on the best performance of his career. The motivation I have seen from him and the sparkle in his eye when he is in training camp or talking Abel about the strategy for the fight, or with me in regard to the marketing of the fight, he, (GGG), is on another level. Even though it’s a different person in the ring with him, the platform he is on and the international attention this fight is getting…it’s just on a completely different level.

P4P: Do you give any credence or do you give any validity to that theory that the reason the other side finally took the fight is because they think they see a decline in Gennady’s abilities?

TL: Look, if people think GGG is slipping that’s going to make my job easier to get people actually in the ring to fight him. It was impossible the last couple of years to get any other champion to risk their title to get in the ring with him. So, we will see on September 16th. And if Gennady wins a lot of doors are going to open for him and we will see how it goes with the fighters who weren’t interested in fighting him before.

P4P: Would you care to comment on Miguel Cotto and Freddie Roach saying after their victory a couple of weeks ago that they would love to fight GGG for Cotto’s farewell fight?

TL: We have respect for Miguel and what he has accomplished in the ring and we have a ton of respect for Freddie as well. It would be an honor for Gennady, if he beats Canelo, to fight a legend like Miguel Cotto. He has been involved in some of the biggest fights in the sport of boxing against some of boxings biggest names. If GGG is successful against Canelo and has an opportunity to fight Cotto that would be an event that our side would be very interested in.

Personally, I think we have every reason to believe this was a calculated maneuver on the part of Golden Boy. They wanted to put their top money making fighter in the right position to come out on top on September 16th. The perceived decline of Golovkin’s skills helped them sit down at the negotiating table and led them to sign the contract to make this highly anticipated fight official.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t address the main event this weekend that was also promoted by K2. Srisaket Rungvisai’s obliteration of Roman Gonzalez was not only stunning but sad.

In his victory Rungvisai was masterful and deserves to be applauded.

For Gonzalez, who was considered one of the top fighters in boxing, this was heart wrenching. To see him lying on the canvas was a blow to fight fans around the globe. We all wish him the best whether or not he chooses to ever step in the ring again. He too deserves to be applauded.

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