A really good night of boxing overall. Fight of the night was easily Dawson-Johnson, which has to be added to the ever-growing list of Fight of the Year candidates this year. And we're only in April. Just a thrilling light heavyweight battle with great back-and-forth action, tremendous heart and skill by both fighters and a nice "youth vs. age" storyline. I didn't score it myself, but my impression was that Dawson probably won a couple more rounds, though Johnson clearly did more damage in the rounds that he won. It was very close, though.
You really have to feel for Johnson. He was outraged by the decision which in this case he didn't really have the right to be, but given what this guy has been through in his career -- and finally fighting on his home turf rather than in some hostile foreign country -- I see why he felt that he should have got the decision. Looking at it the other way, however, I'd have to say that he had at least two great chances to finish Dawson off in this fight an he was unable to do it. Dawson was out on his feet twice. If Johnson had capitalized, then there's no chance of a controversial decision. But he just didn't have that finishing touch and that was Johnson's undoing. Still, awesome fight.
On the other hand, I was very disappointed in Clinton Woods. Tarver looked pretty good, certainly better than he's looked since his second victory over Roy Jones three years ago. But I wasn't overly impressed. Woods looked somehow mesmerized from the opening bell and his statue-like inactivity allowed Tarver to find himself and settle in very quickly. I thought that when Woods finally did wake up a little -- I gave him a few rounds late -- he was able to disrupt Tarver. Based on last night, my estimation of Tarver increases somewhat, but I still can't see him beating any quality light-heavy who will actually fight him, rather than just follow him around the ring taking punches.
Over on HBO, the Margarito-Cintron fight was very exciting while it lasted. Margarito seems reborn. He took some monster shots from Cintron that would have put most welterweights flat on their collective ass, but he just kept coming. That body shot he used to end the fight was just deadly. Cintron redeemed himself in terms of his courage and character. But on this night, Maragarito would have been too much for almost anybody. Almost!
Cotto just keeps getting better and better. Yeah, he was in against an overmatched opponent, but I think Cotto outclassed Gomez even more than expected. What blew me away about Cotto was that his handspeed seems like it's reached a whole new level. Somehow, his hands get faster with every fight. Obviously Maragarito-Cotto on July 26 (save the date!) is going to be another FOY contender, but based on Cotto's steady level of improvement, I just don't see how Margarito beats him -- even the Maragarito who showed up last night. Cotto at this point in his career seems to have it all now. Speed, power, defense, chin, movement. I think the first few rounds of Cotto-Marg will be a war, but as the fight goes on, even as tough as Maragarito is -- and he's one of te toughest in any division -- Cotto's going to break him down and win a clear decision or maybe a late stoppage.
If the fight does end up at MSG, I gotta be there, too! But according to Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports, the fight will be in Las Vegas if the Nevada commission allows the fighters to wear 8 oz gloves. According to Nevada regulations, welters and above must wear 10 oz gloves. If the commission doesn't grant the waiver (and you have to think they will) the the fight be either at MSG or back at Boardwalk Hall in AC.
I don't really see the logic in putting this fight in Vegas. I'm also hoping against hope it'll be on regular HBO, but I'm afraid it'll go to PPV.
Anyway, very entertaining night of boxing. The "Countdown to Hopkins-Calzaghe" show was good also and got me more psyched for that fight next weekend.
