04.11 - The night went pretty much as planned, and everything that should have happened did happen. Marco Antonio Barrera helped cement his claim to being the best featherweight in the world, while former silver medal-winning Olympian, and rising start, Ricardo Williams, showed that he is steadily developing into a promising professional.

The under card was an interesting match up between former Champion Terron Millett, and the still green, Ricardo Williams. Millett was billed as the toughest opponent for Williams, and on paper that was true. Millet had a record of 27-3, with a decent level of opposition. What didn't show on paper was that Millet is a shot fighter. All three times he lost, he was knocked out early in a fight. He simply doesn't have much of a chin, and his reflexes are not what they used to be. However, he does carry a big punch, and could be very dangerous, especially for an inexperienced fighter like Williams.

From the first round, Williams showed his superiority. He was faster and simply better, working a solid jab and keeping Millett ( or MULLET like Big George called him all night) off balance. Williams won just about every round, and won a decision by a large margin. A few questions were answered about the younger, but many more still need answering. Those who thought he was being rushed, and was unready for a fight with Millett, were obviously wrong. He is ready for a higher caliber of fighter. However, Williams inability to make 140 pounds must be looked at. Williams cannot campaign at 147; he is too small. He must get back down to 140 by his next fight. He certainly showed great speed, but there is some question about his power now. While others have been able to crack Milletts china chin, Williams was unable to even score a knockdown. Ricardo also showed great skill and ability, but not the aggressiveness one hopes to see in a young, hungry fighter. Several times in the fight Williams rocked Millett, but did not jump on him for a TKO. He backed off, and allowed Millett to regain his footing, and clear his mind. It is foolish to allow a puncher like Millett to go rounds. He may catch you at some point later and make you pay for that inaction earlier. Boxing wisdom says "take a puncher out as soon as you can, don't let him hang around too long, he might get lucky!" Williams didn't pay the price that night, but next time he might. Overall, this was a solid win for Williams, but there is still much to do.

As for the Barrera v. Tapia fight, there were no surprises. Barrera was too big, too strong, and simply too good. Tapia had a few moments, but never really hurt Barrera, and never had control of the fight. Barrera controlled all the action with a solid jab. Tapia showed he still has some gas in the tank, and kept the pressure on the whole time, but simply could not get through. He is still exciting to watch, but is certainly on the tail end of his career. Perhaps he still have a few paydays left in him.

On a side note, Tapia's ring antics and "sportsmanship" in the ring are really annoying. Honestly, I am all for camaraderie between fighters, its a great thing. But it has its place in the sport. At the beginning of the round, at the end of a round, and maybe once in a while after an accidental head-butt, or something like that. Tapia felt the need to tap gloves with Barrera 100 times during that fight, after each exchange, and grapple. Enough is enough. We get it, your friends, now do your job. And on the topic of Tapia's sportsmanship, Tapia's disgusting display involving a phantom low-blow early in the fight should be examined. Barrera landed a body shot, about belly button level, and Tapia reached for his crotch, as if the shot landed 12 inches lower. Ok, the shot was borderline, not completely clean, but easily legal, despite Tapia's high cup. Tapia took a knee and faked a much lower blow. He then rose and attempted to punch Barrera below the belt, before the referee pulled him off. So much for his great sportsmanship; Barrera should have been credited with a knockdown, and Tapia penalized for his antics. Mi Vida Loca indeed! He can take his "crazy life" and leave it outside the ring as far as I am concerned.

Congratulations to Ricardo Williams and Marco Antonio Barrera for fine performances. Now its time to look forward to Ayala v. Morales, and the future of the featherweight division.