02.11.06 – By Adrian Saba – For boxing, one of the important dates of this year is right in front of us. In two days, Floyd Mayweather, Carlos Baldomir, Shannon Briggs and Sergei Liakhovich are going to step into the ring. The first two are going to fight each other in Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. The latter will confront at Chase Field, in Phoenix, Arizona. Many boxing fans have already decided which event they will follow, some will probably do everything to watch both. There is an abundance of arguments to defend the quality of each event. But if you have not decided yet, you will want to look at the following guide.
Floyd Mayweather vs. Carlos Baldomir
a) It’s a HBO PPV. To watch this event you have to pay 49.95 dollars. 9p.m. ET/ 6p.m. PT.
b) The fight itself: If you are a fan of fights with big contrasts in styles, this one is going to be a festival for you. Mayweather’s fast boxing performance and precise technique is diametrically opposed to Baldomir’s sluggish style, which depends on pure pressure and the gradual devastation of the opponent. Mayweather’s speed has decreased at 147, but he is still much faster than Tata. I think that there are not so much possibilities of a knockout, since both can take punches very well and they are not big punchers. One of the aspects that I like more about this fight is that difference – their styles are on the antipodes.
c) The historical significance: One on side, Mayweather can finally win his Third Lineal Title, and could enter the exclusive group of Three-division Champions. At 29 years old, that is certainly a great accomplishment. Baldomir can also increase his myth and his Cinderella Man story by beating the P4P #1. A win over Mayweather would consolidate him as the best fighter of 2006.
d) This fight is not only for the WBC belt, but also a contest between the legitimate Welterweight Champion and the #1 contender of that division. The problem that many people see is that there is no surprise factor. Everybody expects Mayweather to win. Will size matter?
e) The Undecard: There is a fight between the Featherweights Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Orlando Salido, for the IBF title. It also includes the explosive Paul Williams and Robbie Peden. And there is more…Chris Arreola against Damian Wills, two young and undefeated American Heavyweights.
f) The Quote: “If he can beat Floyd, they’ll talk about him in the same breath as Monzon.”
Sergei Liakhovich vs. Shannon Briggs
a) The event is televised on Showtime, free. 9p.m. ET/ 9p.m. PT.
b) The fight itself: Another duel between the boxer and the puncher, but in this case it is between two imposing Heavyweights. Liakhovich has the technique, the defence and the stamina in his side. His ability to take punches is also notable. Briggs, on the other hand, will bring the excitement. His early onslaught will be a serious challenge and it will take the best out of Sergei. Briggs is volatile, lets hope that his stamina won’t evaporate after the third round.
c) Historical significance: There are short-term consequences and, in general, it is a much smaller event than Mayweather-Baldomir. Nevertheless, it could turn into another war. If Liakhovich wins, he’ll reaffirm his status as a Top contender. And probably he will be included in The Ring’s Top3. If Briggs wins, he will return to the Top10 after many years and will prove that his comeback is productive.
d) This showdown is for the WBO Heavyweight title. ‘The White Wolf’ is the #5 ranked Heavyweight and Briggs is a former Lineal Champion.
e) The Undercard: The Top Lightweight contender, Juan Diaz, is going to box against Fernando Angulo from Ecuador (WBA title). Luis Collazo is also fighting.
f) The quote: “I am the Great Black Hope. Rahman was the last line of defense. Now I am the first line of offense.”