Thursday, April 24, 2014

Alex Leapai faces giant task stopping Wladimir Klitschko





As much as I’d like to see Alex Leapai become the first Australian in history to win the Heavyweight title, he has some task to overcome in Wladimir Klitschko.


Klitschko has been undefeated since 2004 and his resume lists a host of former World Champions including Samuel Peter, Chris Byrd, Lamon Brewster, Hasim Rahman, Ruslan Chagaev, Jean Marc Mormeck, Alexander Povetkin and David Haye.


Boxing experts give Leapai a “punchers chance” of victory , meaning that given his destructive power, if the Australian lands flush, there’s a good chance that he’ll knock Klitschko out.


The big problem is landing that punch.


The boxing world has been crying out for someone to shake up the Heavyweight division, with both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko having a monopoly on the weight class for several years.


Vitali is now retired and embarking on a political career in his native Ukraine, but the pair have long been criticised for a lack of excitement in their fights, with both known for simply getting behind their jab and recording shutout points victories. It’s a scientific approach that has won them countless world titles, but hasn’t exactly won them admirers in the boxing world.


In days gone by the spotlight had always shined brightest on the Heavyweights, but these days the headlines go to the lesser weight divisions, such as welterweight, the home of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.


The boxing public have anointed several fighters as ‘the one’ to breakdown the Klitschko monopoly, but up until this point, all have failed.


David Haye looked like the man best credentialed to complete the mission, with the former undisputed Cruiserweight champion stepping up to Heavyweight looking to counter the Klitschko’s.


Haye is an all-round fighter with all the tricks. He can box when he needs to; he can fight on the inside and has brutal knockout power. He is a multi-dimensional fighter, who can adapt to different situations, as he showed in defeating the 7ft Nikolay Valuev in twelve patient rounds, before following it up with crushing knockouts of former Heavyweight champion, John Ruiz and Olympic gold medallist, Audley Harrison.


But when Haye met Wladimir Klitschko in their much anticipated fight in 2011, Haye was lucky to win a round. Whilst Haye blamed a broken toe for the poor performance, it was clear Klitschko had his number. Haye was largely ineffective and despite a few short flurries, never looked liked having Wladimir in trouble.


It was a typical Klitschko performance, with Wladimir again using his jab to dictate terms. Haye struggled to get on the inside and land any real shots of note and I expect Leapai to experience similar problems.


To break down the Klitschko defence you need to present an all-action style. You need to punch first and fight with considerable risk to get on the inside and get your shots away. You cannot attack by loading up single shots, something that Leapai will often do in fights. Tactics like that won’t work against a guy who hasn’t been knocked out for over ten years and just three times in 61 fights.


Getting Klitschko to engage is also an issue. As he has shown countless times, he’s happy getting behind his jab and using it to win rounds. It’s a cautious approach, but one that is no doubt effective. Wladimir is an outstanding technical fighter, built from a strong amateur base, where he won Olympic gold before becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion, and whilst there are chinks in every fighters armour, finding one in a Klitschko is easier said than done.


For Leapai, beating Klitschko is a giant task, literally. The Australian will give away six inches in height and reach to 38-year-old Ukrainian.


Leapai has beaten the best there is on a domestic level, with wins over Bob Mirovic, Colin Wilson, Pieter Cronje and Michael Kirby but has never fought anyone in the class of Klitschko.


Leapai’s best performance to date was in his most recent fight against Denis Boytsov, a man who came into the fight undefeated in 33 career fights. Leapai was given little chance before that one as well, but it wasn’t just the fact he won the fight that impressed, it was the manner in which he did it.


The Australian boxed his way to victory, winning comfortably on points and showing he is more than just the knockout artist that many expect.


Whilst Leapai has knockout power and a vicious hook, he needs to setup these punches, rather than look for a one punch knockout against Klitschko. He must jab his way to the inside then let them go. If he lands, its goodnight, but getting through the Klitschko defence to land the shot is another story in itself. It will take more than one punch to slay the giant.


Betting markets have Leapai as much as $8 to win the fight and even the man himself says victory will be a story similar to that of movie great “Rocky Balboa”.


But if Leapai needs inspiration, he doesn’t have to reach for the in-room movie channel, he only needs to look to fellow Australian, Jeff Harding, who shocked the world some 24 years ago.


No one gave Harding a chance going into his fight with Dennis Andries in Atlantic City, but the Australian stunned the world with a final round stoppage taking home the gold in just his fifteenth career fight.


It’s been 106 years since an Australian has fought for the Heavyweight title, and if Alex Leapai shocks the world on Sunday, it’ll be worth the wait.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Clottey ends Anthony Mundine's world title hunt with crushing win






Joshua Clottey has ended the world title aspirations of Anthony Mundine, knocking the three-time world champion down five times on route to a unanimous decision win.


Clottey proved too strong for Mundine, with the Ghanaian regularly getting through the defence of the Australian.


The Ghanaian found himself on the deck early in the 2nd round, but the referee correctly ruled that is what a result of a rabbit punch, issuing Mundine a warning.


Mundine felt the power of Clottey soon after, hitting the canvas for the first time in the Round 3.


Mundine was caught standing right in front of Clottey and a powerful right hand sent him down. The Australian was able to beat the count, before the bell sounded signalling an end to the round.


Before the knockdown, Mundine was the busier of the two fighters, using his jab well, however upon the start of the third round Mundine would become more tentative, which allowed Clottey to walk forward and assume control of the contest.


From there Clottey seized control, landing some big shots, with Mundine spitting out his mouthguard in Round 4 to avoid what was looking like another knockdown.


Clottey began putting more emphasis on bodywork and as Mundine tired, his guard became less effective. Clottey seized the opportunity in the 6th round, dropping Mundine twice.


The first was setup with a nice hook that saw Mundine take refuge against the ropes before Clottey sent him crashing down with a rip to the body. Mundine again beat the count, but it was only a matter of time before he would fall again.


Mundine just beat the count on the second knockdown, and just as he did earlier in the fight, he was saved by the bell, ending the round before the action could resume.


From here it was all Clottey as the Ghanaian increased his work rate looking for a finish.


It almost came in the 8th round as Mundine was caught against the ropes and a crushing hook from Clottey almost sent him through them and out onto the commentators at ringside. Once again though, miraculously, Mundine was able to beat the count.


Mundine was knocked down for a fifth time in the 10th round, just as it looked like he was beginning to rally.


Somehow the Australian was able to go the distance, with Clottey taking little risk and Mundine not really willing to engage or enter the ‘kill zone’ in case of another knockdown.


All three judges ruled in favour of Clottey, with the official scorecard reading 116-108, 115-109 and 117-108.


It was a tough night for the Australian and Mundine showed none of the hand and foot speed we usually see, and his trademark jab, although effective early, was almost nonexistent after the first knockdown. Clottey set the tone early, with Mundine tasting his power, and the Ghanaian showed little respect for the Australian’s shots, regularly coming forward looking for the big blow that would finish the contest.


After the fight Clottey questioned the decision of Mundine to campaign at Junior Middleweight after the fight, saying he felt the three-time World Champion was better suited to the 154 pound Middleweight class.


Mundine made no excuses, saying the early knockdown meant he had to go away from his game plan.


“Clottey was the better man. I want to fight the best but I got caught early and didn’t recover. My defence wasn’t up to scratch, it just wasn’t tight enough.”


Mundine said the loss would not end his career, highlighting potential fights with fellow Australian’s Danny Green and Daniel Geale.


With Geale reportedly signed to fight Matthew Macklin in May in a World Title eliminator, it leaves only Green as a potential target, and with both enjoying such a storied rivalry, a second fight between the pair has always been a fallback option.


The problem of finding a suitable weight division to contest the fight has been raised as an issue, but I feel a catch weight or contracted weight near the light-heavyweight limit is the most likely option.



ADAM SANTAROSSA

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Anthony Mundine must make a statement against Joshua Clottey





 


ANTHONY Mundine walks into Wednesday night’s fight with Joshua Clottey knowing that not only must he win, but he must make a statement in doing so.

Mundine is on a journey to create history, by becoming the first man in the sport to win three world titles in descending weight divisions.

Having been a WBA Super-Middleweight champion, and an IBO Middleweight Champion, he aims to become a three weight division world champion by capturing gold at Junior Middleweight.

The next name on his list is that of Joshua Clottey, a name very familiar to boxing fans. The Ghanaian is a former IBF Welterweight champion and has been in the ring with some of the greats.

Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah, Diego Corrales, Carlos Baldomir and Antonio Margarito are just some of those names.

Despite the fact that Clottey only defeated Corrales and Judah, the fact remains, it is the type of company that Mundine is yet to keep, and Clottey may just be his pathway to get there.

But simply winning won’t be enough. Mundine needs to make some noise in doing so.

Despite his comprehensive victory over Shane Mosley not a lot of doors have opened for The Man. Mundine was comprehensive in victory against Mosley, but it was clear that Mosley was under more strain remembering how many noughts went on his pay cheque, than anything he did in the ring.

The boxing public knew Mosley was finished. Anyone who watched him against the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Saul Alvarez would say the same. Mosley won one round in those three fights, the first against Mayweather, from there it was self preservation mode.

Whilst Mundine can only fight what is in front of him, it’s hard not to think they knew exactly what they were getting when they brought Mosley to Australia.

His fight with Clottey hasn’t exactly lit up the boxing scene as it should. Clottey is a ‘name’ fighter, who as mentioned has been in with the best. Much has been made of his inactivity, having fought just twice since 2010.

A comfortable win over Clottey wont wake up the US public either. It must be devastating. It must make a statement.

Clottey has been in the ring with future hall of famers, yet has never been stopped. He was pounded on for twelve rounds against Manny Pacquiao, yet he wouldn’t quit. He didn’t win a round and Pacquiao himself begged the referee to call it off, yet the Ghanaian waved him on.

He has a chin of granite, which won’t change no matter how lacking his ring shape may be. Boxing trainers will tell you, the only thing you can’t train for, is how to take a punch.

If Mundine can stop Clottey, the queue to another World Title shot may just shorten.

Wednesday’s fight will be Mundine’s third in just five months. It’s clear that he knows he must remain active. Timing is everything in boxing and fights can come and go at a moment’s notice.

The Welterweight/Junior Middleweight divisions are the most stacked in the sport. Names such as Mayweather, Pacquiao, Alvarez and co reign supreme, and despite Mundine calling these names out, he knows he’s not quite yet on their level.

He is in the logjam behind waiting for that opportunity, with names such as Juan Manuel Marquez, Miguel Cotto, Alfredo Angulo, Austin Trout, Amir Khan, Marcos Maidana and the man Mundine is angling for, Erislandy Lara, the interim WBA Junior Middleweight Champion.

Boxing is very complex. It’s all about risk vs. reward, and fighters are judged by their skill as much as their ability to sell tickets and pay per views, and this is where Mundine is lacking.

His is the only fighter in history to have every fight of his career on pay per view, yet he remains largely nameless in the United States. He admits his struggles at forming relationships with the top pay per view companies Showtime and HBO, as well as the big promotional companies Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions.

Mundine is ranked at #3 in the WBA Rankings at Junior Middleweight, with only Canelo Alvarez above him at #2.

Erislandy Lara holds the interim title and will defend it in May against Ishe Smith, a member of The Money Team, the promotional company of Floyd Mayweather, boxing's king.

Smith is ranked only #10 by the WBA.

It shows how money and connections in the world of boxing can open doors quickly.

A win over Clottey will be a step in the right direction, yet it will only help Mundine rise a rung on the ladder. 

A devastating win may just accelerate the process and bring a higher profile fight, a bigger stage, bigger risk, but greater reward and a step closer to history and the top of the division.

Whether Mundine is still capable of this remains to be seen. As he has diminished in weight, so to has his number of knockout wins.

But one punch can change it all. It can silence the doubters and wake up the world.

Mundine’s mouth has always talked a big fight, let’s see if his hands can earn him one.

ADAM SANTAROSSA