As another week begins, we get to look back on another great weekend of boxing.
However, before I get started I just want to point out the absolutely amazing response we got from all you fans on my blog last week as it pertained to the Manny Paquiao vs. Miguel Cotto fight, and the looming possibility of Pac vs Floyd. In the five years that my blog has appeared on TSN.ca, I can't remember a story generating as much feedback as this one did. Boxing fans are the greatest.
Okay, with that out of the way, I think boxing fans are also getting a bit spoiled.
Casino Rama played host to another outstanding main event this past Saturday as unbeaten 19-year-old Philippine sensation Marvin Sonsona (there's only one Marvelous) and Mexican challenger Alejandro Hernandez went toe-to-toe for 12 rounds in a heated, spirited, world class brawl.
Earlier in the day, Sonsona lost his title on the scale when he was unable to make the 115-pound Junior Bantamweight limit. After consulting with his team, it was determined that he could not make the weight and that he would be heading up to the 122-pound Super-Bantamweight division for his next match. When it was announced to the thousands in attendance at Rama that Sonsona had not made weight, a chorus of boos echoed in the venue. Those boos would die down soon enough as Hernandez and Sonsona began a battle which would be as furious and intense as any seen there before.
The first two rounds saw Hernandez fighting as if he was on ice with his shoes having no grip on the canvas, slipping and sliding at every turn. Hernandez was unable to mount any sustained charge. With the eventual scoring of the fight, those two rounds ultimately cost him the title. At the end of the second round, credit the Hernandez corner for a superb one-minute shoe change, and what a difference it made. Round three saw Hernandez pull himself back into the fight. From that point on both warriors took turns trying to gain control of the fight. As rounds seven, eight and nine came to a close, it looked as though Sonsona may have garnished the control he needed. Hernandez however, had other thoughts. Showing true championship form, Hernandez stormed back to win the last three rounds on my score card and two of the last three on all three official judges' cards. Dave Dunbar scored the fight 115-113 for Sonsona while Kelly Zolernierczyk had the same score in favour of Hernandez. Harry Davis and myself turned in identical cards at 114-114.
It was extremely difficult to choose between the fighters, who both exhibited great courage and outstanding conditioning. One thing is certain: a rematch between both fighters, at any weight, is well deserved.
In the semi-main event of the evening, comebacker Steve Molitor retained his number two IBF ranking with a unanimous - although by his own admission, uninspired - eight-round decision over Jose Saez.
Molitor's overall boxing skills carried the day against the awkward strength of his Argentinean challenger. If things go according to plan, Molitor could once again get a chance at a world title as early as this spring.
All right, now on to California, and Phase 3 of the Super 6 World Boxing Classic.
In what must be considered a mild upset, unbeaten Andre Ward stopped Mikkel Kessler in 11 rounds to garnish the WBA Super Middleweight title. The Ward victory now clearly establishes him as one of the favourites in the division. I have long said that the most impressive thing about Ward is his versatility. With his ability to box, punch, fight on the inside or fight from the southpaw stance, Ward may well be the most complete fighter in the division.
With his dominant performance over someone who many considered the pre-tourney favourite, the Classic 6 just got even more interesting.