Boxing in July 2006

Cory Spinks returns!

On July 8th, we’ll finally see the return of former undisputed welterweight champion Cory ‘The Jinx’ Spinx (34-3 11 KOs). He takes on a tough customer in Roman Karmazin (34-1 21 KOs) of the 154lb division. The last we heard of Spinx he was stopped in February of 2005 via 9th round stoppage to Zab ‘Super’ Judah. Spinx lost his undisputed welterweight title in front of his home crowd and hasn’t been seen since. Karmazin, a native of St.Petersburg Russian boxing is coming off of an impressive victory over Kassim ‘The Dream’ Ouma of West Palm Beach, FL. It’ll be Spinx’s first fight back since his lost to Judah more than a year ago. This matchup will prove to test Spinx’s courage, speed and heart out of this matchup. He’ll need to bring his A game for this one! The bout will be broadcast on Showtime network television on July 8th, 2006.

‘Sugar’ Shane, still too sweet for Fernando?

July 15th, a rematch has been signed featuring the return of future hall of famers, ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley (42-4 36 KOs) of Pomona, California and ‘Ferocious’ Fernando Vargas (26-3 22KOs) of Oxnard, California. On February 25th 2006, the two first met in what appeared to be a bar brawling and grueling test of manhood. Shane Mosley emerged as the winner via 10th TKO fashion. Vargas’ eye was swollen to gigantic proportions, thus causing referee Joe Cortez to halt the bout at 1:22 of the 10th. For many who remember, it was a pretty even bout, which could’ve gone either way if given the chance. Vargas, a natural junior middle to full middleweight appeared much stronger; pushing and leaning on the smaller 3-division champion, Mosley. Although smaller, Shane set a tempo in the beginning that would temporarily keep Vargas unable to catch the quicker Fighter. For both fighters, this fight is do or die! Expect both Vargas and Mosley to come well prepared and fined tuned for this one. Someone may get put to bed. Mosley-Vargas II will be featured on HBO Pay Per View boxing television on July 15th, 2006.

Gatti still lights the sky with lighting and thunder.

One of our most attractive features of this month, On July 22nd , the pride of Atlantic City and Jersey City, New Jersey, Arturo ‘Thunder’ Gatti’ takes on Carlos Baldomir for the WBC welterweight championship. Gatti, originally from Montreal (40-7 31 KOs), is looking forward to dominating in impressive fashion. In his last matchup against Thomas Dammgard of Denmark, Arturo looked phenomenal! He danced around the ring firing blistering combinations that eventually caught up to the undefeated Dammgard. His impressive matchup in January of 2006 got the attention of many 147lb opportunities. Now, he looks to capture gold once more. For Baldomir, he’s the perfect example of a Cinderella story. On January 7th 2006, Baldomir defeated Zab Judah of Brooklyn, NY for his WBC version of the welterweight title. Carlos, (42-9-6 12KOs) has opened the door to stardom since his success against Judah. In the course of their fight, he wobbled Judah on a few occasions, that alone begin to throw his name around the mix. Among that mix; Floyd Mayweather, Arturo Gatti, a rematch with Zab, Antonio Margarito and many more. This fight gives Baldomir the perfect opportunity to prove himself as a true contender of the 147lb welterweight division. The truth remains to be seen. This fight will be televised on HBO television on Saturday July 22nd 2006, live from the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Vivian Harris returns to HBO BOXING!

On July 29th, 2006, former 140lb WBA titleholder, Vivian Harris (26-2 17KOs) looks to reiterate himself as top contender of the junior welterweight division. Harris, lost his WBA strap about a year ago in an embarrassing KO fashion to unheralded Carlos Maussa of Colombia. An anxious Harris would continue to fire away anxious and off target shots that didn’t seem to have much affect on the Colombian native. Eventually, caught in between a crossfire, Maussa managed to stun Harris just enough for a 10 count. Harris returns on HBO television to face Mike Arnaoutis (17-0-2 9KOs).

Roy Jones; one more road to fame.

Also on the evening of July 29, 2006, Roy Jones Jr. (49-4 38KOs) takes on Prince Badi Ajamu (25-2 14KOs) in Boise Idaho. For Jones, it’s a crossroad. One path leads to possible but slim future opportunities, the other leads to a retirement from the sport. At age 37, Roy doesn’t have much time left before Father time taps him on the shoulder. In his prime Roy Jones Jr was a fantastic showman; a remarkable athlete. His professional grace and ring prominence made the sport look easy. He bristled opponents with blistering combinations, fancy footwork and impeccable defense; he barely got touched.
But those days are gone now. The flashy combinations, footwork and cat-like reflexes that made him great are all a former shell of who he used to be. Not much is known of Prince Badi Ajamu, whether he’s the puncher or the boxer or counter-puncher isn’t known. But in this game, all it takes is heart and two fists. Can Roy Jones Jr for one night, prove his critics wrong, or will the 3 consecutive losses be too much to overturn for such a highlighted career?

The following links serve quite useful for those interested in upcoming fight events.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/index

http://www.hbo.com/boxing/events/2006/0715_mosley_vargas/index.html\

http://www.hbo.com/boxing/?ntrack_para1=leftnav_category2_show0