ONE OF THE BEST SLUGFESTS OF ALL TIME
Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez is one of boxing's biggest rivalries. Both sluggers threw down multiple times until Marquez finally got the best of him in a knockout years after this fight.
But if you haven't seen the first time they threw down, check it out. Both dudes throw down, Rock-Em, Sock-Em robots style.
Click on the picture below to go to the YouTube page for the fight.
Enjoy.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the ''Pit Fighters" combat sports series, featuring a Mexican luchador and ladies man named El Aire. He's also the author of 'Sword of the Angel', a lucha libre vs. Zombies title. Bowie writes Tex-Mexploitation tales with titles that feature zombies, combat sports, horror, lucha libre, the supernatural, and superheroes. Network with Bowie at ZBFbooks.com. Pick up a copy of 'Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire' or 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross' today in paperback or kindle HERE. Pick up a copy of 'Sword of the Angel' HERE. Or click on the book covers below.
Scope out this great KO compilation featuring one of boxing's heaviest hitters: Mike Tyson.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the ''Pit Fighters" combat sports series, featuring a fierce boxer from Scotland. Bowie writes Tex-Mexploitation tales with titles that feature zombies, combat sports, horror, lucha libre, the supernatural, and superheroes. Network with Bowie at ZBFbooks.com. Pick up a copy of 'Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire' or 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross' today in paperback or kindle HERE.
THE SHORT STORY COLLECTION OF ZBFBOOKS.com by Bowie V. Ibarra
For the first time in one collection, ZBFbooks.com is set to release a compilation of all the short stories ZBFbooks.com has written.
Soon, in one location, every short story written will be compiled in one place: 8 Short Stories by Bowie Ibarra. The stories will be available exclusively on Kindle.
PUNCHERS CHANCE
(First published in Battling Mahoney and Other Stories Anthology from Fight
Card Books)
A man is forced into a game of death in the squared circle to save his brother from a debt owed to a Mexican cartel.
MOMMY AND DADDY
(First published in ‘Code Z: A Zombie Hospital Anthology)
Seperated parents learn the meaning of love when their sick child is brought to a hospital in the middle of the zombie apocalypse.
SONG OF THE CORNERMAN
(First published in Iron Head and Other Stories from Fight Card Books)
A cornerman must find a way to motivate a brash title contender against the skilled champion.
DEAD AMERICANS
(Debut)
A dying veteran remains dutiful to his fellow countrymen around him in the hospital when the zombie apocalypse hits.
WORST OF THE BEST
(Debut)
A novice Catch Wrestler is challenged to a duel with a reputible BJJ practitioner for the pride of his club.
BITTERNESS
(First published in Soul Survivors Anthology, Vol. 2)
A desperate stranger shows up at a home ravaged by the zombie apocalypse.
THE 100-YEAR BRAWL
(First published in Bigfoot Terror Tales, Vol. 2)
A rich man is led to a mysterious field where an ancient battle of brutish monsters takes place.
ROCKETS RED GLARE
(First published in ‘Holiday of the Dead’ Anthology) Kids celebrating the Fourth of July in the United States stumble upon an experiment gone wrong that raises the dead in the city's Veteran's cemetary. Coming soon from ZBFbooks.com and available exclusively on Kindle. And check out this month's featured title, "Big Cat". Three friends are thrust into a deadly hunt for a monster that has been killing people along the Nueces River. Get it in paperback or Kindle HERE.
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BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press. He's earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University. Network with Bowie and check out his books at his official website,ZBFbooks.com.
ANGULO IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND IN BIG GOLDEN BOY MAIN EVENT by Bowie V. Ibarra
Here's hoping Animal Control didn't show up to the MGM Grand to arrest Canelo for animal abuse. Saul Alvarez spent 10 rounds abusing Alfredo 'El Perro' Angulo in his comeback fight. For a fight that was billed as a 'toe-to-toe' action-packed matchup amounted to animal cruelty.
Canelo came right out of the chute fast, nailing Angulo with what would be the first of hundreds of hard, fast, and solid blows to the body and head. And from the start, Angulo looked like he didn't even want to be there. There was no fire and no competitive spirit from Angulo, who looked bored and sad throughout.
Angulo showed moments, but had absolutely nothing that threatened Canelo. Near the end, Canelo was even getting cocky, making Angulo look like crap.
Thankfully, the garbage matchup was ended with a solid uppercut from Canelo in the 10th that stunned Angulo, prompting the ref to mercifully step in and stop the 30 minutes of abuse Angulo sustained with severity. Angulo was mad that the ref ended it, but it was just to save face. Had he come to fight, it might not have ended that way. And his trainer, Virgil Hunter, claimed to have told the ref if Canelo put together some combos, that he would stop the fight. But he was saving face, too, as he should have not even allowed Angulo to go out in the 10th.
Canelo's brother, Ricardo Alvarez, lost a lopsided fight in the undercard against Sergio Thompson. Leo Santa Cruz beat up Cristian Mijares in another lopsided fight. And Nihito Arakawa had nothing against Jorge Linares.
It's been a long time since I've seen a boxing card that ended up so lopsided as this. I want my $20 back.
If you want to check out some books with actual competitive fights, check out the following.
'Iron Head and Other Stories' is chock full of great boxing matches and money fights by a group of very talented authors, including an entry called "Puncher's Chance" from ZBFbooks.com. You can order it HERE.
Read about the fights of a Scottish pugilist making his way through MMA in the 'Pit Fighters' book series from ZBFbooks.com. Get them HERE.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the acclaimed 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press. He earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University. His latest titles explore superhero themes, including 'Codename: La Lechusa', 'Room 26 and the Army of Xulhutdul', and 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull'.
Network with Bowie at his official website, ZBFbooks.com, the leader in Tex-Mexploitation literature.
CHARITY ANTHOLOGY FROM 'FIGHT CARD' PUBLISHING FEATURES ZBFBOOKS.COM SHORT by Bowie V. Ibarra
It was an absolute privilege to participate in this fantastic charity anthology from Fight Card called 'Iron Head and Other Stories'. The publishing group is just the audience I've been looking to find for my 'Pit Fighters' series.
At any rate, here's a preview of the ZBFbooks.com entry, 'Puncher's Chance'. If you enjoy the excerpt below, pick up a copy today. Proceeds go to a good cause.
Here's the excerpt from the short story, "Puncher's Chance".
PUNCHER’S CHANCE
By
BOWIE V. IBARRA
Copyright Bowie Ibarra, Fight Card Books, 2013
This story is dedicated to my late father and my
uncle who shared with me the enjoyment and appreciation of boxing.
To my uncle Carlos and Uncle Martin, who both participated
in amateur boxing events.
To Mike ‘Night Train’ Trejo and Roman ‘Baby’ Trejo,
who taught me the fundamentals of boxing.
To every boxer that ever stepped in the ring, and
for every boxer who ever will.Thank you
for honoring the sweet science that is boxing.
----
My brother’s an idiot.
I love him, but he’s an
idiot.
Now, I’m not talking
about him being stupid or something like that.He’s not stupid.Raymond’s
amazing with numbers and has this almost savant-like talent to give you the
exact time some event occurred, or the length of a movie.Like, he can tell you down to the second, or
pretty close, really, the hours, minutes, and seconds a movie lasted after the
credits roll.How useful that is in real
life, I couldn’t tell you.But he can do
it.
Look, what I’m trying
to say here is he’s not an idiot, necessarily.He just makes bad choices.
That’s why when he came
to me on the worst of the worst of days (I’d just lost my job and had rent to
pay) to tell me he was in trouble, I
knew his problems had nothing to do with numbers, but that he was in a bind for
being an idiot.
Wait.Scratch that.Not for being an idiot, but for making bad choices.
And here I was, trying
to ease the pain of my day with a few brews at The Montana Bar in San Uvalde
when he rolls in.
“Rafael, I, uh, I need
to talk to you,” he said to me, looking like someone had just walked over his
grave.
Unfortunately, that
impression was completely and totally correct.I knew something was up by the way he shook my hand.We always gave a jovial hand slap/grasp kind
of thing before we embraced each other like brothers do.This time he just shook my hand and hugged
me, not letting me go for a while.It
was his scared hug.He didn’t do that
very often, but I could tell when he did it that things were not right.
“No, ‘Hey, Rafael.What’s up?How was work?’” I replied to him.
“Man, look.I’m in trouble.I’m in big trouble.”
“What are you talking
about, Raymond?” I asked, looking at him.He was shaking like a little Chihuahua that had pissed itself after
being yelled at.I thought for a minute
he actually had.
“I
need you to come outside with me,” he said, indicating the exit to the dingy
bar.
“Cops?”
I asked.
“Worse,”
he said.
I chugged the rest of
my beer and placed a fiver on the bar to pay for my brew and leave a little tip
before following him to the door.“Como que worse?” I asked.
I
walked outside with him.Yeah, it was
worse alright.
Rafael
looked at me like a kid who had been caught with his hand in the cookie
jar.He gulped.It reminded me exactly of how Tom of ‘Tom and
Jerry’ fame gulped when he was in trouble, or about to get his head chopped off
by Jerry in some cockamamie circumstance.
Speaking
of, we’ll get back to that ‘head chopped off cockamamie circumstance’ thing in
a minute, because I recognized the dudes that were standing by the car Raymond
had led me to.
“Aguilar,”
I growled at him.“You’re in trouble
with the members of the Aguilar cartel?”
Rafael
could do nothing else but nod at me.He
looked down at the ground.
“Entrar en el coche,” the mustachioed
dude in the cowboy hat, Wranglers, and straw hat snarled, waving us to enter
the long white Cadillac parked next to the entrance.I could tell the dude held a piece under his
leather vest.
“Take
it easy, amigo,” I said, raising my
hands up as I entered the vehicle.“Tranquilo.Tranquilo.”
As
I got comfortable in my seat, I was quickly followed by Raymond.Two more dudes dressed in complete cowboy
cartel chic sat in front of us.Both of
them held automatic weapons.They
smelled like cigarettes and cheap cologne.
Raymond
looked at me, and all I could do was glare right back at his dumb ass.
“Don’t
talk to me right now,” I said, turning to look out the window as the car drove
off.
Man,
I got to tell you, driving down Main Street of San Uvalde never felt so
depressing, so sad.I felt like I was
riding in a hearse, some kind of pall bearer that had got the word at the last
minute that his brother was dead and was only moments away from putting said
brother in the ground.That’s all that I
could be reminded of sitting there, watching sights pass me by that Rafael
would never see again.Hell, maybe I would never see again.I needed more information.
“Rafa,”
I sighed.“You got to tell me what’s
going on here.Are you in danger?”
Rafael
just nodded.
I
took a deep breath.“Am I in danger?” I followed up.
Rafael
just nodded.
I
took another deep breath.“Como que I’m in danger?Huh?What do you mean?”
Rafael
shook his head.“Aguilar wanted to
explain himself.”
“Good
Lord,” I sighed.Aguilar is going to
make me watch my brother get his head cut off.Had to be.“I swear to Buddha,
Rafael, if he doesn’t cut your head off and we get out of this little pickle
you got us into, I’ll cut your head
off.”
“There’s
hope,” he whispered.“There’s always
hope.”
“Yeah.Sure.Tell that to the last few idiots that messed with the Aguilar cartel,” I
shot back at him.God, Raymond could be
such an idiot sometimes.Make bad
choices sometimes.That’s my brother for
you, though.Even in the darkest
circumstances, he always held out hope.
----
What happens next? Pick up 'Iron Head and Other Stories' to find out what happens to the brothers as they travel to the deadly drug lord to settle a debt. Get it HERE.
And if you like outstanding fight stories, then ZBFbooks.com has some picks for you. Pick up your copy of the 'Pit Fighters' series today in paperback or kindle. Follow the adventures of the fighters in the south Texas fight stable, San Uvalde International, in 'Baptism by Fire' and 'Double Cross'. Get them HERE.
Check out the trailers and the book covers for both books below.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the acclaimed 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press. He earned a BFA in Acting and a MA in Theatre History from Texas State University. His latest titles explore superhero themes, including 'Codename: La Lechusa', 'Room 26 and the Army of Xulhutdul', and 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull'.
Network with Bowie at his official website, ZBFbooks.com, the leader in Tex-Mexploitation literature.
SPORT 'SAFER THAN BOXING' CONTINUES TO IGNORE SAFETY OF FIGHTER'S LIMBS By Bowie V. Ibarra
Can we have this conversation now?
You know, about protecting the limbs of fighters with resources that are already out there? We're not reinventing the wheel here. As we let these noble warriors beat each other senseless for the sport they love and we love watching, can we at least extend their livelihoods by protecting the things we can still protect?
There's never going to be anything that truly takes away from the brutality of combat sports. But like 12 oz. boxing gloves protect the hands of boxers but doesn't take anything away from the damage they can do, perhaps its time for the Powers-That-Be in MMA to consider shin guards. They are not uncommon in combat sports. In fact, in organizations like Pancrase, they're required. Like boxing gloves protect the knuckles of fighters (and, in turn, their livelihoods in the sport), lets bring in shin pads.
This tragedy with Anderson Silva's leg is not some kind of freak accident, either. This happens a lot in kickboxing. It happened before in UFC's The Ultimate Fighter with Corey Hill. Simply look on YouTube for 'kickboxing broken legs'. It happens a lot. And MMA breaks show up in that search as well.
Do these folks bounce back? Sure. They can. But why return when the same danger awaits? And why lose all that time from your chosen career field with little to no insurance?
With that said, it might also be time to reconsider shoes as well. From what I understand, there was some suggestion that shoes can be used to some advantage in a fight, which is why they are not allowed. But they can also prevent broken toes as what occurred with another UFC Champ Jon 'Bones' Jones.
Now what happens to fighters brains is out of everyone's control. Brain damage from concussions, from mild to severe, is a fact of combat sports now and forever. Nothing short of stopping fighting will ever stop that. But protecting the limbs and appendages of the fighters can and should happen.
Let's consider this: Three of the biggest champs in the UFC sustained severe injuries. Two of those injuries could have been prevented. 'Bones' big toe break could have been prevented with shoes. Anderson's could have been prevented with shin guards to absorb the impact. That's three of the sports biggest cash cows out due to injury.
That's money out of Dana's pocket. That's fans cheated out of great fights in the future.
UFC, Unified Rules makers, anyone responsible for protecting fighters, lets get on this today, okay?
Think of your pocket books. That's what you do anyway.
'Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire' and 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross' are combat sports-themed book that features fights from the early days of MMA, and plenty of underground money fights. You've got to check them out, and they're available on Kindle or paperback today.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuster. His latest story, 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull' is a Tex-Mexploitation superhero story in the tradition of 'Machete' and 'Black Dynamite'. Get it in paperback or Kindle today.
PROBLEM CHILD BRONER KNOCKED DOWN A NOTCH (LITERALLY!) BY SCRAPPY ARGENTINE
Earlier this year, I recapped a fight between Adrian Broner vs. Gavin Rees. In it, I describe Broner's victory as pretty good, but nowhere near the Mayweather status folks claim he's the heir to. He was good, but not that good as a boxer. Now as a trash talker, yes, he's a total douchebag. But as a boxer? He's just okay.
Well, that assumption was finally put to the test in his title fight against the scrappy Marcos 'El Chino' Maidana at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. It was a unique chance for Maidana to grab the gold, put in yet a very familiar position of being lined up as a tomato can for a star that promoters were grooming for brighter days. We know how that played out the first time (don't we, Victor Ortiz). So, you should have known how this night was probably going to play out.
This was an amazing fight filled with great emotion. Here's some notes from the fight:
-- BRONER DRY HUMPS MAIDANA
Adrian 'Boner'?
Cocky and brash, Broner plays too much. Near the end of the 1st round, Broner tried to get into Maidana's head by maneuvering away from a Maidana flurry and dry-humping Maidana from behind. Funny and rude? Yes. It solidified Broner as one of the biggest dumb asses in the sport of boxing today.
But did Madiana serve him a receipt later? Yes, he did. Near the end of the fight, with Maidana up on points, he got behind Broner and humped him as well.
-- MAIDANA MAKES BRONER LOOK STUPID FOR 12 ROUNDS
Heir to the throne of Mayweather? After tonight, he'd be lucky to mop the floors of The Money Team gym. Mayweather might be the king of trash-talking assholes, but at least the guy has the skill to back it up.
Broner comes across as a dude who is impersonating a superstar. The dude's good and has some talent. You can't get to this level and not have talent and skill. But he's got to pull his head out of his own ass and put his skill over his trash talk and disgusting antics in the gym.
-- BRONER KNOCKED DOWN TWICE
LOL!
-- BRONER LEAVES THE RING IN A HUFF AT THE END OF THE NIGHT
Bye!
There's an old saying I hear a lot, especially in Texas, when someone you don't like is leaving the room: Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.
In the end, I'm glad Broner looking like a jackass before, during, and after the fight will forever be preserved online, the modern day stocks, where we can point and laugh at how a dude from Argentina put him on his ass twice and stuffed humble pie down his throat.
-- REMATCH?
Why not? I'd love to see Maidana hand Broner his ass again. Who wouldn't?
And if you like boxing, you've got to read the ZBFbooks.com series, 'Pit Fighters'. The book features a Scottish Boxer who makes his way to America for a big boxing payday, while making some bones in the MMA cages as well.
'Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire' and 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross' are combat sports-themed book that features fights from the early days of MMA, and plenty of underground money fights. You've got to check them out, and they're available on Kindle or paperback today.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuster. His latest story, 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull' is a Tex-Mexploitation superhero story in the tradition of 'Machete' and 'Black Dynamite'. Get it in paperback or Kindle today.
A SCOTTISH BOXER COMPETES IN THE MMA CAGE IN THE 'PIT FIGHTERS' SERIES by Bowie V. Ibarra
A Scotsman looking to make a name for himself in MMA competition and boxing joins the stable of fighters of San Uvalde International.
Here's the lowdown:
NAME: WILLIAM CAMPBELL
NICKNAME: N/A
BIRTHDAY: APRIL 28, 1963
BIRTHPLACE: DUNDEE, SCOTLAND
BILLED FROM: SAN UVALDE, TEXAS
NATIONALITY: SCOTTISH
FIGHTING STYLE: WESTERN BOXING
TRAINER: ANGUS McKINNON
SIGNATURE MOVES: UPPERCUT FLURRY
HEIGHT: 6'4"
WEIGHT: 21 STONE (ABOUT 290 LBS)
BACKGROUND
William was the sixth child of eight siblings. Growing up in Dundee was rough on William, who quickly earned a reputation as a scrappy fighter in is early school days. Ironically enough, when it came to settling issues between his siblings, he always chose the diplomatic route over fisticuffs.
When he was fifteen, William
was encouraged by his father to join a boxing club in Dundee.It was a blessing and a way for William to
stay out of trouble on the streets, even though most people stayed well away
from him at this point.His size,
intimidating.His reputation, fearsome.
Angus McKinnon, a former boxer, took him under his wing at his gym. He helped William win his first super-heavyweight title at twenty-four, led William on a good run of victories in the UK and Europe. But William would squander his winnings on wine, women, and song. Those bad habits eventually led to his downfall as a champion boxer.
Now considered a washup, William took back alley money fights to pay the bills before returning to work with Angus again. But even though he had honed his skills again, no one wanted to sign him because of his reputation as a drunk and philanderer.
So William took to the money fight circuit to earn a shot he had lost in America for the big time. He took any and all fights available, even MMA fights, utilizing his superior size and hand skills to win matches. He eventually caught the attention of Herbert Hess, who signed him on to the San Uvalde International stable. The rest is history.
Follow the adventures of William as he tries to reach his goal of fight sports glory in the 'Pit Fighters' series. 'Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire' and 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross' are combat sports-themed books that features fights from the early days of MMA, and plenty of underground money fights. You've got to check them out, and they're available on Kindle or paperback today.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuster. His latest story, 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull' is a Tex-Mexploitation superhero story in the tradition of 'Machete' and 'Black Dynamite'. Get it in paperback or Kindle today.
Bowie earned a BFA in Acting and MA in Theatre History from Texas State University. Network with Bowie for updates and news at his official website, ZombieBloodFights.com.
For those who aren't familiar with the Klitschko brothers, they are two Heavyweight Ukranian dudes who have been two of the most dominant heavyweight boxers in boxing history. Vladimir 'Dr. Steelhammer' (6' 6", 243lbs) and Vitali 'Dr. Iron Fist' Klitschko (6' 7", 248lbs) have had a stranglehold on the entire weight class, disposing of competitors left and right.
So many readers like myself who appreciate combat sports in all its forms might have had the same gut reaction of 'Rolling On The Floor and Laughing My Ass Off' when you read that headline. Dos Santos feels he can compete with the two professional boxing champions because he 'boxes' with 'sparring partners' during the early parts of his training. That's cute, Junior. That's real cute.
But taking a step back from the initial reaction, truth is Dos Santos has a 'punchers chance' at defeating a Klitschko. Let's look at some big facts of the matter.
1. FIGHTING CAB DRIVERS - The Klitschkos are on top of a division that is at a historic low for heavyweight competition. That's part of the reason why the Klitschkos have remained on top. There's just not a lot of dudes who can run with them in the division right now.
Now I joke that they're fighting cab drivers at this point because there's not a lot of competition for them out there right now. Like dudes fighting St. Pierre or Anderson Silva before he became MMA's jackass, the Klitschkos are just on another level as compared to their competition right now. Dos Santos might not be a professional-caliber boxer, but he's got enthusiasm and a punchers chance.
2. THE BROTHERS HAVE LOST WHEN INJURED OR PUSHED - Both brothers have suffered losses as well. The two losses on Vitali's record come from stopping a fight after his left hand became injured against Chris Byrd and his face was mauled by Lennox Lewis. Vladimir lost to three fighters, Lamon Brewster, Ross Purrity, and Corrie Sanders. All three of the fighters pushed the pace with Vladimir and ended up taking TKO wins. Dos Santos might not be the pretties puncher in boxing science terms, but he would definitely push the pace.
3. DOS SANTOS HAS 12 KOs WINS - Of his 16 fights, two were won by decision, two were losses, two were submission wins. But 12 of them are KOs. I remember watching Dos Santos and noticing his hand speed was pretty good. And though that hand speed and wild swinging he does works for MMA, it won't work so well in boxing. Guys in MMA walk back in a line and leave themselves open to those 'Wanderlai Silva' type flurries. And heavyweights with five-ounce gloves? Forget it.
So Dos Santos, who carries on the tradition of cocky Brazillian combat sportsmen, believes that because he 'boxes' with 'sparring partners' and has 12 KOs with 5 ounce MMA gloves, he can handle a Klitcshko? Truth is, maybe. The key to defeating them is pushing the pace, and Dos Santos can do that.
But those 8oz. gloves and 10 rounds will present a problem for Dos Santos if it goes into the later rounds.
4. GIVE DOS SANTOS A BOXING PAYDAY - UFC pays big stars pretty good. But nowhere close to a boxing payday. Let Dos Santos get a boxing payday, Dana. Hell, lets get you and the Fertittas a boxing management payday, too.
And think about the potential if he does win. First, you can say your MMA champ stepped into a boxing ring and beat a boxing legend. Then, there's your rubber match money. Everybody, including fight fans, win.
All in all, its a fight that needs to happen, mainly because of the money to be made. I know you boxing promoters like money, so let's do it.
Dos Santos is a warrior. That's his career choice: punching people about the face and body, kicking them, choking them, or locking out limbs. He thinks he can beat another warrior skilled a giving dudes concussions with his fists, then let them go at it. That's what they do for fun and profit. That's what fight fans want to see: Two dudes throwing down for combat sports glory.
It could be the shot in the arm the boxing heavyweight division needs. And its two dudes who think they are the best punching each other in the face to determine who the best face and body puncher in the heavyweight world is.
Think about that money, guys. Make it happen.
And to the readers of this blog, if you're interested in a story that already features a Boxer calling out an MMA fighter, you need to read 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross'.
Who wins the Boxing vs.MMA matchup? You'll have to read it to find out.
'Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire' and 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross' are combat sports-themed books that features fights from the early days of MMA, and plenty of underground money fights. You've got to check them out, and they're available on Kindle or paperback today.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuster. His latest story, 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull' is a Tex-Mexploitation superhero story in the tradition of 'Machete' and 'Black Dynamite'. Get it in paperback or Kindle today.
Bowie earned a BFA in Acting and MA in Theatre History from Texas State University. Network with Bowie for updates and news at his official website, ZombieBloodFights.com.
BOXING EXCELLENCE, SCIENCE ON DISPLAY IN BIG FIGHT CARD by Bowie V. Ibarra
With the exception of the opening title snoozefest, the fight card 'The One' with the Mayweather/Canelo main event was a great night of boxing that once again put the outstanding boxing skills of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. on display. Here's some notes from the night.
INTERNATIONAL BOXING FEDERATION JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT
CARLOS MOLINA/ISHE SMITH
-- The MOLINA/SMITH IBF Jr. Middleweight title fight was garbage. I showed up at the bar in the middle of this fight, and these guys looked like shit.
Listen, I give them respect for getting to where they are in their respective careers. Hell, I couldn't go 12 rounds of boxing. I couldn't get out of round one. But Jesus, these dudes looked like I might have after a round of boxing. They were slow and seemed gassed out halfway through their title fight.
Maybe it was nerves, or both blowing their load early in their big appearance, but I was not impressed. Neither looked like they wanted the title. And even though Carlos Molina looked more like Alfred Molina, congrats to Molina for taking the decision.
WBA/WBC LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT
DANNY GARCIA vs. LUCAS MATTHYSSE
-- Now these two dudes, on the other hand, looked like they were fighting to free their family from the grips of a shady promoter who had them tied up in the back. Both these guys brought the fire from the word go. When it was all over, Danny Garcia had shut one of Matthysse's eyes and knocked him down once, bringing the victory to his camp.
THE ONE
FLOYD MAYWEATHER, JR. vs. SAUL 'CANELO' ALVAREZ
-- C'mon. You already know it was 'Monster Heel vs. Babyface' in this main event matchup. I'm not going to lie, I was hoping Mayweather would finally be humbled by the Mexican phenom. But truth is, I really just hoped it would be competitive.
And it sure was. I don't think going as far as saying it was a complete blowout is anywhere near the truth. It was competitive. Canelo stuck in there and gave it his best. But the science, skill, and experience of Mayweather was too much for the young star even Mayweather called 'The future of the sport'.
Canelo could not catch the elusive Mayweather, saying his punches weren't hard and more about getting those points on the card. Canelo was very patient from round one, and tried to solve the Mayweather boxing riddle to no avail.
And as usual, when round four rolled around, Mayweather turned up the heat and started testing Canelo. Though Canelo passed the early tests, the pressure Mayweather applied later and the mounting frustration of not being able to hit the champ throughout, put Mayweather on the winner's side of the cards.
-- There was one particular round where I thought Canelo got hurt. There was one point in the late rounds where Canelo just stood on the ropes, hands up, and made no effort to fight back. But when he finally responded, Mayweather just stepped away.
-- Gina Carano was in attendance at the fight. That was cool to see. I guess she's more of a 'movie star' than 'MMA star' these days.
-- Mayweather put the fight on cruise control in the 12 round. There was no need to put himself in danger, as he had already won the fight by then.
-- A judge had the match tied. I could see that. Look, I honestly don't see six rounds that Mayweather completely dominated. I saw four, maybe five that could have gone to Canelo, especially in the opening rounds, and maybe one or two late. But I'm not a judge at ringside, I was a drunk at a bar. And if Mayweather or anyone wants to complain about putting a matches decision in the hands of a judge, you should really be complaining at a fighter not finishing the fight and leaving it in the judges hands. Don't blame the judges for doing their job subjectively.
-- For those who say Mayweather's a boring fighter, c'mon now. It's like the dudes that say the science of jiu-jitsu/grappling is boring in MMA. And though there's some truth to that, the real thing you should be looking at is the science behind it. Boxing will always be more exciting than the ground game of an MMA match because of the nature of the sport, and watching Floyd dodge and counter was breathtaking.
The object of boxing is to cut a dude's face, punch them until their face starts swelling and they can't see to fight, or give a dude a concussion. You can't blame Mayweather for being the best at avoiding those fates and being the best at it. His skill and speed is super-human.
In the end, it was still a great fight. And that was probably the last real opponent for Mayweather, because there's no one left out there. Pacquiau's done, and there's no one else that's going to challenge him in his last four fights whose even close to being ready for him. Mayweather might be a sonovabitch, but he's got a Ph.D in the science of boxing.
And speaking of outspoken boxers, a boxing champ calls out an MMA champ in the story, "Pit Fighters: Double Cross". Who wins the Boxing vs.MMA matchup? You'll have to read it to find out.
'Pit Fighters: Baptism by Fire' and 'Pit Fighters: Double Cross' are combat sports-themed books that features fights from the early days of MMA, and plenty of underground money fights. You've got to check them out, and they're available on Kindle or paperback today.
BOWIE V. IBARRA is the author of the 'Down the Road' zombie horror series from Permuted Press and Simon and Schuster. His latest story, 'Tejano Star and the Vengeance of Chaplain Skull' is a Tex-Mexploitation superhero story in the tradition of 'Machete' and 'Black Dynamite'. Get it in paperback or Kindle today.
Bowie earned a BFA in Acting and MA in Theatre History from Texas State University. Network with Bowie for updates and news at his official website, ZombieBloodFights.com.
