Boxing Notebook: Questionable Decision

Boxing Notebook: Questionable Decision
By Carlos Guzman
Posted: 3:00 am PDT 2006-09-08

This past weekend it became painfully clear that boxing sometimes plays out not much better than a WWE plot. Colorful names, outrageous remarks, shiny robes, all the pageantry of a grand event all spoiled by the bad decision. Maybe these bouts have already been decided before these men step into the ring. What else could account for the terrible decision we witnessed in Woods-Johnson III, but even greater in Samuel Peter vs. James Toney for a mandatory position for the WBC?

The fight was closer then most people anticipated. Tim Graham, Buffalo News, said before the bout: "Toney takes a unanimous decision. He is too smart and just slick enough to avoid Peter's lone weapon: power." This was far from the truth. Not only did Peter land, he rocked the iron-chinned Toney on several occasions. The arena stirred with emotion as Toney was taking direct hits and still standing. One big right, then another, and another -- Toney took them and rallied back to almost win the same rounds he was stunned.

Toney's best weapon Saturday night was a stiff jab that he used to bust Peter's nose and eyes. The jab alone was winning him the fight, but his vaunted overhand right counter was neutralized by Peter, who kept slipping under it. Toney seemed to have little success with anything but the jab, but 10 jabs to the face should count for more then one big punch to the head. In the end, it didn't matter -- as the judges ruled the power punching Peter had done enough to win. Toney couldn't believe it:

"Peter didn't do (expletive withheld)," said Toney, 38, the WBC No. 2 contender going in. "I'm not done with him. Hey, this is a joke. I didn't lose the fight. I took everything away from him.

"I am not old. I am not fat and out of shape like Larry Holmes. This is not over. We are going to protest."

For Team Peter the future is bright:

"We want [Oleg] Maskaev, now," said Dino Duva, Peter's promoter. "I will be contacting Dennis Rappaport (Maskaev's promoter) to begin negotiations immediately.

Maskaev was obligated by the WBC to fight Toney in his next bout after defeating Rahman. Now that Samuel beat Toney, we expect Oleg to honor that obligation to Sam."

Toney will continue his campaign as a heavyweight, but without a belt or top ranking getting top fights might be behind him.

Duddy-Campas Heats Up
We're just a few weeks from the big middleweight clash between "Irish" John Duddy and Yori Boy Campas at MSG on Sept. 29. This bout is a passing of the torch, but Campas has other ideas:

"I'm going to be well prepared for this fight" promised Campas. "I'm coming to win. I know John Duddy is a very, very dangerous fighter and a good puncher so I know I have to be right for this fight. I'm taking it very seriously.

"I'm going to prepare like I've never prepared before. I know it will be a very hard fight, but I will win no matter what it takes. I'm ready for whatever Duddy has, and I'll throw a lot of punches myself to make sure I'm the winner. "

Duddy, who's in the Poconos training for this mega-bout, says this probably won't be a slugfest. They are looking to build on Duddy's technical skills.

Frank Warren drops Hatton Suit
The Guardian Unlimited is reporting that Frank Warren may soon be promoting Ricky Hatton fights, thanks to dropping any legal actions against Hatton. Warren began proceedings against "The Hitman" when Hatton signed with rival promoter Dennis Hobson. Warren claimed Hatton was already under contract to his own Sports Network promotions company, but Hatton claimed the deal had expired. Now it seems like everyone is friends:

"Sports Network is pleased to announce that it has agreed to discontinue its action against Ray and Ricky Hatton. The aim of both parties is now to enter into discussions which will hopefully form the basis of a working relationship at some stage in the future."

Hatton is going back to the junior welterweight division to try and reclaim his belt, but he'll have to beat newly crowned champion Juan Urango to get it. If Hatton wins, it might lead to a battle with NY's Paul Malignaggi -- who put up a good account of himself in losing to Miguel Cotto.

Speaking of Cotto, rumor has it that he will fight Vivian Harris. Nothing has been confirmed and news from Guyana states that Harris might be fighting Isaac Hlatshwayo in October in an IBF eliminator. We'll keep you informed.

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