Weekend review
Posted Nov. 17, 2008 at 09:56am
By Michael Rosenthal
|
A look back at some highs and lows of the big fights
BIGGEST WINNER
Jermain Taylor – He did exactly what he needed to do Saturday night in Nashville, Tenn., outclass a determined, but limited Jeff Lacy. In the process, Taylor gave notice that he is again a factor in the super middleweight division. At the moment, Joe Calzaghe might be more than he can handle, but WBA titleholder Mikkel Kessler would be an ideal – and beatable -- opponent.
BIGGEST LOSER
Jeff Lacy – “Left hook?” What left hook? Lacy tried to beat Jermain Taylor from the opening bell to the final bell but simply didn’t have the tools to get it done. Where does this leave him? Well, it’s hard to envision him making big money again. He might want to give his career choice a second thought.
MOST OPTIMISTIC
Jeff Lacy – After Michael Buffer read the one-sided scores and was about to announce the winner, Lacy raised his arms as if he actually thought he had a chance to win. He even looked disappointed when Buffer announced that Taylor had won. Nothing wrong with a positive outlook ... but c’mon.
WORST CALL
No knockdown -- In defense of referee Laurence Cole, Lacy barely hit Taylor when Taylor went down in the fifth round. However, replays showed that Lacy did graze his rival, who then went to the canvas. Should’ve been a knockdown … not that it made a difference.
BIGGEST DREAMER
David Haye – The cruiserweight-turned-heavyweight announced that he’s ready for one of the Klitschkos after beating Monte Barrett on Saturday night, which is fine with the Klitschkos. And there’s a good reason the big Ukrainians feel that way: Haye isn’t ready for either one of them after only one fight as a heavyweight. He beat Monte Barrett, after all, not Joe Louis.
KLUTZIEST FIGHTER
Monte Barrett – Barrett tried to leap over the top rope when he entered the ring but got caught up and landed on his knees. That would’ve been a good time to pray for mercy. He went down five more times after the opening bell and was finally stopped in the fifth round, although he did get in plenty of his own shots.
BEST QUOTE
Adam Booth -- "I don't think I'll bother with a strategy next time. I'll just train David to swing harder," said David Haye’s trainer, whose fighter slugged it out with Monte Barrett on Saturday
BIGGEST WINNER
Jermain Taylor – He did exactly what he needed to do Saturday night in Nashville, Tenn., outclass a determined, but limited Jeff Lacy. In the process, Taylor gave notice that he is again a factor in the super middleweight division. At the moment, Joe Calzaghe might be more than he can handle, but WBA titleholder Mikkel Kessler would be an ideal – and beatable -- opponent.
BIGGEST LOSER
Jeff Lacy – “Left hook?” What left hook? Lacy tried to beat Jermain Taylor from the opening bell to the final bell but simply didn’t have the tools to get it done. Where does this leave him? Well, it’s hard to envision him making big money again. He might want to give his career choice a second thought.
MOST OPTIMISTIC
Jeff Lacy – After Michael Buffer read the one-sided scores and was about to announce the winner, Lacy raised his arms as if he actually thought he had a chance to win. He even looked disappointed when Buffer announced that Taylor had won. Nothing wrong with a positive outlook ... but c’mon.
WORST CALL
No knockdown -- In defense of referee Laurence Cole, Lacy barely hit Taylor when Taylor went down in the fifth round. However, replays showed that Lacy did graze his rival, who then went to the canvas. Should’ve been a knockdown … not that it made a difference.
BIGGEST DREAMER
David Haye – The cruiserweight-turned-heavyweight announced that he’s ready for one of the Klitschkos after beating Monte Barrett on Saturday night, which is fine with the Klitschkos. And there’s a good reason the big Ukrainians feel that way: Haye isn’t ready for either one of them after only one fight as a heavyweight. He beat Monte Barrett, after all, not Joe Louis.
KLUTZIEST FIGHTER
Monte Barrett – Barrett tried to leap over the top rope when he entered the ring but got caught up and landed on his knees. That would’ve been a good time to pray for mercy. He went down five more times after the opening bell and was finally stopped in the fifth round, although he did get in plenty of his own shots.
BEST QUOTE
Adam Booth -- "I don't think I'll bother with a strategy next time. I'll just train David to swing harder," said David Haye’s trainer, whose fighter slugged it out with Monte Barrett on Saturday
