Sunday, September 14, 2008 Quijano: Groundhog day By Jingo Quijano Last Round
IF YOU’RE one of those early Sunday risers, and you’re up with the worms just as the sun takes a peek at our humble abodes, then you must be reading this paper early in the morning.
That means you still have time to haul your early selves to a unique event today, called “Daytime Boxing” at the Cebu City Coliseum featuring ALA gym’s Michael Domingo vs. Ratanachai Sor Vorapin.
Domingo is one of the less flashy ALA Gym fighters but this guy just might be a diamond in the rough. This writer is glad he is finally headlining a card of his own.
Show starts at 9 a.m. and the main event might be around 10 or 10:30. Tickets are a steal and parking is a breeze on Sunday mornings.
And oh, if I bump into you accidentally, please accept my sincerest apologies. I’m most probably nursing my usual Sunday morning hangover.
SUNDAY’S BEST. In a perfect Last Round world, today would be Groundhog Day.
You know that movie starring Bill Murray where he wakes up to find that same day repeat itself over and over again.
And why not? As if the Domingo bout is not a motivation enough for me to get up early, a fugue of dynamite lightweight bouts are on the menu.
Juan Manuel Marquez dukes it out with Joel Casamayor, while Joan Guzman takes on Nate Campbell. ..
The second bout was supposedly for Campbell’s IBF/WBA/WBO titles, but Guzman was unprofessional enough to fail in making the weight so the belts are not on the line.
Here’s my take on these blockbuster lightweight bouts:
Marquez 48-4 (35 KOs). STYLE/STRENGTHS—A superb boxer-counter puncher. Likes to come forward behind a jab to set up his stinging combinations. Uppercut is his signature punch preceded by a jab and a right straight.
WEAKNESS. Can be a bit chinny. Suffered a total of 4 knockdowns in 24 rounds with Manny Pacquiao. Lack of one-punch knockout power.
Casamayor 36-3, (22KOs). STYLE/STRENGTHS—Casamayor likes to wait for openings and has very good lateral movement. Deceptive hand speed with crippling power in his left hand. The left straight is his signature punch and has leveled the likes of power hitters Diego Corralles and Michael Katsidis.
WEAKNESSES. If he were a bit younger, you would be hard-pressed to look for one. But Casamayor learned that turning 37 can be a bummer against the younger, rougher Katsidis. Although he eventually stopped the game, Australian Casamayor looked slow at times, and got rocked and sent through the ropes. His foot speed is on the ebb and his punch resistance may be going.
EXPECT THE FIGHT TO BE: A tactical battle between two cunning masters. It will probably heat up around the middle rounds with Marquez controlling the action in the center of the ring. If there’s a knockdown it will probably be scored by Casamayor but Marquez’ busy work rate will earn the judges’ nod via split decision.
Guzman, 28-0, (17KOs). STYLE/STRENGHTS- Power and speed. Guzman is a thing of beauty when he’s on his element. Undefeated and supremely confident, Guzman is poised to become one of boxing’s new generation of superstars. Provided, he gets by Campbell of course.
WEAKNESSES. As he has moved up in weight, Guzman’s punch hasn’t traveled with him. His snafu at the weigh-in might be a cause for concern. It could mean he hasn’t trained enough for this fight.
Campbell, 32, 5 (25KOs). STYLE/STRENGTHS: Campbell is well rounded and possesses a bit of everything. He’s not particularly fast, not exceptionally strong, but he gets the job done with his tough, artsy manner. Confidence is his calling card and he is hungry for recognition.
WEAKNESSES. As shown in his two knockout losses to Robbie Peden, Nate tends to lose focus. Also, his volatile temper gets him frustrated when he cannot impose his game over his opponent. With Nate, everything is mental.
EXPECT THE FIGHT TO BE: A war. Guzman will definitely let Campbell feel his power in the early rounds and if Campbell doesn’t lose focus, he can weather the storm and take the fight to Guzman. The latter will then shift to boxer mode in the middle rounds and hopefully coast to a decision. I’m concerned about his failure to make the weight, but I still see him winning this bout via majority decision.
