[Previous entry: "Knott Street Boxing Club Hosts Summer Saturday Smoker"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Cuban Ire Over Boxer Defections"]
08/09/2007 Archived Entry: "World Class Boxing in Tacoma"
World Class Boxing in Tacoma
Ricardo Ibarra assesses the implications for Forrest and Velazquez
Photos by Mike Blair
Courtesy of boxingprospects.net
Baldomir, at left, and Forrest mix it up
Very seldom do you see a thoroughly one sided fight still manage to be an exciting fight, yet that is exactly what we got at the Emerald Queen Casino this past Saturday night. Vernon Forrest's dismantling of Carlos Baldomir for the WBC jr. Middleweight title managed to give fight fans some exciting moments and proved many critics wrong in there assertion that this fight would be a boring hug-a-thon between two aging veterans. Forrest the superior boxer, and Baldomir the unrelenting pressure fighter came together to give us a memorable evening of world class boxing in Tacoma.
The bout probably marked the last time we will see Carlos Baldomir in a big fight; he leaves us with an exciting body of work in a very short period of time. That is the nature of the game in a fight like this, the winner moves on to bigger things while the loser packs it in.
For Forrest the bout marked the beginning of a newly rejuvenated career. After years of struggling with injuries and criticisms he was able to quiet many critics and shake off the doubts he had about his left shoulder. Forrest's left was back to its old self, as evidenced by the right side of Baldomir's face. Forrest's left hook all but won the bout for him. The fact that Forrest could have made this a much easier fight by pecking and moving, but instead chose to open up with his right hand and look for the KO should make him some new fans. Floyd Mayweather didn't put himself in harms away against Baldomir, he chose to secure the victory. It's not practical to ask a fighter to go toe-to-toe with a strong slugger like Baldomir. It's a very dangerous proposition, yet Forrest had the courage to do so.
With the win Forrest places himself right in the mix of an interesting neighborhood. He's only looking for big money fights at the moment and there are plenty of opportunities for him. The biggest draw in boxing, Oscar De La Hoya, currently resides in the 154 lb division. Although De La Hoya has stated he plans on moving down to the welterweight division next year, a match-up with Forrest may present an intriguing enough proposal to keep him in the division. The WBC belt gives Forrest an excellent negotiating tool and an incentive for De La Hoya to fight him. Oscar may stick with his plans anyway and take with him the richest fight Forrest could be a part of. This presents an interesting dilemma for Forrest, other than Oscar De La Hoya, there is no one in the division that will carry the drawing power he needs to make the type of money he desires.
There are plenty of interesting fights that could be made at 154, but these fights do not draw seven figure paydays. Cory Spinks, Roman Karmazin, Kassim Ouma and Joachim Alcine would all figure to be tough fights for Forrest with perhaps not enough reward for the risk.
Forrest may have to look outside of his division for a big money fight. The middleweight division may be the best move for him. The winner of the Taylor-Pavlik fight, or Winky Wright would both give Forrest a serious payday and also make for good match-up for the fans. Forrest has the body to carry the weight and as he showed last week he still has the talent to give any fighter in the world a run for their money.
Whatever Forrest decides to do, one thing is clear, he can still fight at a world class level and he still makes good fights. He chose to go after Baldomir when he had the fight won. Unlike Mayweather, who chose instead to run against the dangerous Argentinean, Forrest chose to go in for the kill and that you have to respect. With his left arm fully healed he is going to be a tough fighter to beat.
Also in Action…
Hector Velazquez
Forrest-Baldomir was not the only world class level fight on the Emerald Queen card. Hector Velazquez won a technical decision over Puerto Rican Prospect Mario Santiago in a WBC title eliminator. Velazquez, a tough veteran with experience against many world class fighters, proved to be too much for the up and coming prospect as he broke the young fighter down with solid pressure and hard body shots that resonated throughout the arena. Santiago fought his heart out but it was no use against the determined Tijuana native.
With the win Velazquez sets himself up for a big opportunity and a shot at the green belt most Mexican fighters covet. Unfortunately that shot comes against the ultra talented Venezuelan Jorge Linares.
Linares, who made his U.S. debut in impressive fashion by handing former champ Oscar Larios a world class beating on the under card of Hopkins-Wright,zis a tough proposition for any fighter. The 5'8" southpaw is an extremely accurate counter puncher with a long jab and an aggressive demeanor. This disciplined boxer uses his legs very well and has quick and powerful hands. The way he handled Larios made the boxing world take notice.
Velazquez looked good in Tacoma but it's tough to see him lasting the distance against Linares. It's tough to see most 126 pound fighters lasting the distance against Linares. But Velazquez will give a good fight for however long it lasts, he always does.
