It's Monday. Welcome back for another edition of Observe and Fight, The Boxing Observer's compilation of observations and random thoughts from the last 2 weeks in boxing. Get caught up on some of the most recent events you may have missed out on, including the passing of Dan Goossen, a preview of Gennady Golovkin's return on Saturday, Jermain Taylor's massive upset to win another world title, Chad Dawson's future, more Mayweather drama, and much more. Without further ado, check out the latest observations from the Boxing Observer, David Kassel.
It has been 2 weeks, but I'd like to express my condolences to the family of Dan Goossen. Goossen was always a carefree personality and always joked around. That was just the way he was. The first time I spoke with him, he was playing Mr. T soundbytes through the telephone. Not because he needed to, but because he was in that sort of a mood. Dan will surely be missed in the boxing world. Rest in peace, Dan.
Shame on any fans who insensitively posted that Andre Ward should be a free agent now. When I saw some comments on social media about Goossen 's passing, followed up with comments such as, "so does this mean Andre Ward is a free agent," I felt sick to my stomach. People need to get over themselves because that's as wrong as it gets.
Boxing's most feared man, The Kazak killer Gennady Golovkin, returns Saturday night in what should amount to his 17th straight knockout when he faces Mexican knockout artist, yet well past his prime, Marco Antonio Rubio. Golovkin's critics have stated his resume is weak, but for someone who tries to fight 4 times per year, it isn't his fault that he cannot get top-notch competition every time out. I don't exactly see Peter Quillin calling Al Haymon and demanding a fight. Sergio Martinez didn't want anything to do with GGG. Miguel Cotto isn't doing jumping jacks trying to get in the ring with Golovkin. No, Rubio isn't exactly a worthy opponent, but at least he is willing to get in the ring with Golovkin. The question remains, where does Golovkin go if (I really mean "when") he beats Rubio? Would Sergio Martinez be willing to test the waters if he doesn't hang up his gloves? Is Felix Sturm willing to come to America? Would a David Lemieux clash draw any interest? Unless it's Cotto, Canelo, Mayweather, or Ward, Golovkin is going to continue to hear the same criticisms. Just remember fight fans, it isn't his fault.
Jermain Taylor is the new IBF middleweight champion of the world. Let that sink in for a second ............................................................... Okay, now that we have processed that shocking information, let's talk about how in the world that could have happened. Taylor, who previously had done nothing since his knockout loss to Arthur Abraham in 2009, is represented by boxing mega-adviser Al Haymon. Haymon makes things happen by snapping his fingers and opening his checkbook (which is very large). Former champion Sam Soliman was paid handsomely to take on Taylor, whom he thought he could have defeated easily. Without an injury to Soliman's leg, I believe he would have defeated Taylor. The point is, if there is any fighter out there who wants to make the most of his career and get the best opportunities for the most amount of money, you would be foolish not to sign with Haymon. I doubt Taylor takes on his mandatory, Hassan N'Dam, in his next fight. There are bigger money fights out there.
Speaking of Hassan N'Dam, he looked spectacular against Curtis Stevens! N'Dam seemed like a forgotten man after his lost to Peter Quillin, but he is still a fighter to be reckoned with. Don't forget about N'Dam because he is a threat to every middleweight out there, with the exception of GGG.
Congratulations to Cornelius "K9" Bundrage on winning his 2nd world title! Most experts thought Carlos Molina was going to outclass the former IBF junior middleweight champion, but, in actuality, it was quite the opposite. From the opening bell, K9 looked like a rejuvenated fighter and a completely different fighter than the one who fought Ishe Smith. Bundrage's punches looked sharper than I had seen in awhile, and he wasn't as wild with his right hand as we have become accustomed to seeing. Jermall Charlo, who was previously supposed to get the shot at Molina before Molina ran into immigration issues, was ringside for the fight, and it looked as if he and Bundrage were jawing at each other. That would be an entertaining scrap, but I would also be interested to see if Bundrage would be willing to move up to middleweight to face Golovkin.
Thank goodness Jorge Arce is finally hanging up the gloves. After his one-sided loss to Jhonny Gonzalez, Arce looked as if he had been run over by a mack truck and then hit by a bus. His body looks shot and his reflexes are gone. I just hope no commission allows Arce to continue fighting because he is a danger to himself at this point.
What in the world has happened to Chad Dawson? How did he lose to Tommy Karpency? Dawson is finished if you ask me. It's clear his heart isn't into boxing anymore. That's all I really have to say on that subject.
Floyd Mayweather's got 99 problems, and his father is 1. For the past couple of weeks, Floyd Mayweather Sr. has been spouting off to anyone who would listen that his son is going to fight Manny Pacquiao. Thankfully, we have someone like Ben Thompson who can get the proper information straight from the horse's mouth. Mayweather Jr. told Thompson that if his dad continues to pull these types of antics, Jr. may have to find a new trainer. Mayweather has built his brand because of his persona, but with that persona comes lots of problems. One of those problems is having people around you that you cannot rely on. We all know the relationship history between Mayweather and his father, but at what point does Jr. decides to just cut ties, professionally, with his old man? If Mayweather Jr. had to come out publicly and address the issue, it's clear he was irked by the comments his father made.
Is Shannon Briggs going to talk his way into a heavyweight title shot? If you haven't been following, Briggs is basically stalking Wladimir Klitschko (and filming everything) in the hopes of landing one final title opportunity (in which Briggs would get destroyed). The latest incident came with Briggs renting a boat and pestering Klitschko as he was wakeboarding on the inter coastal in Miami. I get the appeal of receiving lots of likes on YouTube, but I don't think anyone would blame Klitschko one bit if he filed a restraining order against Briggs. In all honesty, Briggs' latest stunt could have put Klitschko in danger as Briggs' boat was awfully close to the champion. Briggs better be careful not to take this thing too far.
More thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Koncz, Manny Pacquiao's longtime adviser, as he goes through a battery of surgeries. Koncz has a blockage and blood clot in the main artery in his right leg. Let's hope he is okay.
Felix Verdejo recorded his 2nd Knockout of the Year candidate two Saturdays ago! If you haven't seen the destruction of Sergio Villanueva, YouTube it ASAP.
I'm interested in HBO's co-feature fight Saturday between Nonito Donaire and Nicholas Walters. I think Walters has a great chance of upsetting the "Filipino Flash" and nobody is talking about it. You heard it here first, I'm picking Walters to shock Donaire.
Each week, I feature an email from a fan on Observe and Fight. This week's email comes to us from Jaxson T. regarding future opponents for Jermain Taylor...
"Hey Dave, I knew Jermain Taylor was gunna win because Soliman was a nobody and Taylor had all the physical advantages. My question is who will he fight next? I want him to face Golovkin and I think it would be a good fight. What are your thoughts?"
To be honest, I don't think Taylor would have won that fight had Soliman not injured his leg. Taylor had all the physical advantages, but Soliman, at over 40, is still the better fighter at this moment in time. I don't want to discredit what Taylor has done, but I still don't believe he had any business landing that fight in the first place. If Taylor wants to hold on to his middleweight belt for awhile, he probably should take a voluntary defense against a no-name fighter before having to defend against his mandatory. Hassan N'Dam is the mandatory and I don't see Taylor beating him. I believe a guy like Sergio Mora or Fernando Guerrero would be smart choices to make a voluntary defense against; however, Taylor has never backed down from a tough challenge. There's a possibility that Peter Quillin could land the assignment. N'Dam could get it if the IBF forces the issue should Taylor not reach an agreement for a voluntary defense within the 4-month window the IBF has given him, but money always plays a factor in those decisions. However, as much as I'd love to see Golovkin vs. Taylor, I doubt it happens.
That's all I've got for this week. Email any questions or comments to dkassel@fighthype.com and I will answer them throughout the week. Your email may be featured in the next "Observe and Fight." Follow me on Twitter @BoxingObserver, and be sure to "Like" The Boxing Observer on Facebook.
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