Boxing notes

Thoughts on last night’s “Lightweight Lightning” card on HBO

I was excited about the Edwin Valero - Antonio Pitalua match up until I saw that Pitalua was 39. The second-round TKO was easy work for Valero, but should have left fans wanting to see more of the Venezuelan. I say bring on Juan Manuel Marquez. Or better yet, Manny Pacquiao

Rolando Reyes showed tremendous finishing skills in stopping former champion Julio Diaz in the fourth round.

Former U.S. Olympian Vincente Escobedo earned a decision over over Carlos Hernandez and I couldn’t have been less impressed. Escobedo doesn’t have seem to have adjusted to the pro game. Think Kelcie Banks with a bit more power (Ok, a lot more power. But that reflects more on Banks). Still, not a bad fight.

I used to think Michael Katsidis was an Arturo Gatti clone. But his game was sharp and well-rounded in his complete dismantling of tough Jesus Chavez. Still, I can’t envision Katsidis getting by top-flight competition without his face getting completely busted up. Heart and power only take you so far. Ask Gatti.

One day, Don King and Bob Arum will be gone, and Oscar De La Hoya and his Golden Boy Promotions will be the most important promotion entity on the planet. Hopefully, De La Hoya and his band of misfit boxing superstars will start giving us quality undercards before big fights, but he deserves credit for putting together shows like last night’s. You can argue whether Oscar had a hall-of-fame fighting career (I say yes, based on his domination at the lighter weights and willingness to fight all comers), but it’s very safe to say he’s a huge and positive presence in boxing today. Now hopefully he hangs up his gloves and focuses on his promotions and being an ambassador of the sport.

-WKW