number1contender.net

HBO Boxing After Dark Recap

January 17, 2009

Beau Rivage Resort & Casino-Biloxi, Mississippi

First, a correction to my review of SmackDown! vs. Raw 2009 for the XBOX 360. I mistakenly wrote Orange Bowl, when I should have written Citrus Bowl in reference to the stadium that housed WrestleMania XXIV. Thank you to THE Board for pointing that out. The article is a member's only feature at f4wonline.com and can be found here: http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/8056/105/

Additionally, I did a member's only preview of WWE Legends of WrestleMania, UFC Undisputed 2009 and an unannounced MMA video game on the Bryan and Vinny Show Thursday. Members of the Figure Four Online Empire can download the show here: http://media001.f4wonline.com/dmdocuments/011609bvshow.mp3

There was supposed to be a second match on this broadcast. Joe Greene was scheduled to challenge for Sergio Martinez' interim WBC 154 pound title. However, Greene developed severe kidney stones and on January 7 had to pull out of the match. No replacement could be found on 10 days notice. Therefore, HBO is only going to air 1 match on this broadcast.

WBC Welterweight (147 pounds) 12-Round Championship Match:

Andre Berto (23-0, 19 KO's, 146 pounds) (c) vs. Luis Collazo (29-3, 14 KO's, 146 pounds)

Berto won this title when it was vacant via technical knockout at 2:13 of round 7 over Miki Rodriguez on June 21, 2008 at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. The Winterhaven, Florida resident was the first boxer to ever knock out Rodriguez. The original recap of that match can be found here: http://www.number1contender.net/the-latest/2008/9/28/recap-of-andre-bertos-title-win.html Berto is making his second defense of this title. This title was previously held by Floyd Mayweather, Jr. who vacated the belt to "retire".

Berto is the son of Dieuseul Berto, who was a pro-wrestler in the Florida territory in the 1980's and according to Sherdog did3 MMA matches, all losses. (However, Sherdog has Dieuseul's name spelled wrong.)Dieuseul was Andre's original boxing trainer. Therefore, HBO wants to portray Dieuseul as a powerful wrecking machine. To do this they are showing footage of worked pro-wrestling matches from Florida and selling them to the viewers as shoot MMA contests. The accompanying video showed Dieuseul finishing his opponent in full pro-wrestling gear with elbow pads using what appeared to be an Anaconda Vice. This is a hilarious, and proves kayfabe is not dead.This is a must watch for everyone who has watched pro-wrestling or MMA and would like to see HBO try to work the "ignorant" boxing audience.

Berto's last match was a 12-round unanimous decision over the durable Steve Forbes on September 27, 2008 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Berto showed tremendous conditioning in the match.The champion'spunch output increased in the later rounds. When the final bell sounded it looked like Berto could easily box 12 more rounds against Forbes. The original recap of that match can be found here: http://www.number1contender.net/the-latest/2009/1/16/recap-of-andre-berto-vs-steve-forbes.html

Berto is The Ring magazine's number 9 contender to their vacant championship at 147 pounds.

Collazo began boxing at 12-years-old and had a solid amateur boxing career. His amateur boxing career peaked when he won the New York Golden Gloves Championships at 147 pounds.

Collazo is the mandatory challenger for this belt, but considered the best boxer Berto has faced. Besides for a loss early in his career, Collazo has only lost to elite boxers. Ricky Hatton defeated Collazo in a narrow and controversial unanimous decision on May 13, 2006 at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston Massachusetts. (After that match, Hatton decided to return to 140 pounds.) Collazo's other recent loss came via wide unanimous decision to Shane Mosley on February 10, 2007 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, in round 3 the southpaw tore 3 ligaments and fractured the thumb on is left hand. Mosley was struggling in the opening rounds with Collazo's counter-punching, but when Collazo became a one-handed boxer the match turned into a blowout for Mosley.

Collazo's last match was a technical knockout victory at 2:28 of round 8 in a scheduled 8-rounder against Russell Jordan on the untelevised undercard of the same event that featured Berto vs. Forbes.

Collazo is The Ring's number 8 contender at 147 pounds.

At 25-years-old, Berto is 2 years younger then the 27-year-old Collazo. Collazo has the height advantage standing 5' 9" tall, while Berto stands 5' 8.5" tall. Both boxer have a 22" arm length measured from the armpit to the end of the fist. Berto will be the heavier boxer in the ring having unofficially rehydrated to 160 pounds approaching match time. Collazo has only rehydrated to 155 pounds unofficially, approaching match time. The champion will employ the orthodox stance and the challenger will employ the southpaw stance.

The unified rules of boxing are in effect for this match. The judges keeping official score of this match from ringside are from North Carolina, Mississippi and Oklahoma. The referee is Keith Hughes. Harold Lederman will be HBO's unofficial scorekeeper for this event.

When the 2 boxers come together in the center of the ring, despite what the official measurements say, Collazo appears much larger then Berto. Round 1 is very good. Collazo hit Berto with a straight left hand with about 2 minutes to go in round 1, that had the champion holding the challenger to recover for the next minute. Then with 1 minute to go in the round, Berto came back with a flurry against the ropes that had Collazo hurt and holding on for the next 30 seconds. Collazo takes round 1, 10-9. This match was predicted to go the distance. However, based on round 1, that appears unlikely. Something appears to have gone wrong with the time keeping, because the break between rounds 1 and 2 was much longer then 1 minute. Lederman scores round 1 for Collazo, 10-9. Berto wins a very close round 2, 10-9. However, Berto is getting himself in trouble by backing straight up at times to dodge Collazo punches. This is allowing Collazo to follow up with straight left hands that have landed solidly on the champion. That is how Collazo hurt Berto in round 1 and Berto got hit solidly by making that same mistake in round 2. Berto wins round 2 on Lederman's scorecard, 10-9. With a little over 2:21 to go in round 3, Berto receives a severe warning from the referee for holding. The next infraction may cost him a point. All of round 3 was contested on the inside, and when the match has been contested on the inside Berto is getting dominated. Collazo win round 3 big, 10-9. Berto looks in terrible shape. The champion is known for having amazing conditioning. However, Collazo has worked over Berto's body in the first 3 rounds and Berto already looks gassed. Collazo leads on my scorecard after 3 rounds, 29-28. Lederman scores round 3 for Collazo, 10-9 and has the challenger ahead in the match after 3 rounds, 29-28. Through 3 rounds, Collazo has landed 56 of the 168 total punches he has thrown, for a 33% total connect percentage. Berto has landed 51 of the 136 total punches he has thrown, for a 38% total connect percentage. However, it appears that the champion has been far more ineffective.

With 46 seconds to go in round 4, the referee halts the action to take a point from Berto for holding. That was a pretty weak call. Berto has been holding. However, this is very early in the match and a lot worse has occurred in championship matches without a point being taken. The clock operator for this match is terrible and did not acknowledge that the referee called timeout. Therefore, there is only 36 seconds to go in round 4 when the action is resumed. With the point deduction, Collazo wins round 4, 10-8. On replay, it appears that both boxers were holding when the referee decided to take a point from Berto. Lederman scores round 4 for Collazo, 10-8. With 2:47 to go in round 5, a right hand from Berto knocks out Collazo's mouthpiece. The referee calls timeout to let the challenger get his mouthpiece back in place. After a brief pause the action is resumed. Round 5 is contested on the outside where Berto's huge hand speed advantage allows him to win the round, 10-9. To open round 6, Berto has a cut above hisright eye. The cut was caused by an accidental clash of heads at the end of round 5. Berto takes round 5 on the Lederman scorecard, 10-9. Berto wins a close round 6, 10-9. After 6 rounds, Collazo leads on my scorecard, 57-56. My scorecard would have the match even, except for the point Berto was deducted for holding in round 4. Berto was holding a dangerous amount in round 6. If Berto continues to box this style of match, at this point the referee is going to be obligated to take another point having already established his standard for point deductions. Lederman scores round 6 for Collazo, 10-9,and has the challenger ahead in the match after 6 rounds, 58-55.

With a little over 1:30 to go in round 7, the left eye of Berto is beginning to show significant swelling. With over 30 seconds to go in round 7, a winded Collazo has been cut over the left eye.The cut was caused by a Bertoleft jab and it is bad. Collazo is cut on his left eyelid and the blood is dripping directly into his eye.Berto easily wins round 7 on my scorecard, 10-9. Collazo took round the latter half of round 7 off to recover. The challenger had his hands down completely at his sides trying to catch his breath. Collazo knew he would either catch Berto coming in for a knockdown, or would concedethe round. Somehow, Lederman scored round 7 for Collazo, 10-9. Berto takes round 8 in dominating fashion, 10-9. The champion's superior conditioning appears to be taking over this match. After round 8, the cut above Collazo's left eye is getting very wide. It may cause the match to be stopped prematurely at some point. Lederman scores round8 for Berto, 10-9. Round 9 is contested on the inside. Therefore it is the best round in a while for Collazo, and he winsround 9easily, 10-9. After 9 rounds, the match is even on my scorecard, 85-85. Lederman scores round 9 for Collazo, 10-9, and has the challenger ahead big on his scorecard after 9 rounds, 87-83.

An exhausted Berto gets pushed down onto his back with 23 seconds to go in round 10. The referee correctly rules it a slip. Then pulls the fatigued Berto off the canvas and the action is resumed with 16 seconds to go in the round. Collazo wins round 10, 10-9. Collazo's apparent size advantage is taking its toll on the champion. Through 10 rounds, Berto has landed 203 of the 535 total punches he has thrown, for a 38% total connect percentage. Through 10 rounds, Collazo has landed 179 of the 651 total punches he has thrown, for a 27% total connect percentage. Lederman scores round 10 for Collazo, 10-9. The average number of power punches thrown in a round for a 147-pound boxer is 34. In round 10, Collazo threw 106 power punches. In round 10, Collazo said the CompuBox record for most punches thrown and landed on Berto in a round. Very close round 11, and Berto barely takes it on my scorecard, 10-9. Berto takes round 11 on Lederman's scorecard, 10-9. Whichever boxer wins round 12 will win the match on my scorecard. A hurt Collazo goes charging in on Berto and falls down with 38 seconds to go in round 12. It is correctly ruled a slip. However, it cost Berto some valuable time to score the knockout he may need, or rack up points in a round that may still be in doubt in some judges' minds in what could be a close match. The action is resumed with 33 seconds to go in the final round. A plethora of Berto power punches earns him round 12 on my scorecard, 10-9, and with that he takes the match, 114-113. Berto takes round 12 on the Lederman scorecard, 10-9, but Collazo takes the match, 115-112. This was a very good match.

This is a very difficult match to score and the judging panel for this match is very inexperienced. The point deduction in round 4 may play a huge factor in this decision. It is taking a long time to add up the scorecards, which usually means there is a problem. The official decision courtesy of "Gentleman" Joe Antonacci is that the judges have scored this match: 116-111, 114-113, 114-113 all for the winner by unanimous decision, still undefeated and still the WBC Welterweight Champion of the World, Andre Berto. That was one of the scariest scorecard readings in a long time, but moves this match into the great category.The 116-111 scorecard seemed to indicate a win by Collazo. Due to the point deduction for holding, it seemed much more likely that Collazo would have won 8 rounds then Berto won 9, because it seems unfathomable that Berto could have won 9 rounds. Thatwould have meant that the point deduction would changed the match from a majority draw to awin for Collazo. However, the point deduction proved to be a non-factor and the judges got the correct decision in end. The win moves Berto to 24-0 with 19 of those wins coming by way of knockout.

The final punchstat numbers have Berto landing 266 of the 682 total punches he threw, for a 39% total connect percentage. Berto landed 203 of the 415 power punches he threw, for an astounding 49% power connect percentage. Collazo landed 222 of the 812 total punches he threw, for a 27% total connect percentage. The vanquished challenger landed 194 of the 602 power punches he threw, for a 32% power connect percentage.

Berto said in his post match interview that he knew he had to win the last round to win the match. The champion said he would love to give Collazo a rematch. HBO would probably love the idea of that rematch. Berto's management would probably not love the idea of a rematch.

Collazo said in his post match interview that he was somewhat gassed at the end of the match. He, of course, wants a rematch.

This was a great performance by Berto. He showed numerous flaws. However, he underwent the first serious test of his professional career and showed a ton of character to pass with flying colors. Berto is still young and has a lot to learn. He probably would be best off boxing at 140 pounds, but until he loses this title there is no reason for him to make the switch. His boxing on the inside was bad at times. Berto got himself in trouble backing straight up which allowed for him to be easily punched. Additionally, he allowed himself to be taken out of his game plan and get caught boxing his opponent's match. Berto was very effective boxing on the outside using his tremendous speed and leading with his jab. When he abandoned that strategy, the match went badly for him. Additionally, Berto has superb conditioning that will serve him against the top level opponents in this weight class. It is unlikely Berto's people will allow an immediate rematch with Collazo. There was talk of matching Berto with Mosley or Zab Judah next. After this performance it is clear that a match up with Mosley would be a bad idea at this time. A match up with Judah should favor Berto. Judah is a small boxer that also belongs at 140 pounds and boxes well enough to lose close matches to all of the best boxers at 147 pounds. After that, Berto can rematch Collazo in what should be a much higher profile match.

Collazo was great in this match. Had Collazo had a little better conditioning, he probably wins. He gave away round 7 torecover his stamina and took portions of other rounds off to save his strength. Berto went hard the entire match and that was the difference. If Collazo is given the immediate rematch, he will face Berto next and give the champion possibly a harder test then he faced tonight. More likely, after losing his third high profile title match Collazo is going to be forced to take on some other opponents before getting another title opportunity. The cut above Collazo's lefteye is going to have him suspended for months. Therefore, Collazo is probably going to come back in a 10-rounder against an easy opponent on ESPN, before maybe facing Berto on HBO this Fall.

The dramatic ending turned this into a great match and something people should go out of their way to see. People should also tune in early to watch HBO try and work the boxing fans. It will be very amusing for pro-wrestling and MMA fans.

News and Notes: Daniel Santos was the top choice to replace Joe Greene and challenge for Sergio Martinez' 154-pound belt on this show. However, Santos said he needed more then 10 days notice. Santos decided with 5 weeks notice he would be ready tochallenge for Martinez' belt aswhat would now bepart of a 3 match HBO Boxing After Dark event on February 14. Except, a few days later Santos determined 5 weeks was not enough time for him to get in shape and pulled out of the match. Sergio Mora was asked to take the match and expected to be in shape, since he is sparring with Antonio Margarito in preparation for Margarito's match next week with Shane Mosley. Unfortunately, Mora said he could not make the 154-pound limit on such short notice and declined the match. Finally, Kermit Cintron has accepted the opportunity to challenge for Martinez' championship in what will now be the main event of that show. Cintron was the mandatory challenger for Joshua Clottey's belt at 147 pounds, but was given substantially more money to pass up his chance at Clottey and face Martinez. Nate Campbell, making a defense of his2 titles at 135 pounds against mandatory IBF contender Ali Funeka, had been the scheduled main event.

HBO has signed a very good undercard match for their February 28 show in Houston, Texas that features Juan Diaz challenging for Juan Manuel Marquez' 135-pound Ring Championship. The Ring's top ranked 126-pounder, Chris John of Indonesia, will make his first title defense in the United States against Houstonian Rocky Juarez.

Amir Khan has signed for a very intriguing next match. Khan is going to face Marco Antonio Barrera in a scheduled 12-round match on March 14 in Manchester, England. There is no announced television for the event in the United States. However, Showtime could look to pick up that match. (Top Rank's Bob Arum says that Showtime will be carrying a show he is putting together out of the Philippines headlined by Nonito Donaire on March 14, but Showtime has not said that.) Khan will have to move up from 130 to 135 pounds for this match. In exchange for this high risk match, if Khan winshe couldbe the mandatory challenger to The Ring Champion at 135 pounds by the end of 2009 or even earlier.

The WBA is officially going to review Nikolai Valuev's controversial title defense over Evander Holyfield on December 20, 2008 in Zurich, Switzerland. The WBA said they are reviewing the highly questionable split decision, because it "always cares about and respects the fans' and the media's opinion." That is boxing kayfabe. It means that they issued the press release saying they were reviewing it and are finished with the matter. For sanctioning bodies,that is all the work theyfeel is necessaryto show "care and respect".

Vitali Klitschko has signed to make his mandatory heavyweight title defense against Juan Carlos Gomez. The details are not finalized, but it will happen sometime in March in Germany. It will probably be televised in the United States. The television coverage for the match has not been announced. Klitschko reportedly waited until the day before he had to take the match to try and talk the WBC into letting him make a title defense against David Haye, before facing Gomez. However, the WBC said they would strip Klitschko of his title if he faced Haye next. Therefore, Haye may get his wish and challenge the Klitschko brother with the questionable chin, Wladimir, for the Olympic gold medalist's titles in the Spring.

Miguel Cotto's part of the split venue-PPV on February 21 featuring himself and Kelly Pavlik both coming back from the first loss of their professional careerhas had a change of venue. Cotto was originally scheduled to box Michael Jennings fora vacant 147-pound title at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. However, Cotto will now be having that same match, but at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Pavlik will still be boxing in his native Youngstown, Ohio. Pavlik has turned into one of the top gate draws in the sport and his part of the PPV sold 5,000 tickets in the first 12 minutes the tickets were on sale. Pavlik will shatter the attendance record for the Chevrolet Center with the sellout crowd of 7,000 fans he brings into the building. (The previous record was 5,500 for a Carrie Underwood concert last summer.) Drawing from the large Puerto Rican population in New York City, Cotto has drawnthe biggest boxing crowds to MSG over the last several years. However, the reason for this odd PPV is that no network would pay to carry Cotto vs. Jennings or Pavlik vs. Marco Antonio Rubio. The thinking was that not enough people would want to watch these matches at home for free. That makes it unlikely this show will do a lot of business on PPV.

Gus Johnson is going to replace Steve Albert as the play-by-play announcer on Showtime Championship Boxing. No reason was given for why Showtime is making the change. Albert has been Showtime's boxing play-by-play announcer, since 1987. Johnson may have some scheduling conflicts between calling matches and his duties at CBS. In those instances, Steve Albert will be brought out of mothballs and returned to the mic.

The deal for Manny Pacquiao to challenge for Ricky Hatton's Ring Championship at 140 pounds is almost finalized. The sides have agreed that the match will be held on May 2, 2009 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. It will be carried live on HBO PPV. The only detail that needs to be worked out is the revenue split. Hatton is offering a 50/50 revenue split. However, Pacquiao wants more then 50% of the revenue. On behalf of Hatton, Golden Boy Promotions then reminds Pacquiao's promoter Top Rank that Hatton will draw more money in that match. It will probably get worked out as the 50/50 split. Regardless, people can safely begin making hotel and airline reservations for the weekend.

This will be the fourth match in 4 weight classes in 14 months for Pacquiao. The winner of Hatton vs. Pacquiao is going togo backto 147 pounds to face the returning Mayweather to determine the undisputed pound-for-pound best boxer in the world on either December 5 or 12 of this year. That match will also be carried live on HBO PPV.

Finally, it appears the sky is not falling for boxing. With Telefutura canceling its weekly 2 hour boxing broadcast, Azteca America is going to start running a weekly 2 hour boxing broadcast. The shows will be broadcast in the United States and Mexico on Friday nights. Additionally, the big Mosley vs. Margarito match next week appears on its way to out-performing expectations at the box office. They are now expecting a complete sellout of over 18,000 paid at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

The next recap will come out January 25 covering the previous night's HBO event featuring Mosley challenging for Margarito's 147-pound championship.

Sincerely,

Jereme Warneck

number1contender.net

Boxing and Video Game Correspondent for f4wonline.com

Hidden Valley Lake, CA

I can be reached for feedback and comments at ZurRoadie@aol.com or as JeremeW on XBOX Live. I read everything.