Look no further, Matt Brown is your next challenger

I can't believe I'm about to say this, but I'll always keep it real; especially when it is deserved. With all the arguments as to who deserves to be the number one contender for Johny Hendricks's UFC welterweight champion, the UFC need look no further because Matt Brown is your next challenger.

Now before anyone starts to say I'm playing favorites because of the photo above, let me set the record straight. I started this off by saying, "I can't believe I'm about to say this;" that's because while I was always felt Matt Brown was a talented fighter, I honestly did not think he would ever be good enough to challenge for or even be in contention for a world title.

Second is, I was never really a big Matt Brown fan. When it comes to the photo above, which was taken at the UFC Expo in 2010, he actually came off a bit standoffish at the time. To his defense, there were a lot of people around asking for photos, but truth is I didn't get that feeling from any other fighter that day other than Jon Jones, which is a whole other story unto himself. Nonetheless, unlike Jon Jones, I went ahead and took the photo with Brown because I respected him as a fighter and where he's come from.

Matt 'The Immortal' Brown (19-11, 12 KO's 5 subs) has openly discussed his past struggles with drugs, yet here he is on a seven fight winning streak in the UFC. He's also coming off an exciting and impressive third round knockout victory on Saturday night over talented Erick Silva in the main event of the latest UFC on FOX card. A non-stop back and forth battle, which saw Brown himself in trouble early and often, but in typical Matt Brown fashion he fought through the storm and found his way standing atop of the mountain yet again.

Take a look at that record, do the math and yes it means at one point two and a half years ago Matt Brown was actually an average (12-11); thus my reasoning I never thought he'd be here. Much credit to my friend Noah Hubbs AKA 'Buffalo Blue', an occasional blogger himself; he's been singing Matt Brown's praises for years now and called this streak way back even when Brown was average at best.

In response to anyone who is looking to throw the following names out as legit challengers before Brown, Rory MacDonald, Tyron Woodley, Dong Hyun Kim, Jake Ellenberger or Robbie Lawler, I'm about to quiet those theories. Granted MacDonald is (6-1) in his last seven, but there is a loss there; two fights ago I might add and the one win since he did not look that impressive at all against Demian Maia. Woodley is only 3-2 in his last five, so what are we talking about here.

Dong Hyun Kim is the only one with a legit stand as he's on a four fight win streak, but only (5-2) in his last seven; last time I checked seven straight is better than both those equations. Finally, Ellenberger and Lawler are both coming off losses, so they shouldn't even be discussed. Any way you slice it Matt Brown is your next challenger and the way he fought Saturday night, I would love to see him in a fight against Johny Hendricks. 'Nuff said!

If you could only choose one

One of the most beautiful things about the sport of boxing is its never-ending material for debate. No matter the time period, the place or the person, someone, somewhere at some point always has an opinion. It's part of what makes this sport so special and unique.

As my friend Carla Duran, daughter of legendary cutman 'Stitch' Duran, so eloquently reminded me on Facebook, today marks the infamous seventh anniversary of the tragic passing of former two division world champion Diego 'Chico' Corrales. My thoughts of Corrales always instantly go back to his legendary battle against Jose Luis Castillo in their first of two fights (pictured above). The second fight was nothing to remember as Castillo knocked out Corrales in four, but the first is an all-time classic.

So much so, that I've always asked the following question of notable boxing fans whose opinion I respect. The question has no important relevance to anything other than I always like to see the expression on their faces whenever I ask it; and more importantly, since I could never do it, I've always wondered what people would say if they could only choose one.

The question is this, "If you could only choose one of these four fights as the greatest of all-time, which would it be; Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo I, Alexis Arguello vs. Aaron Pryor I, Arturo Gatto vs. Mickey Ward I or Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Erik Morales I?" If you're a knowledgeable true boxing fan, I can only imagine what's going through your brain at this moment as you try and process what I just asked.

Now before I get bombarded with comments about other great fights that I did not mention, please note that boxing has been around over 100 years. In that rich history there have been many legendary notable fights. However, for the sake of argument I've narrowed it down to these four, which I all witnessed live at the time they happened and are in recent enough memory, with Arguello/Pryor being the oldest at 32 years ago, that most fans could give an honest opinion.

While each one is a legitimate all-time classic in its own right, each one stands on it's own for varying reasons; yet, each have more in common than their differences. They all had so much drama and evoked so much emotion; it is impossible to forget any of them. Granted the brutality in every one of these would have made a great script to any of the ‘Rocky’ movies. However, this was not Hollywood these were for real.

However, the one thing that stands out the most in all of these is the heart of a champion that each one of these eight combatants displayed during their respective bouts. At any point, any one of them could have quit and no one would have questioned why; but they didn't and in doing so left us with an unbelievable respect for each one of them that has lasted long after their careers. In the cases of Corrales, Arguello and Gatti that respect has lasted beyond their lives as each one has died way too young and tragically.

So with that said, I ask again; if you could only choose one, which would it be? For boxing fans, have fun thinking and debating on it. For the casual or non-boxing fan, I implore you to make an effort and YouTube these four legendary battles and see for yourself what I'm talking about. Your viewing will serve as a tribute to these eight great champions who gave us more than just their blood, sweat and tears; they gave us their heart and soul!

Rest in Peace Diego 'Chico' Corrales, Alexis 'El Flaco' (The Thin Man) Arguello and Arturo 'Thunder' Gatti!

A true challenger runs into a master of adjustment

On Saturday night Floyd 'Money' Mayweather, Jr. (46-0, 26 KO's) finally met up with a true challenger instead of another survivor in Argentinian Marcos 'El Chino' Maidana (35-4, 31 KO's). The only problem was Maidana, who came to win, ran into a master of adjustment who keeps solving any punching puzzles thrown his way.

Unlike recent Floyd Mayweather, Jr. fights where there was really no concern going in, there were subtle signs going into Saturday night's affair, that 'Money May' may not be invincible after all. There was a question of his mindset and focus after news that he recently went through a break-up with his fiancee. There was also a concern that the fight itself may be called at the last hour amidst an issue regarding gloves Maidana wanted to wear in the fight. Yet, when it was all said and done, in the end Mayweather continued to do what he does.

At the sound of the opening bell, Maidana showed he was not there to survive as he went straight at Mayweather, forcing him to fight off the ropes and even flat footed when in the center of the ring. A more perfect scenario could not have been laid out for Maidana, whose only real chance was to break down and ultimately catch 'Money May' with one of those bombs he throws. After the first couple of rounds there was no question Maidana was winning.

Alas, as in fights past, Mayweather weathered any storm he's going through, just to come out okay at the end. His defense, which ESPN analyst Teddy Atlas praised and said was his best weapon, was and always is flawless. The fact that he's hard to hit is one thing; but on this night he was getting hit. However he never took a clean shot to the head and body as his arms and gloves took the brunt of the punishment.

On top of that, even when he got caught a bit low on a couple of occasions and obtained a cut over his right eye in the fourth round due to an accidental head butt in the fourth round, he never lost composure. Then again, that's the demeanor of a true master. Instead he went to work and started implementing his game and not even so much boxing on the outside as he could have easily done.

While he was not dumb enough to go toe to toe with a heavy puncher like Maidana; he did stand his ground and begin to throw punches. Beautiful combinations, including a new wrinkle of repeated and hard body shots began to take its toll. Though Maidana was never in any serious trouble, it did slow down his attack and he found it increasingly difficult to catch Mayweather as he did earlier in the fight. Don't get it twisted though, he kept coming.

Ultimately, Mayweather won a majority decision as one judge actually had it even. I had no problem with the decision as I had Junior winning by at least two rounds. Yet, according to social media many people do not agree; which is fine as talks of a rematch were immediately brought up after the fight and considering how competitive Maidana fought, I'm all in. A couple of people I know mentioned Amir Khan as a potential opponent, as he won in the co-main event; but in my opinion Khan is overrated and would be an easy fight for Mayweather.

One final note regarding Saturday night's fight and the issue surrounding the gloves Maidana wanted to wear. Apparently they were a version of Everlast gloves that Mayweather's manager Leonard Ellerbee felt were not padded correctly and the Las Vegas commission agreed. Yet, when the commission said okay to a different pair of Everlast gloves, the Mayweather camp still was not happy.

I've written about this problem in the past and there is a simple solution; both boxers agree to wear the same exact gloves into the ring. There are numerous brands of boxing gloves and all styles. I'm sure there are one pair that both fighters can agree on. The idea that two fighters can come into the ring wearing different gloves, while approved by the commission, is a joke. It is an uneven playing ground and Boxing Hall of Fame analyst Al Bernstein agreed with me wholeheartedly when I posed the question to him before. 'Nuff said!

What does it all mean?

So Manny Pacquaio won a unanimous decision against previously undefeated Timothy Bradley on Saturday night; thus avenging a disputed decision loss to Bradley nearly two years ago. In doing so, he wins his ninth world title in eight divisions. He also quelled any suspicion that the 35-year-old was on the downslide after a couple of setbacks. Yet all that said, what does it all mean?

It is unquestioned that Pacquiao (56-5-2, 38 KO's) is an all-time great and will be a future Hall of Famer someday, but is his legacy questioned and tarnished at all if he never faces the consensus number one pound for pound fighter Floyd 'Money' Mayweather, Jr.? However, it goes both ways. Mayweather, unquestionably the number one fighter in the world, is still undefeated at (45-0, 26 KO's). He too is a multiple title winner in numerous divisions, yet the same can be asked about him. Is his legacy questioned and (or) tarnished without ever fighting Pacquiao?

It is hard to believe that anyone would question anything regarding these two champions. They have both been the top two fighters in the world for numerous years now and both have faced all types of challenges from all comers, except each other. I could care less about who's at fault in that scenario. Ask that question and you'll have a never-ending debate from fans of both about who's to blame.

Truth is, they are both to blame equally. If they really wanted this fight to happen, which it should have already long ago, it could have been done. Beyond the politics of boxing, of which there are a lot, both of these men have the power to make this happen. Why they won't is beyond me? Maybe their legacy, of which I am asking about, is the reason. Only one man can be declared a winner; thus the loser lives with the infamous stigma of being an all-time great, but not the greatest of his era.

So what? Look at the history of boxing and does anyone really care about whom won or lost? It is the battles that took place from combatants at the top of their game that is revered. Is the legendary Wilfredo Gomez no longer regarded as an all-time great, even though he loss via knockout to the late Salvador Sanchez in their epic battle from 1981? Is Marvin Hagler regarded any less for losing a decision to Sugar Ray Leonard in the "Superfight' of '87? Is Oscar De la Hoya, still not considered the Golden Boy champion that he was for losing to Felix Trinidad in their classic meeting of unbeaten 26 year old welterweights back in 1999?

The answer to all these is an emphatic no! All those names are hallowed in the annals of boxing and it should go without saying that so would the names Pacquiao and Mayweather, regardless of who won or lost. Therefore, I say that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. can continue to do what they do and be universally regarded as the top two names in the sport until they decide to hang up the gloves. However, unless they face each other at some point, and hopefully some point before it's too late, because they're already past their prime, the question will always remain, "What does it all mean?"

Daughter's failing heart fuels the heart of a champion

A man who fights and possesses skill is always a threat; but a man who fights with a purpose is virtually unbeatable. Heavyweight contender Steve
'USS' Cunningham is that man. A former two-time cruiserweight world champion, Cunningham fights for much more than glory.

A family man, 37 year old Cunningham has an eight year old beautiful daughter named Kennedy who at first glance looks like any other eight year old. However, if you took a closer look at the TV cameras focusing in on her at ringside by her mother's side in her father's latest fight this past Friday, you could see part of a scar; one that ran from near the top of her chest down into her dress. That's because Kennedy Cunningham was born with a congenital heart defect; one that needs to inevitably corrected by a transplant before it stops beating.

It is with that type of reality that Steve Cunningham forges ahead and does what does. His record (27-6, 12 KO's) is a bit deceiving considering he's fought his last five fights as an undersized heavyweight; or more likely as a blown up cruiserweight. Considering he's 6'3", it's not like he doesn't have the size to be a heavyweight. However, at 206 lbs., which is what he weighed in for his last fight this past weekend against heavy-handed and previously undefeated Amir Mansour (20-1, 15 KO's), who was 25 lbs. heavier, he's definitely a small heavyweight for sure.

So why does a man who has had worldwide success as a cruiserweight and is not that big to fight in the heavyweight division move up to tackle those giants? It's simple mathematics; the cruiserweight division has never drawn much attention, thus that means it doesn't draw much money. However, in the heavyweight division there is money to be made. A successful run there to a potential title shot against Vladimir Klitschko can mean financial security for Cunningham and his family, including a new house to aptly care for his daughter and the eventual transplant she needs.

It is with that purpose that Cunningham (pictured above @ left in his fight against Mansour) got up off the canvas in the sixth round, not once, but twice after Mansour nearly finished him with some bombs. Mansour, who realized he was behind at the time and fighting with his own desperation due to a closing left eye was throwing haymakers with each punch and at one point a left hook to Cunningham's chin nearly decapitated him. Most fighters after that punch would have been down for the count. How Cunningham got up is beyond me?

Yet he did, both times, and survived the round. Renowned trainer Nazim Richardson and his corner did a great job in reviving him and surprisingly he came back in the seventh and won back that round. He avoided any further damage and eventually made up for those falls in the sixth by dropping Mansour himself in the 10th and last round. That knock down solidified his case for a unanimous decision victory.

When asked in his post fight interview, while holding his daughter in his arms, what drives him he emphatically said, "Faith!" It's what he had stitched in the belt line of his trunks and it's what he holds onto to help him deal with his daughter plight. However, in this quest to become a heavyweight world champion, it's his daughter's failing heart that fuels the heart of a champion.

"To me, Stevenson is a piece of sh**!"

Who's the most feared man in boxing? Contrary to popular belief, especially his own, it is not Floyd Mayweather, Jr. It is a man who can take your head off and finish a fight with just one punch. That man is (pictured @ left) WBO light heavyweight champion Sergey 'Krusher' Kovalev.

On Saturday night inside Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, the 'Krusher' lived up to his name as he systematically dismantled previously undefeated, but unheralded Cedric Agnew within seven rounds. For Kovalev (24-0-1, 22 KO's) that is like a bad night because the last time he actually had to go to the seventh round was seven fights ago in December 2011. However, it may have actually been his best performance to date for varying reasons.

First of all, he was fighting a boxer who had an extremely good defense and decent boxing skills. Kovalev showed he was much more than a one trick pony as he took what Agnew gave him and worked around it with his own use of boxing combined with power. Second is he showed that if taken into the second half of the fight, he's in shape to go there with no problem at all. At no point did the Russian destroyer seemed gassed or tired, even though he was throwing non-stop punches throughout.

However, the biggest thing Kovalev showed was he can perform to the same standards, even when faced with adversity. An illegal low blow by Agnew late in the first round dropped the champion to his knees. A head butt in the fourth round gave him a serious cut above his right eye and a shoulder blow from Agnew in the sixth cut him below his left eye. Though uncharted territory, none of this seemed to rattle Kovalev in his quest to get the job done. If anything, it lit a fire underneath him.

Though Agnew showed a seemingly impenetrable defense, Kovalev found an opening. It was to the left side of Agnew's body where Kovalev dropped the challenger with a left hook in the sixth and finished him with a straight job to the body in the seventh. For Kovalev it was his 22nd knockout in 24 victories.

With the WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson sporting a similar record that features 20 KO's in 23 wins, it would seem that the division has a potential light's out, no pun intended, match made in heaven. The last time the light-heavyweight division saw a match-up of heavy hitters like this was 35 years ago in April 1979. That was when Philadelphia's Matthew Saad Muhammad, who had 35 KO's in his 49 victories, knocked out the then WBC champion Marvin Johnson, who himself had 35 KO's in 43 wins, in the eight round of a classic rumble.

Yet though these two indestructible forces should be on a collision course, it won't be happening anytime soon. That is because Stevenson, who has a title defense scheduled in May, has stated he is interested in fighting the "fly in the ointment" IBF champion in this division, 49 year old Bernard Hopkins. All respects due to the future hall of famer, but do we really want to see Hopkins clinching and using his dirty tactics to survive 12 rounds against Stevenson?

We don't and neither does Kovalev, who would love nothing better than the chance to fight Stevenson. He stated in his post fight interview, "This is boxing, I don't care if I lose; it's bound to happen, this is boxing." Refreshing viewpoint from a star in the making, who I've had the pleasure of seeing fight in person three times when he fought here in my hometown at The Sands Casino in Bethlehem, PA. One of those times, my friends and I actually found us on the hotel elevator with Kovalev before one of his fights.

When I confirmed who he was, he acknowledged us and was a genuinely nice guy; he even laughed along with us when we jokingly asked him if he wanted a shot of some Puerto Rican Rum we had in tow. However, don't mistake his kind demeanor for weakness. When asked on Saturday night what he thought about Stevenson not wanting to fight him, he succinctly responded, "I don't want to talk about him. To me, Stevenson is a piece of sh**t!" 'Nuff said.

Changing of the guard; yes and no

There was a changing of the guard, yes and no, during an entertaining boxing card Saturday night at The Sands Events Center in Bethlehem, PA. In one case, the young warrior was too much for the grizzled former champion; while in the other, a close decision loss, the former world champion's experience was just enough to get by.

The main event on Saturday night featured former light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion of the

world 37 year old Tomasz Adamek (49-3, 29 KO's) taking on 29 year old Vyacheslav 'The Czar' Glazkov (17-0-1, 11 KO's); both are pictured above. Meanwhile pictured at right, the featured bout had welterweight contender, Bethlehem's own, Ronald Cruz (20-3, 15 KO's), age 27, taking on former world welterweight and light middleweight champion Kermit 'The Killer' Cintron (35-5-2 (28 KO's). Both bouts went the distance, but were two different stories all together.

In the main event, both Adamek and Glazkov were busy boxing throughout the 12 round affair for the IBF North American heavyweight title, however there was one noticeable difference; Glazkov was beating Adamek to the punch. While Adamek remained busy throughout using his jab and throwing combinations behind it, Glazkov did the same and in the end the difference was noticeable. While Glazkov came away with a noticeable mouse under his left eye, Adamek had the same under his right eye only worse.

By the fourth round Adamek's eye was on it's way to swelling near shut and by the seventh round and each succeeding round in between till the end, the ringside physician and referee were in his corner checking his status. However, the eye was just the worst of it as Glazkov's continuous pressure and non-stop punches in bunches attack were turning Adamek's face into a distorted mess. In the end it was a clear-cut unanimous decision for the Ukranian who now becomes the number two-ranked heavyweight in the world.

There were heavy contingents for both fighters last night as chants in both Polish and Ukranian could be heard ringing throughout the arena the entire fight. However, when it was all over, the pro Glazkov fans were the only ones to be heard rejoicing. Yet, much credit to the pro Adamek Polish crowd in attendance; they stayed and cheered their fighter all the way up until he left the ring. When asked in his post fight interview if he would consider retirement, Adamek said, "I don't know right now. I have to take some time off and think."

Now before the Polish and Ukranian fans were being heard, it was all Puerto Rico in the house as both Cruz and Cintron were not only fighting for national pride, but for eastern Pennsylvania bragging rights as well. Cintron, who is from Reading, PA, only a one-hour drive from Bethlehem had his own crowd of fans who made their way to The Christmas City. However Cruz, the hometown favorite who literally lives about 10 minutes from the ring he fought in, had the majority of Boricuas on his side. This was a big step up in class for Cruz, but right from the start he showed no signs of intimidation.

From speaking to him and his trainer Lemuel 'Indio' Rodriguez before the fight, their game plan was to pressure the former champion. Ronald was going to put his head in Cintron's chest all night and constantly pressure him with body shots and hooks to the head. It sounded like the perfect plan and to Cruz's credit, he executed it, as best he could. There were two problems though.

One problem was Cintron himself; to his credit, unlike in previous bouts, Cintron showed no emotion. He appeared calm throughout the entire fight and worked his way out of Cruz's pressure; well sort of. This is where the other problem for Cruz came in. At no fault of his own, he got stuck with the worst type of referee for the fight and plan he was trying to implement.

Veteran referee Gary Rosato worked the Cintron/Cruz fight and did his job fairly; however therein lies the problem. Every referee has their own style in working fights, Rosato's style is to be quick to jump in and break the clinch, while other's, like Steve Smoger for example, tend to let the fighters work themselves out of the clinch. Rosato's style was a detriment to Cruz all night as every time he worked his way inside Cintron's guard where he wanted to be, the referee would immediately separate them instead of letting them duke it out.

The pro Cruz crowd caught on to this by the third and fourth rounds and could clearly be heard voicing their displeasure with chants of "Let them fight" and "What are you doing" every time Rosato would step in to break the clinch. No excuses, just that the term "Styles make fights" was never more prevalent than in this case. A different style referee may have made the difference between Cruz losing a unanimous 96-94 decision across the board and possibly winning an extra round or two in the judge's eyes, thus changing the outcome.

In the end, both Cintron and Cruz remain contenders, only one is back at the top of the rankings, while the other remains on the outside looking in for now. Cintron was gracious in victory stating in his post fight interview, "Cruz is a tough fighter who would give anyone in the division problems. I told him to keep his head up and keep working because he has a lot of potential."