:boxing: Boxing Bits ::02.23.09:: Pavlik, Cotto Return to Championship Form

Getting back to "Boxing Bits'" regular form, this weekend was one of redemption for Kelly Pavlik and Miguel Cotto following their humiliating losses last year (schooled by Bernard Hopkins, quitting late against Antonio Margarito's onslaught, respectively). In spite of those experiences, which could have been the beginning of a downward spiral in their careers, they appear to have rebounded


:Fri.02.20.09:
Yuriorkis Gamboa KO1 Walter Estrada (Featherweight) [ESPN2]
--Just one look at waifish Estrada before the bout just screamed "short night"...

Breidis Prescott TKO10(DQ) Humberto Toledo (Lightweight) [ESPN2]
--A controlling, but unremarkable, performance by Amir Khan conqueror Prescott against Toledo reached a bizarre, and familiar, climax. The latter was becoming noticeably desperate in the later rounds and in the final round during a clinch, he took a bite into Prescott's shoulder which caused the fight to be stopped. What made the act so pointless and pathetic was that it was not only the last round, but he wasn't being completely blown out, either. If he restrained himself instead of cracking, Toledo could have saved face and lose honorably. Openly cheating or being unsportsmanlike won't exactly win you the fight...


:Sat.02.21.09:
[C] WBC, WBO Middleweight Champion Kelly Pavlik TKO9(RTD) Marco Antonio Rubio [PPV]

[C] (Vacent WBO Welterweight Championship) Miguel Cotto TKO5 Michael Jennings [PPV]

John Duddy UD(10) Matt Vanda (Middleweight) [PPV]


Honorable Mention
:Fri.02.20.09: Erislandy Lara TKO1 Keith Gross (Light Middleweight) [ESPN2]
--Normally I don't list unknown newcomers, especially round-one KOs that are commonly seen at that level, but Lara showed some impressive boxing technique and instinct in his taking down of Gross for such a neophyte. He is a name that, at after only four fights, may bear more attention in the future...