Promoter Frank Warren has contacted one-time Mike Tyson conqueror and one-time Vitali Klitschko victim, Danny “The Brixton Bomber� Williams (36-5, 29 KOs), who has split two fights with Skelton, and has offered him another shot at “A-Force� Harrison, who Williams met and defeated in a lackluster affair last December.

According to Ant Evans in SecondsOut.com, Williams has been "training like a dog" and his weight is “under 19stone.� One stone equals 14 pounds, so Danny Williams, both a chowhound and fighter at heart, is looking pretty mean and lean at a seemingly semi-svelte 266 pounds. When he fought Skelton the second time he tipped the scales at 21 stone or 294 pounds, so maybe things are looking up for Danny Williams. Read more at the BLOG

First Orlando Salido was detected with traces of steroids running through his body following his win over Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero for the IBF featherweight title on Nov. 4. Then Omar Nino was found to have amphetamines in him following his controversial win over Brian Viloria for the WBC junior flyweight title on Nov. 18.

“What the problem is?” asks the boxing public.

Keith Kizer, executive director for the NSAC, said the two Mexican fighters will face a hearing some time in January 2007.

“Salido tested positive for steroids. We’re waiting for his response,” Kizer said on Wednesday by telephone. “Omar Nino tested positive for amphetamines. He has 20 days to respond.”

Kizer said the Commission tests regularly for anabolic agents, human growth serums, masking agents, diuretics, and other various drugs.

Speaking of steroids, the new Ultimate Fighting Championship policy honcho Marc Ratner, who formerly was executive director for NSAC, said all UFC participants are tested the same as boxers. Although many UFC fighters may look like users, they are all tested and pass the same rigid requirements as boxers. Just for your information.

James Toney and Sam Peter II

It’s official. The second blast off between James “Lights Out” Toney and Nigeria’s Samuel Peter will occur once more, but this time in Hollywood, Florida on Jan. 6.
Dan Goossen, president of Goossen-Tutor Promotions, said attempts to stage the combustible rematch at the Staples Center was hamstrung by the busy sports calendar. Aside from the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers, there is the hockey team to contend with.

“We tried our best to bring it back to the Staples Center,” said Goossen. “At least we got it to Hollywood.”

Goossen said Toney has already started training and promises an even more fit Lights Out and probably a better Peter.

“Both guys have something to prove and have to do better,” Goossen said.


Paul Williams waiting

Paul Williams, who is also promoted by Goossen-Tutor, will be an anxious viewer when Antonio Margarito meets Joshua Clottey on Saturday Dec. 2. The lanky Williams is the number one WBO contender and anxiously awaits a meeting with Margarito.

“It would be a good one,” Goossen said.

Williams needs a high-profile fight but finding a suitable opponent to fit that mold will be hard to find unless someone like IBF titleholder Kermit Cintron steps up. Both Williams and Cintron are in need of a little bit more recognition. They’re both welterweights on the verge of stardom. The winner moves up to a million dollar payday with Margarito.

Elena “Baby Doll” Reid in California

WIBA flyweight titleholder Elena “Baby Doll” Reid who recently captured the world title last August, will be featured against California’s rocket of a fighter Kaliesha West on Dec. 8 at the Florentine Gardens in El Monte.

Reid has become one of the more popular fighters in the world. Her two matches against Germany’s Regina Halmich brought large crowds.

West has quickly become a fan favorite with her stylish boxing technique. Some say she has a lot of Sugar Shane Mosley in her boxing. That can’t be a bad thing.

The fight card staged by All Star Promotions also features Cleotis Pendarvis in a welterweight main event and Oxnard’s Miguel Garcia also makes an appearance on the same card.

For ticket information call (323) 781-4871.

De La Hoya’s cabin for sale

Oscar De La Hoya put up his one-acre Big Bear Lake cabin and compound for sale with a $2.5 million price tag.

The boxer-promoter first bought the property that converted the garage into a boxing gym in 1993 for training purposes but has not used it since preparing for his fight against Bernard Hopkins in 2004. It has three bedrooms loft style and 3,262 square feet of living space. The gated property also has a putting green and security camera system.

De La Hoya first bought the property in 1994 during his first year as a professional boxer. In search for a private training facility, he had been training in a martial arts gym and decided to build his own training center. Since then many other boxers have followed his lead and sought the mountain resort as a training center. The high altitude improves stamina and provides clean air.

The WBC junior middleweight titleholder now lives year-round in Puerto Rico with his wife Millie and son Oscar Jr.

“I love training here in Puerto Rico,” said De La Hoya, who has already begun preparing for his May 5, 2007 bout against Floyd Mayweather Jr. “It’s a great place to train. And I get to see my wife and son every day.”

Willie Pep dies

Boxing great Willie Pep passed away on Thursday Nov. 23 at a resting home. He had been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for several years.

As a boxer Pep is considered one of the greatest masters of the sweet science who ever donned gloves in the ring. He compiled more than 200 wins (230-11-1, 65 KOs) in a career that spanned from 1940 to 1966. Among those he defeated were Chalky Wright, Jackie Wilson, Paddy DeMarco, Sandy Saddler, Harold Dade, and Corona’s Manuel Ortiz. All are in the boxing Hall of Fame.

“He was really a great guy. When we fought he took me around town and showed me a good time,” said the late Fabela Chavez in 2001. “Inside the ring he thumbed me, hit me behind the head and gave me a beating. What a great guy.”

Manfredo challenges Joe Calzaghe

Peter Manfredo Jr. has signed to meet WBO super middleweight titleholder Joe Calzaghe of Wales on March 3, 2007 in Cardiff, Wales. The native of Providence, Rhode Island has emerged from the Contender reality television show to real contender status. He’s now trained by Freddie Roach.

Calzaghe, 34, has been champion since 1997 and defended it successfully 19 times. The undefeated prizefighter shocked the boxing world with a one-sided beating of former titleholder Jeff Lacy last March.

“I’m looking forward to fighting in America,” Calzaghe said during a telephone press conference.

But first he must beat Manfredo who has proved that moving into a heavier weight division has been beneficial to his progress. Since moving to the super middleweight division Manfredo has knocked out two opponents in the third round. Their bout will be fought in Cardiff, Wales.

Amir Khan

British phemon Amir Khan (9-0) makes another appearance on Dec. 9 against France’s Rachid Drilzane (10-3) in a junior welterweight bout in London, England. The former British Olympian has dazzled British fans but what about us? Who can forget his showing in the Greek Olympics in 2004? Hopefully he won’t pull a Joe Calzaghe and make us wait until another 20 years before promoter Frank Warren decides he’s ready. British prizefighters sell out in their homeland but lose credibility if they don’t fight in the U.S. Khan looks like the real deal. Bring him over.

Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell II

If you’re interested in seeing the rematch between Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell in the battle for the UFC light heavyweight title then you better get your tickets soon. The event scheduled for Dec. 30, at the MGM Grand Resort and Casino is nearly sold out. But if you can’t purchase a ticket in time, the much-anticipated event is available on pay-per-view.

“I’m ready to prove that his first victory was a fluke,” said Ortiz during a press conference in Las Vegas. “I’m ready to show him the real Tito Ortiz.”

Liddell, who knocked out Ortiz in their first confrontation several years ago, said he’s ready to repeat the outcome.

“I’m going to knock him out again,” Liddell said.

Mayweather, not quite hearing what Margarito was saying, just nodded at him politely and smiled.

He didn't even know who he was. Worse, he thought he was a fan seeking an autograph.

Eventually, Mayweather pretended to recognize Margarito and gave him one of those "we're men" half-hugs before altogether ignoring him. At the time, there was only one fighter who mattered to Mayweather, and that was De La Hoya.

Seven months later, not much has changed. Mayweather is still infatuated with De La Hoya -- they'll finally fight next May 5. And Margarito is still frustrated and virtually unknown -- locked out of every meaningful fight for no other reason than rotten luck.

Marvin Hagler Syndrome and Antonio Margarito

By Matthew Aguilar

Antonio Margarito's plight can be summed up by an episode that took place on May 6, 2006.

Oscar De La Hoya had just closed Ricardo Mayorga's big mouth, and Floyd Mayweather was holding court at the postfight press conference. "Pretty Boy" was surrounded by a half-dozen media types and fans seeking autographs, when Margarito approached Floyd asking, "Why won't you fight me?"

Mayweather, not quite hearing what Margarito was saying, just nodded at him politely and smiled.

He didn't even know who he was. Worse, he thought he was a fan seeking an autograph.

Eventually, Mayweather pretended to recognize Margarito and gave him one of those "we're men" half-hugs before altogether ignoring him. At the time, there was only one fighter who mattered to Mayweather, and that was De La Hoya.

Seven months later, not much has changed. Mayweather is still infatuated with De La Hoya -- they'll finally fight next May 5. And Margarito is still frustrated and virtually unknown -- locked out of every meaningful fight for no other reason than rotten luck.

Call it the Marvin Hagler syndrome. He's too damn good for the big names to mess with him. And he's not known enough for the big names to mess with him. He's not worth the risk, and the reward ain't enough for the damage his fists are capable of dishing out.

You remember the last time a "name" fighter gave an "unknown" fighter a shot, don't you? Winky Wright boxed Shane Mosley's ears off. Think Mosley is about to make that move again, against a puncher like Margarito?

And Antonio can forget De La Hoya and Mayweather for the next year. Fernando Vargas is done. Wright is a middleweight. Ricky Hatton has moved back down to junior welterweight.

So his only hope for a superfight sometime in Margarito's lifetime may be Miguel Cotto -- that's if Cotto doesn't lose to unbeaten Carlos Quintana in his welterweight debut tonight in Atlantic City. Of course, Margarito has some business to tend to as well -- he meets tough Joshua Clottey in a "stay busy" fight, with his meaningless WBO welterweight title on the line.

Margarito-Cotto would be a classic, one of those throwback Mexican-Puerto Rican wars that harkens memories of Pipino Cuevas-Angel Espada, Julio Cesar Chavez-Edwin Rosario, and Salvador Sanchez-Wilfredo Gomez.

Would Margarito be too big for Cotto? Would Cotto punch too hard for Margarito? The intriguing questions are limitless. Combine that with fierce national pride, and you may have the best boxing atmosphere of the decade.

If you're a boxing fan -- a true, hardcore, honest-too-goodness boxing fan -- you may be looking forward to Margarito-Cotto more than Mayweather-De La Hoya.

Pay-per-view. Big money. Lots of attention. Everything Margarito has dreamed of since bursting onto the scene a few years back with knockouts of Antonio Diaz and Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis.

The winner would then conceivably get Mayweather, provided Mayweather gets by the "Golden Boy."

But everything has to go right tonight. Margarito's opponent is considerably less-difficult than Cotto's. Quintana has the boxing ability and overall skills to not just defeat Cotto, but dominate him.

Not that Clottey is an easy mark. Both men will be tested in this very dangerous precursor.

But, if both come out of Saturday victorious, the drums will start beating for Margarito-Cotto. And, finally, Margarito -- the kid hoping to become the second-most famous boxer from Tijuana - will get his moment.

Then people will know he's not just a fan seeking an autograph.

You remember the last time a "name" fighter gave an "unknown" fighter a shot, don't you? Winky Wright boxed Shane Mosley's ears off. Think Mosley is about to make that move again, against a puncher like Margarito?

And Antonio can forget De La Hoya and Mayweather for the next year. Fernando Vargas is done. Wright is a middleweight. Ricky Hatton has moved back down to junior welterweight.

So his only hope for a superfight sometime in Margarito's lifetime may be Miguel Cotto -- that's if Cotto doesn't lose to unbeaten Carlos Quintana in his welterweight debut tonight in Atlantic City. Of course, Margarito has some business to tend to as well -- he meets tough Joshua Clottey in a "stay busy" fight, with his meaningless WBO welterweight title on the line.

Margarito-Cotto would be a classic, one of those throwback Mexican-Puerto Rican wars that harkens memories of Pipino Cuevas-Angel Espada, Julio Cesar Chavez-Edwin Rosario, and Salvador Sanchez-Wilfredo Gomez.

Would Margarito be too big for Cotto? Would Cotto punch too hard for Margarito? The intriguing questions are limitless. Combine that with fierce national pride, and you may have the best boxing atmosphere of the decade.

If you're a boxing fan -- a true, hardcore, honest-too-goodness boxing fan -- you may be looking forward to Margarito-Cotto more than Mayweather-De La Hoya.

Pay-per-view. Big money. Lots of attention. Everything Margarito has dreamed of since bursting onto the scene a few years back with knockouts of Antonio Diaz and Andrew "Six Heads" Lewis.

The winner would then conceivably get Mayweather, provided Mayweather gets by the "Golden Boy."

But everything has to go right tonight. Margarito's opponent is considerably less-difficult than Cotto's. Quintana has the boxing ability and overall skills to not just defeat Cotto, but dominate him.

Not that Clottey is an easy mark. Both men will be tested in this very dangerous precursor.

But, if both come out of Saturday victorious, the drums will start beating for Margarito-Cotto. And, finally, Margarito -- the kid hoping to become the second-most famous boxer from Tijuana -- will get his moment.

Then people will know he's not just a fan seeking an autograph.

Instead, Ronald prefers to wink at us, assuming the figure of a man who does enough to control and outclass his opponent, safety first boxing acumen his polished gift to those who take the time to spy on his career. Mainly, we sit admiring his pick and stick from-behind-a-high-guard arm punching for all of its point scoring quality. Defensively, Mr. Wright certainly merits an ‘A’ for administrative efficiency of poses, parrying and posturing to be ready to counter with something concertedly measured enough to score, avoiding being lambasted in return. He boxes with an airtight defensiveness forming a ballooning no-go zone, stronger than armor; too bad it sucks the oxygen right out of his fights.

How he accomplishes his affected aggressions dispelling style, or at least the robust intention of balancing danger with opportunity never tempting him unless mandated by fatigue. Mike Trainer, the legal wizard behind Ray Leonard’s storied superbout career, counseled the aging champion that boxing Marvin Hagler into oblivion would NOT be an act of public suicide. “No one will remember how you win, as long as you are the winner.” What Trainer instinctive and intellectually understood was that Leonard’s entire career had already set in stone the image of Leonard the Brave, Leonard the Warrior King; the Palmer Park, Maryland superstar had already waged enough wars of aggression, all he had to do was get by Hagler, by any means necessary. Some ring encounters are about outcome and some are about method.

True, Wright has battled more than we tend to give him credit for. No doubt in the final rounds against Simon, Vargas, Mosley and even Sam Soliman, Wright dipped into the well for something elementary, necessary. And yet caricatures are made of outlines, indelibly filling in for our understanding. To most fight fans the figure of Wright remains stiffened, hands exaggerating defensive readiness, the right jab splitting opponents’ shielding, inside combinations so compacted and short, they almost seem to pull up just at impact. It’s difficult to imagine “Winky” swinging for the knockout blow, opening up Morales-like at the end of a round to punctuate advantages gained, unless he’s in perfect position, balance correcting the angles minimized for insurance purposes.

Who else but Wright would utter, “I’m going to do what ever it takes for him not to win.” Even in his attempts to assert his certainty -- fighting at middleweight against Quartey’s untested 160 lb. audacity -- Wright invokes the negative. He’ll do what ever he must to make sure Quartey cannot do what ever it is he still does best? But we all know better; we know “Winky.” We know how he opens his accounts with his right lead, the jab to the head in multiples, stepping back, shielding himself at all costs, trying to frustrate and minimize looking for tiny advantages that add up and become apparent as dominance of the passing of rounds well boxed, slight openings hit, counters detonated with the intent to blunt and belittle, in this case Quartey’s, ambitions. At 35, Wright has become an expert at his crafted, left handed art of contouring small gains, repeating patterns that drain the daring and defiance out of opponents. He’s a boxer with the conviction to fight a smart fight, employing techniques to degrade his opponents, “and being ‘Winky’ Wright… that’s what I do… that’s how I dominate” he has told us often enough.

And how do you open up against the fortress mentality of Wright’s boxing? Quartey himself has been known to pose and preen, contenting himself with jabbing and looking for massive right hand counters that arch so high they seem to unfold in flight as telegrams from the heart of darkness itself. How would the Quartey right ever catch Ronald Wright unaware? Ronald winks, grinning at the very suggestion – ridiculous.

This week’s hometown fighter thinks that Quartey is attempting to punch far above himself, his unregistered ‘win’ over Vernon Forrest -- an official loss -- seeming to Wright a taunt, bluster made to come out as a bluff. Throwing all one’s reserves into the forward area is a dangerous game against Wright who quietly prides himself on a kind of floating, shifting invulnerability. In Wright’s mind he’s never yet lost a fight that’s come down to a battle of patience. Basically, he feels undefeated; a true monarch of the ring denied the throne too many times. So, in the calculations that fighters make up adding emotional fuel to the fires of ambition, then Quartey must pay; he’s next.

After all, there is still a crown to be won. All fighters think of titles as crowns, fights as opportunities, money as proof and glory as justice.

Too bad for “Winky,” in all those earlier campaigns for title belts he never took upon himself the notion of winning or losing with glory, fighting with the sheer purpose of gambling on the outcome, risking dramatic dangers endured. That’s why he’s the latest ring talent who passes through the sporting landscape of his time a faceless marvel. Ronald “Winky” Wright, a wondrous fighter of championship rounds, an unknown quantity beyond the hardcore boxing fan who knows, in his heart, he’s a king walking unadorned among us.

Patrick Kehoe may be reached at pkehoe@telus.net

But it’s not a perfect world. Ask Don Larsen, the imperfect man who pitched a perfect game.

Or, better yet, ask Zab Judah and Carlos Baldomir.

With the best of intentions and all eyes on grander paydays, Antonio Margarito defends his WBO welterweight title against Joshua Clottey and then Miguel Cotto fights fellow Puerto Rican Carlos Quintana for the vacant WBA welterweight title. It takes place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Showtime will deliver it to your living room if you can’t make it to the shore.

A welterweight unification match between Cotto and Margarito sounds nice for Madison Square Garden on June 9, which is the night before the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. But let’s just pencil in that date for now. Why? Well, can you really trust an unbeaten southpaw? That would be Carlos Quintana. He has scored 18 knockouts in 23 wins and is tired of fighting in Cotto’s lengthy shadow.

“I am undefeated and on Dec. 2 I will still be undefeated and everybody in the world will know who I am,” said Quintana.

There are a bunch of people in Bob Arum’s suite right now hoping you are wrong.

Picking fights is a tricky business, for bookmakers or matchmakers. In this case, they both like the favorites, but for entirely different reasons. Well, not really, it all comes down to money. But the Benjamins can’t help you inside the ring -- unless you are channeling Benny Leonard.

Inside the ring, it comes down to talent and desire. Here’s what to think about if you were a betting man, or simply a man who’d like to visit Madison Square Garden on June 9.

Cotto vs. Quintana. Quintana, a southpaw, has slight advantages in height and reach and has been a welterweight his entire career. Both fighters have extensive amateur backgrounds. Cotto represented Puerto Rico in the 2000 Olympics and Quintana made the 1996 team, but an arm injury prevented him from competing in Atlanta. These guys have been fighting since they were kids, so nothing will surprise them when the bell rings.

Quintana is quick and relies on a busy right jab. He’s fluid and, like a lot of southpaws these days, has good lateral movement. Remember, it was southpaw DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley, who gave Cotto a hard time before relenting under the pressure.

Quintana’s power numbers are impressive until you ask the question, who has he fought? This fight represents a huge step up in competition for Quintana, it’s a far greater leap than Cotto’s seven-pound journey into the welterweight division. But when you knock out 18 of 23 opponents, you can hurt people. And Cotto’s chin, always under scrutiny, will be tested this time against a true 147-pounder.

Wait a minute. Weight. It can be overrated, especially for a guy who walks around at 170 pounds between fights. The transition to welterweight is natural for Cotto. He now has seven extra pounds that he did not have to weaken himself by sweating them off. By all accounts, he’ll be stronger, fresher and better at 147.

“Sometimes when you work so hard to make the weight, you do not feel like you are going to have as much left for a fight, and you do have to fight in spurts,” said Cotto. “You have to rest a little, pick and choose when you want to fight. At 147, I will not need to do that. I feel good working at this weight and think it is really going to help me.”

Cotto’s power numbers are the real thing. He’s a Julio Cesar Chavez-type banger with an impressive left hook to the body. It’s clearly his fight to lose. Cotto says he’s been dreaming of this moment. But few people heard of Ricardo Torres and that almost turned into a nightmare.

Margarito vs. Clottey. Margarito is the welterweight no one seemingly wants to fight. Why? He’s got power, he’s got stamina, he’s a finisher and he’s got a chip on his shoulder.  Margarito has long been the man many people wanted to see in the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. The bout hasn’t happened for a variety of reasons and with Pretty Boy now talking retirement, it may never happen. But remember this, the next exciting, competitive fight you see Mayweather in will be the first. Not so for Margarito. He doesn’t know how to make a bad fight.

Nor does Clottey. This tidbit was buried in a press release: "Clottey is a member of the Ga tribe, a tribe of Ghanian warriors that includes Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey and Ben Tackie." Clottey is hoping to establish his own identity at Margarito's expense.

Interestingly, Margarito’s Achilles heel is speed and boxing ability, everything Mayweather possesses, but not necessarily Clottey’s biggest assets. In Clottey, Margarito will see a mirror image of himself. Both are physically strong and like to move forward. It’s going to be the kind of fight people will remember. Until they see Margarito against Cotto.

Much has been made of Margarito’s sprained ankle. Forget it. These two will be fighting in a phone booth. Apply crazy glue to the soles of their boxing shoes, plant them in the center of the ring and they’ll be fine.

“He is expecting a war,” said Margarito, of Clottey. “I will give him a war so he should be ready.”

Countered Clottey: “I am not going into this fight to lose, I am going to do everything to win. I want Margarito to stand and fight so we can show everyone who is the best.”

In this game, words count for very little. Unless, of course, you are A.J. Liebling, who word-for-word, if not, pound-for-pound, was the best to cover the sport. This is a night of boxing that would certainly whet Liebling’s appetite. Lest we forget, Liebling was also a food critic and had a healthy appetite.

The question is, has Cotto, Margarito or Arum bitten off more than they can chew? It wouldn’t be the first time it’s happened in boxing. From Jim Braddock to Buster Douglas, the next big upset is always just a punch away.

In sports, sometimes you get the two best teams playing on the final day of the season. Then, sometimes you get the Cardinals and the Tigers and a pitcher using pine tar.

The feeling in this corner is that, come June 9, in New York City, we’ll get Cotto against Margarito. That’s the way it should be.

Never been a big fan of Miguel Cotto. He stands in front of you and seems so easy to hit. Over time, though, he's earned my respect for his sheer toughness and ability to break an opponent down. The way he methodically beat up Paulie Malignaggi was almost disturbing to watch. That being said, and having seen Quintana only once, I like Quintana to upset Cotto. I think he possesses the toughness and boxing skills to frustrate Cotto, and I see him winning a very close decision. I think Margarito may have too much firepower for Clottey in a fun-to-watch fight that will end in the ninth round with Margarito winning by TKO.
Mitch Abramson

Cotto has been flirting with disaster for a couple years now, and that may or may not be because he has been struggling to make 140 pounds. But, in Quintana, he's fighting a full-fledged welterweight with above-average boxing skills and a sturdy chin. Cotto has had his fair share of troubles with boxers (DeMarcus Corley, Paul Malignaggi), and Quintana is bigger and better than both. Cotto's punch won't bail him out this time. Upset! Quintana by split decision.
Matthew Aguilar

The House of Gatti is a fitting venue for this Saturday’s slugfests. In the opener, my heart will be with fellow Bronxite Joshua Clottey, but my money is on Antonio Margarito. Margarito has not lost at welterweight in more than a decade, and has never been stopped. Both champion and challenger share the aggressive style and toughness to make their match a thriller, but Margarito’s experience at the championship level will spell the difference. Margarito retains his WBO title with a hard-fought decision. The all-Puerto Rican battle for the vacant WBA welterweight title should be equally exciting. Miguel Cotto will carry his power with him as he moves up to welterweight, but he will also bring his suspect chin. Cotto was down and almost out against Ricardo Torres last time he fought at Boardwalk Hall, and was badly hurt by DeMarcus Corley, who is not known for his punching power. Cotto showed tremendous heart in coming back each time to knock out his opponent, but against a 147-pounder, his big heart may not be enough to compensate for his susceptible chin. Undefeated southpaw Carlos Quintana, though relatively unknown, has faced credible opposition, and significantly, has made his career at 147 pounds. Look for Quintana, 23-0 with 18 knockouts, to test Cotto’s chin and then finish the job. Quintana beats Cotto by knockout.
David Berlin

Cotto appears to have the better form, having mixed it a better class of fighters but is moving up a weight. Quintana's record, in contrast, doesn't have the same ripeness of competition. Cotto by decision or late stoppage.
Peter M. Carvill

I'm taking Margarito to win this fight by late TKO. Clottey is extremely tough but takes a lot of shots. Margarito will be too strong for Clottey … Cotto vs. Quintana is a tough fight to pick. I want to immediately pick Cotto but Quintana's win over Joel Julio was such a masterpiece that I wouldn't be surprised if he spoiled the evening for Cotto fans. My official pick is Cotto by a close decision. The only sure bet is that Saturday will be a pretty good night of boxing.
Ralph Gonzalez

How about a parlay of the underdogs? If the fight were at 140 we'd like Cotto, but it's not. In viewing the two of them side by side earlier this week it was apparent that Quintana is the larger of the two unbeaten fighters, and hence more likely to be comfortable at the weight. In a big fight you usually want your guy to use his head, but in Clottey's case that would be a mistake. The only two blemishes on the Ghanaian's record -- a DQ loss and a technical draw -- were the result of head-butts, initiated by him. If he can keep the referee off his back he has a chance against Margarito, who still seems to be thinking more about Mayweather and De La Hoya and even Cotto than about Clottey, a dangerous sign.
George Kimball

Cotto has shown himself to be vulnerable at the lighter weight, so he is taking a big chance against Quintana who is a natural welterweight. But I believe the extra weight will make Cotto stronger and he should win a close, hard-fought decision against the always dangerous Quintana … Because of all the hoopla regarding his failed attempts to get Floyd Mayweather in the ring with him, Margarito wants to prove to the world that he would be a formidable foe for the reluctant warrior (Mayweather). Although Clottey is a rough customer, Margarito will be on a mission and will stop him around the eighth round.
Robert Mladinich

Miguel Cotto needs to win big and set in motion the dynamics of a career that has the look of something interesting in the short term future and to do that he needs Saturday night to be one of those big nights when he makes a statement. How about a left hook all the way from Caguas, Puerto Rico, airmail, special delivery? I am picking Cotto to beat Quintana, but can he grab our attention again? Margarito will do what Margarito does, ply his trade and punish. He's looking more and more like the Mike McCallum of his generation. Right now he's got Clottey to dismantle with his signature stylings and I expect him to stay focused and do it. What we all want from Margarito is a post-fight short list of who he feels is AWOH – Absent With Out Honor – in the championship ranks.
Patrick Kehoe

Joshua Clottey’s flashy -- every eye’s on him in the gym. Can’t-miss written all over him: blazing hand speed, power from both sides, an arsenal deeper than Santa’s toy bag, and reflexes so quick he slips punches for sport.  So far he’s made foils of every opponent. I expect the same against Antonio Margarito for four or five rounds, but Antonio’s intensity will reveal the chink in Clottey’s armor: the intangible, who wants it more.  I expect Margarito to grind Clottey down, win a unanimous decision and prove all that glitters is not gold  … Carlos Quintana, expected to be road kill for Colombian enfant  terrible, Joel Julia, schooled the youngster with ease, sending him back to the minors for seasoning. Quintana never choked under the microscope – seized the opportunity.  He’s no patsy; he’s a confident, undefeated slickster with cojones, and a stiff enough straight left to keep Cotto honest, but it won’t be enough. Cotto’s too sound. Even stung, he doesn’t un-glue -- uses his legs till he fires back to the head and body with the grouping of a marksman. He should do that with enough brio and precision to get a unanimous decision.
Joe Rein

This may possibly be the toughest fight of Miguel Cotto’s career, but in the end, he will add a welterweight title to his list of achievements. Cotto by TKO … Joshua Clottey has been impressive in his last several bouts, but he will face his toughest competition yet in Antonio Margarito. Clottey will be Margarito’s seventh successful title defense. Margarito by TKO.
Aaron Tallent

Both headliners in Atlantic City have shown vulnerability, so fans could be in for some surprises. Besides looking very good against Joel Julio I don't know enough about Quintana to merit comment on anything besides Cotto's obvious current edge in star power. Top Rank's matchmaking is usually as solid as it gets, so unless there's a miscue it doesn't seem likely they'd risk tripping up a potential cash cow. Margarito may be avoided by top fighters, but to me that still looks more financially based (the name of the real game) than from fear. Projecting with no first hand injury information, Margarito seems like a lock (see previous matchmaking factor). Margarito may fall to injury, but it doesn’t seem likely Clottey is the opponent to cause it. There’s no classic marquee match-up here on paper but this looks like a great weekend of boxing shows. Let’s always hope for the best, and thanks again to everyone who adds their own observations.
Phil Woolever

Both these guys are coming off questionable decisions in which they both thought they were robbed (I agree). That doesn't mean anything other than the fact that they might not want to see it go to the judges, and they might be less likely to sit on what they think is a lead. Still, I gotta go with Winky by decision. He's just too slick for Quartey, and he's fighting at home for the first time in almost 15 years.
Rick Folstad

Ike Quartey will do his best to try and get Winky Wright to exchange bombs, but Wright will have none of it. Wright will land lots of leather on his way to winning a unanimous decision.
Randy Gordon

Winky unanimous decision over Quartey. His awesome defense and tactical skills will outclass Quartey.
Amy Green

When Quartey fought Vernon Forrest back in August, Lou DiBella sold the fight by predicting that the loser would have no future in the sport. Even at 37, Quartey could still beat a lot of junior middleweights, but Winky Wright isn't one of them. The fact that he's taking this fight at all, especially in St. Pete, suggests that Ike is looking for one more payday. Winky oughta walk right through him.
George Kimball

Winky will be too big and strong for Quartey and probably be content to work from the outside all night. Quartey, at 160 pounds, does not have the power to dent Wright's beard. And at age 37, who knows how much Ike has left in the tank? Winky should win about 9-10 rounds and cruise to a unanimous decision.
Evan Korn

I like Ike but Ike is past his prime and fighting above his ideal weight. Winky fights a little like Floyd Mayweather in that his style is hit and not get hit but his chances of a knockout are lower the PBF. Ike probably isn’t going to catch Winky with one solid shot that puts him down and out and the odds are he’s not going to win via decision. Winky is a natural middleweight, Ike is not. Ike is past his prime, Winky is not. Therefore, it would make my day to see Ike get the W, but I’m going to go out on a limb and instead of choosing Winky via decision as seems to be the consensus, Winky via TKO round 10.
Scott Mallon

Against top-flight competition, Quartey always does just enough to lose with dignity. By the third round, you'll see all there is to see in this fight. Although aggressive, Quartey's speed or style never deviates. The normally tactical Wright will cruise to a dull, predictable one-sided decision. Wright W 12        
Robert Mladinich

Wright is still near the top of his game, while Quartey is far from the top of game. Wright wins late.
Ed Schuyler

The only way Winky Wright will lose this bout is if his frustration over getting a rematch becomes too distracting. That is not likely. Wright by unanimous decision.
Aaron Tallent

Two proven topnotch fighters here, but Quartey has seen better days, and quite likely the best of his comeback. Wright may have yet to peak. If Winky isn't still pissed off about the Taylor draw he might let Quartey slide a bit, out of rumbling roots respect, but IF Wright looks to make a statement ol' Ike will be fortunate to make it to the final bell.
Phil Woolever

But in boxing, if a dude has an off night, then it’s just lethal.

It’s that much harder to predict an outcome when the fighters in a bout are 37 and 35 years old, as Ike Quartey and Winky Wright will be when they step in to the ring in Tampa on Saturday evening.

Perhaps Wright will finally look his age, and his reflexes, so instrumental to his status as a defensive wizard, will have declined enough for his foe to make some inroads where men like Jermain Taylor, Tito Trinidad and Shane Mosley haven’t been able to.

Perhaps Quartey will be a shadow of his former self, more BB gun than Bazooka, when he gloves up on Saturday. This will be, after all, his fifth fight since he began his comeback in 2005, after walking away from the game following his loss to Fernando Vargas in April 2000. He’s looked pretty good for a senior citizen, but will Saturday be the day when his body rebels, and his brain joins the rebellion and lobbies to leave the ring for good, and return to Ghana?

Larry Merchant, the HBO wordsmith, has a label for the Wright/Quartey fight, which can be seen on the cable station with a broadcast starting at 9:45 PM Eastern (with a super middle scrap between Jeff Lacy and Vitali Tsypko kicking things off). “This is a fight between two angry old men,” he says.

I asked Merchant earlier this week which ‘dog, among Quartey or Kassim Ouma, he thinks has the better shot at the upset. The six-decade student of the game said he thinks Ouma has a better shot at upsetting the applecart than Quartey does, seeing as how Wright is clearly established at 160 pounds, while Quartey’s glory days were spent toiling at 147 (he owned the WBA welter title from 1994-1997).

The other half of the dynamic HBO duo, Jim Lampley, sees Saturday as a hard slog for Quartey.

“It will be very difficult for him,” Lampley told TSS. “He’s a smaller power fighter who’s got to win by doing physical damage. He’d probably have had a better chance at 154 than 160 with the combination of Winky’s defense and the size differential making it difficult for him to rip Winky up. At the end of the day, if Winky’s in shape and there’s nothing unusual there then it’s hard to see how Quartey can get a style situation to accommodate him.”

I tossed a high, hard one at Lampley, and I must say, he turned on it and belted it up the middle. If you weren’t a member of the HBO crew, which show would you watch live and which show would you DVR?

“Winky has the most at stake, defending his pound for pound rank,” Lampley said. “Cotto and Margarito on Showtime are both exciting, so it’s a very, very close call. But given that I am who I am, I’ll say I would watch Winky live and DVR the other, and be good to go. But I would be very excited when I switched over to the other show because I think there’s going to be some terrific action.”

SPEEDBAG Merchant agreed with me that it was a noticeably savvy, classy move that fight fans didn’t holler and harrumph when Morales, with his eyes still reasonably clear, sat on his butt on the canvas after Hurricane Manny crashed down on him. Astute fight fans know how much Morales has given them, and would dare to even imply that there’s even the scent of dog in the guy. He was beaten,he knew it and fight fans saw that if he stood up he’d only be elongating the assault. Hats off to you, fight fans…

***More Merchant for your money…I was chatting with Merchant about the state of the heavyweights, and he said that eventually again, there’d be a heavyweight champion of note, someone to excite the masses and there’d be a Hispanic heavy for us to fall in love with in the not-too-distant future. How distant, I wondered. “Will we be alive to see it Larry?” I asked. “Well,” he said, “I suspect you will be alive to see it, but I may not.” Priceless.

***Word out of Tampa is that Jeff Lacy, age 29, has been bored with training at times, and is generally pissed off with the world. He hasn’t been cooperating with the press or photogs, had that acrimonious split with Gary Shaw…do you smell the making of an upset here? Trainer Dan Birmingham hopes Lacy’s state of dissatisfaction, which emerged after his dismantling at the hands of Calzaghe in March (doesn’t it seem longer than that?) will result in the boxer taking his ire out on his foe, the 17-1 Tsypko. Perhaps we shouldn’t think an upset is in the cards; Lacy and Tsypko stepped in against each other already, in 2004, but that fight didn’t get out of the second round due to a Tsypko cut caused by a butt. Presumably, Team Lacy knows exactly what Tsypko is, and isn’t. BTW, Tsypko is a native of the Ukraine—it isn’t only heavyweights who are products of these emerging fistic markets…

***Paulie the Mouth Malignaggi isn’t taking a gimme in his first fight back since Cotto bested him in June and put him on the shelf for a few months—21-4-2 Bahamian Edner Cherry is really, really active, with sneaky hands. This one’s a 50-50 proposition to me. Good for Paulie for coming back tough…

***APB goes out for: Zab Judah…Tony Thompson…

***Team Mesi has been quiet, huh? Haven’t heard from them since Joe Mesi fought another comebacker in Michigan in September. Turns out that Joe’s dad/manager Jack is still plotting a comeback course. Joe may fight in 2006, but more likely he’ll start again in the New Year. After one or two more fights, the elder Mesi told me, they’ll re-apply for a boxing license in NY, where Mesi is banned from fighting after suffering tiny brain bleeds in 2004. Jack Mesi has no love for the New York State Atletic Commish, which banned his boy, and Evander Holyfield after Real Deal looked shot in a November 2003 NY outing. “They were wrong on both counts,” he says. Stay tuned for some legal slugging…

***Portent of Doom Dept? Winky Wright fielded three questions on his ESPN.com chat on Thursday, then the moderator cut in and said there were some tech difficulties, and then he cancelled the chat because of tech woes…

***And regarding Saturday, with dueling shows on HBO and Showtime, I get on my knees and thank God for his best invention in the last 4,000 or so years, the DVR. What are you guys going to do—-which show do you watch, and which do you tape?

Margarito (33-4, 24 KOs) has been on every welterweight’s do-not-fight list while Cotto has been on everyone’s hit list, and now the two showcase their fistic talent at the Boardwalk Hall on Saturday Dec. 2 to set the stage for their own collision next year. The duo’s contests will be televised by Showtime.

Like a plague, Margarito has slowly emerged to the top of the heap in the 147-pound welterweight division and has scared off almost everyone.

But two weeks ago the Tijuana-based fighter, while sparring in a South El Monte gym, sprained his ankle and collapsed with a scream of pain. Now he faces a rugged and hungry opponent in Joshua Clottey whose biggest opportunity lies in front of him like a dangling piece of steak.

“I respect Margarito a lot. I love the way he fights. It is the way I fight,” Clottey (29-1, 18 KOs) said by telephone. “We all know that only the strong survive.”

Amid the roulette wheels, crap tables and poker players in the East Coast gambling city, Margarito is gambling that his right ankle will hold up in a 12-round world title fight.

“At the time that it happened I was really afraid I was not going to be able to fight,” said Margarito about his sparring injury to his right ankle. “But everything worked out nicely. I will be 100% on Dec. 2.”

Cotto (27-0, 22 KOs) has his own gamble going. The Puerto Rican standout has evacuated from the comfortable confines of the 140-pound junior welterweight limit to move into the heavier division where the likes of not only Margarito roam, but blockbusting fighters such as Kermit Cintron, Paul Williams, Floyd Mayweather and even Shane Mosley inhabit.

But first Cotto faces fellow Puerto Rican Carlos Quintana (23-0, 18 KOs) for the vacant WBA welterweight title.

Top Rank, which promotes both Margarito and Cotto, hopes that the Mexican and Puerto Rican Cotto are victorious and can then fight each other perhaps in June on Puerto Rican day in New York.

“That’s our intention,” said Bob Arum, president of Top Rank.

Like Margarito, Cotto faces an enormous gamble that those punches that shook him in the lighter junior welterweight division will bounce off him like Teflon in the welterweight level. It’s a big risk.

“I think it will be much better at this weight,” Cotto said during a telephone press conference call. “I think you’re going to see the difference in the fight.”

Facing him is fellow “Boricua” Quintana, a left-hander with slick moves and sneaky power that has enabled him to stop 18 of 23 opponents. The Puerto Rican from Moca has been one of those prizefighters that fly below the radar of the elite but not because of a lack of skill. His victory over the favored Joel Julio in Las Vegas last June shocked many with his convincing victory. Now he faces the favored Cotto.

“When I beat him (Cotto) it will be probably because of my quality as a boxer. Not because he is moving up to welterweight,” said Quintana with a quiet confidence. “Hopefully I’ll get the same exposure as he has been getting after I win.”

Quintana uses his left jab and moves in and out like a human mongoose. When he fights Cotto it will be mongoose versus the cobra.

“That is why I have been training and sparring a lot of rounds against left-handers,” Cotto says. “You just prepare yourself for them so there will be no difficulties.”

Against DeMarcus Corley almost two years ago, a junior welterweight southpaw, Cotto was nearly knocked out with a left hand. It was the first time anyone had seen Cotto hurt or dazed.

Lefties have that X-factor whenever they fight.

Both Cotto and Margarito are basically at the roulette wheel hoping the little marble hits black. It’s 50-50 for both.

“We have confidence in both of them,” Arum said.

Winky Wright

Speaking of lefties, several hundred miles south in Florida, Winky Wright engages Ghana’s Ike Quartey in a 12-round non-title middleweight bout. The contest will be televised on HBO.

Wright, who is considered by many as the best fighter pound-for-pound in the world, has campaigned like a Presidential candidate for years of his ability. Until he beat Mosley twice, few took him seriously.

“Thanks to Shane people know who I am,” said Wright while training in Las Vegas. “He gave me my opportunity or people would still not know who I am.”

After Mosley came the dreaded Felix Trinidad. Wright embarrassed him over 12 rounds in front of a worldwide audience. Trinidad retired.

“I told everybody that I could beat him,” Wright explained. “He’s a good fighter but I can box and I can fight.”

Last June against middleweight world champion Jermain Taylor the world got a glimpse of Wright’s talent. For 12 rounds they fought on even terms. It ended in a draw that saw both sides claiming victory.

“Every time I hit him I moved him. He didn’t move me,” Wright said. “Jermain is good but he don’t want to fight me again.”

Now Wright faces a Quartey fighter who fights in a similar jab and block style.

“I’m much stronger than he is,” Wright says.

Dan Birmingham, who trains Wright, said Quartey is no pushover.

“He’s got a lot left,” Birmingham said of Quartey.

Another fighter who has a lot left is Jeff Lacy who is also trained by Birmingham. Lacy faces Vitaly Tsypko again. Their fight in 2004 ended in a no-contest because of a cut suffered by the Ukrainian during an accidental clash of heads.

The heavy-handed Lacy returns to the ring since losing to Joe Calzaghe last March in Great Britain.

“We’ve been working on a lot of things,” Birmingham said. “Jeff is ready.”

Fights on television

Fri. Telefutura, 8 p.m., Ricardo Castillo (27-2) vs. Takalani Ndlovu (26-3).

Fri. Showtime, 11 p.m., Timothy Bradley (16-0) vs. Jaime Rangel (30-9-1).

Sat. HBO, 6:45 p.m., Winky Wright (50-3-1) vs. Ike Quartey (37-3-1).

Sat. Showtime, 9 p.m., Antonio Margarito (33-4) vs. Joshua Clottey (29-1).

“He was working the distance between us really well. He turned it into a very demanding fight,” remembers Vazquez. Even to the biggest Vazquez fan it looked like the fight was over after Gonzalez dropped “El Magnifico” the second time. Vazquez kept his composure under fire and managed to step up the action. “Even after the second knockdown, I knew I still had a chance,” Vazquez said. “I felt that after the fifth round I was getting closer to my target.”

Vazquez’s thrilling comeback against Gonzalez was the kind that builds legendary fighters. His busted up face showed the damage that Jhonny’s powerful fists had enacted. Between his eyes, swollen muscle matter and tissue made him look like he’d survived an attack by a swarm of Africanized bees. “His jab was incredible. Believe it or not it was his jab that did most of the damage,” Vazquez said.

The tide changed during the seventh round as Gonzalez, who had set an extremely fast pace, was tiring. “Jhonny was fighting the perfect fight. He was working the jab with precision and throwing a lot of punches. I thought that eventually he’d tire out and that’s when Israel would have his best chance,” related Vazquez’s manager Frank Espinoza. “I never lost hope. After the second knockdown I knew we were far behind but Israel showed why he’s a champion.”

Vazquez came out for the seventh round more determined than ever. A straight right caught Gonzalez and crumbled him to the canvas. Gonzalez took the count, got up and fought on to finish the round. “I knew he was in trouble at that point. I felt this was going to end soon,” Vazquez said.

Israel surveyed Jhonny across the ring before the tenth round. “I noticed he was tired, bloody and seemed hurt. I felt like I was getting in close where I wanted to be,” Vazquez said. After a strong start by Gonzalez, Vazquez landed a powerful left hook followed by a right that took out Gonzalez’s legs for the final time in one of the year’s most dramatic moments. Gonzalez’s corner stopped the fight as the wounded warrior sat on the canvas looking like a beaten man. Gonzalez’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, was watching closely from front row. His expression after Vazquez dropped Gonzalez said it all. It was a look of disbelief. “Jhonny is a great fighter. I felt my conditioning was superb and that’s why I was able to recover from the two knockdowns.” Vazquez said. The fight was voted “fight of the year” by the World Boxing Hall of Fame and brought Vazquez some newfound recognition. “That was a big honor for both Jhonny and me. I’m very proud of that fight and everything we’ve accomplished in the last few years.”

Vazquez’s career has surged tremendously during the past two years with spectacular wins over top competition like Oscar Larios and Gonzalez. Yet Vazquez doesn’t feel like resting on his laurels. The ambitious twenty-eight-year-old plans to take his career to a new level. “The goal is to move up to featherweight and win a second world title,” Vazquez said from his home in Los Angeles. “Eventually I’d like to move up to super featherweight. My long term goal is to win a third world title.”

Espinoza, who’s managed Vazquez for eight of his eleven years as a professional, welcomes the idea. “I think Israel has proven himself to be the best among the Super Bantamweights. He’s always expressed the desire to make history by winning three world titles in three different divisions and this would be the first step.”

Vazquez assures it’s not a weight issue. “I have no trouble making 122. I just feel the need to prove that I can succeed among the featherweights. This is a personal goal for me. It’s hard to stand out when you’re a Mexican fighter because we have so many great champions. The only way to stand out is to try and make history.”

There’s been talk that Vazquez may fight in a title elimination bout for a featherweight title. “The names I’ve heard mentioned are Rocky Juarez and Oscar Larios. I’ll go up against anyone they present. I saw Juan Manuel Marquez fight Jaca. If somebody offered me a fight against Juan I’d take it. Marquez is a tremendous fighter and considered an all-time great,” Vazquez said. “You have to beat the great ones to also be considered great. That’s a matchup I’d gladly accept.”

Espinoza would rather have his charge face Juan Manuel’s little brother, Rafael, who’s also a big name and considered the best Bantamweight in the sport. The other option for Vazquez is a unification fight against WBA Super Bantamweight champ Celestino Caballero. “I think a Rafael Marquez fight would be a big fight. I think it means a lot more than a Celestino Caballero fight at this point,” Espinoza said. “We would fight Juan Manuel Marquez if it was offered in the future but I’d like Israel to fight someone else for his first time as a featherweight.”

Although Vazquez is promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions recently jumped into the mix as co-promoters. “They’re a good combination. Sycuan and Golden Boy really made things happen for me. I’m very grateful to both companies,” Vazquez said. “They gave me a lot to be thankful about this Thanksgiving.”

Vazquez feels he made a strong statement in the fight against Gonzalez. “I wanted people to know that I have the heart of a champion. That Israel Vazquez never quits,” Vazquez added. “I wanted to prove that Israel Vazquez is for real and that I plan to be around for a long time.”

“The lesson learned from Israel’s fight against Jhonny Gonzalez is that you must never give up. Whether it’s in boxing or any other situation,” said Espinoza. “Here’s a guy that was cut, hurt and knocked down twice. He was far behind. But like a champion, he came back and knocked out another world champion in spectacular fashion. If that doesn’t inspire you then I don’t know what will.”