Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr.

Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Resides: Las Vegas, Nevada
Age: 34
Height: 5' 8"
Reach: 72"
Current World Titles Held: None
Former World Titles Held: WBC Super Featherweight (130 lbs.), Ring Magazine, WBC Lightweight (135 lbs.), WBC Light Welterweight (140 lbs.), Ring Magazine, WBC, IBF Welterweight (147 lbs.), WBC Light Middleweight (154 lbs.)
Professional Record: 41-0, 25 KOs
Record in World Title Fights: 18-0, 9 KOs
Record in Fights Going 12 Rounds: 11-0
Record at Welterweight: 6-0, 2 KOs

Notable Wins: UD12 Juan Manuel Marquez, SD12 Oscar De La Hoya, TKO10 Diego Corrales

"Vicious" Victor Ortiz

Birthplace: Garden City, Kansas
Resides: Oxnard, California
Age: 24
Height: 5' 9"
Reach: 70"
Current World Titles Held: WBC Welterweight
Former World Titles Held: None
Professional Record: 29-2-2, 22 KOs
Record in World Title Fights: 1-1
Record in Fights Going 12 Rounds: 1-0
Record at Welterweight: 8-0, 7 KOs

Notable Wins: UD12 Andre Berto, KO3 Vivian Harris, TKO2 Mike Arnaoutis
Notable Losses: Marcos Maidana TKO6, Corey Alarcon DQ1

Analysis:

Unless you've only become a boxing fan during the last 16 months, you've seen Floyd Mayweather triumph over all comers. Yet even if you've watched every televised fight of his undefeated career, you're still going to see something you've never witnessed before come Saturday night.

That's because when Mayweather steps into the ring at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, he'll be taking on a young champion whose best days may still lay ahead of him in the form of WBC welterweight titleholder Victor Ortiz. Not since Floyd beat Diego Corrales in 2001 has he faced a similar type of challenge. no comments

We knew this day was likely to arrive at some point, but last Saturday may have been when it finally arrived.

I'm talking about the day when Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko ran out of legitimate challengers to their heavyweight titles. That's assuming they won't fight each other, and even if the story about them promising their mother they wouldn't is apocryphal, I'm not holding my breath.

Oh, sure, there are still guys out there. Teddy Atlas still has hopes of getting Alexander Povetkin ready to take on one of the brothers. Vitali apparently wants to fight David Haye, but there's little reason to think that would be any more interesting than when Wladimir beat Haye earlier this year.

Maybe it's time to just stop sending smaller men to battle the Klitschkos. Because as the old saying goes, size does matter. Wladimir and Vitali are both smart, well-trained boxers, but it's the marriage of those smarts and skills to their huge frames that has proven such a difficult nut to crack.

There are undefeated heavyweights like Robert Helenius and Tyson Fury that could look either Klitschko in the eye (or even look down on one, in Fury's case).  That seems like cheating though - simply looking for someone bigger. To me, the fun exercise is trying to figure out what it would take for a smaller heavyweight to take down one of the brothers.

If I could combine the DNA of numerous men (like Serpentor!) to create the ultimate smaller challenger for the Klitschkos, here's what I'd be throwing into the mix: no comments

The broadcast of Vitali Klitschko vs. Tomasz Adamek. Klitschko has just made his way to the ring. Adamek is already in.  

The National athems commence.   Poland is first.  Both Vitali and Tomasz look focused and ready.  Vitali is looking particularly like Wladimir today.  He always has, but today especially so.  

Here we go.

Round 1
Both fighters look like they are in excellent shape.  Vitali looks much taller than Adamek.  Vitali is fighting tall and Adamek is staying low.  Adamek is using a ton of head movement early.  Vitali is following him around the ring.  Nothing thrown yet.  There's a straight right that lands for Vitali.  Adamek leaps in and lands a left hook on the inside.  Adamek's biggest challenge is getting inside to land some shorts.  The size difference looks like Vitali cold just jab him all day.  Vitali knocks Adamek back into the ropes with a straight shot.  Adamek awkwardly lands two hooks to the body.  He looks nervous.  

Parker: 10-9 V. Klitschko no comments

If it's heavyweight title fight time, that means it's also Klitschko Time.

In this case, it's Vitali Klitschko putting his gold on the line against Tomasz Adamek in front of what's sure to be a raucous crowd in Poland. Stop us if you've heard this before: Adamek will be giving up significant amounts of height, reach and weight as he tries to topple Vitali. The difference between him and other would-be Klitschko conquerors (ahem, David Haye) is that we know Adamek will come to fight. That's certainly worth something.

The bout is a matinee here in the U.S., starting at 4:45 pm Eastern, 1:45 Pacific. It's on HBO, so you don't even have to pay anything extra to see it. And that's a good thing, since there are plenty of pay-per-views coming up in the next few months.

If you can't watch the fight, we've got the next best thing here at BoxingWatchers.com: Live round by round updates via blog post as the punches are flying. Stop back here this evening, look for the round by round post and click away. See you then!

Nick says...

One of the things I hate as a semi-knowledgeable boxing fan is trying to figure out when a particular fighter is going to start showing his age. Even in the case of someone in definite decline, like Roy Jones, the exact point at which he started to slide downhill is obvious only in retrospect.

Thus my quandary when trying to forsee how Saturday's heavyweight title fight between Vitali Klitschko and Tomasz Adamek is going to play out. Klitschko turned 40 last month, and Father Time could arrive to rob him of his dominance any day now. While younger brother Wladimir can probably jab his way to victory for 10 more years if he so desires, the more awkward, less technical style of Vitali probably won't hold up as well.

Yet even if Adamek is able to hustle Klitschko out of his comfort zone (and that's not guaranteed, as Adamek is 34 himself), the unholy trinity of height, reach and weight disadvantages will still be there staring him in the face. Can Adamek figure out a way to trump all of them that so many other challengers have failed to discover? I like Tomasz a lot, but I'm skeptical.

Just a friendly reminder from your friends, the BoxingWatchers, that if you aren't headed to Las Vegas for the Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz fight on September 17 and don't feel like shelling out for the pay-per-view, there is another option for many of you.

That option would be watching the fight card at a movie theater. Fathom Events, which has offered several big fights this way over the last few years, is bringing Mayweather-Ortiz to movie screens nationwide. We've sent our own Uatu to one of the broadcasts in the past, and he spoke highly of the experience.

Theaters in 46 of the 50 states are participating. Hit the Fathom Events site to get an updated list of locations showing the fight and buy tickets.

24/7 Episode 2 kicks off with a view of the Vegas Strip to the tune of "If I Can't" by 50 Cent, which is appropriate since 50 is on the scene.  Floyd and 50 sit in their suite, enjoying a sports betting win.  The two show off bravado and have a conversation by holding stacks of money up to their ears, mimicking cell phones.  

Jump to Floyd training in the gym, the "dedication, hard work" chant can be heard from his team as he pushes through.  

Now on to team Ortiz.  When asked about Floyd's braging, Ortiz says that there's nothing that he can say that hasn't already been said.  Ortiz heads to CNN to make an appearance on Piers Morgan Tonight.  He's greeted by Oscar De La Hoya.  Piers asks him about fear.  Ortiz says he has none.  Victor heads back to the gym, where he trains vigorously with the jump rope.

Back to camp Mayweather.  The narrator states that Roger Mayweather's eyesight and health is deteriorating due to diabetes.  The health is an afterthought to Roger's legal problems involving a battery charge.  

Roger heads to Quiznos subs, a place that Roger says he spends 90% of his meals.  

Back to Ortiz's camp.  Oscar stops by.  Oscar says the Floyd being 34 years old and taking more than a year off will be more of an obstacle than Floyd realizes.  Oscar adds that Floyd has never been in the ring with a younger, bigger, stronger fighter.  

Turn the focus to Ortiz's tattoo.  His back tattoo changed from his last name to a tribal design.  The change was sparked by a meeting with his father, who told him it made him proud to see his name on Victor's back.  After that Ortiz wanted it to be covered.  

Back to Mayweather.  The team waits on Floyd for his third training session of the day.  Floyd shows up on his own time.   

Ortiz says he finds Mayweather antics "flabbergasting." When asked about Floyd burning $100 bills he says it's "made of pure ignorance."  He adds, "that behavior will show you what his life will be like in the next few years, especially after I destroy him."  

Episode 2 ends with a montage of both training camps.   

It's time for tonight's main event.  Zaveck and Berto are about to make their way to the ring.  Zaveck is a 35 year old European, while Berto is 27.  

Here comes Berto coming out to "I'm a Boss" by Meek Millz.  Zaveck follows, coming out to "I Got a Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas.  

Berto is 27-1 with 21 KOs.  Zaveck is 31-1 with 18 KOs.  

Here we go.

Round 1
They square off in the center.  Berto comes out firing the jab.  Zaveck comes back firing power shots.  Throwing defense to the wind, both trade big power punches.  Berto lands a combo to the body.  Berto goes back to the body again.  Zavack fires a body shot of his own.  Berto throws a jab.  Zaveck misses with a right and Berto lands a jab through Zaveck's gloves.  Zaveck lands an uppercut.  They trade jabs.  Berto lands a slick overhand right.  Zaveck lands a stiff jab.  Zaveck lands an excellent left hook.  Close, action-packed round.

Parker: 10-9 Berto 

Round 2
The touch gloves to start round 2.  Berto throws a fast combo to the head and body, but most of it is blocked by Zaveck.  Zaveck lands a right hook.  Zaveck is throwing far less, but is landing at a higher percentage.  Berto may punch himself out at this pace.  Zaveck lands a left and right hook.  Berto comes back with another flurry.  Zaveck counters with a wide right hook.  Berto lands a jab to the body.  Zaveck counters again with a left hook.  Follows up with a right hook.  Zaveck looks sharp.  Berto lands a great uppercut.

Parker: 10-9 Zaveck 

Round 3
Berto comes out firing.  Berto tries to clinch, but Zaveck pushes him off.  Berto is displaying excellent hand speed, but most punches are either missing or blocked.  Zaveck lands a left uppercut.  Berto goes into clinch again.  And again.  Zaveck is fighting out of them well.  Clinching is always a part of Berto fights.  Zaveck lands a right hook upstairs.  Berto lands two uppercuts.  Zaveck doesn't back off and lands a right hook.  Berto lands another flurry.  Zaveck lands a jab.  

Parker: 10-9 Berto 

Round 4
Berto's offense isn't losing any speed.  Zaveck has Berto against the ropes and trying to capitalize.  He lands a big right hook to the body.  Zaveck lands a left and then a right hook.  Zaveck is getting into a rhythm now, landing a good combo to Berto's head.  Berto comes out of a clinch with a right uppercut.  Berto is against the ropes now.  Zaveck fires away, but Berto blocks the punches.  

Parker: 10-9 Zaveck 

Round 5
Berto keeps swinging away.  Berto may be steeling around just based on punch output.  Zaveck is blocking the vast majority of these punches.  Zaveck lands gret hooks while against the ropes.  Berto is starting to bruise.  Now the right eye of Zaveck is cut and is bleeding badly.  Berto's left eye is very swollen.  Zaveck's corner needs to get that cut closed or this fight will surely be stopped.

Parker: 10-9 Berto 

Zaveck's right eye ist almost completely shut.  His corner stops the fight.   

The winner by TKO and new IBF Welterweight Champion Andre Berto 

In the post-fight interview Berto says he feels his performance was so-so.  He says he felt some nerves since this is his first fight back after his loss.  He wants a rematch with Victor Ortiz.  

 

The televised undercard is one 8-round fight between Gary Russell and Leonilo Miranda.  Miranda is 26-3 with 25 KOs, while 17-0 with 10 KOs.  

Here we go.

Round 1
Roy Jones Jr. adds that some say that Russell's hands are as fast as his used to be.  Miranda circles the ring and lands first with a jab.  He counters a jab with a right hook.  Russell's hands do indeed like quick.  He follows a jab of his own with a right hood to the body.  Russell gets Miranda in the corner, but doesn't pull the trigger. Russell gets Miranda against the ropes and lands a vicious combo that knocks Miranda off balance.  Russell lands a right hook right on Miranda's mouth.  His best punch of the fight.  

Parker: 10-9 Russell 

It's been known for a few weeks now that Brian Kenny was leaving ESPN to pursue other broadcasting opportunities, but it became more of a reality earlier tonight when he hosted his final SportsCenter. BK seems to be well-liked and respected by his peers in the industry, and there's little doubt plenty of his ESPN colleagues are sad to see him go. Yet he'll be especially missed by boxing fans for what he brought to the table as the studio host of Friday Night Fights

Knowledgeable and enthusiastic, Kenny clearly enjoyed covering the fight game even though he wasn't an expert on it when first handed the role. Let's face it: At boxing's current level of popularity, hosting FNFis not one of the network's cushier gigs, and it would be easy for someone to go in there and half-ass it. Kenny didn't, nor did he shy away from asking tough questions of fighters and other boxing personalities during interview segments.