Not against each other, though. At least I hope not.

Let's talk about Kimbo first. The artist formerly known as Kevin Ferguson is set to make his pro boxing debut in a four-rounder on August 13. Slice will be a heavyweight, but not a huge one at 6-foot-2 and approximately 225 pounds.

How will Slice do in a boxing ring? Possibly okay if he's matched correctly. If you watched any of his MMA bouts, you already know that throwing bombs was his primary (some would say only) skill. The footwork and spacing is different for boxing than it is for MMA, but since Kimbo wasn't exactly a technician in the cage, he may not have to "un-learn" as much as other fighters would when making the switch. no comments

"Dr. Steelhammer" Wladimir Klitschko

Birthplace: Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan
Resides: Kiev, Ukraine
Age: 35
Height: 6' 6 1/2"
Reach: 81"
Current World Titles Held: The Ring Magazine, IBF, WBO Heavyweight
Former World Titles Held: None
Professional Record: 55-3, 49 KOs
Record in World Title Fights: 16-2, 14 KOs
Record in Fights Going 12 Rounds: 3-0
Record at Heavyweight: 55-3, 49 KOs

Notable Wins: KO 10 Samuel Peter II, TKO7 Hasim Rahman, TKO7 Chris Byrd II
Notable Losses: Lamon Brewster I TKO5, Corrie Sanders TKO2, Ross Puritty TKO11

David "The Hayemaker" Haye

Birthplace: London, England
Resides: London, England
Age: 30
Height: 6' 3"
Reach: 78"
Current World Titles Held: WBA Heavyweight
Former World Titles Held: The Ring Magazine, WBA, WBC, WBO Cruiserweight (200 lbs.)
Professional Record: 25-1, 23 KOs
Record in World Title Fights: 4-0, 4 KOs
Record in Fights Going 12 Rounds: 2-0
Record at Heavyweight: 7-0, 6 KOs

Notable Wins: TKO9 John Ruiz, MD12 Nikolai Valuev, TKO7 Jean Marc Mormeck
Notable Loss: Carl Thompson TKO5

Analysis:

Though the heavyweight division has historically been the most popular and important one in the sport of boxing, it hasn't enjoyed nearly the same status for the last decade or so. Fans have been clamoring for a fight between big men that truly stirs the imagination, and at least outside the United States, it looks like one might finally arrive when Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye face off in Hamburg, Germany. no comments

I had a whole 1,000-word post pretty much done concerning this Saturday's HBO card and then lost it to some browser-based BS. The lesson? Always, always save your work as you go. You'd think I would have learned that by now.

No matter. It simply means there's enough time to regroup and turn this into another edition of....

SHOE SHINING

* ESPN's Dan Rafael tweeted just a few minutes ago that Devon Alexander is done at 140 and is doing what all the cool kids are doing, heading to 147. That's all well and good, but what he really needs is an attention-grabbing victory at any weight. Saturday wasn't it, though I'll agree with Rafael and others who say the decision was no robbery, because it was a close fight. But the truth is that Alexander has followed his two most impressive performances with three basically adequate ones. His lack of top end power hurts him in two ways, as it limits his ability to threaten elite opponents and limits his fan appeal - which clearly needs help as he doesn't even get huge crowds to watch him in his native St. Louis. And isn't moving to welterweight just going to highlight his lack of KO pop? To reverse a famous quote from Denny Green, maybe Alexander just isn't who we thought he was...

It's co-feature time on Boxing After Dark with the IBF light heavyweight title on the line. We're getting right to the action with undefeated Tavoris Cloud defending against veteran Yusaf Mack.


Round 1

Cloud comes forward and is faced with some jabs from Mack. Cloud keeps his guard high. Mack jabs and throws an occasional left hook. Cloud misses a big left hook. Cloud closes the distance and finally gets off a right hand. Mack doubles up on the jab. He ducks as Cloud tries to find the range with right hands. Mack goes to the body and circles away. Cloud lands a left hook and forces Mack back.

Tylwalk: 10-9 Mack
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Nick says...

Redemption and the idea of a career crossroads are two of the time-tested themes in the sport of boxing. They just don't usually apply to someone under the age of 25.

Yet the boxing media and plenty of fans think they may both be valid subplots tonight as Devon Alexander attempts to bounce back from his first career loss by taking on dangerous Lucas Matthysse in the main event of Boxing After Dark (HBO, 9:45 Eastern). Is it unfair to write someone off as a dominant future champion at such a young age? Perhaps, but it's at least understandable given Alexander's unique set of circumstances.
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If you're not hip to the sports collectibles game, you may not know that among collectors, "The National" refers to the National Sports Collectors Convention, which is held once a year, usually in August. Along with the dazzling array of cards and memorabilia for sale at the show, it also features a star-studded roster of autograph signers - including a certain former heavyweight champ and new boxing Hall of Famer for this year's show.

Just yesterday it was announced that Mike Tyson is signing this year at The National, which will run from August 3-7 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center near Chicago. Iron Mike will be one of the last autograph signers at the show, signing Sunday afternoon at 12:30. Oh, and he will not inscribe "Iron Mike," so don't ask him.

What do I do when I want to talk about several boxing-related topics in one post? Why, the same thing fighters do when they want to steal the round with 10 seconds to go. That's right, it's time for some...

SHOE SHINING

* When Floyd Mayweather Jr. returns to the ring on September 17 to take on Victor Ortiz, the bout will be aired on HBO PPV. That's no shocker, to be sure, but reading the whole Dan Rafael piece is still interesting because he touches on whether or not HBO was especially anxious to get the Mayweather fight after seeing Manny Pacquiao take his act to Showtime earlier this year. The answer? Of course. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Erik Morales may end up on the card as well (not against each other!), which would make it worth the money, for sure.

After the first round TKO in the undercard it's already time for the main event between Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Rhodes.  They are about to make their way to the ring.  Here comes Rhodes first to the tune of "Eye of the Tiger." Here comes Alvarez.  The home crowd is heavily behind him.  Ryan is 45-4 with 31 KOs and Alvarez is 36-0-1 with 26 KOs.  

Here we go...


Round 1
The square off in the center.  Alvarez moves around the parameter of the ring.  Ryan is throwing the jabs.  Alvarez is bobbing.  Nothing happening in the first half of the round.  Alvarez hits him in the body.  Rhodes lands a right hook upstairs.  Alvarez throws a combo while Rhodes is against the ropes.  Now he lands another combo.  

10-9 Alvarez 
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Tonight's undercard is one fight between Broner and Litzau at the super featherweight division.  The fighters are already in the ring and the fight is about to get underway.  Litzau is 28-2 with 21 KOs while Broner is undefeated with a record of 20-0 with 16 KOs.

Here we go... 

Round 1:
They meet in the center to feel each other out.  Both look cautious.  No punches thrown yet after 30 seconds.  Broner counters a jab with a left hand.  They still look hesitant half way through the round.  The crowd starts to boo.  Broner's hand speed is very fast, when he throws them.  Litzau swings first then they tie up.  Litzau strikes with a right.  Litzau gets clocked with a right hand while against the ropes.  Litzau tries to dodge and gets with two more thunderous hooks and goes down.  The ref stops the fight.  It's all over.

The winner by TKO at 2:58 into Round 1, Adrien Broner 

Nick says...

Mexican boxing fans should be in for a treat as their newest hero, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez headlines on HBO by defending his WBC light middleweight title against British southpaw Ryan Rhodes. By treat I mean a time for Canelo to shine, not necessarily because it's going to be a tight, competitive fight.

That's because the deck appears to be pretty stacked against Rhodes. For someone who has never fought outside the U.K., it won't be easy to win on Alvarez's home turf. That's assuming all things are equal, which they clearly aren't given Canelo's power and his "wise beyond his 20 years" way of carrying himself in the ring.

Rhodes also has some pop, but his KO loss to thoroughly average Gary Lockett a few years back makes it hard to consider him a serious threat. Unless Alvarez is caught looking completely past him, this seems like a nightmare match-up for Rhodes.

Alvarez has had some trouble closing out his last two opponents, but I think he changes that tonight spurred on by his home fans. I expect a celebration in Mexico after Canelo produces a mid-round KO.

The HBO co-feature is also interesting as it matches undefeated Adrien "The Problem" Broner with battle-tested Jason Litzau. With Broner a possible star on the rise and Litzau known for being in some good scraps, this could easily outshine the main event.

Just 21 years old, Broner comes in off his most impressive victory so far, a unanimous decision over Daniel Ponce de Leon. A few years ago, Litzau probably would have seemed like a slight step down, but not at the moment.

That's because Litzau's last outing was a split decision win against very talented Celestino Caballero. The American Boy showed he's come a long way and learned a lot more tricks than we saw from him the last time he faced elite competition, a KO loss to Robert Guerrero in 2008.

Both men can bring the thunder, and if this turns into a slugfest, no outcome would surprise me. But even though Litzau is not really known as a technician, his height and experience could prove a definite factor if he can make it more of a boxing match.

Broner has every chance to win this one and continue his ascent, but I'm feeling the mild upset here. In a fight that should have its share of action-packed exchanges, I like Litzau to eke out a narrow decision.