When it first graced the airwaves, HBO’s Boxing After Dark series was ahead of it’s time. Taking the concept of matching up young and rising talent produced several great fights and introduced fans first hand to fighters such as Arturo Gatti, Erik Morales, Floyd Mayweather, Angel Manfredy, and many others.
The show debuted with a brilliant give and take affair between veteran Kennedy McKinney and young champion Marco Antonio Barrera on February 3rd, 1996 and from there the precedent was set. Boxing After Dark became synonymous with thrilling fights, breathtaking action, and superstars on the rise.
Over recent years, however, the show seemed to slip below its standards, however. Anyone who remembers the ‘special installment’ of B.A.D. that featured Wladimir Klitschko against the overmatched Eliseo Castillo will surely agree. For as good as it was in its time, it was unfortunate to see the once great program suffering, but as of late HBO seems to be getting things right yet again.
The recent B.A.D. telecasts have been more intriguing and this weekend’s triple header is more of the same with a lineup of James Kirkland vs. Joel Julio, Victor Ortiz vs. Mike Arnaoutis, and Robert Guerrero facing off with Daud Yordan. The card definitely has the boxing world buzzing in a positive way and 8 Count News digged into the belly of the busiest boxing forums to get the fans’ thoughts on this weekend’s action…
“Kirkland vs. Julio will be the Type of Action Fight that I THOUGHT Kirkland vs. Vera would be...Kirkland's Chin ISN'T Stout Enough to WARRANT his Level of Aggression & Julio had his Heart TAKEN by Quintana...Something's Gotta GIVE Here & It Should be a BLAST Finding Out What...Some NICE Matchups on the Early '09 Calendar...”
“This fight will definitely tell us a lot about Ortiz and where he stands.
This is a step up in class for Ortiz. I really like Ortiz and I think the kid is talented but he needed an opponent like this one bad. All his fights have been short and we've only been able to see him deep in a fight vs. Clottey. With that being said, I think Ortiz will prevail. But don't forget Mike can bang also so keep that in mind.”
“Julio has shown he can take a punch and he´s dangerous early. He kept that fight with Dzinziruk even for about five or six rounds and landed some good shots before Dzinziruk took over and put a little beating on him over the last six rounds. Quintana and Dziniziruk are crafty veterans, Kirkland is raw. Very good match-up though.”
“A win for Kirkland shows that he is ready for the next level and can challenge for a title. This is a very dangerous fight. Julio has shown a solid chin and has solid power. The guys who have beat him thus far as very good boxers. If Kirkland< I> can box him this becomes a considerably easier fight, if he comes right after him this might be one of the most entertaining fights this year.
“Guerrero is a very good talent and seems like a good natured person. It is a shame that his wife is dealing with Leukemia. I wish him nothing but luck in the future. I'd love to see Ghost vs. Linares sometime down the line. I think Guerrero has the tools to beat pretty much everyone around 130. He's a bigger guy too with punching power so he could achieve success as a Lightweight later in his career.”
“I think20people are getting a lil carried away with Julio's boxing ability. In his two losses, he was soundly out boxed. Though he did come on against Dzindiruk. I also think too much is made of the Conyers KD. It isn't like James has been hurt as hell or wobbly a bunch of times. He got caught with his chin up leaping in. He still got up quickly, took a right hand when he got up, dropped Conyers twice and then stopped him in the same round. I'll go with that over a guy who looked like a deer in the headlights against Quintana. Maybe the odds are the way they are because Julio has 1) Lost to only southpaws which Kirkland is also20one. and 2) He lost in his last fight. Julio has a very good shot. In fact, I thought the odds would be the other way. Kirkland is still unproven. I guess what we will find out is if James is next level or just an exciting TV fighter.
“I think Victor Ortiz will have trouble with Mike Arnaoutis. In fact he might get his ass beat. Mike is nice and has very good skills. I can see him outboxing the inexperienced and frankly overrated Ortiz. The reason I call Ortiz overrated is not because of his potential (he has loads) its because I feel like he needs more seasoning and strikes me as the kind of fighter at this stage that if taken out of his pace and rhythm is susceptible to being frustrated and have certain limitations exposed. Any one else pic king Mike for the big time upset?”
“If Kirkland tries to just "box" him, I think he'll lose. James is a fantastic prospect. In the skilled boxer category I have to give Julio the edge. I think if Kirkland comes out head hunting he'll be in trouble too. He needs to bang Julio's body early and often. I think this is a closer fight than oddsmakers have it. Julio hits hard. He's faced the far better competition. This is a big step up for Kirkland.”
“Arnaoutis has proven he can compete at the world-class level.
Ortiz hasn't...At all.”
“Kirkland is going to tax that ass Saturday like Obama will do execs!”
“Have a feeling that Kirkland-Julio is flying under some people's radar around here. This fight will not last the distance but I expect a great fight knowing their styles...But I think since Julio has more experienced background compared to20Kirkland he'll use Kirkland's aggressive to land some hard shots I got Julio on this one, can't wait.”
“War Kirkland. He should whup Julio's ass.”
“Arnaoutis sucks balls and will get killed by Ortiz.”
“Kirkland is the truth. He will stop Julio with body shots. If James goes to the body it will be ea sy work.”
“Guerrero is a hell of a nice kid. I think he'll knock this character he's fighting on Saturday night into the next galaxy. The Indonesian holds his left hand way, way, way too low. The Ghost is going to ICE him!
“Mike is a very seasoned fighter at this stage, and in addition to being durable, has some pop of his own. It's not uncommon for an upcoming prospect to forget these things and find himself on the canvas. Mike's a scrapper. I could envision his winning easily. Ortiz has been in pretty soft up until now. However, Arnaoutis could be approaching shot-hood. He's had some tough fights with Holt and Torres, neither of which he won. And he hasn't fought anyone of note since. It certainly will be a test for Ortiz. It's definitely a step up - possibly one that will prove too big. Either way, it should be a great fight. I don't think Mike will lie down for anyone.”
“Hopefully Ortiz wins in impressive fashion because he is the only fighter on the card with a chance to go anywhere.”
“I could see Julio somehow pulling out a win over Kirkland. He is more refined and has power in both hands. One thing is for sure even if Kirkland does find a way to win and outworks Julio I think he will have to come off the canvas in this one because he can be reckless in there at times. With that said Kirkland is a very entertaining fighter and a heart the size of his can take him a long way so you never know maybe hi s heart and will make up for the skill disparity between the two. I do know I've never seen a kid like Kirkland throw everything he has into every shot the way he does. Even when he throws that left uppercut to the body its brutal looking.”
