The only guy on the card I'm familiar with is Demitrius Andrade. What about the rest of the card; any good?
Friday, May 21, 2010 At The Laredo Energy Arena, Laredo, TX (ESPN2) Ji Hoon Kim (20-5) vs. Ameth Diaz (27-9) (ESPN2) Ruslan Provodnikov (15-0) vs. Emanuel Augustus (38-31-6) Emanuel Augustus – The entertaining veteran steps in on a couple days notice to take a powerful prospect…in other words, nothing new for Augustus. The 35-year-old Augustus is the purveyor of one of the most unique boxing styles of the last two decades, and should frankly have a much better record than he does. Yes, he has been robbed in some fights; the first Courtney Burton fight comes to mind, but Augustus is also to blame because he does not treat fights as seriously as he should. Maybe his free-flowing offense is dependent on that impishness, but Augustus also takes rounds off and neglects to throw punches in bunches. When Augustus is allowed to find his rhythm, a herky-jerky darting style, he settles in and befuddles opponents to the pleasure of ringside patrons. When cornered, Augustus reverts to a more conventional form, but even then, he remains dangerous with his accuracy and willingness to throw punches no one else would attempt. Has a solid chin (but was stopped in his last fight against strong Aussie prospect Wale Omotoso), and a somewhat underrated defense, where he blocks or rolls with more punches than judges give credit for. Augustus might be the only boxer who is hurt by the basics, and is best when he freelances, using awkward angles and off-balance punches that catch opponents unprepared. There are many world title holders who will not be remembered as well as Augustus. Ruslan Provodnikov – The fourth TV appearance for the Siberian-bred Russian, who impresses with brute strength and a willingness to walk through punches to deliver his payload. In his last fight, stopped former title challenger Javier Jauregui in eight rounds, and concentrated on volume punching (especially the left hook to the body) having mastered his version of the power game in previous appearances. Describes his style as, “A lot of pressure, always going forward, sudden, hard punches.” Because of Provodnikov’s Asian features, comparisons to Kostya Tszyu are sure to be made. Is not as intelligent in the ring, nor does Provodnikov economize his punches the way Tszyu did. Two things stand out about Provodnikov: his thudding power and an utter lack of attention to defense. 26-year-old is a fun TV fighter to be sure, and is said to be teachable to the point that he just finished earning a University degree. If that is true, I expect some upper body movement and perhaps even ducking under a punch or two. Moves his head a bit, so there is a flicker of self-preserving instincts in him. Majority of his power lies in a big upper body and shoulders, so Provodnikov does not need a lot of space to hurt an opponent. For a big puncher, does not ignore the body, and when he goes to the ribs, he does so with zeal. Gained a reputation at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym for not letting up in sparring against anyone. Still looks raw for a guy who won 135 of 150 amateur bouts (from age 12 to 23) and won a European championship, but is perhaps ignoring basics in the knowledge of his physical superiority. That could be why he has not shown a lot of combination punching until the Jauregui bout. Power is not of the one-punch variety, more like the crippling blows of a Julio Cesar Chavez (Mike Tyson is said to be Provodnikov’s boxing inspiration), but has resulted in nine stoppages in 14 fights. Has gone ten rounds twice, and seems to have good wind if forced to go hard rounds. When he reaches a higher level, a lack of elite hand speed could hurt him, and perhaps a propensity to cut if the defense does not improve. The kid grew up tough in Siberia and fights like he doesn’t want to go back! Verdict – Nothing comes easy for Augustus, and I would rate him a decent shot to upset Provodnikov, if he had proper time to prepare. In his last fight, Augustus struggled with a physically strong opponent, but that was a weight class higher and Provodnikov does not have the same speed. This fight will test Provodnikov’s accuracy, which I think is sound enough to pass the test, given his amateur results and dedication to body work. The body attack is key, and Provodnikov will overcome early-round frustrations to win a decision on the strength of his volume and more debilitating punches. Augustus will look good in spots, but does not have the power to convince Provodnikov or the judges that he won the fight. Ameth Diaz – A key statistic to start with is that this Panamanian slugger has never won outside of his native country, and is making his first trip into an American ring. Diaz is not without merit, and has some good wins on his home turf that were not based on biased judging. Though still only 26, I rate Diaz a veteran who has faltered in a couple of world title elimination bouts. The free swinger (he really loops his punches) just cannot seem to get a win over a world-class talent, despite showing enthusiasm and determination. Went 12 rounds against a lazy Joan Guzman, but is most vulnerable when faced with elite hand speed. That showed itself the most in a knockout loss to Souleymane M’baye, and to a lesser degree with Fernando Angulo in their first fight. Diaz displayed good mental strength and an ability to adapt by defeating Angulo in a rematch last year, and that he has one-shot power, dropping Angulo three times. Diaz knocked down former champion Cesar Soto in his last fight, but again, showed a lack of refinement by letting his hurt foe off the hook and settling for a decision win. Often leans in and leads with a left hook, which is a danger for both combatants. Pays little attention to defense, resulting in Diaz being stopped in six of his nine losses. Diaz is an appropriately dangerous fighter of the gatekeeper variety, brought in to check the chin and offensive soundness of a fighter, two or three fights before a title shot. Ji Hoon Kim – In last two years, has fashioned himself into a borderline top-ten guy, and comes off an impressive stoppage of Tyrone Harris three months ago. That win followed the same storyline as most of Kim’s fights, with the Korean roaring back from an early deficit to bludgeon an opponent into submission. Came up the hard way, turning pro at age 17 (only began to box at age 16) and losing three of his first five fights. Reeled off five wins before he was overmatched and lost two ten-rounders before his 13th pro fight. Displayed mental resiliency to fight his way to this point, and has not lost in the last four years during his current 12-fight winning streak. An all-action, “I dare you to stand in front of me” brawler, who has knocked out his last ten opponents. At 23, has blossomed in terms of strength, which he combines with a worth ethic of a manic monk. Despite lack of defense, has only been stopped once, and shown endurance, in terms of retaining punching power late while taking punches throughout. Also, for some reason, Kim just looks like a big guy, perhaps because of his height mixed with small waist and long arms. Can wear on opponents through contact or leaning of any kind, and looks comfortable on the outside or inside. Had no amateur bouts, learning on the fly and in the gyms. Beat former Olympian Koba Gogoladze in his American debut, where he was rocked hard before coming back to score a first-round kayo. This is Kim’s fourth fight in America. Is in phenomenal shape to continuously rally in fights and demonstrates superb recuperative powers. At 23, Kim has the potential to develop into a mainstay on television because of his ultra-tough and exciting fighting style. The question is at what level? ESPN/FOX or Showtime/HBO? Verdict – Both of these men hit very hard, but one has shown a better resiliency to punches. That is Kim; even though judging by his weights, Diaz is the naturally larger man and should be able to absorb more. Kim is simply too strong and durable for Diaz to deal with over the long haul, and as Kim wears on Diaz, his underrated hand speed and accuracy will come more into play. Kim might get wobbled by Diaz, but because Diaz has shown an inability to stop hurt foes previously, even that advantage has a caveat. I like Kim by mid-round stoppage. http://www.maxboxing.com/news/main-lead/the-weekend-tv-cheat-sheet1 don't think Demitrius Andrade is fighting
kim's last fight [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ay_98DcUWQU[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7-Mq0R3s8U&feature=related[/ame]
Really like watching Augustus fight and I have managed to speak with him a few times. Hope he upsets Provodnikov. Although stepping in at a couple of days notice doesn't sound too promising. I know for a fact he has been in the gym though for quite some time. Can't watch it as i have to be up in 5 hours atsch But good luck to the lad.
Ya -- I remember him now that I think about it. Saw him beat the crap out of somebody, but I don't remember who. All in all, it looks like a halfway decent card.
I'd watch it tonight, Boo. Could turn very interesting. At the least, you might get some drunken dancing mastery.
I never miss an Augustus fight if I can help it! When I made the thread I did not know he was on the card because the original schedule does list him.
One time when Augustus was on FNF he rode a Greyhound in on the day of the fight, took a ****ing nap in the locker room, and then went out and fought his ass off.