Johnny Tapia KOed!

On a sleepy Friday night, at the Avalon Ballroom in Chicago, a momentous occasion took place in the boxing world. Unheralded Featherweight Sandro Marcos (25-13-2, 21 KO's) stopped former world champion Johnny (55-5-2, 28 KO's) Tapia, with a thunderous left hook to the liver in Round Two. The punch left the former champ on all fours gasping for air and grimacing in pain. Before the count was even over, Johnny asked the referee to take his mouthpiece out. He was counted out for the first time in his career at 2:59 of the second round.

As one of boxing’s most exciting fighters of his era, Johnny (Mi Vida Loca) Tapia, is a four time World Champion, having won the WBO and the IBF Super Flyweight World Championships, and the WBA and WBO Bantamweight World Championships.

But his personal story is tumultuous saga that has earned him the tag line, “Mi Vida Loca” (my crazy life) that he carries emblazoned on his trunks. Despite his battle with drugs, three overdoses that left him clinically dead, jail time, being banned from the sport of boxing for three years, severe depression and a suicide attempt, boxing fans continue to love and support Johnny.

The reason fans love Johnny Tapia is because he always gives 100% in the ring. Despite the tumult in his life, Johnny Tapia is one of the most honest fighters in the business. “Honest” meaning Johnny gives himself completely in his effort to win. A controlled furry that is both courteous to his opponents, and fair-minded.

At the ripe age of 38, and a second round stoppage to an unheralded opponent, this may be the end of Johnny Tapia’s Hall of Fame career.

--The Mighty Moe

Barerra vs. Peden

It would be a safe bet to put your money on Marco Antonio Barrera ... not that Peden isn't a tough/game warrior, but the Mighty-Moe simply believes that Peden just doesn't have the , illusiveness, versatility, or the pressure to beat Barrera.

Let's look at Barrera's losses: Two losses to Junior Jones, who is a slick boxer that out-boxed and kept Barrera on the outside. One loss to Erik Morales, who is a terrific pressure fighter with tremendous power combined with versatility that allows him to punch from odd angles. Manny Pacquiao, who's left handed stance, blazing speed, punching power and pressure simply overwhelmed Barrera. Peden, on the other hand, can't be compared to any of these fighters.

Peden is not only a hard worker but he stays in shape, has a lot of stamina, and is also very durable. It will take a lot of punishment for Barrera to take Peden out.

Barrera doesn't have blazing handspeed, but he is one of the sports best counterpunchers. I expect Barrera to counter Peden and catch him coming in ... look for a late round stoppage by the referee or Peden's corner. There's no quitting in Peden, so the ref had better keep an eye on him.

This should be an entertaining bout, with Peden -- at times -- giving Barrera more than he can handle.

--The Mighty-Moe

Morales vs. Raheem (recap)

What the heck was team Morales thinking when they picked former Olympian Zahir Raheem as a tune up fight. Zahir Raheem is one of the slickest boxers in the sport, he's one of the biggest fighters Morales has ever faced, and he can take a punch. All around, it doesn't read like a tune up fight.

The two fights Morales has lost were to Marco Antonio Barrera ... when the smaller, slower, Mexican fighter out-boxed Morales. So, what's the solution by team Morales ... get him in there with a bigger, slicker, faster fighter. Go figure.

I lift my frothy mug to Raheem! He's gotta lotta class, he's a heluva fighter, and I want to see more of him. Come to think of it, I'd like to see him fight Joel Cassamayor next.

--The Mighty-Moe

Judah vs. Hatton

Now there's a fight I want to see. Heck, I'd even PPV that one. It's not a done deal, but 4.1 million is sitting on a table somewhere for the "Hitman" Hatton.

It's an interesting fight, Hatton has been knocked down by lesser, smaller punchers, and Judah can't handle even smaller pressure fighters. Right now, I think it's Hatton's fight!

--The Might Moe

The Mighty Moe is making a comeback ...

Things got really busy at the Mighty-Moe household, but I have returned. I wanted to post my pre-fight thoughts on the Hopkins vs. Taylor fight, but was unable because I simply ran out of time. After the horrendous decision, I just didn't feel like it! Whadda load of crap! Now we have a newly crowned undisputed middleweight champion what was slapped around the ring, nearly knocked off his feet on two occasions ... and won't grant the former champ a rematch right away because he's waiting for Hopkins to age some more? Oh, say it isn't so!

Is this what we can expect from a Jermain Taylor reign? Is he going to wait for Eastman, Ouma, Wright, Sturm, Echols and Ikeke to get old too?

--The Mighty Moe