Pride of Pittsburgh II Recap

World-famous, legendary former Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson's Iron Mike Productions has been attempting to build a boxing market and fan base in Pittsburgh, PA. for the last couple of years. This has mainly included local welterweight Sammy Vasquez Jr, from Monessen, PA headlining fight cards with other little-known local talents littered throughout the card. Building a boxing market in untapped markets is important not only for promoters like Iron Mike Productions trying to build a name in the sport, but its also important for boxing as a whole. Many mainstream sports journalists like to proclaim boxing a niche sport, or more bluntly "dead." And although fighters are making more money than ever before, and fans are still selling out arenas nationwide, it is also true that the major sports hold a much bigger piece of the pie in terms of economic value and viewership numbers. That's why when different promotional companies try to build markets in new regions, I always view it as a positive thing, especially when its right here at home for me in Pittsburgh.

On Friday Iron Mike Productions presented The Pride of Pittsburgh II to the Consol Energy Center in downtown Pittsburgh. This weekend's card not only offered another Sammy Vasquez Jr. fight as the Main-Event, but held a Rod Salka vs Monty Meza Clay lightweight bout that was sure to excite fans, and it didn't dissapoint. Salka, a local fighter from Bunola, PA. and Meza Clay, from Rankin PA. fought a bloody, exciting 10 round fight that left both fighters cut. Bother fighters were bloody and battered come fight's end, a fight in which Salka outboxed Meza Clay with counter punches all night. Both fighters had their moments, but Salka was clearly the victor in an exciting fight that riled up the crowd. By the time the Main Event rolled around, fans were ready for more intense action which is what Sammy Jasquez Jr. delivered, scoring a first round knockout over Panamanian welterweight Alberto Mosquera. Overall, this was a very successful night for Iron Mike Productions, and hopefully fans can look forward to more exciting boxing cards in Pittsburgh.

(Photo Credit: http://www.consolenergycenter.com/events/detail/the-pride-of-pittsburgh-2)

Kovalev dominates Hopkins, Unifies 3 titles

Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev came into this fight a betting favorite, and he did not disappoint. Kovalev cruised to a Unanimous Decision victory over 49 year old Bernard Hopkins, winning every single round of the fight on all three judges scorecards. Kovalev, known for his knockout prowess and aggressive style, fought an intelligent, controlled fight against Hopkins, and many even said the fight was fought at a Hopkins pace, just being dominated by Kovalev. Kovalev scored a knockdown in the very first round, but remained calm and did not punch himself out. Instead, he handled Hopkins round by round, outboxing a great boxer and fighting a very technical fight. He executed his gameplan to perfection, leaving Hopkins with no answer.

Bernard Hopkins is turning 50 in two months. He's had a Hall of Fame career and had a historical run recently, making history every fight as the oldest champion. He now lost his belt, but stood up to Kovalev's power, which can't be said for 23 of Kovalev's 25 other opponents. Hopkins ate huge right hands all night, getting rocked several times throughout the fight and appearing hurt, but still only suffered the one knockdown from the first round. Hopkins has one of the best chins in boxing, and it was on full display on Saturday. Take nothing away from Bernard, he is almost 50 years old and is taking huge shots from a 31 year old destroyer, Bernard was just over-matched.

Where do the fighters go from here? Well, Bernard said he is 50/50 on whether he will continue fighting or retire, but he said he's been 50/50 on that since he turned 40. Bernard has done enough in the sport, and although he can still beat just about anyone else in the light heavyweight division, there is no real reason for him to do so. There isn't much left for Hopkins to prove, the man is truly a living legend and has done it all. Sergey Kovalev on the other hand, now hopes to continue his reign as light heavyweight champion. He now holds three of the four belts in the division, and has been trying to get a fight with the one man who holds the fourth belt, Haitian-Born Canadian Adonis Stevenson. Issues with promoters and politics have gotten in the way of that fight being made, although some fight fans would go as far to say that Stevenson has no interest in making that fight happen. Whether or not that fight is made, we now know Kovalev is a legitimate star in the division and in boxing as a whole. This was the first time Kovalev went a full 12 rounds, and he didn't seem tired or shot by the end of the fight. He was still dominating Hopkins up until the final bell. Be sure to watch out for big things in 2015 from the exciting Russian champion.

(Photo Credit: http://austinclemens.com/blog/2014/05/22/2013-2014-adjusted-defensive-impact-by-court-location/)