by Cliff Rold

It’s okay if this is one of those weeks where fans resent the sport.  In a summer where the logical conclusion might have been, “nothing can be worse than the judging in Paul Williams-Erislandy Lara,” boxing went and outdid itself.

Russell Mora screwed the pooch that badly in his officiating of Abner Mares’ win over Joseph Agbeko.  Fans can take solace in at least one thing…

…we’ll get to hear more about the fallout from last Saturday’s Bantamweight battle on ESPN2.  Had this happened a week later, it might not have been the case.  The NFL is upon us and that means boxing’s version of Sports Center (and, arguably, its most consistent source for good fights in 2011) is going on hiatus.

That sucks.

But, for one more week, it’s here.

These are the picks of the week.

Pick It: Demetrius Andrade vs. Grady Brewer (Friday, ESPN2, 9 PM EST/PST)

In a year full of undefeated fighters taking their first “L,” it’s been the Deuce serving up the bulk of them.  One more “0” is on the line in the ‘season finale’ and this one is a doozy.  There are those who have felt Jr. Middleweight Andrade (13-0, 9 KO) has the most upside of any 2008 U.S. Olympian.  Those people are wrong (it’s Gary Russell) but Andrade has a bigger problem.  He flat just hasn’t looked very good in recent outings.  The skill and athleticism is there, but the fire is missing.  Is he a talent or a fighter?  He’s matched with someone who can ask.  Brewer (28-12, 16 KO) is coming off a career-reviving win over Fernando Guerrero and, it merits mention, he busted Guerrero’s egg in that one; on the Deuce, no less.  This could be high drama on Friday night…or the real beginning of Andrade’s career.  Either way, it’s the best fight of the week on U.S. TV on paper and an undercard Lightweight battle between former titlist David Diaz and Hank Lundy is cake icing. 

Pick “3”: #5 Alfredo Angulo vs. Joseph Gomez (Saturday, ESPN Deportes, 11 PM EST/8 PM PST)

 

It might not be a great fight or anything but arguably the most exciting Jr. Middleweight in the world is back at it after a year off he presumably didn’t want.  Immigration issues still cloud the future of Alfredo Angulo (19-1, 16 KO) but probably not as dark as the cloud of potential knockout victimhood loom over Joseph Gomez (17-4-1, 8 KO).  Welcome back Perro.  This one should probably also be available at ESPN3.com (or at least that’s what Dan Rafael’s schedule says).  Angulo’s year off didn’t remove him from the BoxingScene ratings with his backstage issues considered.  He should show off why by week’s end.  

Pick Rebounds: #8 Fernando Montiel vs. Alvaro Perez (Saturday, Fox Sports/Deportes, Check Local Listings)

A smart bet would be that this one will only be available on the Spanish language affiliates.  So be it.  Montiel (45-3-2, 35 KO) is now competing at Jr. Featherweight, his fourth class.  He’s had an up and down year, literally.  He was down at the hands of a nuclear bomb from Nonito Donaire earlier this year; he was up in his lone return bout, dropping and forcing the normally durable Nehomar Cermeno to quit in three rounds.  Perez (21-3-1, 12 KO) has a modest two-fight winning streak and once challenged Hozumi Hasegawa for a belt at 118 lbs.

He’s not beating Montiel.  To be sure, it could be worth a look anyways.

For BoxingScene’s latest full divisional ratings, log on to: //krikya360.com/forums/view.php?pg=boxing-ratings

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com