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Casamayor: slick southpaw coming up on Sky Sports

The southpaws won the wars last weekend and on our next Friday Fight Night (March 28th), we'll have a chance to see if one of the Cuban great exponents of the style can turn back the clock in a wonderful lightweight match. Joel Casamayor was a smooth, sleek, southpaw at his best.

Joel Casamayor
Quotes of the week

Legend says that the term southpaw was coined in the late 1800's to describe left-handed baseball pitchers, who, when facing west in most ballparks, had their left arms hanging on the south side of the ballpark.

The phrase was brought into boxing and with it, came an extremely tricky style to crack. Ask most orthodox fighters, and they have little time for southpaws! My co-commentator Jim Watt was an extremely astute portsided technician; in today's game, Joe Calzaghe is the finest advocate of the style.

Many believe those who fight from the southpaw stance have an immediate advantage. I really enjoy watching a classy southpaw in action. Last Friday night we saw a sensible, tactical performance by the talented, largely under-achieving David Barnes.

The former British welterweight champion has always possessed sharp shots, silky skills and excellent movement, but had gone off the boil. Barnes came down to 10stone for the first time in his life and was far too clever for the lacklustre Ted Bami, who seemed totally devoid of ideas.

Bami had been the European champion but hardly threw a jab as he crudely rumbled forward trying to take Barnes out of his rhythm. Barnes was cut badly in the second but expert work and advice from trainer Bob Shannon saw Barnes keep his cool and box carefully and well. He may not be as quick or as good as say four or five years ago but this southpaw is back and it's terrific to see.

Boxed beautifully

Just like Leicester's improving southpaw Rendall Munroe had done the previous week to take the European super-bantamweight title from Kiko Martinez, Barnes boxed beautifully to plan. A comfortable victory on points. And he now stands as the British light-welterweight champion. The clever southpaw!

Then over the weekend the fabulous Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao had to use all his natural ability and speed, on a night when his usual southpaw arsenal was not firing on all cylinders. I had a feeling that Juan Manuel Marquez was going to prove a very very hard obstacle for Pacquiao.

After their first encounter ended in a draw, this was also tight. I personally felt Marquez won the fight.

To beat a southpaw, fighters often work in a clockwise direction, gaining distance from the powerful left hand. One method is to have a very fast and solid jab, often doubling it up. The perfect example of this was when Marco Antonio Barrera abandoned his preferred pressure fighting tactics to skillfully out-box, move around and dissect Naseem Hamed.

Marquez is not quite as fast as he once was but he still moved beautifully and boxed superbly, especially on the counter. He had to haul himself off the floor after a heavy Pacquiao left hook in the third, but he's been there before.

This Mexican is one tough hombre. And it's in the genes. Juan Manuel and Rafael - boxing brothers of the highest calibre.

It was nip and tuck most of the way, and like most great fights, there was controversy. This time over the scoring and the changing of one of the judges late in the week.

Orthodox

I guess it's also a case of what you prefer. As I said, I love a quality, fast, hard-hitting southpaw like Manny Pacquiao... but this time I thought the underrated and extremely capable orthodox fighter got it right. Pacquiao raided; Marquez controlled.

Let me say this for the second week in a row - don't underestimate the quality of Marquez. Classy guy outside the ring. Brilliant inside, he deserves the third fight; team Pacquaio, led by Bob Arum, might well prefer easier pickings.

The southpaws won the wars last weekend and on our next Friday Fight Night (March 28th), we'll have a chance to see if one of the Cuban great exponents of the style can turn back the clock in a wonderful lightweight match. Joel Casamayor was a smooth, sleek, southpaw at his best.

But the former world super-featherweight champion's fast approaching his 37th birthday. Is he a fading force? We'll find out against the thrilling unbeaten power puncher from 'Down Under' Michael Katsidis. With 20 knockouts in 23 fights, the Australian generates excitement.

Or could the southpaw curse strike again? Katsidis had a war with the Thai southpaw Czar Amonsot last summer. He can be out-boxed, and didn't seem comfortable dealing with a left-hander. At his best, Casamayor was brilliant. The trouble is that was a long time ago.

Also on that night, we'll feature another interesting clash of styles as the fiery Chris Edwards meets skillful Andy Bell in Barnsley. So we're back with a double treat. No boxing on Good Friday, so we'll all have a relaxing weekend, eat plenty of chocolate and be raring to go for what looks like being a post-Easter supply of boxing goodies.

We have three cracking April bills at the home of British boxing, the York Hall, Bethnal Green. First up is popular Jon Thaxton who challenges for the European lightweight title against Yuri Romanov.

Then there's the highly-anticipated Prizefighter tournament on April 11th - as eight heavyweights clash for a big cash prize. Should be a thoroughly entertaining night.

Pretender

Plus, the fight I can't wait for as old favourite Ryan Rhodes goes back to the future, as he attempts to reclaim the British light-middleweight title after more than a decade against the new young pretender Gary Woolcombe.

We also feature sizzling world welterweight action from Atlantic City as the outstanding Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto goes in with Contender star Alfonso Gomez, and there's a superb re-match between Kermit Cintron and Antonio Margarito.

May, of course, brings us the big one as Ricky Hatton tackles Juan Lazcano on a massive Manchester night. You can see the bonanza live and exclusive on Sky Box Office on May 24th. Ricky was on top form last week - looking well and giving intelligent analysis about David Barnes.

Ricky's dad Ray has just told me that over 50,000 tickets have gone for the City of Manchester Stadium. Incredible stuff. It should be a fabulous event, packed with sports and showbiz stars. New York's flamboyant Paulie Malignaggi looks to be heading over; and home talents on display could include Jamie Moore, Craig Watson and Ricky's brother Matthew.

Matthew's always in Ricky's shadow, but he's a great guy and really hopes this will be his breakthrough year. Many congratulations to the younger Hatton and his partner Jenna as well, on the birth of their son Jack. Another fighting Hatton one day?

Speaking from experience, Matthew won't get much rest over Easter. I hope you all do!