I don't know what it means to sob mathematically, but I'm sobbing pugilistically this week. There's virtually nothing on unless you're a fan of boxers who are well past their best, such as lightweight turned welterweight Nate Campbell. I know I'm not. There's an Australian rugby player freak show on Friday night and some rumblings from the U.K. and Mexico as well.
- Kevin Bizier vs. Nate Campbell, Friday, ESPN2, Montreal. Damn it, Nate Campbell, I like you. Why do you have to make me feel all conflicted 'n stuff about your retirement/comeback? Okay, maybe Campbell (36-9-1, 26 KO) isn't listening. I guess he did beat Victor Cayo early last year. But it's hard to get over the fact that he's a 40-year-old career lightweight who has only fought twice in the last 12 months. He's up against hometown favourite Bizier (19-0, 13 KO), who really seems to have every advantage except experience. I don't think Campbell's heart is truly in it. The less we talk about it, the better.
- The Rest. Friday also offers two top level Australian rugby players, Quade Cooper and Sonny Bill Williams, fighting professionally. These guys are some of the biggest sportsmen in Australia (imagine Michael Vick and RGIII moonlighting as pro boxers), so it's a bit of a big deal. Williams (5-0, 3 KO) is facing a somewhat live, if fat, heavyweight body in Frans Botha (48-8-3, 29 KO), so he could even lose… UniMas is showing a card from Mexico City Saturday, headlined by welterweights Daniel Sandoval (30-2, 29 KO) and Miguel Callist (27-8-1, 18 KO)… Junior welterweight veteran Humberto Soto (59-8-2, 34 KO) seems to have returned to his pattern of fighting mediocre opposition, facing Silverio Ortiz (26-13, 12 KO) in Mexico on Saturday… Belfast junior featherweight Carl Frampton (15-0, 10 KO) defends his European strap against Spain's Kiko Martinez (27-3, 19 KO) at home the same night. Andrew Harrison says he'll have a preview for us.
