By Alphonso Costello

Dazzling knockouts, nifty footwork, electrifying exchanges and eloquent ramblings are all apart of the sweet science.

There are articles, lists and shows dedicated to the most memorable fights, knockouts and fighters.

You have probably stumbled upon a few of these lists in the form of an article or a television show.

The most thrilling knockouts in history, the most underrated fighters, and the most overrated heavyweights so forth and so on.

Yet, this concept has to be the most annoying media creation of all-time.

At the same time, I cannot allow such a topic to pass me by without throwing in my two pesos.

The most overrated underrated fight of the year was Mikkel Kessler versus Librado Andrade.

This fight was billed as the most underrated fight in boxing with the possibly of becoming a fight of the year candidate.

This super middleweight title bout was supposed to be a fiery and savage brawl.

Instead it was a horrifying, one-sided beat down. Mikkel Kessler showcased his skills, but it didn’t live up to the hype as an underrated brawl of the year.

Next on the list is the most overlooked “accomplishment” in boxing. When people speak of Manny Pacquiao they mention his power, charisma, IQ rating and bank account.

The one thing most people overlook is Pacquiao’s jump from one weight class to another. Now don’t confuse his pound-for-pound status with his individual weight achievements.

Pacquiao started his career as a strawweight in 1995 and won his first world title three years later as a flyweight. Two and a half years later he jumped over the bantamweight division and captured his second world title as a super bantamweight.

His crowning achievement came in 2004 when he knocked out world featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera. But his success has skyrocketed since. Pacquiao is currently the WBC’s #1 ranked junior lightweight.

Jumping from flyweight to junior lightweight all the while carrying his power is shockingly peculiar.

How can a former strawweight become such a heavy hitter at 130-pounds?

There’s got to be a scientific explanation for that.

But with his prime years seemingly ahead of him, Pacquiao may end up making a jump to the lightweight division or beyond.

So make an effort to recognize Manny Pacquiao’s super human accomplishments.

Whether he’s defeating hall-of-famers or successfully carrying his punching power to every single weight class, Pacquiao is boxing’s Incredible Hulk.

KESSLER VERSUS THE MUMMY OF GUANAJUATO

Librado Andrade was Mikkel Kessler’s punching bag for twelve excruciating rounds during their WBC/WBA super middleweight title clash.

The real story during Kessler’s successful title defense wasn’t his precise power punching and movement. The real story was Andrade’s pain threshold. His tolerance for pain was simply extraordinary.

How Andrade endured and survived such a brutal attack without any bumps, cuts or bruises is inconceivable.

Kessler’s failure to knock him out was mind-boggling. Andrade showed the heart and courage of a true warrior. On the other hand, Kessler showed the fighting spirit of a true world champion.

KING COMPOUND

As reported in the New York Post, Don King has ventured into the baby product industry.

King is promoting a line of baby products with the unlikeliest of partners.

Mike Tyson and Zab Judah have reportedly joined King in this wholesome business venture.

These three men amongst babies will undoubtedly bring an image of nurturance and compassion to the baby product industry.

Wait there’s more. Don King got a considerable amount of press when he met Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican in Rome, Italy on March 21.

King presented the Pontiff with two world title belts and a letter. In the letter, King reportedly asked the Pope to pray for President George W. Bush.

I guess there still is honor amongst thieves.

FLIP-FLOPPERS

There’s nothing worse than a flip-flopping washerwoman.

And most people who were against Evander Holyfield’s comeback are beginning to jump aboard the “Real Deal’s” bandwagon.

They believe Holyfield may actually win a title belt by the end of the year based on his recent win over Vinny Maddalone.

The very same Vinny Maddalone that requires 20 stitches to close a bloody gash when he’s hit by a slight breeze.

           

THE MAD JABBER

Gerry Penalosa landed some great counter-punches during his courageous, but losing effort against WBO super bantamweight titleholder Daniel Ponce De Leon.

The fight was a tad closer than the official scores indicated, but De Leon was still too much for the undersized Philippine ring warrior.

Many biased observers believe the judges screwed Penalosa. The judges didn’t screw him.

De Leon simply out boxed his opponent. Remember folks punch percentages do not determine the winner of a fight, the three blind mice do…

SCREW-UP

The second screw job of the year candidate is in. Demetrius Hopkins’ horrid unanimous decision victory over Steve Forbes was really botched up by the so-called judges. If final punch stats determined the winner of a fight, oh, never mind…

HAPPY TRAILS

As many of you know, Fran Charles is no longer HBO’s Boxing After Dark blow-by-blow announcer and it’s a damn shame.

Charles primary job at the NFL Network created too many scheduling conflicts for his HBO boxing duties.

And since the National Football League has evolved from a 17-week sport to a year around spectacle, Charles and HBO mutually agreed to part ways.

But look at the bright side, his new replacement Bob Papa was rescued from those atrocious Versus/Top Rank boxing shows.

Now if HBO could only replace…

HEAVYWEIGHT GROWTH HORMONE

Some people have claimed that seven out of the top ten heavyweights are on the juice. Unjustifiable allegations against a chiseled 265-pound human rock are treacherous and negligent.

There’s no doubt that performance-enhancing drugs is prevalent within every amateur and professional sport in the world, except for the World Series of Poker.

Anyone that says otherwise would be naïve. But one cannot make such allegations against a small segment of eternally ripped heavyweights without having the facts to back it up.

One of the top ten heavyweights is WBA titleholder Nikolai Valuev. Does that mean Valuev grew seven feet tall because he was juicing? Or was the nuclear accident in Chernobyl responsible for his size and skill?

I cannot think of one heavyweight to the left or right of “Evan Fields” that may be using performance-enhancing drugs. In fact, I cannot think of one fighter in any weight division that may be abusing steroids, human growth hormone or any other BALCO supplement available on the black market today…

MANILA ICE

Former WBC flyweight champion and current junior lightweight title contender Manny Pacquiao is preparing to bulldoze his way through another Mexican opponent. Pacquiao (43-3-2, 34 KO’s) is scheduled to face Jorge Solis on April 14 in San Antonio, Texas.

Solis (32-0-2, 23 KO’s) is considered by many to be Pacquiao’s handpicked punching bag.

Conversely, some boxing experts believe outside distractions may help Solis’ cause against Pacquiao. Contract disputes, political ambitions, lack of preparation and the absence of Freddie Roach may lead to Pacquiao’s demise at the Alamodome.

However, Pacquiao’s demise is unlikely to happen against Solis. Pacquiao is too strong and powerful for any B-level sacrificial lamb that is thrown his way.

Pacquiao’s gullibility may be his Achilles’ heel, but his focus and determination in the ring cannot be questioned.

If Pacquiao is saying his prayers and taking his vitamins he should vanquish Solis within four rounds. In the unlikely event that Pacquiao comes in under trained and distracted, he will annihilate his undefeated sparring partner by the seventh round.

AND THE NEW BEAST FROM THE EAST

Standing at 7 feet 9 inches tall, Bao Xishun would tower over heavyweight titleholder Nikolai Valuev.

According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Xishun is the world’s tallest person. Xishun made international headlines by marrying a 28-year-old saleswoman.

On their wedding night the bride was sad to discover that the world’s tallest man has the world’s smallest--

THIS JUST IN! THE PREDATOR RETURNS

At a recent press conference former super middleweight titleholder and convicted sex offender Dave Hilton announced his intentions to resume his boxing career.

In 2001 Hilton was found guilty for sexually assaulting two teenage girls. The 43-year-old convicted sex offender was released from prison in 2006.

Dave Hilton can take his inner demons and assault tactics back into the ring and leave the innocent children alone.

CHUMP OF THE MONTH: Sergio Mora

I guess the unflattering nickname of the “Latin Fake” suits him best after he pulled out of a middleweight title fight against world champion Jermain Taylor.

Team Mora is sadly mistaken if they think Sergio Mora is the next “Golden Ticket” in boxing.

Reality television participates are a dime-a-dozen. Mr. Mora is nothing more than a trend. He should capitalize on his fame before his 15 minutes run out. Peter Manfredo Jr. certainly has.

See you on MTV’s The Real World, Sergio.

Alphonso Costello may be reached at acostello@boxingscene.com