By Matthew Hurley: When the announcement came that Manny Pacquiao would face Shane Mosley on May 7th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas I shrugged, placed my hand over my mouth and yawned.

By Matthew Hurley: When creating a list of the best fights of the decade there are usually two or three front-runners for the top position. This past decade one would have to point to four particular bouts that exceeded all expectations: Marco Antonio Barrera – Erik Morales 1 (2000), Arturo Gatti – Micky Ward 1 (2002), Jose Luis Castillo – Diego Corrales 1 (2005) and Israel Vazquez – Rafael Marquez 3 (2008).

By Matthew Hurley: Something happened in a boxing ring in Texas this past Saturday night that was both oddly just and unreasonably cruel. There was one man who has transcended his violent trade and transformed himself into a global phenomenon. A humble athlete at his peak who, with a smile and a wink, embraces his heroic status as a man of the people.

By Matthew Hurley: Every year when I receive my International Boxing Hall Of Fame ballot there is one name I always hesitate at when I see it. In past years I’ve bit my lip and then moved on, not putting pen to paper. In my mind potential inductees into IBHOF should be held to the same high standard that voters for the baseball hall of fame hold those who play on the diamond.

By Matthew Hurley There is nothing quite like an upset, in any sport. But when it comes to boxing the upset reminds us all that anything can happen, at any given moment, during those three-minute rounds. As HBO commentator Larry Merchant once said, “Boxing is the theatre of the unexpected.”

By Matthew Hurley: Watching a great athlete slowly fall apart at the seams is heartbreaking for any fan. Sometimes the weary old warrior can resurrect the glories of his past, if only for a brief moment, leading him and his fans to delude themselves into thinking he is all the way back.

By Matthew Hurley: Devon Alexander has been tapped as a future big star by many fans and boxing scribes, myself included, so it was a bit disconcerting at first to see him struggle against the rugged former titleholder Andreas Kotelnik.

By Matthew Hurley: The summer months, which have seen a dearth of quality bouts, have not been particularly kind to boxing fans, and with the mega-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather falling apart yet again frustration abounds.

By Matthew Hurley: One of the most egregious mistakes a writer can make in a biography of a famous person occurs in the editing process. Once the work is completed you have to go back and triple check your facts and, please oh please, spelling. It’s easy to let things slide in the first couple of drafts because you want to get the words and your passion for your subject down on paper.

By Matthew Hurley: There is something truly inspiring when an athlete discovers the depths of his will and desire in the face of near insurmountable odds. For a boxer that moment of truth usually comes with a great deal of pain. It’s what separates a pretender from the real thing.