Ouma/Bundrage on ESPN2?

BoxingTalk is reporting that Kassim "The Dream" Ouma will face Cornelius "K9" Bundrage in a Junior Middleweight clash on ESPN2 (March 28th).

I'm a big Kassim Ouma fan. How can anybody not be, given his terrible personal history (he was a child soldier in Uganda)? And he has an exciting, punches-in-bunches style that's just fun to watch.

But Ouma has had struggles with his focus as of late. After losing to Jermain Taylor in a Middleweight title fight (Ouma didn't look bad there, but he has no business fighting at 160 lbs.), he lost a shocking upset split decision to Saul Roman. You have to think some of Ouma's problems are in his head, and given the trauma he's endured over his life it's hard to blame him. But still, with two straight losses you got to wonder if Ouma's really all together at the moment.

At his best, Ouma could pick Bundrage apart. Ouma owns wins over Verno Phillips (twice), Marco Antonio Rubio, Kofi Jantuah, J.C. Candelo, and gave Sechew Powell his first (and thus far only loss). Powell, of course, gave Bundrage his first loss via first-round knockout. Bundrage isn't a nobody, and is certainly capable of giving a distracted Ouma a tough time. But his upper-limit was exposed when he got blasted out of the ring by Joel Julio a few months back.

I don't really have anything against Bundridge, but he does tend to fight against boxers I like more than him (Walter Wright being the best example). And anyone who can root against Kassim Ouma doesn't have a soul. I'm rooting for "The Dream" to return to his former glory.

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And while I'm talking about boxing, can I say that I am sick of boxing writers sabotaging the prospect of a Ricky Hatton/Junior Witter fight. The fight would be huge in England. Both have one loss, to pound-for-pound elite fighters (Floyd Mayweather and Zab Judah, respectively). They're definitely the #1 and #2 fighters in their division. As much credit as I give Hatton for fighting Mayweather, he's been ducking Witter for years now -- the latter hasn't lost a fight since 2000, against excellent opposition. What more does he need to do to earn the shot? He even responded to critics who said he was too boring by sensationally knocking out contender Vivian Harris in seven rounds. And folks are saying Hatton should -- legitimately -- be taking a fight with Paulie Malignaggi instead? After the latter squeaked past Herman Ngoudjo in a bout some thought the latter won? This is the Calzaghe/Kessler bout at 140 pounds. All the folks who are legitimizing Hatton's blatant ducking of Witter ought to be ashamed.