The past month reminded us of a few time honored beliefs that rang true once again. First, that a good big man will almost always beat a good small man. Second, that the sequel often pales in comparison to the original.

November was dominated by the presence of featherweight rulers Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, and a rematch between Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward that wasn't nearly as good as their first encounter-but a pretty damn good fight anyways.

FIGHT OF THE MONTH - Gatti Evens the Score (November 23rd)

If Gatti-Ward I was 'Star Wars' then the rematch was 'the Empire Strikes Back'. Highly anticipated and very entertaining, but not quite as good as the original. Gatti did what many didn't think he could do: stay disciplined and box from the outside for all 10 rounds. Using his jab and legs he would stay away from 'Irish' Micky's lethal left hook to the body and box his way to a victory. But that isn't to say that this fight didn't have its memorable moments. Round three is one for the books and the action was spirited throughout. And with the nature of the first bout which saw Gatti jump out to an early lead only to have Ward fight his way back to victory, there was tension and anticipation at what could occur all the way to the final bell.

Now that each man has a win over each other the question is, will there be a 'Return of the Jedi' in this series?

On the undercard, prospects Freddy Cadena, Sechew Powell, Anthony Thompson and world class jr. lightweight Nate Campbell all notched victories.

BIG OVER SMALL - Barrera Tames Tapia (November 2nd)

It was a measured Marco Antonio Barrera who methodically out-boxed the gutty Johnny Tapia. Barrera, once known for his red-hot ferocity has turned himself into a cool-as-ice boxer that is content to counterpunch and jab his way to wins. No, it isn't as exciting as the guy we saw go toe-to-toe with the likes of Kennedy McKinney and Erik Morales the first time around- but it's as every bit as effective. Tapia for all his will and heart simply couldn't muster up enough offense to puncture the shield of Barrera losing by scores of 118-110 (on two scorecards) and 116-112.

On the undercard, 2000 silver medalist Ricardo Williams would easily out-point former IBF jr. welterweight titlist Terronn Millett over 10 rounds.

BIG OVER SMALL II - 'El Terrible' Night for Ayala (November 16th)

He tried his best, he tried, really, really, really, hard. But Paulie Ayala just couldn't do it. He just couldn't move the mountain that seemed to be Erik Morales, the naturally bigger boxer, who seemed to punch like a welterweight to Ayala and take his best shots as if he were indestructible.

Morales would use his straight right all night to continually back off a pesky Ayala to win a 12-round decision going away. While the scoring was a bit one-sided (117-111, 117-111 and 116-112) it was an entertaining battle that saw some heated exchanges. But while Ayala had a pistol, Morales came with a cannon.

On this pay-per-view undercard, Guty Espadas would win a featherweight crossroads match against Bones Adams and Jorge Arce defended his WBC jr. flyweight title with a third round blowout of Augustin Luna.

RIGHTING A WRONG - Larios KO's Jorrin (November 1st)

Oscar Larios will tell you that he should have already had the green WBC belt around his waist a long time ago. Remember when he fought Willie Jorrin the first time in January of 2001? Most thought he had done enough to win the title only to be another in the long line of victims coming up on the short end of dubious decision against Jorrin.

This time Larios wouldn't even let it get that far and decided to take things into his own hands. He would nail Jorrin with a blistering uppercut in the opening round that sent Jorrin to the canvas. Jorrin would get up but eventually the fight would be halted with him fighting for his life off the ropes. Now that's an ending that the judges couldn't even take from Larios.

OLD PROS - Mitchell 'Cools' Phillips (November 9th)

In a matchup of former jr. welterweight titlists, it was the mobility, speed and quickness of southpaw Sharmba Mitchell that would off-set the punching power of Vince Phillips over 10 rounds. With the win, Phillips continues back on the comeback trail as he searches for a rematch with Kostya Tsyzu.

On the undercard, Jeff Lacy would win but look rather unimpressive in winning a distance fight against veteran Ross Thompson, who was in all reality a blown-up jr. middleweight fighting at 168 pounds. Thompson would confuse and negate Lacy with his head movement and awkward style. Lacy keeps his unbeaten mark but shows that there is still plenty of rough edges to be smoothed out.

REAL FIGHTS - Spady Defends Title on Pay-Per-View (November 9th)

It was dubbed 'Real Fights' as Mike Acri and Lou DiBella ventured into the realm of pay-per-view to combat the shrinking number of available dates on HBO and Showtime.

The main event featured IBF lightweight titlist Paul Spadafora's successful defense against the tough Dane Dennis Holbaek. It was typical 'Spaddy', not exciting, yet effective as he boxed his way to a victory. 2000 Olympian Jermain Taylor would stop Johnny Rivera in four rounds. The best fight of the night was between lightweight contenders Victoriano Sosa and Lamar Murphy. For 10 rounds these two went back-and-forth from in close and at the end neither man won or lost. It was a hard-earned draw for both men. If there was anything worth paying for on this night, it was Sosa-Murphy.

PUERTO RICAN PROSPECT - Cotto Dominates Vet (November 22nd)

In front of a rabid hometown crowd in Caguas, Puerto Rico, jr. welterweight Miguel Cotto continued his development by systematically taking apart and stopping the respected journeyman Ubaldo Hernandez in seven rounds with body shots. He may not be Felix Trinidad, but Cotto looks like he's going places. That night also saw his Olympic teammate Ivan Calderon and former WBA welterweight titlist Andrew Lewis notch W's.

NOT-SO-THRILL HILL - Classic Virgil Hill (November 17th)

It was vintage Virgil Hill when he out-pointed Joey DeGrandis on a Sunday Night Fights telecast on Fox Sports. No, he didn't showcase any of the skills that he did when he was a long-time light heavyweight but he sure did bore the hell out of the viewing audience. Like I said, it was vintage Hill.

But the folks in the audience in North Dakota sure seemed entertained. I guess it doesn't take much to keep those people happy.

THIS AND THAT

On November 1st in Las Vegas, jr. lightweight contender Arnulfo Castillo struggled to gain a draw in a ten round slugfest against Arturo Urena in an over-the-weight bout... The next day would see the comebacking Wayne McCullough stop Nikolai Eremeev in four... On November 3rd, light heavyweight contender Montell Griffin seemed a bit fortunate to get a close 12-round verdict over George Jones... On November 7th, Michael Grant continued his winning ways by stopping James Walton in four... The next day would see cruiserweight contender O'Neil Bell make it two-for-two against former titlist 'King' Arthur Williams by stopping Williams in nine... WBA bantamweight titlist Johnny Bredahl would hold onto his belt with a hard fought decision over Leo Gamex... On November 14th, Kevin Kelley, hoping to make on last run at a title would stop Johnny Gutierrez in five rounds... On November 15th, jr. lightweight contender Jesus Chavez would KO Johnny Walker in five and Yory Boy Campas kept at it with a two round stoppage of George Klinesmith... On the 22nd, Juan Diaz stayed undefeated by drilling Arthur Cruz in four. On that same card fellow prospects Jeffrey Resto and Darling Jimenez notched wins in Atlantic City, New Jersey... Across the country in Montebello, California, 2000 Olympian Carlos Navarro would stop Benito Zepeda in five... And in Leemore, California, suspect Hector Camacho Jr. would stop Freddy Ladd in one... On the 23rd, WBO cruiserweight titlist Johnny Nelson was lucky to keep his title with a draw versus Guillermo Jones... Vitaly Klitschko stopped Larry Donald in ten rounds as he gets ready for his shot at Lennox Lewis... The next day would see Brian Viloria, a 2000 Olympian struggle to a 12 round verdict against Alberto Rossell but his Olympic teammate Clarence Vinson was much more impressive in his 10 round win over Idelfonso Martinez... And finally, on the 30th, Maurice Harris would win 'the Fistful of Dollar's' heavyweight tourney and take home (hopefully) $100,000.