Avila Perspective Chap 371 Title Fights in Las Vegas and Detroit Next Week

Avila Perspective Chap 371 Title Fights in Las Vegas and Detroit Next Week

By David A. Avila

Less than two months into the year, boxing fans have witnessed two incredible Liverpool clashes in the lower weights, a new star emerge in Las Vegas and a showdown between speedsters in Manhattan. What’s next? Las Vegas will be ground zero for a number of intriguing fights beginning next week with WBC welterweight titlist Mario Barrios meeting Ryan Garcia seeking his first world title when they meet at T-Mobile Arena. DAZN pay-per-view will stream the Golden Boy and TGB Promotions card.

Barrios has fought several top-level fighters including a number of the more popular fighters like Manny Pacquiao, Keith Thurman and Gervonta “Tank” Davis. In all those fights he showed durability and refusal to quit when down. “Whether you like me or not, you’re going to see me on these big cards fighting in these big venues,” said Barrios. “That’s exactly why I am where I am. It’s been quite the journey, but I still have a lot to do. I’m just thankful and happy to be here.”

Garcia is well-aware of Barrios strengths. “One thing that we do know about Mario Barrios is he’s a very durable fighter, so he can come back the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th round and keep fighting even though he may be hurt,” said Garcia during a press conference in Los Angeles.

Since 2019, when Garcia was matched against a Filipino slugger named Romero Duno and promptly turned out his circuits with a blinding combination in the first round. That electrifying knockout followed by another first round annihilation of Costa Rica’s Francisco Fonseca who had given Gervonta Davis problems when they met in 2017. Oddly enough, Fonseca had visited me with a mutual friend in California a couple of days after his fight with Davis. When he was matched against Garcia they were optimistic of ending the hoopla over the Southern Californian with a thunderous left hook. Fonseca’s people truly believed Garcia was hype not substance.

Over the years I had seen Garcia rise from his youthful amateur days at various tournaments and spotted his talent. One thing I also noticed was the jealousy under the surface in the amateur world. Experiencing that kind of resentment from peers can either trip one into oblivion or make you stronger and callous of others’ words or actions. Garcia tasted that pie of jealousy recently after his fight with Devin Haney in April 2024.

“I have to go out and go grab that title. I’m hungry, I’m excited, and I’m ready to put on a show,” said Garcia. “I actually have to be way more careful fighting him because if I’m sleeping, he’ll beat my a**. I’m super locked in, and you’ll see the best version of myself.”

This fight and the others on the same card evolved because both promoters agreed to work with each other.

The sport of boxing is undergoing some changes. Recently, ESPN gave up on boxing and MMA. It’s sticking with pro wrestling. The boxing world recently saw Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez light up Madison Square Garden with their speedy skills. Before that we saw a little-known boxer from Fontana, Calif. named Raymond Muratalla defeat a much-heralded Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz and make a name for himself. And just last week we saw two Liverpool fighters bang it out with two Mexican guys and provide the two most exciting fights so far this year.

Yet several boxing promotion companies are searching for a media outlet to call home. DAZN remains the main outlet for boxing.

Women Title Fights

On Sunday Feb. 22, the top female fighter in the world Claressa Shields (17-0, 3 Kos) battles against old nemesis Franchon Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 Kos) at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Mich. for the undisputed heavyweight championship. DAZN will show the Salita Promotions fight card. Expect Shields and Crews to battle each other like their lives depend on it.

Lately, two female title fights turned out to be stinkers. One fight in particular we saw Canada’s Caroline Veyre win a decision over Belgium Delfine Persoon by tackling, grappling and grabbing her foe in every round. It also happened a week ago when Australia’s Taylah Gentzen used the same approach against Turkey’s Elif Nur Turhan. Don’t expect Shields and Crews to use the same tactics. I hope not.

Shields has the fastest hands and A-plus fighting skills. Despite fighting bigger and stronger foes she has never resorted to holding. She knows how to fight inside or outside. Crews is a different story. She may resort to occasional holding, but she does prefer to fight inside. They met before and lit up the arena with their ferocious blows.

Many boxers trainers especially in the amateur world do not teach their students how to fight in close. These coaches teach holding techniques instead. The skill of fighting inside is a lost art. Only a few coaches and trainers remain that know how to teach the style of fighting inside. If you need an example just watch video of James “Lights Out” Toney, Salvador Sanchez or Mike McCallum. Those guys could fight inside or outside and they never hold.

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