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Abril Has Better Chance At Upset Than Fedchenko Does
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This Saturday, as part of a co-feature on HBO, Brandon Rios 29-0-1 [20] will face Richard Abril Might Abril be able to wipe this fat grin off Rios' face on Saturday night? Wylie says it's not near impossible.
17-2-1 [8] in a lightweight bout at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, while over in Mexico – at the New Mexico City Arena – Juan Manuel Marquez will take on Serhiy Fedchenko for the interim WBO junior welterweight title. If Marquez and Rios prevail in their respective bouts, their respective styles could result in a potential fight of the year tear-up between the two in the near future.
Just over a month ago, the landscape for both Brandon Rios and Juan Manuel Marquez appeared a lot different. Rios – who now finds himself going in with a Cuban of a different kind – should have been facing speed demon Yuriorkis Gamboa, while Marquez – who could have been facing long time nemesis and number one ranked welterweight Manny Pacquiao in a fourth meeting between the two – now finds himself embroiled in sort of a homecoming bout against a relatively unknown fighter.
Admittedly, I have not seen an awful lot of Richard Abril and Serhiy Fedchenko. At 5' 11'', Abril is very tall for a lightweight, which he puts to good effect by combining a decent jab, intelligent footwork and good upper body movement [think of Lucian Bute in terms of the upper body movement]. It would not be outrageous to suggest he is the more refined fighter in the classical sense than Rios. The defeats on Abril's record came about as a result of two closely contested split decisions, the first, against former Amir khan conquerer Breidis Prescott in 2008, and the second, against Hank Lundy in 2010. Abril insists he should have received the nod both times.
Serhiy Fedchenko is probably the more accomplished fighter of the two lesser knowns. Fedchenko is somewhat reminiscent of recent Nonito Donaire spoiler Omar Narvaez – nothing too fancy, just good solid textbook technique backed up by a decent boxing brain. However – like Narvaez against Donaire at the higher weight – Fedchenko doesn't possess the power or spark to really trouble his opponents [he has only two clean knockouts in his career]. Fedchenko's biggest night thus far, came as a result of a hard-fought victory over a long in the tooth Demarcus Corley in 2010 – a struggle for the Ukranian.
While there is a little uncertainty surrounding the in-ring behaviour of Abril and Fedchenko, there is none with regards to their opponents – we know how Marquez and Rios will operate. It is for this very reason then, that I believe Brandon Rios will have the more difficult task on Saturday night; and not just because Marquez is the superior fighter either.
Not too long ago, the superb Frank Lotierzo wrote a fascinating piece on David Tua, and in particular, the reasons why Tua was never considered a great swarmer. In the article Frank described some of the characteristics a great swarmer must posses. Among them were a great chin and one punch fight ending power – which Tua had in abundance. Yet, he was still not considered a great swarmer. The reason for this being that Tua did not, or could not employ great head movement along with distance shortening footwork which would have enabled him to cut off the ring better on his opponents.
I believe Brandon Rios – who is considered a swarmer- is missing more vital components that go with pressure fighting than David Tua ever did. When I look at Rios, I don't see much in the way of head movement, footspeed, one punch ko power [he has accumulative power] or discipline [in the ring and out – his weight may continue to be a problem]. Thus far, Rios has been well matched against fighters like Urbano Antillon and John Murray, who oblige him by standing right in front of him – a gift for a pressure fighter. Against Miguel Acosta, Rios had to come from behind early – Acosta was giving Rios nightmares with his boxing until Rios eventually wore him down. Simply put, I don't think the undoing of Rios necessarily has to come at the hands of a great fighter – never mind a Sugar Ray Robinson type talent, the second coming of Sugar Ray Seales would likely be enough. Don't get me wrong, Rios is an entertaining fighter – he is likeable and he will always give you his all – but I want to see him in there with fighters who are not just going to stand toe to toe with him. If Rios is indeed the pressure fighter everyone says he is, then he should be able to walk through Abril without difficulty.
In there lies the problem.
Rios is a lot like Robert Garcia stablemate Antonio Margarito. Rios is a better combination puncher and has more speed, but does he possess the chin of Margarito? For a pressure fighter like Rios who offers little head movement and whose defense equates to him coming forward to get his own punches off, he better have a cast iron chin like Margarito, otherwise his flaws will be exposed sooner than we think – dare I say maybe on Saturday night?
Probably not. While I think the fight will be a lot more competitive than most, Rios will likely have the superior stamina and will finish the fight stronger. Abril will definitely cause some early problems due to his length – namely his jab, which looks accurate on film. However, I'm not convinced Abril has the mental toughness or discipline to stay composed over the distance in what is undoubtedly the biggest night of his career. Because of Abril's low knockout percentage, a stoppage win seems highly unlikely and what with Rios' constant forward momentum, it's hard to envision Abril securing a decision win, especially with one eye on Juan Manuel Marquez as a potential opponent. Oh right, Marquez!
Barring an absolute disaster, I fully expect Marquez to get the win on Saturday night. While Fedchenko is no Likar Ramos, he is not in Marquez' class either. I can see this fight looking a lot like the Donaire-Narvaez fight, with Marquez being the busier fighter throughout. By the middle rounds, I think Marquez' accurate combinations will be taking their toll on Fedchenko and he – like Narvaez – will be looking to see the final bell. Marquez however, is so creative on offense though, that I can see him still being able to open up a negative fighter – something Donaire couldn't do – and maybe force a late stoppage in front of his adoring natives.
While defeat for both Marquez and Rios is not likely, it is also not impossible. However, defeat for Marquez will likely come as a result of a sudden overnight ageing process or from a freak knockout. Unless you are Floyd Mayweather, it's hard to imagine a boxer [which Fedchenko is] outboxing Marquez.
I can on the other hand, imagine a boxer outboxing Brandon Rios. And they will not have to be a Juan Manuel Marquez to pull it off.
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Bivol Evens the Score with Beterbiev; Parker and Stevenson Win Handily
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It was labeled the best boxing card in history.
That’s up for debate.
And there was some debate as Dmitry Bivol avenged his loss to Artur Beterbiev to become the new undisputed light heavyweight world champion on Saturday by majority decision in a tactical battle.
“He gave me this chance and I appreciate it,” said Bivol of Beterbiev.
Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) rallied from behind to give Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) his first pro loss in their rematch at a sold out crowd in the Venue Riyadh Season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Like their first encounter the rematch was also very close.
Four months ago, these two faced each other as undefeated light heavyweights. Now, after two furious engagements, both have losses.
Beterbiev was making his first defense as undisputed light heavyweight champion and made adjustments from their first match. This time the Russian fighter who trains in Canada concentrated on a body attack and immediately saw dividends.
For most of the first six rounds it seemed Beterbiev would slowly grind down Bivol until he reached an unsurmountable lead. But despite the momentum he never could truly hurt Bivol or gain separation.
Things turned around in the seventh round as Bivol opened up with combinations to the head and body while slipping Beterbiev’s blows. It was a sudden swing of momentum. But how long could it last?
“It was hard to keep him at the distance. I had to be smarter and punch more clean punches,” said Bivol.
Beterbiev attempted to regain the momentum but Bivol was not allowing it to happen. In the final 10 seconds he opened up with a machine gun combination. Though few of the punches connected it became clear he was not going to allow unclarity.
Using strategic movement Bivol laced quick combinations and immediately departed. Betebiev seemed determined to counter the fleet fighter but was unsuccessful for much of the second half of the fight.
Around the 10th round Beterbiev stepped on the gas with the same formula of working the body and head. It gave Bivol pause but he still unleashed quick combos to keep from being overrun.
Bivol connected with combinations and Beterbiev connected with single body and head shots. It was going to be tough for the referees to decide which attack they preferred. After 12 rounds with no knockdowns one judge saw it a draw at 114-114. But two others saw Bivol the winner 116-112, 115-113.
“I was better. I was pushing myself more, I was lighter. I just wanted to win so much today,” said Bivol.
Beterbiev was gracious in defeat.
“Congratulations to Bivol’s team” said Beterbiev. “I think this fight was better than the first fight.”
After the match it was discussed that an effort to make a third fight is a strong possibility.
Heavyweight KO by Parker
Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) once again proved he could be the best heavyweight without a world title in knocking out the feared Martin Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) to retain his WBO interim title. It was quick and decisive.
“Catch him when he is coming in,” said Parker, 33, about his plan.
After original foe IBF heavyweight titlist Daniel Dubois was forced to withdraw due to illness, Bakole willingly accepted the match with only two days’ notice. Many experts and fans around the world were surprised and excited Parker accepted the match.
Ever since Parker lost to Joe Joyce in 2022, the New Zealander has proven to be vastly improved with wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. Now you can add Bakole to the list of conquests.
Bakole, 33, was coming off an impressive knockout win last July and posed a serious threat if he connected with a punch. The quick-handed Bakole at 310 pounds and a two-inch height advantage is always dangerous.
In the first round Parker was wary of the fighter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He kept his range and moved around the ring looking to poke a jab and move. Bakole caught him twice with blows and Parker retaliated.
It proved to be a very important test.
Parker refrained from moving and instead moved inside range of the big African fighter. Both exchanged liberally with Bakole connecting with an uppercut and Parker an overhand right.
Bakole shook his head at the blow he absorbed.
Both re-engaged and fired simultaneously. Parker’s right connected to the top of the head of Bakole who shuddered and stumbled and down he went and could not beat the count. The referee stopped the heavyweight fight at 2:17 of the second round. Parker retains his interim title by knockout.
“I’m strong, I’m healthy, I’m sharp,” said Parker. “I had to be patient.”
Shakur Wins
Despite an injured left hand southpaw WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) won by stoppage over late replacement Josh Padley (15-1, 6 KOs). It was an impressive accomplishment.
Often criticized for his lack of action and safety-first style, Stevenson was supposed to fight undefeated Floyd Schofield who pulled out due to illness. In stepped British lightweight Padley who had nothing to lose.
Padley was never hesitant to engage with the super-quick Stevenson and despite the lightning-quick combos by the champion, the British challenger exchanged liberally. It just wasn’t enough.
Even when Stevenson injured his left hand during an exchange in the sixth round, Padley just couldn’t take advantage. The speedy southpaw kept shooting the right jabs and ripping off right hooks. At the end of the sixth Stevenson briefly switched to a right-handed fighting style.
Stevenson used his right jabs and hooks to perfection. Double right hooks to the head and body seemed to affect the British challenger. A clean left to the body of Padley sent him to the floor for the count in the ninth round. It was a surprising knockdown due to his injured left. Padley got up and the fight resumed. Stevenson unloaded with right hooks to the body and down went the British fighter once again. He got up and tried to fight his way out but was met with another left to the body and down he went a third time. Padley’s corner tossed in a white towel to signify surrender. The referee stopped the fight at the end of the round. Stevenson scored his 11th knockout win.
Photo credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom
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Early Results from Riyadh where Hamzah Sheeraz was Awarded a Gift Draw
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After two 6-round appetizers, British light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith got the show rolling with a lusty 12-round skirmish. Things went south in the middle of the seven-fight main card when WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames locked horns with challenger Hamzah Sheeraz. This was a drab fight owing to a milquetoast performance by the favored Sheeraz.
Heading in, the lanky six-foot-three Sheeraz, whose physique is mindful of a young Thomas Hearns, was undefeated in 21 fights. Having stopped five of his last six opponents in two rounds or less, the 25-year-old Englishman was touted as the next big thing in the middleweight division. However, he fought off his back foot the entire contest, reluctant to let his hands go, and Adames kept his title when the bout was scored a draw.
Sheeraz had the crowd in his corner and two of the judges scored the match with their ears. Their tallies were 115-114 for Sheeraz and 114-114. The third judge had it 118-110 for Adames, the 30-year old Dominican, now 24-1-1, who had Ismael Salas in his corner.
Ortiz-Madrimov
Super welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr, knocked out his first 21 opponents, begging the question of how he would react when he finally faced adversity. He showed his mettle in August of last year when he went a sizzling 12 rounds with fellow knockout artist Serhii Bohachuk, winning a hard-fought decision. Tonight he added another feather in his cap with a 12-round unanimous decision over Ismail Madrimov, prevailing on scores of 117-111 and 115-113 twice.
Ortiz won by adhering tight to Robert Garcia’s game plan. The elusive Madrimov, who bounces around the ring like the energizer bunny, won the early rounds. But eventually Ortiz was able to cut the ring off and turned the tide in his favor by landing the harder punches. It was the second straight loss for Madrimov (10-2-1), a decorated amateur who had lost a close but unanimous decision to Terence Crawford in his previous bout.
Kabayel-Zhang
No heavyweight has made greater gains in the last 15 months than Agit Kabayel. The German of Kurdish descent, whose specialty is body punching, made his third straight appearance in Riyadh tonight and, like in the previous two, fashioned a knockout. Today, although out-weighed by more than 40 pounds, he did away with Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang in the sixth round.
It didn’t start out well for Kabayel. The New Jersey-based, six-foot-six Zhang, a two-time Olympian for China, started fast and plainly won the opening round. Kabayel beat him to the punch from that point on, save for one moment when Zhang put him on the canvas with a straight left hand.
That happened in the fifth round, but by the end of the frame, the 41-year-old Zhang was conspicuously gassed. The end for the big fellow came at the 2:29 mark of round six when he couldn’t beat the count after crumbling to the canvas in a delayed reaction after taking a hard punch to his flabby midsection.
Kabayel remains undefeated at 26-0 (18 KOs). Zhang (27-3-1) hadn’t previously been stopped.
Smith-Buatsi
The all-British showdown between light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith was a grueling, fan-friendly affair. A former 168-pound world title-holder, Smith, 34, won hard-earned unanimous decision, prevailing on scores of 115-113, 116-112, and a ludicrous 119-110.
There were no knockdowns, but Liverpool’s Smith, who advanced to 31-2 (22) finished the contest with a bad gash in the corner of his right eye. It was the first pro loss for Buatsi (19-1), an Olympic bronze medalist who entered the contest a small favorite and was the defending “interim” title-holder.
This contest was also a battle of wits between two of America’s most prominent trainers, Buddy McGirt (Smith) and Virgil Hunter (Buatsi).
Check back shortly for David Avila’s wrap-up of the last three fights.
Photo credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom
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Cain Sandoval KOs Mark Bernaldez in the Featured Bout at Santa Ynez
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Northern California’s Cain Sandoval remained undefeated with a knockout win over Mark Bernaldez in a super lightweight battle on Friday on a 360 Promotions card.
Sandoval (15-0, 13 KOs) of Sacramento needed four rounds to figure out tough Filipino fighter Bernaldez (25-7, 14 KOs) in front of a packed crowd at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez.
Bernaldez had gone eight rounds against Mexico’s very tough Oscar Duarte. He showed no fear for Sandoval’s reputed power and both fired bombs at each other from the second round on.
Things turned in favor of Sandoval when he targeted the body and soon had Bernaldez in retreat. It was apparent Sandoval had discovered a weakness.
In the beginning of the fourth Sandoval fired a stiff jab to the body that buckled Bernaldez but he did not go down. And when both resumed in firing position Sandoval connected with an overhand right and down went the Filipino fighter. He was counted out by referee Rudy Barragan at 34 seconds of the round.
“I’m surprised he took my jab to the body. I respect that. I have a knockout and I’m happy about that,” Sandoval said.
Other Bouts
Popular female fighter Lupe Medina (9-0) remained undefeated with a solid victory over the determined Agustina Vazquez (4-3-2) by unanimous decision after eight rounds in a minimumweight fight between Southern Californians.
Early on Vazquez gave Medina trouble disrupting her patter with solid jabs. And when Medina overloaded with combination punches, she was laced with counters from Vazquez during the first four rounds.
Things turned around in the fifth round as Medina used a jab to keep Vazquez at a preferred distance. And when she attacked it was no more than two-punch combination and maintaining a distance.
Vazquez proved determined but discovered clinching was not a good idea as Medina took advantage and overran her with blows. Still, Vazquez looked solid. All three judges saw it 79-73 for Medina.
A battle between Southern Californian’s saw Compton’s Christopher Rios (11-2) put on the pressure all eight rounds against Eastvale’s Daniel Barrera (8-1-1) and emerged the winner by majority decision in a flyweight battle.
It was Barrera’s first loss as a pro. He never could discover how to stay off the ropes and that proved his downfall. Neither fighter was knocked down but one judge saw it 76-76, and two others 79-73 for Rios.
In a welterweight fight Gor Yeritsyan (20-1,16 KOs) scorched Luis Ramos (23-7) with a 12-punch combination the sent him to the mat in the second round. After Ramos beat the count he was met with an eight punch volley and the fight was stopped at 2:11 of the second round by knockout.
Super feather prospect Abel Mejia (7-0, 5 KOs) floored Alfredo Diaz (9-12) in the fifth round but found the Mexican fighter to be very durable in their six-round fight. Mejia caught Diaz with a left hook in the fifth round for a knockdown. But the fight resumed with all three judges scoring it 60-53 for Mejia who fights out of El Modena, Calif.
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