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Mayweather Is Pushed By Cotto But Rises To The Event
This past weekend boxing fans had to shell out nearly seventy dollars in order to watch boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter, Floyd Mayweather 43-0 (26) fight WBA junior middleweight title holder Miguel Cotto 37-3 (30). And as sad as it is that boxing fans have to be gouged to see quality fights like Mayweather-Cotto, this one was an outstanding bout and no one could have felt as if they were fleeced afterward.
Mayweather won a well deserved, hard-fought unanimous decision (I had it 8-4 / 116-112 Maweather) over a game but not quite up to the task Cotto. The fight saw plenty of good give and take action. However, when it was over it was obvious to all that Mayweather is the superior fighter. Actually, watching Mayweather and Cotto proved what it looks like when a genuine great fighter meets a terrific/outstanding fighter.
Boxing aficionados can debate styles and strategies all they want. The trouble with that is it's the fighter who makes the style – not the opposite. Mayweather dictated the terms of the fight aside from a few good runs that Cotto put together. Sure, you'd be correct in suggesting that Cotto waited on Mayweather too much. He was directly squared up right in front of Mayweather in the danger-zone and didn't let his hands go. What a colossal mistake that was for the simple fact that Floyd was too fast and accurate for Miguel to try and wait and then react to what he did. There were so many patches during the bout when Cotto would get close to Mayweather and not make Mayweather do what he didn't want to. Miguel was too cautious and looked as if he was more concerned about going first and missing, and then being countered, which ultimately paralyzed him and opened the door for Mayweather to unload and score.
When Cotto tried to push the fight he did it in runs, something Mayweather quickly picked up on. Floyd knew that during the holes Cotto's inactivity provided that he could fill them and control the round. Again, Cotto's offense wasn't consistent and Mayweather knew he'd get his openings after Miguel's flurries. Lastly, what did Cotto gain by trying to bring Mayweather to him? He was constantly beat to the punch and had nothing to hit after Mayweather scored because Floyd moved back just enough to disrupt Cotto from getting off. That was apparent early and Miguel should've abandoned that tactic before the second round was over. It netted him nothing and put him down further in the scoring.
Before the fight it was said here that Cotto would probably get his faced chopped up if he fought as the attacker, but that didn't turn out to be the case. In reality, Cotto didn't pay much of a price for trying to carry the fight to Mayweather. It was also stated here that if Cotto didn't possess enough of an equalizer in his left hook, he'd have no shot to win. Well, he didn't. As evidenced during the fight, Mayweather was never shook or in trouble one time during the fight. Yes, he got hit more than he has since he fought Jose Luis Castillo 10 years ago, but he never had the look of a fighter who wished he was somewhere else.
When all is said an done, Cotto was trying to fight two styles against a fighter who had an answer for any and everything he attempted. It's easy to highlight what Cotto didn't do, but it's really more about Mayweather and how versatile and great he is. Floyd showed just how physically strong he is and won a lot of the inside exchanges where it was thought to be to Cotto's advantage (just as Sugar Ray Leonard did during his epic bout with Marvin Hagler). And if Cotto couldn't overwhelm Mayweather on the inside, what was left for him to do?
Mayweather did everything against Cotto, he boxed, he slugged, he used the ring, he fought as the aggressor and also fought off the ropes. He excelled in every facet and what's more is — when he was pushed and it looked as if Cotto had something going, Mayweather, like all the greats have done before him, came out in the next round and immediately seized the control back of the fight. This illustrated his character and showed everyone watching that he is every bit as smart, tough and determined as he says he is.
Oh, he's also creative. Of course the broadcast never commented on this. But how many times did Mayweather make Cotto pay with something new he introduced during the fight? That is when he feinted a left hook, then feinted a straight right hand, only to turn it into a lead right hook and nail Cotto perfectly on the point of his chin. That was a thing of beauty to watch.
Because Mayweather has cherry picked opponents for a large portion of his career, he's been open to criticism regarding just how great or terrific he is. But he showed against Castillo in their rematch and Cotto this past weekend, when he's pushed he's very able and capable of answering the call. The problem is he hasn't faced enough of the upper-tier class of opponents who were around to push him.
As of this writing his signature win is beating Cotto. Yet, does that certify his greatness? Maybe, maybe not. It was said here before the fight that Mayweather waited for the right time to fight Cotto. I still believe that. But I must submit, based on their recent fight, I now believe Mayweather would've defeated Cotto at any point during their careers had they met. The fight was competitive between them but it was never in doubt that it was going to be Mayweather's night.
The only fighter who one can make a case for to beat Mayweather is Manny Pacquiao. Well nothing has changed on my part. The more I've seen of Mayweather and Pacquiao as of late, the more I'm convinced that Mayweather will beat Pacquiao by a clear cut decision and control the action most of the way.
The truth is, Floyd Mayweather is no doubt a great fighter. The unknown is we just don't know how great he is.
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Stephen Fulton Nips Carlos Castro in a Prelude to Canelo vs Berlanga
In his first fight back after being dominated and stopped by pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a fight for super bantamweight supremacy in July of last year, Stephen Fulton nipped upset-minded Carlos Castro, improving to 22-1 (8) in his first start as a featherweight. The verdict was split, with Fulton prevailing by 96-93 and 95-94 with the dissenter favoring Castro 95-94. The decision seemed fair although not in eyes of the predominantly Mexican crowd which booed the decision.
This was an entertaining 10-round fight between two evenly-matched 30-year-old campaigners. Long-time Phoenix resident Castro (30-3) put Fulton on the deck in round five with a counter right hand and Fulton rode his bicycle to shed the cobwebs as the round played out. But the Philadelphian, with new trainer Bozy Ennis in his corner, recuperated well and had a strong sixth round.
In round eight, Castro buckled Fulton’s knees with another straight right, but was unable to press his advantage. The bout served as the “main” prelim to the four-fight PPV card.
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In a welterweight contest slated for “10,” Mexico City’s Ricardo Salas, a 6/1 underdog, scored a second-round stoppage of Roiman Villa. The end in this slam-bang and all-too-brief skirmish came at the 2:06 mark of round three when Salas, fighting off the ropes, nailed Villa with a perfectly-placed, short right hand. Villa went down for the count.
Salas, whose de facto manager is the ubiquitous Sean Gibbons, improved to 20-2-2 with his 15th win inside the distance. From Colombia by way of Venezuela, Villa (26-3) was making his first start since being stopped by Boots Ennis in July of last year.
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In the opener on the PBC YouTube channel, super featherweight Jonathan “Geo” Lopez, a 21-year-old Pennsylvania-born southpaw, won a wide 8-round decision over rugged San Antonio campaigner Richard Medina. Lopez pitched a shutout, winning 80-71 on all three cards, but this was hardly a stroll in the park for him.
Lopez, who improved to 17-0 (12), simply had too much class for Medina. A 20/1 favorite, the Eddy Reynoso-trained boxer hurt Medina at the end of round seven and put him on the canvas in the final round with a straight left hand, but Medina (15-3) kept on plugging away and maintained his distinction of never being stopped.
Also
In an off-TV fight, super middleweight Bek Nurmaganbet, a 26-year-old Kazakh, won his eighth straight inside the distance, improving to 12-0 (10) with a second-round stoppage of SoCal’s Joshua Conley (17-7-1).
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Rocky Hernandez Improves to 36-2 with a Controversial TD in Hermosillo
Matchroom was in northwestern Mexico tonight in the city of Hermosillo for a card that aired on DAZN. In the featured bout, super featherweight Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez was awarded a technical decision over Thomas Mattice when the bout was halted by the ringside physician at the start of the seventh round because Hernandez had severe cuts around both eyes. The first cut, over his right eye, developed in round four. Replays showed that the second cut, over his left eye, was caused by a right uppercut. However, in the eyes of veteran Texas referee Mark Calo-oy, the damage was caused by an accidental head cut. That sent the bout to the scorecards where Hernandez was deemed the victor by tallies of 59-55, 58-56, and 58-55 per ring announcer David Diamente who had trouble reading the results submitted to him by a boxing commissioner.
Hernandez, who turned pro at age 15 in Mexico City, is best known for his rumble with defending WBC 130-pound title-holder O’Shaquie Foster. Rocky was leading that fight with 30 seconds remaining in the final round when the roof fell in on him. He trained for tonight’s bout at the DLX and Top Rank gyms in Las Vegas under Kay Koroma and Brandon Woods, the latter of whom trains Trevor McCumby. Neither Koroma nor Woods was in his corner tonight.
It was the first fight outside the U.S. for Cleveland’s hard-luck Thomas Mattice who had won five straight heading in and appeared to be turning the bout in his favor. Mattice declined to 22-4-1.
Semi-wind-up
Twenty-four-year-old Hermosillo knockout artist Sergio Mendoza showed that he is a rising force in the flyweight division with a third-round stoppage of stocky Ensenada southpaw Angel Ramos. Mendoza crumpled Ramos with a short left uppercut in round two. Ramos attempted to rise, but it became a moot point when the match was waived off.
Mendoza improved to 24-0 with his twenty-first knockout. Ramos, a 12-year pro whose career has been slowed by injuries, falls to 30-2-2.
Also
A 10-round super middleweight contest that shaped up as a slugfest proved the opposite. Local product Julio Porras (12-0, 8 KOs) won a wide decision in a snoozefest over Venezuelan import Isaac Torres who had won all 10 of his previous fights by stoppage, none of which lasted beyond six rounds.
Torres turned timid after Porras decked him with a left hook in the second frame. He fought off his back foot for the reminder of the bout, seemingly content to simply last the distance. The scores read 100-89 and 99-90 twice.
It was hard to get a good read on Porras who trains in Seatle with David Benavidez and Diego Pacheco, but at age 22 he appears to have a bright future.
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More
Avila Perspective, Chap. 296: Canelo vs Berlanga and More
Never underestimate the Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry.
Undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico has fought Puerto Ricans before and should know it is never easy. But this time he chose to toe the line against a young hungry Boricua.
Will this fight be his reckoning?
Alvarez (61-2-2, 39 KOs) defends the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles against Edgar Berlanga (22-0, 17 KOs) on Saturday Sept. 14, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. PPV.com along with Jim Lampley will stream the loaded TGB Promotions card. It’s also on DAZN and Amazon Prime.
Mexico’s Canelo has been the face of boxing ever since Floyd Mayweather officially retired. And though he lost to Mayweather in 2013, the dividends from that experience have boosted the redhead to a skill level not seen since Salvador Sanchez.
Not many Mexicans or Puerto Ricans fight at super middleweight. So, this is a first for the rivalry at this weight class. But in the lower weights war has been ongoing between the two countries for decades.
My up-close introduction took place with Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez against Sanchez in Las Vegas in August 1981. At the time the Puerto Rican was considered the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world with 32 wins and 32 knockouts.
Gomez was a Mexican killer and dispatched two future Half of Fame fighters in Carlos Zarate and Lupe Pintor. Only Sanchez could beat the Boricua and he was an underdog to the mustached fighter from Santurce, Puerto Rico when they met.
Never underestimate anyone.
Now Berlanga is attempting to do what no other Puerto Rican has been able to accomplish in defeating Canelo.
It’s a big task for the taller fighter.
“I could be the face of Puerto Rican boxing after Saturday night,” said Berlanga, 27, who hails from Brooklyn, New York.
The taller Berlanga has yet to face anyone that compares to Canelo, He’s defeated contenders like Jason Quigley and Padraig McCrory who formerly held the IBO light heavyweight title. But a killer like Alvarez he’s never faced before.
But he’s eager to find out.
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime for Team Berlanga,” Berlanga said at the press conference.
As a professional fighter he needs to take the opportunity.
“We’re gonna make history and become legends,” said Berlanga.
Alvarez has been in this situation dozens of times before. He’s heard all the rhetoric and the boasts and the predictions over the years. After facing the likes of Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Gennady Golovkin and so many others, he’s almost immune to the itchy nervousness of potential danger.
The Mexican champion has his jacket of confidence woven over the years from dozens of battles endured since the age of 15. Now he’s 34 and has he passed his limit?
“I always put 100 per cent into my fights and into training, no matter who I’m fighting. It’s the same mentality every fight. This is no exception,” said Alvarez, who is fighting on Mexican Independence day for the 11th time in his career.
This, however, is different. This is Mexico versus Puerto Rico and the history between the two countries is fraught with upsets and fierce bloody battles in boxing that have mesmerized the boxing world.
Berlanga’s trainer said it best:
“Believe me, we are grateful to Team Canelo for the opportunity, because it’s the opportunity to knock the king off the throne,” said Marc Ferrait. “as I told Edgar, he’s not going to want to give it to no Puerto Rican, and if we think Canelo doesn’t have it, oh he’s coming. We want the best of him.”
It’s power versus power. All it takes is one punch.
Other Bouts
WBA middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara (30-3-3) defends against Philadelphia’s Danny “Swift” Garcia (37-3) in the semi-main event at T-Mobile Arena. It’s been four years since the Cuban southpaw faced elite competition. Now 41, does he still have it?
Garcia, 36, a former welterweight and super lightweight world titlist, has only fought once above 147 pounds but found success when he defeated Jose Benavidez at 153 pounds two years ago.
Both are experienced, skilled and dangerous.
Super middleweight contenders Caleb Plant (22-2) and Trevor McCumby (28-0) meet in a 12-round clash for the interim WBA title. Whenever Plant fights there is always extra personal incentive thrown in. McCumby knows it.
“I just go in there and handle business,” McCumby said.
Plant seems eager to return to the ring.
“We’ll see on Saturday,” said Plant.
Another former world titlist performing is Rolly Romero (15-2, 13 KOs) meeting Manuel Jaimes (16-1-1, 11 KOs) in a super lightweight match set for 10 rounds. It’s the first time I recall seeing Romero against someone bigger. Interesting.
A super bantamweight battle between former unified world titlist Stephen Fulton (21-1) and Carlos Castro (30-2, 14 KOs) is set for 10 rounds in a featherweight match. Fulton was stopped by Japan’s Naoya “Monster” Inoue a year ago. He’s eager to return.
Fights to Watch
Thurs. DAZN 5 p.m. Ardreal Holmes (15-0) vs Hugo Noriega (10-2).
Fri. DAZN 5 p.m. Eduardo “Rocky” Hernandez (35-2) vs Thomas Mattice (22-3-1).
Sat. DAZN 3 p.m. Roiman Villa (26-2) vs Ricardo Salas (19-2-2).
Sat. PPV.COM, Prime ppv, DAZN ppv 5 p.m. Saul Alvarez (61-2-2) vs Edgar Berlanga (22-0); Caleb Plant (22-2) vs Trevor McCumby (28-0); Erislandy Lara (30-3-3) vs Danny Garcia (37-3); Stephen Fulton (21-1) vs Carlos Castro (30-2).
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