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THRU HOCH'S EYES: On Manny-Bradley, Rigo, Bailey-Jones
The hurt feet are a solid mitigator, but Hoch still didn't think Bradley did CLOSE enough to even eke out a draw. (Chris Farina-Top Rank photo)
Caveat: I watched this card at a bar so I didn’t have the liberty to see any of these fights a second time or truly break down any of the fights. These are all relatively real-time opinions.
Caveat Two: I won’t even discuss the ridiculous decision of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight in this column as it deserves its own write-up and I’d rather talk boxing than conspiracy theories. Needless to say, it’s not good for boxing. We frequently hear that putrid decisions like this are ‘black eyes’ for the sport. While this is true, the sport goes on. Very little (other than the poor guys on the wrong end of bad decisions like a Carlos Molina) is actually affected. This is a unique case. This decision was so egregious and it literally sets the sport back years. While the UFC is gaining momentum and boxing is struggling to remain mainstream, we need fights like Pacquiao-Floyd or Pacquiao-Marquez 4 to retain the average fan’s attention. This fight literally sets the sport back as Bradley and Pacquiao will likely have a rematch to settle this. Manny doesn’t have an infinite amount of fights left, and this could really be a tragic waste of energy (see: brain cells) at the very end of Manny’s prime. I guess I did discuss it, but I’ll leave it at that.
Guillermo Rigondeaux-Teon Kennedy notes:
* For my sanity’s sake, let’s just call him Rigo. Rigo is incredible. For lack of a better term, Rigo was perfect in dissecting and destroying Teon Kennedy (who is not exactly a pushover). Rigo saw every punch that Kennedy threw coming and tactfully moved out of harm’s way in what was truly a defensive masterpiece. It was a lesson for young fighters in the art of hitting without getting hit. Not exaggerating, I can’t confirm that Rigo took a single clean punch.This fight was over before it started, and it looked so one-sided and displayed such a talent discrepancy that it looked like an amateur against a professional in a sparring session. This fight was not just lopsided, it was a total mismatch. Even in such a dominant KO victory, Rigo did not look as much electrifying as he did wildly effective. His machine-like efficiency is a terrifying prospect for the division.
* Rigo looks like Floyd the way he fights. His accuracy, efficiency, and ability to technically dominate his opponent with such ease are simply not seen elsewhere.
* Bring on Broner. Let’s not wait for a build-up like Arum tried with Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamoba… let’s just make the fight.The longer fights are left to marinate, the more they have the opportunity to lose their respective luster like the aforementioned Lopez-Gamboa fight. For that matter, I’d love to see Gamboa-Rigo, too. Maybe it’s a chance for Orlando Salido to pull another upset? Either way, if Rigo can fight at 130, there’s no shortage of great fights for him. Filipino flash? Count me in for that matchup! Rigo has a big future, and at 31, the time is now to make these fights.
* This display of skills really makes you wonder- where would his career be if he wasn’t an amateur in Cuba so long? PPV King? Doubtful due to his style/size, but I don’t think it’s that far off.
Randall Bailey-Mike Jones notes:
* This fight went just as I expected… Mike Jones looked fairly dominant against an older, slower fighter in Randall Bailey (despite not looking all that great in general), but Bailey’s right hand would eventually have its say in the fight. They say power is the last thing to go in a fighter, and Randall Bailey’s right hand has long been one of the hardest punches in the entire sport. Story checks out on that.
* Mike Jones’ prospect label has fizzled the last few years and even if he won this fight that he was clearly leading thru 10, he wouldn’t have done much to up his stock. He backs up too much, doesn’t really let his hands go, and doesn’t have the natural flow between defense and offense that is integral to beating great opponents. He’s either covering up playing defense or firing off pre-conceived combinations that lack creativity. The flow between the two is simply not there. Jones is mildly explosive, but he doesn’t ever make me feel that a great trainer could make him a killer. I mean really, what title holder would you expect/pick him to beat? Still thinking…?
* As the 11thround was starting, I had written in my notes that Mike Jones has proved he’s better than Randall Bailey, but so what? What does proving to be better than a 37-year old gate keeper do to your career if you don’t look exceptional? I had also written that Bailey wasted an opportunity or two when he had Jones hurt by not throwing more punches. And then Bailey dropped the hammer! Boom went the dynamite.
* Bailey’s KO was vicious. Jones was not just knocked down, but literally knocked backwards by the thunderous right hand. It’s extremely rare that you see a fighter actually knocked down and backwards by a punch’s power alone. This comeback KO is what makes boxing the most exciting sport in the world (won’t even get into the suspense of judges’ scorecards). There are no 5-run HR’s in baseball, and there are no 5-point plays in basketball. However, when being blown out for every second of a fight, the omnipresent plausibility of a knockout that can come at any time keeps fight fans engaged until the final bell. Props to Bailey for staying composed and continuing to swing for the fences while losing a fight handily. None of this makes up for Bailey’s pre-fight attire.
Jorge Arce notes
* For all that Jorge Arce is and is not, I just love watching him fight. You know you’re in for a fun fight when he’s involved, so the awkward end to his match was really unfortunate. You could tell just a few minutes into the fight that we were in for a hell of a scrap as both fighters were fighting in tight and landing with authority. I didn’t hear the post-fight interview, but I hope Arce is okay and that both fighters want a rematch. Sign me up as interested in watching it.
Main Event: Pacquiao v. Bradley notes:
* As previously stated, I will not be diving into the absurdity that was this fight’s official decision since the entire boxing world saw that Manny won the fight. For the record, I scored the fight 11-1 for Manny with 2 rounds that could have conceivably been scored for Bradley. Anything more than 4 rounds for Bradley is laughable.
* It was interesting to see that neither guy really cut weight for this 147-lb contest. Neither fighter put on more than 3 lbs after the weigh-in. I’ve always said that weigh-ins should be the day of the fight because a fighter shouldn’t have a competitive advantage in a prize fight because they’re better at cutting weight (I also think cutting weight is dangerous).
* One thing I found interesting watching this fight in a bar by my home in Chicago was that the same bar is usually 10x more packed for UFC PPV events which happen far more frequently. Given the Heat-Celtics game 7 was right before, I expected the bar to be very crowded. It could have been a one-time thing, and it could be a regional thing (maybe Chicago is a big UFC town), but I just found it noteworthy. I digress.
* As far as the actual fight, I thought it went as most expected. What stood out to me was that Manny was faster. His left hand was getting through and Bradley’s right hands were simply not as fast.Manny looked to be in fine form and I still think he beats Floyd Mayweather due to the way their styles match up. While I think Manny definitely missed some punches he usually lands, he still looked a class above an undefeated fighter in Timothy Bradley. Take nothing away from Bradley as he fought through a rolled ankle (and apparently a broken foot) and withstood some very heavy shots from Pacquiao. He continued to try to win the fight until the final bell, but he was simply outgunned as he could not quite match the accuracy, sublime movement, speed and power to keep up with Manny.
* The exchanges were the determining factor of the fight as Bradley instinctually obliged Manny in power-punching exchanges even though he did not once get the better end of them. I figured this would be why Manny would win since Bradley tends to throw loopy punches when firing combinations, but I was impressed with Bradley’s determination.
* The fight did not have too many ebbs and flows as Bradley couldn’t really cut off the ring (broken foot is a fair excuse, I suppose) or take away Manny’s left hand. It was clear to me thru just two rounds that Manny would be controlling the fight if Bradley didn’t drastically alter his approach. He did not. The fight carried on with consistency as Manny out-landed Bradley and also landed the harder punches throughout.
* Jim Lampley, as he always does (because he’s by far the best in the business), said it best: Manny’s punches were moving Timothy Bradley. Whenever Manny landed big shots, Bradley was literally moved backwards or sideways from the punches’ impact. Lampley really doesn’t get enough credit for all of the incredibly astute observations he makes in real-time. He often doesn’t have the liberty to let his thoughts marinate before spitting out incredibly poignant insights with historical context.
* By the time the seventh round ended, the fight was all but over. Bradley was losing wherever the fight was going and he couldn’t mount any significant offense. Manny was simply on cruise control. Bradley’s only hope (it appeared) would be a knockout, or at least a knockdown, but the one knock on Timothy Bradley is that he doesn’t have much power. Bradley is no Randall Bailey in the power department. Factor in Manny’s historically strong chin, and Bradley was just about out of options.
* As the 12thround ended, I closed my tab at the bar and was stumbling to bathroom when I heard the first scorecard read as 115-113 Pacquiao. I stopped dead in my tracks. For one, I couldn’t believe an OFFICIAL judge has the ineptitude to score the fight so close, but I also knew that they only announce cards with a winner’s name in a split decision. I was stunned. Hearing that Bradley won the fight left me (and the entire bar) in genuine shock.I still can’t believe it.
* Not to sound like a broken record, but the fight between Manny and Floyd has to happen now. Like right now. The Bradley rematch should be put on ice, and (God willing) Manny should do whatever needs to be done at the negotiation table to make the fight while he can still win it. Neither guy is truly in their prime anymore, but they’re both close enough to their respective primes that we’d still be seeing who the better man is. We’d see an exciting, fan-friendly fight. Lastly, we’d see it while it still matters.
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The Davis Brothers Hit the Trifecta in Their Norfolk Homecoming
On March 12, 1997, Top Rank promoted a show in Grand Rapids, Michigan, featuring the Mayweather clan – brothers Roger and Jeff and their precocious nephew Floyd Jr, an Olympic silver medalist. Tonight, Top Rank dusted off the homecoming template for the Davis family – brothers Keyshawn, Kelvin, and Keon. The venue was Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia, where Norfolk legend Pernell Whitaker scored some of his best wins. But “Sweet Pea’ was never as spectacular as Keyshawn was tonight with a sellout crowd of 10,568 looking on.
Keyshawn (12-0, 8 KOs) was matched against Argentina’s Gustavo Lemos who came in 6.4 pounds overweight. It was the second U.S. appearance for Lemos who brought a 29-1 record after losing an unpopular decision to Richardson Hitchins in his U.S. debut.
In the second round, Davis scored three knockdowns, closing the show. The first was the result of a counter left hook and the second, also a left hook, turned Lemos’s legs to jelly. He beat the count only to be crushed by a vicious tight uppercut. It was all over at the 1:08 mark of the second stanza.
Davis’s next fight is expected to come against Denys Berinchyk, the Ukrainian who holds the WBO version of the lightweight title. Down the road, there’s a potential mega-fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis who Keyshawn called out in his post-fight interview. And then there’s Cuban amateur standout Andy Cruz, Keyshawn’s amateur nemesis and the last man to defeat him, that coming on a split decision in the semi-final round of the Tokyo Olympics.
Semi-wind-up
In a fight that didn’t heat up until the final round, Virginia middleweight Troy Isley, an amateur and pro stablemate of Keyshawn Davis, out-worked and out-classed Tyler Howard en route to winning a one-sided decision. The judges had it 98-92 and 99-91 twice.
Isley improved to 14-0 (5). It was the second loss in 22 pro starts for Tennessee’s Howard who had been staying busy on the Team Combat League circuit where he lost five 1-round bouts.
Abdullah Mason Overcomes adversity.
Twenty-year-old Cleveland southpaw Abdullah Mason, a lightweight, just may be the best boxer in his age group in the world. Tonight, he faced adversity for the first time in his career. Yohan Vasquez, a 30-year-old Dominican fighting out of the Bronx, had Abdullah on the canvas twice in a wild opening round. Between those two knockdowns, Mason scored a knockdown of his own.
In round two, Mason brought matters to a halt with a left to the solar plexus. Vasquez went down in obvious pain and while he beat the count, the expression of his face showed that he was in no mind to continue and the bout was stopped. The official time was 1:59 of round two.
It was the sixth straight knockout for Abdullah Mason who improved to 16-0. Vasquez declined to 26-6.
Other Bouts
In a welterweight battle of southpaws, Kelvin Davis (14-0, 7 KOs) exploited a 7-inch height advantage to win a one-sided decision over Yeis Solano who fought a survivors’ fight for the first six rounds, hoping to land a counterpunch that never appeared. The oldest of the Davis brothers punctuated his triumph with a knockdown in the final seconds of the 8-round fight, putting Solano on the canvas with a short right hand. It was the fourth straight loss for Colombia’s Solano who opened his career 15-0.
In an 8-round middleweight contest enlivened by trainer Scott Sigmon’s commentary, Sigmon’s fighter Austin DeAnda, a native Virginian, improved 16-0 (10) with a unanimous decision over South Carolina’s DeAundre Pettus (12-3). Neither fighter exhibited a lot of skill in a fight that, in the words of ringside pundit Tim Bradley, was both entertaining and boring (our sentiments exactly). The scores were 78-74 and 77-75 twice.
Lanky, 23-year-old super welterweight Keon Davis, the youngest of the Davis trio, won his pro debut with a 40-36 shutout of Jalen Moore (1-2). Keon had a big fourth round, but Moore, a willing mixer, survived the onslaught and made it to the final bell.
Robert Meriweather III, a 19-year-old super bantamweight, advanced to 8-0 (3) with a unanimous decision over 34-year-old St. Louis native Eric Howard (6-3). The judges had it 60-54 and 59-55 twice.
In the lid-lifter, Muskegon, Michigan native Ra’eese Aleem (21-1, 12 KOs) rebounded from his first pro defeat with a lopsided 10-round decision over hard-trying Derlyn Hernandez-Gerarldo (12-3-1). This was the first fight in 17 months for Aleem who lost a split decision to Naoya Inoue’s next foe Sam Goodman on Goodman’s turf in Australia. All three judges had it 100-89.
Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 303: East Coast Fight Cards Seize the Boxing Spotlight
Avila Perspective, Chap. 303: East Coast Fight Cards Seize the Boxing Spotlight
Once upon a time Olympic gold medalists provided America’s next great wave of fighters.
No longer.
Keyshawn Davis represents the new breed of American fighters that fell short of gold in the Olympics, but command respect as a professional.
The undefeated Davis (11-0, 7 KOs) meets Argentina’s rugged Gustavo Lemos (29-1, 19 KOs) on Friday, Nov. 8, at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. ESPN+ will show the lightweight battle set for 10 rounds on the Top Rank card.
The brash lightweight from Norfolk managed to win a silver medal in the 2021 Olympics but for many, he looked like the winner. Since then, he’s blazed his way through whoever Top Rank put in front of him.
Not winning gold in the Olympics is not a blemish, especially with the East European dominated judging. Unless an American wins by knockout they are not going to be awarded a decision.
It’s a major reason why boxing may not be a sport in the L.A. Olympics.
The pro fight world offers a true glimpse of a boxer’s talent. Capricious judging can be eliminated by a knockout with smaller gloves and no head gear. The hurting game is ruthless and no amount of biased judging can stop a deadly left hook.
Davis has a non-apologetic thirst for ripping through easy trials and sipping success against top tier talent. He wants success and wants it now even against dangerous opponents like Lemos.
“It’s not going to be beautiful. There’s going to be blood everywhere. His nose might be a little lopsided after,” said Davis. “But, I respect you, Gustavo. You are an amazing fighter. I appreciate you for taking the fight in my hometown, but I’m going to f**k you up.”
Lemos, who recently lost a very close and much debated decision to another East Coast American fighter, is happy to be offered another opportunity to showcase his Argentine style.
“I have a strong opponent, and I’m going to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Lemos who lost a spirited battle to Richardson Hitchins in Las Vegas last April. ““I’ve always said that he (Davis) is a good opponent and that we’re going to have a beautiful fight.”
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
Davis will be joined on the fight card by his brothers Keon Davis who makes his pro debut and Kelvin Davis who fights Yeis Solano in a welterweight bout.
Also on the same card will be elite fighters in featherweight contender Ra’eese Aleem and hot lightweight prospect Abdullah Mason.
Saturday in Philly
Two world champions Jaron Ennis and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez headline an impressive fight card in Philadelphia.
IBF welterweight titlist “Boots” Ennis (32-0, 29 KOs) once again meets Ukraine’s Karen Chukhadzhian (24-2, 13 KOs) but this time with a world title at stake on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Wells Fargo Center in Philly. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.
Their first encounter was not easy for either and resulted in a decision win for Ennis. But that was back in January. Whoever adjusts quicker will be the winner in this competitive-on-paper world title fight.
Chukhadzhian, 28, can take a punch and has a deceptive style of counters and attacks that seem simple but is effective. In their first match 11 months ago Ennis quickly discovered the Ukrainian fighter’s durability and slipped into a boxing mode to utilize speed and mobility. It proved effective but will it be enough this time?
Ennis, 27, has a world title and seeks more lucrative fights but could stumble if not prepared for another tough clash. But he’s confident that his skills can help him evade any kind of slip.
The Philly fighter filled the arena last time when he defeated David Avanesyan by knockout in the fifth. This time he’s joined by another young gun in Bam Rodriguez, a fellow world titlist.
“He’s going crazy right now. Going up and down in weight divisions. I’m blessed to have him on this card,” said Ennis. “I’m here to steal his fans and he’s here to steal mine.”
Rodriguez (20-0, 13 KOs) 24, meets former world titlist Pedro Guevara (42-4-1, 22 KOs) a Mexican veteran who wants to take away Bam’s WBC super fly title.
“I’m trying to go undisputed at 115 and then go on from there,” said Rodriguez. “I’m only 24 so I still have some strength to gain.”
Both will be joined by another hot prospect from Pomona, California named Tito Mercado, an undefeated lightweight.
Mercado (16-0, 15 KOs) is a tall and fast lightweight with power who recently signed with Matchroom Boxing. He has a knockout streak of five and meets Mexican banger Jesus Saracho (14-2-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round fight. At 23, he’s fought impressive competition and handled it easily.
Puerto Rico
Former super welterweight world titlist Subriel Matias (20-2, 20 KOs) meets Mexico’s Roberto Ramirez (26-3-1, 19 KOs) on Saturday. Nov. 9, at Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Ramirez is jumping up three weight classes for this fight. PPV.COM will stream the fight card live.
Fights to Watch
Thurs. ESPN+ 3:30 p.m. Osleys Iglesias (12-0) vs Petro Ivanov (18-0-2).
Fri. ESPN + 3:20 p.m. Keyshawn Davis (11-0) vs Gustavo Lemos (29-1);
Sat. PPV.COM 3 p.m. Subriel Matias (20-2) vs Roberto Ramirez (26-3-1).
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With Olympic Boxing on the Ropes, Three Elite U.S. Amateurs Shine in Colorado
Three USA boxers won gold medals at the recently concluded World Boxing U19 tournament in Pueblo, Colorado. The tournament, restricted to boxers aged 17 and 18, attracted contestants from 30 nations and a contingent from French Polynesia.
The U.S. team, represented by eight male and six female boxers, secured 11 medals in all, an impressive haul.
The three U.S. gold medalists appear to have very bright futures if they choose to remain in the sport. They are:
Light heavyweight (80 kg) ELIJAH LUGO (Marrietta, GA)
Lugo has purportedly scored 42 stoppages in his amateur career, the most since USA Boxing began keeping track. The record was previously held by his older brother Nathan Lugo who is currently 2-0 (2 KOs) at the professional level. The Lugo brothers are represented by David McWater (Split-T Management). One of boxing’s most influential facilitators, McWater’s clients include Teofino Lopez.
Middleweight (75 kg) JOSEPH AWININGYA JR (Joliet, IL)
The son of a Ghanaian immigrant who had a brief career as a professional boxer, competing as a cruiserweight, the precocious Awiningya, mature for his age, is a college student majoring in marketing who once aspired to become a nurse like his mother.
Flyweight (50 kg) LORENZO PATRICIO (Waianae, Hawai)
One of eight children. Patricio (our poster boy for this story) comes from a boxing family. Two of his sisters are involved in the sport.
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In addition to the three gold medalists, the U.S. men’s team garnered two silver and three bronze. The U.S. women managed only three bronze, somewhat of a disappointment. Lightweight Shamiracle Hardaway (Lagrange, GA), considered one of the favorites, fell to England’s Ella Lonsdale in the semifinals. Ms. Lonsdale has a wonderful surname for a British boxer.
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The best showing was by fast-rising India which had 17 medal winners including four golds. Although boxer Mery Kom (aka Mary Kom) is one of the most popular sports personalities in India, the South Asian nation, the world’s most populous country, has never had a large presence in boxing, amateur or pro. Ten of the 17 Indian medalists, including three of the gold medal winners, were female.
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Tournament organizers noted that the Pueblo event was the first major tournament in the next Olympic cycle. Left unsaid was that boxing as an Olympic sport is on the ropes (pardon the pun). As it now stands, boxing, one of the original Olympic sports, is not on the docket for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
The International Olympic Committee de-frocked the International Boxing Association, the governing body of amateur boxing, in 2023. The decision was upheld in April by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an agency headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.
A new body, World Boxing, emerged from the fallout. The Pueblo tournament bore the imprint of the new organization.
The chairman of World Boxing’s “Olympic Commission” is Gennadiy Golovkin who is also the president of Kazakhstan’s National Olympic Committee. A former Olympic silver medalist whose primary residence is in the Los Angeles area, “GGG” is reportedly fluent in four languages. He is tasked with repairing the rent between boxing and the International Olympic Committee so that boxing can continue to be an Olympic sport. A decision is expected next year.
If successful, it is possible that things may revert to the days when professional boxers were ineligible to compete for Olympic medals.
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