Connect with us

Featured Articles

WYLIE OBSERVATIONS: Duane Ford Is Off, Sergio Good Bet Over Chavez

Published

on

Chavez Lee 120612 008aHere are some thoughts I had after watching the second installment of Jim Lampley's “The Fight Game” on Saturday night.

~ Duane Ford mentioned that the old Pacquiao would have finished Bradley in the 4th round -this is completely irrelevant. This has nothing to do with round scoring. If he went further and said Bradley showed good defense in making Pacquiao miss, then that's reasonable, as defense is one of the judging criteria. However, Ford was clearly speaking of Pacquiao's inability to finish Bradley because he thought Pacquiao had lost a step. This is wrong. However, are we not ALL guilty of this? It is hard to empty ones mind and focus entirely on the visual at hand without reflecting on past events.

Let's say Mayweather in his next fight is taking clean shots with his back to the ropes. How long would an official allow him to absorb clean blows before ending it? My answer would be not as many as the same official would have allowed Gatti to take before deciding that he's had enough. Officials should be thinking of nothing but what is taking place in front of them. But, as we all know, this is not always the case. Gatti would receive the benefit of the doubt because of what he did in past fights.

Back to round scoring. Let's say a fighter is dominating the first seven rounds and I mean dominating. Suddenly, he is not as dominant in the eighth. I guarantee the judges would score that for he other fighter. Now, let's say that the events that took place in the eighth round occurred in the first. Do you think the round would be awarded to the same fighter? I think not. Hence, we have comparative rounds when the criteria is changed from ring generalship, defense, clean punching and effective aggression to “well, he did better in that round so I'm going to give it to him.”

~ HBO did a good thing by showing round seven of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight again. But they failed to show it in the right context. They turned the sound off, which showed it was a close round. They then should have repeated the round with the full commentary and CompuBox graphic which showed Pacquiao apparently landing 27 punches in the round. A similar event took place in the 11th round too. If you have access to round 11, watch it again with the sound off. Pacquiao -according to CompuBox- landed 21 punches in the round. As the round ends, turn on the sound. You will hear Jim Lampley again claim that it was yet another dominant round for Pacquiao. {I thought Bradley dominated the round}. My point is by looking at the 7th and 11th rounds combined, if you can tell me how Pacquiao landed 48 punches then you are a better man than me because you will have done the judging equivalent of walking on water.

At the end of the day, just as many are claiming the judges made a mistake, so too can CompuBox counters, who are men clicking a button everytime they deem a punch has been landed. Humans, not computers, control CompuBox.

In all honesty, I think that episode of Fight Game pretty much summed up the whole situation, but not in the way they intended. HBO, and in particular, Jim Lampley has an infatuation with Manny Pacquiao. It started with the Clottey fight and continues to this day. Along the way I've heard things like “Boom, bang, that's the hardest jab I've ever seen” and Manny Pacquiao, the citizen of the world.”

The mere fact that Lampley held court for 30 minutes on HBO looking for answers when there have been far worse decisions -Lara v Williams and Abril v Rios- speaks volumes. Despite HBO's best efforts, there were no conspiracies. Just a close fight that could have gone either way. I scored it 115-115 even, a draw, with four rounds that could have gone either way.

Again, round seven is as good as any to view again. Without the sound it was a closely contested round, in which I felt Bradley shaded it through workrate. With the full HBO affect, it was a Pacquiao massacre in which, according to the gospel that is CompuBox, Pacquiao landed 27 punches.

The bigger issue in my mind is commentators are becoming narrators for the networks. By painting a picture, they are inadvertently feeding our minds. I remember watching the fight live. The amount of Tweets that were popping up as the fight was happening suggested to me that not everyone was giving their full attention to the fight. Instead, as they were tweeting, they were listening to what was happening.

If this was the radio era, then I agree. By listening to HBO, this would have been the worst decision in boxing history. The reality? This was a close fight that could have gone either way.

If anything, we should be applauding the decision, not condemning it. How many times have close fights ended with the marquee name gaining the decision win? Finally, we have a close fight where the lesser known fighter receives the benefit of the doubt and we cry treason!

Only in boxing!

Also, some thoughts on Julio Cesar Chavez Junior's win over Andy Lee…Junior is gargantuan for the division which, when married with his pressurizing style, makes him nigh on impossible to beat for any middleweight -including Sergio Martinez. In my opinion, one would have to back Chavez up to beat him. His size, ultra-aggression and his ever improving skills are simply too much to contend with on the back foot. As we know, Martinez' style would oblige Chavez by being on the back foot. Chavez would be allowed to fight his usual fight against Martinez. Remember, the last time Martinez tasted true defeat was also to a larger swarming Mexican in Antonio Margarito, who applied constant pressure. Didn't Pavlik's size and forward momentum not also give Sergio problems late in the fight?

Simply put, there is an obvious reason why we have weight divisions. As long as Chavez can healthily make weight and hydrate well over night, he will continue to be a huge obstacle for every smaller opponent he faces. Lee was taller, but essentially, smaller. Martinez -a natural junior middleweight- would have his hands full against someone who could probably make light-heavyweight. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Chavez could even take Martinez' power. THOSE WERE MY INITIAL THOUGHTS…But I rewatched Chavez-Lee. Now I see Chavez being made to order for Martinez. Initially, like everyone else, I was quick to talk of the 'new' Chavez. I still think his size is problematic, but Martinez is a full level and then some above Lee. His stamina is also vastly superior to Lee's. This could look a lot like Pacquiao-Hatton! Chavez -unlike his father- does not move his head.

Comment on this article

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Advertisement

Featured Articles

Najee Lopez Steps up in Class and Wins Impressively at Plant City

Published

on

Najee-Lopez-Steps-Up-in-Class-and-Wins-Impressively-at-Plant-City

Garry Jonas’ ProBox series returned to its regular home in Plant City, Florida, tonight with a card topped by a 10-round light heavyweight match between fast-rising Najee Lopez and former world title challenger Lenin Castillo. This was considered a step-up fight for the 25-year-old Lopez, an Atlanta-born-fighter of Puerto Rican heritage. Although the 36-year-old Castillo had lost two of his least three heading in, he had gone the distance with Dimitry Bivol and Marcus Browne and been stopped only once (by Callum Smith).

Lopez landed the cleaner punches throughout. Although Castillo seemed unfazed during the first half of the fight, he returned to his corner at the end of round five exhibiting signs of a fractured jaw.

In the next round, Lopez cornered him against the ropes and knocked him through the ropes with a left-right combination. Referee Emil Lombardo could have stopped the fight right there, but he allowed the courageous Castillo to carry on for a bit longer, finally stopping the fight as Castillo’s corner and a Florida commissioner were signaling that it was over.

The official time was 2:36 of round six. Bigger fights await the talented Lopez who improved to 13-0 with his tenth win inside the distance. Castillo declined to 25-7-1.

Co-Feature

In a stinker of a heavyweight fight, Stanley Wright, a paunchy, 34-year-old North Carolina journeyman, scored a big upset with a 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Jeremiah Milton.

Wright carried 280 pounds, 100 pounds more than in his pro debut 11 years ago. Although he was undefeated (13-0, 11 KOs), he had never defeated an opponent with a winning record and his last four opponents were a miserable 19-48-2. Moreover, he took the fight on short notice.

What Wright had going for him was fast hands and, in the opening round, he put Milton on the canvas with a straight right hand. From that point, Milton fought tentatively and Wright, looking fatigued as early as the fourth round, fought only in spurts. It seemed doubtful that he could last the distance, but Milton, the subject of a 2021 profile in these pages, was wary of Wright’s power and unable to capitalize. “It’s almost as if Milton is afraid to win,” said ringside commentator Chris Algieri during the ninth stanza when the bout had devolved into a hugfest.

The judges had it 96-93 and 97-92 twice for the victorious Wright who boosted his record to 14-0 without improving his stature.

Also

In the TV opener, a 10-round contest in the junior middleweight division, Najee Lopez stablemate Darrelle Valsaint (12-0, 10 KOs) scored his career-best win with a second-round knockout of 35-year-old Dutch globetrotter Stephen Danyo (23-7-3).

A native Floridian of Haitian descent, the 22-year-old Valsaint was making his eighth start in Plant City. He rocked Danyo with a chopping right hand high on the temple and then, as Danyo slumped forward, delivered the coup-de-gras, a short left uppercut. The official time was 2:17 of round two.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue is Headed to Vegas after KOing Ye Joon Kim

Published

on

Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-is-Headed-to-Vegas-after-KOing-Y-Joon-Kim

Japan’s magnificent Naoya Inoue, appearing in his twenty-fourth title fight, scored his 11th straight stoppage tonight while successfully defending his unified super bantamweight title, advancing his record to 29-0 (26 KOs) at the expense of Ye Joon Kim. The match at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena came to an end at the 2:25 mark of round four when U.S. referee Mark Nelson tolled “10” over the brave but overmatched Korean.

Kim, raised in a Seoul orphanage, had a few good moments, but the “Monster” found his rhythm in the third round, leaving Kim with a purplish welt under his left eye. In the next frame, he brought the match to a conclusion, staggering the Korean with a left and then finishing matters with an overhand right that put Kim on the seat of his pants, dazed and wincing in pain.

Kim, who brought a 21-2-2 record, took the fight on 10 days’ notice, replacing Australia’s Sam Goodman who suffered an eye injury in sparring that never healed properly, forcing him to withdraw twice.

Co-promoter Bob Arum, who was in the building, announced that Inoue’s next fight would happen in Las Vegas in the Spring. Speculation centers on Mexico City’s Alan Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) who is ranked #1 by the WBC. However, there’s also speculation that the 31-year-old Inoue may move up to featherweight and seek to win a title in a fifth weight class, in which case a potential opponent is the winner of the Feb. 2 match between Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton. In “olden days,” this notion would have been dismissed as the Japanese superstar and Figueroa/Fulton have different promoters, but the arrival of Turki Alalshikh, the sport’s Daddy Warbucks, has changed the dynamic. Tonight, Naoya Inoue made his first start as a brand ambassador for Riyadh Season.

Simmering on the backburner is a megafight with countryman Junto Nakatani, an easy fight to make as Arum has ties to both. However, the powers-that-be would prefer more “marination.”

Inoue has appeared twice in Las Vegas, scoring a seventh-round stoppage of Jason Moloney in October of 2020 at the MGM Bubble and a third-round stoppage of Michael Dasmarinas at the Virgin Hotels in June of 2021.

Semi-wind-up

In a 12-round bout for a regional welterweight title, Jin Sasaki improved to 19-1-1 (17) with a unanimous decision over Shoki Sakai (29-15-3). The scores were 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112.

Also

In a bout in which both contestants were on the canvas, Toshiki Shimomachi (20-1-3) edged out Misaki Hirano (11-2), winning a majority decision. A 28-year-old Osaka southpaw with a fan-friendly style, the lanky Shimomachi, unbeaten in his last 22 starts, competes as a super bantamweight. A match with Inoue may be in his future.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Eric Priest Wins Handily on Thursday’s Golden Boy card at the Commerce Casino

Published

on

Eric-Priest-Wins-Handily-on-Thursday's-Golden-Boy-card-at-the-Commerce-Casino

Model turned fighter Eric Priest jabbed and jolted his way into the super middleweight rankings with a shutout decision win over veteran Tyler Howard on Thursday.

In his first main event Priest (15-0, 8 KOs) proved ready for contender status by defusing every attack Tennessee’s Howard (20-3, 11 KOs) could muster at Commerce Casino, the second fight in six days at the LA County venue.

All ticket monies collected on the Folden Boy Promotions card were contributed to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation as they battle wildfires sprouting all over Los Angeles County due to high winds.

Priest, 26, had never fought anyone near Howard’s caliber but used a ramrod jab to keep the veteran off-balance and unable to muster a forceful counter-attack. Round after round the Korean-American fighter pumped left jabs while circling his opposition.

Though hit with power shots, none seemed to faze Howard but his own blows were unable to put a dent in Priest. After 10 rounds of the same repetitive action all three judges scored the fight 100-90 for Priest who now wins a regional super middleweight title.

Priest also joins the top 15 rankings of the WBA organization.

In a fight between evenly matched middleweights, Jordan Panthen (11-0, 9 KOs) remained undefeated after 10 rounds versus DeAundre Pettus (12-4, 7 KOs). Though equally skilled, Panthen simply out-worked the South Caroliina fighter to win by unanimous decision. No knockdowns were scored.

Other Bouts

Grant Flores (8-0, 6 KOs) knocked out Costa Rica’s David Lobo Ramirez (17-4, 12 KOs) with two successive right uppercuts at 2:59 of the second round of the super welterweight fight.

Cayden Griffith (3-0, 3 KOs) used a left hook to the body to stop Mark Misiura at 1:43 of the second round in a super welterweight bout.

Jordan Fuentes (3-0) floored Brandon Badillo (0-3-1) in the third round and proceeded to win by decision after four rounds in a super bantamweight fight.

A super featherweight match saw Leonardo Sanchez (8-0) win by decision over Joseph Cruz Brown (10-12) after six rounds.

Photo credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
2024-Boxing-Obituaries-PART-ONE.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

For Whom the Bell Tolled: 2024 Boxing Obituaries PART ONE (Jan.-June)

RIP-Paul-Bamba-1989-2024-The-Story-Behind-the-Story
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

R.I.P. Paul Bamba (1989-2024): The Story Behind the Story

For-Whom-the-Bell-Tolled-2024-Boxing-Obituaries-PART-TWO-July-December
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

For Whom the Bell Tolled: 2024 Boxing Obituaries PART TWO: (July-Dec.)

Oleksandr-Usyk-is-the-TSS-2024-Fighter-of-the-Year
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Oleksandr Usyk is the TSS 2024 Fighter of the Year

Jai-Opetaia-Brutally-KOs-David-Nyika-Cementing-his-Status-as-the-World's-Top-Cruiserweight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jai Opetaia Brutally KOs David Nyika, Cementing his Status as the World’s Top Cruiserweight

A-No-Brainer-Turki-Alalshikh-is-the-TSS-2024-Promoter-of-the-Year
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A No-Brainer: Turki Alalshikh is the TSS 2024 Promoter of the Year

Skylar-Lacy-Blocked-for-Lamar-Jackson-Before-Making-his-Mark-in-Boxing
Featured Articles5 days ago

Skylar Lacy Blocked for Lamar Jackson before Making his Mark in Boxing

Bygone-Days-The-Largest-Crowd-Ever-at-Madison-Square-Garden-Sees-Zivic-TKO-Armstrong
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Bygone Days: The Largest Crowd Ever at Madison Square Garden Sees Zivic TKO Armstrong

Don't-Underestimate-Gloria-Alvarado-An-Unconventional-Boxing-Coach
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Don’t Underestimate Gloria Alvarado, an Unconventional Boxing Coach

Mizuki-Hiruta-Dominates-in-her-U.S.-Debut-and-Trinidad-Wins-Too-at-Commerce
Featured Articles7 days ago

Mizuki Hiruta Dominates in her U.S. Debut and Omar Trinidad Wins Too at Commerce

Avila-Perspective-Chap-309-360-Promotions-Opens-with-Trinidad-Mizuki-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 309: 360 Promotions Opens with Trinidad, Mizuki and More

Dante-Kirkman-Merging-the-Sweet-Science-with-Education
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Dante Kirkman: Merging the Sweet Science with Education

Boxing-Trainer-Bob-Santos-Paid-his-Dues-and-is-Reaping the Rewards
Featured Articles1 week ago

Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Paid his Dues and is Reaping the Rewards

Avila-Perspective-Chap-310-Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 310: Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue and More

Eric-Priest-Wins-Handily-on-Thursday's-Golden-Boy-card-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles18 hours ago

Eric Priest Wins Handily on Thursday’s Golden Boy card at the Commerce Casino

Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-is-Headed-to-Vegas-after-KOing-Y-Joon-Kim
Featured Articles12 hours ago

Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue is Headed to Vegas after KOing Ye Joon Kim

Najee-Lopez-Steps-Up-in-Class-and-Wins-Impressively-at-Plant-City
Featured Articles2 hours ago

Najee Lopez Steps up in Class and Wins Impressively at Plant City

Najee-Lopez-Steps-Up-in-Class-and-Wins-Impressively-at-Plant-City
Featured Articles2 hours ago

Najee Lopez Steps up in Class and Wins Impressively at Plant City

Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-is-Headed-to-Vegas-after-KOing-Y-Joon-Kim
Featured Articles12 hours ago

Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue is Headed to Vegas after KOing Ye Joon Kim

Eric-Priest-Wins-Handily-on-Thursday's-Golden-Boy-card-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles18 hours ago

Eric Priest Wins Handily on Thursday’s Golden Boy card at the Commerce Casino

Avila-Perspective-Chap-310-Japanese-Superstar-Naoya-Inoue-and-More
Featured Articles2 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 310: Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue and More

Skylar-Lacy-Blocked-for-Lamar-Jackson-Before-Making-his-Mark-in-Boxing
Featured Articles5 days ago

Skylar Lacy Blocked for Lamar Jackson before Making his Mark in Boxing

Mizuki-Hiruta-Dominates-in-her-U.S.-Debut-and-Trinidad-Wins-Too-at-Commerce
Featured Articles7 days ago

Mizuki Hiruta Dominates in her U.S. Debut and Omar Trinidad Wins Too at Commerce

Avila-Perspective-Chap-309-360-Promotions-Opens-with-Trinidad-Mizuki-and-More
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 309: 360 Promotions Opens with Trinidad, Mizuki and More

Boxing-Trainer-Bob-Santos-Paid-his-Dues-and-is-Reaping the Rewards
Featured Articles1 week ago

Boxing Trainer Bob Santos Paid his Dues and is Reaping the Rewards

Bygone-Days-The-Largest-Crowd-Ever-at-Madison-Square-Garden-Sees-Zivic-TKO-Armstrong
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Bygone Days: The Largest Crowd Ever at Madison Square Garden Sees Zivic TKO Armstrong

Jai-Opetaia-Brutally-KOs-David-Nyika-Cementing-his-Status-as-the-World's-Top-Cruiserweight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Jai Opetaia Brutally KOs David Nyika, Cementing his Status as the World’s Top Cruiserweight

RIP-Paul-Bamba-1989-2024-The-Story-Behind-the-Story
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

R.I.P. Paul Bamba (1989-2024): The Story Behind the Story

Don't-Underestimate-Gloria-Alvarado-An-Unconventional-Boxing-Coach
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Don’t Underestimate Gloria Alvarado, an Unconventional Boxing Coach

Dante-Kirkman-Merging-the-Sweet-Science-with-Education
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Dante Kirkman: Merging the Sweet Science with Education

For-Whom-the-Bell-Tolled-2024-Boxing-Obituaries-PART-TWO-July-December
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

For Whom the Bell Tolled: 2024 Boxing Obituaries PART TWO: (July-Dec.)

2024-Boxing-Obituaries-PART-ONE.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

For Whom the Bell Tolled: 2024 Boxing Obituaries PART ONE (Jan.-June)

Oleksandr-Usyk-is-the-TSS-2024-Fighter-of-the-Year
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Oleksandr Usyk is the TSS 2024 Fighter of the Year

A-No-Brainer-Turki-Alalshikh-is-the-TSS-2024-Promoter-of-the-Year
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A No-Brainer: Turki Alalshikh is the TSS 2024 Promoter of the Year

The-Ortiz-Bohachuk-Thriller-has-been-named-the-TSS-2024-Fight-of-the-Year
Featured Articles1 month ago

The Ortiz-Bohachuk Thriller has been named the TSS 2024 Fight of The Year

Women's-Prizefighting-Year-End-Review-The-Best-of-the-Best-in-2024
Featured Articles1 month ago

Women’s Prizefighting Year End Review: The Best of the Best in 2024

Lucas-Bahdi-Forged-he-RSS-2024-Knockout-of-the-Year
Featured Articles1 month ago

Lucas Bahdi Forged the TSS 2024 Knockout of the Year

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Advertisement