THE WYLIE PICK: Guerrero Over Aydin By Wide Decision

Published

12 years ago

July 28, 2012

Lee Wylie

This weigh-in scuffle might be the most luck Aydin has against Guerrero.

Robert Guerrero-Selcuk Aydin:
San Jose, California

12 rounds, for the WBC 147 pound interim title

Televised by Showtime

Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, 29-1-1 {18 kos} will sample life in the ring asa welterweight for the very first time tonight, leapfrogging the 140 pound division to face unbeaten Turkish fighter Selcuk “Mini-Tyson” Aydin, 23-0 {17 kos}. Guerrero is taking a risk, having only previously fought at lightweight just once before, back in April of last year, earning himself a unanimous decision win over Michael Katsidis while adding the interim WBA and WBO 135 pound titles in the process. To put things into perspective, should Guerrero win, he will be joining an illustrious set of fighters, containing the likes of Roberto Duran, Pernell Whitaker and Shane Mosley, as former lightweights who have stepped up to claim a welterweight title. What would be even more impressive for Guerrero is that he would be the first to do so, without having first swam in deeper divisional waters. Both Duran and Mosley fought at 147 pounds prior to winning their respective championships whereas Whitaker initially spent time campaigning at 140 pounds before his venture into the 147 pound division. Add to this the fact that Guerrero is coming back from a long lay-off, due to a serious shoulder injury, not to mention his opponent at hand, a natural at the weight and who is also a notoriously big puncher, and you get an idea as to just how much Robert Guerrero will be up against it once the opening bell sounds.

Or will he?

Simply put, I think Robert Guerrero wins this fight. Going one step further, I believe Guerrero, with THE perfect opponent in front of him in Selcuck Aydin, could win this fight comfortably. Let's compare the two fighters. At 5 ft 8ins, and with a 70ins reach {which is large even by welterweight standards} Guerrero, a southpaw, operates best boxing at range, utilizing his superior reach to keep opponents on the end of the jab before flummoxing them with quick, multi-punch combinations. By comparison, at 5ft 7ins, and with a 65ins reach, Aydin {relatively small in stature for the division} is at his best working at mid-range, throwing short punches -namely right and left hooks. Even though Guerrero is the fighter moving up in weight, I believe he's the one who holds the physical advantages, especially when it translates into how both fighters function in the ring.

In terms of how the fight will play out, I think it could end up being pretty straight-forward for Guerrero. Aydin is the type of fighter who only lets his hands go once his opponent has stopped throwing. Unlike his namesake, this “Tyson” lacks the ability to counter. During his prime, Mike Tyson was able to come forward in his peek-a-boo high guard defense, and simultaneously slip and counter.Mike Tyson had the ability to end a fight while his opponent was on offense. This is the area in which Aydin is flawed. The transition between offense and defense for him is a painstakingly slow one. Aydin's defense consists of him coming forward behind his high guard,catching punches on his gloves and forearms. Only after his opponent has stopped throwing does Aydin then attempt to launch any offense.

Undoubtedly, Robert Guerrero is among the best volume punchers in the sport. Guerrero is able to string together three's and four's in quick succession, before pivoting off to the side where he then resets and repeats. Guerrero's punch output is very high.This, I believe,will be Aydin's biggest obstacle as I can see him having a tough time finding the time to let his hands go. Think back to Arthur Abraham against Carl Froch or Winky Wright against Paul Williams. On both occasions, the fighter that was subdued by superior volume had a difficult time getting off. With Abraham, Froch's lengthy jab and movement was to blame, whereas with Wright, Williams' output, southpaw angles and variety were the traits that kept Wright in defensive mode all evening. Robert Guerrero possesses all of the above and more. He's a southpaw, throws multiple punches, has great length on his jab and moves intelligently, off at angles, around the ring.

Despite what we've been lead to believe, Aydin could be the fighter who's at a disadvantage here, not Guerrero.

There's no doubting that Aydin can hurt Guerrero. Aydin is clearly a big hitter, especially with the southpaw's kryptonite, the right hand, and Guerrero's chin has caused concern before even against smaller opposition. Nevertheless, I believe Guerrero has the perfect opponent in front of him. Even forgetting about strategy for a moment,a quick glance at the opposition on their resumes suggests that there could be a significant gulf in quality here. Michael Katsidis, Joel Casamayor and Orlando Salido are vastly superior to anything Aydin has faced so far, regardless of their condition at the time, and the weight in which the fights took place.

There's chance that maybe I'm not paying enough attention to the increase in weight for Guerrero, or thats he's also coming back from a long lay-off. There's also a chance that some aren't paying enough attention to the respective styles of the two combatants. Or maybe that this weigh-in mini-scuffle lights a fire under Aydin, and propels him to fight the fight of his life.

Prediction:

I'm of the opinion that Guerrero will come out using his jab, taking full advantage of his superior reach. Aydin, in his high guard, will be pursuing early, looking to shorten the distance. Guerrero's straighter and more precise punching, along with his ability to side step an oncoming attack, will negate any looping shots from Aydin. As a result,Aydin will be spending far too much time covering up –this will be the story of the fight.

Guerrero will be throwing combinations high and low, then sliding off at angles, not allowing Aydin to set himself. I believe it will be a case of rinse and repeat as the fight wears on. Aydin will be thoroughly outworked. As the fight heads towards the later stages, look for Guerrero to be threading his uppercut through the middle of Aydin's guard.Should Guerrero's speed and power travel up with him, the fight could be over before the final bell. This Tyson,as was the case with a more famous one of old, is not effective once he's backed up. If Guerrero is able to press the attack later on,putting Aydin on the back foot, which is a possible scenario in my eyes, then Guerrero will be in with a chance of not only making history by becoming the first lightweight to jump straight to welterweight and win a title, but by doing so by knockout.

There isn't a more monotonous saying in boxing than the old styles make fights. While the constant echoing of it may grow old, it's meaning on the other hand, never will. Not in this sport. Styles, more-so than any other aspect, are the first thing I look at when dissecting fights. It's for this very reason that I think Robert Guerrero will defeat Selcuk Aydin without really having to assert himself. I don't see a life and death type of affair occurring here.

Robert Guerrero will win a wide unanimous decision.

A B-level, one-dimensional hook artist who spends too much time looking to land his money punch should be trumped by a superior B+ level technician, who can keep said fighter in his defensive shell using volume, angles, precision and length.

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Lee Wylie

Stephen Fulton Nips Carlos Castro in a Prelude to Canelo vs Berlanga

Published

2 hours ago

September 14, 2024

Arne K. Lang

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.

—

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 15^th 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.

—

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

Published

23 hours ago

September 13, 2024

Arne K. Lang

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

Published

2 days ago

September 12, 2024

David A. Avila

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 11^th 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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