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LOTIERZO'S LOWDOWN For Once We Can't Speculate On Mayweather's Next Move
Since June 1, Floyd Mayweather has been residing at the Clark County Detention Center in Nevada, serving his sentence after a plea deal in a domestic violence case. Mayweather, 43-0 (26) is regarded as the best pound for pound fighter in professional boxing. In his last fight on May 5th he took apart Miguel Cotto, winning by an overwhelming unanimous decision. Floyd looked terrific against Cotto and during many patches of the fight he beat him at his own game, on the inside, where it was obvious to most sophisticated observers that Mayweather was actually the physically stronger man.
Well, “Money” is scheduled to be set free this Friday, August 3rd and never in his career have two things been more painfully obvious. For starters, no one, I mean no one knows for sure what he's going to do or who he is going to fight next, if he fights again. He's had plenty of time to clear his head and think about it, then again he may not be certain himself in regards to who or what's next. And speaking of jail, contrary to a lot of what's being written about Floyd's “doing time,” three months out of the general population is not going to change him one iota. The Floyd Mayweather who went in is identical to the one coming out.
The other thing that's never been more applicable regarding Mayweather is the fact that he's never held all the cards more so than he does now pertaining to his fighting future. Since his stay at the Cross-Bar Hotel, his biggest rival, Manny Pacquiao, lost a very controversial decision to Timothy Bradley in his last bout on June 9th. Forget about how you saw the fight or who you think won it, the bottom line is Pacquiao looked bad, and that had more to do with his dramatic decline and loss of focus than anything Bradley did strategically. If you dispute that, you're seeing things that aren't there.
Right now Pacquiao needs Mayweather more than the opposite. Not only did Mayweather give one of his best career performances in his last bout against Cotto, it just so happens that Pacquiao is coming off of the two most pedestrian showings he's turned in over the last five years. So if they're going to fight, Mayweather will dictate the terms because he can and Manny has no choice but to accept them if he wants to get Mayweather in the ring.
Furthermore, if for some reason they end up not fighting it's Mayweather who has all the options. Let's face it, other than fighting Mayweather, who can Pacquiao fight that would really stimulate the boxing public? Mayweather can fight Canelo Alvarez, Sergio Martinez or Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and they'd be blockbuster attractions. The same can't be said for Pacquiao for the simple fact that other than against Alvarez, he would be considered too small and an overwhelming underdog versus Martinez and Chavez. That leaves him Marquez IV or Bradley II. The last two bouts Pacquiao had against them weren't very aesthetically pleasing to watch.
Amir Khan was on the short list at one time as a future opponent for Pacquiao and Mayweather, but that all changed when Philly's Danny Garcia stopped him last month. And it's not a reach to say that the loss to Garcia may have finished Khan off as a world class championship fighter campaigning between 140-147. If not for good, at least so for the near future.
During the past decade those who followed Mayweather knew he had no intention of fighting Shane Mosley or Miguel Cotto until they were on the wrong side of the hill. Now, that's not saying he wouldn't have defeated them prime for prime, it's just that it was easy to connect the dots and surmise he'd wait until he held the upper hand, and that's what happened. That's why we saw fillers with him fighting Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Victor Ortiz during the interim. And if you're honest, that's what he's done with Pacquiao, waited for him to decline mentally and physically as a fighter.
Think about all those fans and writers that were detailing how and why Pacquiao would be Mayweather's stumbling block. Perhaps back in 2009/2010 they were right, but that doesn't mean a thing now because the fight didn't happen then. It's what happens from this point on that counts, and if Mayweather sees that the time is right to fight Pacquiao under his new “TMT” promotions with rapper 50 Cent, you better believe those fans and writers, at least most of them, will see the fight differently. Actually, it was more fun when you could make a case that the fight was a pick'em. Now if they fight Mayweather will be a nearly 2-1 favorite.
The amazing thing about what's going on with Mayweather now is, it's nothing more than a crap shoot as to what he'll say and do when he's released from jail. Will he retire? I doubt it but I wouldn't be shocked. Will he go after Pacquiao realizing that at age 35 the sand is also running through the hour glass for him? What about Canelo, Martinez and Chavez? Surely he sees them as not being the most difficult terrain a great fighter like himself has ever had to navigate. There's probably 80 million dollars waiting for him in two fights with Alvarez and Martinez if he wants it. And you know those fights are there for him if he wants them, barring some unforeseen turn of events.
Personally, I've always felt that Floyd Mayweather was very transparent and easy to see through in regards to what he said and what his true intentions were. And my record has been pretty much on the mark, something I really can't pat myself on the back for. It's more the case of if you really observed him objectively, it was easy to see he was a great manager long before he was a great fighter.
All that being said, I have no idea what direction Mayweather will go after he's served his time and is released later this week. I just know that he's never held every card in the deck like he does now. He can make whatever fight he wants and he'll make a fortune. And if he deems that perhaps the Martinez-Chavez winner is too dangerous, he won't fight them. He'll just go another direction or retire.
One thing is for sure – nobody knows what's going to happen when Floyd Mayweather leaves jail tomorrow. But everybody will be watching and listening. That we do know.
Frank Lotierzo can contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com
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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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