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BORGES: Dawson Might Surprise A Lot of People, And Ward

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 Dawson ,  WardWill there be a “scale fail” on fightnight, will Dawson be drained down the stretch against Ward? Or will he buck the odds and pull off the upset against the 168 pound ace?

Gary Shaw, being a promoter, was promoting Chad Dawson’s fight with super middleweight champion Andre Ward the best way he could this week.

“Can you believe the 175-pound champion of the world is a 3-1 underdog?’’ Shaw asked rhetorically.

Well, since he’s being asked to fight Ward at 168 pounds, yes I can.

Were Ward coming up to light heavyweight one could easily find ways to make a strong argument for Dawson but he’s going DOWN to Ward’s division, couldn’t break an egg with a hammer in either division and is meeting UP with Ward in Ward’s hometown of Oakland, Ca. Any chance he’ll let them tie his feet together, too?

The last time Dawson ventured into someone else’s home territory is the only time he’s been beaten, losing a 11-round technical decision to then WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal at the Bell Centre in Montreal. That fight was stopped with Pascal in serious trouble and being rocked by Dawson just before Pascal head butted his way to the scorecards.

Ward’s unlikely to take such a dastardly route because when your nickname is SOG (Son of God) how could you? But Ward’s skills are far more formidable than Pascal’s, especially at 168 pounds, so why would Dawson accept such a weighty challenge at a time when he held both the WBC and RING magazine light heavyweight championships?

Well, because boxing is a business and to make big money Chad Dawson had to lose weight. So it goes in boxing but will it matter?

The traditional road would have been for Ward to move up from the 168-pound division to challenge the 175-pound champion but he knew he didn’t have to do any such thing. Ward had a number of ways to get paid a reasonable purse for his next title defense but no way to get what Dawson has brought him – which is a chance to gain some of the recognition he has long deserved but received little of despite being an Olympic gold medalist and one of the half dozen best pound-for-pound fighters in the country, if not the world.

For Dawson, on the other hand, this was about maximizing his income while at the same time putting both himself and his sport in the spotlight. It was, to be frank, a calculated risk, one Dawson took willingly because he believes not only that losing seven pounds will not drain him but also that his superior boxing skills will serve him well even against the best super middleweight in the world.

“I wanted to fight him,’’ Dawson said this week. “I wanted to go down to 168 for the last year or two. I have no trouble making the weight. I believe in my skills.’’

Well he should, but will they be blunted by the draining effort to get to 168? While Dawson will likely rehydrate himself back to 180 pounds or so after the weigh-in, the cost of the effort to pare off seven pounds can often be severe, especially late in a fight.

To his advantage is something that has in the past been a disadvantage however, which is Dawson’s tendency not to fight with blistering enthusiasm. To say he is a defensive fighter who limits his exposure to harm’s way would be an understatement but in this case it would seem to be one way to conserve his energy and counter-balance what he may have given up physically to reach 168. In this case, the race may go not to the swift but to the plodding.

Ward, on the other hand, will try to push the pace and hope to dismantle Dawson the way he stunningly did Carl Froch in December. But while Froch is a tough pedestrian practitioner of boxing’s dark arts, Dawson (31-1, 17 KO) is a brilliant boxer who seldom puts himself in a position to be hit by a combination so the job will be more complicated unless exhaustion intervenes.

Even as wily a veteran as the aging Bernard Hopkins could find no way to get to Dawson in what was an easy victory for Dawson in April despite one judge blindly calling a one-sided fight a draw. So will Ward be able to reach him?

That, like the effects of Dawson’s weight loss, remains a mystery for another 24 hours but the fear is both fighters are such technicians that nothing may happen, a situation that would make weight loss insignificant and the fight disappointing.

Shaw, being a promoter, doesn’t see it that way and neither does the undefeated Ward (25-0, 13 KO).

“We didn’t pick Chad because we saw weaknesses,’’ Ward has said. “We picked Chad because he’s the best in his division and I’m the best in my division. When’s the last time two fighters in separate divisions met because they were the best?’’

Good question but will a depleted Dawson be at his best?

“Saturday night I will walk out as super middleweight champion of the world,’’ Dawson insists. “ I did everything I said I would to make the weight. Now it's time to fight. I am an underdog in this fight and I understand that but I’m looking to take my career to the next level just like he (Ward) is.”

To do it, he had to take his weight to the previous level. If the price of that is not too high, Chad Dawson may surprise a lot of people Saturday night, including Andre Ward.

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

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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 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.

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

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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

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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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