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Fights We'd Like To See
Hochberger has some nice ideas for next for Canelo. Readers, please put on your matchmaker caps, and toss in some matches you'd like to see in the near future. (Hogan)
I have a dream… that some no-brainer boxing matches get made. The below fights would either sort out who’s the man to beat at various weight classes or provide fireworks for fight fans around the globe. See below for fights I’d like to see because… wait for it… they make sense.
Victor Ortiz-Amir Khan: This is a classic crossroads fight as both guys would absolutely need a win to continue drawing major network fights/title shots. The winner would remain relevant to his weight class, and the loser would have to reconsider his career. Neither guy wants to be a gatekeeper. On top of the logical sense this fight makes, it would be an instant fight-of-the-year candidate. Both fighters were blessed with explosive offensive tools that other championship-caliber fighters may only dream of. However, they both have an aura of vulnerability that would make this even more interesting. This would absolutely be a firefight, and I’d love to see who the last man standing would be, because one of these guys would get knocked out. As Michael Woods once pointed out to me, the most salient part might well be that they’re both with Golden Boy. Serve it up, Oscar.
Canelo-Carlos Molina: In short, the poor guy deserves it. All Carlos Molina has done over the past few years is beat the top fighters in his weight class. He’s certainly not the most exciting fighter out there, but he poses a real threat to Canelo based on his experience, toughness, and style. Beating Molina gives Canelo’s resume significantly more credibility than any previous opponent. Plus, Miguel Cotto is tied up with Austin Trout (which I just don’t get).
Sidebar: For all of those complaining about Canelo’s choice to fight Josesito Lopez in a clear mismatch need to back off the kid. He originally was set to face Paul Williams (as tough an opponent out there based on skills/style), and then agreed to fight the massively powerful James Kirkland who is a big fella. It’s not Canelo’s fault that those didn’t work out.
Sergio Martinez-Canelo Alvarez: Why the hell not? Sergio can absolutely make 154 lbs, so weight is not an issue. Assuming Sergio’s injuries from the Chavez, Jr fight are not too serious, I would love to see him fight Canelo. Frankly, I would expect a more competitive version of the Chavez fight. Martinez would dominate in spurts with movement, accuracy, combinations, and strategy, but Canelo is a more tactful boxer than Chavez. Canelo would definitely land more than Chavez did, and he’d have the sense to actually cut the ring off from Martinez. Perhaps most importantly, Canelo is faster than Chavez. Let’s get it on and see what Canelo’s really made of!
Sergio- GGG: I’ve already stated my case for this fight. Gennady Golovkin exploded on the HBO scene with his dominant stoppage a few weeks back, and in my opinion, he’s the most dangerous opponent out there for Martinez. His power is for real. But what’s most important about GGG as far as being a threat is his experience and ring acumen. Whereas Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. tried to walk Martinez down, GGG would box with him. GGG has crippling power, sure, but his stellar amateur background and professional career have allowed him to learn how to use that power extremely effectively. I cannot name another fighter that makes a more compelling matchup with the Champ.
Robert Guerrero-Timothy Bradley: You just have to know this fight won’t come off. Not so much because it’s Top Rank and Golden Boy, but moreso because it makes so much sense. I’ve never fully bought into Robert Guerrero as a truly elite fighter (major titleholder in a loaded division), but beating Bradley would definitely convince me that he’s at least right on the cusp. Tim Bradley needs a win against a top contender (which Guerrero undoubtedly is) to remain at the top of the list for big fights in this division, and this would be perfect proving ground for both fighters. Bradley would be favored, and I’d pick him to win, for the record.
Leo Santa Cruz-ANYONE: I’m so in on this guy. How can you not love an immense volume puncher who throws with bad intentions and attacks the body? Well, I guess if you’re not a boxing fan. Hopefully he gets some meaningful fights in a suddenly loaded division. Would love to see him get the Mares-Moreno winner.
Broner-Gamboa: I’ve called for this one in the past, and I want to call for it again. I don’t think weights would be a sticking point (assuming Broner can still make 135), and this would be a defining fight for both fighters. If Broner can make it look easy against a fighter with the offensive prowess of Yuriorkis Gamboa (even though he also has some defensive woes), then we know he’s the real deal.vThis would set Broner up for a run of significant fights from 135-147 lbs over the next few years (Danny Garcia seems like the most logical follow-up fight if Broner gets past DeMarco/Gamboa)
GuillermoRigondeaux-Nonito Donaire: Despite being little guys, these are two of the finest P4P guys we have for exactly opposite reasons (technical brilliance for the former, explosive power for the latter). It’s always great to see explosive offensive athletes (like Donaire) fight calculated ring generals with outstanding technical wits like Rigo. The wildcard in this fight would be Rigo’s power. He’s not just a great technical boxer, but he can really punch, too. This would be a great lesson in the sweet science.
Paulie Malignaggi- Kell Brook. This fight would also answer some serious questions. I absolutely love Paulie Malignaggi’s game. He talks a lot, but he typically backs it up in the ring. He’s got a ton of heart, and when he’s going right, he’s a tough out for any fighter. That said, I think he’s in the upper-echelon of gatekeeper status at this point in his career. While typical gatekeepers don’t hold title belts, I don’t think anyone would pick Malignaggi to beat the elite fighters of his division. Kell Brook is in need of a fight against a real American gatekeeper if he has plans on being relevant in the US. Malignaggi is just what the doctor ordered.
Marcos Maidana-Lucas Matthyse: Duh. If Maidana can’t make 140 anymore (which I doubt), find a catchweight. These are two of the heaviest hitters we have in the entire sport pound-for-pound, and they are never in dull fights. I would pay PPV prices just to watch these two fight. Someone is getting knocked out, and it’s going to be highlight-reel material. And there’s gravy on top: they’re both Argentinian. Let them fight in Argentina (possibly on a card headlined by Sergio Martinez) so the nationalistic fervor plays a role. What are we waiting for? Both fighters are on the verge of major title shots. I will say that Maidana has gotten much better under Robert Garcia. But once he gets into an exchange, his instincts take over. I just start salivating at the idea of their first true exchange. Matthyse’s straight right probably gets their first and ends the fight early.
Danny Garcia-Tim Bradley: What I really would like to see is Danny Garcia vs. Juan Manuel Marquez. But since that ain’t happening, Timothy Bradley is the next best choice. I’d guess Bradley can still make 140, so weight shouldn’t play a major factor. I think their styles would actually make for a very fan-friendly fight, and a win for either would cement their status atop their respective weight classes. Why Danny Garcia is fighting Erik Morales again is mind-boggling to me. It’s a lose-lose situation. He gains nothing by beating him a second time (other than some deserved criticism for taking the fight), and he loses everything by losing to El Terible. Makes even less sense than Cotto-Trout since Cotto has little to prove at this point.
Edwin Rodriguez-Kelly Pavlik: Edwin is ready for a major step up. I’ve seen him fight inside with great power and effectiveness, and I’ve seen him fight on the outside with great accuracy, jabs, and ring generalship. What I haven’t seen him do is fight a top-10 fighter at any weight class. Kelly Pavlik is also ready for a meaningful fight. He’s yet to face someone (since his comeback began) of any significance. A win against Rodriguez would validate a matchup against Andre Ward or Chad Dawson. Similarly, a win over Pavlik would catapult Rodriguez into the top tier of 168-175 lb fighters where there are plenty of marquee matchups and big paydays (Bute, Froch, Ward, Kessler, etc.). You could say it’s a crossroads fight where the winner is thrust into the big time, and the loser is relegated to gatekeeper/contender status for the foreseeable future.
Andre Ward- ???: Is there really anyone who can give this guy a run for his money? I don’t know the name. Could Floyd make his legacy in tact as he has alluded to by stepping up? This would be the final stamp on an illustrious career if Floyd would go up in weight (by a lot) to fight another guy who can reasonably be considered the best fighter on the planet (who happens to be in his prime). A win against Ward would be way bigger (literally) and more impressive than a win against Manny Pacquaio.
The lack of solid opponents is less indicative of crap opposition (like Roy Jones’ remarkable career) and more about his dominance. Carl Froch’s a world class fighter and seeing their rematch is of no interest due to Ward’s utter domination in the first encounter. Sergio Martinez is too small (and frankly would get beaten badly in my opinion), but maybe Pavlik? Even Pavlik has only a puncher’s chance to beat Ward. I simply don’t know how you beat that guy, and I certainly don’t know anyone built to do it. Another option is Golovkin just due to his explosive power… but even that may be a stretch.
I am pleased to see sensible fights being made to sort through contenders recently (such as Lara-Matirosyan, Berto-Bradley, etc.), but I don’t fully understand what’s holding up some of the above. Perhaps HBO or Showtime has the cahones to open up fan voting through twitter as to who the fans want to see fight next, but I’d say that’s a dream.
Readers—What fights do you want to see?
Let me know @Blakehoc
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Skylar Lacy Blocked for Lamar Jackson before Making his Mark in Boxing
Skylar Lacy, a six-foot-seven heavyweight, returns to the ring on Sunday, Feb. 2, opposing Brandon Moore on a card in Flint, Michigan, airing worldwide on DAZN.
As this is being written, the bookmakers hadn’t yet posted a line on the bout, but one couldn’t be accused of false coloring by calling the 10-round contest a 50/50 fight. And if his frustrating history is any guide, Lacy will have another draw appended to his record or come out on the wrong side of a split decision.
This should not be construed as a tip to wager on Moore. “Close fights just don’t seem to go my way,” says the boxer who played alongside future multi-year NFL MVP Lamar Jackson at the University of Louisville.
A 2021 National Golden Gloves champion, Skylar Lacy came up short in his final amateur bout, losing a split decision to future U.S. Olympian Joshua Edwards. His last Team Combat League assignment resulted in another loss by split decision and he was held to a draw in both instances when stepping up in class as a pro. “In my mind, I’m still undefeated,” says Lacy (8-0-2, 6 KOs). “No one has ever kicked my ass.”
Lacy was the B-side in both of those draws, the first coming in a 6-rounder against Top Rank fighter Antonio Mireles on a Top Rank show in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and the second in an 8-rounder against George Arias, a Lou DiBella fighter on a DiBella-promoted card in Philadelphia.
Lacy had the Mireles fight in hand when he faded in the homestretch. The altitude was a factor. Lake Tahoe, Nevada (officially Stateline) sits 6,225 feet above sea level. The fight with Arias took an opposite tack. Lacy came on strong after a slow start to stave off defeat.
Skylar will be the B-side once again in Michigan. The card’s promoter, former world title challenger Dmitriy Salita, inked Brandon Moore (16-1, 10 KOs) in January. “A capable American heavyweight with charisma, athleticism and skills is rare in today’s day and age. Brandon has got all these ingredients…”, said Salita in the press release announcing the signing. (Salita has an option on Skylar Lacy’s next pro fight in the event that Skylar should win, but the promoter has a larger investment in Moore who was previously signed to Top Rank, a multi-fight deal that evaporated after only one fight.)
Both Lacy and Moore excelled in other sports. The six-foot-six Moore was an outstanding basketball player in high school in Fort Lauderdale and at the NAIA level in college. Lacy was an all-state football lineman in Indiana before going on to the University of Louisville where he started as an offensive guard as a redshirt sophomore, blocking for freshman phenom Lamar Jackson. “Lamar was hard-working and humble,” says Lacy about the player who is now one of the world’s highest-paid professional athletes.
When Lacy committed to Louisville, the head coach was Charlie Strong who went on to become the head coach at the University of Texas. Lacy was never comfortable with Strong’s successor Bobby Petrino and transferred to San Jose State. Having earned his degree in only three years (a BA in communications) he was eligible immediately but never played a down because of injuries.
Returning to Indianapolis where he was raised by his truck dispatcher father, a single parent, Lacy gravitated to Pat McPherson’s IBG (Indy Boxing and Grappling) Gym on the city’s east side where he was the rare college graduate pounding the bags alongside at-risk kids from the city’s poorer neighborhoods.
Lacy built a 12-6 record across his two seasons in Team Combat League while representing the Las Vegas Hustle (2023) and the Boston Butchers (2024).
For the uninitiated, a Team Combat League (TCL) event typically consists of 24 fights, each consisting of one three-minute round. The concept finds no favor with traditionalists, but Lacy is a fan. It’s an incentive for professional boxers to keep in shape between bouts without disturbing their professional record and, notes Lacy, it’s useful in exposing a competitor to different styles.
“It paid the bills and kept me from just sitting around the house,” says Lacy whose 12-6 record was forged against 13 different opponents.
As a sparring partner, Lacy has shared the ring with some of the top heavyweights of his generation, e.g., Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. He was one of Fury’s regular sparring partners during the Gypsy King’s trilogy with Deontay Wilder. He worked with Joshua at Derrick James’ gym in Dallas and at Ben Davison’s gym in England, helping Joshua prepare for his date in Saudi Arabia with Francis Ngannou and had previously sparred with Ngannou at the UFC Performance Center in Las Vegas. Skylar names traveling to new places as one of his hobbies and he got to scratch that itch when he joined Whyte’s camp in Portugal.
As to the hardest puncher he ever faced, he has no hesitation: “Ngannou,” he says. “I negotiated a nice price to spend a week in his camp and the first time he hit me I knew I should have asked for more.”
Lacy is confident that having shared the ring with some of the sport’s elite heavyweights will get him over the hump in what will be his first 10-rounder (Brandon Moore has never had to fight beyond eight rounds, having won his three 10-rounders inside the distance). Lacy vs. Moore is the co-feature to Claressa Shields’ homecoming fight with Danielle Perkins. Shields, basking in the favorable reviews accorded the big-screen biopic based on her first Olympic journey (“The Fire Inside”) will attempt to capture a title in yet another weight class at the expense of the 42-year-old Perkins, a former professional basketball player.
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Mizuki Hiruta Dominates in her U.S. Debut and Omar Trinidad Wins Too at Commerce
Japan’s Mizuki Hiruta smashed through Mexico’s Maribel Ramirez with ease in winning by technical decision and local hero Omar Trinidad continued his assault on the featherweight division on Friday.
Hiruta (7-0, 2 KOs), who prefers to be called “Mimi,” made her American debut with an impressive performance against Mexican veteran Maribel Ramirez (15-11-4) and retained the WBO super flyweight world title by unanimous decision at Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif.
The pink-haired Japanese southpaw champion quickly proved to be quicker, stronger and even better than advertised. In the opening round Ramirez landed on the floor twice after throwing errant blows. On one instance, it could have been ruled a knockdown but it was not a convincing blow.
In the second round, Ramirez again attacked and again was met with a Hiruta check right hook and down went the Mexican. This time referee Ray Corona gave the eight-count and the fight resumed.
It was Hiruta’s third title defense but this time it was on American soil. She seemed nervous by the prospect of getting a favorable review from the more than 700 fans inside the casino tent.
For more than a year Hiruta has been training off and on with Manny Robles in the L.A. area. Now that she has a visa, she has spent considerable time this year learning the tricks of the trade. They proved explosively effective.
Though Mexico City’s Ramirez has considerable experience against world champions, she discovered that Hiruta was not easy to hit. Often, the Japanese champion would slip and counter with precision.
It was an impressive American debut, though the fight was stopped in the eighth round after a collision of heads. The scores were tallied and all three saw Hiruta the winner by scores of 80-71 twice and 79-72.
“I’m so happy. I could have done much more,” said Hiruta through interpreter Yuriko Miyata. “I wanted to do more things that Manny Robles taught me.”
Trinidad Wins Too
Omar Trinidad (18-0-1, 13 KOs) discovered that challenger Mike Plania (31-5, 18 KOs) has a very good chin and staying power. But over 10 rounds Trinidad proved to be too fast and too busy for the Filipino challenger.
Immediately it was evident that the East L.A. featherweight was too quick and too busy for Plania who preferred a counter-puncher attack that never worked.
“He was strong,” said Trinidad. “He took everything.”
After 10 redundant rounds all three judges scored for Trinidad 100-90 twice and 99-91. He retains the WBC Continental Americas title.
Other Bouts
Ali Akhmedov (23-1, 17 KOs) blasted out Malcolm Jones (17-5-1) in less than two rounds. A dozen punches by Akhmedov forced referee Thomas Taylor to stop the super middleweight fight.
Iyana “Roxy” Verduzco (3-0) bloodied Lindsey Ellis in the first round and continued the speedy assault in the next two rounds. Referee Ray Corona saw enough and stopped the fight in favor of Verduzco at 1:34 of the third round.
Gloria Munguilla (7-1) and Brook Sibrian (5-2) lit up the boxing ring with a nonstop clash for eight rounds in their light flyweight fight. Munguilla proved effective with a slip-and-counter attack. Sibrian adjusted and made the fight closer in the last four rounds but all three judges favored Munguilla.
More Winners
Joshua Anton, Tayden Beltran, Adan Palma, and Alexander Gueche all won their bouts.
Photos credit: Al Applerose
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 309: 360 Promotions Opens with Trinidad, Mizuki and More
Avila Perspective, Chap. 309: 360 Promotions Opens with Trinidad, Mizuki and More
Best wishes to the survivors of the Los Angeles wildfires that took place last week and are still ongoing in small locales.
Most of the heavy damage took place in the western part of L.A. near the ocean due to Santa Ana winds. Another very hot spot was in Altadena just north of the Rose Bowl. It was a horrific tragedy.
Hopefully the worst is over.
Pro boxing returns with 360 Boxing Promotions spotlighting East L.A.’s Omar Trinidad (17-0-1, 13 KOs) defending a regional featherweight title against Mike Plania (31-4, 18 KOs) on Friday, Jan. 17, at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, Calif.
“I’m the king of L.A. boxing and I’ll be ready to put on a show headlining again in the main event. This is my year, I’m ready to challenge and defeat any of the featherweight world champions,” said Trinidad.
UFC Fight Pass will stream the Hollywood Night fight card that includes a female world championship fight and other intriguing match-ups.
Tom Loeffler heads 360 Promotions and once again comes full force with a hot prospect in Trinidad. If you’re not familiar with Loeffler’s history of success, he introduced America to Oleksandr Usyk, Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and the brothers Wladimir and Vitaly Kltischko.
“We’ve got a wealth of international talent and local favorites to kick off our 2025 in grand style,” said Loeffler.
He knows talent.
Trinidad hails from the Boyle Heights area of East L.A. near the Los Angeles riverbed. Several fighters from the past came from that exact area including the first Golden Boy, Art Aragon.
Aragon was a huge gate attraction during the late 1940s until 1960. He was known as a lady’s man and dated several Hollywood starlets in his time. Though he never won a world title he did fight world champions Carmen Basilio, Jimmy Carter and Lauro Salas. He was more or less the king of the Olympic Auditorium and Los Angeles boxing during his career.
Other famous boxers from the Boyle Heights area were notorious gangster Mickey Cohen and former world champion Joey Olivo.
Can Trinidad reach world title status?
Facing Trinidad will be Filipino fighter Plania who’s knocked off a couple of prospects during his career including Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer and Giovanni Gutierrez. The fighter from General Santos in the Philippines can crack and hold his own in the boxing ring.
It’s a very strong fight card and includes WBO world titlist Mizuki Hiruta of Japan who defends the super flyweight title against Mexican veteran Maribel Ramirez. It’s a tough matchup for Hiruta who makes her American debut. You can’t miss her with that pink hair and she has all the physical tools to make a splash in this country.
Two other female bouts are also planned, including light flyweight banger L.A.’s Gloria Munguilla (6-1) against Coachella’s Brook Sibrian (5-1) in a match set for six rounds. Both are talented fighters. Another female fight includes super featherweights Iyana “Right Hook Roxy” Verduzco (2-0) versus Lindsey Ellis (2-1) in another six-rounder. Ellis can crack with all her wins coming via knockout. Verduzco is a multi-national titlist as an amateur.
Others scheduled to perform are Ali Akhmedov, Joshua Anton, Adan Palma and more.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m.
Boxing and the Media
The sport of professional boxing is currently in flux. It’s always in flux but no matter what people may say or write, boxing will survive.
Whether you like Jake Paul or not, he proved boxing has worldwide appeal with monstrous success in his last show. He has media companies looking at the numbers and imagining what they can do with the sport.
Sure, UFC is negotiating a massive billion dollar deal with media companies, as is WWE, both are very similar in that they provide combat entertainment. You don’t need to know the champions because they really don’t matter. Its about the attractions.
Boxing is different. The good champions last and build a following that endures even beyond their careers a la Mike Tyson.
MMA can’t provide that longevity, but it does provide entertainment.
Currently, there is talk of establishing a boxing league again. It’s been done over and over but we shall see if it sticks this time.
Pro boxing is the true warrior’s path and that means a solo adventure. It’s a one-on-one sport and that appeals to people everywhere. It’s the oldest sport that can be traced to prehistoric times. You don’t need classes in Brazilian Jiujitsu, judo, kick boxing or wrestling. Just show up in a boxing gym and they can put you to work.
It’s a poor person’s path that can lead to better things and most importantly discipline.
Photos credit: Lina Baker
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