LANDSLIDE! Experts Predict Mayweather Over Canelo

Published

11 years ago

September 9, 2013

One of the best aspects of fight week during a mega event in boxing is all the predictions. Everyone has a take. That’s part of what makes boxing special. Fans, fighters, promoters, managers, historians — you name it. You ask them to give you a prediction about the big fight, and they’ll do it.

And that’s what I did. Here are 56 expert Mayweather-Canelo predictions from around the globe.

TSS CREW LIKES MAYWEATHER 12-1

Mayweather looked brilliant against Robert Guerrero, making The Ghost look like he’d seen a ghost. He will be just as ghostly for young Canelo, who is too flat-footed, too mechanical and too inexperienced to deal with the speed, agility and ring intelligence of Mayweather. Floyd by decision. — Ron Borges, TheSweetScience.com

Floyd Mayweather Jr. can look very, very good when he is at the top of his game, but his true strength is the same as Pernell Whitaker’s: he is even better at making the other guy look bad. It’s the same principle that was applied when puffed-up middleweight Roy Jones Jr. schooled WBA heavyweight champ John Ruiz. Canelo Alvarez is a rising star, but he hasn’t attained his career apex yet. There’s enough remaining of the best of Floyd to come away with another points victory. — Bernard Fernandez, TheSweetScience.com

I’m picking Mayweather by decision. He’s getting older and Canelo is young and can punch, but Mayweather still has some great tools and his experience adjusting to fighters’ styles will make a difference. I also have some doubts about the weight. Canelo might make it down, but that could take a lot out of him. And if he puts on 15 pounds overnight, he could be a little sluggish. — Rick Folstad, TheSweetScience.com

23-year-old Alvarez has incredible work ethic and the soul of a warrior, but I think Mayweather Jr. will be too fast and elusive. And let’s not forget the experience factor. Mayweather easily defeated some of the best in the business. Corrales, Cotto, Marquez and Hatton couldn’t topple Mayweather, and I don’t see Alvarez solving the Mayweather puzzle. I’m going with Mayweather via unanimous decision. — Ralph Gonzalez, TheSweetScience.com

While a Canelo win via stoppage would not come close to shocking me (his power is real, Floyd’s legs have slowed down considerably), I can see Floyd having his way with the youngster. He’ll have to move more than he did against Robert Guerrero, but I think he’ll land at will while constantly setting traps that Canelo doesn’t recognize. Floyd by UD 12, but not without some drama as Alvarez hurts him a few times throughout the fight. — Blake Hochberger, TheSweetScience.com

Mayweather is always the boss; it is his promotion, he gets the attention, money and has an aura of superstardom. These factors seem to convince opponents that they are inferior and can’t win. Miguel Cotto was one of the few who rose to the occasion, but I don’t think Canelo has the skills or resolve to improve on Cotto’s performance. Mayweather by clear decision in a man versus boy affair. — Ronan Keenan, TheSweetScience.com

The only way Canelo can win is if he can turn the bout into a street fight. It’s his only option. He can’t win by waiting and reacting or boxing, he must make Mayweather do what he doesn’t want to. I don’t think he’s capable (he’s not the puncher he’s been built up to be), and I’m not convinced that Alvarez won’t be compromised by having to weigh-in at 152 or less. And if Floyd wins this one, it’s a given he’ll retire undefeated and will be forgotten soon thereafter. Mayweather by UD. — Frank Lotierzo, TheSweetScience.com

Canelo can only win with a lucky punch, an Antonio Tarver/Roy Jones style knockout punch. A punch that Mayweather’s body doesn’t react to very well, even though he has taken similar shots thousands of times. I think Floyd does what he always does, but this time it will be in front of a hostile crowd. Mayweather wins by decision. –Ray Markarian, TheSweetScience.com

Mayweather has been the best in the business for a long time, but how much longer can he keep it up? Canelo is bigger, stronger and almost just as fast. I like Canelo in an upset by close decision. As the fight goes into the later rounds, the 23-year-old’s punches will simply be too heavy for the now 36-year-old Floyd Mayweather. — Kelsey McCarson, TheSweetScience.com

Mayweather by decision: Alvarez is young, strong, and hungry, but I don’t think that’s enough to overcome the hand speed and defensive skill of Mayweather. Canelo has the theoretical puncher’s chance, and there’s also the possibility of him being awarded a decision he doesn’t deserve, but more likely, I think Mayweather outboxes him and frustrates him as he has so many other opponents, pulling away from the middle rounds on for a decision win. — Eric Raskin, TheSweetScience.com

I’m not brave enough to go against the Money. Floyd is a master. Is he an all-time great, near the skill level of Sugar Ray Robinson? I don’t have a time machine and a promotional license, so really, who the hell knows? But I do know this…I think Canelo graduated to being an A minus fighter against Austin Trout. But I’d be more inclined to say he’s going to win more than three rounds on Sept. 14 if I didn’t see him fight so many sub-stellar rounds against Shane Mosley, Ryan Rhodes, Matt Hatton…I think Floyd’s movement will be so key, keep him away from the only danger zone of Canelo’s right hand. Floyd, comfy UD 12. — Michel Woods, TheSweetScience.com

Haven’t seen Mayweather live since ’08 and I’ve never seen Canelo, so this long distance call is based solely on prior Vegas handicapping trends. On paper it’s all Money. Alvarez hasn’t really even earned Ricky Hatton status, let alone De la Hoya territory, so I see Floyd as at least a 2 – 1 favorite. Still, (from close ringside) I thought Castillo deserved the nod in the first fight vs. Mayweather and Oscar (from far grandstands) earned at least a draw, so if Canelo is as strong as many think and maintains pressure, we could have a wild night. I doubt that. Mayweather takes the boy to old school. Floyd by TKO on accumulated damage. — Phil Woolever, TheSweetScience.com

While Mayweather may be a slowing bit, he has busted the myths of countless fighters who had much more power than him. At 36, he may not make Alvarez look foolish, but he can still manage him for 12 rounds. Mayweather by decision. — Aaron Tallent, TheSweetScience.com

OTHER MEDIA MEMBERS TAKE FLOYD 18-4

I think Canelo will win some rounds early, starting the fight aggressively as Mayweather carefully surveys his opponent. But as the fight progresses, Mayweather will use his legs and potshot to establish control of the fight. His movement and accuracy will keep Alvarez from having any sustained success in the later rounds. I think Mayweather wins 116-112. — Adam Abramowitz, Saturdaynightboxing.com

Canelo by split decision. If there is any Mexican fighter out there with the style to beat Floyd Mayweather that is Canelo Alvarez. He is strong, quick of hands, and is not your typical pressure fighter; he is a patient and smart boxer. By his employment of feints and his hard right, Canelo can take the fight to the bag as long as he varies his attack as he did with Trout. By taking Floyd out of his comfort zone, luring him to attack, Alvarez can counter Floyd and hurt him. Expect a controversial decision. — Eduardo Badillo, BoxPlatino.com

Canelo has two rounds to level Mayweather with a right hand, and boxing’s current landscape with him. After that, Mayweather will have him solved, and The One will deteriorate into The 45th. Mayweather will win by a split decision, divided between two accurate scorecards and a third filled-in during the flight from Mexico City. — Bart Barry, 15Rounds.com

Floyd “Money” Mayweather is 36 years old and expected to come into the ring around 150 lbs. On the other hand, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez may outweigh Mayweather by 15-20 lbs and is additionally 13 years younger. Obviously, Alvarez clearly has a major physical advantage, but will he know how to use it? And even if he knows the right thing to do, will he be able to do it? My guess: probably not…Unless Canelo can somehow discover the stamina to consistently work on the inside (mainly with hooks as Mayweather doesn’t lean in for the uppercut) or stay busy from long range (mainly utilizing lots of jabs) it’s going to be an easy fight for Money May. Personally I’m of the opinion that Alvarez does try to out box Mayweather from long range, but not with activity. I get the feeling the young man actually thinks he can fight at a modest pace and beat Mayweather with timing and subtle technique…Among previously listed attributes that Canelo lacks, he additionally doesn’t have the height, reach, reflexes or experience to win the kind of fight I’m envisioning…Mayweather by UD. — Ryan Bivins, Bad Left Hook

Mayweather’s advantages in speed, technique and experience — even at 36 — are just too potent against a fighter as green as Alvarez to solicit a prediction other than a victory by unanimous decision. But that doesn’t mean the fight will be a snoozer, as Canelo’s size, power and underrated ring intelligence will present enough resistance to create drama. Alvarez might go as far as scoring a flash knockdown, but in the end the brilliance of Mayweather’s mid-fight adjustments will be the storyline. — Brian Campbell, ESPN.com

I’m a Canelo believer, but I think this fight has come too soon in his development into a complete fighter. Though Alvarez has some heavy hands, he also has a bad habit of not letting them go often enough, and I expect that to play right into Floyd’s strengths. Mayweather will take this via comfortable decision, with Canelo looking bewildered by the eighth round. — Scott Christ, BadLeftHook.com

Mayweather by UD. The deck is stacked against Saul Alvarez in a number of different ways, and perhaps the only area where Canelo might have an advantage is size — hedged a bit by Floyd by way of catchweight. If Floyd Mayweather were more chinny, that might be an opening for Canelo to make up ground, but Floyd has shown that he can take a punch just fine when his excellent defense fails him. At the end of the day, Floyd Mayweather is a much better fighter with more high end experience, and much of Alvarez’ hope seems to hinge on the idea that Floyd might get old, and soon. — Patrick Connor, Queensberry-Rules.com

Canelo has size and age advantages and is capable of providing a challenge, and maybe even a scare or two. But if Floyd is still Floyd, I think the fight will be typical Mayweather fare. Floyd will make the necessary adjustments and win the decision. — John DiSanto, PhillyBoxingHistory.com

If you believe the marketing, you feel that Floyd Mayweather is aging, slowing down, and will be undersized when he steps into the ring against Canelo Alvarez, who is younger, larger and in his prime. Don’t believe the marketing. Mayweather remains faster, smarter and just plain better than Alvarez. Mayweather will either break Alvarez down for a late stoppage or score a decision victory in which wishful viewers grade Alvarez on a curve rather than on his actual performance. –David Greisman, BoxingScene.com

On paper, I don’t see how anyone could pick against Mayweather. He has all of the tactical, technical advantages over Alvarez to suggest a decisive victory. As for Canelo, it’s still debatable whether, physically, he’s a special fighter. But, mentally, the kid is cast iron tough and laser beam focused. That, alone, makes him dangerous — at least in terms of being able to execute a coherent game plan and not fall into a state of quiet resignation, like most Mayweather opponents do. Mayweather will have to be a bit more aggressive than is normally the case, but the logical prediction is Floyd via unanimous decision in the vicinity of 116-112 or 117-111.—Paul Magno, TheBoxingTribune.com

I am making a sizable wager on Carrot Top (btw, I gave him the nickname) to do the unthinkable, meaning topple Money May. I will be rich as soon as I get out of the mental institution. Seriously, I know it goes the 12-round limit. Canelo takes a split, controversial decision. Rematch looms even larger. – Michael Marley, Examiner.com

I am picking Mayweather by a unanimous decision. In order to be able to beat Mayweather you have to be able to cut off the ring on him. I don’t think Alvarez can do that. Also, he telegraphs that big right hand of his and Mayweather will see that one coming a mile away and tattoo him with his vaunted counter right. Also, you can’t be predictable and beat Floyd and much as I respect Canelo I think it will be relatively easy for Mayweather to figure him out and anticipate his punches and anticipation is everything with Mayweather. Mayweather will not take any chances with him — so don’t expect him to go for the KO if he is way ahead. –Gordon Marino, The Wall St. Journal

“A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way.” School’s in, kid. (Mayweather wins.) — Matt McGrain, Boxing.com

Canelo is going to test Mayweather for the early part of this fight. His size and power will see to that. But the young gun doesn’t have a big engine on a good day, let alone when he’s weight-drained by an extra two pounds. Mayweather will gradually take over, snap Canelo’s neck with his vaunted right hand and leave the Mexican with a coat of paint to match his hair. – Alex McClintock, Queensberry-Rules.com

Canelo is definitely the biggest, strongest and most physically imposing opponent of Mayweather’s long career, but there is nobody better than Floyd at finding a weakness and exploiting it. I expect the first-half of the fight to be close, and there to be some possibly dicey moments for Mayweather in the early rounds. But, as always, Floyd will figure out his man in the second half of the fight, and he’ll dominate a fading Canelo to win a unanimous decision. — Kevin McRae, BleacherReport.com

Mayweather will beat Canelo the way he beats everyone else. It will start off exciting, but the thrill will subside after five rounds with Mayweather pot-shotting Canelo at will en route to winning a unanimous decision. Canelo, like Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., won’t lose any luster with the defeat. He will come back and beat all but the best. Mayweather is much too fundamentally skilled, mature and well trained for Canelo, who is made to order for him. Mayweather W 12. — Bob Mladinich, Boxing.com

Canelo TKO 11. Canelo has proven that he can play up to the moment, which tells me that on the biggest stage of his career we’ll see the outright best version of Canelo. The same can’t be said for Floyd, whose decline is much more apparent when his opposition is throwing back. Canelo is capable of earning a stoppage in the championship rounds by just being the cunningly aggressive, athletically charged Mexican fighter that he is. — Mario Mungia, ThaBoxingVoice.come

Youth versus experience. Tactics versus courage. Speed versus power; the list goes on. Canelo Alvarez will neutralize Floyd’s tactics and attack him to the body. The Mexican independence chant will be heard loud and proud after a close, unanimous decision. — Luis Ortiz, HooksandHoops.com

Canelo will be competitive early, even if he doesn’t win the rounds. Mayweather adapts around the fourth, and controls the center of the ring for the rest of the fight. Mayweather by decision. — Matt Paras, Maxboxing.com

Let’s keep this simple because it is simple. Mayweather is faster, more experienced, and frankly better in every facet of boxing than Alvarez. The size advantage means nothing if you have no prayer of landing a meaningful shot against the defensive wizard Mayweather (not to mention even if Alvarez lands one lucky bomb Mayweather has shown he is no soft touch on the chin and can handle it as he did against Mosley). Floyd will box circles around Alvarez and uncharacteristic of his typical nature pounce on the demoralized and bruised Alvarez late in the fight for an 11th round stoppage. Enjoy the hype for this one, because the action will be all one-sided once the bell rings. — Gary Purfield, PhillyBoxingHistory.com

Everything I know about the history of fighting screams at me to pick Canelo. In many ways, it seems 36-year-old fighters were put on this Earth expressly for 23-year-old rising stars to feast upon. But Floyd Mayweather is different. He’s shown no signs of age or wear and I expect him to waltz to a lopsided decision. — Jonathan Snowden, BleacherReport.com

Mayweather is in for his sternest test since Jose Luis Castillo, which does not mean the fight will be competitive. Alvarez lacks the gas to pressure for twelve rounds, and the pedigree to outbox the best boxer on the planet; whatever wrinkles he introduces will be parsed by Mayweather, who has seen it all, in all its variations. Size, youth, and Mayweather’s patience might allow Alvarez to bank a few early rounds, but once Mayweather assesses the threat before him, he will neutralize it. Expect a closer fight on the cards than in the ring. Mayweather by UD. — Jimmy Tobin, TheCruelestSport.com

I had the chance to visit both Floyd Mayweather and Canelo Alvarez in their recent media workouts. Both looked solid, and in impeccable shape, but there was a clear supremacy. While Canelo is undeniably powerful – appearing fast, strong, and unfatigued – there is something about Floyd Mayweather that is overwhelming. Watching him up close at work is like nothing else. His confident mindset and tremendous skill seem unshakable. The only trouble I foresee is if Floyd is too concentrated on going for the knockout, as he has said he wants this time. If the ring was reduced to a 5′ x 5′, I might favor Canelo, but in the standard squared circle, Floyd Mayweather is at home. I don’t see a straight KO, and I think Canelo can escape the TKO, but on Saturday Floyd will prove once again that there is no fighter smarter than him. Mayweather (probably) by UD. — Stephanie Trapp, Trappfotos

FAN EXPERTS LIKE MAYWEATHER 5-3

Mayweather wins this one. His superb defense, his footwork, and his hand speed, will be too much for Canelo. — Eddie Cahill, Actor, @EddiePCahill

Canelo by UD. Canelo will put on relentless pressure and Mayweather will break his fists early trying to keep the bigger man at a distance. — Juan Francisco Garza, Medical Doctor, @JGarza6804

Mayweather by decision. Canelo will try to outbox Floyd and lose decisively. — Peter James Gonzalez, Undergraduate Student, @History_Pete

Floyd has finally agreed to fight a quality opponent who is in his prime. This mistake will take the 0 off his loss column. Alvarez will come out early landing shots and generally making Floyd look his age. As the fight continues, Floyd will begin to fight desperately and take a chance that gets him knocked out late. Canelo by KO in the 10th. — Matt Higginbotham, Baptist Minister, @MaHigginbotham

I think Canelo has some early success, even shakes Mayweather up, and maybe even scores a knockdown early. However, Mayweather will adjust and come back to put on another great boxing performance, picking his shots and landing combinations as Canelo tires down the stretch. The final is a UD win for Mayweather, who takes 8 out of 12 rounds. — Jimmy Lujan, Financial Consultant, @JL_N_LL

Saturday night will be a one-sided win. The question is: for who? Mayweather comes to the ring and shows us all nothing has changed—he’s fast, smart and hasn’t lost a step on defense. Canelo comes to the ring and shows us he’s the real thing—he’s fast, he’s strong, but most importantly he’s adept at adapting. I hate making predictions, but for The One I’ll do anything—Canelo by wide UD. — Rachel McCarson, Amateur Boxing Photographer and Awesome Wife, @Rmac81

Canelo may have an edge in weight on fight night, but the advantage in height, length and strength could easily go to Floyd. Add in the fact that Canelo is only 23, just now learning to fight, and was actually an opponent built up by Floyd by way of having him on his undercards, and I see an easy UD or possibly a 9-10 round stoppage for Floyd. –Hadeer Zbar, Mortgage Banker, @HadeerZ

Canelo has all the tools to defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr. From reading articles, his strategy on how to defeat Jr. is the right one. The one concern is stamina. Does he fight with the same energy all 12 rounds, if needed? “The One” for me is Mayweather. But who knows how I feel on Sept. 14? — Mark, Undisclosed, @ThisIsNotMark

CHAMPS AND CONTENDERS TAKE MAYWEATHER 5-1

This is Canelo’s fight to lose. Mayweather has speed, Canelo has speed; Canelo has power, Mayweather has power if you follow him. Canelo has youth, Mayweather has none. Experience is good; punching power is better. Split decision for Canelo. – George Foreman, Former Heavyweight Champion

I think Mayweather’s skills, speed and intelligence will allow him to win. Canelo is strong and young, and he can win if he uses his strength, but I see Mayweather being smarter and winning a decision. – Mikey Garcia, Featherweight

Mayweather is a master of positioning in the ring–he has the smarts and skills to take his opponents’ strengths away, and he trains for the strength and finesse needed to consistently “check-mate” his opponents for 36 minutes (if they last that long). Canelo has brought a different game in every fight and has shown the ability to make his previous opponents uncomfortable in the ring. It’s about “who” shows up when that bell rings in front of the thousands in the arena, LIVE in front of millions worldwide. Whoever is the most physically AND mentally prepared will win, and I question if Canelo can handle a skillful Mayweather who is not afraid and will make Canelo fight for every opportunity in the allotted 36 minutes. I’ll take Mayweather. — Ana Julaton, Super Bantamweight

I like Floyd Mayweather by twelve-round unanimous decision. — Erislandy Lara, Junior Middleweight

I pick Mayweather. If this fight happened a year from now then maybe Alvarez but right now I still think Floyd has enough to beat him. – Andy Lee, Middleweight

I do believe because of politics, and Floyd’s style, it will be a majority split decision for Floyd. He is a very smart counter puncher, and a cleaned up version of Bernard Hopkins when it comes to the “hit and not get hit concept.” BUT I’d like to see how Floyd handles Canelo’s strength and power. I can see a surprise KO. – Kaleisha West, Bantamweight

BOXING BUSINESS FOLK PICK MAYWEATHER 5-1

Mayweather wins. Floyd is one of the greatest counterpunchers in boxing history and an all time great. — Lou DiBella, Promoter, DiBella Promotions

Mayweather by UD. The only real doubts for me are if Mayweather suddenly gets old and the abnormally short (for FMJ) time between this fight and the Guerrero fight. Activity is good for a young fighter; it may not be good for a vet in his late 30s that is accustomed to time off. — Nicole Duva, Promoter, Main Events

Until proven otherwise, Mayweather reigns supreme. You can do all the statistical analysis you want but he stands head and shoulders above all, and I expect nothing less next Saturday. — Ron Katz, Matchmaker, Star Boxing

I am going with Canelo. I think his youth and power will give him that chance to win this fight, plus Mayweather is getting old and isn’t as fast at higher weight. Don’t get me wrong, Mayweather is fast, but I think weight and age will slow him down a little and Canelo will capitalize. – Jolene Mizzone, Matchmaker, Main Events

Size means little to me; it is overrated unless you have a flyweight facing a heavyweight. Like him or not, Mayweather is the finest fighter of his generation. Whether or not he wakes on the wrong side of the bed one day is something we cannot know ahead of time. Put it this way: The best Mayweather beats the best Canelo, Russel Peltz, Promoter, Peltz Boxing

The Canelo-Mayweather fight truly only has one outcome: confusion. Canelo’s straight forward and predictable style will be easy for Floyd Mayweather to pick apart, that Canelo will be confused by round 4. Floyd wins by unanimous confusion (decision). –Michelle Rosado, Promoter, Raging Babe

FINAL TALLY: EXPERTS CHOOSE MAYWEATHER OVER CANELO 46 – 10.

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The Hauser Report — Riyadh Season and Sony Hall: Very Big and Very Small

Published

8 hours ago

February 23, 2025

Thomas Hauser

The-Hauser-Report-Riyadh-Season-and-Sony-Hall-Very-Big-and-Very-Small

Larry Goldberg promoted his eleventh club fight card at Sony Hall in New York on February 20, continuing the Boxing Insider series that began in October 2022.

Goldberg is well thought of in boxing circles. Matchmaker Eric Bottjer notes, “Here are some words that I have not heard in connection with Larry: ‘Scam artist . . . Liar . . . Untrustworthy.’ He has a good reputation. That doesn’t equate to success on its own. But it’s good when you’re sitting down with people who might want to work with you.”

That said; the life of a small promoter is hard. Goldberg’s February 20 show is a case in point.

Six fights had been scheduled. But last-minute, chaos reigned. The New York State Athletic Commission refused to clear one fighter because of a troubling MRI. Another fighter pulled out because his father thought that his B-side opponent (who had a (6-17-3 record with 6 KOs by) was “the wrong style.” Then the mother of a third fighter tried to hold Goldberg up for an increase in her son’s purse from $1,200 to $2,000 and the fight disappeared when Larry balked at her demand.

That left three fights. And guess what? It was a surprisingly entertaining card. The fights were more competitive that most club fights. And all six fighters came to win.

Jason Castanon (1-1, 1 KO) vs. Stephen Barbee (0-2, 1 KO by) was the first bout of the evening. Neither man was particularly skilled. But they fought hard and both men had a chance to win. Castanon emerged on the long end of a 39-37, 39-37, 38-38 majority decision.

Koby Khalil Williams (4-0, 3 KOs) vs. Nicholas Isaac (5-0, 4 KOs) was next up.

Williams’s four wins had come against opponents who now have a total of 4 wins in 48 fights. Isaac’s record had been fashioned against opponents who are 9-and-49 with 24 KOs by. The bout was a significant step up for both men. The result was a spirited, six-round action fight with Isaac prevailing on all three judges’ scorecards.

Finally, Avious Griffin (16-0, 15 KOs) squared off against Jose Luis Sanchez (14-4-1, 4 KOs, 1 KO by). Griffin has built his record by fighting opponents with limited skills. Sanchez fit that profile. Both men threw non-stop punches. But Griffin’s were faster, straighter, more accurate, and harder. Sanchez was dropped three times in the early rounds (by a left hook, an overhand right, and a right uppercut). In round five, Griffin appeared to tire a bit. And Sanchez was still there. At that point, the fight devolved into an “I’ll punch you and then you punch me” affair, and it seemed possible that Avious would crumble. But he didn’t. Jose Luis had a lot of heart. He just wasn’t good enough. Griffin regrouped and ended matters on an eight-round stoppage with Sanchez still on his feet.

Avious Griffin

Watching the fights, my mind went back to a conversation I had with Ray Arcel when I began writing about boxing four decades ago.

Arcel (a Hall of Fame legend who trained scores of world champions during his years in the sweet science) told me, “Too many people don’t take pride in what they do. They do just enough to get by, maybe to hold onto their jobs, and that’s all. A fighter can’t be like that.” And Arcel went on to reminisce about a time when four-round preliminary fighters on their way to the gym would look back over their shoulder and see kids following them on the street, offering to carry their gym bag. A fighter would come home and neighborhood children would be sitting on the stoop, looking at him and saying, “Wow, he’s a fighter.”

There used to be glory at the club fight level. Being a good club fighter was an end in itself. Now, for the most part, club fights are regarded as stepping stones for prospects who face off against woefully overmatched opponents. On February 20, Larry Goldberg gave boxing fans three good club fights.

****

Two nights later, on February 22, the latest Riyadh Season fight card took place in Saudi Arabia. Seven fights of note were on the card, leading the promotion to proclaim that it was “the greatest fight card in the history of boxing.”

It wasn’t. And that was true even before Daniel Dubois and Floyd Schofield pulled out of scheduled title fights due to illness.

You don’t put “the greatest fight card ever” in a 6,000-seat arena (Venue Riyadh Season) when the 25,000-seat Kingdom Arena is next door. Moreover, fight cards are judged in large measure by the main event. And the main event here wasn’t a megafight on the order of Leonard-Hearns I or a half-dozen Muhammad Ali encounters.

That said; it was an exceptionally good card. Credit to Turki Alalshikh for putting it together. Thumbnail sketches of the fights that mattered most (in the order that they occurred) follow.

Callum Smith broke Joshua Buatsi down with a brutal body attack in the middle rounds. Both fighters were hurt as the fight went on. But Buatsi was hurt more and more often. It was a very good fight with Smith prevailing on a 119-110 (which was way out of line), 116-112, 115-113 decision.

Zhilel Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel was an entertaining slugfest with both men evincing a conspicuous lack of upper-body and head movement. After a cautious first round, Kabayel attacked. Zhang, who is 41 years old and has never been in particularly good shape, started fading in round three. Kabayel got sloppy in round four and was dropped by a straight left hand. But Agit went back on the offensive and stopped Zhang with body shots in the fifth stanza.

Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov was a fight that boxing purists were looking forward to. Ortiz is a puncher and wanted to engage. Madrimov didn’t. Israil kept skittering around the ring and Virgil couldn’t figure him out. Then the Energizer Bunny wore down and there were some heated exchanges. That was the fight Virgil (who began scoring big to the body) wanted. Ortiz won a 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 decision.

Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz for Adames’s WBC 160-pound belt had particular significance. Sheeraz (a 5-to-2 betting favorite) is a favorite of Turki Alalshikh who had big plans for him. The belief was that Hamzah would beat Carlos and continue to increase his profile. Meanwhile, Canelo Alvarez’s four-fight deal with Riyadh Season will begin with fights against William Scull and Terence Crawford this year. Then, the thinking went, Canelo would fight the winner of Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn on Cinco de Mayo Weekend 2026 followed by a fight against Sheeraz on next year’s Mexican Independence Day Weekend.

Adames-Sheeraz was a step-up fight for Sherraz. And he fell short of expectations.

After a cautious first round, Adames began stalking. He couldn’t get past Sheeraz’s jab. Hamzah dictated the distance between them with his jab and footwork. But Sheeraz seemed intimidated and threw few punches of consequence. It was a slow fight. Carlos didn’t silence the crowd. But Hamzah did. The judges ruled the fight a split-decision draw, which meant that Adames retained his title.

Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley was not a good fight. Floyd Scholfield (an 8-to-1 underdog) fell out as Stevenson’s opponent for medical reasons during fight week. Padley, a 30-to-1 underdog. took his place. The typical Shakur Stevenson opponent is slow without much of a punch. Padley is slow without much of a punch. Prior to being called in as a late replacement earlier in the week, he had been on the job installing solar panels. Shakur stopped him in the ninth round.

Then the heavyweights returned to center stage – Joseph Parker vs. Martin Bakole. Parker had been slated to challenge Daniel Dubois for Dubois’ alphabet-soup “championship” belt. But two days before the fight, Dubois pulled out after contracting a viral infection.

Large amounts of money can do wondrous things. When Larry Goldberg lost three fighters during fight week, he was left with a three-bout card. When Dubois was scratched, Turki Alalshikh simply opened his checkbook and brought in Bakole.

Martin was in Africa when he got the call and arrived in Riyadh at 2:00 AM on the day of the fight. Most of us have trouble keeping our eyes open after a trans-continental fight. Bakole had to fight Parker. Moreover, Martin weighed in at a massive 315 pounds, which clearly indicated that he wasn’t in shape (unless one considers round a shape).

Round one saw Parker biding his time while Bakole plodded slowly forward. Two minutes into the second stanza, Joseph landed a glancing right hand off the top of Martin’s head. Bakole went down. He got up. And his corner stopped the fight.

That wasn’t what fans were hoping for. But then they were treated to an exceptionally good fight.

Artur Beterbiev was an 11-to-10 favorite over Dmitry Bivol in a rematch of their October 2024 title-unification bout which Beterbiev won on a close majority-decision. This time, as before, the momentum swung back and forth. But this fight was more intensely contested than their first encounter.

Beterbiev came out hard. He couldn’t reach Bivol, who was circling away and outjabbing him. But Artur was relentless. He started landing and, by the middle rounds, was outpunching and outboxing Dmitry. Then Beterbiev (who at age forty is six years older than Bivol) tired a bit and Dmitry regained control of the contest. Both men were in good condition. Fighting desperately at the end, Artur finished stronger. But this time, the majority decision was in Bivol’s favor.

“What was different?” Dmitry was asked after the fight.

“Just me,” BivoI answered. “I was better.”

****

And a note from the past . . .

In 2004, Tom Gerbasi (who was writing for Maxboxing.com at the time) went to the PAL Gym in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, to record a video interview with Bernard Hopkins while Bernard was training to fight Oscar De La Hoya.

“Hopkins wanted to do the interview while he was getting his hands wrapped,” Gerbasi recalls. “But there was a problem. My camera guy wasn’t there. Hopkins is telling me, ‘Look! I gotta do this now because I have to get my workout in.’ So I interviewed him for twenty minutes while Bouie Fisher was wrapping his hands without my camera guy there. Then Hopkins sparred and went through the rest of his workout. He’s done for the day and getting ready to leave the gym. And finally, my camera guy shows up. He’s very apologetic. He tells us he’s late because he was pulled over by the police and handcuffed because of a bunch of unpaid traffic tickets, which I assume were moving violations. Bernard says, ‘Show me your wrists.’ So my guy shows Bernard his wrists. There were marks from the handcuffs all over them. And Bernard tells us, ‘Okay. Set up the camera.” I did the interview all over again and wound up writing a four-part piece, ten thousand words.”

Thomas Hauser’s email address is thomashauserwriter@gmail.com. His most recent book – MY MOTHER and me – is a personal memoir available at Amazon.com. https://www.amazon.com/My-Mother-Me-Thomas-Hauser/dp/1955836191/ref=sr_1_1?crid=5C0TEN4M9ZAH&keywords=thomas+hauser&qid=1707662513&sprefix=thomas+hauser%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-1

In 2004, the Boxing Writers Association of America honored Hauser with the Nat Fleischer Award for career excellence in boxing journalism. In 2019, Hauser was selected for boxing’s highest honor – induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

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Bivol Evens the Score with Beterbiev; Parker and Stevenson Win Handily

Published

22 hours ago

February 22, 2025

David A. Avila

Bivol Evens the Score with Beterbiev; Parker and Stevenson Win Handily

It was labeled the best boxing card in history.

That’s up for debate.

And there was some debate as Dmitry Bivol avenged his loss to Artur Beterbiev to become the new undisputed light heavyweight world champion on Saturday by majority decision in a tactical battle.

“He gave me this chance and I appreciate it,” said Bivol of Beterbiev.

Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) rallied from behind to give Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) his first pro loss in their rematch at a sold out crowd in the Venue Riyadh Season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Like their first encounter the rematch was also very close.

Four months ago, these two faced each other as undefeated light heavyweights. Now, after two furious engagements, both have losses.

Beterbiev was making his first defense as undisputed light heavyweight champion and made adjustments from their first match. This time the Russian fighter who trains in Canada concentrated on a body attack and immediately saw dividends.

For most of the first six rounds it seemed Beterbiev would slowly grind down Bivol until he reached an unsurmountable lead. But despite the momentum he never could truly hurt Bivol or gain separation.

Things turned around in the seventh round as Bivol opened up with combinations to the head and body while slipping Beterbiev’s blows. It was a sudden swing of momentum. But how long could it last?

“It was hard to keep him at the distance. I had to be smarter and punch more clean punches,” said Bivol.

Beterbiev attempted to regain the momentum but Bivol was not allowing it to happen. In the final 10 seconds he opened up with a machine gun combination. Though few of the punches connected it became clear he was not going to allow unclarity.

Using strategic movement Bivol laced quick combinations and immediately departed. Betebiev seemed determined to counter the fleet fighter but was unsuccessful for much of the second half of the fight.

Around the 10^th round Beterbiev stepped on the gas with the same formula of working the body and head. It gave Bivol pause but he still unleashed quick combos to keep from being overrun.

Bivol connected with combinations and Beterbiev connected with single body and head shots. It was going to be tough for the referees to decide which attack they preferred. After 12 rounds with no knockdowns one judge saw it a draw at 114-114. But two others saw Bivol the winner 116-112, 115-113.

“I was better. I was pushing myself more, I was lighter. I just wanted to win so much today,” said Bivol.

Beterbiev was gracious in defeat.

“Congratulations to Bivol’s team” said Beterbiev. “I think this fight was better than the first fight.”

After the match it was discussed that an effort to make a third fight is a strong possibility.

Heavyweight KO by Parker

Joseph Parker (36-3, 24 KOs) once again proved he could be the best heavyweight without a world title in knocking out the feared Martin Bakole (21-2, 16 KOs) to retain his WBO interim title. It was quick and decisive.

“Catch him when he is coming in,” said Parker, 33, about his plan.

After original foe IBF heavyweight titlist Daniel Dubois was forced to withdraw due to illness, Bakole willingly accepted the match with only two days’ notice. Many experts and fans around the world were surprised and excited Parker accepted the match.

Ever since Parker lost to Joe Joyce in 2022, the New Zealander has proven to be vastly improved with wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang. Now you can add Bakole to the list of conquests.

Bakole, 33, was coming off an impressive knockout win last July and posed a serious threat if he connected with a punch. The quick-handed Bakole at 310 pounds and a two-inch height advantage is always dangerous.

In the first round Parker was wary of the fighter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He kept his range and moved around the ring looking to poke a jab and move. Bakole caught him twice with blows and Parker retaliated.

It proved to be a very important test.

Parker refrained from moving and instead moved inside range of the big African fighter. Both exchanged liberally with Bakole connecting with an uppercut and Parker an overhand right.

Bakole shook his head at the blow he absorbed.

Both re-engaged and fired simultaneously. Parker’s right connected to the top of the head of Bakole who shuddered and stumbled and down he went and could not beat the count. The referee stopped the heavyweight fight at 2:17 of the second round. Parker retains his interim title by knockout.

“I’m strong, I’m healthy, I’m sharp,” said Parker. “I had to be patient.”

Shakur Wins

Despite an injured left hand southpaw WBC lightweight titlist Shakur Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) won by stoppage over late replacement Josh Padley (15-1, 6 KOs). It was an impressive accomplishment.

Often criticized for his lack of action and safety-first style, Stevenson was supposed to fight undefeated Floyd Schofield who pulled out due to illness. In stepped British lightweight Padley who had nothing to lose.

Padley was never hesitant to engage with the super-quick Stevenson and despite the lightning-quick combos by the champion, the British challenger exchanged liberally. It just wasn’t enough.

Even when Stevenson injured his left hand during an exchange in the sixth round, Padley just couldn’t take advantage. The speedy southpaw kept shooting the right jabs and ripping off right hooks. At the end of the sixth Stevenson briefly switched to a right-handed fighting style.

Stevenson used his right jabs and hooks to perfection. Double right hooks to the head and body seemed to affect the British challenger. A clean left to the body of Padley sent him to the floor for the count in the ninth round. It was a surprising knockdown due to his injured left. Padley got up and the fight resumed. Stevenson unloaded with right hooks to the body and down went the British fighter once again. He got up and tried to fight his way out but was met with another left to the body and down he went a third time. Padley’s corner tossed in a white towel to signify surrender. The referee stopped the fight at the end of the round. Stevenson scored his 11^th knockout win.

Photo credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom

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Early Results from Riyadh where Hamzah Sheeraz was Awarded a Gift Draw

Published

1 day ago

February 22, 2025

Arne K. Lang

Early-Results-from-Riyadh-where-Hamza-Sheeraz-was-Awarded-a-Gift-Draw

After two 6-round appetizers, British light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith got the show rolling with a lusty 12-round skirmish. Things went south in the middle of the seven-fight main card when WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames locked horns with challenger Hamzah Sheeraz. This was a drab fight owing to a milquetoast performance by the favored Sheeraz.

Heading in, the lanky six-foot-three Sheeraz, whose physique is mindful of a young Thomas Hearns, was undefeated in 21 fights. Having stopped five of his last six opponents in two rounds or less, the 25-year-old Englishman was touted as the next big thing in the middleweight division. However, he fought off his back foot the entire contest, reluctant to let his hands go, and Adames kept his title when the bout was scored a draw.

Sheeraz had the crowd in his corner and two of the judges scored the match with their ears. Their tallies were 115-114 for Sheeraz and 114-114. The third judge had it 118-110 for Adames, the 30-year old Dominican, now 24-1-1, who had Ismael Salas in his corner.

Ortiz-Madrimov

Super welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr, knocked out his first 21 opponents, begging the question of how he would react when he finally faced adversity. He showed his mettle in August of last year when he went a sizzling 12 rounds with fellow knockout artist Serhii Bohachuk, winning a hard-fought decision. Tonight he added another feather in his cap with a 12-round unanimous decision over Ismail Madrimov, prevailing on scores of 117-111 and 115-113 twice.

Ortiz won by adhering tight to Robert Garcia’s game plan. The elusive Madrimov, who bounces around the ring like the energizer bunny, won the early rounds. But eventually Ortiz was able to cut the ring off and turned the tide in his favor by landing the harder punches. It was the second straight loss for Madrimov (10-2-1), a decorated amateur who had lost a close but unanimous decision to Terence Crawford in his previous bout.

Kabayel-Zhang

No heavyweight has made greater gains in the last 15 months than Agit Kabayel. The German of Kurdish descent, whose specialty is body punching, made his third straight appearance in Riyadh tonight and, like in the previous two, fashioned a knockout. Today, although out-weighed by more than 40 pounds, he did away with Zhilei “Big Bang” Zhang in the sixth round.

It didn’t start out well for Kabayel. The New Jersey-based, six-foot-six Zhang, a two-time Olympian for China, started fast and plainly won the opening round. Kabayel beat him to the punch from that point on, save for one moment when Zhang put him on the canvas with a straight left hand.

That happened in the fifth round, but by the end of the frame, the 41-year-old Zhang was conspicuously gassed. The end for the big fellow came at the 2:29 mark of round six when he couldn’t beat the count after crumbling to the canvas in a delayed reaction after taking a hard punch to his flabby midsection.

Kabayel remains undefeated at 26-0 (18 KOs). Zhang (27-3-1) hadn’t previously been stopped.

Smith-Buatsi

The all-British showdown between light heavyweights Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith was a grueling, fan-friendly affair. A former 168-pound world title-holder, Smith, 34, won hard-earned unanimous decision, prevailing on scores of 115-113, 116-112, and a ludicrous 119-110.

There were no knockdowns, but Liverpool’s Smith, who advanced to 31-2 (22) finished the contest with a bad gash in the corner of his right eye. It was the first pro loss for Buatsi (19-1), an Olympic bronze medalist who entered the contest a small favorite and was the defending “interim” title-holder.

This contest was also a battle of wits between two of America’s most prominent trainers, Buddy McGirt (Smith) and Virgil Hunter (Buatsi).

Check back shortly for David Avila’s wrap-up of the last three fights.

Photo credit: Mark Robinson / Matchroom

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