Countdown To Mayweather-Pacquiao: If There’s No Stoppage The Ending Will Be Controversial

Published

10 years ago

April 25, 2015

Most fans who you talk with emphatically believe there will be a rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao after they fight on May 2nd. And with so many feeling that way, you have to ask what does that tell you?

I believe it strongly conveys many boxing observers and aficionados feel regardless of who wins, the fight is going to go the distance and the outcome will most likely not be conclusive via the decision rendered. This shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone.

If you examine their careers over the last six years or so, it’s almost impossible to deduce that the bout will end by KO/TKO (although I feel the odds of that are greater than most others do). Mayweather, who has never been viewed as a fighter who wins inside the distance, hasn’t scored a clean stoppage since he TKO’d Ricky Hatton in the 10th round back in December of 2007. Yes, he stopped Victor Ortiz in September of 2011, but that was due to him nailing Ortiz with a sucker punch when Victor stupidly and unnecessarily extended his hands to touch gloves with Floyd after a break during the fight.

Pacquiao, who is the perceived puncher in the bout, hasn’t been laying a trail of splattered bodies across the ring either. Manny hasn’t won by stoppage in his last nine bouts going all the way back to November of 2009. So if we go by both fighters’ recent track record, the odds are heavily in favor the outcome of Mayweather-Pacquiao will be decided by the three judges appointed to score the fight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. And the thought of that should scare both fighters and their fans.

What a stellar resume Nevada boxing judges have compiled over the past few years. Remember how one judge scored the Mayweather-Alvarez fight a draw? It’s almost impossible to justify Alvarez winning a single round of that fight – yet one judge scored six of them in his favor? And that was nine months after two judges scored the first Pacquiao-Bradley fight for Bradley. That was another atrocious decision in which the wrong fighter had his hand raised, and that ultimately set up the rematch in which Pacquiao jogged to a decision victory. With inconsistent Vegas judging in mind…would anyone be surprised if Mayweather or Pacquiao won a decision where the real score should be something like 116-112 or even 117-111, however we end up getting a majority or split decision? This would of course ignite the talk of an immediate rematch that the economics will dictate.

The post-fight narrative will supersede what actually takes place in the ring, if at all possible. And the promoters will try and make the viewer’s question what they saw, and the strange thing is that they’ll be able to do that.

In order for that not to be the case there has to be a clean stoppage by either fighter. If the fight goes to a decision it’s highly probable the ending will be controversial. Is it really plausible that if one of them doesn’t bash the other that the supporters of the losing fighter will not cry their guy was robbed? Of course they’ll say that and the promoters and everyone else will feed into it. And the reason for that is, there’s nearly a billion dollars to be generated if just one simple thing happens….and that is Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fight a second time. It’s mind boggling that almost one billion dollars will be divvied up between the players involved if they can just take what will be the highest grossing fight in history and convince the public that for it to really mean anything, the two fighters have to meet one more time. That doesn’t seem like such a tough sell does it?

I know that former undisputed heavyweight/cruiserweight champion Evander Holyfield has said a few times that the boxing establishment doesn’t want Floyd Mayweather to retire undefeated. This is a view that is shared by others who follow the sport closely. It’s also a view that I don’t share and actually think the opposite is more in play. Many think for there to be a rematch, Mayweather must lose to Pacquiao by hook or by crook on May 2nd. Once again I disagree with the masses and implicitly believe Mayweather can win the fight and the odds are still great that he and Manny will go at it once more.

Let’s assume the fight goes the distance and Mayweather wins by decision. Say the scores are 116-112, 117-111 and 115-113, but 115-113 is the hardest to justify. You can be assured there will be a large faction of Pacquiao supporters who will highlight the 115-113 score, because in rounds that’s 7-5, and they’ll stress how if that judge changed on one round, he’d have the fight a draw. And if you flip one of the close rounds on the other two cards you end up with scores favoring Mayweather 115-113, 116-112 and 114-114. Suddenly the fight becomes really close and pretty soon the fact that Floyd controlled the fight most of the way will become a distant memory. Of course you’ll also hear how “Manny made the fight. He pushed Mayweather every second and Floyd just ran. If it hadn’t been for Pacquiao, there wouldn’t have even been a fight.” And that will gain momentum.

Floyd will then likely rationalize in his mind, I won and it wasn’t even my toughest fight. And for another 150 plus million dollars or more, I’ll take him to school again. Thus thinking to himself, Pacquiao can’t do anything differently in a rematch but bring more of the same of what didn’t work the first time. But I can be better because after being in the ring with him for 12 rounds, I know what he can and can’t do and I’m the type of fighter who can adjust, and I will.

The way I see it, if the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight goes to a decision, and the odds are it will, regardless of who wins the loser will have many making the case for him that he really won. So without a clean stoppage, in spite of how one-sided the fight may turn out to be, the decision will be seen as controversial and the drumbeat for a rematch will begin. And with nearly another half a billion dollars just waiting to be plucked from the willing public, who is going to object? In fact it seems almost as if a majority of boxing fans are counting on Mayweather and Pacquiao fighting twice.

The only thing that could throw the above scenario off is if Mayweather loses a decision in which he wholeheartedly believes that he won, the way Marvin Hagler felt after losing a split decision to Sugar Ray Leonard. Does Floyd say screw it like Hagler did and walk away from the sport never to been seen or heard from again?

I don’t think Mayweather would respond like Hagler, but the possibility certainly exists.

Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com

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Frank Lotierzo

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

Published

12 hours ago

February 22, 2025

David A. Avila

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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

15 hours ago

February 22, 2025

Arne K. Lang

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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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Cain Sandoval KOs Mark Bernaldez in the Featured Bout at Santa Ynez

Published

1 day ago

February 21, 2025

David A. Avila

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Northern California’s Cain Sandoval remained undefeated with a knockout win over Mark Bernaldez in a super lightweight battle on Friday on a 360 Promotions card.

Sandoval (15-0, 13 KOs) of Sacramento needed four rounds to figure out tough Filipino fighter Bernaldez (25-7, 14 KOs) in front of a packed crowd at Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez.

Bernaldez had gone eight rounds against Mexico’s very tough Oscar Duarte. He showed no fear for Sandoval’s reputed power and both fired bombs at each other from the second round on.

Things turned in favor of Sandoval when he targeted the body and soon had Bernaldez in retreat. It was apparent Sandoval had discovered a weakness.

In the beginning of the fourth Sandoval fired a stiff jab to the body that buckled Bernaldez but he did not go down. And when both resumed in firing position Sandoval connected with an overhand right and down went the Filipino fighter. He was counted out by referee Rudy Barragan at 34 seconds of the round.

“I’m surprised he took my jab to the body. I respect that. I have a knockout and I’m happy about that,” Sandoval said.

Other Bouts

Popular female fighter Lupe Medina (9-0) remained undefeated with a solid victory over the determined Agustina Vazquez (4-3-2) by unanimous decision after eight rounds in a minimumweight fight between Southern Californians.

Early on Vazquez gave Medina trouble disrupting her patter with solid jabs. And when Medina overloaded with combination punches, she was laced with counters from Vazquez during the first four rounds.

Things turned around in the fifth round as Medina used a jab to keep Vazquez at a preferred distance. And when she attacked it was no more than two-punch combination and maintaining a distance.

Vazquez proved determined but discovered clinching was not a good idea as Medina took advantage and overran her with blows. Still, Vazquez looked solid. All three judges saw it 79-73 for Medina.

A battle between Southern Californian’s saw Compton’s Christopher Rios (11-2) put on the pressure all eight rounds against Eastvale’s Daniel Barrera (8-1-1) and emerged the winner by majority decision in a flyweight battle.

It was Barrera’s first loss as a pro. He never could discover how to stay off the ropes and that proved his downfall. Neither fighter was knocked down but one judge saw it 76-76, and two others 79-73 for Rios.

In a welterweight fight Gor Yeritsyan (20-1,16 KOs) scorched Luis Ramos (23-7) with a 12-punch combination the sent him to the mat in the second round. After Ramos beat the count he was met with an eight punch volley and the fight was stopped at 2:11 of the second round by knockout.

Super feather prospect Abel Mejia (7-0, 5 KOs) floored Alfredo Diaz (9-12) in the fifth round but found the Mexican fighter to be very durable in their six-round fight. Mejia caught Diaz with a left hook in the fifth round for a knockdown. But the fight resumed with all three judges scoring it 60-53 for Mejia who fights out of El Modena, Calif.

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