Connect with us

Featured Articles

Ryan Garcia Edges Carlos Morales in an Untidy Affair at Fantasy Springs

Published

on

INDIO, Ca.-Rising star Ryan “Flash” Garcia never could find the antidote for Carlos “The Solution” Morales and ended up winning a majority decision in a fight filled with holding and wrestling on Saturday’s Facebook-streamed fight.

A sold out crowd packed the arena to watch speedy Garcia (16-0, 13 KOs) do his thing but the crafty Morales (17-3-3, 6 KOs) had other plans at the Fantasy Springs Casino. The Golden Boy Promotions fight never featured many real exchanges.

“I just was feeling fatigue after the second round,” said Garcia who now has back-to-back fights without a knockout.

Garcia marched into the arena as a large favorite against Los Angeles-based Morales and most expected at least a knockdown by the Victorville fighter who has 13 knockouts in his young career. But Morales proved to be stronger than advertised.

Although Garcia showed faster hands and more power in both hands, Morales caught him early with a right cross and that seemed to keep the bigger fighter in a more defensive pose.

“My plan was don’t move back and that’s when I gave my best success,” said Garcia. “I wanted to move my head and walk to him but I just felt fatigue today.”

Throughout the fight Garcia grabbed ahold of Morales whenever he got into the pocket. This was a tactic used by Garcia throughout the fight and proved frustrating for Morales who got more aggressive inside to no avail.

Garcia had his best moment in the fifth round when a four-punch combination connected and Morales retaliated with two lead rights. Garcia then unloaded another three-punch combination to end the round.

But overall the fight was filled with clinches and more clinches. The crowd was not pleased with the inactivity.

“Honestly I think I could have done a lot of things so we ended up just fighting,” said Garcia. “I just got to get back to the gym and work on my craft. I got so much love for fans and much respect for Carlos Morales and I respect him.”

Neeco

In a text book example of phone booth warfare, Neeco “The Rooster” Macias (17-0, 10 KOs) battered undefeated Marvin Cabrera (8-1, 6 KOs) into near oblivion with a nonstop attack that forced the fight to end at the end of the sixth round of the super welterweight clash.

“All praise goes to God. Knowing I was fighting him (Cabrera) I had to bring my best,” said Macias. “I trained real hard at home.”

Macias nearly sprinted out of his corner at the opening bell with a wicked smile and trapped Cabrera on the ropes while unleashing barrage after barrage. If Cabrera was waiting for Macias to tire he was out of luck.

According to unofficial sources Macias was firing an average of 190 punches a round and most of them were landing. Cabrera tried returning fire but was not nearly as successful and by the third round was merely a punching bag for Macias.

“I guess I was warming up. I started it during amateur boxing and I just carried to the pros,” said Macias while smiling. “We smile because were confident and appreciative of what boxing has given us.”

Other Bouts

Brazil’s Patrick Teixeira (29-1, 22 KOs) out-punched Jamaica’s Nathaniel Gallimore (20-3-1, 17 KOs) to win by unanimous decision in a rugged eight round middleweight fight. No knockdowns were scored in the fight between the left-handed Teixeira and Illinois fighter Gallimore.

“I believe I learned a lot with my loss and I had to work hard to win tonight,” said Teixeira whose lone loss was to Curtis Stevens by knockout in 2016. “I hope in one or two more fights I will get a better fight.”

Omaha’s Kevin Ventura (10-0, 8 KOs) used his height and reach advantage to win by unanimous decision after six rounds against Mexico’s Eduardo Reyes (9-15, 6 KOs) in a lightweight contest. Ventura used his jab and uppercuts to score repeatedly but Reyes was able to work inside occasionally. However, in the sixth round Reyes was deducted a point for a low blow after repeated warnings by referee Ray Corona. All three judges scored it for Ventura 59-54 twice and 58-55.

“Four or five times he hit me down there,” said Ventura who has the same trainer as WBO welterweight champ Terence Crawford. “I hurt my right hand in the second round. If it was 100 percent he would have went out for sure.”

Middleweight Alex Rincon (5-0, 5 KOs) kept his undefeated knockout streak going with a third round stoppage of Oklahoma’s Osbaldo Gonzalez (6-3). A savage body attack by the southpaw Rincon softened the defense of Gonzalez and allowed a follow up attack to the head. A four-punch barrage by the Dallas fighter forced referee Tom Taylor to stop the fight at 2:23 of round three.

Alex Rincon’s older brother George Rincon (4-0) won by unanimous decision after four rounds versus Daniel Perales (10-14-1) in a super lightweight match.

Russia’s Sergey Lubkovich (9-0, 7 KOs) stopped Juan Ruiz (21-3, 13 KOs) at the end of the second round of a super welterweight clash.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel

To comment on this article at The Fight Forum, CLICK HERE.

Featured Articles

Mercito Gesta Victorious Over Jojo Diaz at the Long Beach Pyramid

Published

on

Mercito-Gesta-Victorious-Over-Jojo-Diaz-at-the-Long-Beach-Pyramid

LONG BEACH, CA.-Those in the know knew Mercito Gesta and Jojo Diaz would be a fight to watch and they delivered.

Gesta emerged the winner in a super lightweight clash between southpaws that saw the judges favor his busier style over Diaz’s body attack and bigger shots and win by split decision on Saturday.

Despite losing the main event because the star was overweight, Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KOs) used an outside method of tactic to edge past former world champion Diaz (32-4-1, 15 KOs) in front of more than 5,000 fans at the Pyramid.

The speedy Gesta opened up the fight with combination punching up and down against the peek-a-boo style of Diaz. For the first two rounds the San Diego fighter overwhelmed Diaz though none of the blows were impactful.

In the third round Diaz finally began unloading his own combinations and displaying the fast hands that helped him win world titles in two divisions. Gesta seemed stunned by the blows, but his chin held up. The counter right hook was Diaz’s best weapon and snapped Gesta’s head back several times.

Gesta regained control in the fifth round after absorbing big blows from Diaz. He seemed to get angry that he was hurt and opened up with even more blows to send Diaz backpedaling.

Diaz targeted his attack to Gesta’s body and that seemed to slow down Gesta. But only for a round.

From the seventh until the 10th each fighter tried to impose their style with Gesta opening up with fast flurries and Diaz using right hooks to connect with solid shots. They continued their method of attack until the final bell. All that mattered was what the judges preferred.

After 10 rounds one judge saw Diaz the winner 97-93 but two others saw Gesta the winner 99-91, 98-92. It was a close and interesting fight.

“I was expecting nothing. I was the victor in this fight and we gave a good fight,” said Gesta. “It’s not an easy fight and Jojo gave his best.”

Diaz was surprised by the outcome but accepted the verdict.

Everything was going good. I thought I was landing good body shots,” said Diaz. “I was pretty comfortable.”

Other Bouts

Mexico’s Oscar Duarte (25-1-1, 20 KOs) knocked out Chicago’s Alex Martin (18-5, 6 KOs) with a counter right hand after dropping him earlier in the fourth round. The super lightweight fight was stopped at 1:14 of the round.

A battle between undefeated super welterweights saw Florida’s Eric Tudor (8-0, 6 KOs) emerge the winner by unanimous decision after eight rounds versus Oakland’s Damoni Cato-Cain.

The taller Tudor showed polished skill and was not bothered by a large cut on his forehead caused by an accidental clash of heads. He used his jab and lead rights to defuse the attacks of the quick-fisted southpaw Cato-Cain. The judges scored the fight 80-72 and 78-74 twice for Tudor.

San Diego’s Jorge Chavez (5-0, 4 KOs) needed less than one round to figure out Nicaragua’s Bryan Perez (12-17-1, 11 KOs) and send him into dreamland with a three-punch combination. No need to count as referee Ray Corona waved the fight over. Perez shot a vicious right followed by another right and then a see-you-later left hook at 3.00 of the first round of the super featherweight match.

Photo credit: Al Applerose

Continue Reading

Featured Articles

Jojo Diaz’s Slump Continues; Mercito Gesta Prevails on a Split Decision

Published

on

Jojo-Diaz's-Slump-Continues-Mercito-Gestra-Prevails-on-a-Split-Decision

At age 30, Jojo Diaz’s career is on the skids. The 2012 U.S. Olympian, a former world title holder at 126 and 130 pounds and an interim title holder at 135, Diaz suffered his third straight loss tonight, upset by Mercito Gesta who won a split decision at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, CA.. The scoring was strange with Gesta winning nine of the 10 rounds on one of the cards and only three rounds on another. The tie-breaker, as it were, was a 98-92 tally for Gesta and even that didn’t capture the flavor of what was a closely-contested fight.

Originally listed as a 12-rounder, the match was reduced to 10 and that, it turned out, did Diaz no favors. However, it’s hard to feel sorry for the former Olympian as he came in overweight once again, having lost his 130-pound title on the scales in February of 2021.

Diaz also has issues outside the ropes. Best elucidated by prominent boxing writer Jake Donovan, they include a cluster of legal problems stemming from an arrest for drunk driving on Feb. 27 in the LA suburb of Claremont.

With the defeat, Diaz’s ledger declined to 32-4-1. His prior losses came at the hands of Gary Russell Jr, Devin Haney, and William Zepeda, boxers who are collectively 83-2. Mercito Gesta, a 35-year-old San Diego-based Filipino, improved to 34-3-3.

Co-Feature

Chihuahua, Mexico super lightweight Oscar Duarte has now won nine straight inside the distance after stopping 33-year-old Chicago southpaw Alex Martin in the eighth frame. Duarte, the busier fighter, had Martin on the deck twice in round eight before the fight was waived off.

Duarte improved to 25-1-1 (20). Martin, who reportedly won six national titles as an amateur and was once looked upon as a promising prospect, declined to 18-5.

Other Bouts of Note

New Golden Boy signee Eric Tudor, a 21-year-old super welterweight from Fort Lauderdale, overcame a bad laceration over his right eye, the result of an accidental clash of heads in round four, to stay unbeaten, advancing to 8-0 (6) with a hard-fought unanimous 8-round decision over Oakland’s Damoni Cato-Cain. The judges had it 80-72 and 78-74 twice. It was the first pro loss for Cato-Cain (7-1-1) who had his first five fights in Tijuana.

In the DAZN opener, lanky Hawaian lightweight Dalis Kaleiopu went the distance for the first time in his young career, improving to 4-0 (3) with a unanimous decision over 36-year-old Colombian trial horse Jonathan Perez (40-35). The scores were 60-52 across the board. There were no knockdowns, but Perez, who gave up almost six inches in height, had a point deducted for a rabbit punch and another point for deducted for holding.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

Continue Reading

Featured Articles

‘Big Baby’ Wins the Battle of Behemoths; TKOs ‘Big Daddy’ in 6

Published

on

Big-Baby-Wins-the-Battle-of-Behemoths-TKOs-Big-Daddy-in-6

Lucas “Big Daddy” Browne weighed in at a career-high 277 pounds for today’s battle in Dubai with Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller, but he was the lighter man by 56 pounds. It figured that one or both would gas out if the bout lasted more than a few stanzas.

It was a war of attrition with both men looking exhausted at times, and when the end came it was Miller, at age 34 the younger man by nine years, who had his hand raised.

Browne was the busier man, but Miller, whose physique invites comparison with a rhinoceros, hardly blinked as he was tattooed with an assortment of punches. He hurt ‘Bid Daddy’ in round four, but the Aussie held his own in the next frame, perhaps even forging ahead on the cards, but only postponing the inevitable.

In round six, a succession of right hands knocked Browne on the seat of his pants. He beat the count, but another barrage from Miller impelled the referee to intervene. The official time was 2:33. It was the 21st straight win for Miller (26-0-1, 22 KOs). Browne declined to 31-4 and, for his own sake, ought not fight again. All four of his losses have come inside the distance, some brutally.

The consensus of those that caught the livestream was that Floyd Mayweather Jr’s commentary was an annoying distraction that marred what was otherwise an entertaining show.

As for what’s next for “Big Baby” Miller, that’s hard to decipher as he has burned his bridges with the sport’s most powerful promoters. One possibility is Mahmoud Charr who, like Miller, has a big gap in his boxing timeline. Now 38 years old, Charr – who has a tenuous claim on a WBA world title (don’t we all?) —  has reportedly taken up residence in Dubai.

Other Bouts of Note

In a 10-round cruiserweight affair, Suslan Asbarov, a 30-year-old Russian, advanced to 4-0 (1) with a hard-fought majority decision over Brandon Glanton. The judges had it 98-92, 97-93, and a more reasonable 95-95.

Asbarov was 12-9 in documented amateur fights and 1-0 in a sanctioned bare-knuckle fight, all in Moscow, entering this match. He bears watching, however, as Glanton (18-2) would be a tough out for almost anyone in his weight class. In his previous fight, at Plant City, Florida, Glanton lost a controversial decision to David Light, an undefeated Australian who challenges WBO world title-holder Lawrence Okolie at Manchester, England next week.

A 10-round super featherweight match between former world title challengers Jono Carroll and Miguel Marriaga preceded the semi-windup. Carroll, a 30-year-old Dublin southpaw, overcame a cut over his left eye suffered in the second round to win a wide unanimous decision in a fairly entertaining fight.

It was the sixth straight win for Carroll (24-2-1, 7 KOs) who elevated his game after serving as a sparring partner for Devin Haney. Marriaga, a 36-year-old Colombian, lost for the fourth time in his last five outings, declining to 30-7.

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE

 

Continue Reading
Advertisement
A-Shocker-in-the-Philippines-as-Suganob-Topples-Vicelles
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Shocker in the Philippines as Suganob Topples Vicelles

Canelo-vs-Ryder-A-Stroll-in-the-Park-for-the-Red-Headed-Mexican?
Featured Articles6 days ago

Canelo vs Ryder: A Stroll in the Park for the Red-Headed Mexican?

Angel-Beltran-Wins-Main-Event-at-Ken-Thompson-Tribute-Show
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Angel Beltran Wins Main Event at Ken Thompson Tribute Show

The-Hauser-Report-A-Club-Fight-Promoter-Faces-a-Choice
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

The Hauser Report: A Club Fight Promoter Faces a Choice

Josh-Taylor-Assures-Us-His-Fight-With-Teofimo-Lopez-Will-End-in-a-Knockout
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Josh Taylor Assures Us His Fight With Teófimo López Will End in a Knockout

Beverly-Hills-Bluster-as-Tank-Davis-and-KingRy-Garcia-Cap-Their-Mini-Tour
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Beverly Hills Bluster as ‘Tank’ Davis and ‘King Ry’ Garcia Cap Their Mini-Tour

Big-Baby-Miller-vs-Big-Daddy-Browne-A-Morbidly-Tantalizing-Match
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

‘Big Baby’ Miller vs ‘Big Daddy’ Browne: A Morbidly Tantalizing Match

A-Cursed-Paradign-The-Fights-That-Boxing-Cannot-Deliver
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Cursed Paradigm: The Fights That Boxing Cannot Deliver

Takuma-Inoue-After-the-Crown-Vacated-by-his-Brother-The-Monster-Inoue
Featured Articles1 week ago

Takuma Inoue After the Crown Vacated by his Brother “The Monster” Naoya

David-Benavidez-and-Caleb-Plant-Intensify-Their-War-of-Words
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

David Benavidez and Caleb Plant Intensify Their War of Words 

At-42-Guillermo-Rigondeaux-Returns-with-a-Knockout--and-Renewed-Vigor
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

At 42, Guillermo Rigondeaux Returns with a Knockout and Renewed Vigor  

Tim-Tszyu-TKOs-Tony-Harrison-Before-a-Raucous-Crowd-in-Sydney
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Tim Tszyu TKOs Tony Harrison Before a Raucous Crowd in Sydney

Ringside-Report-King-Callum-Walsh-Wins-in-Boston-O'Connor-Back-With-Bloody-TKO
Featured Articles5 days ago

Ringside Report: ‘King’ Callum Walsh Wins in Boston; O’Connor Back with Bloody TKO

Requiemfor-a-Heavyweight-Gatekeeper-A-Contrite-Farewell-to-Leroy-Caldwell
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Requiem for a Heavyweight Gatekeeper: A Contrite Farewell to Leroy Caldwell

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Final-Goodbyes-for-Goodman-Thompson-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Final Goodbyes to Goodman, Thompson and More

Nonito-Donaiare-Tries-to-Break-His-Own-Record-and-Make-History-Again
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Nonito Donaire Tries to Break His Own Record and Make History Again

PEDs-and-Conor-Benn-An-About-Face-in-the-Court-of-Public-Opinion
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

PEDs and Conor Benn: An About-Face in the Court of Public Opinion

The-Hauser-Report-Literary-Notes
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

The Hauser Report: Literary Notes

The-Hauser-Report-DAZN-Charging-More-for-Less
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Hauser Report — DAZN: Charging More for Less

Avila-Perspective-Chap-226-Another-look-at-Pomona-and-More
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 226: Another Look at Pomona and More

Mercito-Gesta-Victorious-Over-Jojo-Diaz-at-the-Long-Beach-Pyramid
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mercito Gesta Victorious Over Jojo Diaz at the Long Beach Pyramid

Jojo-Diaz's-Slump-Continues-Mercito-Gestra-Prevails-on-a-Split-Decision
Featured Articles4 days ago

Jojo Diaz’s Slump Continues; Mercito Gesta Prevails on a Split Decision

Big-Baby-Wins-the-Battle-of-Behemoths-TKOs-Big-Daddy-in-6
Featured Articles4 days ago

‘Big Baby’ Wins the Battle of Behemoths; TKOs ‘Big Daddy’ in 6

Avila-Perspective-Chap-229-Jojo-vs-Mercito-Gets-Top-Billing-in-Long-Beach
Featured Articles4 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 229: Jojo vs Mercito Gets Top Billing in Long Beach

Gilberto-Zurdo-Ramirez-Misses-Weight-and-Zurdo-vs-Rosado-Bites-the-Dust
Featured Articles5 days ago

Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez Misses Weight and Zurdo vs Rosado Bites the Dust

Ringside-Report-King-Callum-Walsh-Wins-in-Boston-O'Connor-Back-With-Bloody-TKO
Featured Articles5 days ago

Ringside Report: ‘King’ Callum Walsh Wins in Boston; O’Connor Back with Bloody TKO

Canelo-vs-Ryder-A-Stroll-in-the-Park-for-the-Red-Headed-Mexican?
Featured Articles6 days ago

Canelo vs Ryder: A Stroll in the Park for the Red-Headed Mexican?

The-Next-Generation-of-Filipino-Boxing-Warriors-Ten-Names-To-Know
Featured Articles1 week ago

Filipino Boxing Profile: Ten Names to Know

Takuma-Inoue-After-the-Crown-Vacated-by-his-Brother-The-Monster-Inoue
Featured Articles1 week ago

Takuma Inoue After the Crown Vacated by his Brother “The Monster” Naoya

Tim-Tszyu-TKOs-Tony-Harrison-Before-a-Raucous-Crowd-in-Sydney
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Tim Tszyu TKOs Tony Harrison Before a Raucous Crowd in Sydney

Resultsfrom-Paris-and-Liverpool-Yoka-Loses-Again-Pacheco-KOs-Cullen
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results from Paris and Liverpool: Yoka Loses Again; Pacheco KOs Cullen

David-Benavidez-and-Caleb-Plant-Ready-to-Rumble-on-March-25
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Caleb Plant and David Benavidez Ready to Rumble on March 25

Angel-Beltran-Wins-Main-Event-at-Ken-Thompson-Tribute-Show
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Angel Beltran Wins Main Event at Ken Thompson Tribute Show

Big-Baby-Miller-vs-Big-Daddy-Browne-A-Morbidly-Tantalizing-Match
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

‘Big Baby’ Miller vs ‘Big Daddy’ Browne: A Morbidly Tantalizing Match

Beverly-Hills-Bluster-as-Tank-Davis-and-KingRy-Garcia-Cap-Their-Mini-Tour
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Beverly Hills Bluster as ‘Tank’ Davis and ‘King Ry’ Garcia Cap Their Mini-Tour

Terry-McGovern-The-Year-of-The-Butcher-Part-Three-The-Vulnerable-Spot
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Terry McGovern: The Year of the Butcher – Part Three, The Vulnerable Spot

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Final-Goodbyes-for-Goodman-Thompson-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Final Goodbyes to Goodman, Thompson and More

Brandon-Figueroa-Clears-the-Way-to-Fight-Rey-Vargas
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brandon Figueroa Clears the Way to Face Rey Vargas 

Terry-McGovern-The-Year-of-the-Butcher-Part-Two-The-Dixon-of-Old
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Terry McGovern: The Year of the Butcher – Part Two, The Dixon of Old

Bobby-Goodman-1939-2023-An-Appreciation
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Bobby Goodman (1939-2023): An Appreciation

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending

Advertisement