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Three Punch Combo: Which of These Damaged Goods Will Be the Next Rob Brant?
THREE PUNCH COMBO — Rob Brant was once considered a top prospect. He was a decorated amateur and put on some early performances in his pro career that had many thinking he’d be a future world champion. In July of 2017, Brant was 22-0 and accepted an invitation to enter the World Boxing Super Series super middleweight tournament.
There were several solid names in the eight man tournament but many thought Brant (pictured) had the tools and talent to win this prestigious event. However, in his quarterfinal match in Germany against veteran Juergen Braehmer, Brant brought nothing to the table and lost a wide 12-round unanimous decision. Brant was not only out of the tournament but many in boxing wrote him off following this disappointing performance.
A year later, Brant would move back into contention into his more natural division at middleweight and this time face highly touted WBA world title holder Ryota Murata. Brant was a considerable underdog in this contest in part due to his performance a year earlier against Braehmer, but he stepped up to the occasion and put on a dazzling performance in winning a clear cut unanimous decision. This Friday on ESPN, Brant, who is now 24-1 with 16 KO’s, will make his first defense against Khasan Baysangurov (17-0, 7 KO’s) at the Grand Casino in Hinckley in his home state of Minnesota.
The story of Rob Brant is not uncommon. A big time prospect suffers a bad defeat but learns from that loss to bounce back and live up to the high expectations that he once carried.
So who could be the next Rob Brant? Here are three possibilities, fighters whose career paths have followed a similar road to that of Brant and could be the next to emerge after disappointing setbacks.
Ryan Martin (22-1, 12 KO’s)
Ryan Martin was a highly decorated US amateur with reportedly over 200 wins in the unpaid ranks. Almost instantly after turning pro, he began appearing on top prospects lists and many thought the sky was the limit for him.
Blessed with natural athletic ability, Martin showcased his talent early in his career putting on some eye popping performances that reinforced the thought that he’d be a future star. He not only had natural talent and athletic ability but had developed seasoned skills from his amateur days.
On September 16th, 2017 Martin received a coveted showcase on the undercard of Canelo-Golovkin I against tough veteran Francisco Rojo. And though he was not as dominant as he was in earlier fights, Martin found a way with his speed to defeat a very capable opponent to move from prospect to contender in the 140-pound division.
Similar to Brant, Martin’s next big step would be entering the World Boxing Super Series which was now in its second season. And like Rob Brant, Martin was packed off to Europe. In Scotland, he was pitted against another bright young 140-pound prospect in Josh Taylor.
Martin was a sizable underdog, but many thought he’d give Taylor a tough test at the very least with an upset not out of the question, notwithstanding the fact that the fight would be contested on Taylor’s turf . But Martin fizzled out big time. Looking like a deer caught in headlights, he was stopped in round seven in a one-sided contest.
Two months later, it came out that Martin had failed a VADA administered drug test. (Martin has disputed the results and the matter is still pending.)
Martin has some things to sort out in his career, namely the failed VADA test, but there is no disputing his talent. His natural athletic ability and blazing hand speed cannot be taught in the gym. Did the moment get to Martin? It is entirely possible and just as entirely possible that Martin learns from this setback to come out a better fighter. The loss to Taylor could ultimately be a blessing in disguise for Martin as he enters the next stage of his professional career.
Antonio Orozco (27-1, 17 KO’s)
Orozco can best be described as a skilled pressure fighter. Early in his career, he overwhelmed opponents with his relentless pressure and heavy hands. But as his career progressed, Orozco developed good boxing skills and became a well-rounded fighter.
Those well-rounded skills were on display in two superb performances in 2015 against Emmanuel Taylor and Humberto Soto. Orozco applied pressure in spots but also worked effectively behind the jab in winning unanimous decisions in both of those 10-round fights. A world title shot seemed to be just around the corner.
But Orozco’s career stalled following those wins. He struggled a year later against journeyman Abner Lopez in a fight in which his defensive liabilities were exposed. There were also issues at the scale and Orozco lost opportunities at a pair of big fights when he failed to make the contracted weight.
However, last September Orozco finally got his world title shot against Jose Ramirez. Orozco fought admirably but once again defensive inefficiencies proved his downfall as he dropped a wide decision.
Up until the Ramirez fight, Orozco had gotten away with his defensive flaws. If he can get some of these flaws tightened up, he can still make some noise. It is way too early to write him off. Odds are he will find himself with another opportunity sooner rather than later. If Orozco can learn from this loss, he could easily turn that next opportunity into something special.
Felix Verdejo (24-1, 16 KO’s)
Before he had his first pro fight, Felix Verdejo was already being hailed as the next great fighter from Puerto Rico and a future pay-per-view star. And when he was knocked out by Antonio Lozada last year, many wrote him off as just another prospect who will never pan out.
There is no question Verdejo is blessed with amazing natural talent. He can not only punch but has fast hands and is incredibly athletic. But there were red flags leading up to the Lozada loss. As Verdejo stepped up in class against better fighters, his performances seemed sluggish. He didn’t seem to be developing. There were questions about his training habits and how serious he was taking the sport.
Sometimes a humbling experience like the one Verdejo experienced against Lozada can be the catalyst for major changes. How bad does Verdejo want it and will being humbled cause him to make the necessary changes to live up to his potential?
It is way too early to write off Verdejo. The natural talent that got everyone excited still exists. It is the proper dedication to the sport that was clearly missing. If he commits himself to boxing, Verdejo can bounce back and turn the negative experience of the loss into a positive one for his career.
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Canelo-Berlanga Postscript
By TSS Special Correspondent Raymundo Dioses — There was a palpable buzz in the air befitting a mega fight in Las Vegas on a Mexican holiday weekend. Canelo Alvarez retained his unified super middleweight titles against Edgar Berlanga via unanimous decision at the T-Mobile Arena in front of a sold-out crowd who were treated to a one-sided, yet never boring contest.
Although Canelo, (62-2-2, 39 KOs) remains devoid of a knockout win dating back to November 2021 against Caleb Plant, there was plenty to like about his performance and enough offense being thrown his way by Berlanga to produce an entertaining fight.
It was about as jovial a crowd as any for a fight night and despite the wide scores (118-109, 118-109, 117-110) as well as Berlanga getting a “caught with his lead hand down’ moment” which enabled Canelo to score an early knockdown, the young Puerto Rican made a positive impression in his first title fight, his first main event pay-per-view, and his first Sin City atmosphere which can make or break a fighter.
“My experience, my talent, my hard work (was the difference). Everything together, because if you have a talent and you don’t have discipline you have nothing. If you have discipline and you don’t have talent you have nothing. So you need to combine both and hard work,” Canelo would say in the post-fight in-ring interview with Jim Gray. Canelo would go on to relay that message to Berlanga and tell his most recent adversary that he sees him as a future champion.
There was talk around town and the sports world that the Spherical ‘Noche UFC’ event a few miles down the road would take some of the flair away from the PBC on Prime Video event which featured a $90 price with the B-side fighter Berlanga gloving up against an 18/1 favorite in Canelo.
Yet when all was said and done, 20,312 boxing fans were provided a good show with a decent undercard that saw Erislandy Lara retaining his WBA middleweight title against Danny Garcia via stoppage, plus an entertaining Caleb Plant-Trevor McCumby match won by Plant via TKO, and a first- time title challenger in Berlanga who didn’t show up to lay down against a top pound-for-pound fighter despite having literally all the odds stacked against him.
The post-fight press conference was held following T-Mobile Arena staff impressively breaking down the ring and transforming the canvas into a stage for fighters and their camps to react to the night’s proceedings. Up to the dais first were Plant and Lara, two veterans of the sport. Plant has made himself into a fan favorite with impressive performances throughout the years including solid showings in his only defeats in bouts with Canelo and David Benavidez. Lara spoke through an interpreter and thanked everyone involved in the win that solidifies him as the sport’s oldest title-holder at 41 years of age.
Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs) preceded Canelo to the mic and had Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and his team alongside him. The press showed great respect to Berlanga who said that he felt 50/50 towards the event and its outcome, knowing that while his first career loss was registered, he knows that the performance that he delivered was of the type that often propels the B-side fighter into more big fights and lucrative paydays (see Caleb Plant).
Reminiscent of a champion-last ring walk, Canelo arrived with his team and after the obligatory “thank you” to all involved, spoke briefly on a next possible opponent and was asked about the UFC fight that that took place the same night.
A media member brought up ‘Noche UFC’ sponsor Turki Alalshikh’s comments about a matchup between Canelo and fellow top pound-for-pound fighter Terence Crawford.
After once again filling up the T-Mobile Arena while headlining a pay-per-view event and securing a payday perhaps upwards of $50 million, Canelo’s response to Alalshikh was perhaps his best punch of the night:
“No comment.”
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Canelo Proves Too Canny and Tough for Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas
Canelo Proves Too Canny and Tough for Edgar Berlanga in Las Vegas
Never underestimate a Puerto Rico versus Mexico fight.
Mexican superstar Saul “Canelo” Alvarez needed all 12 rounds to defeat Puerto Rico’s super strong Edgar Berlanga and retain the unified super middleweight championship on Saturday.
Berlanga never quit.
“He’s very strong,” Canelo said.
Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs) showed that championship fighting is like high-speed chess and Berlanga (22-1, 17 KOs) did not have enough moves to out-wit the Mexican redhead at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Especially on Mexican Independence Day weekend.
Despite an early knockdown by a Canelo left hook, Berlanga was able to survive the Mexican fighter’s onslaught and withstand punishment that could have felled a rhinoceros.
“I got a little bit of Mexican in me,” Berlanga joked.
During an exchange in the third round Alvarez snapped a quick left hook that timed the Puerto Rican perfectly. Down he went for only the second time in his career. But he got up quickly and rallied a bit in the round.
It was the theme of the fight.
Every time Alvarez scored heavy with combinations to the head and body, Berlanga responded back as much as possible. He never wilted though he had plenty of opportunities.
It was a methodical attack by the Mexican champion that kept Berlanga guessing in every round. The Puerto Rican tried firing back and using his height and reach but Alvarez was always a step ahead.
Berlanga managed to score, but he never could mount a long rally. In the fifth round Berlanga used rough tactics including a head butt that angered Alvarez. It was the first time the Boricua was able to connect heavily.
But Alvarez proved too canny for Berlanga. The Mexican redhead who has won world titles as a super welterweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight, showed off his experience. The Puerto Rican could only absorb the blows and retaliate. But his strength was impressive.
“He will be a champion,” said Alvarez.
After 12 back-and-forth rounds, both hugged like old friends. It was exactly the type of fight Alvarez wanted for the thousands of Mexican and Puerto Rican fans at the arena and worldwide.
Alvarez was deemed the winner by unanimous decision 117-110, 118-109 twice and retains the world titles.
“I did good,” said Alvarez. “I’m the best fighter in the world.”
Berlanga was gracious in defeat.
“I could have done a lot more, but I was fighting a legend,” Berlanga said.
Other Fights
After nine rounds of whistles and boos by a disgruntled crowd due to inactivity, Erislandy Lara (31-3-3, 19 KOs) fired a lead left cross to drop Danny “Swift” Garcia (37-4). Lara was making the third defense of the WBA middleweight world title he won with a one-punch knockout of Thomas La Manna.
The battle between counter-punchers did not please the fans, but slowly Lara kept Garcia at bay with his sharp right jabs. The Cuban southpaw caught Garcia moving with his hands down with a single strafing left. Down he went for the first time in his career and the fight was ended at the end of the ninth round.
It was the first loss by knockout for Garcia, the former super lightweight and welterweight world titlist.
Plant
Once again Caleb Plant (23-2, 15 KOs) made the fight personal and found Trevor McCumby (28-1, 21 KOs) a worthy challenge for the interim super middleweight title for most of the fight.
It was thoroughly entertaining.
McCumby battered Plant early and put him to the canvas twice, although only the second was ruled a knockdown. A strong left hook to the shoulder caught Plant perfectly and down he went.
That seemed to wake up Plant.
The former super middleweight world titlist who lives in Las Vegas took the fight inside and pinned McCumby to the ropes. Plant went to work from that point on and did not allow his foe another big opportunity.
In the ninth round Plant pinned McCumby against the ropes once again and unloaded a dozen blows that ravaged the Arizona fighter. Referee Allen Huggins stopped the fight at 2:59 of the ninth round.
“Word on the street is I cant fight inside,” said Plant sarcastically.
Rolly Wins
Former lightweight champion Rolly Romero (16-2) proved too experienced for the rugged Manuel Jaimes (16-2-1) who resembles slightly Antonio Margarito. The only problem is he doesn’t punch enough like the Tijuana tornado.
Romero hit and held through much of the fight until the referee warned him repeatedly. Still, Romero was busier and far more accurate than Jaimes. All three judges scored in favor of Romero 99-91.
Photo credit: German Villasenor
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Stephen Fulton Nips Carlos Castro in a Prelude to Canelo vs Berlanga
In his first fight back after being dominated and stopped by pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in a fight for super bantamweight supremacy in July of last year, Stephen Fulton nipped upset-minded Carlos Castro, improving to 22-1 (8) in his first start as a featherweight. The verdict was split, with Fulton prevailing by 96-93 and 95-94 with the dissenter favoring Castro 95-94. The decision seemed fair although not in eyes of the predominantly Mexican crowd which booed the decision.
This was an entertaining 10-round fight between two evenly-matched 30-year-old campaigners. Long-time Phoenix resident Castro (30-3) put Fulton on the deck in round five with a counter right hand and Fulton rode his bicycle to shed the cobwebs as the round played out. But the Philadelphian, with new trainer Bozy Ennis in his corner, recuperated well and had a strong sixth round.
In round eight, Castro buckled Fulton’s knees with another straight right, but was unable to press his advantage. The bout served as the “main” prelim to the four-fight PPV card.
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In a welterweight contest slated for “10,” Mexico City’s Ricardo Salas, a 6/1 underdog, scored a second-round stoppage of Roiman Villa. The end in this slam-bang and all-too-brief skirmish came at the 2:06 mark of round three when Salas, fighting off the ropes, nailed Villa with a perfectly-placed, short right hand. Villa went down for the count.
Salas, whose de facto manager is the ubiquitous Sean Gibbons, improved to 20-2-2 with his 15th win inside the distance. From Colombia by way of Venezuela, Villa (26-3) was making his first start since being stopped by Boots Ennis in July of last year.
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In the opener on the PBC YouTube channel, super featherweight Jonathan “Geo” Lopez, a 21-year-old Pennsylvania-born southpaw, won a wide 8-round decision over rugged San Antonio campaigner Richard Medina. Lopez pitched a shutout, winning 80-71 on all three cards, but this was hardly a stroll in the park for him.
Lopez, who improved to 17-0 (12), simply had too much class for Medina. A 20/1 favorite, the Eddy Reynoso-trained boxer hurt Medina at the end of round seven and put him on the canvas in the final round with a straight left hand, but Medina (15-3) kept on plugging away and maintained his distinction of never being stopped.
Also
In an off-TV fight, super middleweight Bek Nurmaganbet, a 26-year-old Kazakh, won his eighth straight inside the distance, improving to 12-0 (10) with a second-round stoppage of SoCal’s Joshua Conley (17-7-1).
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