Three Punch Combo: Tim Bradley’s IBHOF Credentials, Ryota Murata and More

Published

5 years ago

September 1, 2019

Three-Punch-Combo-Tim-Bradley's-IBHOF-Credentials-Ryota-Murata-and-More

THREE PUNCH COMBO — A seemingly innocuous tweet from ESPN’s Dan Rafael last week sparked quite a debate on social media. Rafael’s tweet read “Happy 36^th birthday today to future Hall of Famer @Timbradleyjr!!!” Some fans voiced support in calling Bradley a future Hall of Famer and others strongly disagreed with Rafael’s assumption that Bradley is a lock for Canastota. So is Bradley in fact a Hall of Famer?

There is no disputing that Tim Bradley was a very accomplished fighter. He won world titles at 140 and 147. He scored wins against two legends in Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez and was the first man to defeat Lamont Peterson and Devon Alexander.

Bradley’s resume goes further than just those aforementioned wins. In 2013 he won a 12-round unanimous decision over Ruslan Provodnikov in one of the best action fights of the decade. Four years earlier, Bradley climbed off the deck twice to win a unanimous decision over power punching Kendall Holt in a 140-pound unification fight.

Critics of Bradley’s Hall of Fame credentials are quick to point out that most ring observers thought he was gifted a decision in his first fight against Manny Pacquiao. And they also point out that his split decision win over Marquez was a fight that could have gone either way. If those two wins are taken away, the critics argue, the quality of Bradley’s resume takes a major hit.

To add some clarification to the Bradley debate, I’d like to do a side by side comparison of his resume with that of a Hall of Famer. The Hall of Fame fighter needs to have fought around the same weight class as Bradley and generally around a similar era. And the best fit that I could find is Kostya Tszyu.

First the basic numbers. Tszyu finished with a record of 31-2, 25 KO’s. Bradley’s record was 33-2-1, 13 KO’s. Tszyu was a two-time champion in the 140-pound division. His record in world title fights was 15-2, 11 KO’s. As mentioned earlier, Bradley won world titles at 140 and 147. His record in title fights was 11-2, 2 KO’s. Both Tszyu and Bradley unified title belts in the 140-pound weight division.

As far as resume goes, both fought and defeated many world class opponents. There really isn’t much that separates the two except when looking at the top end. Bradley’s official record shows wins against surefire Hall of Famers Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. Tszyu’s defining win was his 2001 second round stoppage of Jab Judah to unify titles at 140. And Tszyu does have one win against a Hall of Famer in Julio Cesar Chavez. But that win took place in 2000 when Chavez was clearly a shopworn fighter.

When I saw the social media debate on Bradley’s Hall of Fame candidacy this week, I started my own research with an open mind. The final results are crystal clear. In fact, in my opinion, Bradley’s overall accomplishments are not only on par with Tszyu, but may actually be slightly better.

There is no question Tim Bradley has Hall of Fame credentials and should go into the Hall the first year he is eligible.

Now What’s Next for Ryota Murata?

It was no secret in boxing circles that Ryota Murata (15-2, 12 KO’s) was set to defend his WBA middleweight title against Jeff Horn later this year. But those plans came crashing down when Michael Zerafa shockingly stopped Horn in the ninth round of their scheduled 12-round fight this past weekend in Australia. So now what are Murata’s options?

Michael Zerafa (27-3, 16 KO’s)

I will start with the obvious. The win over Horn vaulted Michael Zerafa to number six in the WBA rankings at middleweight and in line to fight for their title belt.

Prior to last year, Zerafa was best known for getting knocked out by Peter Quillin in 2015. In that fight, Zerafa was utterly outclassed.

But last year, Zerafa gave Kell Brook a much tougher than expected challenge in dropping a twelve-round decision to the former welterweight champion. That performance helped earn Zerafa the date with Horn and his upset of Horn surely puts him in line for something much bigger.

Zerafa is certainly a much better fighter than the one that fought Quillin in 2015, but he wouldn’t have anywhere near Horn’s box office drawing power. Zerafa will get a look but may be too risky for the potential reward for Murata.

Liam Smith (28-2-1, 16 KO’s)

Smith would need to first get ranked by the WBA at middleweight. But given the recent history of the WBA, if those involved want a Murata-Smith fight, then getting Smith into the rankings won’t be too big an issue.

Smith is a bigger name and bigger draw than Zerafa. He is well known in the UK and is also well-known to U.S. fight fans due to his admirable performances on U.S. soil in world title losses to Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia. Add to it that Smith probably represents a little less risk to Murata than Zerafa. If I had to take a guess, I would venture to say that Smith probably gets the first call from Team Murata about making a fight later this year.

David Papot (22-0-1, 3 KO’s)

The idea behind a Horn-Murata fight was that Horn’s box office appeal would ultimately help boost Murata’s career. With that box office appeal off the table, Murata’s team may opt for more of a stay-busy type defense while waiting for another big opportunity to develop. And Papot, ranked 10th by the WBA at middleweight, would make sense.

Papot, who fought James McGirt to a 12-round draw in June, is a solid fighter, but he’s not a big puncher and has some noticeable holes in his defense. He probably wouldn’t pose much a threat to Murata. If Murata’s team opts for a stay-busy type fight, Papot is probably the most likely opponent.

Under The Radar Fight

The action will be light this week. In the U.S., the highlight is a Golden Boy card on Thursday from The Belasco Theater in Los Angeles that will be streamed live on Facebook Watch. The card is headlined by a crucial 122-pound crossroads fight between recent world title challengers Azat Hovhannisyan (17-3, 14 KO’s) and Franklin Manzanilla (18-5, 17 KO’s).

Both Hovhannisyan and Manzanilla recently fought WBC 122-pound champion Rey Vargas. Hovhannisyan lost a hard-fought decision to Vargas in May of 2018. Manzanilla gave Vargas a scare, dropping him in the second round of their fight this past February, before ultimately dropping the decision. Now Hovhannisyan and Manzanilla will square off with the winner poised to be right back in line for another title shot.

Hovhannisyan is a classic brawler. He knows only one way to fight and that is by coming forward, constantly applying pressure while throwing punches. He is the type of fighter who is willing to take a few shots just to create an opportunity to land one of his own. He may not be a big puncher but is heavy handed; his punches take a toll on his opponent as the fight progresses.

Manzanilla is more of a boxer-puncher. He likes to work behind the left jab and set up his power shots behind that punch. As his record indicates, Manzanilla is a big-time puncher. In particular, he possesses a thunderous left hook that can instantly change the course of a fight.

These two are evenly matched at this stage in their careers and stylistically mesh well for what should be a very entertaining scrap.

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Matt Andrzejewski

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Emanuel Navarrete and Rafael Espinoza Shine in Phoenix

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2024

Phil Woolever

Emanuel Navarrete and Rafael Espinoza Shine in Phoenix

PHOENIX – Saturday was a busy night on the global boxing scene, and it’s quite likely that the howling attendees in Phoenix’s Footprint Center witnessed the finest overall card of the international schedule. The many Mexican flags on display in the packed, scaled down arena signaled the event’s theme.

Co-main events featured rematches that arose from a pair of prior crowd-pleasing slugfests. Each of tonight’s headlining bouts ended at the halfway point, but that was their only similarity.

Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, now 39-2-1 (32), defended his WBO Junior Lightweight belt with a dramatic stoppage of more-than-willing Oscar Valdez, 32-3 (24). The 29-year-old champion spoke of retirement wishes, but after dominating a blazing battle in which he scored three knockdowns, his only focus was relaxing during the holidays then getting back to what sounded like long-term business.

“Valdez was extremely tough in this fight,” said Navarrete. “I knew I had to push him back and I did. You are now witnessing the second phase of my career and you can expect great things from me in 2025.”

“I don’t really know about the future,” said the crestfallen, 33-year-old Valdez. “No excuses. He did what he wanted to and I couldn’t.”

Navarrete, a three-division titlist, came up one scorecard short of a fourth belt in his previous fight last May, a split decision loss to Denys Berinchyk. This was Navarrete’s fourth Arizona appearance so he was cheered like a homeboy, but Valdez was definitely the crowd favorite, evident from the cheers that erupted as both fighters were shown arriving in glistening, low rider automobiles.

Both men came out throwing huge shots, but it was Navarrete who scored a flash knockdown in the first round, setting the tone for the rest of the fight. There was fierce action in every frame, with Navarrete getting the best of most of it, but even when he was in trouble Valdez roared back and brought the crowd to their feet. He got dropped again at the very end of round four, and Navarrete sent his mouthpiece into orbit the round after that.

When Navarrette drove Valdez into the ropes during round six it looked like referee Raul Caiz, Jr was about to intervene, but before he could decide, Navarrete finished matters himself with a perfect left to the ribs that crumpled Valdez into a KO at 2:42.

“He talked about getting ready to retire soon so I told him we had to fight again right now,” said Valdez prior to the rematch. There were numerous “be careful what you wish for” type predictions of doom and he entered the ring at around a two to one underdog, understanding the contest’s make or break stakes. “Boxing penalizes you if you have a lot of losses,” observed Valdez. “It’s not like other sports where you can lose and do better next season. In boxing, most people don’t want to see you again after a couple of losses.”

What Valdez might decide remains to be seen, but even in defeat he proved to be a warrior worth watching.

Co-Feature

After their epic, razor-close encounter almost exactly a year ago, it was obvious Rafael Espinoza, and fellow 30-year-old Robeisy Ramirez should meet again for the WBO featherweight title belt Espinoza earned by an upset majority decision. Espinoza turned the trick again this time around, inside the distance, but it was more anti-climactic than anything like toe-to-toe.

The 6’1” Espinoza, now 26-0 (22), was the aggressor from the opening frame, but 5’6” Ramirez, 14-3 (9) employed his short stature well to stay out of immediate danger and countered to the body for a slight edge. The Cuban challenger avoided much of their previous firefight and initially controlled the tempo. The crowd jeered him for staying away but it was an effective strategy, at least at first.

Espinoza connected much better in the fifth round and looked fresher as Ramirez’s face rapidly reddened. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere in round six, Ramirez took a punch then raised a glove in surrender. Whatever the reason, even looking at Ramirez’s swollen right eye, it looked like a “No Mas” moment. Replays showed a straight right to the eye socket, but that didn’t stop the crowd from hooting their disgust after ref Chris Flores signaled the end at 0:12.

***

Richard Torrez, Jr, now 12-0 (11), displayed his Olympic silver medal pedigree in a heavyweight bout against Issac Munoz, 18-2-1 (15). Torrez, 236.6, found his punching range quickly with southpaw leads as Munoz, 252, tried to stand his ground but looked hurt by early body work that forced him into the ropes. He was gasping for breath as Torrez peppered him in the second, and Munoz went back to his corner on unsteady legs.

Munoz’s team should have thought about saving him for another day in the third as he ate big shots. Luckily, referee Raul Caiz, Jr. was wiser and had seen enough, waving it off for a TKO at 0:59.

“I don’t train for the opponent,” reflected Torrez, who isn’t far from true contender status. “Every time I train, I train for a world championship fight.”

***

Super-lightweight Lindolfo Delgado, 139.9, improved to 22-0 (16), and took another step into the world title picture against Jackson Marinez, now 22-4 (10), 139.2.

On paper this junior welterweight matchup appeared fairly even, and Marinez managed to keep it that way for almost half the scheduled ten rounds against a solid prospect but Delgado kept upping the ante until Marinez was out of chips. The assembled swarm was whistling for more action after three tentative opening frames, as Delgado loaded up but couldn’t put much offense together.

That changed in the 4th when Delgado connected with solid crosses. In the fifth, a fine combination dropped Marinez into a delayed knockdown and a wicked follow-up right to the guts finished the wobbly Marinez, who had nothing to be ashamed of, off in the arms of ref Wes Melton. Official TKO time was 2:13.

In a matter of concurrent programming, Saturday also held a lot of highly publicized college football and basketball games which likely detracted from the larger mainstream audience and media coverage this fight card deserved. That’s a shame but you can’t fault boxing, Top Rank, or any of the fighters for that because, once again, they all came through big time in Phoenix.

Photos credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

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Brooklyn’s Richardson Hitchins Wins IBF 140-Pound Title in Puerto Rico

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2024

David A. Avila

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A change of champions took place as Richardson Hitchins rallied from a lethargic start to wrest the IBF super lightweight title from Australia’s Liam Paro by split decision on Saturday in Puerto Rico at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan.

Brooklyn has another world champion.

“I’m just happy to be a world champion,” Hitchins said.

Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) proved that his style of fighting could prevail over Paro (25-1, 15 KOs) who had previously knocked off another Puerto Rican champion, Subriel Matias.

Both fighters expected a different kind of encounter as Paro immediately started the fight with constant pressure and short, precise combinations. Hitchins had expected a different attack and seemed hesitant to pull the trigger.

“I couldn’t get my timing,” said Hitchins. “I thought he was going to put the pressure on me.”

Soon Hitchins ramped up his attack.

After Paro had jumped ahead with a constant strategic attack, Hitchins slipped into second gear behind a sharp right counter that found the target repeatedly.

Things began to swing in the Brooklyn fighter’s favor.

Those long arms came in handy for Hitchins who snapped off deadeye rights through Paro’s guard repeatedly. Soon the southpaw Aussie’s eye began to show signs of damage.

But Paro never quit.

Aside from using quick counters, Paro began firing lead lefts and the occasional right hook and uppercut. But seldom did he target the body. Slowly, the rounds began mounting in favor of the Brooklyn fighter.

Perhaps the best blow of the fight took place in the ninth round as Hitchins connected flush with a one-two combination. Though stunned, Paro trudged forward looking to immediately counter.

He mostly failed.

Still, Paro knew the rounds were not one-sided and he could close the distance. The Aussie fighter did well in the 11^th and 12^th round but could not land a significant blow. After 12 rounds one judge saw Paro the winner 117-11, while two others saw Hitchins the winner 116-112 for the new IBF titlist.

“He’s a hell of a boxer,” said Paro who loses the title in his first defense. “It’s not a loss, it’s a lesson.”

Other Bouts

A battle between Puerto Rican featherweights saw Henry Lebron (20-0) out-battle Christopher Diaz-Velez by decision after 10 action-packed rounds.

In a lightweight fight Agustin Quintana (21-2-1) gave Marc Castro (13-1) his first loss to win by split decision after 10 rounds.

Welterweight Jose Roman Vazquez (14-1) defeated Jalil Hackett (9-1) by split decision after 10 rounds.

Photo credit: Melina Pizano / Matchroom

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A Six-Pack of Undercard Action from the Top Rank Card in Phoenix

Published

1 day ago

December 7, 2024

Arne K. Lang

A Six-Pack of Undercard Action from the Top Rank Card in Phoenix

Top Rank promoted a 10-fight card tonight at the NBA arena in Phoenix. The undercard included welterweight standout Giovani Santillan and a bevy of young prospects.

Based on his showing tonight, Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez is a prospect on the cusp of being a contender. A high-octane fighter with ring smarts that bely his tender age, the 22-year-old Gonzalez pitched a near 8-round shutout over Argentina’s Gerardo Antonio Perez, advancing his record to 12-0 (7). Although Gonzalez was forced to go the distance after five straight wins by stoppage, Perez, an Argentine who had never been stopped and was better than his 12-6-1 record, had a granite chin.

LA junior bantamweight Steven Navarro improved to 5-0 (4 KOs) with a second-round stoppage of Gabriel Bernardi (7-2). Navarro had Bernardi, a Puerto Rican, on the canvas twice before referee Raul Caiz Jr waived it off.

In a welterweight contest slated for “10,” Giovani Santillan improved to 33-1 (18 KOs) at the expense of Fredrick Lawson who retired on his stool after only one round. It was a nice confidence-booster for Santillan who took a lot of punishment in his last fight vs. Brian Norman Jr, a fight that Santillan was expected to win. However, tonight’s win should come with an asterisk as Lawson, a Chicago-based Ghanaian, is damaged goods and ought not be permitted to fight again, notwithstanding his 30-6 record. (All six of his losses, including the last three, came inside the distance.)

In a welterweight contest slated for six rounds, 19-year-old SoCal prospect Art Berrera Jr advanced to 7-0 (5 KOs) with a second-round TKO over Juan Carlos Campos (4-2) who fights out of Sioux City, Iowa. Referee Wes Melton lost his balance as he stepped in to stop the one-sided affair with a nano-second remaining in round two and went flying into the ropes, but was seemingly unhurt.

In a major surprise, Cesar Morales, a former Mexican national amateur champion, lost his pro debut to unheralded Kevin Mosquera, a 23-year-old Ecuadorian. A flash knockdown in the opening minute of final round factored into the result. The judges had it 39-36 and 38-37 for Mosquera (3-0-1) and 38-38.

The night did not start well for Morales’ trainer Robert Garcia who had five fighters in action tonight.

In the lid-lifter, 21-year-old Las Vegas lightweight DJ Zamora, a protege of the late Roger Mayweather, improved to 15-0 (10 KOs) with a second-round stoppage of Argentine import Roman Ruben Reynoso (22-6-2). Zamora put Reynoso on the canvas in the opening round with a left to the solar plexus and knocked him down in the second round with a counter left to the chin. Reynoso made it to his feet, but had no beef when the fight was waived off. The official time was 1:56 of round two.

Bouts involving former Olympians Lindolfo Delgado and Richard Torres Jr plus two compelling world title rematches round out the 10-fight card. TSS correspondent Phil Woolever is ringside. Check back later for his post-fight reports.

Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank

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