Featured Articles
Three Punch Combo: A Wish List of Easily Makeable Fights for 2020
Three Punch Combo: A Wish List of Easily Makeable Fights for 2020
As the calendar turns to 2020 there has been a lot of focus among those who cover the sport on the big fights that are already sealed or could soon appear on the horizon. While we all look forward to those big events, there are plenty of other terrific under-the-radar-type fights that can be easily made in 2020.
Three of my top choices are listed below. (In putting this together, I wanted to make sure that each of these fights was as makeable as possible which means that both contestants in each match are aligned with the same promotional group or are network free agents. And to be fair, I wanted to list just one potential fight from each political entity.)
Jamal James (26-1, 12 KO’s) vs. Yordenis Ugas (24-4, 11 KO’s) II
In August of 2016, welterweight Jamal James was considered one of boxing’s top up and coming young fighters. He was matched in a nationally televised contest against Yordenis Ugas who was coming off back to back defeats and had not been in the ring in two-plus years. To the surprise of many, Ugas (pictured) shook off the ring rust and out-boxed James to win a clear-cut ten round unanimous decision.
James, who is now 31, has rattled off six straight wins since that loss. It is not only that James has been winning but he has been doing so in impressive fashion. As a matter of fact, probably too impressive as the bigger name welterweights do not seem all that eager to get in the ring with him.
As for Ugas, he rattled off seven straight wins following the James victory, earning a crack at Shawn Porter’s welterweight title last year. In a tightly contested fight, Porter held on to his belt by split decision. Many felt Ugas deserved the nod.
Ugas has since defeated welterweight contender Omar Figueroa Jr. and has a date scheduled with Mike Dallas Jr. on February 1. But like James, Ugas would desire a crack at the division’s elite.
Assuming Ugas defeats Dallas (and Ugas will be a substantial favorite), running it back with James next makes a lot of sense for both men.
Both Ugas and James are aligned with PBC. Welterweight is a loaded division with many big names and the majority of those names outside of Terence Crawford are also aligned with PBC. To get one of those big names in the ring, Ugas and James need to create more demand and the best way to do so would be to face off against each other once again in a nationally televised bout. PBC of course has an outlet deal with Fox.
The first fight was a solid professional fight. Ugas dominated but James had his moments and, as stated, James is a much better fighter today than he was three-plus years ago. The same can also be said of Ugas. With both at the top of their game and each arguably in the top ten in the division, a rematch would be very compelling as it should be more competitive than the first go-around. The stakes couldn’t be higher either with the winner all but assured of getting one of those bigger name welterweights in the ring soon after.
Alex Saucedo (29-1, 19 KO’s) vs. Raymundo Beltran (36-9-1, 22 KO’s)
As a fan, I have been salivating about this potential matchup for some time. And with both coming off recent losses in big fights, 2020 may be the year for their promoter Top Rank to put together this hardcore fan’s dream fight.
Saucedo was once considered a blue-chip prospect. However, his budding career took a major hit when he was stopped in November of 2018 by Maurice Hooker in a 140-pound world title fight. Saucedo, still only 25, is coming off a bounce-back first round knockout win against journeyman Rod Salka this past November. The time seems right for Saucedo to take a step up in competition in order to get back into title contention at 140.
Beltran, 38, is a longtime fan favorite and former lightweight champion. He is coming off a knockout loss last June to then lightweight belt holder Richard Commey. In that fight, Beltran missed weight and could not have won the belt even if he were victorious. So, if Beltran continues on in his career, a move to 140 seems logical.
There is some question as to whether or not Beltran will continue fighting, but my guess is given the right opportunity, he would jump at a chance to get back in the ring. And Saucedo may represent that opportunity.
This fight would be 100 percent guaranteed to produce fireworks. Both Saucedo and Beltran are pressure fighters by nature who like to press forward looking to unload their power shots. Defense is not a strong suit of either man and each is more than willing to eat a few shots for the opportunity to get in his own. This could resemble something like Gatti-Ward if it ever happens and I am hoping that it does in 2020.
Israil Madrimov (4-0, 4 KO’s) vs. Jack Culcay (27-4, 13 KO’s)
In my eyes, Madrimov, 24, is a unique talent in a similar mode to Vasiliy Lomachenko. While Madrimov has had only a few pro fights, his amateur experience makes him more advanced than his record indicates and puts him on the fast track in the 154-pound division.
Madrimov needs to face one battle-tested veteran who is highly ranked before he can enter world title contention. And this brings me to Jack Culcay.
Culcay, 34, once held an interim title at 154. In 2017, Culcay gave current middleweight belt holder Demetrius Andrade all he could handle in dropping a twelve round split decision. Last year, Culcay gave Sergiy Derevyanchenko a stern test in dropping a twelve round unanimous decision.
Culcay has proven he can fight at the highest of levels in this sport. He is also durable, having never been stopped in his professional career. It would be very interesting to see how Madrimov, who has openly campaigned for bigger names and a world title shot sooner rather than later, handles such a solid pro.
Putting this fight together should not be very difficult. Madrimov has fought his last three bouts on DAZN and Culcay is more or less available to fight on any platform.
Madrimov-Culcay would be an excellent crossroads fight that could vault Madrimov closer to reaching his superstar potential. DAZN certainly has the resources to make it happen and is a fight I hope we see sometime in 2020.
Check out more boxing news on video at The Boxing Channel
To comment on this story in The Fight Forum CLICK HERE
Featured Articles
Ringside at the Cosmo: Pacheco Outpoints Nelson plus Undercard Results
Ringside at the Cosmo: Pacheco Outpoints Nelson plus Undercard Results
LAS VEGAS, NV – Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions was at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas tonight for the second half of a DAZN doubleheader that began in Nottingham, England. In the main event, Diego Pacheco, ranked #1 by the WBO at super middleweight, continued his ascent toward a world title with a unanimous decision over Steven Nelson.
Pacheco glides round the ring smoothly whereas Nelson wastes a lot energy with something of a herky-jerky style. However, although Nelson figured to slow down as the fight progressed, he did some of his best work in rounds 11 and 12. Fighting with a cut over his left eye from round four, a cut that periodically reopened, the gritty Nelson fulfilled his promise that he would a fight as if he had everything to lose if he failed to win, but it just wasn’t enough, even after his Omaha homie Terence “Bud” Crawford entered his corner before the last round to give him a pep talk (back home in North Omaha, Nelson runs the B&B (Bud and Bomac) Sports Academy.
All three judges had it 117-111 for Pacheco who mostly fought off his back foot but landed the cleaner punches throughout. A stablemate of David Benavidez and trained by David’s father Jose Benevidez Sr, Pacheco improved to 23-0 (18). It was the first pro loss for the 36-year-old Nelson (20-1).
Semi wind-up
Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz, who as a pro has never fought a match slated for fewer than 10 rounds, had too much class for Hermosillo, Mexico’s rugged Omar Salcido who returned to his corner with a puffy face after the fourth stanza, but won the next round and never stopped trying. The outcome was inevitable even before the final round when Salcido barely made it to the final gun, but the Mexican was far more competitive than many expected.
The Cuban, who was 4-0 vs. Keyshawn Davis in closely-contested bouts as an amateur, advanced his pro record to 5-0 (2), winning by scores by 99-91 and 98-92 twice. Salido, coming off his career-best win, a 9th-round stoppage of former WBA super featherweight title-holder Chris Colbert, falls to 20-2.
Other TV bouts
Ernesto “Tito” Mercado, a 23-year-old super lightweight, aims to become the next world champion from Pomona, California, following in the footsteps of the late Richie Sandoval and Sugar Shane Mosely, and based on his showing tonight against former Beijing Olympian and former two-division title-holder Jose Pedraza, he is well on his way.
After three rounds after what had been a technical fight, Mercado (17-0, 16 KOs) knocked Pedraza off his pins with an overhand right followed by short left hand. Pedraza bounced back and fell on his backside. When he arose on unsteady legs, the bout was waived off. The official time was 2:08 of round four and the fading, 35-year-old Pedraza (29-7-1) was saddled with his third loss in his last four outings.
The 8-round super lightweight clash between Israel Mercado (no relation to “Tito”) and Leonardo Rubalcava was fan-friendly skirmish with many robust exchanges. When the smoke cleared, the verdict was a majority draw. Mercado got the nod on one card (76-74), but was overruled by a pair of 75-75 scores.
Mercado came out strong in the opening round, but suffered a flash knockdown before the round ended. The referee ruled it a slip but was overruled by replay operator Jay Nady and what would have been a 10-9 round for Mercado became a 10-8 round for Rubalcava. Mercado lost another point in round seven when he was penalized for low blows.
The scores were 76-74 for Mercado (11-1-2) and 75-75 twice. The verdict was mildly unpopular with most thinking that Mercado deserved the nod. Reportedly a four-time Mexican amateur champion, Rubalcava (9-0-1) is trained by Robert Garcia.
Also
New Matchroom signee Nishant Dev, a 24-year-old southpaw from India, had an auspicious pro debut (pardon the cliché). Before a beaming Eddie Hearn, Dev stopped Oakland’s Alton Wiggins (1-1-1) in the opening round. The referee waived it off after the second knockdown.
Boxers from India have made large gains at the amateur level in recent years and Matchroom honcho Eddie Hearn anticipates that Dev, a Paris Olympian, will be the first fighter from India to make his mark as a pro.
Undefeated Brooklyn lightweight Harley Mederos, managed by the influential Keith Connolly, scored his seventh knockout in eight tries with a brutal third-round KO of Mexico’s Arturo de Isla.
A left-right combination knocked de Isla (5-3-1) flat on his back. Referee Raul Caiz did not bother to count and several minutes elapsed before the stricken fighter was fit to leave the ring. The official time was 1:27 of round three.
In the opener, Newark junior lightweight Zaquin Moses, a cousin of Shakur Stevenson, improved to 2-0 when his opponent retired on his stool after the opening round.
Photo credit: Melina Pizano / Matchroom
To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE
Featured Articles
Najee Lopez Steps up in Class and Wins Impressively at Plant City
Garry Jonas’ ProBox series returned to its regular home in Plant City, Florida, tonight with a card topped by a 10-round light heavyweight match between fast-rising Najee Lopez and former world title challenger Lenin Castillo. This was considered a step-up fight for the 25-year-old Lopez, an Atlanta-born-fighter of Puerto Rican heritage. Although the 36-year-old Castillo had lost two of his last three heading in, he had gone the distance with Dimitry Bivol and Marcus Browne and been stopped only once (by Callum Smith).
Lopez landed the cleaner punches throughout. Although Castillo seemed unfazed during the first half of the fight, he returned to his corner at the end of round five exhibiting signs of a fractured jaw.
In the next round, Lopez cornered him against the ropes and knocked him through the ropes with a left-right combination. Referee Emil Lombardo could have stopped the fight right there, but he allowed the courageous Castillo to carry on for a bit longer, finally stopping the fight as Castillo’s corner and a Florida commissioner were signaling that it was over.
The official time was 2:36 of round six. Bigger fights await the talented Lopez who improved to 13-0 with his tenth win inside the distance. Castillo declined to 25-7-1.
Co-Feature
In a stinker of a heavyweight fight, Stanley Wright, a paunchy, 34-year-old North Carolina journeyman, scored a big upset with a 10-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Jeremiah Milton.
Wright carried 280 pounds, 100 pounds more than in his pro debut 11 years ago. Although he was undefeated (13-0, 11 KOs), he had never defeated an opponent with a winning record and his last four opponents were a miserable 19-48-2. Moreover, he took the fight on short notice.
What Wright had going for him was fast hands and, in the opening round, he put Milton on the canvas with a straight right hand. From that point, Milton fought tentatively and Wright, looking fatigued as early as the fourth round, fought only in spurts. It seemed doubtful that he could last the distance, but Milton, the subject of a 2021 profile in these pages, was wary of Wright’s power and unable to capitalize. “It’s almost as if Milton is afraid to win,” said ringside commentator Chris Algieri during the ninth stanza when the bout had devolved into a hugfest.
The judges had it 96-93 and 97-92 twice for the victorious Wright who boosted his record to 14-0 without improving his stature.
Also
In the TV opener, a 10-round contest in the junior middleweight division, Najee Lopez stablemate Darrelle Valsaint (12-0, 10 KOs) scored his career-best win with a second-round knockout of 35-year-old Dutch globetrotter Stephen Danyo (23-7-3).
A native Floridian of Haitian descent, the 22-year-old Valsaint was making his eighth start in Plant City. He rocked Danyo with a chopping right hand high on the temple and then, as Danyo slumped forward, applied the exclamation point, a short left uppercut. The official time was 2:17 of round two.
To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE
Featured Articles
Japanese Superstar Naoya Inoue is Headed to Vegas after KOing Ye Joon Kim
Japan’s magnificent Naoya Inoue, appearing in his twenty-fourth title fight, scored his 11th straight stoppage tonight while successfully defending his unified super bantamweight title, advancing his record to 29-0 (26 KOs) at the expense of Ye Joon Kim. The match at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena came to an end at the 2:25 mark of round four when U.S. referee Mark Nelson tolled “10” over the brave but overmatched Korean.
Kim, raised in a Seoul orphanage, had a few good moments, but the “Monster” found his rhythm in the third round, leaving Kim with a purplish welt under his left eye. In the next frame, he brought the match to a conclusion, staggering the Korean with a left and then finishing matters with an overhand right that put Kim on the seat of his pants, dazed and wincing in pain.
Kim, who brought a 21-2-2 record, took the fight on 10 days’ notice, replacing Australia’s Sam Goodman who suffered an eye injury in sparring that never healed properly, forcing him to withdraw twice.
Co-promoter Bob Arum, who was in the building, announced that Inoue’s next fight would happen in Las Vegas in the Spring. Speculation centers on Mexico City’s Alan Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) who is ranked #1 by the WBC. However, there’s also speculation that the 31-year-old Inoue may move up to featherweight and seek to win a title in a fifth weight class, in which case a potential opponent is Brandon Figueroa should he defeat former Inoue foe Stephen Fulton next weekend. In “olden days,” this notion would have been dismissed as the Japanese superstar and Figueroa have different promoters, but the arrival of Turki Alalshikh, the sport’s Daddy Warbucks, has changed the dynamic. Tonight, Naoya Inoue made his first start as a brand ambassador for Riyadh Season.
Simmering on the backburner is a megafight with countryman Junto Nakatani, an easy fight to make as Arum has ties to both. However, the powers-that-be would prefer more “marination.”
Inoue has appeared twice in Las Vegas, scoring a seventh-round stoppage of Jason Moloney in October of 2020 at the MGM Bubble and a third-round stoppage of Michael Dasmarinas at the Virgin Hotels in June of 2021.
Semi-wind-up
In a 12-round bout for a regional welterweight title, Jin Sasaki improved to 19-1-1 (17) with a unanimous decision over Shoki Sakai (29-15-3). The scores were 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112.
Also
In a bout in which both contestants were on the canvas, Toshiki Shimomachi (20-1-3) edged out Misaki Hirano (11-2), winning a majority decision. A 28-year-old Osaka southpaw with a fan-friendly style, the lanky Shimomachi, unbeaten in his last 22 starts, competes as a super bantamweight. A match with Inoue may be in his future.
To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE
-
Featured Articles3 weeks ago
R.I.P. Paul Bamba (1989-2024): The Story Behind the Story
-
Featured Articles4 weeks ago
For Whom the Bell Tolled: 2024 Boxing Obituaries PART ONE (Jan.-June)
-
Featured Articles4 weeks ago
For Whom the Bell Tolled: 2024 Boxing Obituaries PART TWO: (July-Dec.)
-
Featured Articles4 weeks ago
Oleksandr Usyk is the TSS 2024 Fighter of the Year
-
Featured Articles3 weeks ago
Jai Opetaia Brutally KOs David Nyika, Cementing his Status as the World’s Top Cruiserweight
-
Featured Articles7 days ago
Skylar Lacy Blocked for Lamar Jackson before Making his Mark in Boxing
-
Featured Articles2 weeks ago
Bygone Days: The Largest Crowd Ever at Madison Square Garden Sees Zivic TKO Armstrong
-
Featured Articles1 week ago
Mizuki Hiruta Dominates in her U.S. Debut and Omar Trinidad Wins Too at Commerce