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Will The Pandemic Hurt Boxing in the Long Term?: A Blockbuster TSS Survey

The question for our final survey of 2020: What long-range effects, if any, will the Pandemic have on Boxing as a business and/or as a sport? Participation was robust. We received 50 responses. The respondents are listed in alphabetical order.
Jim Amato — author, writer, historian, collector: The fans don’t seem to be as “into it” as they were before the pandemic hit. This can change though in the next six to twelve months. Promoters and matchmakers need to put together some mega battles. There are several waiting to be made. The boxers HAVE to be willing to take on their best opponent. The fans are getting restless with “build-up” contests. It’s time to s–t or get off the pot for everyone involved.
Russ Anber — elite trainer, cornerman, and owner of Rival Boxing Equipment: Boxing, or the business thereof, will ultimately reflect whatever is happening in the world and in other sports and businesses. A new set of rules has been imposed on the world, and as a species and a sport, boxing and its participants will adapt to the new world order.
Matt Andrzejewski –TSS writer: Short term there has been an impact. Boxing gyms closing and the essential elimination of club shows in the US are examples. But long term this sport is resilient and there will be no major impact. Just look at the recent Horn-Tszyu card in Australia. There is still plenty of demand worldwide for the sport and once fans are allowed in, you will see them come rushing back to fill arenas.
David Avila — TSS West Coast Bureau Chief: Those who consider boxing gyms a second home now realize how easy it can be taken away.
Jeff Bumpus — writer; former professional boxer: I truly believe the results will be completely negligible. When the pandemic subsides, business will resume as it used to be. There were no real advantages or points of light to be taken from this period. Crowds are missed.
Steve Canton — voice of boxing in Florida: I don’t think the pandemic will have any long-range effect. It definitely has a short-term effect on both the sport and business of boxing. Fighters are not able to train and compete with the gyms being closed or limited and few shows being promoted with no (or few) spectators. There will be a time lapse before things are back to the way it was. We need gyms open, fighters (both amateur and professional) fighting, and shows being promoted in order to develop the “next generation” of stars. Eventually we will get there.
Anthony M. Cardinale, Esq. — fight manager: One good thing about the pandemic’s effect on the sport is to give the fighters, their managers, and hangers-on a better appreciation of the economics of the business of boxing. One critical revenue stream, site fees/ ticket sales, were stricken off the list and allowed the other side of the promotion to appreciate that you can only pay what is reasonable. As for the sport part, it has been interesting to see how little the crowd has to do with performance. Indeed, it let everyone watching know that the fighters are so focused that they do not hear the crowd, period. Finally, the lack of raucous crowd response to fan favorites, even when they miss, was taken out of the judging equation. I have always thought that the judges should have noise cancelling devices in order to better judge the bout; even on an subconscious level, crowd reaction plays too much into the judging.
Guy Casale — former professional boxer: It’s similar to that of other sports! Until we’re out of the woods and better ways are perfected to treat this virus.
Michael Culbert — retired professional boxer; former Massachusetts state champion: It will have no effect; things will get back to normal.
Jill Diamond –– WBC International Secretary and “WBC Cares” Chair: Boxing will always exist. And, when the Pandemic hit, boxing was on an upward curve. I believe that unless the promoters and the platforms find a common ground, we may never find that momentum again. Other combat sports don’t suffer from this business model and will eclipse boxing; especially when so many homebound people hunger for sports. They need and deserve the best of the best. Unless we give that to them, we will probably be KO’d. Of course, the ones who are most vulnerable are our athletes. Let’s unite and do better.
Rick Farris — president and founder of the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame: As far as I am concerned, the boxing I loved died long ago. I only write about the sport I love, and it no longer exists. So, through the WCBHOF, I am able to live in the past. The art of boxing no longer exists
Bernard Fernandez — TSS mainstay, lifetime member of the BWAA, 2020 IBHOF Inductee: They say absence makes the heart grow fonder. The lack of live boxing, or even boxing before small, socially-distanced turnouts, might ignite a firestorm of interest once the sport is fully opened to fans not required to wear masks or to treat the person next to him as if he had a communicable disease, which might well have been the case. But little or no live boxing might have the opposite effect, and remind fans that life did and can go on without unfettered access to the pugilistic arts. Only time will tell which way the pendulum swings.
Sue Fox — legendary female boxer; founder/president of WBAN™ and IWBHF: In the long run boxing will continue to suffer for an unknown time. The smaller promoters do not have the advantage of television networks, etc. to help with their indoor events. I am wondering how boxing events behind closed doors will, in the “big picture,” be able to sustain itself?
Jeffrey Freeman — (aka KO Digest), TSS writer: With this week’s surprise announcement that President Trump and his wife now have the China Virus, I don’t know what to think about the future of anything anymore. What I do know is that the free world (and America in particular) is under communist attack and that professional sports are being weaponized against us in the name of social justice. It’s not as bad in boxing as in some other sports (not yet anyway) but it’s only a matter of time until the forces of destruction turn their attention to boxing as “the most racist” of all sports, pitting poor black fighters against other poor black fighters for the entertainment of white spectators.
Clarence George -writer and historian: The effects will be inevitable, but insignificant. After all, how much more marginalized can boxing get?
Randy Gordon-former head of the New York State Athletic Commission; former editor of The Ring magazine; host of SiriusXM Radio’s “At the Fights, Inc”: The Pandemic which has decimated many businesses throughout the world, is sure to leave a long, ugly scar for many years. Boxing, along with MMA, led the sports world back into competition, albeit on a smaller scale and behind closed doors. No fans in attendance obviously affects the paychecks of all involved. Throughout history. the world has recovered from all types of disasters. It will recover from this one. Only time will tell how long it takes. However, the way boxing has come roaring back in the second half of 2020, my guess is that COVID-19 will not leave any long-term effects on the “Sweet Science.”
Lee Groves — author, writer and the wizard of CompuBox: I believe that boxing has dealt with this virus better than most sports, and thus I believe that it will once again prove its resilience. That said, the environment has changed; more champions are engaging in non-title fights and some fighters are adopting an accelerated schedule, perhaps because they are generating smaller purses for fighting less risky opponents. The recent Charlo PPV, priced at $74.95 and going up against the NBA conference final and UFC 253, generated better than expected numbers, so that’s a good sign.
Henry Hascup — boxing historian and President of the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame: The big-time fighters and promoters will come back. But I believe the small-time promoters and gyms will get hurt so bad that they may never recover. Some of these gym owners don’t have the means to stay open without some support. This will not only hurt the club fighters and the amateur program, but it will also hurt the people that work in the corners and at the gyms as well. The Veteran Boxing Organizations have also been hurt.
Chuck Hasson — historian, author: Without fan attendance, the whole atmosphere becomes dull (even to televiewers) and gradually without the excitement and noise from the attendees, interest might dwindle. Hope not.
Kevin Iole — award-winning journalist; covers MMA and boxing for Yahoo Sports: The scary thing that promoters are going to face is that fans have discovered that they can live without the fights. They’ve found other things to do during the crisis. So, I think the long-term result is that promoters will be more fan-centric, pricing tickets better and making fights the fans want to see far more quickly than in the past.
Mark Kram Jr. — noted author and writer: What should happen? All boxing events should be suspended pending the arrival of a reliable vaccine. What will happen? Business as usual.
Arne Lang — TSS editor-in-chief, author, historian: As soon as the fans are allowed back in the arenas with no social distancing, there will be a flood of important fights like we haven’t seen before. Will the fans return in the same numbers? I don’t know. But I know that other sports have alienated many of their patrons during these troubling months (which isn’t a value judgment; merely a fact) and boxing — by comparison — has not. So, if there is a drop-off in attendance, I would not expect it to be as severe as with the NBA and NFL.
Jimmy Lange — former fighter and promoter: I don’t believe the Pandemic, once it’s over, will affect the sport itself. The business will be affected as the rest of the country is. Clearly, the bottom line in boxing is ”asses in seats”…until we can open up as a country, across the board, life will not be the same for ANY business.
Ron Lipton — member of NJ and NY Boxing Halls of Fame, former fighter, retired police officer, writer, pro referee: The Pandemic has already had the most destructive long range effect on boxing as a sport and business. I refereed at the last professional boxing show in New York doing the Co-Main event at the Barclays Center on March 7, 2020 with heavyweight Efe Ajagba. Since that date there has been no professional boxing event in New York State. Everyone that loves Boxing wants to see it come back to the loyal boxing fans of New York with a venue adhering to all the protocol that the “Bubble” does in Las Vegas, Connecticut and elsewhere.
Robert Mladinich –– former fighter, author, writer, actor: Boxing was struggling in the U.S. even before the pandemic. Charging $75 for the PPV fight with the Charlo brothers during an economic downturn was idiotic. The nation is gripped by cynicism, pessimism, and world weariness. Boxing needs someone to make them feel positive and inspired. If ever there was a time to broadcast fights on free TV, it is now. I hope there is someone who can bring boxing back in the U.S. but I don’t see it happening any time soon.
Don Majewski — matchmaker, historian; affiliated with RING 8 and the NYSBHOF: If you are not one of the big four — Top Rank, PBC, Matchroom or Golden Boy — you will not able to subsidize cards as you will not be able to sell tickets to full capacity–nor make deals with casinos as they will not get the TV exposure. Neither will they be able to have enough live gate attendance to justify paying a site fee. The prohibitive costs of the additional Covid tests and insurance will cripple smaller promoters. It will have a profound effect on younger boxers starting out who are not established amateur stars or Olympians subsidized by huge bonuses. And we have to induce fans to throw caution to the wind and return to arenas to attend bouts. The best solution is for promoters to be more proactive with streaming options and for major, privately owned arenas – ala Barclays Center and MSG and Resorts or Turning Star — to open their own boxing promotional entities and subsidize cards until we return to a semblance of normalcy.
Adeyinka Makinde — U.K. barrister, author and contributor to the Cambridge Companion to Boxing: There will be a short to medium term effect that will be hurtful. The economic downturn of national economies will hit the pockets of fans who will not have their previous level of disposable income. And, of course, the limitations on public gatherings may endure even after the worst of the pandemic if the present modifications become ‘the new normal’. Boxing will have to adapt to survive long-term, and promoters need to think of ways to surmount this. They may want to tap into the strategies utilized by the UFC which has continued to stage events throughout the present crisis.
Scoop Malinowski — boxing writer, author, Mr. “Biofile”: I’m very concerned for boxing’s future. Boxing in America has been struggling and the virus factor will do further damage. There are no American stars who generate big box office and there are few super fights to spark a new golden era. Spence vs. Crawford, Fury vs. AJ must be made and they must deliver. Loma vs. Lopez can be the spark boxing so desperately needs.
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…Where does an aspiring pro fighter get their experience and, just as importantly, a pay-day? Is it possible that in the short-to-medium run, streaming of events will be the new model?… Harry Otty
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Paul Magno– writer, author, official: I’m going to be realistic–boxing will probably not learn a damn thing from this. I mean, that’s just what history tells us. The hope, however, is that the fans’ sluggish return and general post-layoff ambivalence will finally open eyes as to how much they’ve done to turn off a very loyal base. Maybe it’ll sound off an alarm about the current rotten, growth-poisoning business model. Maybe it’ll spark an effort towards exposing more people to the sport and cooperating more, knocking down some of the business obstacles to give fans the fights they want to see. I’m hoping against hope that the fans not rushing back to the sport after the COVID layoff will encourage change.
David Martinez — historian, writer: It is possible with no live fan base in attendance that the average fans will vanish as quickly as a Houdini act, with only the true loyalist to remain. Until we are “completely” free of this virus will boxing or any other sport be the way it was? My involvement in the sport of boxing goes back to 1961, so I have no intention of abandoning what has been embedded in my veins for almost 60 years. May God grant us wisdom and good health for all the human race.
Ernest Morales (aka Geno Febus) — former fighter, writer: The sport will continue to suffer economically having no live gate. The lack/shortage of quality fights has caused fans to lose interest. Promoters are desperately trying to squeeze the fans to pay MORE for LESS. Fighters will be forced to take fights they have been avoiding and accepting less money. Time for less posturing.
Diego Morilla – Argentine boxing correspondent; editor with the “The Ring en Español”: The effects will be felt for many years to come. During what we assume will be an 18-month situation in which travel restrictions, lockdowns and other limitations have seriously affected the economy in general, boxing felt the effect like no other sport. True, the individual nature of the sport made it easier for combatants to return to action, since you need to test a lower number of people for boxing than for any team sport. But the international character of the competition was almost completely lost since entire countries have endured a complete shutdown that will keep many fighters away from the ring and/or a significant level of competition for more than a year.
Harry Otty — (aka “Boxscribe”); historian: It seems like the gradual decline of boxing is following a long-established path. First, the arrival of TV negatively impacts small hall shows – the very places an apprentice would learn their trade – then the TV companies are looking for big-selling events for advertising etc, then for PPV with a decent headliner. From lots of small events, to fewer small events, then to smaller crowds, and now – thanks to social distancing – no crowds. Where does an aspiring pro fighter get their experience and, just as importantly, a payday? Training and sparring under these circumstances is also an issue. Just as with every professional sport, boxing without a crowd sucks; even if you get to ‘virtually ‘ attend. It is difficult to get excited by these events. On the horizon (Dec. 11) we have Joseph Parker vs Junior Fa – it will be good to see a big, well-attended boxing event again – hopefully the rest of the world will not be too far behind.
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…That huge gap in level of activity and competition, combined with the psychological damage brought on by uncertainty and the overall feeling of “unfairness” of how things have played out, will prove to be a terrible combination in the near future, and in the long range it may reshape the entire boxing industry, with fighters resettling to boxing hotspots around the world just to avoid being left out in case of another event of this nature (a trend that has already started)…. -Diego Morilla
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Luis Pabon — elite referee: Covid has affected small promoters because without an audience it is not cost-effective to promote boxing. All of the boxers on the rise are affected accordingly. Others who are greatly impacted are the foreign officials like referees and judges…nobody talks about us…How long can the big promotors endure without a public? Will we get PPV to recover profits?
Russell Peltz — semi-retired promoter, manager; 2004 IBHOF Inductee: It is hurting the small promoters the most, the ones who fill the cupboards for the bigger promoters. They struggled without television and now they cannot operate without ticket sales. I see how the bigger promoters are using fighters they never would have used under normal circumstances because the talent pool has shrunk. Fighters have taken jobs and are not in the gym. I had one foot out the door before it started. It must be karma because 2020 was the first year since I began in 1969 that I did not take out a promoter’s license, only a manager’s license. I feel terrible for promoters who rely on ticket sales, especially Michelle Rosado (Raging Babe), one of the hardest-working promoters around today. She had to close down her sold out (SRO) March 27 card in Philly. Who knows when she will be able to resume? I feel terrible for the four- and six-round kids who lack financial backing. The only fights they can get now are against amateur monsters turning pro or undefeated blue-chip prospects.
Ross Puritty — former boxer (conqueror of Wladimir Klitschko): Short term it has been great for boxing because people don’t have much else to do but watch sports. It has reignited interest.
Dennis Rappaport-former promotor and manager: Short term the pandemic is extremely difficult and challenging for boxing. However, long term I don’t see any adverse effect as long as they ultimately eliminate it.
John Raspanti — lead writer/editor for MaxBoxing; author: I don’t believe Covid-19 will have any long-term effects on boxing. For reference I look to is baseball, basketball and football. All have rebounded reasonably well. Football’s ratings are solid. As terrible as this crisis is, sports are very important and a necessary escape for our nation. Boxing will be fine.
Fred Romano –– boxing historian, author, and former HBO Boxing consultant: As with other sports the pandemic is allowing people ample time to realize that they can survive without their regular dose. This is particularly troubling for boxing which was already struggling with creating interest in second-tier bouts. I believe the flagship bouts will bounce back in 2021 with respectable interest. As always, the sport will wade its way through the troubled waters with the a crop of stars ultimately emerging.
Dana Rosenblatt — former world middleweight title-holder: The “Vid” will not have any affect on the sport of boxing whether it be in the US or anywhere else in the world. The last time I checked, the oldest professions known to mankind are prostitution and fighting for money.
“Iceman” John Scully — manager, trainer, commentator, writer, historian: I think of all the kids who may have started boxing somewhere at a gym in this world over the last several months who now may never enter a gym after all. Kind of crazy but the next Sugar Ray Leonard or Roy Jones could have walked into a gym and in 10 years from now could have been a great fighter and a major star. The Butterfly Effect.
Mike Silver — author of The Night the Referee Hit Back: Since a live audience was no longer a priority before the virus, it will not be a priority when it finally goes away. Studio boxing was predicted a long time ago, but who knew it would take a pandemic to make it the rule rather than the exception? But unless the sport can develop new stars, promote attractive matches (don’t hold your breath waiting for Crawford vs. Spence) and have one champion per weight class it will never expand its fan base.
Alan Swyer — filmmaker, writer, and producer of the acclaimed “El Boxeo”: I’d like to think that boxing will come back stronger than ever, but I doubt it. While boxers, trainers, and cutmen go without paychecks, the public’s interest wanes. Meanwhile, Canelo fights legal battles, the excitement brewing in the heavyweight division fades, and what do we get in the meantime? Rumors of Tyson and Oscar returning, plus Manny facing McGregor. Those are the contemporary equivalents of Jesse Owens running against a race horse. We need better!
Ted Sares — TSS boxing writer: The pandemic is forcing Boxing to engage in too many sideshows and that can only hurt. The key is whether bubbles—the Eddie Hearn type– will be enough to hold the interest until a vaccine is discovered. If the pandemic lasts more than 9 months, the prognosis for boxing will be less than positive.
Rich Torsney — former fighter, boxing official: I think it’s huge. Small time and mid-level promoters can’t finance shows without a live gate. Without feeder shows I don’t see how a boxer can be built to learn the craft. Even once the pandemic subsides, I believe there will be a shift in the public’s attitude in attending large gatherings of all types, not only boxing. And even a subtle shift will register big with promoters of club shows who are always on the edge regarding covering costs. Also, I’ve watched a few pretty good shows promoted by the big players in places like the MGM Bubble. My take on them is that the matchmaking aspects become even more critical. Without a live audience to add emotion, the participants must really come to fight or the channel will be turned. Action fighters may get the nod over stylists. I’m worried for the sport. Without a feeder program; amateur shows, club shows and mid-level shows, how does a boxer grow?
Bruce Trampler-Top Rank matchmaker; 2010 IBHOF inductee: Because promoters can’t sell tickets and most promoters don’t have TV backing, there is a huge drop-off in number of fight cards around the country and the world. Because there are hardly any shows, most fighters aren’t even in the gym. Why train when there is nothing to get ready for? Best comparison is to Hollywood. Because film production is shut down, actors aren’t acting and directors aren’t directing. Theater owners have no films to show so nobody’s going to the movies. At Top Rank, we’re fortunate that ESPN has given us X number of telecasts a year, but what about the dozens of other promoters who can’t afford to run shows without ticket sales?
Bob Trieger – boxing and MMA writer; sports public relations consultant: Boxing will lose fans who either have found other ways to spend their time or have gotten into other sports. And I think we will lose some promoters who aren’t backed by TV or streaming deals, and club shows will be more rare, which will harm fighters’ development in the long run.
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…in the long run, boxing suffers greatly. Fans find other areas of interest. Fighters get a year or two older, amateurs can’t develop on USA Boxing cards, trainers and boxers stop going to the gym, and the sport gets set back several years which it can’t afford. I don’t know if 2021 Olympics happen in Tokyo yet, but wait till you see how weak our 2024 team will be. — Bruce Trampler
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Peter Wood — author, writer and former fighter: Just like Broadway theater, boxing will make it’s comeback—boxing is all about comebacks. Besides, boxing is theater—theater with blood. People can’t stay away.
Gary “Digital” Williams — the voice of “Boxing on the Beltway”: I think there will be a lengthy transition while the sport tries to figure out where it’s going. My concern is how do they bring back the fans to the arenas? That will be the longest transition. That will definitely take some time.
Observations:
There appears to be a split between those who believe boxing will survive despite the pandemic and those who believe it will suffer a serious setback.
Some think a live audience is necessary; others don’t.
Many acknowledged that small gyms are definitely in danger; in fact, the entire underbelly of boxing has been severely impacted. In this connection, Harry Otty asks a key question: “Where does an aspiring pro fighter get their experience and, just as importantly, a pay-day?”
Where do you stand? How do you think the pandemic will impact boxing going forward?
Ted Sares can be reached at tedsares@roadrunner.com or on Facebook
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Weekend Boxing Recap: Okolie in Manchester, Ramirez in Fresno and More

The media room at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas was as underpopulated as North Dakota this weekend. Only a handful of America’s A-list boxing writers attended the Benavidez-Plant card. Prominent wordsmiths like Kevin Iole, Mike Coppinger, and Dan Rafael were nowhere to be found.
Inside the boxing arena, however, the joint was full. One guesses that the Grand Garden was configured to hold 13,865 as that was the announced attendance and there didn’t appear to be an empty seat in the house. And the attendees arrived earlier than was the norm for a major Las Vegas fight card. The high rollers that arrive fashionably late (if there were any) were vastly out-numbered by true boxing fans, primarily Mexican-American on this particular occasion, who left the show in good spirits after Arizona-born David Benavidez, the self-styled Mexican Monster, manhandled brave but out-gunned Caleb Plant.
There were notable fights elsewhere on Saturday. Across the pond in Manchester, England, Lawrence Okolie, widely regarded as the sport’s best cruiserweight, won a lopsided decision over Australia’s David Light, advancing his record to 19-0 while successfully defending his WBO world title belt.
Okolie (pictured) was making his first start in 13 months. In the interim, he ditched his promoter Eddie Hearn in favor of Ben Shalom and ditched his trainer Shane McGuigan in favor of SugarHill Steward.
He and McGuigan appeared to be a great fit. With McGuigan in his corner, he was 7-0 with six wins inside the distance. His initial foray under Steward was a dull fight reminiscent of some of Okolie’s early efforts. He had a point deducted for excessive clinching but it was a moot point as Okolie breezed, winning by scores of 119-108, 117-110, and 116-112. Light was 20-0 heading in, but was sorely outclassed.
By all accounts, the Okolie-McGuigan divorce was an amicable split. Okolie trained for this bout in Miami and McGuigan had too much on his plate to accompany Okolie to the Sunshine State.
Okolie appears headed toward a domestic showdown with fellow Londoner Richard Riakporhe who is also unbeaten (16-0, 12 KOs). Physically, these two late-bloomers, both of whom stand six-foot-five, are virtual clones. A bigger fight for him would be a match with IBF belt-holder Jai Opetaia, the lineal cruiserweight champion, who is still recovering from the two broken jaws he suffered while de-throning long-reigning 200-pound champion Maris Briedis in a fight that will live long in Australian boxing lore.
The Okolie-Light undercard was cheesy including a BBBofC super featherweight title fight between Michael Gomez Jr and Levi Giles, two fighters who built their records on the backs of professional losers. Gomez won a split decision. Also, 31-year-old heavyweight Frazer Clarke, a bronze medalist in the Tokyo Olympics, improved to 6-0 (5) at the expense of Romania’s Bogdan Dinu, a late sub who performed about as expected, retiring on his stool after two rounds.
Fresno
The Benavidez-Plant card went head-to-head with a Top Rank show in Fresno featuring local fan favorite Jose Carlos Ramirez. It was the second fight back for Ramirez after losing a close decision to Josh Taylor with all four 140-pound belts on the line and his first fight in 13 months. In the opposite corner was former world lightweight titlist Richard Commey, a 36-year-old Ghanaian.
Ramirez came out like gangbusters and hurt Commey in the opening minute. But Commey survived the onslaught and came back to win some of the middle rounds. In round 11, Ramirez closed the show. After decking Commey with a right hand that didn’t appear to be particularly hurtful, he delivered a vicious left hook to the liver and Commey was counted out while taking a knee.
Ramirez improved to 28-1 with his 18th knockout. His promoter Bob Arum is expected to rekindle negotiations with Regis Prograis who won the vacant WBC 140-pound diadem in November with an 11th round stoppage of Jose Zepeda. Commey (30-5-1) has lost three of his last five.
In the co-feature, East LA’s Seniesa Estrada picked up a second world title belt at 105 pounds with a lopsided decision over Germany’s previously undefeated Tina Rupprecht. Estrada (24-0, 9 KOs) won all 10 rounds on all three cards which was misleading as many of the rounds were close.
(The victory opens the door to a true unification fight with Costa Rica’s Yokasta Valle who has won 15 straight since losing a decision to Rupprecht in Munich in 2018. Valle was also in action on Saturday night. At a beach resort hotel in Guanacaste, Valle successfully defended her titles with a wide decision over Mexican invader Jessica Basulto.)
In another bout of note on the Fresno card, SoCal lightweight Raymond Muratalla (17-0, 14 KOs) overcame adversity to score a ninth-round stoppage over Tijuana’s Humberto Galindo (14-3-1).
Galindo caught Muratalla against the ropes in the opening round and put him down with a left-right combination. Muratalla returned the favor three rounds later and ended the contest in round nine with a series of punches which deposited Galindo on the deck where he stayed for the 10-count.
According to Jake Donovan, Top Rank plans to pit Muratalla against Namibia’s Jeremiah Nakathila on the Lomachenko-Haney card tentatively scheduled for May 20 in Las Vegas. Nakathila upset Miguel Berchelt in his last outing, dominating the former super featherweight title-holder en route to a sixth-round stoppage.
Also
Two 10-round preliminaries preceded Saturday’s SHOWTIME pay-per-view at the MGM Grand. Both contests played out in a similar fashion.
In a super bantamweight contest, Culiacan, Mexico’s Kevin Gonzalez stayed unbeaten with a clear-cut unanimous decision over Colombia’s Jose Sanmartin. The judges had it 99-91, 98-92, and 97-93.
Gonzalez, who advanced to 26-0-1, fought mostly in flurries but worked the body well and landed the cleaner punches. It was the U.S. debut for Sanmartin (34-7-1) who had been in with the likes of Emanuel Navarrete and Mauricio Lara.
In the lid-lifter, Orestes Valasquez, a 29-year-old Cuban defector who has been training in Las Vegas under Ismael Salas, stepped up in class and won a 10-round unanimous decision over Argentina’s Marcelino Lopez. The judges had it 97-93 and 99-91 twice.
A 16-year pro, Lopez brought a 37-2-1 record. His signature win was a second-round blowout of former world title-holder Pablo Cesar Cano. Valasquez was extended the distance for the first time after opening his pro career with six wins by stoppage.
Ramirez-Commey photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images
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David Benavidez Starts Slow but Finishes Strong, Overcomes Caleb Plant

LAS VEGAS-David “The Mexican Monster” Benavidez proved too strong and simply overpowered Caleb Plant after a tight early half of the fight to win going away by unanimous decision in the super middleweight elimination fight on Saturday.
Plant would not quit.
“Caleb Plant is a tough fighter. He gave me everything in the first few rounds,” said Benavidez who had predicted he would not go the distance.
Arizona’s feared Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) was unable to stop Plant (22-2, 13 KOs) but battered his way to victory before a sold-out crowd at the MGM Garden Arena. Despite no knockdowns it was clear who was stronger.
Plant used his speed and footwork to maneuver in and out of danger in the match and gained control for the first four rounds. His hand speed and ability to clinch in tight quarters with the aid of referee Kenny Bayless gave the Las Vegas-based fighter an early advantage.
Things turned around when Plant clinched then smacked Benavidez who thought it would be a clean break. That seemed to spark Benavidez into berserker mode.
From the seventh round on Benavidez punched through clinches and would not allow Plant to take advantage. In the eighth round Benavidez powered through and Plant seemed staggered and hurt by the Arizona fighter’s power. But he kept upright.
Benavidez took advantage of Plant’s inability to maneuver as he did before and hammered the former champion who lost to Canelo Alvarez with triple left hooks and overhand rights. Plant would not go down and held on and absorbed the punishment.
The 10th round saw Benavidez dominate every second of the round. Plant tried fighting back but his punches lacked any power and Benavidez battered him from post to post, It was a round that could have been stopped or scored 10-8.
“I think I was catching him with a lot of power shots and that’s why I’m called the Mexican Monster because I keep coming like a monster,” said Benavidez.
Plant proved unwilling to quit despite cuts on his face and withstanding some hellish blows. The slender super middleweight refused to go down and somehow withstood the punishment.
It was remarkable bravery on his part.
When the final bell rang Plant tried valiantly to fight it out with Benavidez but just did not have the power to hurt the most feared man in the super middleweight division. Despite all the heated words during the promotion of the fight, the two warriors hugged and shook hands warmly. The animosity was gone.
“I know there was a lot said between us but in the end we settled this like men. He’s a helluva fighter. I’m happy we gave the fans the best rivalry of the year or the last five years. I’m just very happy,” said Benavidez.
Plant was equally benevolent.
“David’s a hell of a fighter. We settled it like men in the ring,” said Plant. “You roll the dice someone is going to get their hand raised. No excuse, David was the better man, he is a hell of a fighter.”
Benavidez now is the number one ranked WBC super middleweight and a mandatory for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez who is undisputed world champion.
Other Bouts
Arizona’s Jesus Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs) proved too strong for Michigan’s strongman Joey Spencer (16-1, 10 KOs) and ended the fight by stoppage at the end of the seventh round in the super welterweight contest.
Ramos scored early with a left-hand knockdown in the first round and powered his way past Spencer in almost every round. Spencer was valiant throughout the match but just couldn’t match Ramos speed or strength. Most of the fight took place in close.
“After the first round knockdown I kinda knew my power was too much,” said Ramos.
Despite an early first round knockdown Chris Colbert (17-1, 6 KOs) won by unanimous decision in a lightweight fight over the more aggressive and busier Jose Valenzuela (12-2, 8 KOs) in a decision that left the fans very displeased.
“He lost for a reason,” said Colbert as fans booed lustily.
A counter left cross floored Colbert in the first round and Valenzuela took control early with more punching to the body and head as Colbert covered up. It was a tactic he used often and was rewarded by the judges.
Valenzuela was not pleased at all.’
“I dominated,” said Valenzuela.
All three judges scored it 95-94 for Colbert.
Welterweights
Canada’s Cody Crowley (22-0, 9 KOs) imposed his will early against Arizona’s Abel Ramos (27-6-2, 21 KOs) and held on for the victory by majority decision down the stretch in a brutal war for the right to fight for the WBC welterweight title.
A knockdown scored in the 11th round by Ramos by a counter right cross was reversed by the Nevada Commission after a replay of the blow revealed his glove did not touch the ground. That proved beneficial to Crowley in the scoring.
Crowley pressured Ramos throughout the first eight rounds then the fight changed and was fought at a distance as Ramos used pot shots to score heavily from that moment on.
Ramos rallied by staying in the middle of the ring and using the space to crack the always pressuring Crowley with long range shots. From the ninth round on the scoring got tighter with Crowley scoring rapid combinations and Ramos scoring with heavy shots.
After 12 rounds one judge saw it even 114-114, two others saw Crowley the winner 115-113, 116-112. Crowley now gets the shot at the WBC title held by Errol Spence Jr.
“This fight was something else,” said a tearful Crowley whose father recently died. “If not for my dad I wouldn’t be here today.”
Photo credit: Al Applerose
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Featured Articles
Avila Perspective, Chap. 229: Benavidez, Plant and NCAA Hoops in Vegas

Avila Perspective, Chap. 229: Benavidez, Plant and NCAA Hoops in Vegas
If you know the history of Las Vegas, it’s endured a number of phases since its first major growth spurt when the Hoover Dam project brought thousands to the desert region in the 1930s.
Then came the New York phase when the Flamingo Hotel was built in the 1940s and was followed by numerous other major casino hotels like the Sands, the Dunes and the Aladdin. Of course, boxing was always a way to entice people to the desert.
This Saturday, four star boxing returns to Las Vegas. But it be competing against the western regional finals of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Prepare for crowds.
Las Vegas is packed.
Undefeated David Benavidez (26-0, 23 KOs) meets once-beaten Caleb Plant (22-1, 13 KOs) at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 25. The TGB Promotions card will be televised on Showtime pay-per-view.
The winner gets a shot at undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. And that means big money.
It’s all happening in Las Vegas and so will the NCAA tournament. Expect an extremely crowded Strip as fans of boxing and basketball convene on the strip by the thousands. Its also a gambler’s paradise for betting so make sure you allow yourself time because the lines will be long at the sportsbooks.
When I first visited Las Vegas in the early 1970s sports betting was done outside of the casinos. The state law back then prohibited sportsbooks inside hotel-casinos. My favorite sportsbook, for sentimental reasons, is the Westgate Hotel, formerly the Hilton International. It’s has a huge sports betting area.
I’m not a betting type of guy but sports betting to me is the center of everything and adds luster to the atmosphere of Las Vegas. You won’t find a sports book in California.
Boxing has always been a sport made for betting, probably since the stone age.
When Benavidez steps into the prize ring he will be the big favorite but if you truly know boxing, Plant does have a chance. Anything can happen in boxing. Anything.
A man can parachute from the sky and land in the middle of the fight as happened back in 1993 when Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe were combatting for the heavyweight title at Caesars Palace. Of course, this won’t happen on Saturday because the fight is indoors at the MGM Hotel.
One major lesson about pro boxing is that nothing is a sure thing.
Though Benavidez has power and has never been defeated, he could tear an Achilles tendon right during the fight. Or he could break a wrist delivering a punch. I’ve also seen a great fighter like Pernell Whitaker get his clavicle broken from a single punch and be unable to continue.
Don’t bet your house on the outcome.
What you will see on Saturday is two very talented super middleweights with completely different fighting styles engage. They do not seem to care for each other but that doesn’t matter. It’s a fight, not a marble contest.
Words have been exchanged all through the promotion. But words don’t mean a thing once the first bell rings.
Plant has speed, agility and solid defensive skills. His only loss came to Canelo Alvarez. That’s more a medal of honor than an embarrassment.
“I feel I’m the better boxer, I have the better IQ and I have more experience,” said Plant. “I have the better pedigree and its going to show on Saturday night.”
Benavidez has power, speed and a very solid chin. He seems to intimidate foes with a come forward style that reminds me of a young George Foreman.
“We’re going to see what that chin is like on Saturday,” said Benavidez.
Supporting fights
Cody Crowley meets Abel Ramos in an welterweight elimination fight for the WBC title held by Errol Spence Jr.
Both of these guys are rough and tough. It’s the ram versus the bull.
The other Ramos, Abel’s brother Jesus, is fighting Joey Spencer in a super welterweight clash.
Six other fights are planned at the MGM Grand.
Top Rank
Fresno’s Jose Carlos Ramirez (27-1, 17 KOs) gets a hometown crowd when he meets Richard Commey (30-4-1, 27 KOs) on Saturday March 25. The former super lightweight titlist needs a win to get back in the hunt. ESPN will televise the Top Rank card.
“All of a sudden after one loss people started walking away,” said Ramirez. “We’re focused on Richard Commey.”
Commey wants what Ramirez wants too, a title.
“I really want to become a two-time world champion, so I’m coming strong,” said Commey.
Also on the same Fresno card will be WBA titlist Seniesa Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) seeking to unify the minimumweight titles against Germany’s WBC titlist Tina Rupprecht (12-0-1, 3 KOs).
“This is the moment that Ive dreamed of since I was seven years old,” said Estrada. “Its crazy to think how far I’ve come in this sport.”
Rupprecht is also excited.
It’s a big honor to fight for both titles,” Rupprecht said. “This is always what I wanted.”
Fights to Watch
Sat. Showtime ppv 6 p.m David Benavidez (26-0) vs Caleb Plant (22-1); Cody Crowley (21-0) vs Abel Ramos (27-5-2).
Sat. ESPN 7 p.m. Jose Carlos Ramirez (27-1) vs Richard Commey (30-4-1); Seniesa Estrada (23-0) vs Tina Rupprecht (12-0-1).
Photo credit: Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions
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