A Split for the Pulev Brothers and a Big Upset on the Undercard of ‘TrillerVerz5’

Published

2 years ago

May 15, 2022

A-Split-for-the-Pulev-Brothers-and-a-Big-Upset-on-the-Undercard-of-'Triller-Verz5'

RINGSIDE REPORT by TSS SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT TARRAH ZEAL – It was an eventful Saturday night for TrillerVerz 5 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA. The show, titled ‘Lineage of Greatness,’ featured a well-known family blood line of boxers including Pulev, Vargas and Holyfield.

The Pulev brothers headlined as the co-main and main event, but only one was successful.

Main Event

Former light heavyweight titlist Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (35-4-1, 29 KOs) starred in a new weight class and defeated the younger unbeaten Pulev brother, Tervel Pulev (16-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round cruiserweight battle.

Russia’s Kovalev schooled his Bulgarian opponent with the jab to capture a unanimous decision. The scorecards read as 97-93 and 98-92 twice for Kovalev. This was Kovalev’s first appearance in the ring since his knockout loss against Canelo Alvarez back in November 2019.

“I was worried about how I was going to be in this fight”, said Kovalev. “After a long rest, it was a little harder than usual.” Kovalev’s performance in the ring was rather cautious and calculated. His opponent wanted to put his skills to the test against the former light heavyweight fighter, but every time Pulev came up short.

Pulev started the opening round with a tone of aggression but was unsuccessful in landing any notable punches against Kovalev. In the final round, one lead punch landed upon Kovalev pushing him back. This gave Pulev an ounce of hope, but Kovalev responded quickly and answered Pulev with several clean, hard punches, keeping him at a distance. Kovalev repeatedly won the rounds with an effective jab and by landing the bigger and heavier punches. “The plan was to use the jab and long distance,” Kovalev said after his successful win in a new division.

Co- Main

The co-main event, matching Kubrat Pulev against Jerry Forrest, caused a bit of delay and controversy in regard to a glove situation. Because Forrest’s gloves did not fit the fighter, finding a new pair of gloves that not only fit but satisfied Pulev’s team needed to happen before the fight could begin. Pulev (23-2, 15 KOs) loaned Forrest (26-5-2, 20 KOs) a pair of his own back-up boxing gloves. Replays of earlier fights from the night were not entertaining during the delay and the crowd grew frustrated as they waited for the fight to begin.

In his first fight since losing to Anthony Joshua in 2020, Pulev the 41- year-old Bulgarian, dominated the strong and resilient American heavyweight fighter. In the beginning rounds, both boxers danced around the ring with quick touch-and-go combinations. Pulev mainly kept Forrest up against the ropes swinging hard hooks to the head but slightly missing. In round three, a straight right hand stunned Pulev backwards. Pulev responded quickly and the two fighters got into a bit of mix-up in the center of the ring. Kubrat kept Forrest on the ropes throwing hard hooks. The crowd cheered with excitement as the round ended with a flurry of uppercuts upon the chin of Forrest.

A cut over the right eye of Kubrat ended the fifth round. A repeating trend between the two heavyweights carried into the next couple of rounds: landing punches, movement around the ring, a mix-up and continuous holding causing the ref to break up the two. By round seven, it was clear that Pulev was dominating the fight. His hard jabs and swinging hooks almost emptied Forrest’s energy tank. The ring doctor examined Forrest before allowing him to continue on to the eighth round although it was clear how exhausted Forrest was.

In the tenth and final round, Forrest squeezed all that he had left in him as he kept moving clumsily forward towards hard-hitting Pulev. Before the final bell, a straight hard jab staggered Pulev back reminding the Bulgarian fighter that the fight was not over. But Pulev laughed it off and closed in on his opponent. The judges scored the bout 98-92 and 99-91 twice for Pulev for the unanimous decision win.

VARGAS

Former middleweight champion Fernando “El Feroz” Vargas Sr. started a legacy of his own with his sons following closely in his footsteps. All three of Vargas’ sons continued the family dynasty and their father’s legacy with superior wins Saturday night.

Making his debut into the professional boxing world, seven-time amateur champion Emiliano ‘El General’ Vargas (1-0, 1 KO) destroyed his opponent Mark Salgado (1-2, 1 KO) only 2:09 in the opening round. Vargas gave his opponent no room to respond as he packed on the punches with hard-hitting combinations pushing him to the corner. With a look of fury upon the face of the hungry 18-year-old, Vargas connected repeated left hooks upon Salgado and knocked him down to the canvas. After being knocked down once and noticeably unable to keep his head steady after a flurry of punches was followed up, referee Jose Cobian stopped the bout. The crowd roared in agreement.

Emiliano is being proclaimed the “special one” of the trio by his two older brothers. “Watch out for me. I’m still a kid, wait until I get my man strength. The Vargas dynasty is here to stay,” says the youngest.

The eldest of the three, Fernando Vargas Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs) dominated his opponent Terrance Jarmon (3-1) in a scheduled six round super welterweight battle. Southpaw Vargas Jr. threw a quick right cross upon the chin of Jarmon, testing his opponent in the early seconds of the first round. It wasn’t long before a three-punch combo sent Jarmon to the canvas. The referee allowed Jarmon to continue, only to see him knocked down twice more. The fight ended after the third knock down. Vargas Jr. remained undefeated with a knockout win in round one.

Twenty-one-year-old Amado “El Malvado” Vargas (4-0, 2 KOs) opened the show as he faced Anel Dudo (1-4, 1 KO) of Aurora, Colorado. Vargas, who turned pro last year, continued his undefeated record as he won the judges favor in a junior lightweight battle. The bout heard the final bell but not before Vargas schooled his opponent all four rounds with his powerful punches. All three judges scored the bout: 39-36 for Vargas. “I wanted to knock him out, he’s never been knocked out. I just listened to my dad. He told me to keep boxing”, says Amado. Vargas Sr. recapped his son’s fight shortly after stating, “It’s a learning fight. All fights are learning fights.”

HOLYFIELD

Son of legend Evander “The Real Deal” Holyfield, Evan ‘Yung Holy’ Holyfield (9-1, 6 KOs) suffered the first loss of his career by a crushing knockout at the hands of Jurmain “The Fighting Electrician” McDonald (7-5, 3 KOs) who fights out of Jefferson City, Missouri.

In the scheduled six-round welterweight battle, Holyfield remained calm and steady as he fought at the center of the ring looking for the perfect opportunity to catch his opponent off guard, but McDonald beat him to the punch. McDonald stayed busier throwing shots and moving around the ring, and he eventually caught Holyfield with a variety of shots. In round two, McDonald shut down any doubts of him with a big right hook to the head of Holyfield, knocking him to the canvas. In an extreme upset and complete shock heard through the stadium, Referee Raul Caiz Jr. stopped the fight at the 8-count ending the second round at 1:56.

“Boxing is starting to become more protected. Evan was not in the conscious state he needed to be in,” says Shawn Porter who was standing ringside reporting on all the fights.

Vargas Sr. was asked what advice he would give Holyfield if that was his son who had lost in the way he did and in a fatherly and inspiring response, said, “I told him. Champ keep your head up. It happens, sometimes we get caught. You’re still Holy.”

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Gilberto Ramirez Advances to 44-0 at the Expense of Easy Mark Dominic Boesel

Ramirez Outpoints Barthelemy and Vergil Ortiz Scores Another Fast KO in Fresno

Published

13 hours ago

April 27, 2024

David A. Avila

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Northern California favorite Jose Ramirez avoided an upset and knockout artist Vergil Ortiz destroyed his opponent on Saturday to set up a showdown with Australia’s power-punching Tim Tszyu.

After a 13-month layoff Ramirez (29-1, 18 KOs) shook off ring rust and avoided an upset by Cuba’s Rances Barthelemy (30-3-1, 15 KOs) in a battle between former world champions at Save Mart Center in Fresno.

It was Ramirez’s first bout under Golden Boy Promotions and he was nearly derailed by the slick counter-punching southpaw in the third and six rounds with laser left counters that connected every time. Though he was floored in the third round it was ruled a push down by referee Jack Reiss.

Fans gasped.

“He throws that left hand and I got hit with it in one round,” Ramirez said. “It motivated him.”

Once Ramirez figured out the remedy, he kept the fight inside and attacked the body and head. Barthelemy was unable to uncork one of his long lefts at close distance.

From the seventh round on the former super lightweight champion took control and kept the Cuban fighter against the ropes and unloaded shots to the body and head. He nearly forced a stoppage in the 11^th round.

Barthelemy survived but all three judges scored it big for Ramirez after 12 rounds: 119-109 twice and 118-110.

Vergil KOs Number 21

Knowing a win sets up a massive showdown against Aussie slugger Tim Tszyu, the Texas slugger Vergil Ortiz (21-0, 21 KOs) wasted no time in blasting out Puerto Rico’s Thomas Dulorme (26-7-1, 17 KOs) with a perfectly placed left hook to the body. Dulorme collapsed to the ground in agony.

Referee Tom Taylor stopped counting at 2:39 of the first round.

“It was a very calculated punch,” Ortiz said.

It was a commanding one round performance that sets up the showdown against the equally powerful Tszyu who despite losing a split decision to Sebastian Fundora last month by split decision, retains his reputation as a dangerous puncher.

Ortiz, who has 21 knockouts in 21 fights, will probably be fighting Tszyu in Los Angeles on June 1 if all negotiations go smoothly.

“Tim (Tszyu) I know you are watching the fight,” said Ortiz. “I’m ready. Let’s put on a great performance.”

Other Bouts

Oscar Duarte (27-2-1, 22 KOs) proved his knockout loss against Ryan Garcia would not stop him from improving as he defeated Jojo Diaz (33-6-1) by knockout at 2:32 of the ninth round in a super lightweight match. Referee Michael Margado wisely stopped the bludgeoning as a towel came flying in almost simultaneously.

It was the first time Diaz was ever defeated by knockout, though he never touched the canvas. It was also the first time Duarte trained with Robert Garcia and the difference was notable as he repeatedly walked through incoming fire and attacked the smaller fighter continuously.

“I want to fight the best in the world,” Duarte said.

Female Title Fight

A rematch battle for the flyweight championship saw Argentina’s Gabriela Alaniz (15-1) defeat Marlen Esparza (14-2) this time with a two-fisted attack to win by split decision after 10 rounds.

Esparza failed to make weight and walked in three pounds overweight and Alaniz took advantage to win the WBA, WBC, and WBO flyweight titles in the rematch. Once again the scores were puzzling but this time in favor of Alaniz 97-93, 96-94, and 92-98.

Alaniz now holds the WBO, WBA, WBC flyweight world titles.

Welterweights

Mexico’s Raul Curiel (15-0, 13 KOs) busted body shots on Jorge Marron Jr. (20-5-2) and floored him twice in the first round. The second body blow left Marron paralyzed and unable to continue at 1:31 of the first round as referee Thomas Taylor counted him out.

Curiel, who is managed by Frank Espinoza and son, proved he’s ready for the upper levels of the welterweight division.

“I think I’m ready for the bigger names,” Curiel said. “You see the results.”

Photo credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy

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Avila Perspective, Chap. 282: Ryan’s Song, Golden Boy in Fresno and More

Published

2 days ago

April 26, 2024

David A. Avila

Avila Perspective, Chap. 282: Ryan’s Song, Golden Boy in Fresno and More

Don’t call it an upset.

Days after Ryan Garcia proved the experts wrong, those same experts are re-tooling their evaluation processes.

It’s mind-boggling to me that 95 percent thought Garcia had no chance. Hear me out.

First, Garcia and Haney fought six times as amateurs with each winning three. But this time with no head gear and smaller gloves, Garcia had to have at least a 50/50 chance of winning. He is faster and a more powerful puncher.

Facts.

Haney is a wonderful boxer with smooth, almost artistic movements. But history has taught us power and speed like Garcia’s can’t be discounted. Think way back to legendary fighters like Willie Pep and Sandy Sadler. All that excellent defensive skill could not prevent Sadler from beating Pep in three of their four meetings.

Power has always been an equalizer against boxing skill.

Ben Lira, one of the wisest and most experienced trainers in Southern California, always professed knockout power was the greatest equalizer in a fight. “You can be behind for nine rounds and one punch can change the outcome,” he said.

Another weird theory spreading before the fight was that Garcia would quit in the fight. That was a puzzling one. Getting stopped by a perfect body shot is not quitting. And that punch came from Gervonta “Tank” Davis who can really crack.

So how did Garcia do it?

In the opening round Ryan Garcia timed Devin Haney’s jab and countered with a snapping left hook that rattled and wobbled the super lightweight champion. After that, Garcia forced Haney to find another game plan.

Garcia and trainer Derrick James must have worked hours on that move.

I must confess that I first saw Garcia’s ability many years ago when he was around 11 or 12. So I do have an advantage regarding his talent. A few things I noticed even back then were his speed and power. Also, that others resented his talent but respected him. He was the guy with everything: talent and looks.

And that brings resentment.

Recently I saw him and his crew rapping a song on social media. Now he’s got a song. Next thing you know Hollywood will be calling and he’ll be in the movies. It’s happened before with fighters such as Art Aragon, the first Golden Boy in the 50s. He was dating movie stars and getting involved with starlets all over Hollywood.

Is history repeating itself or is Garcia creating a new era for boxing?

Since 2016 people claimed he was just a social media creation. Now, after his win over Devin Haney a former undisputed lightweight champion and the WBC super lightweight titleholder, the boxer from the high desert area of Victorville has become one of the highest paid fighters in the world.

Ryan Garcia has entered a new dimension.

Golden Boy Season

After several down years the Los Angeles-based company Golden Boy Promotions suddenly is cracking the whip in 2024.

Avila

Vergil Ortiz Jr. (20-0, 20 KOs) returns to the ring and faces Puerto Rico’s Thomas Dulorme (26-6-1, 17 KOs) a welterweight gatekeeper who lost to Jaron “Boots” Ennis and Eimantas Stanionis. They meet as super welterweights in the co-main event at Save Mart Arena in Fresno, Calif. on Saturday, April 27. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card live.

It’s a quick return to action for Ortiz who is still adjusting to the new weight division. His last fight three months ago ended in less than one round in Las Vegas. It was cut short by an antsy referee and left Ortiz wanting more after more than a year of inactivity in the prize ring.

Ortiz has all the weapons.

Also, Northern California’s Jose Carlos Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs) meets Cuba’s Rances Barthelemy (30-2-1, 15 KOs) in a welterweight affair set for 12 rounds.

It’s difficult to believe that former super lightweight titlist Ramirez has been written off by fans after only one loss. That was several years ago against Scotland’s Josh Taylor. One loss does not mean the end of a career.

“My goal is to get back on top and to get all those belts back. I still feel like I am one of the best 140-pounders in the division,” said Ramirez who lives in nearby Avenal, Calif.

An added major attraction features Marlen Esparza in a unification rematch against Gabriela “La Chucky” Alaniz for the WBA, WBC, WBO flyweight titles. Their first fight was

a controversial win by Esparza that saw one judge give her nine of 10 rounds in a very close fight. Those Texas judges.

In a match that could steal the show, Oscar Duarte (26-2-1, 21 KOs) faces former world champion Jojo Diaz (33-5-1, 15 KOs) in a lightweight match.

Munguia and Canelo

Don’t sleep on this match.

Its current Golden Boy fighter Jaime Munguia facing former Golden Boy fighter Saul “Canelo” Alvarez in a battle between Mexico’s greatest sluggers next week at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 4.

“I think Jaime Munguia is going to do something special in the ring,” said Oscar De La Hoya, the CEO for Golden Boy.

Tijuana’s Munguia showed up at the Wild Card Boxing gym in Hollywood where a throng of media from Mexico and the US met him.

Munguia looked confident and happy about his opportunity to fight great Canelo.

“It’s a hard fight,” said Munguia. “Truth is, its big for Mexico and not only for Mexicans but for boxing.”

Fights to Watch

Fri. DAZN 6 p.m. Yoeniz Tellez (7-0) vs Joseph Jackson (19-0).

Sat. DAZN 9:30 a.m. Peter McGrail (8-1) vs Marc Leach (18-3-1); Beatriz Ferreira (4-0) vs Yanina Del Carmen 14-3).

Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Vergil Ortiz (20-0) vs Thomas Dulorme (26-6-1); Jose Carlos Ramirez (28-1) vs Rances Barthelemy (30-2-1); Marlen Esparza (14-1) vs Gabriela Alaniz (14-1).

Photo credit: Cris Esqueda / Golden Boy Promotions

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Ramon Cardenas Channels Micky Ward and KOs Eduardo Ramirez on ProBox

Published

4 days ago

April 24, 2024

Arne K. Lang

Ramon-Cardenas-Channels-Micky-Ward-and-KOs-Eduardo-Ramirez-on-ProBox

The Wednesday night bi-monthly series of fights on the ProBox TV platform is the best deal in boxing; the livestream is free with no strings attached! Tonight’s episode was headlined by a super bantamweight match between San Antonio’s Ramon Cardenas and Eduardo Ramirez who brought a caravan of rooters from his hometown in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico.

Cardenas, coached by Joel Diaz, entered the contest ranked #4 by the WBA. He was expected to handle Ramirez with little difficulty, but this was a close, tactical fight through eight frames when lightning struck in the form of a left hook to the liver from Cardenas. Ramirez went down on one knee and wasn’t able to beat the count. It was as if Cardenas summoned the ghost of Micky Ward who had a penchant for terminating fights with the same punch that arrived out of the blue.

The official time was 1:37 of round nine. Cardenas improved to 25-1 with his14th win inside the distance. Ramirez, who was stopped in the opening round by Nick “Wrecking” Ball in London in his lone previous fight outside Mexico, falls to 23-3-3.

Co-Feature

In an upset, Tijuana super welterweight Damian Sosa won a split decision over previously undefeated Marques Valle, a local area fighter who was stepping up in class in his first 10-round go. Sosa was the aggressor, repeatedly backing his taller opponent into the ropes where Valle was unable to get good leverage behind his punches.

The 25-year-old Valle, managed by the influential David McWater, was the house fighter. This was his 10^th appearance in this building. He brought a 10-0 (7) record and was hoping to emulate the success of his younger brother Dominic Valle who scored a second-round stoppage of his opponent in this ring two weeks ago, improving to 9-0. But Sosa, who brought a 24-2 record, proved to be a bridge too high.

The judges had it 97-93 and 96-94 for the Tijuana invader and a disgraceful 98-92 for the house fighter.

Also

In a fight whose abrupt ending would be echoed by the main event, 34-year-old SoCal featherweight Ronny Rios, now training in Las Vegas, returned to the ring after a 22-month hiatus and scored a fifth-round stoppage over Nicolas Polanco of the Dominican Republic.

A three-punch combo climaxed by a left hook to the liver took the breath out of Polanco who slumped to his knees and was counted out. A two-time world title challenger, Rios advanced to 34-4 (17 KOs). Polanco, 34, declined to 21-6-1. The official time was 0:54 of round five.

—

The next ProBox show (Wednesday, May 8) will have an international cast with fighters from Kazakhstan, Japan, Mongolia, and the United Kingdom. In the main event, Liverpool’s Robbie Davies Jr will make his U.S. debut against the California-based Kazakh Sergey Lipinets.

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