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Boxing Odds and Ends: Roiman Villa’s Remarkable Rally and More
Boxing Odds and Ends: Roiman Villa’s Remarkable Rally and More
Through the first 15 rounds of Saturday’s Showtime pay-per-view, the “A-side” had won every round. Demetrious Andrade pitched a shutout over Demond Nicholson in the 10-round opener and the second match of the quadruple header, pitting Rashidi Ellis against Roiman Villa, was following the same tack. Ellis, who seemingly had too much class for Villa, won the first five rounds on all three scorecards without breaking much of a sweat. “He’s on cruise control,” said a blogger on social media.
Had the Ellis-Villa fight continued along this path, the first three fights would have resulted in monotonous shutouts (Boots Ennis defeated his uninspired opponent by three identical 120-108 scores) and there would have been considerable wailing about what a rip-off Showtime was feeding fight fans at a suggested list price of $79. But Villa kept plugging away and his pertinacity paid off, producing high drama and getting the matchmaker off the hook.
Although he won rounds 9, 10, 11 on all three cards, Villa still needed a big finish to pull off the upset and he finished with a flourish, knocking the previously undefeated Ellis down twice to cop a majority decision.
The noted boxing scribe Cliff Rold drew a parallel between Villa’s comeback and that of Jorge Paez in his 1988 match with previously undefeated Calvin Grove. Paez knocked Grove down three times in the 15th round to eke out a majority decision and snatch away Groves’ IBF featherweight title. The match was televised live on a Thursday night from a Mexicali bullring on the old USA Boxing network.
This reporter was reminded of a more famous fight, the first meeting between Julio Cesar Chavez and Meldrick Taylor at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1990. To be certain, it’s an imperfect comparison. Entering the final round, Chavez had a higher hill to climb than did Villa against Ellis who managed to make it to the final bell whereas Taylor did not, falling shy by 2 seconds. Also, Taylor suffered considerably more damage than Ellis – he had to be hospitalized and was never the same – whereas it appears that Ellis may be able to rebound from this mishap and fight his way back into a position of prominence in the welterweight division. He would likely be a small favorite over Villa in a rematch.
Roiman Villa, who was born in Venezuela and has Colombian citizenship, brought an impressive record into Saturday’s fight: 25-1 with 24 knockouts. But aside from one fight in Panama, all but two of his fights were in South America against suspect opposition and he was extended the distance when venturing outside this region, losing a 12-round split decision to a Mexican in Los Mochis, Mexico, and winning an 8-round decision over a Detroiter of Puerto Rican descent in Atlantic City.
The rap on him remains – he’s heavy-handed, but a one-dimensional grinder – but he set himself up for some nice paydays with his hard-earned triumph over Rashidi Ellis and reminded us of Yogi’s saying that it’s never over until it’s over.
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The Showtime event was a bonanza from the standpoint of the live gate. When it comes to packing an arena, no one moves the needle quite like Gervonta “Tank” Davis who performed as expected in the main event, defeating Hector Luis Garcia who was all in after eight rounds.
In each of his last four fights – at NBA arenas in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Brooklyn, and now Washington, DC – there was nary an empty seat. An announced crowd of 19,371 — heavily dappled with stars from the sports and music worlds — attended Saturday’s show at Capitol One Arena, this coming on the heels of setting a Barclays Center record for a boxing match with an announced crowd of 18,970 for his match with Rolly Romero. And keep in mind that Gervonta was a heavy favorite in all four of those fights.
The promoters would be wise to park his forthcoming bout with Ryan Garcia (likely in April) at LA’s SoFi Stadium, the site of last year’s Super Bowl and tonight’s national title game in college football. A sellout is assured.
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The first notable member of the boxing fraternity to pass away in 2023 was trainer Hector Roca, a fixture at the iconic Gleason’s Gym going back to the days when it was located on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge. Roca suffered a fatal heart attack on Jan. 2 while a patient at a Brooklyn hospital. He was 82 years old.
A native of Panama where he was a world-class bicycle racer, Roca moved to New York in 1975. One day, while working as an apprentice cutter in the garment district, he wandered into Gleason’s at its third incarnation near Madison Square Garden and never looked back. Over the years, he helped train 21 boxers who captured world titles including Arturo Gatti, Buddy McGirt, and Iran Barkley.
Roca’s main claim to fame was that he trained Hilary Swank for her role as boxer Maggie Fitzgerald opposite director Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman in the 2004 award-willing film “Million Dollar Baby.” Swank gave a shoutout to Roca and the legendary gym on national television during her acceptance speeches after winning “Best Actress” at the Golden Globes and the Oscars.
Roca went west to finish his training for Swank, residing in a house that Swank rented for him in the hip LA suburb of Venice Beach. Swank often cooked his meals and according to Roca she was one helluva cook.
Among the many tributes to Roca on social media was this heart-warming missive from Heather Hardy: “Today I lost my coach, my dad, my mentor and the only man in the world that I trust.”
May he rest in peace.
Photo credit: Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
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The Ortiz-Bohachuk Thriller has been named the TSS 2024 Fight of The Year
The Aug. 10 match in Las Vegas between Knockout artists Vergil Ortiz Jr and Serhii Bohachuk seemingly had scant chance of lasting the 12-round distance. Ortiz, the pride of Grand Prairie, Texas, was undefeated in 21 fights with 20 KOs. Bohachuk, the LA-based Ukrainian, brought a 24-1 record with 23 knockouts.
In a surprise, the fight went the full 12. And it was a doozy.
The first round, conventionally a feeling-out round, was anything but. “From the opening bell, [they] clobbered each other like those circus piledriver hammer displays,” wrote TSS ringside reporter David A. Avila.
In this opening frame, Bohachuk, the underdog in the betting, put Ortiz on the canvas with a counter left hook. Of the nature of a flash knockdown, it was initially ruled a slip by referee Harvey Dock. With the benefit of instant replay, the Nevada State Athletic Commission overruled Dock and after four rounds had elapsed, the round was retroactively scored 10-8.
Bohachuk had Ortiz on the canvas again in round eight, put there by another left hook. Ortiz was up in a jiff, but there was no arguing it was a legitimate knockdown and it was plain that Ortiz now trailed on the scorecards.
Aware of the situation, the Texan, a protégé of the noted trainer Robert Garcia, dug deep to sweep the last four rounds. But these rounds were fused with drama. “Every time it seemed the Ukrainian was about to fall,” wrote Avila, “Bohachuk would connect with one of those long right crosses.”
In the end, Ortiz eked out a majority decision. The scores were 114-112 x2 and 113-113.
Citing the constant adjustments and incredible recuperative powers of both contestants, CBS sports combat journalist Brian Campbell called the fight an instant classic. He might have also mentioned the unflagging vigor exhibited by both. According to CompuBox, Ortiz and Bohachuk threw 1579 punches combined, landing 490, numbers that were significantly higher than the early favorite for Fight of the Year, the March 2 rip-snorter at Verona, New York between featherweights Raymond Ford and Otabek Kholmatov (a win for Ford who pulled the fight out of the fire in the final minute).
Photo credit: Al Applerose
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Women’s Prizefighting Year End Review: The Best of the Best in 2024
Women’s Prizefighting Year End Review: The Best of the Best in 2024
It’s the end of the year.
Here are our awards for the best in women’s boxing. But first, a rundown on the state of the sport.
Maybe its my imagination but it seems that fewer female fights of magnitude took place in 2024 than in previous years.
A few promoters like 360 Promotions increased their involvement in women’s boxing while others such as Matchroom Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions seem stagnant. They are still staging female bouts but are not signing new additions.
American-based promotion company Top Rank, actually lost 50 percent of their female fighter roster when Seniesa Estrada, the undisputed minimumweight champion, retired recently. They still have Mikaela Mayer.
A promotion company making headlines and creating sparks in the boxing world is Most Valuable Promotions led by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian. They signed Amanda Serrano and have invested in staging other female fights
This year, the top streaming company Netflix gambled on sponsoring Jake Paul versus Mike Tyson, along with Amanda Serrano versus Katie Taylor and hit a monster home run. According to Netflix metrics an estimated 74 million viewers watched the event that took place on Nov. 16 at Arlington, Texas.
“Breaking records like this is exactly what MVP was built to do – bring the biggest, most electrifying events to fans worldwide,” said Nakisa Bidarian co-founder of MVP.
History was made in viewership and at the gate where more than 70,000 fans packed AT&T Stadium for a record-setting $17.8 million in ticket sales outside of Las Vegas. It was the grand finale moment of the year.
Here are the major contributors to women’s boxing in 2024.
Fighter of the Year: Amanda Serrano
Other candidates: Katie Taylor, Claressa Shields, Franchon Crews, Dina Thorslund, and Yesica Nery Plata.
Amanda Serrano was chosen for not only taking part in the most viewed female title fight in history, but also for willingly sacrificing the health of her eye after suffering a massive cut during her brutal war with Taylor. She could have quit, walked away with tons of money and be given the technical decision after four rounds. She was ahead on the scorecards at that moment.
Instead, Serrano took more punches, more head butts and slugged her way through 10 magnificent and brilliant rounds against the great Taylor. Fans worldwide were captivated by their performance. Many women who had never watched a female fight were mesmerized and inspired.
Serrano once again proved that she would die in the ring rather than quit. Women and men were awed by her performance and grit. It was a moment blazed in the memories of millions.
Amanda Serrano is the Fighter of the Year.
Best Fight of the Year – Amanda Serrano versus Katie Taylor 2
Their first fight that took place two years ago in Madison Square Garden was the greatest female fight I had ever witnessed. The second fight surpassed it.
When you have two of the best warriors in the world willing to showcase their talent for entertainment regardless of the outcome, it’s like rubbing two sticks of dynamite together.
Serrano jumped on Taylor immediately and for about 20 seconds it looked like the Irish fighter would not make the end of the first round. Not quite. Taylor rallied behind her stubborn determination and pulled out every tool in her possession: elbows, head butts, low blows, whatever was needed to survive, Taylor used.
It reminded me of an old world title fight in 2005 between Jose Luis Castillo a master of fighting dirty and Julio Diaz. I asked about the dirty tactics by Castillo and Diaz simply said, “It’s a fight. It’s not chess. You do what you have to do.”
Taylor did what she had to do to win and the world saw a magnificent fight.
Other candidates: Seniesa Estrada versus Yokasta Valle, Mikaela Mayer versus Sandy Ryan, and Ginny Fuchs vs Adelaida Ruiz.
KO of the Year – Lauren Price KO3 Bexcy Mateus.
Dec. 14, in Liverpool, England.
The IBO welterweight titlist lowered the boom on Bexcy Mateus sending her to the floor thrice. She ended the fight with a one-two combination that left Mateus frozen while standing along the ropes. Another left cross rocket blasted her to the ground. Devastating.
Other candidates: Claressa Shields KO of Vanessa LePage-Joanisse, Gabriela Fundora KO of Gabriela Alaniz, Dina Thorslund vs Mary Romero, Amanda Serrano KO of Stevie Morgan.
Pro’s Pro Award – Jessica Camara
Jessica Camara defeated Hyun Mi Choi in South Korea to win the WBA gold title on April 27, 2024. The match took place in Suwon where Canada’s Camara defeated Choi by split decision after 10 rounds.
Camara, who is managed by Brian Cohen, has fought numerous champions including Kali Reis, Heather Hardy and Melissa St. Vil. She has become a pro fighter that you know will be involved in a good and entertaining fight and is always in search of elite competition. She eagerly accepted the fight in South Korea against Choi. Few fighters are willing to do that.
Next up for Camara is WBC titlist Caroline Dubois set for Jan. 11, in Sheffield, England.
Electric Fighters Club
These are women who never fail to provide excitement and drama when they step in the prize ring. When you only have two-minute rounds there’s no time to run around the boxing ring.
Here are some of the fighters that take advantage of every second and they do it with skill:
Gabriela Fundora, Mizuki Hiruta, Ellie Scotney, Lauren Price, Clara Lescurat, Adelaida Ruiz, Ginny Fuchs, Mikaela Mayer, Yokasta Valle, Sandy Ryan, Chantelle Cameron, Ebanie Bridges, Tsunami Tenkai, Dina Thorslund, Evelin Bermudez, Gabriela Alaniz, Caroline Dubois, Beatriz Ferreira, and LeAnna Cruz.
Claressa Shields Movie and More
A motion picture based on Claressa Shields titled “The Fire Inside” debuts on Wednesday, Dec. 25, nationwide. Most boxing fans know that Shields has world titles in various weight divisions. But they don’t know about her childhood and how she rose to fame.
Also, Shields (15-0, 3 KOs) will be fighting Danielle Perkins (5-0, 2 KOs) for the undisputed heavyweight world championship on Sunday Feb. 2, at Dort Financial Center in Flint, Michigan. DAZN will stream the Salita Promotions fight card.
“Claressa Shields is shining a spotlight on Flint – first on the big screen and then in the ring on Sunday, February 2,” said event promoter Dmitriy Salita, president of Salita Promotions. “Claressa leads by example. She is a trailblazer and has been an advocate for equality since she was a young lady. This event promises to be one of the most significant sporting and cultural events of the year. You don’t want to miss it, either live, in person or live on DAZN.”
Shields is only 29 years old and turns 30 next March. What more can she accomplish?
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Lucas Bahdi Forged the TSS 2024 Knockout of the Year
A Knockout of the Year doesn’t have to be a one-punch knockout, but it must arrive with the suddenness of a thunderclap on a clear day and the punch or punches must be so harsh as to obviate the need for a “10-count.” And, if rendered by an underdog, that makes the KO resonate more loudly.
Within these parameters, Lucas Bahdi’s knockout of Ashton “H2O” Sylva still jumped off the page. The thunderclap happened on July 20 in Tampa, Florida, on a show promoted by Jake Paul with Paul and the great Amanda Serrano sharing the bill against soft opponents in the featured bouts.
The 30-year-old Bahdi (16-0, 14 KOs) and the 20-year-old Sylva (11-0, 9 KOs) were both undefeated, but Bahdi was accorded scant chance of defeating Jake Paul’s house fighter.
Sylva was 18 years old and had seven pro fights under his belt, winning all inside the distance, when he signed with Paul’s company, Most Valuable Promotions, in 2022. “We believe that Ashton has that talent, that flashiness, that style, that knockout power, that charisma to really be a massive, massive, superstar…” said the “Problem Child” when announcing that Sylva had signed with his company.
Jake Paul was so confident that his protege would accomplish big things that he matched Sylva with Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield. Currently 18-0 and ranked #2 by the WBA, Schofield was further along than Sylva in the pantheon of hot lightweight prospects. But Schofield backed out, alleging an injury, opening the door to a substitute.
Enter Lucas Bahdi who despite his eye-catching record was a virtual unknown. This would be his first outing on U.S. soil. All of his previous bouts were staged in Mexico or in Canada, mostly in his native Ontario province. “My opponent may have changed,” said Sylva who hails from Long Beach, California, “but the result will be the same, I will get the W and continue my path to greatness.”
The first five rounds were all Sylva. The Canadian had no antidote for Sylva’s speed and quickness. He was outclassed.
Then, in round six, it all came unglued for the precocious California. Out of the blue, Bahdi stiffened him with a hard right hand. Another right quickly followed, knocking Sylva unconscious. A third punch, a sweeping left, was superfluous. Jake Paul’s phenom was already out cold.
Sylva landed face-first on the canvas. He lay still as his handlers and medics rushed to his aid. It was scarifying. “May God restore him,” said ring announcer Joe Martinez as he was being stretchered out of the ring.
The good news is that Ashton “H2O” Silva will be able to resume his career. He is expected back in the ring as early as February. As for Lucas Bahdi, architect of the Knockout of the Year, he has added one more win to his ledger, winning a 10-round decision on the undercard of the Paul vs Tyson spectacle, and we will presumably be hearing a lot more about him.
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