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The Tony Weeks Brouhaha from the Vantage Point of a Fly on the Wall
Referee Tony Weeks’ “premature” stoppage of last Saturday’s fight between Vergil Ortiz Jr and Fredrick Lawson at the Virgin (formerly Hard Rock) Hotel in Las Vegas fomented a firestorm of outrage that shows little sign of abating anytime soon. I feel duty-bound to share what I know as it lends credence to Weeks’ rationale for stepping in as quickly as he did.
Ortiz vs Lawson was the main event of a Golden Boy Promotions card live-streamed on DAZN. In case you missed it, Ortiz, who had knocked out all 19 of his previous opponents, was pummeling Lawson against the ropes when Weeks stepped in and waved it off with 27 seconds remaining in the opening round. As Dan Rafael noted, Lawson, who kept his gloves high, had not been knocked down or cut or even rocked.
The audience, as noted by TSS ringside correspondent David Avila, was stupefied. Indeed, a moment of stunned silence prefaced a resounding chorus of boos. TSS photographer Al Applerose, who had a perfect view of the action from his perch in the lower balcony, texted this reporter as things were being sorted out. “That was bullsh**”, he wrote. As veteran boxing writer Scott Christ noted, replays showed Weeks’ stoppage to be even more indefensible than it had appeared in real time which is seldom the case.
The Nevada Athletic Commission has a longstanding policy prohibiting ring officials from answering questions from reporters at events they work. Tony Weeks wasn’t interviewed in the ring, but told color commentator Beto Duran that he was prompted to stop the fight when he saw Lawson’s eyes roll up in his head. In Nevada, referees don’t have the option of issuing a standing 8-count.
The following day, in a post on his facebook platform, referee Weeks, his feelings undoubtedly wounded by the brickbats raining down on him, let the fur fly:
What the public didn’t know that prior to the fight they did a brain scan on him, and it came up that he had an aneurism, and they did the test again, and the same aneurism came up. Another doctor was brought in and gave him the same examination and he tested negative for the aneurism, so they cleared him to fight.
The facebook post was quickly deleted. However, CompuBox co-founder and podcaster Bob Canobbio caught a screenshot of it before it disappeared.
Nevada regulators took umbrage at Weeks’ allegation and issued a swift rebuttal. “The health and safety of the unarmed combatants in the State are paramount to the Commission. All the contestants in the event were subject to full medical examinations and were cleared by medical experts to compete without restrictions,” read the formal release.
—
On Saturday night, on the way to the arena, I made a pit stop at a men’s room in the casino. While standing at a urinal, I became the proverbial fly on the wall.
The urinal that I used was the closest to the sink where one washes his hands before leaving. At the sink, two men were conversing. One of the men, after telling the other that he had gone golfing that morning with Oscar De La Hoya, said “we almost lost the main event tonight,” or words to that effect.
I wanted to know more. “What happened?” I inquired.
The man shot me a dirty look, a wordless earful, as it were, for intruding on a private conversation. “Nothing happened,” he said brusquely, and walked away.
But something obviously did happen and, if one trusts Tony Weeks’ veracity (and I do), it had something to do with Fredrick Lawson’s fitness to fight.
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Tony Weeks, 67, is in his third decade as a professional boxing referee. His most famous assignment came in 2005 when he was the third man in the ring for the first fight between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo, a match that many grizzled reporters in attendance anointed the greatest fight of all time. “Weeks doesn’t take a back seat to anyone in terms of competence,” wrote Kevin Iole, looking back at that fight. “An overzealous referee could have ruined what would become a boxing classic.”
Later in the year 2005, Weeks had the misfortune of refereeing a fatal fight. Jesus Chavez wrested the IBF lightweight title from Leavander Johson on an 11th-round stoppage. A 35-year-old father of four, Johnson left the ring on his own power, but collapsed in his dressing room and died five days later at a Las Vegas hospital without regaining consciousness. Weeks would say that he gave serious thought to quitting the sport after this heart-wrenching incident.
Weeks’ stoppage of the Ortiz-Lawson fight was his second high-profile misadventure in eight months. In May of last year, at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, he had provoked the ire of boxing fans by waving off the fight between Rolly Romero and Ismael Barroso in the ninth round, awarding the fight to Romero even though Barroso wasn’t hurt and was winning on the scorecards.
In the aftermath of that fight, in a conversation with NY Fights founder Michael Woods, Weeks acknowledged something that few in his profession would have the courage to say for public consumption, namely that there is a double standard and that some competitors, because of certain circumstances, are on a short leash. “[When] a fighter is at an advanced age,” said Weeks, referencing the 40-year-old Barroso, “you’re going to look at him a little harder than the other fighter.”
Now, presumably, it is Weeks who is on a short leash. It will be interesting to see how long it will take before he is given another top-of-the-marquee fight in Nevada, if ever.
I am not here to defend Weeks’ controversial stoppages. However, I do know one thing. If I had a son or a daughter who was entering the prize ring tomorrow, I would sleep better knowing that Tony Weeks was the referee.
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Emanuel Navarrete and Rafael Espinoza Shine in Phoenix
PHOENIX – Saturday was a busy night on the global boxing scene, and it’s quite likely that the howling attendees in Phoenix’s Footprint Center witnessed the finest overall card of the international schedule. The many Mexican flags on display in the packed, scaled down arena signaled the event’s theme.
Co-main events featured rematches that arose from a pair of prior crowd-pleasing slugfests. Each of tonight’s headlining bouts ended at the halfway point, but that was their only similarity.
Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete, now 39-2-1 (32), defended his WBO Junior Lightweight belt with a dramatic stoppage of more-than-willing Oscar Valdez, 32-3 (24). The 29-year-old champion spoke of retirement wishes, but after dominating a blazing battle in which he scored three knockdowns, his only focus was relaxing during the holidays then getting back to what sounded like long-term business.
“Valdez was extremely tough in this fight,” said Navarrete. “I knew I had to push him back and I did. You are now witnessing the second phase of my career and you can expect great things from me in 2025.”
“I don’t really know about the future,” said the crestfallen, 33-year-old Valdez. “No excuses. He did what he wanted to and I couldn’t.”
Navarrete, a three-division titlist, came up one scorecard short of a fourth belt in his previous fight last May, a split decision loss to Denys Berinchyk. This was Navarrete’s fourth Arizona appearance so he was cheered like a homeboy, but Valdez was definitely the crowd favorite, evident from the cheers that erupted as both fighters were shown arriving in glistening, low rider automobiles.
Both men came out throwing huge shots, but it was Navarrete who scored a flash knockdown in the first round, setting the tone for the rest of the fight. There was fierce action in every frame, with Navarrete getting the best of most of it, but even when he was in trouble Valdez roared back and brought the crowd to their feet. He got dropped again at the very end of round four, and Navarrete sent his mouthpiece into orbit the round after that.
When Navarrette drove Valdez into the ropes during round six it looked like referee Raul Caiz, Jr was about to intervene, but before he could decide, Navarrete finished matters himself with a perfect left to the ribs that crumpled Valdez into a KO at 2:42.
“He talked about getting ready to retire soon so I told him we had to fight again right now,” said Valdez prior to the rematch. There were numerous “be careful what you wish for” type predictions of doom and he entered the ring at around a two to one underdog, understanding the contest’s make or break stakes. “Boxing penalizes you if you have a lot of losses,” observed Valdez. “It’s not like other sports where you can lose and do better next season. In boxing, most people don’t want to see you again after a couple of losses.”
What Valdez might decide remains to be seen, but even in defeat he proved to be a warrior worth watching.
Co-Feature
After their epic, razor-close encounter almost exactly a year ago, it was obvious Rafael Espinoza, and fellow 30-year-old Robeisy Ramirez should meet again for the WBO featherweight title belt Espinoza earned by an upset majority decision. Espinoza turned the trick again this time around, inside the distance, but it was more anti-climactic than anything like toe-to-toe.
The 6’1” Espinoza, now 26-0 (22), was the aggressor from the opening frame, but 5’6” Ramirez, 14-3 (9) employed his short stature well to stay out of immediate danger and countered to the body for a slight edge. The Cuban challenger avoided much of their previous firefight and initially controlled the tempo. The crowd jeered him for staying away but it was an effective strategy, at least at first.
Espinoza connected much better in the fifth round and looked fresher as Ramirez’s face rapidly reddened. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere in round six, Ramirez took a punch then raised a glove in surrender. Whatever the reason, even looking at Ramirez’s swollen right eye, it looked like a “No Mas” moment. Replays showed a straight right to the eye socket, but that didn’t stop the crowd from hooting their disgust after ref Chris Flores signaled the end at 0:12.
***
Richard Torrez, Jr, now 12-0 (11), displayed his Olympic silver medal pedigree in a heavyweight bout against Issac Munoz, 18-2-1 (15). Torrez, 236.6, found his punching range quickly with southpaw leads as Munoz, 252, tried to stand his ground but looked hurt by early body work that forced him into the ropes. He was gasping for breath as Torrez peppered him in the second, and Munoz went back to his corner on unsteady legs.
Munoz’s team should have thought about saving him for another day in the third as he ate big shots. Luckily, referee Raul Caiz, Jr. was wiser and had seen enough, waving it off for a TKO at 0:59.
“I don’t train for the opponent,” reflected Torrez, who isn’t far from true contender status. “Every time I train, I train for a world championship fight.”
***
Super-lightweight Lindolfo Delgado, 139.9, improved to 22-0 (16), and took another step into the world title picture against Jackson Marinez, now 22-4 (10), 139.2.
On paper this junior welterweight matchup appeared fairly even, and Marinez managed to keep it that way for almost half the scheduled ten rounds against a solid prospect but Delgado kept upping the ante until Marinez was out of chips. The assembled swarm was whistling for more action after three tentative opening frames, as Delgado loaded up but couldn’t put much offense together.
That changed in the 4th when Delgado connected with solid crosses. In the fifth, a fine combination dropped Marinez into a delayed knockdown and a wicked follow-up right to the guts finished the wobbly Marinez, who had nothing to be ashamed of, off in the arms of ref Wes Melton. Official TKO time was 2:13.
In a matter of concurrent programming, Saturday also held a lot of highly publicized college football and basketball games which likely detracted from the larger mainstream audience and media coverage this fight card deserved. That’s a shame but you can’t fault boxing, Top Rank, or any of the fighters for that because, once again, they all came through big time in Phoenix.
Photos credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank
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Brooklyn’s Richardson Hitchins Wins IBF 140-Pound Title in Puerto Rico
A change of champions took place as Richardson Hitchins rallied from a lethargic start to wrest the IBF super lightweight title from Australia’s Liam Paro by split decision on Saturday in Puerto Rico at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan.
Brooklyn has another world champion.
“I’m just happy to be a world champion,” Hitchins said.
Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) proved that his style of fighting could prevail over Paro (25-1, 15 KOs) who had previously knocked off another Puerto Rican champion, Subriel Matias.
Both fighters expected a different kind of encounter as Paro immediately started the fight with constant pressure and short, precise combinations. Hitchins had expected a different attack and seemed hesitant to pull the trigger.
“I couldn’t get my timing,” said Hitchins. “I thought he was going to put the pressure on me.”
Soon Hitchins ramped up his attack.
After Paro had jumped ahead with a constant strategic attack, Hitchins slipped into second gear behind a sharp right counter that found the target repeatedly.
Things began to swing in the Brooklyn fighter’s favor.
Those long arms came in handy for Hitchins who snapped off deadeye rights through Paro’s guard repeatedly. Soon the southpaw Aussie’s eye began to show signs of damage.
But Paro never quit.
Aside from using quick counters, Paro began firing lead lefts and the occasional right hook and uppercut. But seldom did he target the body. Slowly, the rounds began mounting in favor of the Brooklyn fighter.
Perhaps the best blow of the fight took place in the ninth round as Hitchins connected flush with a one-two combination. Though stunned, Paro trudged forward looking to immediately counter.
He mostly failed.
Still, Paro knew the rounds were not one-sided and he could close the distance. The Aussie fighter did well in the 11th and 12th round but could not land a significant blow. After 12 rounds one judge saw Paro the winner 117-11, while two others saw Hitchins the winner 116-112 for the new IBF titlist.
“He’s a hell of a boxer,” said Paro who loses the title in his first defense. “It’s not a loss, it’s a lesson.”
Other Bouts
A battle between Puerto Rican featherweights saw Henry Lebron (20-0) out-battle Christopher Diaz-Velez by decision after 10 action-packed rounds.
In a lightweight fight Agustin Quintana (21-2-1) gave Marc Castro (13-1) his first loss to win by split decision after 10 rounds.
Welterweight Jose Roman Vazquez (14-1) defeated Jalil Hackett (9-1) by split decision after 10 rounds.
Photo credit: Melina Pizano / Matchroom
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A Six-Pack of Undercard Action from the Top Rank Card in Phoenix
A Six-Pack of Undercard Action from the Top Rank Card in Phoenix
Top Rank promoted a 10-fight card tonight at the NBA arena in Phoenix. The undercard included welterweight standout Giovani Santillan and a bevy of young prospects.
Based on his showing tonight, Albert “Chop Chop” Gonzalez is a prospect on the cusp of being a contender. A high-octane fighter with ring smarts that bely his tender age, the 22-year-old Gonzalez pitched a near 8-round shutout over Argentina’s Gerardo Antonio Perez, advancing his record to 12-0 (7). Although Gonzalez was forced to go the distance after five straight wins by stoppage, Perez, an Argentine who had never been stopped and was better than his 12-6-1 record, had a granite chin.
LA junior bantamweight Steven Navarro improved to 5-0 (4 KOs) with a second-round stoppage of Gabriel Bernardi (7-2). Navarro had Bernardi, a Puerto Rican, on the canvas twice before referee Raul Caiz Jr waived it off.
In a welterweight contest slated for “10,” Giovani Santillan improved to 33-1 (18 KOs) at the expense of Fredrick Lawson who retired on his stool after only one round. It was a nice confidence-booster for Santillan who took a lot of punishment in his last fight vs. Brian Norman Jr, a fight that Santillan was expected to win. However, tonight’s win should come with an asterisk as Lawson, a Chicago-based Ghanaian, is damaged goods and ought not be permitted to fight again, notwithstanding his 30-6 record. (All six of his losses, including the last three, came inside the distance.)
In a welterweight contest slated for six rounds, 19-year-old SoCal prospect Art Berrera Jr advanced to 7-0 (5 KOs) with a second-round TKO over Juan Carlos Campos (4-2) who fights out of Sioux City, Iowa. Referee Wes Melton lost his balance as he stepped in to stop the one-sided affair with a nano-second remaining in round two and went flying into the ropes, but was seemingly unhurt.
In a major surprise, Cesar Morales, a former Mexican national amateur champion, lost his pro debut to unheralded Kevin Mosquera, a 23-year-old Ecuadorian. A flash knockdown in the opening minute of final round factored into the result. The judges had it 39-36 and 38-37 for Mosquera (3-0-1) and 38-38.
The night did not start well for Morales’ trainer Robert Garcia who had five fighters in action tonight.
In the lid-lifter, 21-year-old Las Vegas lightweight DJ Zamora, a protege of the late Roger Mayweather, improved to 15-0 (10 KOs) with a second-round stoppage of Argentine import Roman Ruben Reynoso (22-6-2). Zamora put Reynoso on the canvas in the opening round with a left to the solar plexus and knocked him down in the second round with a counter left to the chin. Reynoso made it to his feet, but had no beef when the fight was waived off. The official time was 1:56 of round two.
Bouts involving former Olympians Lindolfo Delgado and Richard Torres Jr plus two compelling world title rematches round out the 10-fight card. TSS correspondent Phil Woolever is ringside. Check back later for his post-fight reports.
Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank
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