Avila Perspective, Chap. 158: Title Troubles and Title Clashes and More

Avila Perspective, Chap. 158: Title Troubles and Title Clashes and More

About 10 years ago, an attempt to form a sanctioning organization void of politics and greed proved unsuccessful.

Too bad it did not work. What a mess we have now.

Top contender Jamal James (27-1, 12 KOs) meets Russia’s Radzhab Butaev (13-0, 10 KOs) for the WBA welterweight world title on Saturday Oct. 30, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Showtime will televise.

“At this level, everyone hits hard. We’re not fighting cupcakes,” said James who has a version of the WBA welterweight title.

Not that James or Butaev lack talent. But who exactly is the real WBA welterweight champion?

According to the WBA Yordenis Ugas and Vergil Ortiz Jr. also have a piece of the title. And instead of simply ranking fighters numerically, the WBA organization that is based in Panama, hands out versions of the title like bits and pieces of candy for a fee.

Also on the same card, Philadelphia’s welterweight contender Jaron “Boots” Ennis (27-0, 25 KOs) meets Thomas Dulorme (25-5-1, 16 KOs) of Puerto Rico in the semi-main event,

“Everyone knows I’m in and out like a robbery,” said Ennis.

In my eyes Ennis looks like the sure thing. He has that Philadelphia roughness to go along with athleticism. Those Philly guys are tough to beat. He’s quickly gaining the skills to match his athleticism. We’ll see if he has the chin. That’s the ultimate test for Boots.

Two welterweight fights headline the Showtime card. Expect the winners to meet each other early next year. Will they be fighting for a version of the WBA title of which there are many?

London

Early Saturday, American fight fans can watch a battle between female super lightweight world titlists as Chantelle Cameron (14-0) puts her WBC title against Mary McGee (27-3) who holds the IBF version. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing fight card from London, England.

Cameron, 30, steamrolled past every single foe she’s faced. She has yet to lose a round on the judge’s cards since becoming a professional. In her last fight against American Melissa Hernandez, she was expected to receive a severe test. But Cameron roared past the veteran with ease. Now she gets another American in McGee who also holds a world title.

“These tough fights against the other champions are what motivates me and pushes me in the gym, and you’re going to see the very best Chantelle Cameron,” said Cameron about participating in a super lightweight tournament to decide undisputed status.

McGee, 36, has been a pro for 16 years and the experience to go along with it. Her only losses were against future Hall of Fame fighter Holly Holm, former top pound-for-pound fighter Erica Farias and Brooke Dierdorff. All those losses were eight years ago or longer.

She’s a fighter through and through.

The winner moves on and will face the victor of another clash of champions.

WBA and WBO titlist Kali Reis (18-7-1, 5 KOs) meets Jessica Camara (8-2) on Nov. 19, in England, for the vacant IBO title. Incidentally, that title was held by Cameron who gave it up. Three of the four participants are managed by Brian Cohen and promoted by Lou DiBella.

That team has a strong grip on American female prizefighting talent.

“I’m happy that Eddie (Hearn) and I were able to arrange these historic fights and I’m grateful to my friends at DAZN, who will be streaming it,” said DiBella who promotes McGee, Reis and Camara. “Chantelle, Mary, Kali and Jessica are four elite 140-pound athletes, deserving of this incredible opportunity. After two terrific semi-finals, a queen will be crowned at super-lightweight.”

Shakur

It was another solid performance for Shakur Stevenson in winning a second weight division world title last weekend. No holding, no running, none of those amateur antics, just pure prizefighting. And it came against a very good pro in Jamel Herring.

Nobody doubted Stevenson lacked the tools. When it comes to athleticism, he checks off every single item as a prizefighter with speed, agility, stamina, strength and power as a super featherweight. And he also seems to have a solid chin. The one important facet he seemed to not believe in was his fighting skills, especially in-close fighting.

Most observers mistake athleticism for skills. It’s not the same. Think Roy Jones Jr. as a perfect example of athleticism during the 90s. He was untouchable. But once the athleticism declined, he started getting beat by fighters he once dominated.

Floyd Mayweather was the opposite. Even late in his career though his reflexes slowed his skills allowed him to continue to prevail against bigger, quicker and stronger opposition. His boxing IQ was among the best ever. Others like Juan Manuel Marquez, James “Lights Out” Toney, Roberto Duran and Bernard Hopkins also prevailed with outstanding boxing skills. They all could stand two feet away and make you pay for every mistake. None would resort to running around the boxing ring or grabbing an opponent who wanted to venture inside the firing zone. They had immense boxing skills and all were masters.

Stevenson could be another master. It just takes consistency and believing in his skills as he did against Herring.

Fights to Watch

Fri. ESPN+ 11 a.m. Archie Sharp (20-0) vs Alexis Boureima Kabore (28-4).

Fri. Estrella TV 7 p.m. Carlos Canizales (22-1) vs German Valenzuela (16-2).

Fri. Telemundo 11:59 p.m. Fanlong Meng (16-0) vs Israel Duffus (20-6).

Sat. DAZN 11 a.m. Chantelle Cameron (14-0) vs Mary McGee (27-3), Craig Richards (16-2-1) vs Marek Matyja (20-2-2).

Sat. ESPN+ 3:55 p.m. Jose Zepeda (34-2) vs Josue Vargas (19-1).

Sat. Showtime 7 p.m. Jamal James (27-1) vs Radzhab Butaev (13-0); Jaron Ennis (27-0) vs Thomas Dulorme (25-5-1).

Photo credit: Esther Lin / SHOWTIME

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