Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

Happy Fourth.

Let’s start off with the arrest of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for allegedly entering the U.S. illegally.

Allegedly.

When Chavez was preparing for his fight with Jake Paul that eventually saw him lose by decision last weekend, the son of the great Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. had a media day in Maywood. Both the public and media were invited and attended the event.

Chavez could have been arrested then but wasn’t.

Instead, millions watched Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) defeat Chavez (54-7-1, 34 KOs) after 10 rounds at the Honda Center in Anaheim when the former middleweight world champion nearly pulled off the old “rope-a-dope” stunt.

It didn’t work.

Though Paul was visibly tired and lacked the snap in his punches the 28-year-old has a very strong chin. Chavez connected several times – right on the jaw – but Paul took the blows and continued fighting.

It was an interesting development and showed why Paul actually has a shot at fighting for a cruiserweight world title in my estimation. He can punch and he can take a punch. Those are two absolutely necessary ingredients for any fighter vying for a world title.

Sure, it’s good to have an extensive background where a fighter can establish skills and moves. But having natural power and a granite chin can beat even the most-skilled fighters. I’ve seen it happen many times before. You ever heard of Rocky Marciano? He knocked out Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott, two highly superior boxers.

Paul was recently positioned number 14 by the WBA in the cruiserweight rankings. It’s not unfathomable to see him compete for the world title held by Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez who also holds the WBO version.

Zurdo

Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez looks quite comfortable as the unified cruiserweight world champion.

His win over Cuba’s Yuniel Dorticos showed off the Mexican fighter’s upper level boxing skills.

Ramirez withstood the power blasts coming from Dorticos and smoothly pivoted around and countered with his own blasts. It was poetic.

The last time I saw a cruiserweight look that smooth was Oleksandr Usyk when he held all the cruiserweight world titles before marching into the heavyweight rankings.

Maybe Ramirez can follow the same route. Maybe

Manchester Calling

Welterweight contenders Jack Catterall (30-2, 13 KOs) and undefeated Harlem Eubank (21-0, 9 KOs) meet for a regional title to get within range of a world title bid. They meet on Saturday, July 5, in Manchester, England. The Matchroom Boxing card will be streamed by DAZN.

Also, former featherweight champion Skye Nicolson (12-1) is set to fight Bolivia’s Carla Campos (9-3) on the undercard. This is Nicolson’s first fight since losing the WBC title to Tiara Brown in Australia last February.

Nicolson said she seeks a rematch with Brown.

Next Week in NYC

For the third time Amanda “Real Deal” Serrano and Katie Taylor face each other and once again they meet at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday, July 11. Netflix will stream the Most Valuable Promotions all-female card.

It’s the biggest trilogy since Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali in my estimation.

Whenever you pack Madison Square Garden it’s a big event. The place holds 20,000 fans and historically it doesn’t get any bigger than the Garden.

Though Taylor holds two wins, both of those have been loudly disputed by fans and media. They were each too close to decisively claim superiority over the other.

They are going to do it again.

Sadly, the fight is set for two-minute rounds. Taylor went back on her word to fight at three-minute rounds. In a way she is admitting she cannot beat Serrano if given the extra minute. Too bad.

The last time they met (the co-feature to Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson) more than 60 million viewers saw on Netflix just how ferocious and talented women’s boxing can be.

That is the reason this fight card will be all women. Several of the bouts will feature champion versus champion. Among those are undisputed super featherweight champion Alycia Baumgardner vs Jessica Miranda of Spain; bantamweight champions Shurretta Metcalf vs Cherneka Johnson, super bantam champions Ellie Scotney vs Yamileth Mercado; and super middleweight champs Savannah Marshall vs Shadasia Green. Other standout female fighters will also be performing.

It should be sizzling stuff.

Netflix will be streaming the event.

Fights to Watch

Sat. DAZN 12;15 pm PT: Jack Catterall (30-2) vs Harlem Eubank (21-0).

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