The
theme leading up to the Jr. Welterweight encounter between undefeated world
champions Maurice Hooker and Jose Ramirez was the beginning of a re-unification
process for the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division. It is true that whenever
there is a unification bout in the sport that it accomplishes two important
things. Number one, it creates interest. Interest from both the Boxing
enthusiast, who watches the sport closely as well as the interest of the casual
fan who may more appropriately be categorized as a general sports fan,
Number
two and perhaps, more importantly, it benefits the sport when two world
champions put their respective claims to a world championship on the line
against each other. When the politics that be in the sport do not serve as an
obstacle to a potential fight like a unification bout from being made. A
scenario that can simply be summed up as when the best fighters in a given
weight class and by extension the entire sport face the best competition
available or to say it more simply, “The Best Fighting The Best.”
When
such a scenario takes shape and you have the added element of two unbeaten
fighters who are each in their respective physical primes, more often than not
the ingredients produce classic fights. On July 27th, Hooker and Ramirez that
at the College Park Center in Arlington, TX to unify the WBO and WBC Jr.
Welterweight crowns. There was a slight element of controversy in the opening
round as Ramirez was credited with a knockdown of Hooker when he landed a jab,
but stepped on Hooker’s foot in the process resulting in the knockdown. While
the knockdown was incorrectly ruled by Referee Mark Nelson, it did not appear
that it would have a lasting impact on the fight.
Although
this was as Yours truly stated in previewing this fight an encounter between
two boxer/punchers, the tempo of the combat from the outset was high paced and
it appeared that neither fighter was interested in pacing themselves to go
twelve rounds if need be. When it comes to fights like this, it will often boil
down to which fighter lands first with their power punches. In this fight
however, both fighters had success in landing power shots. One thing that stuck
out to me as the fight progressed was how Ramirez was able to consistently
close distance between himself and Hooker. Despite Hooker having a near eight-inch
reach advantage, he was unable to keep Ramirez at a distance where
theoretically the physics of the fight would be more in his favor.
It
was nevertheless a back and forth battle in what turned out to be one of the
best fights of 2019. The conclusion of the fight was both sudden and brutal as
a left hook to the head from Ramirez in round six staggered Hooker and sent him back along
the ropes. Quickly sensing that he had his opponent in trouble, Ramirez
followed up with a brutal barrage of punches that forced Referee Mark Nelson to
stop the fight.
Even
though the ending of this fight was both quick and brutal, I felt that the
stoppage of the fight was the appropriate call to make as Hooker appeared to be
out on his feet and had his head snapped back several times by Ramirez in that
follow-up barrage. While some fans under circumstances like the one where this
fight was stopped are quick to criticize the stoppage and rule it “Bad”, it
cannot and will not be overlooked by this observer that the sport has suffered
two deaths within the last week related to traumatic brain injury as a result
of injuries suffered while competing in the ring. Jr. Welterweights Hugo Santillan
and Maxim Dadashev each succumbed to injuries sustained in separate bouts
within the last week.
Although
this observer did not cover either of those fights, I have been very vocal on
social media platforms since the news of both men’s deaths became public with regard to the
need for further regulation in the sport as well as sharing my opinion that all
fighters who compete in combat sports should be and need to be respected by
fans as each time a fighter competes they are risking their lives.
While
by all accounts, the protocols that could be taken were in the aftermath of
Maxim Dadashev’s fight against Subriel Matias in Oxon Hill. MD and there have
been no reports indicating that similar protocols were not taken in regard to
the aftermath of Hugo Santillan’s fight against Eduardo Abreu in San Nicolas,
Argentina, it underscores both the dangers/risk associated with all combat
sports and how sometimes split-second decisions need to be made, which
unfortunately at times can be a matter of life and death.
Although
when similar circumstances have befallen the sport in the past it is not
uncommon to see both referees and athletic commissions be more cautious and at
times be willing to stop fights earlier than what some believed should be the
case, I believe in the case of Hooker-Ramirez the stoppage by Referee Mark
Nelson was the correct call. As the sport deals with the circumstances of the
deaths of both Dadashev and Santillin, it was refreshing to see both Hooker and
Ramirez showing respect to one another both before and after the fight. A
lesson in “Class” that everyone in the sport, fans, media, and the fighters who
compete in it can learn from.
“And
That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The
Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
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