Tuesday, November 30, 2021

MADRIMOV FACES SORO IN WBA SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE FINAL ELIMINATOR ON DECEMBER 17 IN UZBEKISTAN

 Press Release: November 30, 2021 By DAZN – ‘The Dream’ headlines huge DAZN fight night at the Renaissance Hall in Tashkent

 

Israil Madrimov can take a step closer to achieving his World Title dream when he faces Michel Soro in a Final Eliminator for the WBA Super-Welterweight crown on another huge night for Uzbekistan boxing at the Renaissance Hall in Tashkent on Friday December 17, with all of the action shown live worldwide on DAZN

Credit: DAZN

 

Madrimov (7-0, 5 KOs), the No.2 ranked Super-Welterweight with the WBA, outpointed the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Emmany Kalombo, who had won all fourteen of his professional contests inside the distance before facing ‘The Dream’, last time out at the Humo Arena in Tashkent on the undercard of Murodjon Akhmadaliev’s win over Ryosuke Iwasa.

 

France’s Soro (35-2-1, 24 KOs) is ranked No.1 in the world at 154lbs with the WBA and secured mandatory status in 2018 with a two-round wipe-out of the USA’s Greg Vendetti. The reigning WBA Gold World Super-Welterweight Champion scored a pair of knockouts over his compatriots Anderson Prestot and Cedric Vitu in 2019 but hasn’t fought since. 

 

Uzbekistan’s undefeated Super-Lightweight star Shakhram Giyasov (11-0, 9 KOs) returns to action against Argentina’s Cristian Rafael Coria (29-8-2, 13 KOs) after successfully defending his WBA International Title with a third-round stoppage win over Patricio Lopez Moreno in April. 

 

2016 Olympic Champion Hasanboy Dusmatov (3-0, 3 KOs) fights for the second time in 2021 against Mexico's Jose Rivas (18-12-4, 10 KOs) following his impressive two-round demolition job on Muhsin Kizota to capture the WBA International Light-Flyweight Title in just his third outing in the professional ranks. 

 

Tashkent’s own Dilshodbek Ruzmetov makes his professional debut at Light-Heavyweight, undefeated Lightweight Elnur Abduraimov (7-0, 6 KOs) continues his journey in the pros and Super-Welterweight prospect Ikboljon Kholdarov (1-0) looks to build on his pro debut win back in April and Super-Middleweight Bektemir Melikuziev (7-1, 6 KOs) looks to bounce back from his first career loss to Gabriel Rosado in June. 

 

“We're bringing DAZN back to Uzbekistan,” said Madrimov. “I'm happy to fight in Uzbekistan in front of my people. Fighting Soro is a big and very important step towards my goal. I rate him as the best Super-Welterweight who doesn't hold the belt. It will be exciting fight for the fans worldwide.”

 

"I am looking forward to December 17, when I will take my final step before challenging for the World Title,” said Soro. “My opponent Israil Madrimov deserves respect as he has the courage to face me with only 7 professional fights behind him. But I am ready to beat anyone, anywhere. I will prove it on December 17, and I will prove it again when I become World Champion."

 

“We are delighted to be returning to Uzbekistan for another huge night of boxing following our World Championship card at the Humo Theatre back in April headlined by Murodjon Akhmadaliev,” said Frank Smith, Matchroom Boxing CEO. “This time it’s ‘The Dream’ Israil Madrimov who brings big time boxing back to his homeland as he faces Michel Soro in a Final Eliminator for the WBA Super-Welterweight World Title. 

 

“Madrimov vs. Soro is part of a stacked December for us on DAZN that gets underway in Bilbao this Friday as Kerman Lejarraga defends his European Super-Welterweight crown against Jack Flatley. Then it’s over to Las Vegas the following evening for Devin Haney’s defence of his WBC Lightweight World Title against Joseph ‘Jo Jo’ Diaz Jr. We end the year with a bang in the UK as Conor Benn and Katie Taylor headline in Liverpool on Saturday December 11 and the following week it’s the massive rematch between Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora."

 

"We and our partners are always looking to bring top tier boxing action to nations across the world, and we are excited to be in Uzbekistan once again on December 17," said said Ed Breeze, EVP Rights at DAZN. " Madrimov vs. Soro will be a cracking fight and will kick off a stacked weekend of boxing which includes Parker vs. Chisora and Ramirez vs. Gonzalez, live worldwide on DAZN."

 

Ticket details will follow in due course.

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Monday, November 29, 2021

Lopez-Kambosos: It Was Worth The Wait


If one were to ask this observer as to what I feel will be the story that dominated the sport of Boxing in 2021 beyond the continuing impact of the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic, I would be hard-pressed to say that it was not the fiasco and subsequent long wait for the battle for the Undisputed Lightweight Championship of the world between undefeated world champion Teofimo Lopez and undefeated IBF number one contender George Kambosos. A fight that for a variety of reasons, all of which did not put Boxing in a favorable light, seemed as though it might never take place.

 

From a positive COVID-19 test that initially postponed the fight, to numerous issues involving promotional entity Triller from frequently changing the dates of which the bout will be rescheduled, along with changing locations and venues before ultimately defaulting on their six main dollar winning purse bid, resulting in promoter Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing as the second highest bidder stepping in to finally stage the fight on November 27th at The Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY. Along the way through the numerous obstacles this fight faced in simply being staged, this went from an encounter between an undefeated world champion and a not highly regarded unbeaten mandatory challenger, to one of the most anticipated fights of the year. The reason for this was both due to the numerous issues that as this observer stated in previewing this bout resembled an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary, but also what seemed to be a genuine dislike between the fighters as well as their camps.

 

Given everything that happened over the last seven months regarding this fight, it is understandable and I personally would hope that one would forgive a veteran Boxing journalist and historian in yours truly when I say that I had doubts that the fight would occur until I actually saw the two fighters enter the ring on fight night. Even with the more seasoned promoter in Eddie Hearn stepping in, the uncertainty of everything that had gone on as well as the continued circumstances of COVID-19, as well as the fact that the state of New York had declared a state of emergency shortly before the fight due to another variant of the COVID-19 virus, I was conditioned to almost expect the unexpected in the sense of not being sure if the fight would be allowed to take place right up until fight time.

 

Fortunately, for yours truly and the entire sport, Eddie Hearn was able to succeed where the novice promoter Triller could not and a fight that seemed like more of a reality show in the prelude was finally a reality. It did not disappoint. Although many people think of the prelude to a fight like this as sort of a pastime in the sense of the two fighters and their camps exchanging thoughts, opinions, predictions, and yes verbal cheap shots if not at times worse, this observer usually takes what is said with a grain of salt and prefers to direct his focus towards the fight itself.

 

This was a case of a power puncher in Lopez claiming that he would knock out Kambosos in the first round, going against a challenger who from the moment the fight was announced exuded confidence. Even though it is certainly not unusual throughout combat sports to hear of a fighter making bold predictions on when a fight will end, I did not think that this fight would necessarily end in one round, despite the possibility of a quick knockout always existing. The reason for this is George Kambosos was like Lopez an undefeated fighter, but was also a boxer/puncher and an old cliché that this observer believes in is “Styles Make Fights.”

 

Obviously, the challenge for Kambosos would be to survive an early storm of aggression from Lopez, but I felt that if he could accomplish that task it would likely turn into a more difficult fight for the champion than some had anticipated. As it would turn out, an aggressive start from Lopez would be exactly how this fight would begin as he pressed forward seemingly with the intention to end the fight with one punch.

 

While this put Kambosos on the defensive initially, the champion was also missing with a lot of his offense and this set up an opportunity for Kambosos to do something that many did not expect, knock the champion down with a counter right hand in the first round. Although this was a flash knockdown, it did succeed in proving two things. First that Kambosos had come to fight, and second that he had the power and ability to knock Lopez down if the opportunity presented itself.

 

After the first round I felt that it would have been in the champion’s best interest to abandon the approach of trying to end the fight with every single punch he threw and to settle down and approach this fight more tactically. Instead, he would continue to engage in a practice known throughout combat sports as “Head Hunting,” which played right into the challenger’s hands. Kambosos gradually was able to build on the knockdown he was able to score in the first round by implementing a consistent Boxing strategy that emphasized lateral movement, giving angles, and strategically picking his spots to throw offense. While it was clear that Lopez was the consistent aggressor in most of the rounds, it was Kambosos’ strategy and the way he timed his attacks that I felt was a story of the fight and with each passing round, he was dominating the action in my view.

 

This is not necessarily mean that Lopez did not have sporadic success throughout, but as the fight progressed he simply was not doing enough and did not settle down soon enough to avoid having to try to dig himself out of a hole on the scorecards in the middle and late rounds. Despite the bout appearing increasingly one-sided in my eyes as it progressed, it did not necessarily mean that it was not an entertaining fight as there were some heated exchanges throughout, but I felt that Kambosos was dictating the combat and seemed to get the better of most of the exchanges.

 

The appearance of an unbeaten top contender approaching a dominant victory to become an undisputed world champion however, would be thrown a bit of a curveball in the tenth round as Lopez would catch the elusive Kambosos and score a knockdown of his own with a right hand. With the fight seemingly getting away from him on the scorecards, this represented the champion’s best chance to turn things in his favor. It was not to be however, as Kambosos would do what he needed to do to survive and was able to regain control of the fight in rounds eleven and twelve. 

 

At the conclusion of the twelve round world championship bout, I arrived with a scorecard of 118-109 in points or eleven rounds to one in favor of Kambosos. This was based largely on his ability to control the tempo of the combat throughout, make Lopez miss, controlling the champion with his jab, having frequent success landing his right hand, as well as mixing in combinations.  While I felt Kambosos won nearly every round, I was not surprised to see a split decision rendered in this fight because Lopez was the consistent aggressor, but from my perspective, he was not the effective aggressor. The view of yours truly notwithstanding, there can be some that felt his aggression as well as landing hard blows when he was able to land were enough for Lopez to win some rounds that might be viewed as close. Even though it was a split decision, two of three official judges did feel as I did that Kambosos had done enough to win, making him the new Undisputed Lightweight world champion by an eight rounds to four margin.

 

Despite what appeared to be a clear victory in the eyes of any objective viewer for Kambosos, Lopez would claim that he won the fight shortly after the decision was announced in claiming that he felt he won ten of twelve rounds. Although this fight took place in Lopez’ backyard of New York and the vast majority of those in attendance at Madison Square Garden were in his corner at the beginning of the fight, when Lopez expressed his opinion, the crowd responded by booing the former champion.

 

Shortly after the decision was announced and Lopez’ comments, I commented on my social media platforms that in no disrespect to Lopez as I felt the kid, in my words still has a great career ahead of him, I felt that his ego got the better of him and that it was Kambosos that won at least ten rounds in my view. This observer followed those comments by saying that if Lopez watches the fight back, he might feel differently.

 

While it is certainly understandable how a young and unbeaten champion could respond in such a manner after suffering their first professional loss and subsequent loss of their world championship, I believe Lopez, who dismissed Kambosos in the lead up to the fight should have given the new champion the credit he earned.  Some might be tempted to say that this victory for Kambosos was an upset.

 

Yours truly does not necessarily agree with that statement because Kambosos was undefeated going into the fight and even though the majority of his career has not been as high profiled as Lopez’ has been, you can never discount the possibility of an undefeated fighter being a viable opponent once they are given their opportunity.  One thing however, that led to this outcome was clear to this observer. Teofimo Lopez had a plethora of distractions prior to this fight both in his personal life as well as elements of the business of the sport in dealing with the fiasco created by Triller, his bout with COVID-19, as well as signing a new extension with his promoter Top Rank and it’s broadcast partner ESPN to return to their banner and platform after this fight, which Top Rank promoter Bob Arum allowed to go to a purse bid, which ultimately benefited Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, and digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN, who staged the fight.  All of the above, I believe played a role in what happened in this fight as well as a lengthy layoff after fully unifying the Lightweight division in October 2019 due largely to the issues involving Triller.

 

While this is not by any means an excuse and does not take anything away from George Kambosos, who had just as long a layoff and as many issues involving Triller as Lopez had prior to this fight finally taking place, it is important to remember that fighters like the rest of us are all human and it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see how distractions, no matter what they might be, can effect a fighter’s preparation. One must also keep in mind that Lopez had come off a career-high in defeating three-division world champion Vasyl Lomachenko in October of last year to unify the Lightweight division. After such a significant moment in a fighter’s career and wanting to secure his future financially, which led to some of the issues involving the business side of the sport, and the other subsequent things that Lopez has been dealing with, the ingredients were there for someone to take advantage if they had the right skillset to do so. It turns out George Kambosos was a fighter in the right place, at the right time and he seized the opportunity that was before him once he did get Lopez in the ring.

 

One thing that this observer noticed that also did not benefit Lopez as the fight progressed was the advice he received from his father Teofimo Lopez Sr. throughout who seemed to encourage his son to continue looking for a knockout even as the fight was gradually getting away from him on the scorecards. While this could be a case of a mistake in a trainer/father’s coaching of a young fighter, perhaps if Lopez Sr. had told his fighter to settle down in the early or middle rounds and change the approach of Kambosos, he may have had more success.  It simply appears that Lopez and his team took Kambosos lightly and unfortunately for them, they paid the price of losing the fight and the Lightweight crown as a result.

 

As is always the case when it comes to a fight like this, the obvious question is what happens next? The obvious answer will most likely come in the form of what happens this coming weekend when undefeated top contender Devin Haney squares off against former IBF Lightweight world champion Joseph Diaz on December 4th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV.

 

Haney, currently holds what amounts to an interim championship designation in the WBC’s Lightweight rankings due to the organization designating Teofimo Lopez a “Franchise Champion” shortly after his victory over Vasyl Lomachenko in 2019. Although longtime readers have long heard me speak out against such designations by sanctioning organizations as though well-intentioned as a means of ensuring that top contenders get an opportunity one way or another to fight for a world title, creates more problems than it solves, Haney is one of two fighters currently that hold such a designation in the WBC’s Lightweight rankings, the other being undefeated contender Ryan Garcia. In a perfect universe, which the sport of Boxing is far from, the appropriate course of action would be to mandate the winner of Haney-Diaz to fight Garcia. Garcia however, has been inactive in recent times due to dealing with mental health struggles. While it is commendable that Garcia has chosen to put his mental health first before his career, this would seemingly open the door for the winner of Haney-Diaz to face the newly crowned undisputed champion George Kambosos at some point in 2022. 

 

While it is also important to keep in mind that as an undisputed/unified world champion, Kambosos will now have to face the top contenders of each organization of world championships he holds on a rotating basis, much like Lopez had to do after being undisputed champion where it was Kambosos as the IBF’s mandatory that was first in the rotation, I believe that if he were to fight the winner of Haney-Diaz it would at least for a short time take care of his mandatory defense obligations with regard to the WBC, while the WBA, IBF, and WBO each determine the next slate of mandatory challengers for their respective portions of the Undisputed Lightweight world championship. 

 

There also exists the possibility that Lopez may have a rematch clause and if he is not interested in moving up in weight to the140lb. Jr. Welterweight division, obviously, that rematch clause would have to be dealt with before an encounter between Kambosos and the Haney-Diaz winner. Outside of a Kambosos-Lopez rematch however, with Ryan Garcia still out of competition, there may be no bigger fight on the table financially for the new champion than a bout with the Haney-Diaz winner even though the 135lb. Lightweight division remains one of Boxing’s deepest and talent-rich divisions in the entire sport.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

 

Friday, November 26, 2021

Lopez-Kambosos Weights From New York City

 

The official weigh-in for the long-awaited encounter for the Undisputed Lightweight world championship between undefeated world champion Teofimo Lopez and undefeated IBF number one rated contender George Kambosos took place earlier today in New York City, NY. Weights for the entire card, which will take place at The Theater in Madison Square Garden and will be broadcast globally by digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN are below.

 

Main Event: Undisputed Lightweight World Championship – 12Rds.

 

Teofimo Lopez (Champion) 135lbs. vs. George Kambosos 134 1/4lbs.

 

Vacant IBF Jr. Lightweight world championship – 12Rds.

 

Azinga Fuzile 129 1/2lbs. vs. Kenichi Ogawa 129 1/4lbs.

 

Featherweight – 10Rds.

 

Raymond Ford 126lbs. vs. Felix Caraballo 125 1/4lbs.

 

Heavyweight – 8Rds.

 

Zhilei Zhang 274lbs. vs. Craig Lewis 273 1/4lbs.

 

Women’s Flyweight – 6Rds.

 

Christina Cruz 111 1/2lbs. vs. Maryguenn Vellinga 110 3/4lbs.

 

Women’s Jr. Featherweight – 4Rds.

 

Ramla Ali 122 1/4lbs. vs. Isela Vera 121lbs.

 

Bantamweight – 4Rds. *

 

Anthony Herrera 118lbs. vs. Jonathan Tejeda 115 1/4lbs.

 

(* Both Herrera and Tejeda will be making their respective pro debuts on this card.)

 

Lopez vs. Kambosos takes place on Saturday, November 27th at The Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY. The card can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 5PM ET/2PM PT with Before The Bell, which will feature preliminary bouts on the undercard followed by the main card, which will begin at 8PM ET/5PM PT. (U.S. Times).

 

*Card Subject To Change.

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 


Crawford-Porter Thoughts And What’s Next

 

The WBO Welterweight championship bout between undefeated champion Terence Crawford and former two-time Welterweight world champion Shawn Porter was one of the most anticipated fights of 2021 for a few reasons that both revolve around what each fighter could do inside the ring as well as the business landscape of the sport, which like it or not, played a significant role in the bout coming to fruition.

 

In previewing this bout between two boxer/punchers that were/are among the upper echelon of the Welterweight division, I first stated that I was happy to see this encounter taking place at an appropriate time in each fighter's career, despite the obvious business elements that were involved, which this observer will discuss later in this column. It is after all not often that the sport is treated to a fight between two fighters in the prime of their careers without some form of the business elements that be in the sport at minimum resulting in a delay of a fight being made and at worst such delays lasting at times years. This was simply a rarity where the business circumstances that be as well as the respective timing in each fighter's career ended up being perfect.

 

With all the ingredients in place, a sold out crowd at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on November 20th was treated to two elite fighters meeting for Crawford’s Welterweight crown, but more importantly to test their skills against each other. A fight that did not disappoint as both fighters showed why they are considered among the best not just in the Welterweight division, but in the entire sport.

 

Despite the opinion of some that Crawford would be too much for Porter, it was the former two-time world champion who established the tempo of combat immediately by coming out of his corner and throwing a combination at the beginning of the bout. One aspect that I liked about Porter’s approach early on was the tactical aggression he showed early on. While he is known for at times being overly aggressive and lunging in recklessly with his offense, Porter did not do this in the early rounds and I felt he was getting the better of some of the exchanges of offense as well.

 

Although the challenger was able to establish a slight advantage early in my view, it did not take long for the fight to heat up and for Crawford to also establish himself, particularly as he began switching between and orthodox and southpaw stance, which seemed to nullify Porter’s rhythm in spots and also begin to frustrate him as Porter lunged forward in an attempt to catch Crawford, but ended up running into one of the neutral corners of the ring late in the fourth round. While this was a tactic that Crawford was able to set up and execute in being able to time Porter’s lunge and get out of range, he did not follow up with offense when Porter was momentarily cornered as some opponents may have. Whether this was due to the friendship the two fighters have had since their amateur days and thus a sign of sportsmanship by the champion, or simply a missed opportunity, the fact is that Crawford likely could have taken advantage of the situation in what quickly developed into a very close fight where the two fighters seemingly traded rounds and thus for a lengthy period of time, neither fighter was able to really establish clear momentum.

 

This carried on through most of the fight and as the bout entered the later rounds, I actually had Porter ahead slightly on my unofficial scorecard. It was one of those fights however, that due to both the styles of the two fighters as well as how the bout was being fought that it was easy to see how potential scores could vary based on an individual’s own view and interpretation as to what was taking place. At the conclusion of the ninth round, I had Porter up by a single round. Rounds eight and nine were the rounds where the champion began to ever slightly turn the ebb and flow in his favor and it was that momentum that set the stage for what turned out to be the final round, round ten. It would be Crawford who would find an opening early in the tenth round by finding an opening to drop a lunging Porter with a short counter left uppercut.

 

This would be followed by a short combination of blows to the head that sent a frustrated former champion Porter down and pounding the canvas in that frustration with his fists. Although Porter showing the champion’s heart he has had his entire career got up from the second knockdown and informed the referee that he wanted to continue, Porter’s father and trainer Kenny Porter threw the towel in the end the fight giving Crawford a tenth round stoppage victory.

 

An illustration of just how close this fight was can be seen in the official scorecards as two of three official judges had the champion up by a single point going into the tenth round. While I had Porter up by the same margin, it does show how competitive this fight was and how opinions can differ as to who might be ahead in such a close contest.

 

Now, the issue of the stoppage of this fight. It is important to remember that even though Shawn Porter had been knocked down previously in his career, notably in the late rounds in his fight against Errol Spence in 2019, he had never been stopped going into this fight. For his part when asked during a post-fight interview as to why he stopped the fight, Kenny Porter stated that he did not like his son’s preparation going into the bout as his reasoning for stopping the fight. 

 

Although I unfortunately have made a habit on a regular basis through the years in referencing just how long this observer has covered the sport, this was a first for me in the sense that I have never heard a trainer in the amateur or professional levels of Boxing claim their reasoning for stopping a bout was due to how they felt about their fighter’s preparation going into the fight. While this certainly could simply be an answer given in the heat of the moment, did Kenny Porter do the right thing?  In fights where there are two knockdowns scored in a single round against one fighter, that round is usually scored 10-7 in points. Keeping in mind that Porter was down a single point on two of three official scorecards going into the tenth round, it would have been difficult assuming he was able to survive the tenth round for him to earn a decision victory or a draw without scoring knockdowns of his own in what would have been rounds eleven and twelve.

 

From my perspective, I felt Porter should have been allowed to continue. It is indisputable that the ebb and flow of the fight had shifted clearly to Crawford in round ten and he may have well been able to either force a stoppage via a third knockdown or getting the referee to step in and stop it had the fight been allowed to continue. Porter was very competitive throughout this fight and based not only on that, not only on how close the fight was, but also his skill level throughout his career as a cornerstone of the Welterweight division, he deserved the chance to see if he could turn the fight around, in my view. Did Kenny Porter make a mistake both in stopping the fight and his explanation afterward?

 

Only Porter himself can say why he made the decision, but it is important to keep in mind that Boxing history is full of stories of fathers training sons that subsequently for one reason or another did not work out well and turned into splits between those pairings not only in terms of the sport, but in their private lives as well.  It seemed that Porter acted more as a father looking to protect his son rather than a trainer who felt that his fighter had taken too much punishment.  While it is certainly understandable why a father would look to protect their offspring in such a situation, it is the type of circumstance that can lead to break ups.  As for Shawn Porter, he surprised many after the fight during the post-fight press conference by announcing his retirement from the sport after thirty-six pro bouts at thirty-four years old.

 

Porter has established a career outside the ring as an expert commentator for various networks broadcasting Boxing. He certainly does not need to compete anymore if that is what he truly wants to do and does have his health in tact. It remains to be seen however, if this decision was an emotional one based on being stopped for the first time in his career as well as the way the fight was stopped.  Perhaps the decision also has to do with certain business elements in the sport, in certain fights not being made based on promotional/network interest rather than what is good for the fighters involved, which have an effect on fighters beyond what goes on in the ring. Nevertheless, Porter is a great representative for the sport of Boxing, has always given his all inside the ring, and is a valuable voice that will benefit the sport going forward as he continues his broadcasting career outside the ring.

 

As for Terence Crawford, This victory was another statement making performance, but one that came against a fighter who was long aligned with the Premier Boxing Champions group of promoters and as a promotional entity, the PBC does not have a history of allowing their fighters to fight fighters outside of the PBC banner on a consistent basis. While this observer has long been critical and will continue to be so of such an approach as recently, PBC fighters have not faired too well outside of the PBC banner, which only lends creditability to the idea that holding those fighters back based on promotional/network interest, the business elements that be in the sport, does more harm for those fighters in the long-term than it does benefit them, it will be interesting to see what Crawford does next.

 

The Crawford-Porter bout, which was an exclusive pay-per-view event in the United States through the ESPN+ streaming network/platform represented Crawford’s final fight under his current promotional agreement with longtime promoter Bob Arum and his company Top Rank Inc.  It is no secret to those within the sport that Arum and Crawford’s relationship has been strained for sometime and it remains to be seen whether or not Crawford will re-sign with Arum or look to other promoters to seek out fights against other world champions in his division that unfortunately have not been available to him thus far due largely to the PBC model and the group of promoters under the PBC banner seemingly wanting to do business in house. While such tribalism has no real benefit to the sport, until something changes, that is unfortunately what fighters in Crawford’s position will have to deal with.  As for the pay-per-view event, it was not a success from a business standpoint generating between 130,000-190,000 total buys at a $69.99 price point.

 

Although it is worth noting that this pay-per-view card came at a point where the pay-per-view model has not been a success on a consistent basis for those promoters that continue to rely on such a model and that unlike most pay-per-view attractions, this event was broadcast exclusively through the ESPN app through ESPN+ and was not available through traditional cable/satellite telco providers here in the United States. It is also worth noting that the Crawford-Porter card was positioned during a run where there have been several pay-per-view events that have either taken place before this card or will be taking place in the weeks to come including the recently announced Heavyweight themed card that will be promoted under the PBC banner that will be held in Hollywood, FL on New Year’s day 2022. All those cards with the exception of that New Year’s day card, which will be priced at $39.99 have been priced at or around $70 or above.

 

It is no secret to longtime readers that yours truly routinely points out the flaws of the PPV model and will continue to do so. Although this card was a rare pay-per-view card for ESPN, I believe the buy rate is directly related to not only the inflated price point, as has been the case with many other pay-per-view cards over the last decade and a half, but also the fact that consumers now have access to reasonably priced subscription-based streaming options including ESPN’s own ESPN+ digital sports network and digital sports streaming network DAZN.  While yours truly holds out hope that the continued dwindling buy rates for such cards will finally force the promotional hold outs and network hold outs to accept reality that the subscription-based streaming model is not going to go away and adaptation is necessary for their survival in the sport, for now, they will have to continue learning that lesson the hard way in the form of dwindling returns regardless of who is on the card. The solution is not going to come in the way of higher price points that lack value for the fee the consumer is asked to pay. It is a shame because ultimately, it hurts the fighters who are lured by the idea of making significant money in the form of a percentage of pay-per-view buys. As I have said before, something needs to change.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

 

 

 

 

 

 


Tuesday, November 23, 2021

FINALLY! Lopez-Kambosos

 

The first time this observer saw the word “FINALLY!” in relation to the promotion of a Boxing event it was prior to my covering the first encounter between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield as a young writer, who was honestly just starting to get his feet wet in regard to not only the practice of being a writer, but also covering combat sports when the fight took place with much anticipation in November 1996. Of course, the term “FINALLY!” in all the promotion that surrounded the fight was due to the fact that the fight, which was originally scheduled to take place in June of 1992, but was cancelled due to a Tyson conviction that resulted in a three year jail sentence and the fighters subsequently taking different paths in those years including when Tyson resumed his career in 1995, was finally going to become a reality.

 

There are times however, where the phrase “FINALLY” can and perhaps should be used if not to describe the anticipation of an encounter, than certainly to describe the fact that an often postponed fight that was the result of various elements including, but not limited to illness, and the business elements that be in the sport is “Finally” going to take place. This observer is referring to the battle for the Undisputed Lightweight world championship between undefeated world champion Teofimo Lopez and undefeated IBF number one contender George Kambosos. In the interest of honesty with the reader, yours truly has had his preview for this fight written and sitting in the can since the bout was originally scheduled to take place in April of this year.  While elements of that material will be seen as this column/preview progresses, as most know, this bout has been postponed several times. Although I would prefer both as someone who has covered what has frankly been a fiasco over the past several months that can be referenced in the archives through various articles related to the fight and the Lightweight division here on The Boxing Truth®, the short version is that the champion Lopez first came down with the COVID-19 virus, while it is unfortunately true that the world remains in the midst of the COVID-19 epidemic, that was just the start of things.

 

Unlike where in most circumstances when a fighter is ill, a rescheduled date once it is determined that the fighter is able to compete is made, this fight has seen several starts, stops, and changes in venue due to the inexperience of recent newcomer into the Boxing promotional business Triller. The promotional and entertainment entity that bid $6 million for the rights to promote this fight via an open purse bid held by the International Boxing Federation (IBF). Despite securing those rights and marketing the bout throughout the year to be staged as a pay-per-view event, Triller frequently changed dates and the venue where the bout would take place resulting in a rift between the promoter, the fighters, and the sanctioning organization, the IBF, that quite frankly resembled an ESPN 30 For 30 documentary.

 

In short, in October the IBF ruled that Triller had defaulted on it’s bid to stage the bout, resulting in the more seasoned promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, who bid over $3 million in that IBF purse bid to step in and stage the fight, which will “FINALLY!” take place on November 27th at the Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, which can be seen globally on globally digital sports streaming network DAZN.

 

Now that yours truly has hopefully brought the reader up to date and hope to have done so in as condensed a way as possible, now we get to the preview of the fight itself. For Teófimo Lopez, who will enter the fight unbeaten with a record of 16-0, with 12 Knockouts, this will be his second title defense and first since unifying the world Lightweight championship to become an undisputed world champion when he defeated Vasyl Lomachenko in October of last year. Lopez, who had built a reputation for his ability to score quick knockouts that many would call head turning or highlight reel worthy, surprised many by showcasing his Boxing ability in the fight against Lomachenko in tactically out Boxing Lomachenko, who was viewed as a significant favorite over twelve rounds to win a wide unanimous decision.

 

The primary thing that Lopez proved in that fight, at least in this observer’s view, was that he was much more than a “Knockout Artist.” While it is very tempting to say that Lopez is the complete package particularly after such an unexpected and impressive performance that he put forth against Lomachenko, I will say for now that at minimum he showed an evolving skillset and that makes him an even more dangerous fighter to face and try to combat.

 

A danger that can be present for a fighter such as Lopez however, is after coming off of such a high in scoring the biggest win of his career in a fight he dominated, the potential to lose focus is there. While obviously we do not know as to whether that potential could be a factor in this fight, what Lopez will be facing in George Kambosos is a fighter that like him is unbeaten.

 

Kambosos, who is undefeated with a record of 19-0, with 10 Knockouts, is a former Australian Lightweight champion, who will have a slight advantage in terms of professional experience over the champion. Currently rated number one by both the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and the World Boxing Organization (WBO), Kambosos is a boxer/puncher who has a very compact style and is a solid counter puncher. The key to this encounter in my eyes is whether or not Kambosos will be able to control the tempo of the combat.

 

Taking Teofimo Lopez’ last performance out of the equation for a moment, Lopez is a fighter who likes to walk his opposition down and land power shots with fight ending intentions. As compact as Kambosos is with his offense, it will be interesting to see whether he will be able to control the tempo against a fighter who is also quick even though that is an aspect of Lopez’ skillset that has not been a focal point of discussion in his career likely due to his ability to end a fight with one punch. Now, re-entering Lopez’ performance against Vasyl Lomachenko back into the equation, the possibility exists that Lopez could once again try to implement a tactical Boxing strategy.

 

An obvious question that will have to be answered by both fighters when they finally get into the ring to do battle is what effects if any have the postponements, as well as the legal issues involving both the IBF and Triller have had on them and their respective preparation for this fight. Boxers are after all human just like the rest of us and there has to be at least a little effect that a fighter has when faced with such circumstances as both Lopez and Kambosos have had over the last several months just trying to get this fight in the ring.

 

While there are other business elements at play regarding Lopez that will follow coming out of this fight that should be discussed, assuming of course in all seriousness that it finally does take place, this observer will close this column by saying that by the look of things, this fight is as close to taking place is it has been throughout 2021 and if Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing can succeed in getting the fight in the ring, the entire sport from the fighters themselves, to contenders in the Lightweight division that have been fighting while Lopez and Kambosos have been stuck in limbo, to those of us who cover the sport can be relieved that “FINALLY” it will happen. We can only hope.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Lopez vs. Kambosos takes place on Saturday, November 27th at The Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY. The card can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 5PM ET/2PM PT with Before The Bell, which will feature preliminary bouts on the undercard followed by the main card, which will begin at 8PM ET/5PM PT. (U.S. Times).

 

*Card Subject To Change.

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

ANDREW MOLONEY TRAINING CAMP QUOTES

 Press Release: November 23, 2021 By Team Moloney – Former World Champion Andrew Moloney 21-2 battles Philippines Froilan Saludar 32-4 live on FoxSports Australia, Thursday December 9th from the Newcastle Entertainment Centre in Newcastle, New South Wales Australia. 

Credit: Team Moloney

 

Here is what Moloney had to say about his December 9th Matchup and more from training camp in Australia;

 

On his recent training camp in Australia: 

 

My preparation for this fight has been excellent! I started training as soon as I landed back in Australia after my loss to Joshua Franco. 

I believe I have learnt a lot from that trilogy and I am extremely hungry to get back to the top and become World Champion again. 

 

There has been a big buzz in the gym with Bruno Tarimo and my brother Jason both preparing for World Title Eliminators and myself getting ready for December 9. We have all been pushing each other really hard and have had great sparring with each other as well as Sydney based Argentinian Emiliano Tissera. 

 

 

On the WBO/IBF title situation (Kazuto Ioka v Jerwin Ancajas rumoured for New Years in Japan):

 

This will be a great fight. It’s a fight I believe could go either way and certainly one I’ll be watching very closely. 

 

I’m really hope that I can get the opportunity to fight the winner of this fight sometime in 2022. 

 

 

On his opponent, Froilan Saludar:

 

Saludar is a dangerous opponent. He is very experienced and his losses have only come against very high-level fighters. 

 

He is explosive and has a long reach but I believe I will be adding another KO loss to his record. 

 

On fighting in his first back in Australia in over 2 years:

 

I am really excited to be fighting in Australia again for the first time in over 2 years. The fight will be shown live on Fox Sports in Australia and ESPN in America so I plan on making a statement, showing what I have learnt from my recent fights and putting on a devastating performance. 

 

 Material and Photo Courtesy of: Team Moloney Used with permission.

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

Friday, November 19, 2021

Andrade KO’s Quigley In 2 To Retain WBO Middleweight World Championship

 

Undefeated WBO Middleweight world champion Demetrius Andrade scored a statement-making second round knockout of WBO number ten rated Middleweight contender Jason Quigley on Friday night at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH. Andrade, who is a two-division world champion having previously held the WBO Jr. Middleweight crown, was making the fifth defense of his WBO Middleweight world championship. An extremely talented boxer with an impressive skillset, Andrade has faced struggles in securing lucrative fights in and around the 160lb. Middleweight division due to his Boxing style that while dominant does not always result in entertaining knockouts the generate interest to secure some of those lucrative fights. Andrade was not interested in going twelve rounds in this title defense as he patiently waited for his opening and then landed a short left hook to the head that sent Quigley down. In round two, Andrade did not allow Quigley time to recover dropping him a second time with a left hook to the head. The end came when a combination landed and sent Quigley down for a third time forcing a stoppage of the bout. Official time of the stoppage was 2:24 of round two. Demetrius Andrade advances to 31-0, with 19 Knockouts. Jason Quigley falls to 19-2, with 14 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

In a disappointing clash for the WBC Flyweight world championship, champion Julio Cesar Martinez and veteran McWilliams Arroyo fought to a three round no contest. It did not take long for the action to heat up as the challenger Arroyo dropped Martinez midway through the first round with a flush left hook to the jaw that sent the champion down into the ropes. Although Martinez did not go down fully, the ropes did prevent him from going down, but also his glove did touch the canvas. Late in round one, the champion answered back by dropping Arroyo with a left hook of his own to the head. Round two saw Martinez score a second knockdown of the challenger with a left hook followed by a push. Although the push was clear, it was ruled a knockdown. Later in round two, Arroyo was cut over the right eye as a result of an accidental clash of heads. At the beginning of round three, Arroyo informed the ringside physician that he could not see resulting in the no contest being rendered. Julio Cesar Martinez maintains his record of 18-1-0 1NC, with 14 Knockouts. McWilliams Arroyo maintains his record of 21-4-0-1NC, with 16 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated unified IBF/WBA Jr. Featherweight world champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev scored a dominant twelve round unanimous decision over a very “Game” Jose Velasquez. The challenger consistently pressed the action from start to finish and was the aggressor throughout, but it was Akhmadaliev’s cleaner punches, angles, and ring generalship that resulted in him retaining his unified world championship via unanimous decision. Official scores were: 119-109 (On all three scorecards) for Akhmadaliev. Murodjon Akhmadaliev advances to 10-0, with 7 Knockouts. Jose Velasquez falls to 29-7-2, with 19 Knockouts.

 

In a bout for the WBA/IBO/WBO Jr. Welterweight world championship, WBA/IBO world champion Kali Reis scored a hard fought ten round split decision over top contender Jessica Camara. Reis started the fight at a quick pace, but as the fight progressed the challenger pressed the action and landed several right hands and left hooks to the head that appeared to be the cleaner punches through the middle rounds. With the championship seemingly slipping away, Reis was able to get a second wind in the closing rounds to earn the nod on two of three judges scorecards to retain her championship and add the vacant WBO championship to her unified crown. Reis now advances to face undefeated WBC/IBF Jr. Welterweight world champion Chantelle Cameron in 2022 to determine an undisputed world champion in the Women’s 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division. Official scores were 97-93 (Reis), 95-94 (Camara), and 97-93 in favor of Reis. Kali Reis advances to 19-7-1, with 7 Knockouts. Jessica Camara falls to 8-3, with 0 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated Heavyweight Demsey McKean battered an over matched Don Haynesworth over six one-sided rounds to earn a stoppage win early in the sixth round. Official time was :27 of round six. Demsey McKean advances to 20-0, with 13 Knockouts. Don Haynesworth falls to 16-8-1, with 14 Knockouts.

 

Unbeaten Jr. Welterweight Nelson Perez scored a four round unanimous decision over Raymundo Cardiel. Perez dropped Cardiel in an exchange of left hooks in the first round where his simply landed first. This was followed by a second knockdown in round two with another left hook to the head of Cardiel. Although Perez simply could not miss with his left hand and it seemed Cardiel was outgunned, to his credit, Cardiel hung in there and made it to the final bell. All three official judges scored the bout 40-34 in favor of Perez. Nelson Perez advances to 5-0, with 2 Knockouts. Raymundo Cardiel falls to 3-8-2 with 3 Knockouts.

 

In a battle of unbeaten Cruiserweights Thomas O'Toole scored a first round knockout of previously undefeated Mark Malone. The southpaw O'Toole rocked Malone with a left hand that staggered him and while against the ropes O’Toole unleashed a vicious left hook to the head that sent Malone down and out on the canvas. Official time of the stoppage was 1:31 of round one. Malone was down for a few minutes following the knockout, but was able to leave the ring under his own power. Thomas O’Toole advances to 2-0, with 2 Knockouts. Mark Malone falls to 1-1, with 0 Knockouts.  

 

Light-Heavyweights Khalil Coe and Aaron Casper began the evening by fighting to a four round majority draw. Coe had a solid first round mixing his attack to the body and head of Casper. From round two on however, Casper seemed to get more aggressive and brought the fight to Coe and forcing the combat on the inside. While neither fighter never stood out clearly from the other, it appeared Casper dictated the fight down the stretch. Official scores were 39-37 (Coe), and 38-38 (On two scorecards. Khalil Coe advances to 1-0-1, with 1 Knockout. Aaron Casper advances to 6-4-2, with 5 Knockouts.

 

This latest victory for Demetrius Andrade was the type that in a perfect Boxing universe would drum up demand for him to face the other champions in the division including WBC world champion Jermall Charlo and the winner of the upcoming unification bout between unified IBF/IBO Middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin and WBA champion Ryota Murata, which will take place on December 29th in Tokyo, Japan, in scoring a quick conclusive knockout where he did not leave much room for critics to criticize his performance if they were to do so objectively..  Boxing unfortunately is far from a perfect universe, but Andrade has done everything he can do as a defending champion to make the argument for the lucrative fights that have thus far eluded him. While there is certainly more that goes into the equation on the business end of the sport, this observer asks this simple question. After thirty-one consecutive wins and being a world champion in two different divisions, what more does Demetrius Andrade have to do to get one lucrative fight let alone the slew of lucrative opportunities normally available to the top stars in the sport?

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison

PROBELLUM JOINS FORCES WITH COSTA RICA'S 3MG BOXING

 Press Release: By Probellum –

Los Angeles, CA – November 18, 2021 - Probellum can today announce yet another multi-fight, multi-year co-promotional agreement - teaming up with Costa Rica's 3MG Boxing.

The promotion have become a huge force in Costa Rica over the past decade, with promoter Mario Vega helping to take 3MG Boxing from strength to strength.

They have held a number of impressive events throughout the country in locations such as Santa Ana, Heredia, San Jose and Santo Domingo, with some of the very best talent on display.

Highly-rated fighters such as David Jimenez, Jordan Reyes and Cristian Coronado are currently flying the flag for Costa Rica, with even more superstars set to be unearthed after Probellum partnered with 3MG Boxing.

The deal with 3MG Boxing is Probellum's latest co-promotional agreement, having also secured deals with Wasserman Boxing, Universum in Germany, Groupe Yvon Michel in Canada, Maravillabox Promotions in Spain, Kynoch Boxing in Scotland, Mitchell Sports Promotions in England, LNK Boxing in Latvia, Titov Boxing in Russia, Glozier Boxing in New Zealand, Cuadrilatero Boxing in Colombia, PR Best Boxing in Puerto Rico, BXSTRS Promotions in Mexico, Shuan Boxing Promotions in the Dominican Republic, Bufalo Boxing in Nicaragua, Team Ellis Boxing in Australia, Pro Boxing Team in Finland, Moron Boxing in Venezuela, Volcano Boxing in El Salvador, Armin Tan Promotions in Indonesia, and Box Office Sports in Ghana.

Probellum has also acquired an elite roster, including fighters such as Regis Prograis, Nonito Donaire, Badou Jack, Donnie Nietes, Lee McGregor, Eimantas Stanionis, Arthur Biyarslanov, Taras Shelestyuk, Ricky Burns, Paul Butler, Lewis Ritson, Muhammad Waseem, O'Shaquie Foster, Hovhannes Bachkov, Darius Fulghum, Eduardo Hernandez, Mark Dickinson, Brandon Moore, Jack Bowen, Jason Mallia and and Francisco Rodriguez.

"Today's boxing is a global sport. Many young kids' dreams can be made possible because of this important alliance," said Mario Vega of 3MG Boxing"It means a lot that a big enterprise like Probellum are looking for talent in such a small country, and making dreams come true. We're going to surprise the world together!"

"Mario Vega has done wonderful things with 3MG Boxing and we're pleased that we can now come on board and help to take things to even greater heights," said Richard Schaefer, President of Probellum.

"We have already made big moves throughout Central America, and by adding another fantastic promotion to our portfolio, it's even more positive fans for boxing fans around the world."

For live news and updates, be sure to follow Probellum on InstagramTwitter and Facebook.

 

Material Courtesy of: Probellum Used with permission.

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Andrade-Quigley Weights

 

The official weigh-in for Friday’s WBO Middleweight world championship fight between undefeated world champion Demetrius Andrade and WBO number ten rated contender Jason Quigley took place earlier today in Manchester, NH. Weights for the entire card, which will be broadcast globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN are below.

 

Main Event: WBO Middleweight World championship – 12Rds.

 

Demetrius Andrade (Champion) 160lbs. vs. Jason Quigley (Challenger) 159 3/4lbs.

 

*Women’s WBA/IBO/WBO Jr. Welterweight world championship – 10Rds.

 

Kali Reis (WBA/IBO world champion) 138lbs. vs. Jessica Camara (Challenger) 139lbs.

 

(*The vacant WBO world championship in the Women’s Jr. Welterweight division will also be at stake in this bout. Winner of this bout to face WBC/IBF world champion Chantelle Cameron on a date to be determined in 2022 for the Undisputed Jr. Welterweight world championship.)

 

WBC Flyweight World championship – 12Rds.

 

Julio Cesar Martinez (Champion) 111 1/4lbs. vs. McWilliams Arroyo (Challenger) 111 1/2lbs.

 

IBF/WBA Jr. Featherweight world championship – 12Rds.

 

Murodjon Akhmadaliev (Champion) 121 3/4lbs. vs. Jose Velasquez (Challenger) 121 1/2lbs.

 

Heavyweight – 8Rds.

 

Demsey McKean 243lbs. vs.  Don Haynesworth 293 1/2lbs.

 

Jr. Welterweight – 6Rds.

 

Nelson Perez 140lbs. vs. Raymundo Cardiel 139 1/2lbs.

 

Light-Heavyweight – 4 Rds.

 

Khalil Coe 175 3/4lbs. vs. Aaron Casper 174 3/4lbs.

 

Cruiserweight – 4Rds.

 

Thomas O’Toole 186 3/4lbs. vs. Mark Malone 198 1/2lbs.  

 

Andrade vs. Quigley takes place tomorrow night (Friday, November 19th) at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH. The entire card can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning with Before The Bell, which will air preliminary bouts beginning at 5:15PM ET/2:15PM PT. This will be followed by the main card, which will begin at 8PM ET/ 5PM PT (U.S. Times). For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times in your area, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.

 

Follow Beau Denison on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison