Lara-Warrington 2: Can Lara Do It Again?

 

In February of this year, Josh Warrington, the recent former IBF Featherweight world champion, who had relinquished his crown due to elements surrounding the politics of the sport of Boxing climbed into the ring with veteran Mauricio Lara at the Wembley Arena in London, England in what was thought by some to be a means for Warrington to simply re-enter competition after being sidelined like much of the world by the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic. Although some thought of Mauricio Lara as a mere opponent, he did enter the fight with a respectable record of 22-2, with 15 Knockouts compared to Warrington’s 30-0, with 7 Knockouts.

It became clear rather quickly once the fight began that, despite not having the resume comparable to the former world champion, Lara was not interested in being a mere opponent for a fighter in Warrington that frankly had bigger things looming ahead of him.  As some may recall when the two fighters met on February 13^th of this year, Lara proved to be the stronger of the two fighters as he frequently landed hard thudding punches on Warrington. This included Lara dropping the former world champion hard in the fourth round with a flush left hook to the head.

Although Warrington showed tremendous heart in this fight, he simply could not find a way to keep Lara off of him and it was in the ninth round that Lara brought the fight to an end by knocking Warrington down with another left hook leading to the fight being stopped.  This now leads to the rematch on Saturday, September 4^th at the Headingley Stadium in Warrington’s hometown of Leeds, England. The bout will headline a nine-bout card broadcast globally by digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN.

There is no dispute that Lara’s knockout of Warrington was an upset, but it was also the type of performance and knockout that some might ask how Warrington will look in this immediate rematch. Some may also question the wisdom in Warrington choosing to take the rematch over six months after the first bout. To be specific, taking the rematch in a relatively short time after suffering a beating at the hands of Lara.

In this observer’s eyes, the focus going into this rematch is squarely on Josh Warrington. Warrington is a former world champion and does have experience at the top level of the sport. What is usually questioned after a fighter sustains the kind of punishment he did against Lara is what effect will it have on the fighter in the long-term? While every fighter and every knockout is different, it is a fair question to ask.

Warrington is a world-class boxer that is capable of Boxing his way to convincing decision victories. What worked against him in the first fight in my eyes was he was more willing to engage with Lara than had been the case against previous opponents. Perhaps this was due to not being familiar with Lara’s style or possibly taking Lara, who was not well-known going into that bout a little lightly with an eye toward more lucrative fights ahead. Whatever the case might be, Warrington’s decision to be more stationary and not use lateral movement to the level he has previously in his career played into Lara’s hands as he gradually broke Warrington down.

An old saying that yours truly believes in with regard to not just the sport of Boxing, but all combat sports is styles make fights. It may be a case that Lara might have a style that is just too difficult for a fighter with Warrington’s style to combat. While this remains to be seen, it will be interesting to see if Lara tries to implement the same pressure/power punching style that worked to his advantage in February. A question that some might ask is whether or not it will be the same approach or if Lara will implement slight changes in order to deflect any adjustments that Warrington might make this time around. If Lara is able to repeat his performance in the rematch, it will be hard not to say that he would not be in line for a world championship opportunity in the 126lb. Featherweight division in the near future.  While a second loss to Mauricio Lara would not necessarily put his career in doubt, a second loss would almost certainly drop Josh Warrington out of the picture of potential world championship fights and other lucrative opportunities for a period of time.

The Lara-Warrington rematch card will also feature two bouts that have significant interest. First, undefeated Undisputed Women’s Lightweight world champion Katie Taylor will defend her crown against former IBF Featherweight world champion Jennifer Han in a bout scheduled for ten rounds. For Taylor, who is the top fighter in the 135lb. Lightweight division, the question is how long will she remain at Lightweight. As an undisputed world champion, Taylor has no shortage of opportunities going forward that could see her challenge Undisputed Welterweight world champion Jessica McCaskill, who Taylor defeated in December 2017 in her first title defense of what was then the WBA Lightweight world championship that she eventually fully unified with the WBC, IBF, and WBO world championships, or even a fight with seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano, who is coming off of a successful defense of her unified IBF/WBO/IBO Featherweight world championship over Yamileth Mercado on the undercard of Jake Paul’s victory over former MMA world champion Tyron Woodley.

While there is no shortage of potentially lucrative fights ahead for Taylor, in Jennifer Han, Taylor will face a former Featherweight world champion who has not lost a bout in seven years, but is coming off a bit of a layoff due to having a child and is moving up in weight to challenge Taylor. Han, who is the current number one contender in the International Boxing Federation’s (IBF) Women’s Lightweight ratings is a veteran of twenty-five bouts and will enter the bout with a record of 18-3-1, with 1 Knockout compared to the champion who will enter with a record of 18-0, with 6 Knockouts.

Although Taylor’s toughest test to date was in her first fight with former Lightweight world champion Delfine Persoon in June 2019, the question that I usually have prior to one of her bouts is whether or not an opponent will be able to deal with her hand speed and overall ring generalship. The first bout with Persoon, which Taylor won by ten round majority decision, was the only time that one could make an argument that the decision could have gone the other way. Since that outing including her rematch with Persoon in August of last year, Taylor has been dominant and has not lost many rounds. 

Like Taylor, Jennifer Han is a world-class boxer who knows how to go the distance and win rounds, but the question I have is whether or not as the fighter moving up in weight, if she will be able to deal with the champion’s hand speed and overall Boxing ability. It may also be fair to ask whether or not she will be able to take a punch as a Lightweight as well as she has as at Featherweight. What Han does have in her favor is she has not been stopped in her three career losses and like the champion is firmly established as a distance fighter. Whether Han will be able to outwork Taylor over the course of ten rounds in a fight where a knockout may not be likely remains to be seen.

The third featured bout on this card will be the rescheduled Welterweight bout between undefeated contender Conor Benn and Adrian Granados. As some may recall, this bout was originally scheduled to headline the first week of promoter Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing Fight Camp 2021 season back in July, but was postponed two days before the fight when it was revealed that Benn had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus subsequently postponing the fight. As readers may recall in previewing that fight prior to the postponement, this figures to be a stern test for Benn against Granados who has a lot of experience coming into this fight. Although due to the length of this column as well as the fact that yours truly already previewed this fight prior to its original postponement, the story now has a wrinkle in that the question will inevitably be asked whether or not Benn is completely recovered from his bout with COVID-19.

Although since the COVID-19 epidemic began and since the sport of Boxing resumed activity in the summer of last year there have been fighters who have dealt with COVID-19 infections and did not show any adverse effects after being cleared to resume their careers, there have also been those who have appeared to have obvious lingering effects after their bouts with this virus such as longtime Heavyweight contender Alexander Povetkin, who looked extremely sluggish, very fatigued, and had obvious trouble with his equilibrium in his rematch with Dillian Whyte in March of this year. A fight that Whyte stopped him in four rounds.  Obviously, every situation regarding one’s exposure to and recovery from COVID-19 is going to differ, but it is fair to question not just in regard to Conor Benn, but all athletes combat or otherwise as to potential lingering/long-term effects that may or may not show prior to fights. Something that may be even more justifiable given the current state of the ongoing global crisis.

With over 20,000 spectators expected at Headingley Stadium in Leeds, England, this card has three interesting storylines to keep an eye on both in regard to the fights themselves as well as the effects some fighters might have experienced either due to a knockout loss or due to exposure to COVID-19. While the fact that stadiums around the world are gradually being secured to stage Boxing cards such as this one and other sporting and concert events is an encouraging sign that maybe, just maybe things are approaching getting back to normal, we need to keep in mind that the COVID-19 virus and it’s variants are still very much a factor. Although talk of the virus, it’s effects, and the various impacts of it remain dominant in news on television, radio, in print, and online around the world, hopefully, at least for a little while a Boxing card like this will be able to provide a needed diversion from the negative that seems to overshadow most things in this ongoing epidemic. If the action inside the ring turns out to be as compelling as it appears it might be on paper, this night of Boxing will likely be remembered fondly even though it takes place under still challenging circumstances.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Lara vs. Warrington 2 takes place on Saturday, September 4^th at Headingley Stadium in Leeds, England. The entire card can be seen exclusively globally on digital subscription-based streaming network DAZN. The Lara-Warrington 2 slate of programming will begin with the DAZN Boxing Show beginning at 10:30AM ET/7:30 AM PT. This will be followed by the Before The Bell pre-fight show that will feature three of the nine total scheduled bouts on the card that will begin at 11:50AM ET/8:50AM PT. The main card featuring the remaining six bouts will follow beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT. (ALL U.S. Times.)

 

*Card Subject To Change

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, local start times in your area, availability around the world, 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

 

Thoughts On Povetkin-Whyte II

 Boxing in many ways is a sport that one central question is asked in just about every variation that one could think of. A question that begins with “What If.” Although there are numerous ways that the “What If’s” can be asked in reference to the sport, when it comes in the days preceding an anticipated rematch, the “What If’s” are relatively simple and most of the time stir conversation.  

In the case of the rematch between longtime Heavyweight contenders Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte, there were three “What If’s” that people asked. What if Whyte, who suffered a brutal one punch knockout at the hands of Povetkin last August was climbing back into the ring with Povetkin too soon? What if Povetkin, a boxer/puncher who has never been regarded as a power puncher first and foremost could show that he could produce a similar performance as the first encounter, could he do it again? Perhaps more importantly for Povetkin who dealt with a severe bout of the COVID-19 virus causing him to be hospitalized, which caused a postponement of this rematch for months however, what if, he was not fully recovered?

 

All the “What If’s” culminated in the rematch taking place on March 27^th at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar. Normally when discussing a fight that this observer previewed beforehand In the days leading up to the bout, I will try to briefly touch upon some of the key elements, which I mentioned could become a factor when the fight takes place. In this case, this would not be necessary, but the question of “What if Povetkin was fully recovered from COVID-19?,” went through my mind repeatedly as I watched this fight.

 

From the opening bell, Povetkin seemed lethargic. The lateral and head movement that Povetkin is known for was not there for him in this fight. While under many circumstances particularly when discussing a fighter that is nearing forty-two years old as Povetkin is, it is logical to think that the absence of movement and reaction time is an indication of advancing age. Although there were some who felt that Povetkin was in decline prior to the first fight with Whyte, what stood out more to me that leads me to believe that there is more to it than a fighter in decline is Povetkin frequently had trouble with his balance and it appeared that his equilibrium was compromised in some way.

 

Some might feel differently because there were occasions throughout the rematch where Povetkin was able to stand up to some of Whyte’s power punches. There were also times however where perhaps because of apparent trouble with his equilibrium that Povetkin did not have punch resistance. While Povetkin did try to battle through these difficulties and did land some offense during the bout, he could not keep Whyte off of him or have any success in disrupting his rhythm. In the fourth round, Whyte staggered Povetkin with a flush right hand that he had been able to land frequently throughout the bout, this sent Povetkin stumbling into the ropes, which also happened more than occasionally due to both balance and apparent equilibrium problems.A follow up barrage highlighted by a left hook to the head sent Povetkin down. Although Povetkin showed his mettle by trying to get up, he staggered into the ropes and this prompted the fight to be stopped. 

 

Even though the story that emerged from this fight was the physical condition of Alexander Povetkin, Dillian Whyte simply did what he needed to do in this rematch and bottom line was able to avenge his loss to Povetkin in their first encounter. Although an obvious question will be who will Whyte fight next and the question regarding Povetkin’s condition does not take away from Whyte’s performance, the question I have asked myself in the days since this rematch took place is whether or not the subject of advanced medical screening needs to be discussed.

 

It is important for this observer as I have done over the past two decades that I have covered Boxing and by extension combat sports when similar situations have emerged to state for the reader that I am not a medical expert and I do not want to venture into an area that I do not have the expertise or qualifications to offer in depth analysis. As the COVID-19 global epidemic has continued however, there does remain elements of the unknown. Elements such as how long this crisis will last before the world can return to a semblance of normalcy that was experienced prior to COVID-19 , but also and more importantly, what could the long-term effects be for those who unfortunately are stricken with this virus who are able to survive it. 

 

While there have been those both in sport and out who have not experienced major problems related to the virus, others like Povetkin have dealt with more severe cases and in his case, had to be hospitalized. The question of what can be done going forward is not one that I can answer and I would assume that those who are medical experts might say that there is not enough information at present time to know what the long-term impacts on one’s health might be after being infected by COVID-19. 

 

After watching someone like Alexander Povetkin, who has been an athlete for many years and one who has been one of the top contenders in his division for much of the last decade struggle as much as he did with his equilibrium and lacking the reflexes one needs to compete in sports, if this is not a case of a fighter getting old in one fight, further medical screening should at minimum be considered. Although much like anything when it comes to licensing of fighters things might be viewed on a case by case basis, with much still unknown about the COVID-19 virus, perhaps athletic commissions around the world should consider whether a fighter should be granted a license to compete in a relatively short period after battling the COVID-19 virus and more specifically, those who have had severe cases as Povetkin did.

 

While obviously one cannot generalize something like this and say that one fighter’s case will be exactly like another fighter’s, if Povetkin’s difficulties in his rematch with Dillian Whyte was not due to his age and decline and had more to do with the impacts of having to battle COVID-19, if there is no further screenings from a medical standpoint, which might include a period of inactivity for fighters before being allowed to re-enter competition, Boxing and by extension all combat sports may be entering a dangerous slippery slope that may have consequences,

 

For Boxing, a sport with no shortage of flaws, criticism, and unfortunately tragedies throughout its history, it is best to get out in front of something that could be a significant issue going forward before it becomes the latest in a long list of things that leaves the sport open to ridicule. If the powers that be in Boxing, which in this case starts with the athletic commissions and regulatory boards around the world that regulate the sport were to turn a blind eye to this and it turns out that Alexander Povetkin is not the only fighter who after suffering from COVID-19 deals with long-term effects that serve as an indication that perhaps they should have not been allowed to compete, such criticism/ridicule will be hard to argue against.

 

“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

 

Povetkin-Whyte II Official Weights From Gibraltar

 

The official weigh-in for Saturday’s Heavyweight rematch between top contenders Alexander Povetkin and Dillian Whyte took place earlier today in Gibraltar. Weights for the entire card, which will be broadcast globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN and on pay-per-view throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland on Sky Box Office are as follows .

 

Main Event: Heavyweight – 12Rds.*

 

Alexander Povetkin 228 1/4lbs. vs. Dillian Whyte 247 1/4lbs.

 

(* Bout will determine interim champion status in the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Heavyweight ratings. A designation currently held by Povetkin.)

 

Vacant British Jr. Middleweight championship – 12Rds.

 

Ted Cheeseman 153 1/2lbs. vs. James Metcalf 153 3/4lbs.

 

Lightweight – 4Rds. 

 

Campbell Hatton 136 3/4lbs. vs. Jesus Ruiz 136 1/4lbs.

 

Welterweight – 10Rds. 

 

Chris Kongo 146 3/4lbs. vs. Michael McKinson 146 1/4lbs. 

 

Heavyweight – 10Rds. 

 

Fabio Wardley 232 1/4lbs. vs. Eric Molina 251 1/4lbs.

 

Jr. Lightweight – 10 Rds.

 

Youssef Khoumari 130lbs. vs. Kane Baker 128 1/2lbs.

 

Heavyweight – 10Rds.

 

Erik Pfeifer 246 1/4lbs. vs. Nick Webb 262lbs. 

 

Povetkin vs. Whyte II takes place on Saturday, March 27^th at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar. The bout as well as its full undervalued can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN (Excluding the United Kingdom) beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT (U.S. Time.) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms,Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the card can be seen on a pay-per-view basis on Sky Box Office at 6PM (Local UK Time) for £19.95. For more information about about availability in your area and to order please visit: https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/povetkin-whyte. Check your local listings for availability and start times internationally.

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Povetkin-Whyte II: Can Povetkin Do It Again?

 

The fight between top Heavyweight contenders Dillian Whyte in August of last year took place during the initial stages of the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic. While the bout, which headlined a Boxing card held under Matchroom Boxing’s “Fight Camp” banner, taking place on the grounds of the home of Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, was part of a process of the sport’s top promoters making the best out of what remains a difficult and uncertain situation to navigate, what took place on August 22^nd of last year was for some unexpected, but should serve as another in an ever growing list of reasons why you never know what will happen when two fighters square off in Boxing and by extension all combat sports. Such anticipation of the unknown is only one reason why Boxing, despite its many faults, is so  great.

 

On that August evening the Boxing world was treated to an intriguing battle of styles. Whyte a fighter known for his punching power and for engaging in entertaining bouts against the longtime contender Povetkin, a former two-time world title challenger, who is a boxer puncher that some felt at forty-one years old was in decline. The clash of styles did not take long to materialize as Povetkin looked to place his shots strategically while looking to control distance. Whyte meanwhile threw some combinations of his own, but as most fighters known for their punching power tend to do, he looked for openings to set up those power shots. It appeared as though Whyte’s tactics were working for a time as he was able to stagger Povetkin with a flush right hand in the early rounds of the fight as well as scored two knockdowns of the veteran in the fourth round. First with a glancing left hook to the head, then with a counter left uppercut.

 

Although the momentum was in Whyte’s favor, it was Povetkin who would bring the fight to a sudden and dramatic conclusion in the fifth round knocking Whyte out cold with his own left uppercut to the head. One might argue despite Povetkin’s status as a longtime contender in the Heavyweight division that it was this fight that was perhaps the marquee win of his career thus far. A victory that some might not have expected in addition to the way the knockout occurred, created the ideal scenario for a rematch.

 

Despite the opinion of some including this observer that Whyte, who lost his interim championship designation in the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) ratings in the loss to Povetkin, was seeking a rematch too quickly after suffering a severe knockout, the rematch was initially aimed for November of last year. As most know however, the rematch did not take place as intended due to Povetkin becoming ill with the COVID-19 virus. The rematch was then scheduled for earlier this month in London at the Wembley Arena where like the first encounter, it was set to take place behind closed doors without fans in attendance. This also would not happen as the decision was made by Eddie Hearn to move the fight from London to Gibraltar where the rematch will take place on March 27^th at the Europa Point Sports Complex. 

 

There are two obvious questions that surround this rematch which will be televised globally by digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN. First, what type of condition will Alexander Povetkin be in after a bout with COVID-19, a virus that has dominated much of the world’s focus over the last year and one that questions regarding the long-term effects still are not well known. Povetkin was hospitalized for a time due to the virus. This in addition to Povetkin’s age is a question to ask as this rematch approaches. Although there were some who also wondered if he was in decline going into the first fight and the fact that he was knocked down twice Povetkin was able to score the victory and did so by knockout.

 

While obviously the question of whether Povetkin can do it again also surrounds this second encounter, it is important to keep in mind that as devastating as Povetkin’s knockout of Whyte was, one punch knockouts do not always occur and this should be viewed not only by fans and experts, but also and more importantly by the fighters themselves as a different fight. Alexander Povetkin is nevertheless a fighter who is capable of making adjustments and it would not surprise this observer to see him attempt to implement what worked for him in the first fight while also looking to avoid what led to the two knockdowns he suffered in the process. Despite the end result of the first encounter, Povetkin must be as tactical as he has been throughout his career and not expect to win this rematch with one punch.

 

For Dillian Whyte the question is whether or not he is taking this rematch too soon. Although it can be viewed as a positive depending on one’s perspective to see a fighter want to get back in the ring as soon as possible against an opponent that defeated them, it is important to remember that the knockout that Whyte suffered at the hands of Povetkin was severe. The obvious question is what effect did the knockout have on him. To expand on that, will Whyte’s approach be different, will he hesitate to throw his punches as he did get caught last time and that knowledge can cause hesitation in a fighter’s approach, particularly against a fighter with a mix of hand speed and power as Povetkin has.

 

The one benefit that Whyte has going into this fight that some were critical of when this rematch was originally announced is he has had more time to recover due to the postponement that moved this bout from its original target of November to March.  Whyte still does have punching power and if there is no hesitation in letting his hands go, he is just as capable of ending a fight as quickly as Povetkin was able to do in the first fight. Whether or not he can do it if the opportunity arises remains to be seen.

 

While the rematch on it’s own is intriguing, what is also at stake for the winner is a potential mandatory challenge of the winner of the upcoming Undisputed Heavyweight world championship bout between world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. The Fury-Joshua bout, which could take place later this year will likely be the first of two bouts between the two with the undisputed championship at stake. This in addition to the uncertainty of COVID-19 means that the winner of the Povetkin-Whyte rematch will likely have to wait at least a year if not longer before their opportunity to challenge whomever the undisputed champion will be amongst several mandatory challengers in Boxing’s respective sanctioning organizations.

 

Nevertheless, there is significant opportunity that will be ahead for the winner of this fight including a possibility of potentially fighting for a vacant world championship down the line depending on whether the politics that be in the sport will allow the Heavyweight world championship to remain fully unified in the post Fury-Joshua period. While all of that should be viewed as the long-term picture, what matters in the short-term is who can emerge victorious in the second chapter of Alexander Povetkin vs. Dillian Whyte. We will see on Saturday night.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Povetkin vs. Whyte II takes place on Saturday, March 27^th at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar. The bout as well as its full undervalued can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN (Excluding the United Kingdom) beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT (U.S. Time.) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms,Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the card can be seen on a pay-per-view basis on Sky Box Office at 6PM (Local UK Time) for £19.95. For more information about about availability in your area and to order please visit: https://www.sky.com/boxoffice/povetkin-whyte. Check your local listings for availability and start times internationally.

 

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

 

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