Lopez Defeats Ortiz To Retain WBO Jr. Welterweight World Championship

WBO Jr. Welterweight world champion Teofimo Lopez scored a lackluster twelve round unanimous decision over WBO number ten rated Jr. Welterweight contender Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV. From the opening bell, Ortiz figuring out of a southpaw stance made the fight a tactical chess match by making the champion come after him with the strategy of trying to catch him as he came forward. 

The elusive approach, while not crowd pleasing seemed effective as it managed to quell the normal offensive rhythm of Lopez. With both fighters landing in single digits in most of the rounds in the twelve round world championship bout, the lone highlight came in seven when an accidental clash of heads opened a cut above the right eye. Despite the abysmal performance where Lopez openly expressed his frustration during the fight, Lopez' aggression was enough to earn the nod of the three official judges in earning a twelve round unanimous decision. Official scores were: 117-111, and 115-113 (On two scorecards)in favor of Lopez. 

Teofimo Lopez advances to 20-1, with 13 Knockouts. Jamaine Ortiz falls to 17-2-1, with 8 Knockouts. 

Also on this card:

Undefeated Lightweight contender Keyshawn Davis scored a sixth round stoppage of former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza. Pedraza, who was coming off of a lengthy layoff and was competing at the 135lb. Lightweight limit for the first time in a number of years, was clearly compromised by having to drop weight for the bout as his punches did not have much steam on them. Pedraza also had no answer for the full offensive arsenal that Davis put forth by constantly throwing and landing combinations. Gradually, the effects of an accumulation of punishment took their toll on the former world champion. 

In round six, a right hand that appeared to land high on the head sent Pedraza staggering across the ring. Davis proceeded to unleash a barrage of unanswered punches that forced a stoppage of the bout. Official time of the stoppage was 1:09 of round six. Keyshawn Davis advances to10-0, with 7 Knockouts. Jose Pedraza falls to 29-6-1, with 14 Knockouts 

Also in the Lightweight division, Rene Giron outworked George Acosta over eight rounds to earn a unanimous decision victory. Official scores were 78-73, 76-75, and 78-72

Undefeated Middleweight Javier Martinez pounded out a hard fought eight round unanimous decision over Raul Salomon. An at times ugly fight where both fighters were warned for low blows and rough house tactics that was fought almost exclusively in close, Martinez’ harder body shots, particularly over the second half of the fight, was ultimately enough for him to get the nod of the three official judges. Official scores were: 79-73, and 78-74 (On two scorecards) in favor of Martinez. Javier Martinez advances to 10-0-1, with 3 Knockouts. Raul Salomon falls to 12-3, with 10 Knockouts. 

In a battle of unbeaten Lightweights, Abdullah Mason scored a brutal second round knockout of previously undefeated Benjamin Gurment. A barrage of flush left hooks to the head sent Gurment down when he was sent into the corner and grabbed the ropes to prevent himself from going down. Following the knockdown, Referee Harvey Dock told Gurment that he was giving him a short leash to continue, but he needed to show something. Before Gurment to get a chance, Mason stepped in and decked him with a flush right hook to the head, the fight was immediately stopped. Official time of the stoppage was 1:29 of round two. Abdullah Mason advances to 12-0, with 10 Knockouts. Benjamin Gurment falls to 8-0-3, with 5 Knockouts. 

Lightweight Charlie Sheehy scored a workmanlike eight round unanimous decision over Abdel Sauceda to move to 9-0 in his young career. From the opening bell, Sheehy used angles, movement, a consistent jab, and mixed in short combinations to out box Sauceda, who never stopped coming forward and had some periodic success in the latter rounds, but was not able to take control of the combat.  Official scores were: 80-72 (On all three scorecards) for Sheehy. Charlie Sheehy advances to 9-0, with 5 Knockouts. Abdel Sauceda falls to 12-4, with 8 Knockouts,

Undefeated Lightweight Alan Garcia scored a first round knockout of Tomas Ornelas. Garcia quickly dropped Ornelas with a left hook to the head in the opening seconds. Ornelas got up on unsteady legs and Garcia was able to close the show with a left hook to the ribcage, which sent Ornealas down for a second time, the fight was stopped. Official time of the stoppage was :51 of round one. Alan Garcia advances to 11-0 with 9 Knockouts. Tomas Ornelas falls to 7-4, with 5 Knockouts. 

Heavyweight Lemir Isom Riley scored a third round stoppage of Antonio Zepeda. Riley put pressure on the taller and longer Zepeda from the outset, staying close and not letting Zepeda have an opportunity to get his punches off with consistency by smothering the taller fighter. After a dismal showing in the second round, Zepeda was visited by a ringside physician before the third round, but was allowed to continue. In the third round, the pressure from Riley continued resulting in Zepeda going down twice via taking a knee without being hit by a punch. After the second knockdown Zepeda’s corner got on the ring apron and asked that the fight be stopped as Referee Thomas Taylor was in the middle of his count. Official time of the stoppage was  1:28 of round three. Lemir Isom Riley advances to 4-2, with 2 Knockouts. Antonio Zepeda falls to 6-2, with 6 Knockouts. 

Unbeaten eighteen year old Jr. Welterweight Art Barrera Jr. scored a first round knockout of Michael Portales to begin the evening. Barrera ended the fight with a left hook to the head thatr caught Portales as he was coming forward, which sent him down and the bout was stopped midway through the ten count. Official time of the stoppage was 1:41 of round one. Art Barrera Jr. advances to 3-0, with 3 Knockouts. Michael Portales falls to 3-3-1, with 0 Knockouts.

Coming out of this fight, this observer feels that perhaps Teofimo Lopez benefited from a bad decision. While the old adage is in order to take a championship, a challenger needs to take it from the champion, could be applied here, Jamaine Ortiz simply did not get the credit for a crafty and disciplined fight plan that he put forth in the ring. As for the champion, this win will keep him in his position atop the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division. While his frustration in having to contend with an opponent that did not cooperate with what he might have wanted to do, Lopez as a champion and thus representative of the sport did not win any supporters in a post-fight interview with ESPN, proceeded to go on a vulgar-filled rant where he was all over the place and was not well received by the crowd in attendance.

Out of respect for the reader, this observer will not post quotes because frankly, I had trouble understanding what Lopez was trying to say. What I will say however, is sometimes a win is a win and even though Lopez may not be pleased with his performance and was obviously emotional, he did himself nor the sport any favors by going on an explicit filled rant. Perhaps once he has had a chance to cool down, maybe an apology would be appropriate.

“And That's The Boxing Truth."

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

Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:

X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BeauDenison1   

Threads: www.threads.net/@BeauDenison1  

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/BeauDenison1   

Navarrete Gets Off The Canvas To Stop Wilson In 9 To Become Three-Division World Champion In A Classic

 

Former two-division world champion Emanuel Navarrete can call himself a three-division world champion after scoring a thrilling come from behind ninth round knockout of Liam Wilson on Friday night at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ to win the vacant WBO Jr. Lightweight world championship. A very competitive fight from the outset, Navarrete as is his custom tried to overwhelm Wilson with high volume punching. What appeared to be setting up to be a close tactical fight suddenly changed in the fourth round when Wilson connected with a flush left hook to the jaw that sent Navarrete down hard in a corner of the ring for the first time in his career. The fighter, who had held world titles in the Jr. Featherweight and Featherweight divisions prior to this fight, appeared to drop his mouthpiece following the knockdown, which bought him crucial extra seconds to try and compose himself. Despite this, Navarrete was clearly hurt and appeared to be out on his feet at this stage of the fight, but somehow managed to pull himself together and survived the round.

 

As the fight progressed the two fighters continued to exchange heavy punches with the relative unknown Wilson, who was challenging for a world championship in only his thirteenth professional fight more than held his own, even as Navarrete eventually regained his composure and resumed throwing punches at a high rate. What had become almost an instant classic had a sudden conclusion in the ninth round when Navarrete connected with a flush right hook in the opening seconds that dropped Wilson. Wilson was able to get up, but had no answer for what become an all-out assault as Navarrete continued to throw punches relentlessly until the Referee Chris Flores stepped in and stopped the fight. Official time of the stoppage was 1:57 of round nine. Emanuel Navarrete advances to 37-1, with 31 Knockouts. Liam Wilson falls to 11-2, with 7 Knockouts.

 

Also on this card:

 

Undefeated Jr. Welterweight contender Arnold Barboza scored a hard-fought ten round unanimous decision over former two-division world champion Jose Pedraza. A highly competitive fight, Barboza’s quicker hands, ability to get off first, and forcing the combat proved to be the difference between the two fighters. Barboza was also able to withstand a late rally from the former world champion that saw several heated exchanges of offense between the two fighters. Official scores were: 97-93, and 96-94 (On two scorecards in favor of Barboza. Arnold Barboza advances to 28-0, with 10 Knockouts. Jose Pedraza falls to 29-5-1, with 14 Knockouts.

 

2020 Olympic Silver medalist Heavyweight Richard Torrez moved to 5-0 in his career with a first round knockout of late replacement James Bryant. Torrez immediately put Bryant in survival mode with heavy punches from the opening bell. A flush left uppercut from the southpaw stance put Bryant down in the latter seconds of round one. Following the end of the round, Bryant informed his corner that he had injured his ankle and the bout was stopped. Richard Torrez advances to 5-0, with 5 Knockouts. James Bryant falls to 6-3, with 4 Knockouts.

 

Jr. Lightweight Andres Cortes remained unbeaten in his career by scoring a ten round unanimous decision over Luis Melendez. An at times ugly fight to watch due to dirty tactics and grappling between the two fighters, Cortes outworked and out landed Melendez over the ten round bout. Cortes however, was badly cut in round six over his left eyelid as a result of an accidental clash of heads. Despite the gash over his left eye, Cortes’ corner managed to keep him in the fight and he was able to win the fight by sweeping all three official judges scorecards. Official scores were 100-90. Andres Cortes advances to 18-0, with 10 Knockouts. Luis Melendez falls to 17-3, with 13 Knockouts.

 

Undefeated Middleweight Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, remained unbeaten in his career by scoring a six round unanimous decision over a very “Game” Eduardo Ayala. Ayala put Ali Walsh to the test early in this fight as he found a home for his right hand. To Ali Walsh’s credit, he took the shots of Ayala well and responded in the second round by dropping him with a flush right hand to the chin that sent Ayala down and hurt. Ayala showed his mettle by continuing on and, despite taking significant punishment through the remainder of the fight at the hands of Ali Walsh, did make it to the final bell in his hometown. Official scores were: 60-53, and 59-54 (On two scorecards) in favor of Ali Walsh. Nico Ali Walsh advances to 8-0, with 5 Knockouts. Eduardo Ayala falls to 9-3-1, with 3 Knockouts.

 

Rising Jr. Welterweight prospect Lindolfo Delgado scored a lopsided eight round unanimous decision over veteran Clarence Booth. What had all the appearance of a workmanlike performance for Delgado, which was largely highlighted by his movement and timing of his offense, Delgado was able to nearly end the fight in the eighth and final round when he dropped Booth with a short right hand to the temple. Booth was able to get up and, despite being on unsteady legs, was able to make the final bell. Official scores were: 80-72, and 79-71 (On two scorecards) in favor of Delgado. Lindolfo Delgado advances to 17-0, with 13 Knockouts. Clarence Booth falls to 21-7, with 13 Knockouts.

 

Lightweight Emiliano Vargas, the son of former world champion Fernando Vargas began the evening by moving to 3-0 in his young career in scoring a four round unanimous decision over Francisco Duque. Both fighters had no issue engaging each other on the inside for the majority of the fight. This worked to Vargas’ advantage as he frequently ripped left hooks to Duque’s body and generally landed the harder shots in a fight, which was the first time Vargas had to go the distance in order to win. Official scores were: 40-36 (On all three official scorecards) in favor of Vargas. Emiliano Vargas advances to 3-0, with 2 Knockouts. Francisco Duque falls to 1-2, with 0 Knockouts.   

 

While it was expected by some to see Emanuel Navarrete become a three-division world champion and etch his name along with many great world champions who are from Mexico that have won world titles in three weight divisions including Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. Erik Morales, and Marco Antonio Barrera to name a few. What was not expected however, was to see an early candidate for Fight of the Year honors for 2023. Outside of the controversy of a potential long count in the fourth round, this fight between Navarrete and Liam Wilson, who was a replacement for former Jr. Lightweight world champion Oscar Valdez, who had to withdraw from this fight due to injury, turned out to be a classic. A great fight that simply because it turned out to be a great fight, should see a rematch.

 

“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    

Belated August 27, 2022 Boxing Thoughts

The month of August 2022 closed with both curiosity and intriguing in two events being staged on August 27th in two different countries. First, it was the debut of the MisFits Boxing series that pits celebrities and social media personalities in the Boxing ring to do battle. An event that was streamed on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN as part of its subscription offering as well as a low cost pay-per-view offering depending on what country or region you were viewing the event from. The United Kingdom, Ireland, and those of us in North America (United States and Canada) were offered the event at a low cost of $9.99 for current subscribers.

Some readers will recall a column penned by this observer last week where I asked a simple yet complex question because it could be answered in a variety of ways. Does “Celebrity Boxing “ hurt or benefit the sport? I also concluded that column by saying that I would be tuning in, in part out of curiosity as well as a Boxing scribe in search for his next story, ending the column by offering an observation to any would be viewer of “No Expectations, No Disappointments. “ It was not surprising that the bouts on this card though contested without the participants wearing headgear, were not professional bouts as most of the participants had little, if any Boxing experience prior to the event.

Regardless of how one views “Celebrity” or “Influencer Boxing” it should not be overlooked or dismissed that the content creators on this card though out of their elements with a few exceptions, were able to draw a sell out crowd in the O2 Arena in London, England that was on par with any major Boxing event. Although some may view that as a negative to the sport, it is impressive and does show that those influencers do have the ability to use their respective followings to draw a crowd.

As far as the bouts were concerned, frankly, I do not believe that anyone who is knowledgeable about the sport of Boxing should have expected professional level bouts. The participants should be given credit for stepping into a ring that is outside of not only their comfort zones, but also their respective areas of expertise and taking a risk to their health in doing so.

While some may expect this observer to be overly critical of an event like this as someone who does have the sport’s best interest at heart, I did not have any expectations going into the event. There is one thing that is a negative that cannot be ignored however, and that is it was obvious to an experienced eye that some of the participants likely had little time to prepare as most of the fights did not last long, which can also be a reflection of the lack of experience many of the participants had.

The main draw of the event was KSI, (Real name Olajide Olatunji) who was 1-0 as a pro boxer with a victory over fellow YouTube star, now business partner Logan Paul in 2019 in an officer professional fight, choosing to compete in two bouts on this card after originally scheduled opponent Alex Wassabi needed to withdraw due to suffering a serious injury in training for the bout. While KSI’s decision to compete in two exhibition bouts on this card was clearly motivated by wanting to ensure the scheduled event could go on as planned, it is something that is a rarity in the sport. In his first bout that actually began the card, KSI scored a second round knockout over an overmatched London-based rapper Swarmz.

KSI would return to close out the event by facing pro boxer Luis Pineda in the main event. A criticism that many within Boxing have, including yours truly with regard to the influx of celebrities/influencers that have ventured into the sport in recent years has been a reluctance to face pro boxers in officially sanctioned professional fights rather than participating on the exhibition circuit and/or competing against fellow influencers. For what it is worth, Luis Pineda did have pro Boxing experience having competed in seven pro bouts, this fact did little to give him credibility as the fighter, who had a 2-5 record competing as a 154lb. Jr. Middleweight, spent more time complaining from the canvas during this exhibition than he did actually trying to compete with KSI. The three round bout, which had so many knockdowns that yours truly quit counting midway through the second round, was mercifully stopped before the end of the third round.

While this event did not fill me with thoughts that any of those who competed would find their way towards competing as professional boxers, it was nevertheless entertaining and giving credit where it is due, KSI’s bout with Luis Pineda was akin to what a new professional fighter is likely to see in their first couple of fights. An opponent that has a record that can be described as non-descript and someone who will be used by their opponent’s handlers as a way to get their fighter’s feet wet in the professional side of the sport as well as to gage where their fighter is in terms of their development.

The obvious question not only I, but those who also watched this event are probably asking is whether or not this type of concept of “Celebrity” or “Influencer Boxing” can work in the long-term. I obviously cannot answer that question, but what I will say is I feel those behind this series need to clearly establish and define this concept. What I mean by that is it needs to be made clear as to what this series is intended to be. A separate genre within the sport of Boxing that is strictly within the niche of “Celebrity/Influencer Boxing,” or a series that will showcase those who have serious intentions on pursuing a legitimate Boxing career. It goes without saying that as a combat sport, there are inherent dangers that come with the territory and no matter what, any person who steps into a Boxing ring needs to understand those dangers and not treat it with a cavalier mentality. Simply put, people do get hurt and risk their lives each time they step into a ring to compete. If one has no intention of treating the sport with the respect it deserves and commands, they should not get into a ring. Boxing needs to be taken seriously.

On that subject of the sport being taken seriously, two former world champions also did battle on August 27th in a bout that was strictly all business. This observer is speaking of course of the Jr. Welterweight bout between former Lightweight world champion Richard Commey and Jose Pedraza that brought with it Commey’s debut in the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division.

If one has followed the sport for a long period of time, you can develop a sense for what type of fight you are going to see based on the style of the two fighters. This was a case where both Commey and Pedraza had similar styles and similar ways in which they approach their opposition. It was based on this as well as my having covered fights in both of their careers that I said in previewing the bout that this had the potential to be a close fight. I then went a step further in saying that outside of the possibility of a knockout, which can never be dismissed, that this fight could end in a close decision.

As it would turn out, this analysis was spot on. For ten rounds Commey and Pedraza engaged in a tactical Boxing match where virtually every round was fought the same way. Neither fighter had an issue being willing to fight in close and each seemed to match each other punch for punch. This resulted in an extremely close fight where neither fighter was able to stand out clearly from the other resulting in the bout ending in a ten round split decision draw.

While the fight likely will do little to move either fighter towards a title shot at 140lbs., it does underscore what I did say prior to the fight in that just as the talent pool in the 135lb. Lightweight division is and has been traditionally deep, so too is the Jr. Welterweight division and as the lastest line of notable Lightweights including Richard Commey move into the field at 140lbs., the competition level is going to remain high and the talent-depth is going to get deeper and deeper. Unfortunately for the time being, this likely means that both Commey and Pedraza will find themselves facing off against each other in a rematch because they’re fight on this occasion turned out to be dead even and it is hard to make an argument for either fighter based on how close this fight turned out to be inside the ring that there should not be a rematch even though both fighters will likely have other options moving forward.

With the month of August 2022 now in the rearview mirror, it will be interesting to see what the month of September now has to offer.

“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

Commey-Pedraza: Two Former World Champions Trying To Get Back To Their Winning Ways

 

As the month of August 2022 winds down, there remains one interesting bout on the Boxing schedule that could well play a factor in whatever happens in the remaining months of the year and into 2023. This observer is referring to the Jr. Welterweight battle between former world champions Richard Commey and Jose Pedraza. The bout, which will take place on August 27th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, OK, and will be broadcast here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ brings together two seasoned veterans of the sport that are both at similar stages in their careers. 

 

Former IBF Lightweight world champion Richard Commey will come into this fight off of a twelve round unanimous decision loss to former three-division world champion Vasyl Lomachenko last December in New York’s Madison Square Garden. Despite the loss to Lomachenko, Commey as always put forth a very “Game” and determined effort in defeat. Now coming off of that loss, the former Lightweight world champion sets his sights on a new weight class as several other notable Lightweights have done recently. The 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division. 

 

While the thirty-five year old Commey has experienced the ups and downs of what usually occurs over a long career inside the Boxing ring, it is always interesting to see a fighter test the waters in a new division. One of the primary reasons why many fighters move up in weight beyond the potential greener pastures and more lucrative opportunities has to do with a fighter’s comfort level at a higher weight in that many fighters struggle between fights to get down to a certain weight class where they do not feel depleted. Whether or not Commey’s move up is a move necessitated by wanting to be more comfortable and not having to cut as much weight between fights, remains to be seen. 

 

Commey’s first assignment as a Jr. Welterweight will come in the form of former WBO Lightweight world champion Jose Pedraza. In addition to Pedraza being a former world champion in his own right, the thirty-three year old also has more experience in the Jr. Welterweight division as compared to Commey, having competed at 140lbs. since September 2019. Much like his opponent, Commey will come into this fight off of a twelve round unanimous decision loss to former unified Jr. Welterweight world champion Jose Ramirez in March of this year. 

 

In my view, this fight has the potential to be a close fight as both fighters are boxer/punchers, and both have deceptive punching power. The question as this scheduled ten round bout that I have in mind as it approaches is who will be able to dictate the tempo of the combat. Although it should not be overlooked that Richard Commey is the latest in the line of notable Lightweights including former Undisputed world champion Teofimo Lopez and undefeated top contender Ryan Garcia, Commey must not be looking to show up either, who are each coming off wins in their respective Jr. Welterweight debuts, by looking for a statement-making performance. It would likely serve Commey more by approaching this fight similar to how he has approached other fights throughout his career because nether Lopez or Garcia will be standing across the ring from him. 

 

One advantage that Commey does have going into this bout at least statistically is he has a near 80% career knockout percentage in having scored knockouts in twenty-seven of his thirty career wins compared to Pedraza’s 42% percentage having scored knockouts in fourteen of his twenty-nine career wins. The similarities between the two fighters do not end in terms of similar styles, Both men have each suffered four losses in their respective careers, and both have only been stopped once in their respective careers. 

 

In terms of the fight itself, I believe outside of the possibility of a knockout that can never be dismissed, it could end up in a close decision just simply based on the styles of the two fighters and it would not surprise me to see the ebb and flow of combat shift back and forth over the course of this fight. For the seasoned veterans, each are probably looking at this fight as a potential way to elevate their standing in the Jr. Welterweight division with the ultimate goal of challenging for a world championship again.  

 

Even at this stage in their careers, both fighters still have a lot to offer and a loss for either man here will likely not spell the end of their careers. Much like the Lightweight division below it, the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division has traditionally been one of the most competitive and talent-deep divisions in the history of the sport. As the latest influx of notable Lightweights eventually join Commey, Pedraza, Lopez, and Garcia in the Jr. Welterweight division, the talent pool is going to become even deeper where any one of the top contenders and former world champions competing in it could be eventually in the driver’s seat at 140lbs. 

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.” 

 

Commey vs. Pedraza takes place on Saturday, August 27th at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Tulsa, OK. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 6:25PM ET/ 3:25PM PT. The main event will be simulcast on the ESPN cable/satellite network beginning at 10:30 PM ET/7:30PT. ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices/Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com.  

 

*Check your local listings internationally. 

 

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

 

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