The Boxing Truth®

It seems the recent story surrounding both the 135lb. Lightweight and 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division can be summed up in a single word “Transition." In that both weight classes are seeking their next central figures or dominant champions, who are often viewed as being fighters that will carry the division for a significant period of time. One such fighter, who is likely viewed by at least some as the top Jr. Welterweight for the moment is WBO Jr. Welterweight world champion Teofimo Lopez. A fighter who once briefly resigned as the Undisputed Lightweight champion of the world, Lopez is in the midst of what should be viewed as chapter two of his professional career following losing the Lightweight crown to George Kambosos in November 2021. The ongoing chapter that saw a relatively quick turnaround that saw him rebuild in the Jr. Welterweight division to become a world champion once again in 2023 and saw him make his first successful title defense in February against Edwin De Los S...

It is often customary prior to what is viewed as a significant or “Major” fight on the Boxing calendar to fall into a seemingly endless cycle of hype surrounding what often becomes more of an event rather than simply an encounter between two world-class boxers. When it comes to the scheduled encounter between undefeated two-division world champion Devin Haney and top Jr. Welterweight contender Ryan García, who are to do battle for Haney's WBC Jr. Welterweight world championship on April 20th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY, this observer has been asking himself one question for the previous two months. Should the fight go on as planned?  Before anyone jumps to conclusions, when I question if the fight should go on, it is not another in my long-standing criticisms regarding the pay-per-view model,  in which this will be slated as a DAZN Pay-Per-View offering in North America,  nor is it a concern similar to those that yours truly was very vocal in expressing during...

The 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division remains in the spotlight in the month of June as two-time Jr. Welterweight world champion Regis Prograis will begin his second reign as world champion in the division when he puts his WBC world title on the line against Danielito Zorrilla on Saturday, June 17th in the champion's hometown of New Orleans, LA. The fight, which can be seen globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN from the Smoothie King Center represents not only the beginning of Prograis' second reign atop the Jr. Welterweight division after previously holding the World Boxing Association ( WBA ) crown, but also his first fight under his new promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing. Prograis became a two-time world champion in November of last year when he scored an eleventh round stoppage of Jose Zepeda to win the vacant World Boxing Council ( WBC ) crown. In what was an exciting back and forth fight, Prograis had his ability to take a punch tested before...

  The fight between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez, while being an encounter between two recent undisputed world champions in the sport for Taylor's WBO Jr. Welterweight world championship at the Theater in Madison Square Garden on June 10th, was one that was overshadowed by comments made in the days that preceded the fight as both fighters made references to the possibility of inflicting serious injury on the other. Although this observer made his feelings clear in previewing this fight as to such comments and conduct, which I stand by, it unfortunately did overshadow what was a compelling bout between two of the sport's top stars and one that was regarded as one of the most anticipated encounters of 2023. Despite my feelings regarding the conduct that preceded this fight, it was one that I was nevertheless looking forward to because of both the interesting clash of styles between the two fighters as well as the respective scenarios that each fighter found himself in, in coming...

  On Saturday, June 10th, one of the biggest fights of 2023 will take place in the Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY as undefeated WBO Jr. Welterweight world champion Josh Taylor will defend his title against former Undisputed Lightweight champion of the world Teofimo Lopez. While this fight, which can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ is for the WBO version of the Jr. Welterweight championship of the world, the interesting sub-plot is this is an encounter between two former undisputed world champions. One, Lopez having lost his title in the ring in the same venue where this fight coincidentally will take place, the other having relinquished portions of the undisputed championship in the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division both due to injuries as well as the politics that be in the sport.  While Lopez has been unbeaten since moving up from Lightweight following losing the Lightweight championship to Georg...

  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 27 th 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 ...