Barrios-Garcia Preview

On February 21st, the Boxing world will converge on the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV for a truly interesting and some might argue curious world title bout in the 147lb. Welterweight division. WBC World Welterweight champion Mario Barrios will defend his title against top contender Ryan Garcia in a bout scheduled for twelve rounds that can be seen globally as part of a DAZN Ultimate subscription or as a standalone pay-per-view option for non-ultimate DAZN subscribers.

What makes this both an interesting and curious affair between two fighters is both have arguably not been at their best in recent outings. The champion Mario Barrios will be making the third defense of his WBC crown and has not heard his name announced as the winner in his previous title defenses up to this point as his previous two defenses each ended in hotly contested draws. The most recent of those defenses came in July of last year when forty-six year old recent International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and legend Manny Pacquiao came out of retirement and to most observers, including this one, did enough to warrant a decision victory over Barrios, but did not get the nod of two of three official judges to win the fight.

Although Barrios, who was named WBC world champion in after previous Undisputed World Welterweight champion Terence Crawford vacated the championship and left the Welterweight division, has managed to retain his title in two subsequent defenses after being named champion from previously being a mandatory challenger for Crawford, he has yet to show he can win a fight as a defending champion. While not a circumstance of his making in retaining his portion of the World Welterweight championship in two consecutive bouts that ended in draws, the obvious question that Mario Barrios will have to answer is not only can he retain the title via a victory, but can he do so in such a manner that it will quell skeptics who feel he may have benefited from those two bouts being scored draws rather than having an opinion that he won those fights.

It is often an unfair practice, but it can truly be easy to label a fighter off of a bad performance or one that some might call sub-par. In Barrios’ case he is coming off two fights where perception is not necessarily in his favor and that could prove to be a motivator for a world champion who likely feels he has something to prove both to himself and any would-be skeptics.

Standing across the ring from Barrios on February 21st will be Ryan Garcia. Garcia, who not long ago was viewed as one of Boxing’s hottest rising stars, has seen his career hit a snag in recent times marked by periods of inconsistency and struggles outside of the ring. Despite Garcia maintaining his fan base, one might be curious as to why he is getting a shot at a world championship at this point in time. 

In his fight in May of last year in Times Square in New York City, Garcia was knocked down in the second round and thoroughly out boxed by Rolando Romero in losing a twelve round unanimous decision in a WBA Welterweight elimination bout. This followed Garcia serving a one year suspension for testing positive for Ostarine in the aftermath of his victory over Devin Haney in 2023, a result that was subsequently changed to a no contest. One might question both given what could probably be described as his erratic behavior before and after the Haney fight as well as his defeat to Romero last year as to why the World Boxing Council would grant Garcia this opportunity at their world title as its number four rated Welterweight contender.

It is important to keep in mind that while Garcia is coming off a loss, his fight against Rolando Romero was not sanctioned by the WBC and while one would think a loss would negatively affect any fighter’s standing in a sanctioning organization’s rankings, that simply is not always the case. From an old school perspective, Ryan Garcia though a very good and potentially still yet maybe a great fighter when all is said and done, has not earned this title shot as a fighter. Perhaps it may be accurate to assume that a combination of both Garcia's popularity as well as Barrios seeking an opponent of a reasonably high profile for what is known as an elective defense for him played a role in Garcia getting this opportunity. In fairness to the challenger, it is not unlike a position that other fighters who have had star value in the sport have been able to use to their advantage over the years regardless of wins and losses. 

Garcia, however, has yet to win a world title to this point and it may be logical to wonder what his star value, the proverbial stock a fighter has within the sport, will be if he fails to capitalize on the opportunity that is before him in this fight. It may truly be a roll of the dice for Garcia's future at or near the top of the sport.

A wrinkle that emerged in the promotion of this fight that could have an impact on what happens inside the ring was Barrios hiring the legendary trainer and broadcaster Joe Goosen as his new trainer. Goosen served as a trainer for Garcia both as an amateur and for a period of time as a professional. While it is not uncommon trainers to eventually work against fighters they spent time working with as time goes on, Garcia appeared to not take kindly to Goosen working with his opponent and lashed out at his former trainer at a press conference to announce the fight several weeks ago where both he and his father and now trainer Henry Garvia confronted him. Goosen for his part called it a difficult situation, but stated that things change in Boxing and accepted the job when Barrios and his team offered him the job to come on as his new trainer.

Whether or not the exchange between fighter and former trainee and father, turned new trainer can be dismissed as hype promotional tactics or legitimate bad feelings is likely something that will be left to one's own opinion. What effect that this could have on the actual fight remains to be seen.

The most obvious way one could point to as far as it having a direct influence on this fight could be in Goosen having knowledge as a previous coach/trainer of Garcia's training methods and tendencies, which his current charge Barrios may be able to exploit. What we have here is an encounter between two boxer/punchers where an argument could be made that in terms of punching power, a slight edge may go to the challenger Garcia. Despite that, the question here is whether each fighter’s respective recent performances and to be more specific, the criticism of those performances may result in each implementing a more aggressive approach with the mindset of looking to impress, rather than a tactical one rooted in strategy.

The tagline of the promotion for this fight is truly both ironic and appropriate. “High Stakes.” Both fighters have a lot to gain, but also a lot to lose here. Beyond the WBC World Welterweight championship being on the line, both Barrios and Garcia are gambling their long-term futures in the sport here and this is a case where beyond a win or a loss, it may be even more important in terms of what may be ahead for both fighters as to how they perform rather than their potential futures being strictly viewed based on the outcome. We will see who stands tall on Saturday, February 21st.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.” 

Barrios vs. Garcia takes place on Saturday, February 21st at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen as part of a DAZN Ultimate tier subscription for $44.99 per month or as a standalone pay-per-view offering for $69.99. The card will begin at 5:45PM ET 2:45PM PT. 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, subscription and pay-per-view options in your region, and to subscribe or order this event please visit: www.DAZN.com.  

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Ennis Destructive In Jr. Middleweight Debut

The storyline going into the encounter between undefeated former unified Welterweight world champion Jaron Ennis and IBO Jr. Middleweight world champion Uisma Lima on October 11th was that it represented the next chapter in the thus far unbeaten career of Ennis in his debut in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. Before a hometown crowd at the recently renamed Xfinity Mobile Arena (Formerly the Wells Fargo Center) in Philadelphia, PA, Ennis would make a statement.

Despite going against a world champion, whose title was not on the line, little was known about Uisma Lima. In previewing this fight, this observer stated that Lima was, much like Ennis, a come forward fighter that applies pressure boxing out of the southpaw stance. Although Lima, who was fighting for the first time in the United States, began this fight coming forward behind a consistent jab and attempted to put Ennis on the defensive by backing him up, he was unable to control the distance as he had shown in previous fights.

This created the scenario that brought the fight to a sudden conclusion. Just as it appeared that a potential tactical fight was setting up in the first round, the two fighters exchanged left hands. It was in that exchange that Ennis was able to connect with his left before Lima could land his. The punch from Ennis connected and stunned Lima. Ennis quickly followed that with an uppercut that sent Lima down to the canvas. 

Lima got up in very unsteady legs, but Ennis pressed the issue immediately, dropping him for a second time with a follow-up barrage of blows. Showing his mettle, Lima was able to get up once more, but Ennis quickly went in for the kill and another follow-up flurry of punches forced Referee Shawn Clark to step in, as Lima’s corner was throwing the towel in to save their fighter from further punishment, and stop the fight at 1:58 of round one. 

As tempting as some might be to add elements of hype to this knockout, yours truly will not be one of them. There is simply not much you can say about a fight that lasts just under two minutes. Jaron Ennis simply saw his opening, was able to take advantage of it, and made quick work of his opponent in destructive fashion. Simply put, Uisma Lima did not know what hit him and Ennis did not take the chance of allowing him to recover, went in for the kill and took care of business. 

As for what's next for Ennis, quite frankly, this observer believes that the International Boxing Organization (IBO) World Jr. Middleweight championship, which Uisma Lima still holds, despite being knocked out in the first round of this fight, should have been on the line here. If nothing else, it would have provided a narrative that Ennis established himself as a two-division world champion with the knockout win. Instead, Ennis earned with his thirty-first knockout in thirty-five career wins, Interim/Regular champion status in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Jr. Middleweight ratings. In short, that designation is simply a number one ranking. 

A number one ranking that puts Ennis in line to face current WBA Jr. Middleweight world champion Abass Baraou, a fighter who recently held that same designation, but was elevated to world champion following the decision by former WBA world champion Terence Crawford to vacate the title to move up two divisions to Super-Middleweight to challenge undisputed world champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. A challenge that for Crawford was successful. Much like Uisma Lima had going into his fight with Ennis, Abass Baraou has a limited resume of a 14-1 record with 9 Knockouts and has not fought opposition that some would consider top caliber.

 The brief glimpse into the politics that be in the sport of Boxing aside, what his victory over Uisma Lima, should have accomplished for Jaron Ennis was establishing him as potentially a lucrative, albeit dangerous option for any top contender or world champion in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. He also showed, at least in this fight, that his punching power has thus far carried with him up from the 147lb. Welterweight division. Whether or not Abass Baraou is indeed next for Ennis, which would be the logical assumption at least as far as the WBA is concerned, remains to be seen, but this observer believes Jaron Ennis could be back in the ring as soon as January or February of next year after a short night's work in knocking out Uisma Lima.

“And That's The Boxing Truth.”

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Ennis Takes On IBO World Champion Lima In Jr. Middleweight Debut

It goes almost without saying nowadays that unless a fighter is a natural Heavyweight, most fighters that make it to the world championship level and achieve that goal, tend to set their sights on multiple weight classes in search of more world championship gold as well as and perhaps more specifically, bigger paydays. In the case of Jaron Ennis, an undefeated World Welterweight champion, who seemed poised to take over the 147lb. Welterweight division in the era immediately following the exit of Terence Crawford, the division’s last undisputed world champion, he has made the decision to move up in weight rather than trying to complete the unification process at Welterweight after successfully unifying the IBF and WBA world titles with a sixth round stoppage of previously unbeaten WBA world champion Eimantas Stanionis in April of this year. Despite the potential to add his name next to Crawford and other notable legends like Sugar Ray Leonard and Donald Curry as fighters who went on to claim status as an undisputed world champion during their time atop the Welterweight division, Ennis has instead opted to move up in weight to the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division where he will face current International Boxing Organization (IBO) Jr. Middleweight world champion Uisma Lima on Saturday, October 11th in Ennis' hometown of Philadelphia, PA at the Wells Fargo Center in a scheduled twelve round bout that can be seen worldwide on digital sports subscription streaming network DAZN. Lima, who holds the distinction as the first fighter from Angola to ever hold a world championship, will enter this fight with a record of 14-1, with 10 Knockouts.

Despite holding a world championship that he won in December of last year and has successfully defended it once since then, Lima is largely unknown and basically comes into this encounter with Ennis as a world champion that is under the radar. Lima has scored knockouts of over 70% of his opposition, so the question that looms over this fight will be how Lima, a boxer/puncher will perform against the significantly more experienced and higher profile Ennis, who will come into this bout unbeaten with a record of 34-0, with 30 Knockouts having knocked out 88% of his previous opponents entering this fight.

What is also unknown as this fight approaches is whether the IBO world championship in the Jr. Middleweight division, which Lima currently holds, will be on the line or if this will be a non-title bout scheduled for the world championship distance of twelve rounds. The IBO, which was founded in the late 1980’s and incorporated in the early 1990’s, and is based here in the United States, has struggled for consistent recognition, particularly in this country as a world sanctioning organization, the fifth major world sanctioning organization in the sport. It is an organization, however, that in addition to having many notable fighters and Hall of Famers, male and female hold its world championship in various weight divisions throughout the entire sport, is held in higher regard internationally, which in addition to its computerized-based approach to rankings, can on occasion create a scenario like this where a world champion, who is well-traveled as Lima has been in competing in multiple countries throughout his career, but a fighter who will be competing in the United States for the first time, is regarded as an unknown entity. This observer has been unable to confirm as is this writing as to whether or not the world title Lima holds will indeed be on the line in this bout.

While some who particularly take a more cynical view of sanctioning organizations and choose not to view them as the legitimate entities that they for better or worse are, no matter what happens in this fight, it will have no impact on the IBO’s standing. If, Lima can produce a solid performance, however, it will provide further evidence that just because a fighter may not be what is sometimes referred to as a “Household Name" does not mean they should be taken lightly both by their opponent who might be more well known and by fans, even though in an era increasingly dominated by worldwide streaming, it is becoming harder for fighters to be completely under the radar.

As for what type of fight one can expect when Ennis and Lima square off? Like Jaron Ennis, Uisma Lima is a come forward pressure fighter. What will make this potentially interesting is Lima is a southpaw that is tall, rangy, knows how to control distance well, and often comes forward throwing punches with both hands. The question here might be whether Lima’s physical advantages and offensive approach will be enough against a fighter in Ennis that while he might be moving up in weight, has shown the ability to end a fight with either hand in often brutal fashion. If the power he displayed as a Welterweight is able to carry with him as he moves up in weight, Ennis will be no less dangerous and any opponent will have to approach with caution. We will see what Uisma Lima can do on Saturday, October 11th.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Update: Shortly after completion of this column, it was able to be confirmed that the IBO Jr. Middleweight world championship currently held by Uisma Lima will not be at stake, but the bout is being billed as a final elimination bout in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Jr. Middleweight ratings where the winner will be given Interim/Regular champion status in the WBA rankings. As of this writing, win or lose Lima will still be IBO world champion.

Ennis vs. Lima takes place on Saturday, October 11th at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 5:15 PM ET/2:15 PM with Before The Bell, which will feature preliminary bouts followed by the main card that will begin at 8PM ET/5PM PT. 

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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. 

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Alvarez-Crawford: A Long Overdue Win For Boxing

All too often, the phrase “The Biggest Fight of the Year" is an overused cliche. It is a good sales hook and a way to draw interest in a Boxing match, but also in other combat disciplines as well including the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). As effective as the phrase is as a promotional tool, whether the fight in question deserves such a label attached to it or not, if the fight doesn't deliver when all the promotion, hype, press obligations, and weigh-ins have run their course, once two fighters get into the ring, it can and often does leave a feeling of dissatisfaction and a bad taste in the mouths of Boxing fans, even when such an occasion has been made consumer-friendly by removing the expensive price tag that often accompanies such events.

There are times, however, when the aforementioned hype tactics, promotion,and general anticipation results in a great fight that serves as a way to elevate Boxing as a whole. The once fantasy matchup,turned legitimate “SuperFight" between Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez and undefeated former four-division world champion Terence Crawford proved to be such an occasion. A fight that was simply about two future Hall of Famers, who are legitimately among the best fighters in the world competing against each other and not one that was surrounded by personal animosity or “Bad Blood," whether legitimate or manufactured as a promotional tool to draw interest in the encounter.

This was simply about two of the best fighters of their era showing why they are held in such regard. As often happens prior to great fights, there was also the element of the unknown. Crawford, who had held world titles ranging from the 135lb. Lightweight division to the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division, becoming an undisputed world champion in both the Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight divisions, was moving up fourteen pounds, bypassing the 160lb. Middleweight division,to challenge the long-reigning Super-Middleweight king at 168lbs. Despite the illogical scenario, Crawford had proven long before this challenge to be a generational fighter and the significant jump in weight did not intimidate him, nor did facing a fighter in Alvarez, who like himself had proven to be a generational fighter.

What also added intrigue to this was the perception that, despite his long reign atop the Super-Middleweight division, to some, Alvarez had shown signs of decline in recent fights. Not surprisingly given each fighter’s skillset, what took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV on September 13th was a tactical Boxing chess match at the highest possible level. 

A tactical battle between two tacticians where there was not much to separate the two in the early rounds. Crawford generally being the fighter getting his punches off first, Alvarez looking to apply consistent pressure and focusing his offense on Crawford's body. With both fighters having periods of success in several rounds, it was difficult to discern who had an edge. 

Over time, however, there began to be subtle separation, despite applying consistent pressure from the outside, at no sustainable point, was Alvarez able to successfully trap Crawford and nullify his movement. This in addition to being consistently beaten to the punch and outworked gave Crawford an edge in what remained a competitive fight round by round for the full duration of the twelve round world championship bout. It was also noticeable that whenever Alvarez landed solidly either to the body or head, Crawford would immediately return offense to such degree that it would effectively steal those moments from the champion and likely change what were close rounds that might have been swaying in Alvarez’ direction, the opposite way. 

At the conclusion of nine rounds, I had Crawford up five rounds to four. Despite the perceptions of some going in that Alvarez may have been on the decline, it was not so much an issue of decline in a fighter as Alvarez performed well throughout the fight and remained competitive, as it was him coming up against a fighter in Terence Crawford that much like Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol, the only two fighters to had scored victories over him prior to this fight, is a master boxer with no visible flaws that opponents have been able to take advantage of. The same would be true for Alvarez as he, though competitive and having his moments throughout the fight, was simply unable to solve the puzzle Terence Crawford presented, in losing a close, but unanimous decision. 

The official scorecards of 116-112 (Eight rounds to four), and 115-113 (Seven rounds to five) on the remaining two cards was not surprising. Round by round it proved to be competitive and a healthy debate is likely to occur when you consider individual rounds as to who had the upper hand amongst fans and experts. 

At the end of the twelve round world championship bout I arrived with an eight rounds to four scorecard or 116-112 in points in favor of Crawford. From this observer’s perspective, Crawford not only dictated how the fight was fought, but he was able to sustain that pace throughout. Even as successful as Alvarez was in spots periodically throughout the fight, whatever he was able to do, Crawford had an immediate answer for and this in addition to his being able to outwork Alvarez is what I based my score on.

The victory for Terence Crawford was not only a vindication for him in the sense of seemingly being denied opportunities to face the fellow stars of his era either for business reasons or for other aspects having to do with the politics of Boxing, but it was also a historic one making him the first fighter in Boxing history to become an undisputed world champion in three separate weight divisions.

From a business perspective, the Alvarez-Crawford bout proved to be a massive success drawing over 70,000 spectators to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas as well as over forty-one million viewers on digital subscription streaming entertainment network Netflix, which should provide further evidence that Boxing has a bright future away from the outdated model of pay-per-view and those types of numbers should convince the holdouts that remain that the time has come to change course and embrace subscription-based streaming with open arms. Alvarez-Crawford truly delivered on being the biggest fight of 2025 and for a sport that will unfortunately always have its flaws and criticisms, it was a long overdue win for the sport. How the sport reacts to that win and how those in it both who were involved in the promotion of this fight and outside of it look to build off of it, remains to be seen. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Alvarez-Crawford The Biggest Fight of 2025

On September 13th the Boxing world will converge on Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas,NV for the biggest event in the sport of Boxing in 2025 as two-time Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez will make the first defense of his crown since regaining undisputed champion status in May of this year against undefeated multi-division world champion Terence Crawford. An encounter eagerly anticipated and in some ways mythical in the sense of it being a mythical fantasy fight in the minds of fans and experts alike not long ago.

The reason for that is largely rooted in the fact that Crawford, a former four-division world champion, who became undisputed world champion in both the Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight divisions, has only competed as high as the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. While he most recently won the WBO Jr. Middleweight world championship in August of last year with a twelve round decision over previously unbeaten Israel Madrimov, Crawford is at a unique stage in his career that few fighters can claim.

For Crawford is a true rarity in that he has spent his entire career virtually cleaning out every division he has competed in with little resistance from his opposition. This has put him in rarified air as a fighter that feels there is not much more he could accomplish and rightly has earned the right to pick a marquee fight in what could be his final bout of a Hall of Fame career. The choice is arguably the most challenging option, moving up in weight one more time to challenge Alvarez for his undisputed crown.  

What makes this unique and potentially a historic occasion is Crawford, who has only fought as high as the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division only once,  will be moving up fourteen pounds  and two divisions to make the attempt to become the first fighter to become an undisputed world champion in three separate weight classes. When one considers that Cranford began his career as an 135lb. Lightweight, it puts such an attempt in perspective as he will now be competing in a fight thirty-three pounds up the scale from where he began his career. While some may not appreciate that figure, there have only been a few fighters throughout history that have been able to defy conventional wisdom by going up significantly in weight over time and do so successfully. 

The most prominent example in terms of modern times outside of Crawford is the recently returned and also recent inductee into the International Boxing Hall of Fame Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao, a man who began his career as a 105lb. Strawweight, moved up through multiple divisions becoming Boxing's only eight-division world champion, coincidentally like Crawford, winning a world championship as high as the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. While the styles of Crawford and Pacquiao are different, the similarity between the two is both were and are generational talents that have elevated Boxing. 

As for the man who will be standing in Crawford's way on September 13th, Saul “Canelo" Alvarez has also cemented his legacy as a future Hall of Famer having won world titles in four weight classes and becoming the first fighter in history to fully unify the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division, a distinction that due to the politics that be in the sport, he has accomplished twice.

Despite his accomplishments and being arguably still at the top of his game, some have suggested that Alvarez has shown some signs of decline in recent fights. The basis for this is likely rooted in the fact that Alvarez has not stopped an opponent inside the distance since November 2021 when he knocked out then IBF Super-Middleweight world champion Caleb Plant in the first fight where he became Undisputed Super-Middleweight world champion. Outside of a defeat in a failed bid to regain a portion of the World Light-Heavyweight championship to Dmitry Bivol in May 2022, Alvarez has remained atop the Super-Middleweight division. In his last fight, Alvarez regained his undisputed status by scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten IBF world champion William Scull. Although a lopsided victory over an opponent with an amateur style that did not press Alvarez, criticism has remained.

Whether or not the fact that Alvarez, who has gone seven bouts since his last stoppage victory, is a sign of decline is for now a matter of debate. The fact that outside of his loss to a master boxer in Bivol, Alvarez has been able to retain his position atop the Super-Middleweight division by scoring convincing victories that though not ending in knockouts, have been no less convincing is something to also take into consideration. While one would have to go back to his first two fights against Gennady Golovkin in the 160lb. Middleweight division to find fights outside of his most recent loss to Bivol, to find a significant debate over the outcome, (This observer is on record in his stance that Golovkin won both of those bouts that ended in a draw in the first fight and a win for Alvarez in the second encounter) Alvarez’ two losses have all come to fighters regarded as master boxers, Floyd Mayweather and the aforementioned Bivol. 

Although one would have a valid argument to suggest that Terence Crawford, like Mayweather and Bivol is a master boxer with seemingly no flaws having been exposed to this point in his career, the question here should be whether the aspect of weight will be the dominant factor rather than overall skillset and execution that will determine who will win this fight. Despite moving up in weight to challenge Alvarez, Crawford does have two physical advantages going into this encounter. A one inch height advantage at 5’8 and nearly four inches in reach with a 74 inch reach compared to Alvarez’ 70 ½ reach. Where things at least in theory, however, begin to tip more in the champion’s favor is Alvarez began his career as a 147lb. Welterweight, twelve pounds higher than where Crawford began his as a Lightweight. Furthermore, Alvarez has routinely fought and dominated naturally bigger opposition, particularly since he moved into the Super-Middleweight division and also briefly held a World Light-Heaweight championship as well along the way, so those physical advantages Crawford has, though legitimate, likely does not concern the champion. 

How does this fight play itself out? This is a case where it's a true unknown in the sense that both Alvarez and Crawford are both well-rounded boxer/punchers that can do a little of everything, but the perception many fans seem to have is that Cranford has more going for him than Alvarez going into this encounter. This perception could likely be due to the idea that Alvarez has had trouble against fighters considered to be master boxers and at least on paper, this looks to be a similar scenario as Alvarez faced against Mayweather and Bivol. Whether that manifests itself in the ring remains to be seen.  Neither fighter has ever been dropped in their careers so it will be interesting to see what happens if there is a heated exchange of punches and it will be of equal interest to see who will have the edge in hand speed.  One aspect that has not been talked much about, however, is unlike his bouts against Mayweather where he had a disadvantage in terms of major fight experience, and Bivol a master boxer who was also naturally bigger, now this is a little of a reversal in that Alvarez has more than enough experience in fights like this and now is the fighter more experienced competing at heavier weights. The question will be how his skillset and fight plan will match up against Crawford at this stage in his career.

An aspect of this event that also adds to it being the biggest fight of the year is most fights that fit that description are usually reserved for the excuse of the pay-per-view model, something that frankly has been detrimental and to be blunt a cancer to the sport as costs have only gone up over time, frequency of pay-per-view being used also having increased, and digital streaming networks like DAZN, once marketed as a viable alternative to the model with the introduction of a subscription-based model, having found themselves dipping their toes more and more into pay-per-view, that has alienated many subscribers, but this event, which is legitimately the biggest fight on the Boxing calendar will not be on pay-per-view either through independent means or through a network like DAZN. Instead, this fight has the potential to achieve the type of viewership promoters could only dream of via the outdated pay-per-view model, by airing on global digital entertainment streaming network Netflix, with no additional fee attached beyond a Netflix subscription to access the event either live or on demand. 

Following the success of the Tyson-Paul event last November and the all women's Boxing card headlined by the third encounter between future Hall of Famers Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano earlier this year in Madison Square Garden, this event will mark Netflix's third Boxing event and like the previous two, has the potential to draw numbers never reached before for Boxing in the streaming era. While Netflix has invested in single events in the sport to this point that they feel are significant rather than seeking output deals with promoters to provide a consistent schedule, the fact that this fight will show once again the viability of subscription-based models over the inflated, overused, and our dated model of pay-per-view, should be viewed as a positive for the sport. Not only because of it being consumer-friendly, but also, it will put other networks involved in the sport as well as promoters who have continued to insist on pay-per-view, despite increasing evidence that it is no longer embraced by consumers, in the position of needing to both step up their game, but also do so with a model that will be consumer-friendly and will thus allow them to remain competitive in the sport. With the recent news that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Mixed Martial Arts promotion, a promotion that has long had its own subscription-based streaming network UFC Fight Pass, which has allowed subscribers access to the promotion's full library as well as content both live and on demand from other promoters throughout combat sports, but one that has remained on pay-per-view for its numbered events as being the only real stronghold outside of Boxing keeping the model alive, recently signed a $7.7 Billion deal with digital entertainment streaming network Paramount+ to carry all upcoming UFC events including numbered events, which will all be included with a subscription to Paramount+ beginning in 2026 with no additional pay-per-view fees attached, thus moving the promotion fully away from the pay-per-view model, which was in response to its own declining pay-per-view numbers,while also maintaining its own streaming network, hopefully, this along with Netflix's involvement in Boxing, will finally break the wall of resistance of those promoters and network that have continued to insist on pay-per-view that Boxing is officially out of excuses and the time has finally come for change. If Alvarez-Crawford turns in solid numbers in terms of viewership as expected and draws additional subscribers, with Netflix looking to continue their involvement in the sport, even better. 

If the fight turns out to be the true 50/50 encounter it appears to be on paper, ultimately this will likely be remembered akin to some of the classic encounters of the 1980’s where fights like this were regarded as true special occasions in the sport and the fights themselves are regarded and remembered fondly as all-time classics, which elevated Boxing to higher levels and drew interest from not only casual fans, but also folks who had never seen the sport before, which thus created new fans and helped grow the sport. As one who does not make predictions, this is a rare instance where I can not offer even a suggestion as to where things are leaning. For the first time in a good while, the aspect of the unknown that surrounds this fight has me excited to cover it and I cannot wait for round 1 to begin. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Alvarez vs. Crawford takes place on Saturday, September 13th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas,NV. The bout can be seen globally on digital subscription general entertainment network Netflix beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT and will be available to all Netflix subscribers at no additional cost. At 5:30PM ET/2:30PM PT preliminary bouts will be streamed on both the UFC and WWE YouTube channels before the main card gets underway on Netflix at the aforementioned start times. (*North American Start Times Only*)

(" On Demand replay of full event will be available shortly after live broadcast.*

For more information about Netflix subscription pricing information in your region of the world and local start times for this special event in your area please visit: www.Netflix.com. 

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On A Collision Course?: Plant And Charlo Set To Headline Prime Video Twinbill

The month of May 2025 began with Saul “Canelo" Alvarez reclaiming the IBF Super-Middleweight crown and in doing so, also reclaimed his status as the undisputed king of the Super-Middleweight division by scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten IBF world champion William Scull in Saudi Arabia. While that fight ultimately proved to be formulaic for Alvarez and serve as a set up for a highly anticipated encounter between the champion and the undefeated multi-division world champion Terence Crawford in September, an obvious question that will be asked is what will be in store for the winner of that fight down the line? 

On May 31st a doubleheader will take place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV featuring two former world champions, who are being positioned to potentially face off later this year, with that winner then potentially in line to possibly face the winner of Alvarez-Crawford. The two bouts, which will co-headline a Boxing card promoted by the Premier Boxing Champions group of promoters and streamed in the United States on Prime Video will first see former IBF Super-Middleweight world champion Caleb Plant, a former opponent of Alvarez, facing Jose Resendiz in a twelve round bout.

This will be Plant’s second fight since dropping a twelve round unanimous decision to David Benavidez  in March 2023. In his last bout, Plant, who will enter this fight with a record of 23-2, with 14 Knockouts, earned Interim/Regular champion status in the WBA’s Super-Middleweight ratings with a ninth round stoppage of previously Trevor McCumby in a fight where he was dropped in the fourth round before ultimately getting to and stopping McCumby in the later rounds. Now, Plant looks to maintain his status as the WBA’s mandatory challenger for Alvarez against Jose Resendiz.

Resendiz, who will enter this fight with a record of 15-2, with 11 Knockouts does obviously have the ability to end a fight if given the opportunity having stopped nearly 74% of his opponents within the distance of a fight. Although he has a knockout win over former Jr. Middleweight world champion Jarrett Hurd, the biggest win and name on his record to date, the jury is out as to whether Resendiz is ready for what is a step up in both class of opposition against the considerably more experienced former world champion Plant, but also only his second fight in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division. Resendiz’ last outing in February of this year saw him score a fifth round knockout of a fighter named Fernando Paliza, who had a record of 5-2, with 5 Knockouts going into that fight, which took place in Mexico.

While that fight was clearly designed as both a “Stay Busy" fight as well as a way for Resendiz to test the waters of a new weight class, one could wonder how that helped his preparation for this fight given the opponent’s limited experience against non-world-class opposition. We will likely get the answer early on because Plant is a solid boxer/puncher who will likely try to dictate the terms of combat early on in the fight. If Resendiz is not able to hold his own, Plant will likely try to end the fight if given the opportunity rather than looking for a decision victory.

The second half of this doubleheader will feature undefeated former WBC Middleweight world champion Jermall Charlo facing Thomas LaManna in a scheduled ten round bout. This will be Charlo’s second fight since returning from a lengthy absence in November 2023 and also his second outing in the 168lb. Super-Middleweight division. 

An obvious question here will center on Charlo, who prior to that fight in November 2023, had not fought since June 2021. While Charlo scored a convincing ten round unanimous decision over Jose Benavidez, he has not fought since then and the issue of inactivity can be a silent killer for fighters. 

Charlo’s opponent on May 31st will be veteran Thomas LaManna. LaManna, a former world title challenger, enters this fight with a record of 39-5-1, with 18 Knockouts and will also come into the ring on a nine fight winning streak. This in addition to being significantly more active than Charlo, who will come in with a record of 33-0, with 22 Knockouts, gives the edge at least in terms of momentum to him. 

A red flag some might point to, however, is LaManna has been stopped in three of his five career losses including in his one challenge for a world title, when he was stopped in one round by Erislandy Lara in May 2021, which was his last loss to date.

Charlo is a fighter that has at times looked spectacular, but one who has also appeared sluggish and going through the motions, so the question beyond the issue of inactivity is what version of Charlo will show up. Despite his setbacks, which have come when he has stepped up in caliber of opposition, Thomas LaManna is a solid professional fighter and if Charlo is not on his game or if inactivity, as it often does eventually to most fighters, proves to be a detriment in this fight, it could be a scenario where LaManna might score the biggest win of his career. 

There is an expectation at least by outward appearance that if both Plant and Charlo are successful in these bouts that they could be pitted against each other later this year in an attempt to be in position to face the winner of Alvarez-Crawford in September. Obviously, there is business that each must tend to before that can happen. Whether or not this doubleheader proves to be an appetizer for that potential encounter later this year or if Resendiz and LaManna will be able to upset those plans remains to be seen. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

PBC: Plant-Resendiz / Charlo-LaManna takes place on Saturday, May 31st at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV. The card can be seen in the United States on Prime Video beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT. For more information, including compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TV’s, and to subscribe please visit: www.PrimeVideo.com. 

*Check your local listings internationally.*

*Card and Start time Subject to Change.*

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Bohachuk-Ortiz Thoughts

The first two weeks of August in Professional Boxing have seen a focus on the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division. First, it was Terence Crawford becoming a four-division world champion by scoring a close twelve round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten WBA world champion Israil Madrimov at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. A fight where for the first time in Crawford's career, he seemed to be pushed in what was a competitive bout from start to finish where there also seemed to be a little doubt under a scenario where Crawford was forced to go the twelve round world championship distance for the first time in eight years.

While this observer feels Israil Madrimov did enough to at least warrant a rematch with Crawford based on how competitive that fight was, the spotlight remained on the division on August 10th when another fight that could well have ramifications for Crawford's future took place. Yours truly is referring to the battle between top contenders Serhii Bohachuk and Vergil Ortiz, which took place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV.

The fight, where Interim/Regular champion status in the WBC’s Jr. Middleweight ratings, a designation held by Bohachuk, brought together two fighters who are known for their ability to score knockouts, and this fight at least in theory, would establish a mandatory challenger for current WBC world champion Sebastian Fundora. It would not disappoint.

In contrast to Madrimov-Crawford where the contest was fought at a highly technical and tactical pace, which one might say was similar in some ways to how numerous bouts in the amateur ranks are fought, this was a contest where the two fighters were willing to stand in close and engage with each other, throwing hard punches from the opening bell. Bohachuk scored a knockdown of Ortiz in the first round with an overhand right. While this was incorrectly ruled a slip upon it occuring, it would be corrected prior to the start of the fifth round due to the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) using video review of the knockdown, otherwise known as the instant replay rule, which is not the universal standard in the sport that it should be, but is legal and used when appropriate in the state of Nevada. 

The blown call in the first round, corrected via review during the course of the fight notwithstanding, it did little to change the high pace in which the fight was fought in what quickly became a close battle of wills.

Vergil Ortiz seemed to be the more active of the two fighters in several rounds, but Serhii Bohachuk seemed to be landing the harder punches of the two when he did let his hands go. When such a conundrum presents itself, it can be difficult to distinguish who is getting the upper hand, but upon the ruling prior to the fifth round, I immediately questioned to myself as to whether or not the knockdown in the first round would end up being the deciding factor in determining the outcome. Neither fighter really gave up much ground to the other and a brief knockdown, what is often referred to as a “Flash Knockdown" could well determine who wins simply because more often than not, rounds where there is a single knockdown scored is scored 10-8 in favor of the fighter who dropped their opponent.

There seemed to be some clarity, at least in my eyes, when Bohachuk was able to score a second knockdown of Ortiz early in the eighth round.. Much like the knockdown in round one, the second knockdown was not one where Ortiz was in significant trouble and/or hurt, but was briefly knocked down to the canvas. With two knockdowns and thus two 10-8 rounds being scored in his favor, I felt Bohachuk was getting the edge in a close and competitive fight. 

Following the second knockdown, Ortiz was invigorated and responded aggressively in trying to press Bohachuk landing hard, thudding punches. If it were not for the knockdown against him earlier in the round, Ortiz likely would have won it. Ortiz would continue his aggression from rounds nine through twelve in rallying to earn a hard fought twelve round majority decision. 

Although there was not much to distinguish between the two fighters for the first six rounds of the fight, simply because when Ortiz would land something that appeared significant, Bohachuk would respond immediately or it would be the reverse scenario where Ortiz would respond quickly to what Bohachuk had landed, I felt some of the rounds, though very close, swayed towards Bohachuk. This in addition to the two knockdowns he scored in rounds one and eight, resulted in my unofficial scorecard being 116-110 in favor of Bohaychuk. While it was indisputable who got the upper hand from the time of the second knockdown in round eight, I felt Ortiz did not do enough to overcome those knockdowns and frankly felt that he ran out of time. If the fight had been scheduled for the classic world championship distance of fifteen rounds, something this observer has long advocated to see a return to, I may have arrived at a different scorecard at the end of the fight.

Nonetheless, Ortiz emerging victorious in this fight is not something I would call a bad decision or the often tiresome claim many fans use when an outcome does not go in favor of the fighter they support, “A Robbery." It comes down to what a judge favors based on clean punching, effective aggression, ring generalship, and defense. When there are several rounds that could be scored either way, as was the case in this fight, opinions can indeed differ. It just appeared difficult to ignore two knockdowns, which under many circumstances, would determine the outcome.

For the second week in a row, a fight occurred in the Jr. Middleweight division that was close, competitive, and not expected to be in the eyes of many. As was the case with Madrimov-Crawford, I find myself wanting to see more. Perhaps it might be a good idea to stage the respective rematches of these two fights on the same card in the near future.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Madrimov-Crawford: Should There Be A Rematch?

The story going into undefeated three-division world champion Terence Crawford's challenge of undefeated WBA Jr. Middleweight world champion Israil Madrimov on August 3rd at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, CA largely centered on the dominant career Crawford had up to the point of this encounter and his attempt to join a select list of fighters, many of whom are Hall of Famers to have won world titles in four separate divisions. While that storyline was simple, perhaps what should have been discussed more was whether or not Crawford, who came into the fight having stopped his last eleven opponents inside the distance, would finally come across an opponent that would produce something we have not seen before in a Terence Crawford fight. An element of doubt. 

Despite coming into the fight as the defending WBA world champion in the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division, and having an extensive amateur background in which he scored three hundred-fifty wins, Israil Madrimov was seen as a significant underdog. This was due largely to his only having ten fights since turning professional as well as Crawford being his first title defense after winning the title earlier this year and Crawford's significant high profile at the top of the sport.

The champion, however, would show immediately that he belonged in the ring against someone of Crawford's caliber. What stood out was Madrimov’s approx. An approach that had an emphasis on movement both with his feet as well as with his upper body. From the opening bell, Madrimov used faints to disrupt Crawford and footwork to prevent Crawford from being able to find a consistent rhythm. This along with being able to land his right hand both as a lead and a counter punch seemed to keep Crawford

 hesitant for a time to let his hands go. 

In truth, what would follow would be the definition of a chess match. Two highly skilled world-class boxers attempting to outwit each other, but each showing a healthy respect for the other by not being aggressive and patiently looking for the right opportunities to throw and land punches. Although fights fought at such a pace are not always the most entertaining to watch, for Boxing purists, it was. It was also the first time that a fighter seemed to be able to compete with Crawford and not allow him to gradually take control of the fight as it progressed.

An interesting contrast between the two fighters also developed over time where for those scoring the bout produced a conundrum. The gradual m volume punching of Crawford, or the consistent accuracy of Madrimov. It was indeed hard to distinguish at times who was getting the upper hand because while Crawford was more active for significant stretches, some may feel Madrimov’s measured approach and accuracy with his offense could have been more effective. As it almost always is when it comes to close fights, it becomes a case of what one prefers, as I have said numerous times over the many years I have covered the sport, based on clean punching, effective aggression, ring generalship, and defense.

Only adding to the conundrum, Madrimov’s constant lateral and upper body movement, also allowed him to do something that we have not really seen done to Terence Crawford in his career, apply consistent pressure where it gave an appearance as though Crawford was having trouble, not being able to control the place, in addition to not being able to let his hands go as consistently as he normally does.

For a long stretch during this fight, I felt the story was not necessarily Madrimov’s measured approach in terms of offense, but more about what he did defensively and thus, what Crawford was not able to do as a result. More often than not, however, there are those whether scoring a fight officially or unofficially that will tend to give the nod to a fighter who is more active offensively. In this case, it is indisputable that over the second half of the scheduled twelve round world championship bout that Crawford was the more active of the two even though he was not always able to land on Madrimov.

From this observer’s perspective, at the end of the fight I had Crawford winning seven rounds to five or 115-113 in points, but it was a case where for the first time since covering him from the early stages of his career, where I did not feel confident in my scoring in the sense that it was not a case of clearly feeling that Crawford won seven rounds, but more of a scenario where at the conclusion of the fight, I had arrived at that scorecard under circumstances where many of the rounds could have been scored either way based again on what once prefers in their own criteria based on the aforementioned criteria in which Boxing is scored. 

This certainly was not the first fight that I found myself under this scenario, but it was the first time in regard to one of Crawford's fights. Nevertheless, it would not have surprised me to see scores going the opposite way in favor of Madrimov, or to see the fight scored a draw. At the end of the evening, it would be Crawford who would win the fight via unanimous decision with two official judges scoring the fight the same as yours truly 115-113, while the third judge turned in a score of eight rounds to four or 116-112 in points, making Crawford a four-division world champion.

What is interesting coming out of this fight is the ramblings of a further significant leap up the weight scale for Crawford to possibly challenge unified Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez are likely to continue, but for the first time in his career, Terrence Crawford was pushed competitively to a point we have not seen before and thus, now the possibility of a rematch should be discussed. In this observer's eyes Israil Madrimov has earned it.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Crawford To Test Jr. Middleweight Waters

It may seem like a cliche in present times because there are many talented fighters throughout the entire sport of Boxing that one might argue could have this label bestowed upon them, but there are few fighters that can legitimately lay claim to being a true “Generational Talent." One such fight that this observer has used the term in describing is undefeated multi-division world champion Terrence Crawford. 

If one were to ask me to sum up Crawford’s career up to this point in a single word, it would be “Dominant" Crawford has simply dominated every weight division he has been in from the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division, to the 147lb. Welterweight division, becoming an undisputed world champion in both the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight and Welterweight divisions. As his dominance has continued, the question that has begun to be asked is when and where will Crawford reach his ceiling in terms of the weight scale. With a Hall of Fame career already cemented, having fully unified his previous two divisions, Crawford now seeks to test the waters in yet another division.

On August 3rd at the BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, Crawford will square off against undefeated WBA Jr. Middleweight world champion Israil Madrimov. A fight that can be seen globally on DAZN Pay-Per-View. This fight, which will also have Interim/Regular champion status in the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) Jr. Middleweight ratings at stake, also has the element of the unknown attached to it.

Although this will be Crawford's first fight as a 154lb. Jr. Middleweight and as such the unknown surrounding him going into this encounter is how he will respond at this weight and how he will take a punch from a natural Jr. Middleweight, this is a scenario where he is the likely favorite and has a significant edge in experience compared to champion. Israil Madrimov will enter the bout unbeaten, as will Crawford, but he has only had eleven professional fights compared to Crawford's forty. Despite the limited resume Madrimov has up to this point, he has scored knockouts in seven of his ten career wins with a draw coming in July 2022 against Michel Sorro.

Madrimov won the vacant WBA Jr. Middleweight world championship in March of this year with a fifth round knockout of previously unbeaten Magomed Kurbanov in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Much like it will be in his first title defense, Madrimov won the title by beating a fighter with considerably more experience in that Kurbanov was 25-0, with 13 Knockouts going into that fight.

The difference here is Crawford is significantly more accomplished and has higher name recognition as a former two-time undisputed world champion as well as being a three-division world champion overall. What this fight will come down to is whether or not Madrimov will be able to get the respect of Crawford early. It is important to keep in mind that Crawford has been one of the most dominant fighters of his era and has not had the type of wars that often come with a long and illustrious career. When a fighter is used to outclassing their competition to the degree that Crawford has, there can be at least an expectation from a fan’s perspective that they will be able to just walk in and continue doing the same as they continue to fight on and in this case, move up in weight.

Madrimov must show early on that not only is he there to fight and defend his title, but also show Crawford that this will not be a fight that he will be able to dictate. This obviously is something that could be easier said than done.

While Crawford has never shown a tendency towards being potentially over confident and is usually one of the most dedicated and serious practitioners of the sweet science of Boxing, he could have some potentially lucrative paydays in line for him including, but not limited to a potential encounter with current unified Super-Middleweight world champion Saul “Canelo" Alvarez down the line. Despite everything from a statistical standpoint appearing to favor Crawford, he needs to maintain the same serious mindset he has shown his whole career. He is after all the challenger and is going against a fighter who has fought as high as 166lbs. as an amateur and is naturally bigger than him.

Boxing is truly a sport of opportunity. In this case, a future Hall of Famer is looking to add another accolade to his legacy, and on the other side of the ring will be an undefeated world champion that has a golden opportunity to make a name for himself by scoring what many would consider an upset in his first title defense. Such storylines are what makes the sport great.

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

Madrimov vs. Crawford takes place on Saturday, August 3rd at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen globally on DAZN Pay-Per-View beginning at 4:30PM ET/1:30PM PT for $79.99. For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, availability around the world, local start times and pricing in your area, to subscribe and order this pay-per-view event please visit: www.DAZN.com. 

(*Card and Start Times Subject To Change.*)

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Ennis Batters Avanesyan Into Submission

The bout between undefeated IBF World Welterweight champion Jaron Ennis and former European Welterweight champion and former world title challenger David Avanesyan was one that, though it came about on short notice, presented an interesting test for the unbeaten world champion. When one also factors into the equation that Ennis, known to his fans simply as “Boots," was beginning a new chapter in his career, now aligned with promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing and the fact that this fight was in his hometown of Philadelphia, PA, the circumstances were not ideal.

Despite the change in opponent, Ennis met the veteran and durable Avanesyan before a crowd of over 10,000 at the Wells Fargo Center on July 13th. When it comes to fights that are labeled as a “Homecoming" for a fighter touted as one of the rising stars in the sport, or one that is considered a star, the danger is the potential for distractions that could affect the fighter’s focus. In this case, not only was the potential for such a scenario there, but arguably the change in opponent from Cody Crowley to Avanesyan was seen as a step up by some due to Avanesyan’s long standing as a top contender in the Welterweight division, even though the circumstances for him were also not ideal having only four weeks to prepare for the bout.

Although both fighters were put in that position, it did not seem to affect Ennis, who immediately set the tempo of the fight by establishing a stiff jab and landing one that seemed to stun Avanesyan in the opening seconds of the fight. What the champion was also able to establish was a consistent attack to the challenger’s body with both hooks and uppercuts. It was one such uppercut in the first round that hit Avanesyan low and sent him down to the canvas in significant pain.

The foul was unintentional as Avanesyan had his arm around the head of Ennis and appeared to push the champion down into a position where a punch that was aimed for the midsection landed below the belt. It did not, however, deter Ennis from continuing to go to the body and he continued to mix his attack to the body and head of Avanesyan. Although Avanesyan had some success when he attempted to catch the champion in between punches while trying to throw with him, the beating continued and the effects of the punishment began to show on the challenger’s body as well as appearing to show signs of a possible broken jaw.

In round five, Ennis dropped Avanesyan with a perfectly timed counter overhand left that sent the challenger down to the canvas. Avanesyan was able to get up and finish the round, but at the end of the round, his corner stopped the fight. Ennis had successfully made the first defense of his world title and done so by making his opponent submit in his corner. Whether it was Avanesyan or his corner that made the decision, the resignation of a durable longtime contender is something to take notice of.

Perhaps there are some who feel that Avanesyan should have continued. Boxing much like all combat sports has significant dangers that go along with it. In this case, while there was still seven rounds left in the scheduled twelve round world championship bout and in theory, enough time to make an attempt to get into the fight in terms of the scorecards, David Avanesyan was taking significant punishment for five rounds and it should not be dismissed that the effects of that punishment to the body and head likely caused an injury or injuries that led to the decision to retire on his stool. The fan may not understand it and likely wanted to see a knockout in the midst of battle, but one should understand that injuries have to be taken into consideration as well as the potential long-term repercussions not just for the fighter in terms of their career moving forward, but also their life after their career is over. A decision to tend to injuries so one can continue with their career down the line, and/or prevent further injury, though not exciting for a fan watching a fight that was stopped, is often a logical choice.

As for Jaron Ennis, this victory should be seen as a mission accomplished in successfully defending his title. For the moment, he has made a strong case for himself as being the top Welterweight in the world. Whether unification is on his radar or potentially moving up in weight to the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division to possibly chase former Undisputed World Welterweight champion Terrence Crawford, who will make his Jr. Middleweight debut in August, remains to be seen. 

“And That's The Boxing Truth." 

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Crawford Cements Hall of Fame Legacy By Battering And Stopping Spence

The fight between undefeated Welterweight world champions Errol Spence and Terence Crawford for the Undisputed Welterweight championship of the world on July 29th in Las Vegas, NV was in some ways a throwback moment to when the best fighters fought the best where the politics that be in the sport rarely stood in the way of what could be viewed as progress. While such a return to the era where the best fought the best has become an elusive concept as decades have gone on due to a variety of issues related to the business of the sport of Boxing, Spence-Crawford served as an example of what the sport could be providing fans on a regular basis.

It is after all where two fighters who understand their respective positions in the sport opt to in large part make a fight that they want to have, happen between themselves and not be restrained by promoters or television/streaming network's own respective interests and agendas. In that aspect, both Spence and Crawford showed fellow boxers that ultimately it is the fighters who do the fighting and it is the promoters that are supposed to work in the best interest of the fighters, not the other way around.

Despite the positives that this fight brought to the table, the action that occurred inside the ring was probably a let down to sone Boxing fans. The reason for this was it did not take long before it became clear that this would not be the competitive fight that it appeared it would be on paper. What would happen instead would serve as another example of one fighter's generational talent and one fighter's courage in the face of being on that night at the T-Mobile Arena, the lesser fighter. In previewing this fight, this observer stated that the issue of activity might be something this fight would come down to, specifically the fact that due largely to injuries, Errol Spence had only fought once in the last three years prior to this encounter for all the marbles in the 147lb. Welterweight division as well as the current state of the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters, that Spence has fought under the banner of for most of his career, in that many fighters who are aligned with the PBC have seen lengthy stretches of inactivity in recent years as the PBC has been struggling including apparently losing their broadcast deal with Fox Sports, which up until this year had been one of two network partners for the PBC here in the United States along with the Paramount owned Showtime, which has been recently rebranded to Paramount+ with Showtime in integrating the struggling cable network with it's parent company's flagship global streaming network.

While most of the above should not be directly tied to a fighter's inactivity, the fact remains that the biggest detriment to a fighter's career is inactivity. Something that by all accounts seemed to be exposed in this fight. After a relatively uneventful first round, Crawford stunned many by dropping Spence with a perfectly timed counter jab in the second round. Although this appeared to be a "Flash Knockdown" in that Spence did not appear hurt in being knocked down for the first time in his career, what was clear was Crawford has already figured out how to break Spence down and had his timing down to almost surgical precision. 

Over the course of the rounds that followed, this observer felt it was only a matter of time before the fight would be stopped. The reason for this was not only the systematic approach that Crawford was executing, but also that his hand speed and punching power was too much for Spence to combat. What was also evident was Spence, at least on this night, lacked the punching power to discourage Crawford from pressing forward, much less being able to gain control of the combat.

Round after round Crawford was administering a beating. Although Spence showed his mettle and was extremely "Game" in this fight, after six rounds, I felt that his corner needed to start thinking about their fighter's well being. Translation, I felt that the time had come where it was time to consider stopping the fight as it was so decisive in Crawford's favor, there did not seem to be much sense in allowing it to continue as gradually Spence was being busted up and there appeared to be no sign of the ebb and flow turning in his favor. 

My feelings that Spence had taken enough punishment seemed to be confirmed in the seventh round when Crawford scored his second and third knockdowns of Spence. At this point, I was shocked that even though Spence continued to show the heart of a warrior and survived the round, common sense and concern for his welfare did not come into the equation and the fight was allowed to continue.

As the punishment also continued being dished out by Crawford and Spence was increasingly unable to return much offense, Referee Harvey Dock mercifully stepped in and stopped the fight in the ninth round making Terence Crawford the first Undisputed Welterweight champion of the world in nearly thirty-eight years and the first undisputed champion in the division since the inception of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) in 1989. It also made Crawford the first male boxer in history to have successfully fully unified two weight divisions after previously becoming undisputed champion as a 140lb. Jr. Welterweight.

Although that accomplishment is astounding given all the political roadblocks and other things that occur in the sport that more often than not prevent such accomplishments, frankly my first thought at the conclusion of this fight was not so much about the historical significance of what I had just witnessed, as much as it was about wondering out loud why it took Harvey Dock, a competent world-class referee to use common sense in stopping this fight when the opportunity for Spence's corner to use good judgment was apparently ignored. Obviously, I cannot answer as to why his corner did not stop the fight, but what I will say is, I have seen plenty of fighters suffer similar beatings as Errol Spence did at the hands of Terence Crawford and while no one should ever take away from a fighter's heart and the courage they show in such circumstances, there comes a point where the corner, who's first responsibility should be to look out for the health and long-term well-being of their fighter, need to protect that fighter from themselves because more often than not, a fighter will keep going for as long as they are allowed to and unfortunately, that can also lead to fighters being seriously hurt. In any case, now the question for Errol Spence will be whether or not he will be the same fighter after suffering such a beating and the first loss of his career. It is a question that cannot be answered right now, but the possibility of this fight in addition to the injuries he has suffered might take something out of him going forward.

As for Terence Crawford, he would appear to be in an ideal position as a promotional free agent and now a two-time undisputed champion. While there is a rematch clause that would entitle Spence to a rematch, it does not appear as though that would be an advisable move based on what occurred in the ring and the likely need for time to recover. Whether or not Spence actually takes time to re-evaluate things may come down to whether those around him truly have his best interest.

 It may be more likely to see Crawford start fulfilling his mandatory title defense obligations from the respective organizations that now comprise the Undisputed Welterweight championship, as is standard after a championship is unified. Who he fights, on which network/platform, and under which promoter remains to be seen. Whatever Crawford does going forward, his future place in any Boxing Hall of Fame is cemented. 

For other fighters throughout the sport however, there is an obvious lesson to take from this. Not only do fighters have more power than they truly realize to make fights happen, but fighters also do not and should not be limited to fighting only fighters under the same promotional banner and if a promoter cannot secure consistent fights for a fighter that will allow that fighter to not only earn income consistently, but to also remain active where they will at least have a chance to be at their competitive best, it is the fighters responsibility to force the issue, even if doing so means taking their talents elsewhere. Ultimately a promoter is supposed to work in the best interest of the fighter, not the other way around.

"And That's The Boxing Truth."

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

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Spence-Crawford: Boxing's Latest SuperFight For Welterweight Supremacy

Boxing's 147lb. Welterweight division has historically been one of the sport's most glamorous divisions full of historic battles featuring some of its biggest stars. Sometimes the term "SuperFight," which this observer only uses when he feels it is truly warranted and not as a mere term for the sole purpose of hype, not only features the top stars in the sport, but also has the rare distinction of bringing resolution to a division such as determining an undisputed world champion. Such a fight will take place on Saturday, July 29th as the two undefeated world champions of the division Errol Spence and Terence Crawford will finally meet to determine the first Undisputed Welterweight champion of the world since 1985 and the first since the inception of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) in 1989. A fight that can be seen on Showtime Pay-Per-View here in the United States

Quite frankly, one could write a column discussing why it has taken thirty-eight years for the Welterweight division to reach this milestone. For historical reference, in December 1985 Donald Curry scored a brutal second round knockout of Milton McCrory to unify the crowns of the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA), and International Boxing Federation (IBF). While the title remained undisputed for a time, by 1988, the championship was broken up due largely to the politics that be in the sport, but despite numerous unification bouts having taken place over the last thirty-eight years where portions of the World Welterweight championship were at stake, things could not seem to make it to the finish line to determine an undisputed champion.

Although this observer could spend all day and night talking about the ills of the politics that be in the sport that all too often stand in the way of such progress, it is truly a rarity when two undefeated world champions take a gamble like this for all the marbles. Despite the efforts of some to prevent a fight between Spence and Crawford from happening for whatever interests there may have been, this is an even more rare circumstance where the fight was largely made by the fighters themselves rather than gamesmanship between rival promoters and/or TV and digital streaming networks.

In terms of how the fight might shape up once the fighters are in the ring at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, it is truly an interesting fight between two fighters that seem evenly matched. Both can box and both have the capability to end a fight suddenly with punching power should the opportunity arise. What this encounter might come down to may center on the subject of activity.

The activity in terms of recent time in competition between the two fighters. In that aspect, it is Crawford who holds the edge. Despite being the longest reigning world champion in the Welterweight division, Errol Spence has fought only once in the last three years. While this could be attributed to both injuries he suffered in a horrific car accident in 2019 as well as a retina injury, which caused him to pull out of a scheduled title defense against Manny Pacquiao in August 2021, it may also be attributable to the current state of the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters, which Spence has fought under for the majority of his career, in that many fighters who have fought under the PBC banner have struggled to get fights on a consistent basis.

Whether it is the injuries he suffered, the state of the PBC, or a combination of all three, Spence is at a disadvantage when it comes to activity as Crawford has averaged one fight per year in the last three years. While not a significant difference in activity, it is important to keep in mind that both due to the politics that be in the sport as well as the economics of it that it is not uncommon for world champions and other fighters on the top level of the sport to average between one and two fights per year depending on what the circumstances might be at a given time. 

It would not surprise this observer however, to see Crawford attempt to apply pressure on Spence from the outset. While both fighters have the capability to end a fight quickly should the opportunity arise and as Crawford demonstrated in his last defense of his WBO crown with a one punch knockout of European Welterweight champion David Avanesyan last December, Crawford has also shown the ability to gradually break opponents down with consistent pressure as well as the ability to swarm his opponents with offense. When he has been able to be active on a consistent basis, Errol Spence has many of the same attributes as Crawford, but the element that Spence has not faced both due to his inactivity as well as against his most recent opponents, has been a fighter that is going to apply the type of pressure that Crawford likely will in this fight.

It will therefore be interesting to see how Spence will respond to being in a fight where he might not be able to dictate the ebb and flow of it and will be under circumstances where he will have to adapt for the first time in a significant period of his career. At least on paper, the comparison between the two fighters seems to tip in favor of Crawford going into this fight when the recent histories of the two as well as the element of Spence having not faced a fighter that will implement the type of pressure that Crawford will attempt are factored into the equation.

Nevertheless, when two undefeated world champions enter the ring with an undisputed world championship on the line there is always the element of suspense because even the most knowledgeable fan, or the most respected members of media who cover the sport, like yours truly, are not quite sure what will happen. Boxing history is filled with so many memorable classic encounters not just in regard to the Welterweight division, but in the entire sport that were thought of as fights that elevated Boxing up to a higher level, whether that level be in terms of prestige or one of exposure that opened the sport up to new eyes that have not previously seen the sport before. While it remains to be seen what this fight will do in regard to exposure with yet another expensive pay-per-view price tag of $84.99 attached, one can only hope that at the very least, this fight will be free from any controversy in the ring and free from any headaches for consumers that have been all too often seeking refunds after events like this due to glitches of the pay-per-view broadcast both on traditional pay-TV as well as streaming providers. It is my hope, despite all the ills in the sport including, but not limited to the pay-per-view model, that at least for one evening the sport of Boxing will get a boost from a marquee event that frankly is long overdue.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Spence vs. Crawford takes place on Saturday, July 29th at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The fight and a three fight undercard can be seen here in the United States on Showtime Pay-Per-View beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT and will be available through the Showtime app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices/Smart TVs as well as the PPV.com app and traditional cable/satellite providers for $84.99. To order through Showtime to access the event through the Showtime app please visit: www.Sho.com/PPV. Or visit www.PPV.com or contact your cable/satellite provider for ordering information. 

(*Card and Start time subject to change*)

(*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