Thoughts On The Decision To Put Mayweather-Berto On Pay-Per-View

It was officially announced earlier this week that undefeated multi-division world champion Floyd Mayweather, the fighter widely considered the best pound for pound fighter in the world will take on former WBC Welterweight world champion Andre Berto on September 12th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather last appeared in May of this year scoring a lopsided twelve round unanimous decision over Manny Pacquiao in a fight that some called the “Fight Of The Century.”

Speculation regarding what Mayweather would do for his next fight began immediately following his victory over Pacquiao. Mayweather stated following the fight that he intended to relinquish the world championships he holds in both the Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight divisions saying that his next fight could be a non-title bout. As speculation increased as to what Mayweather’s potential plans were, discussion among both Boxing fans and experts alike began as to who might be Mayweather’s opponent for what is billed as potentially the final time Mayweather will enter the ring as a fighter.

Since that fight readers have seen this observer discuss who Mayweather’s opponent could be as several fights took place in recent months featuring fighters looking to position themselves as a potential opponent. Along with an ongoing discussion regarding who Mayweather would face in his scheduled bout in September, rumors began to circulate that Mayweather’s next fight would not be televised via traditional cable/satellite pay-per-view in the United States as has been the norm for most of his fights in the last decade, but would instead potentially be televised on free broadcast television by CBS.

Some may remember following undefeated Welterweight contender Keith Thurman’s stoppage win over former WBA Welterweight world champion Luis Collazo last month, I stated that an argument that some could make is if Mayweather’s fight, the last in a lucrative six fight contract with CBS/Showtime in September was to indeed be broadcast by CBS instead of pay-per-view that it could be an attempt by CBS/Showtime to avoid further backlash as was the case following Mayweather’s victory over Manny Pacquiao. Backlash from consumers, both who attended the fight as well those who paid $100 for the HD broadcast and $80 for the Standard Definition broadcast of the fight who felt they did not get their money’s worth.

At that time I stated that one should consider that a problem that might have been present for Mayweather and CBS/Showtime could have been difficulty in finding an opponent that will convince consumers who felt they did not get their money’s worth from the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight to spend more money on another pay-per-view event that would likely be priced between $70 and $80 if not higher. Although it was rumored that this fight would be broadcast by CBS, when it was announced that Mayweather will be facing former WBC Welterweight world champion Andre Berto on September 12th, it was also announced that the fight will be broadcast by Showtime pay-per-view for the price of $74.95 for the HD broadcast and $64.95 for the Standard Definition broadcast.

Although many have already criticized Mayweather for choosing Andre Berto as the opponent in what is billed as what could be his final fight, this observer believes that the main source of the criticism is not so much about whom Mayweather’s opponent will be, but rather the decision to put this card on pay-per-view. In fairness the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight did break all existing pay-per-view records generating 4.4 million pay-per-view buys in the United States and nearly $400 million in pay-per-view revenue.

Even though the sport as a whole may be approaching a new era where it is prominently featured on several broadcast and cable networks, featuring well matched and competitive fights where consumers are not asked to pay for the expense of what has become an increasingly expensive price tag to see such fights on a cable/satellite pay-per-view basis, the sport is still one that is pay-per-view centric and has been for many years. It will be interesting to see how well this fight between Mayweather and Berto will do in terms of pay-per-view buys. One should keep in mind that pay-per-view numbers for Boxing cards with the exception of Mayweather-Pacquiao have underperformed in recent years. One reason for that could be the perception of the main event of a card, could be the overall value of the cards for the asking price to the consumer, or it could be the steady increase in pay-per-view prices over the years, which has some believing that cards may be overpriced. All of the above should be considered.

Floyd Mayweather however, is the best pound for pound fighter in the world in the eyes of many and a fighter with that distinction is often a pay-per-view attraction even when the concept of pay-per-view may not be one that is popular with consumers. For those who were expecting a more exciting fight from Mayweather-Pacquiao and feel that they did not get their money’s worth, one should keep in mind that Floyd Mayweather is a master boxer.

Mayweather is not known as a knockout puncher, but rather as a tactician and a chess player. At the end of the day his job is to win fights regardless of whether he succeeds in entertaining his audience. Although Mayweather does possess the skill, quickness, and hand speed that is capable of scoring knockouts, the appeal of his fights is not whether he will stop his opponent within the distance, but rather if that opponent can solve the puzzle that to date forty-eight previous opponents have been unable to. Whether an opponent can nullify the elusive movement and breakthrough the superb defense and precision timing that is Floyd Mayweather’s Boxing style. Simply put, when it comes to a pure world-class boxer, Floyd Mayweather is as good as they come.

Although this observer was not surprised by the announcement of Mayweather-Berto as being a pay-per-view card and look forward to providing further analysis regarding the fight in the coming weeks and even though the sport as a whole remains pay-per-view centric, I do believe an opportunity was missed here to continue to usher in what may be a new era. An opportunity to give the American public a chance to see the best pound for pound fighter in the world without a pay-per-view price tag as well as what would likely be a guaranteed ratings winner for CBS.

If this does prove to be Mayweather’s swansong as a fighter, some may say that a good way to end his career as one of the sport’s top pay-per-view draws in the last decade would have been to signal the beginning of a new era for his final act. It would be a shame however, if what could be the final fight for a man who will go down in history as a great fighter regardless of the outcome of that fight and regardless of whether fans may like him or not, if that moment in Boxing history were to be largely rejected by consumers. Only time will tell.

“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 

 

A Look At The Cruiserweight Division

For Boxing fans when the  Cruiserweight division is discussed it is only natural to discuss the division during perhaps the period of time where it got the most recognition and exposure. The 1980s where the Cruiserweight division was part of the rise of future Hall of Famer Evander Holyfield. Prior to having four separate reigns as a World Heavyweight champion, Holyfield began his career as a Cruiserweight and on July 12, 1986 he would win his first world title defeating WBA Cruiserweight world champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi by fifteen round split decision. 

Many observers, this one included consider that fight to be perhaps the greatest fight in the history of the Cruiserweight division. Following his victory in what was a grueling battle, Holyfield would successfully defend his title four times including a fourth round knockout over Qawi in their rematch in December 1987 and successfully unifying the WBA and IBF Cruiserweight world championships along the way. This would lead Holyfield to his battle against WBC champion Carlos De Leon for the Undisputed Cruiserweight world championship in April 1988. Holyfield would stop De Leon in eight rounds to become the Undisputed Cruiserweight champion of the world.

Following this win however, Holyfield would move up to the Heavyweight division. As Holyfield departed the Cruiserweight division it seemed that the focus of the sport in the United States would largely be elsewhere and as a result the division has never really seemed to get the kind of exposure that it once did when Evander Holyfield was it’s central figure.

Over the years there have been a few memorable fights that brought attention to the Cruiserweights for brief periods of time. Some fans may remember James Toney’s clash in 2003 with Cruiserweight champion Vassily Jirov, which earned acclaim among both Boxing fans and experts alike as one of the best fights of that year and a bout that earned the 2003 Fight Of The Year award from the Boxing Writers Association Of America.

Some may also remember the back and forth battle between longtime Cruiserweight champion Jean-Marc Mormeck and O’Neill Bell in their first encounter in January 2006 or the memorable first battle between Steve Cunningham Tomasz Adamek in 2008. Two fights that much like Toney-Jirov were very competitive and were successful in putting the spotlight on the division here in America. Despite the success those fights were able to have in bringing attention to the Cruiserweight division, the division has continued to struggle for mainstream exposure here in the United States.

The division however, has been able to garner more of a spotlight internationally as fighters such as Mormeck, Cunningham, Marco Huck, Denis Lebedev, and others have been able to establish themselves as stars of the division. One problem the division has had is that much as Evander Holyfield did in the 1980s, some fighters who have been able to have success in the Cruiserweight division in winning world championships have set their sights on attempting to move up in weight to the Heavyweight division to attempt to win a world title as Holyfield was first able to do when he knocked out James “Buster” Douglas for the Unified WBC/WBA/IBF Heavyweight world championship in October 1990. To date only David Haye, who won the unified WBC/WBA Cruiserweight world championship from Jean-Marc Mormeck in November 2007 was able to move up in weight and successfully capture a Heavyweight world championship when he defeated Nikolai Valuev for the WBA Heavyweight world championship in November 2009.

An argument could be made that one reason the division has struggled for long-term exposure is because there is more appeal for fighters who reach the top of the Cruiserweight division to attempt to move up in weight to seek not only world championships, but potentially more lucrative opportunities in the Heavyweight division. James Toney, David Haye, Jean-Marc Mormeck, Steve Cunningham, Tomasz Adamek, and even current Cruiserweight world champion Marco Huck, a fighter widely considered to be the best Cruiserweight in the world all migrated at one time or another to the Heavyweight division.

In the case of Marco Huck however, although he attempted to move up in weight in losing a hard fought twelve round majority decision to top contender Alexander Povetkin, in a fight to determine interim/regular champion status in the WBA’s Heavyweight ratings in February 2012, he has remained in the Cruiserweight division having successfully defended the WBO world championship thirteen times since winning the championship in August 2009. Huck, who tied the record for most successful championship defenses set by former WBO world champion Johnny Nelson, who successfully defended his title thirteen times from March 1999 until September 2006.

Huck will attempt to surpass Nelson when he defends his world championship against undefeated number one contender Krzysztof Glowacki on August 14th. It will not only mark Huck’s attempted fourteenth title defense, but it will also be his debut in the United States as the fight will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on a card televised as part of the Premier Boxing Champions series broadcast by Spike TV. 

The Premier Boxing Champions series, a series that is televised across several different networks on both broadcast and cable television has quickly risen in popularity as it has staged several competitive bouts since its inception earlier this year. One such bout that recently took place was a Cruiserweight fight to determine interim/regular champion status in the WBA’s Cruiserweight ratings between top contender BJ Flores and former WBA Light-Heavyweight world champion Beibut Shumenov on July 25th.

In what was a competitive fight Shumenov was able to score a twelve round unanimous decision over Flores in an encounter that could have gone either way. Now only a few weeks later there will be another top level Cruiserweight bout that will be presented to the American public. It is also worth noting that the division is a growing division as along with Huck, WBC champion Grigory Drozd, WBA champion Denis Lebedev, and IBF champion Yoan Pablo Hernandez currently sit atop the division.

The division also has several top contenders in addition to Shumenov and Flores including Ilunga Makabu, Lateef Kayode, Tony Bellew, Ola Afolabi, and Dmitry Kudryasho just to name a few who could all find themselves in the Cruiserweight championship picture. The Cruiserweights also has an interesting storyline as future Hall of Famer Roy Jones has continued his career in the division and is continuing to attempt to position himself for a possible world title shot down the line. Jones has won his last seven bouts since being stopped by Denis Lebedev in May 2011. In an interesting move Jones has three upcoming fights scheduled in a relatively short period of time for a fighter in the modern era of the sport. Jones is scheduled to face journeyman contender Billy Bailey on August 15th, veteran contender Danny Santiago on August 29th, and veteran contender Tony Moran on September 12th.

Although some would say that Jones is a fighter who is past his prime, it is nevertheless an interesting storyline of a fighter attempting to work his way back into world title contention after winning world championships in the Middleweight, Super-Middleweight, Light-Heavyweight, and Heavyweight divisions.

Whether or not the latest exposure that the Cruiserweight division is receiving in the United States results in the division getting the type of exposure it received in the 1980s as part of the rise of Evander Holyfield remains to be seen. If however, the division continues to be showcased on American television and on the Premier Boxing Champions series, which has received significant attention since its inception and who this week added Fox Sports to the list of networks carrying the series, the better for the long-term growth of not only the sport overall, but just maybe the growth and exposure for the Cruiserweight division here in America as well. In a sport that is constantly subject to criticism and ridicule for its flaws, it is time that the positives of the sport get the attention it deserves.

Why not the Cruiserweight division?

“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

What’s Next For Jacobs And Garcia?

On August 1st the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York played host to a doubleheader that had some interesting storylines in regard to both the Middleweight and Welterweight divisions. In the Middleweight bout top contender Daniel Jacobs faced former WBC Jr. Middleweight world champion Sergio Mora. Jacobs, who entered the fight holding interim/regular champion status in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Middleweight ratings put his status as the WBA’s top rated contender on the line in this fight.

The story of this fight as this observer said prior to this card was a battle between Jacobs’ punching power and ability to get an opponent out of there at any point during a fight versus Mora’s ability to execute his offense in spurts, but also nullify his opponent’s offensive rhythm with his ability to be elusive and counter punch. The question in my eyes going into the fight was whether or not Mora could avoid Jacobs’ power for a full twelve rounds.

The opening round of this fight is a likely candidate for round of the year. Jacobs was able to score a knockdown of Mora with a flush counter right hook midway through the round. To Mora’s credit he was able to get up from being dropped by a punch that would have likely ended the night for some fighters and seconds later would respond by catching an aggressive Jacobs with a counter left hand sending Jacobs down to the canvas. As was the case with Mora, Jacobs showed his mettle and got up from the knockdown.

It was in the second round however, that this fight would be brought to a sudden and some might argue “inconclusive” conclusion. Jacobs was credited with a knockdown of Mora late in the round when Mora went down while attempting to avoid a barrage of punches from Jacobs. Mora’s right leg appeared to buckle underneath him causing the knockdown, though this observer could not tell if a punch from Jacobs landed prior to Mora going down. Although Mora was able to beat the count, he was unable to continue and the bout was stopped. It was revealed by Mora the day after the fight that x-rays showed that his right ankle suffered an avulsion fracture. 

An argument can and perhaps should be made that this is a fight that deserves a rematch as soon as Sergio Mora recovers from his fractured ankle. Although this fight was short, both fighters were able to have periods of success during the fight and this observer believes that there should be a rematch.

In terms of what this will do as far as Daniel Jacobs’ standing in the Middleweight division, he finds himself essentially in the same position he was in prior to this fight. He remains the WBA’s top Middleweight contender and theoretically should be the potential opponent for the winner of the upcoming Middleweight unification bout between undefeated WBA/IBO world champion Gennady Golovkin and IBF champion David Lemieux, which will take place on October 17th.

Although this observer is of the opinion that there should be a rematch between Jacobs and Sergio Mora once Mora has healed from his injury and is medically cleared to get back in the ring, another potential opponent that could be in Jacobs’ future is undefeated former WBO world champion Peter Quillin. A fight between Jacobs and the winner of Golovkin-Lemieux or a bout against Quillin are each interesting fights that would likely interest both fans and experts alike. A rematch against Sergio Mora however, is also interesting and it would be a shame if a rematch does not take place off of what had the makings of an exciting fight that unfortunately was left with an “inconclusive” ending.

The second half of the doubleheader featured a Welterweight fight between undefeated WBA Jr. Welterweight world champion Danny Garcia and former two-division world champion Paul Malignaggi. In what was Garcia’s official debut in the 147lb. Welterweight division, it interested me to see how he would respond to facing a fighter in Malignaggi, who at his best is among the best boxers in the world.

It also interested this observer to see what kind of effect Malignaggi’s last fight, a knockout loss at the hands of former IBF Welterweight world champion Shawn Porter in April of last year would have on him. The key to this fight was whether or not Malignaggi would be able to execute his offense in spurts and use his elusiveness and angles to avoid Garcia’s offense.

Although it was not surprising to see this fight fought at a tactical pace, the main difference in my eyes was Garcia’s ability to dictate how the fight was fought and being able to land his right hand more than occasionally on Malignaggi. It appeared early on that Malignaggi was having difficulty in using lateral movement in attempting to evade Garcia’s offense.

As the fight progressed Garcia began to gradually impose his will, applying consistent pressure and keeping Malignaggi on the defensive. Garcia was also able to open a cut over Malignaggi’s right eye in round three. Although Malignaggi was active in throwing punches he simply was unable to turn the tempo of the fight in his favor and as the rounds went on it appeared that the accumulative effect of Garcia’s punches were taking a toll on him.

The always “Game” Malignaggi remained competitive throughout this fight, but he could not find a way to negate Garcia’s pressure and could not discourage him from coming forward. The effects of the punishment dished out by Garcia convinced Referee Arthur Mercante Jr. to stop the fight in the final minute of the ninth round.

It was a disciplined performance against a fighter who is very difficult to look good against by Garcia. Prior to this fight, I stated if Garcia, who still currently holds the WBA world championship in the Jr. Welterweight division were successful in this fight against Malignaggi that it was logical to assume that the move up to the Welterweight division could be permanent.

There was nothing in this fight that would discourage Garcia from continuing to campaign as a Welterweight, in my opinion. If he were to stay in the Welterweight division it will be interesting to see where Garcia might fit into the mix of what is a very deep division. One fight that this observer believes might be interesting would be a fight between Garcia and former IBF Welterweight world champion Shawn Porter. Both fighters have aggressive styles and a match- up between the two could be a fight of the year candidate. We will simply have to wait and see what Garcia decides to do for his next fight.

As for Paul Malignaggi, following the fight Malignaggi stated that he will probably not fight again after losing this fight to Garcia. This observer stated prior to the fight that an argument could be made that Malignaggi was fighting for his career against Garcia. Malignaggi, who has earned recognition in his second career for his work as a Boxing broadcaster has always given it his best every time he has stepped in the ring.

Although some may choose to focus more on the fights that Malignaggi lost in his career, he deserves the respect of Boxing fans for not only being a former two-division world champion, but also a fighter who has always been willing to fight anyone. If this loss does indeed mark the end of Paul Malignaggi’s career as a fighter, this observer has only one thing left to say.

Congratulations to Paul Malignaggi on a fine career.

“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 

Jacobs-Mora, Garcia-Malignaggi Preview

An intriguing doubleheader will take place on Saturday night as part of the latest Premier Boxing Champions card at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The card, which will be broadcast by ESPN in the United States, could have an impact on both the Middleweight and Welterweight divisions. The first half of this doubleheader will feature a bout to determine interim/regular champion status in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) Middleweight ratings as the WBA’s top Middleweight contender Daniel Jacobs will take on former WBC Jr. Middleweight world champion Sergio Mora in a bout scheduled for twelve rounds.

Jacobs, who will enter the fight with a record of 29-1, with 26 Knockouts is coming off of a twelfth round stoppage over top contender Caleb Truax in April of this year. In that fight Jacobs had some difficulty for a time in the early rounds, but as the fight went on he was able to gradually break Truax down to earn a stoppage in the final round. Jacobs, a fighter with a career knockout percentage of 87% is known for his punching power and has knocked out his last nine opponents.

Jacobs will face a potential difficult opponent in former WBC Jr. Middleweight world champion Sergio Mora. Mora, who will enter the fight with a record of 28-3-2, with 9 Knockouts is riding a five fight win streak entering this fight. Mora was to have challenged for the IBF Middleweight world championship in his last fight in February of this year, but ended up being a victim of bad circumstances as then champion Jermain Taylor’s legal troubles as well as an injury he suffered in training led to the cancellation of that fight and the eventual stripping of Taylor’s world championship by the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

Despite the cancellation of that fight, Mora fought on and scored a twelve round split decision over Abraham Han. In what was a competitive fight Mora was able to execute his offense in spurts and was able to make an aggressive Han miss frequently with his offense. Although Mora on this fight convincingly in the eyes of this observer to win the vacated United States Boxing Association (USBA) Middleweight championship, he did suffer a knockdown in the tenth round and fought an opponent in Han who was aggressive from start to finish.

The story of this fight in my eyes is a battle between Jacobs’ punching power and ability to get an opponent out of there at any point during a fight versus Mora’s ability to execute his offense in spurts, but also nullify his opponent’s offensive rhythm with his ability to be elusive and counter punch. The key to this fight in my eyes will be whether or not Mora will be able to avoid Jacobs’ power for the full twelve rounds.

It is logical to assume that Mora will look to out box Jacobs and win the fight on points. The Brooklyn born and based Jacobs however, will have the support of the hometown crowd and it will be interesting to see if Mora will be able to take the crowd out of the fight as it progresses. Although Jacobs has a clear power advantage over Mora, who has only scored nine knockouts in his twenty-eight career wins, Mora is the kind of fighter that has the ability to make an opponent look bad even if Mora is not at his best. It is also important to remember that Mora has never been stopped in his career.

It will be interesting to see whether Jacobs will look to score a knockout early in this fight or if he will attempt to wear down Mora and look to stop him in the later rounds. For Mora to be successful in this fight he must find a way to nullify Jacobs’ power, controlled the tempo of the fight, and win rounds convincingly. Jacobs meanwhile needs to find a way to nullify Mora’s movement and cut the ring off from the outset. This fight has the classic makings of a boxer versus a puncher.

It will be interesting to see where the winner of this fight will factor in, in a talent deep Middleweight division. It may be logical to assume that the winner of this fight could find himself in position to challenge the winner of the upcoming Middleweight unification clash between undefeated WBA/IBO champion Gennady Golovkin and recently crowned IBF world champion David Lemieux, which will take place on October 17th.

The second half of this doubleheader will be a twelve round Welterweight bout between undefeated WBA Jr. Welterweight world champion Danny Garcia and former two-division world champion Paul Malignaggi. Garcia, who previously held both the WBC and WBA world titles in the Jr. Welterweight division is moving up in weight officially to the 147lb. Welterweight division after fighting his previous two fights at catch weights above the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division.

Garcia, who will enter this fight with a record of 30-0, with 17 Knockouts is coming off a twelve round majority decision over former IBF Jr. Welterweight world champion Lamont Peterson in April of this year. Although Garcia is undefeated he has had some difficulty in fights in the past, most notably against top Jr. Welterweight contender Mauricio Herrera in March of last year. Many observers felt that Herrera deserved the decision. Garcia also had difficulty in his last fight against Lamont Peterson, but was able to win that fight more convincingly in this observer’s eyes based on his ability to dictate how the fight was fought and outwork Peterson over the course of the fight.

Garcia is a boxer/puncher who is capable of out boxing an opponent and also capable of scoring devastating knockouts most notably in his fight against Amir Khan and in his rematch with future Hall of Famer Erik Morales. It will be interesting to see how Garcia will look as a full-fledged Welterweight. Although Garcia is still the WBA world champion in the Jr. Welterweight division as of this writing, it is logical to assume that if he is successful in his first official fight as a Welterweight that this move up in weight could be permanent.

Garcia faces what could be a difficult test in the form of former two division world champion Paul Malignaggi. Malignaggi, who will enter this fight with a record of 33-6, with 7 Knockouts has fought many of the best fighters of his era. An argument can be made however, that despite being a former two division world champion, Malignaggi has come up short in some of his biggest fights against the likes of current WBC Middleweight world champion Miguel Cotto, former multi-division world champion Adrien Broner, and former Jr. Welterweight world champion Amir Khan.

In his last fight, Malignaggi was stopped in four rounds by former IBF Welterweight world champion Shawn Porter in April of last year. An argument could be made that Malignaggi could be fighting for his career in this fight against Danny Garcia. Malignaggi has earned recognition in his second career for his work as a Boxing broadcaster and one may wonder what he has left to give as a fighter after a fine career.

The question going into this fight in my eyes will center on what versions of the fighters show up. In one corner will stand Danny Garcia, a fighter who has at times looked spectacular, but a fighter who has also had difficulty in recent fights that has led to some criticism from fans and experts alike. Standing across the ring from Garcia will be Paul Malignaggi, a fighter who at his best can befuddle opponents with his ability to use angles, his elusiveness, and combination punching. It will be interesting however, to see what kind of effect the knockout at the hands of Shawn Porter has had on Malignaggi. In that fight Porter’s power and physical style overwhelmed Malignaggi. On that night Malignaggi simply had no answer to deal with Porter and after suffering two knockdowns in the fourth round, the fight was stopped.

It will be interesting to see whether or not Garcia attempts to test Malignaggi from the outset by looking to land power punches. The key to this fight will be whether or not Malignaggi will be able to execute his offense in spurts and use his elusiveness and angles to avoid Garcia’s offense. If Garcia however, can neutralize Malignaggi’s movement and outwork Malignaggi it will be to Garcia’s advantage. 

Although much like Daniel Jacobs, crowd support will likely be in favor of the Brooklyn born and based Malignaggi, Malignaggi has come up short in a previous outing at the Barclays Center when he lost a very close twelve round split decision and the WBA Welterweight world championship to Adrien Broner in June 2013. It will be interesting to see if Garcia can take the crowd out of the fight early on. If Malignaggi however, can find a way to execute his offense and be effective, it would not surprise this observer to see this fight end in a close decision.

Since the Premier Boxing Champions series debuted earlier this year, the Boxing world has been treated to several well-matched competitive fights across several different networks on both broadcast and cable television. This card will likely continue that tradition as this doubleheader features two well-matched bouts with some interesting storylines. No matter the outcome of these two fights, this observer believes that it will be an entertaining evening of Boxing. Who will emerge victorious? We will find out on Saturday, August 1st.

“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