Ugas-Dallas Highlights The Boxing Schedule On Super Bowl Weekend

Although this is slightly different from the norm that readers are accustomed to, it is necessary to inform the reader that this column was originally intended to preview two bouts that highlighted the beginning of the Boxing schedule for February 2020. Unfortunately, this will not be the case as it was announced on last Friday that the WBC Jr. Welterweight world championship bout between undefeated world champion Jose Ramirez and former WBC world champion Viktor Postol, which was scheduled to take place in Haikou, China was postponed due to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak that has severely impacted the country.

While obviously that bout will be rescheduled at a date to be determined, the night before the National Football League’s (NFL) Super Bowl  54 between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers, Boxing will still be featured as a bout in the 147lb. Welterweight division will now  take centerstage. A fight between top contender Yordenis Ugas and Mike Dallas Jr. Ugas is a former world title challenger that has been close to making the transition from top contender to world champion. Just how close has Ugas been? In his one title shot against Shawn Porter in March of last year, he lost via twelve round split decision in a fight that frankly could have gone either way. Ugas was able to rebound in July of last year with a twelve round unanimous decision over Omar Figuroa. 

Now Ugas looks to continue building momentum towards another world title shot by taking on Mike Dallas Jr. Dallas has had an up and down career, but can reestablish himself with a win in this fight. Some may remember Dallas for his loss in January 2013 Lucas Matthysse, where he suffered a knockout loss in the first round. 

Following that loss, Dallas took a two year layoff. Since returning to the ring in November 2015, Dallas has gone undefeated in five bouts having scored wins in four of those fights. The lone exception was a ten round split decision draw in May 2016 with undefeated contender Dusty Hernandez Harrison. Although Dallas has won twenty-three of his twenty-eight professional fights, an argument can be made that his three career losses and two draws came when he attempted to step up in the caliber of his opposition.

The question going into this fight is what version of Mike Dallas shows up. There have been times throughout his career where he has appeared as though he could be on the verge of being a potential candidate for a world title shot, but there have also been times particularly during his career setbacks where he has appeared to freeze up. Whether or not that can be attributed to nerves is a question that only Dallas can answer, but this is something to keep in mind as this fight approaches.

 Dallas is not known for his punching power having scored knockouts in eleven of his twenty-three wins, but does have a good well-rounded skill set. The difference in this fight may come down to levels of opposition going into the fight. Statistically, Yordenis Ugas and Mike Dallas have similar records and like Dallas, Ugas has not scored a high number of knockouts in his career, but has shown he can compete effectively at or near the top level of the sport. Ugas has also established himself as a fighter that can grind out decision wins, often in closely fought grueling type fights.

If this fight goes into the middle and late rounds, it may come down to who is in better condition. Ugas is rated number three in the world in the WBC Welterweight ratings going into this fight. Even though some might argue that Ugas has the advantage as this fight approaches, he also has a lot to lose. In contrast to Ugas, Dallas, who is currently not rated in the WBC’s top forty contenders in the Welterweight division, is in a nothing to lose/everything to gain scenario and a victory will catapult him into the rankings. We will see what happens on Saturday, February 1^st.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Ugas vs. Dallas takes place on Saturday, February 1^st at the Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, MS. The fight can be seen in the United States on Fox Sports 1on cable /satellite as well as the Fox Sports app beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT. There will also be a portion of undercard bouts televised on both platforms beginning at 6:30PM ET/3:30PM PT. For more information about the card and ticket information please visit: www.PremierBoxingChampions.com. For more information about Fox Sports, Fox Sports 1 and a list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs where the Fox Sports app is available, please visit: www.FoxSports.com. Check your local listings internationally.

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Jackson England Sparring Former World Champion TJ Doheny Ahead Of March 6 Outing In Perth

Press Release: January 27, 2020 By Dragon Fire Boxing – Rising Australian Featherweight standout Jackson England has been sparring alongside world class company, as the Australasian Champion has been working alongside former IBF World Champion TJ Doheny.  

Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing 

Mike Altamura and MTK Global guides Doheny put on one of the best fights of 2019 against unified world champion Danny Roman, and England has been working alongside the Irish 122 pound standout in preparation for their respective outings. 

England opened up about sparring with Doheny. He said, “Sparring TJ is fantastic. It is a great experience for myself and I’m really grateful to TJ and his team for giving me the opportunity to work with him ahead of my next fight. 

“I firmly believe I have all the potential to get to world level, so training alongside former world champions like TJ Doheny is only helping me progress as a fighter. 

“The sparring has been world class learning for me. I’ve learned so much from this work and I’m excited to take these learning experiences into my next fight.”

England, who is guided by Australian boxing honcho Tony Tolj, returns on March 6 on Dragon Fire Boxing’s Thunderdome event in Metro City, Perth. 

England discussed his plans for March 6 and beyond, “I am really excited to be back in action on March 6 and thank you to Tony Tolj for getting me back in action. 

“I want to show off the improvements I’ve made in camp first and foremost. I believe I am getting better all the time and I want to show that and that I’m ready for more titles in 2020. 

“I want to win more titles in 2020 so I need to put on a top class show to make people want to see me in titles fights next.  That’s what I want in 2020 so I want to put on a career best performance on March 6 to make sure I can get these title fights.

Material and Photo Courtesy of Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission.

For more information about Dragon Fire Boxing please visit Dragon Fire Boxing’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DragonFireBoxing.

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

What Options Are Available For Danny Garcia?

The fight between former two-division world champion Danny Garcia and contender Ivan Redkach on January 25^th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY had one central subplot. It was not only an encounter between two fighters with crowd pleasing styles, but perhaps more importantly, it would determine a mandatory challenger in the World Boxing Council (WBC) Welterweight ratings. Despite some questions regarding the rankings of the two fighters that this observer discussed in previewing this fight, there was also an element of intrigue that surrounded this fight due largely to the styles of the two fighters, which indicated that it could be a competitive and exciting bout to watch. 

Although I stated prior to the fight that it was logical to expect Redkach to be aggressive, he needed to be tactical in his approach. The problem for Redkach was he was tactical to a point where he more or less was lulled into Garcia’s type of fight. This essentially allowed Garcia to dictate the tempo of the combat, generally getting his punches off first as well as being able to mix his offense up to the body and head. What was also prominent in Garcia’s offense was his accurate counter punching.

When a fighter falls into such a lull, the story of the fight more often than not centers on one fighter’s reluctance and/or inability to let his hands go. As the fight progressed, what was taking place in the ring at times resembled a competitive sparring session where the theme remained the same throughout. Garcia getting his punches off first and having his way inside the ring.

A sign of frustration in Redkach emerged in the eighth round where he bit Garcia on the shoulder while in a clinch. This along with periodic instances throughout the fight where he taunted Garcia including sticking his tongue out. Although clearly this was an attempt to goad Garcia into engaging in a slugfest, it did not do Redkach any favors as he would ultimately end up on the losing end of a twelve round unanimous decision to Garcia.

It goes without saying that sometimes the competitive fight that appears will be what takes place when two fighters enter the ring does not always materialize in the way it might appear will be the case on paper prior to a bout. This fight however, does serve as a clear demonstration of one fighter’s well-rounded skill set when matched against the type of opponent that allows that fighter to showcase his skills.

The obvious question emerging from this fight is what are the potential options for Danny Garcia going forward? In terms of what this fight accomplished for him beyond securing the thirty-sixth victory of his career was it puts him right back in position to fight for a world championship. The WBC Welterweight championship that Garcia held from January 2016 to March 2017. As this observer discussed in previewing this fight, this will depend on whether current unified IBF/WBC world champion Errol Spence, who has been sidelined due to injuries he suffered in a serious automobile accident in October of last year, will be able to return to the ring in a reasonable timeframe.

While it is too soon for one to make assumptions, the possibility does exist that Garcia could either be named champion by the WBC or at minimum be placed into a fight for the vacant WBC Welterweight world championship if Spence does not return to the ring in a certain period of time. Garcia meanwhile in the days leading up to his bout with Ivan Redkach, eluded to the possibility of moving up in weight to the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division if a fight against Spence or current WBA world championship Manny Pacquiao can not be made.

In the current landscape of the 147lb. Welterweight division Spence and Pacquiao have established themselves as the two biggest names outside of current WBO world champion Terence Crawford in terms of being the most lucrative options available in the division. While one should also not dismiss the possibility of a potential fight with Garcia and Crawford, who is currently promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc,, the more compelling question will be asked of the promoters that currently do business under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) banner where Garcia, Spence and Pacquiao currently compete under.

With one fighter clearly seeking the most lucrative opportunity available to him with his publicly stating that if he cannot get an opportunity that would be lucrative that he is open to the possibility of moving up in weight, this is something that the PBC group of promoters will have to address. In an ever evolving landscape where there are several networks, and promoters across both traditional and digital streaming platforms that are all vying for the interest of fighters that can help grow their platforms and subsequent standing within the sport, one should also not dismiss the possibility of a fighter possibly opting to offer his promotional rights to the highest bidder if an opportunity that fighter seeks is not presented to him by his current promoter.

Although as the competition has increased over the last year between networks and the general shift towards streaming has increased significantly, there has been talk amongst both promoters and networks to the concept of loyalty of fighters to both promoters and platforms. It is however, irrational for anyone to expect loyalty when fighters are not given the opportunities they seek. In a dangerous sport where a fighter’s career can unfortunately end in an instant without warning, the only loyalty a fighter should have is to themselves, their families, and anyone who will help them get the opportunities they want, which ultimately could/should prepare and set them up for a financially secure life after their days competing in the ring are over.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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

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Garcia-Redkach Feature Update

We would like to let readers know that new material discussing the recent WBC Welterweight elimination bout between former world champion Danny Garcia and contender Ivan Redkach is in the works and will be released here on the website on Monday, January 27th. Stay tuned. “And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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

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Ramirez-Postol Postponed

It has been announced that the WBC Jr. Welterweight world championship bout between undefeated champion Jose Ramirez and former WBC world champion Viktor Postol has been postponed. The postponement of the fight, which was scheduled to take place on February 1st in the main event of an ESPN televised Boxing card  in the United States, from Haikou, China comes as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak that has severely affected the country. 

There is no word as of this writing as to when and where the fight will take place. We will update readers on any developments as they become available.

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

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Garcia-Redkach Preview

An important fight in Boxing’s 147lb. Welterweight division will take place on Saturday, January 25^th as former Jr.Welterweight world champion Danny Garcia will face top contender Ivan Redkach at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. What makes this encounter between two of the top Welterweights in the world important? The fight, which will be broadcast in the United States by Showtime has implications for the future of the World Boxing Council (WBC) Welterweight world championship as it will determine a mandatory challenger for current IBF/WBC world champion Errol Spence.

As many Boxing fans know, Spence was involved in a serious automobile accident in October of last year, weeks after he successfully unified the IBF and WBC crowns with a twelve round unanimous decision over WBC champion Shawn Porter. Although Spence suffered some injuries in the accident where he was ejected from his Ferrari, he has said that he intends to return ti the ring. The circumstances regarding Spence’s situation is a subject to discuss at a later time, but how it relates to the Garcia-Redkach fight is that the elimination bout could ultimately determine a new WBC world champion if Spence is unable to return to the ring within a certain timeframe or if he is stripped by the WBC, with the likely reason being inactivity.

Before anything regarding that can be addressed, Danny Garcia and Ivan Redkach will do battle to at minimum determine a number one contender in the WBC Welterweight ratings. Garcia has been campaigning as a Welterweight since 2015, but has experienced some setbacks since moving up from the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division. Despite winning the vacant WBC Welterweight world championship in January 2016 with a twelve round unanimous decision over Robert Guerrero, Garcia’s reign would be short as he would lose a close twelve round split device in a unification bout with WBA champion Keith Thurman in March 2017. This would be followed by another setback when he came out on the short end of a twelve round unanimous decision to Shawn Porter in September 2018 in a bout for the then vacant WBC crown.

In his last fight, Garcia scored a seventh round knockout over Adrian Granados in April of last year. Garcia is a boxer/puncher who has a compact offensive style. This has worked well for him as he can counter opponents in between their offense while also being able to avoid damage. Although Garcia has won thirty-five of his thirty-seven professional fights, the two fights he lost were largely a result of both Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter being able to out work him over the course of those bouts.

Ivan Redkach meanwhile will come into this fight rated number twenty-five in the WBC’s Welterweight ratings compared to Garcia’s number two rating. The subject of rankings in the sport is something that is always open to criticism, debate, and ridicule. Based on the current rankings, it is understandable how some might question why a fighter who is rated number two in the world by an organization is facing a fighter that is rated twenty-fifth in a fight that is billed as a world championship elimination bout. The politics that be in the sport notwithstanding, Boxing as this observer has often said over the years, is a sport of opportunity and obviously if Redkach can win this fight it will propel him into an opportunity to at least fight for a world championship.

Redkach is a former United States Boxing Association (USBA) champion as a Lightweight, but has thus far failed to earn a notable win against a fighter that most would consider to be championship level. Redkach will enter this fight with Garcia riding a three fight winning streak having scored knockouts in two of those bouts including in his last fight in June of last year when he stopped former Jr. Welterweight world champion Devon Alexander in six rounds. Although this does qualify as a notable win in the eyes of yours truly, some might feel that Redkach defeated a fighter in Alexander, who is on the decline. If Redkach can win this fight however, he will have to be given his due by those who might be questioning why he is in this fight.

In terms of what one can expect when the two fighters get in the ring, it is logical to expect Redkach to be aggressive. If this is the case, Redkach must be tactical in his approach. One might argue that Redkach could have a slight edge in terms of power given that he has a career knockout percentage of over 60% having scored knockouts in eighteen of his twenty-three wins.  He must keep in mind that he is facing a precision counter puncher in Garcia that has proven his ability to catch fighters in between punches they throw with punches they cannot see coming.

What may loom ahead for the winner of this fight beyond a potential opportunity to fight Errol Spence,if not potentially earning a vacant world championship with a victory, could be a possible opportunity to face current WBA world champion Manny Pacquiao, who is a fighter that per his Hall of Fame resume, is one of the most sought after fighters in the sport because of the notoriety and lucrative opportunity he brings with him. 

With several possibilities that could loom for the winner of this fight, it shouldn’t be difficult to see that there is a lot at stake for both fighters. Such circumstances can produce compelling and competitive fights. Whether or not the Danny Garcia-Ivan Redkach fight is such an occasion remains to be seen.

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

Garcia vs. Redkach takes place on Saturday, January 25^th at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY. The fight can be seen in the United States on Showtime beginning at 9PM ET/6PM PT on cable/satellite providers as well as the Showtime and Showtime Anytime streaming apps. For more information about Showtime, Showtime Sports, and the Showtime and Showtime Anytime streaming apps please visit: www.SHO.com. For additional ticket availability and fight card information please visit: www.premierboxingchampions.com/ and www.BarclaysCenter.com. Check your local TV 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

Cuban prodigy “King” Raynel Mederos inks with Tony Tolj's Dragon Fire Boxing

Press Release: January 22, 2020 By Dragon Fire Boxing – Tony Tolj and Dragon Fire Boxing  have announced they have signed 23-year-old Cuban prodigy “King” Raynel Mederos.  

Credit:Dragon Fire Boxing 

Boasting an impressive amateur record of: 145 fights, 111 wins having been part of Cubas's national setup from 2009 as he was selected as a cadet. The Jnr Welterweight won several national amateur titles in Cuba, 3 Gold Medals, 2 Silver and Bronze alongside multinational tournaments in Cuba itself and Brazil, Ecuador, Russia, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic

The Cuban then made the leap to the professional ranks in 2019, currently 2-0 in the professional ranks. Mederos trains alongside Dragon Fire Stable mates WBA Fedebol Flyweight Champion Andres Campos and Ramon Mascarena at the World famous Libra Libra Boxing gym run by Chile’s Nico “Maverick” Martinez.

The Cuban opened up about signing with Tony Tolj's Dragon Fire Boxing. 

“First of all, thank God for the opportunity to go to Chile and to be able to meet these wonderful people to whom I thank you for this beautiful opportunity that you have given me. This step for me being able to sign with Dragon Fire Boxing means a lot  for my personal life and my career as a professional boxer, Tony Tolj never stops working and gives everything to his fighters, under the Big Bossman I will be given every opportunity to grow as a boxer and as a person I am sure that with him in command my career will go far, such that I will achieve my dreams of  be world champion in different divisions.

“Together with my team, we are doing things the right way.  The first thing he made visible is to end all the light and super light division of Chile, I think it is an important step that I have no doubts that will be achieved.  After that I intend to win international titles that help me position myself as the great boxer that I am and be able to win a world title!  I will achieve it.

I think that without my team it would not be possible to achieve my dreams, with my Latino Wolf Pack teammates (Andres Campos and Ramon Mascarena and my coaching staff is important, their advice, support, etc. is like a family and together as a family we will become World Champions”.

Tony Tolj gave his take on his latest acquisition, "We are very excited to work with Raynel. I believe he will go right to the top in this industry soon and it was the right move for all parties concerned. We work with fighters all over the world and this will benefit Raynel and “The King” is very young almost a Prince so we plan to strategically guide his career and when the time comes, there will be a Royal Flush and we will say all hail “King” Raynel Mederos. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Chile and they are some of the nicest, most humble people on this planet. It is an honor to represent Mederos along with "Latino Wolf Pack" stable mates Mascareña Jnr and Chilean National Hero Andres Campos.

I believe this will usher in a New Era and a Golden age of Chilean Boxing and there are some exciting times and projects we are working on."

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Dragon Fire Boxing Used with permission. 

For more information about Dragon Fire Boxing please visit Dragon Fire Boxing’s official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/DragonFireBoxing.

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