Mayweather-Paul: An Event For The Wrong Reasons?

 

In November of last year, the Boxing world was fascinated by the return of Boxing legends Mike Tyson and Roy Jones who years after both men hung up their gloves as professional fighters decided to participate in an eight round exhibition event that was carried around the world on both digital as well as cable/satellite pay-per-view. The event, which this observer called a curiosity, was a success generating over a million pay-per-view buys at a $49.95 price point. Although the pay-per-view medium is one that has been in steady decline dating well back to before the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic, it was impressive that two men in their respective 50’s could drum up such interest that extended beyond the Boxing enthusiast. While no one should have expected anything resembling Tyson and Jones in their respective primes, what was more impressive at least to yours truly was that the event was something that was intended to not only provide needed diversion, but also something that was a charity event that Mike Tyson even said it was a humanitarian cause for him at this stage of his life.

 

Since that event, which also signaled the entry into the sport of Boxing for social media platform Triller, there has been an influx of fighters from years past expressing interest in taking part in exhibitions and even one bout that will feature a former Boxing world champion in Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. facing future MMA Hall of Famer and former UFC Middleweight world champion Anderson Silva that will all take place during the month of June and all targeted as pay-per-view events. While the Chavez-Silva bout, which will take place on June 19^th in Mexico is the only official bout that will be counted as a professional bout, the event that has generated the most interest is the exhibition between soon to be inducted International Boxing Hall of Famer Floyd Mayweather and social media influencer/YouTube star Logan Paul, which will take place on Sunday, June 6^th at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL and be televised in the United States by Showtime Pay-Per-View.

 

Although this event, which will also feature professional bouts on its undercard is an exhibition, it has generated significant interest particularly amongst the casual sports fan. Why is that? At his best the forty-four year old Mayweather was among the best pound for pound fighters in the world. Mayweather, who officially retired unbeaten with a record of 50-0, with 27 Knockouts after defeating former two-division UFC world champion Conor McGregor in his last official fight in August 2017 still has a mystique in that whatever he does generates attention.

 

This was proven when Mayweather traveled to Japan to face then twenty year old kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa in an exhibition that took place before a massive crowd in the Tokyo Dome as a special attraction on a Rizin MMA event. The exhibition on New Year’s Eve 2018, which was stopped in the first round as Mayweather made quick work of Nasukawa generated significant interest, but was blacked out from being viewed here in the United States, despite the Rizin MMA portion of the event being broadcast globally on FITE TV, was a mismatch that many expected, but did provide Mayweather with a significant payday from the Japanese-based MMA promotion.

 

Now in 2021, Mayweather is staging another exhibition against Logan Paul, but should the public expect anything different from Mayweather’s exhibition with Tenshin Nasukawa? In fairness, Logan Paul does have one official professional bout on his resume an eight round decision loss to fellow YouTube star Olajide Olatunji also known as KSI in November 2019, but it is hard to believe that Paul who will outweigh Mayweather by over thirty pounds, will have much success against one of the best fighters of his generation, despite having a height and weight advantage over Mayweather. The simple reason for this is Mayweather is by far more seasoned and has too much experience.

 

So why has this exhibition, which will be scheduled for eight three minute rounds, where both fighters will be wearing 10oz. gloves, and where no winner will be announced, though knockdowns and a potential knockout will be allowed, generated such interest? While this is only the view of this observer, it does have the element of curiosity particularly for the casual fan for whom Boxing is of sporadic interest.

 

While I have said in the past in regard to the subject of YouTube stars including Logan Paul’s brother Jake, participating in the Boxing ring that just because someone achieves some notoriety in a different form prior to entering the sport that it should not mean that said person should be dismissed as a boxer, what remains important to me is that everyone takes the sport seriously.

 

It may be something that is overstated at times, but Boxing is a combat sport and as a genre fighting sports are referred to as combat sports for a reason. There is always the risk of danger, injury, and unfortunately even death that each boxer faces each and every time they get into a ring. While some may accuse this observer of viewing things too seriously and not seeing things strictly for the entertainment value that might be involved, Boxing is an extremely serious sport and all involved need to take it seriously. It is not a joke and people have died in the ring,

 

While it may also be true that proceeds from this event may go to charity in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis that has not been made public, unlike the Tyson-Jones exhibition last November, it will be interesting to see how this event, which is  priced at a $49.99 will do on digital as well as cable/satellite pay-per-view especially with several other pay-per-view Boxing events scheduled to take place during the month of June including one scheduled for June 26^th, which will also be broadcast by Showtime Pay-Per-View, 

 

Although yours truly sincerely hopes that this will be talked about in the days after the event as something that exceeded expectations and an occasion that will somehow elevate interest in the sport amongst new eyes that may not have watched Boxing before, it is hard to envision many including those of us who cover the sport especially given the circumstances of an ongoing crisis and economic recession viewing this with anything beyond a cynical view and may ultimately view this as a “Money Grab.” As for this observer, in closing, the reader who will probably tune into this event, if nothing else out of curiosity, should keep one thing in mind. “No Expectations, No Disappointments.”

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Mayweather vs. Paul takes place on Sunday, June 6^th at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL. The card can be seen in the United States on Showtime Pay-Per-View for $49.99 beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT. The event will be available on www.SHO.com/PPV, the Showtime app, as well as cable/satellite providers throughout the United States. Contact your cable/satellite provider for ordering information or visit: www.SHO.com/PPV to order as well as for information on how to access the Showtime app on compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs 

 

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

 

 

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DAZN AND MATCHROOM STRIKE GAME-CHANGING FIVE-YEAR GLOBAL DEAL

 

Press Release: By DAZN – LONDON, 3 June, 2021 – DAZN, the leading global sports streaming platform, and Matchroom, the leading international boxing promoter, have struck a game-changing five-year global deal. DAZN will be the global home of Matchroom and its world-class, worldwide stable of fighters – including a groundbreaking move that will see at least 16 Matchroom UK fights annually available exclusively to DAZN subscribers in the UK and Ireland for the first time, from July 2021 onwards. This historic agreement builds on the growing momentum and success of the partnership across all corners of the world and not only cements DAZN as the new home of boxing in the UK and Ireland but the global home of boxing.  

Credit: DAZN 

 

The landmark Matchroom UK deal will see DAZN deliver its nonstop schedule of Matchroom UK boxing to fans all around the world and kicks off on July 31 with three back-to-back weekends of the return of the exhilarating Matchroom Fight Camp series. In due course, details of the exciting slate of summer and autumn fight programming will be announced, including highly-anticipated domestic, European and World title match-ups. In addition, a new on-air talent roster loaded with some of the best broadcasting talent in the sport alongside an exciting array of fresh faces will soon be unveiled.

 

Fans in the UK and Ireland will now have unprecedented flexibility and accessibility to watch the best in boxing anytime, anywhere, and on any device, for the initial monthly price of just £1.99 in the UK and €1.99 in Ireland – a special limited-time offer introduced when the sports streamer entered both markets late last year that will remain in place for new DAZN subscribers throughout the three-week Matchroom Fight Camp series.

 

Additionally, as part of a joint, long-term commitment to grow boxing all around the world and take the sport to new global heights, this pioneering deal expands upon the existing DAZN and Matchroom partnerships across the U.S., Italy and Spain, with more events planned in these countries featuring the greatest local talent. It also includes an extension that ensures all Matchroom UK events will remain available to fight fans on DAZN in the U.S. Further, DAZN and Matchroom will significantly invest in other key markets around the world where there is supercharged fervor for the sport with regionally relevant events, partnerships, and content to bring even more boxing to fans whilst uncovering the next big local superstars.

 

Moreover, DAZN and Matchroom are significantly investing in original content to keep fans, no matter where they are, on the constant pulse of everything in the world of boxing. To begin, the partnership will build on existing DAZN content franchises such as “The DAZN Boxing Show,” “40 Days,” and “Making Of” alongside nonstop highlights, clips, interviews, behind-the-scenes content, and classics. Along the way, DAZN and Matchroom will together develop compelling new documentaries, features, and shows to bring fans closer to the sport and fighters from all around the world – both in and out of the ring. 

 

DAZN Co-CEO James Rushton said: “Game. Changed. This historic deal builds on the success and momentum of our long-term partnership with Matchroom around the world and solidifies DAZN at the forefront of the global sports streaming era. Together, we are committed to building the new home of boxing in the UK and Ireland while continuing to grow the global home of boxing in a way that matches today’s evolving viewing habits and brings fans all over the world more of the most premium live action, more round-the-clock global storytelling, and more broadcast and content innovations – only on DAZN.” 

 

Matchroom Boxing Chairman Eddie Hearn said: “We have made the monumental decision to sign a historic 5-year deal with sports streaming giant DAZN. This means that our UK events will now be broadcast live on DAZN along with all Matchroom shows across the world. Pushing the boundaries is something we will always continue to do and we needed a partner that shared our vision for boxing, and who was also willing to make the investment to make those dreams a reality. This is also an amazing opportunity for our newly formed production and content business, Matchroom Media, who will now be responsible for live production across our events, working in close collaboration with DAZN and enabling us to form a cradle to grave mindset across inception to completion of our shows so we can deliver the live event experience to the viewer in the narrative and style in which we have built it. As we continue Matchroom's expansion worldwide, this new deal will enable us to further cement DAZN as THE unrivalled global home of boxing. Our aim, alongside DAZN, is to create the biggest and best live fight nights and deliver a viewing experience that is truly game-changing.”

 

To become a subscriber, download the DAZN app on any internet-connected device, including living room devices such as smart TVs, streaming sticks and game consoles as well as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and PCs. For more information, visit www.DAZN.com.

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: DAZN Used with permission.

 

For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

 

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

 

 

 

JASON MOLONEY: I WANT THE BEST, LOVE TO FIGHT DONAIRE

 Press Release: June 3, 2021 By Dragon Fire Boxing – At 38-years-old, Donaire became the oldest bantamweight champion in boxing history Saturday night with a highlight reel fourth-round knockout of Nordine Oubaali to claim the WBC Bantamweight World Championship. 

Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing 

 

This marks Donaire's third reign as bantamweight champion of the world.

 

Don't talk with Nonito Donaire about Father Time. He simply refuses to acknowledge him. "The King has returned!" said Donaire after making boxing history at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California.

 

Donaire started unloading the heavy artilery in the third round when he caught and dropped Oubaali with a left hook with 46 seconds left in the frame. He then detonated that same left hook to drop Oubaali and become Champion of the World for a 9^th time through all the divisions.

 

One viewer with a vested interest was leading Bantamweight World Title Contender Australian Sensation Jason “Mayhem” Moloney.

 

The Aussie discussed his plans and Donaire’s historic Championship victory. 

 

“My training’s going very well. I’m always in the gym and I’m constantly making big improvements. 

I’ve been ready to fight for months now but unfortunately COVID made it extremely difficult for us to host our fights in Australia. I’m looking to fight asap. I can’t wait to get back in the ring, I’ve got a lot to prove and big goals that I know I will achieve.”

 

“Donaire’s performance against Oubaali was very impressive! 

 

I favoured Donaire leading into the fight but I did wonder whether Father Time might finally catch up to him, especially after an 18-month layoff but he was brilliant.” 

 

“Congratulations to Nonito on another fantastic win! I’ve got a lot of respect for Nonito and what he has achieved in his career.” 

 

“I always want to fight the best and take on the biggest challenges and I’d love the opportunity to fight the future hall of famer, I know it would be a sensational fight and it’s a fight I know I will win.”

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.

Broadcasting Legend Jim Lampley Becomes The Lead Voice Of Triller Fight Club

 Press Release: By FITE - LOS ANGELES AND MIAMI (June 1, 2021) ---- Triller Fight Club today announced that it has signed Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Jim Lampley as its new lead play-by-play voice. Lampley will begin his multi-fight deal with the historic June 19 Triller Fight Club card at Miami’s loanDepot park, which will feature both men’s and women’s undisputed world title fights for the first time. Headlining the event,            ‘The Takeover’ Teófimo López, (16-0, 12 KOs), will defend his Undisputed Lightweight World Titles (IBF, WBC, WBO, WBC, RING) for the first time against Mandatory Challenger ‘Ferocious’ George Kambosos Jr., (19-0, 12 KOs). Triller Fight Club is a partnership between Triller and Snoop Dogg and is spearheaded by Ryan Kavanaugh. Produced by “So You Think You Can Dance” co-creator Nigel Lythgoe and featuring a pre-event concert by superstars Meek Mill, Myke Towers, Snoop Dogg and Lunay (more to be announced), the Fight Club event is an unprecedented evening combining the world’s best boxers and entertainers in a not-to-be-missed, four-quadrant entertainment extravaganza. 

Credit: FITE 

“It is an honor and a privilege to welcome the preeminent voice in boxing, Jim Lampley, to Triller Fight Club,” Ryan Kavanaugh said. “We will blend all the best elements of music, entertainment and sports, and there is no one better to help lead our broadcasts for fans of all ages than Jim.”

“I am impressed that Triller Fight Club is aggressively seeking to put together the best telecast possible, and it is that mentality that makes Triller the best possible platform for my return to ringside,” said Lampley. “This first telecast features Teofimo Lopez, conqueror of the great Vasiliy Lomachenko and an exciting new talent who has already made a historic mark on the sport. That says it all for me.”

After more than three decades in network television, and nearly 30 of them as host of HBO's flagship World Championship Boxing franchise, Jim Lampley is one of America's most renowned and respected broadcasters and journalists. He was host and blow-by-blow announcer for all HBO Boxing telecasts from March 1988 until December 2018 and has called some the biggest fights in the history of the sport.  From the biggest upset in heavyweight championship history (Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas in 1990), to the stirring trilogies between Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe and Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward, to the remarkable triumph of 45-year-old George Foreman over Michael Moorer in 1994, to the long-awaited showdown between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson in 2002, to the prolific confrontation between Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather in 2007, Lampley and history have gone hand in hand.

The four-time Sports Emmy® Award-winner has also covered more Olympics than nearly any other American broadcaster and has covered every major sports event through the course of his extensive career. Lampley also founded Atticus Entertainment, which collaborated in 2012 with renowned filmmaker Peter Berg on the critically-acclaimed prime time HBO series On Freddie Roach and produced HBO’s The Fight Game With Jim Lampley. Lampley was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame and was enshrined in June of 2015.

Triller Fight Club will be the first-ever boxing event held at loanDepot park, home of the Miami Marlins and will be configured in an intimate and unique setting with full open seating for the first time since COVID. The event offers something for everyone: boxing purists, music lovers, adults and kids. Prices will range from $50 to $3,000 and will include options from VIP ringside seats to traditional seats in the stadium upper and lower bowls, as well as seats near the two entertainment stages on either side of the ring, positioned at the pitcher’s mound. For tickets and information, visit www.TrillerFightClub.com.

Previously announced on the main card and co-featured, competing for the Women’s Super-Middleweight Undisputed World Title, Franchon ‘The Heavy Hitting Diva’ Crews-Dezurn, (7-1, 2 KOs), holder of the WBO/WBC belts battles WBA/IBF title holder Erin Cederroos, (8-0, 4 KO), over ten rounds. The victor will also receive the RING Magazine belt.

In a heavyweight clash, Las Vegas, NV resident Michael ‘The Bounty’ Hunter II, (19-1-1, 3 KOs), will battle Michael ‘White Delight’ Wilson, (21-1, 10 KOs), of Medford, OR in a ten-round WBA Heavyweight World Title Eliminator. Hunter is currently ranked #7 by Ring Magazine and #10 by ESPN.

Competing for the WBC International Super Featherweight Silver Championship, Andy ‘El Tiburon’ Vences,(23-2-1, 12 KOs) of San Jose, CA meets Jono ‘King Kong’ Carroll, (19-2-1, 5 KOs), of Dublin, Ireland in a scheduled 10-rounder.

The evening kicks off three-hour pre-event concert kicks off at 6:00pm EDT, with Meek Mill, Myke Towers, Snoop Dogg and Lunay—and others to be announced, performing before the most exciting, thrill-packed fight of the year, a four-hour boxing extravanganza which will also offer entertainment between fights once the fight card starts. There will also be a surprise performance of a never-before-seen, never-to be-seen-again duet.

Additional fights and entertainment will be announced in the coming days.

FITE, the world’s premier streaming PPV platform for sports and entertainment recently acquired by TrillerNet, will handle worldwide live pay-per-view streaming distribution online for the June 19 event, and via FITE mobile and Smart TV apps, game controllers and all major OTT devices as well as power TrillerFightClub.com.

The PPV is now available for purchase at the “earlybird” price of $49.99 (U.S. & Canada), and will rise to $59.99 if purchased on June 19th, day of the event. Fans outside North America can check the FITE link at https://www.fite.tv/watch/teofimo-lopez-vs-george-kambosos/2p97b/ for international pricing.

TEXT “FIGHT” TO 75303

 

About FITE:

FITE is the premier global platform for live sports and entertainment offering many of the industry's marquee PPV events and SVOD packages with over 4.4MM registered users. FITE is available worldwide through its iOS and Android mobile apps, Apple TV, Android TV, ROKU, Amazon Fire TV and Huawei apps. In addition, FITE supports Samsung, LG, Cox Contour, Vizio SmartCast™, Foxxum, Chromecast, PS4, XBOX, ZEASN, Netrange, Vidaa/Hisense, VEWD, Netgem TV, Virgin Media, Comcast's Xfinity 1 and Xfinity Flex as well as 7,000 models of Smart TVs. Available online at www.FITE.tv. Follow FITE on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. If it Happens, it’s on FITE.

 

About loanDepot park:

loanDepot park is a state-of-the-art retractable roof ballpark located in the heart of Miami. Built in 2012 and located fewer than two miles from downtown Miami, loanDepot park’s uniqueness and attractiveness, including unobstructed views of Miami’s skyline made possible by six operable glass panels, have made the venue a go-to destination for world-class entertainment, hosting a variety of sporting events as well as many business and entertainment events.

 

About TrillerNet:

FITE and Triller Fight Club are owned by TrillerNet, a first-of-its-kind company consolidating technology and content platforms to lead the move to Internet 3.0. TrillerNet pairs the culture of music with sports, fashion, entertainment and influencers through a 360-degree view of content and technology. TrillerNet—which owns the globally popular Triller app used by musicians, celebrities, athletes, and overall culture setters—has more than 300 million users worldwide. The Triller app—unlike other popular short-video apps it is often compared to, encourages its users to post the content created on the app across other social media platforms and websites. The app uses proprietary AI and Machine Learning technology which is uniquely tied to the content rather than the user. By tracking the content, Triller empowers its tastemakers and users to push their content virally to affiliated and non-affiliated sites and networks reaching hundreds of millions of additional users. Data and insights gleaned from the Triller network, its creators, artists and users (from the app and off network) are used to program longer-form content, connect users across the web with the content, and provide unprecedented opportunities for engagement and monetization. TrillerNet has developed highly successful campaigns that begin with the app and continue throughout the entire content and technology ecosystem with some of the biggest brands in the world, including Pepsi, McDonalds, Weedmaps, DraftKings, L’Oreal, and many others. TrillerNet offers brands a unique content and technology solution, including direct deals with the influencers and celebrities. This branded content journey starts with short-form video and can easily expand into valuable long-form content distributed through the Triller Network, such as live-event boxing and music PPVs, fashion shows, and episodic reality content on TrillerTV. Some of the more than 65 original half-hour TrillerTV shows include The D’Amelios Family’s “Ask a DAM Question,” Jennifer Lopez In The Morning, Jake Paul: Staying On Top, 2 Chainz Let’s Do It, DJ Khaled’s Spreading Love, Hype House's Thomas Petrou's Coffee Talks, Josh Richards’ Josh Pong, Ur Lov’d: the Noah Beck Show, Fat Joe’s Masterclass, The Perez Hilton Show, and Violet Benson’s Too Tired To Be Crazy, among others. TrillerNet additionally owns Verzuz, the massive live-stream music platform launched by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, and Triller Fight Club (www.TrillerFightClub.com), which launched last year with the highly successful Tyson-Jones Fight which shattered digital PPV records. Other holdings include leading AI-powered customer engagement platform Amplify.ai, and FITE, the premier live event and PPV, AVOD, SVOD streaming platform.

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of FITE Used with permission.

 

 

For more information about FITE including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs and for information on how to download the FITE app please visit: www.FITE.TV.

 

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

Action Jackson England Stops Mishra To Claim WBC Regional Glory

 Press Release: June 2, 2021 By Dragon Fire Boxing – Australia’s dominant super-featherweight boxer Jackson England continued his winning streak stopping New Zealand challenger Shiva Mishra in Perth, on May 28.  

Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing 

Mishra competed strongly in the opening rounds before England captured the vacant  WBC Asia Super Featherweight championship, with a TKO round 6 stoppage. 

Mishra started well winning the first round but by the third he was in trouble being hit with England’s hard body shots. 

In rounds four and five England’s combination body punches and upper cuts had Mishra reeling, and the fight ended in round 6 when Mishra could not continue. 

Managed by Oceania manager of the year Tony Tolj, the former national champion England extended his record to 13 wins, 8 KOs and controversial 1 loss.

 

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. 

 

Haney-Linares Thoughts

 

In previewing the Lightweight encounter between undefeated top contender Devin Haney and former three-division world champion Jorge Linares, this observer referred to the bout as a “Crossroads Fight.” The very term in most cases is used to describe a fight between two fighters at differing stages of their careers. Although the term can also be used in describing two boxers at a similar stage, this was a scenario where the first example was almost an exact description for what took place on May 29^th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV.

 

Often when the scenario of a bout between two fighters at differing stages is seen, it is not uncommon for a fighter who is thought to be on the way up to have their share of questions and criticism that surrounds them. For Devin Haney, the questions that surround him are essentially the same as any and all hot rising contenders. What happens when they are faced with adversity for the first time? Can they take a punch? Due largely to his evolving skillset and talent, the twenty-two year old Haney has been able to avoid both while showcasing a mix of polished Boxing skills as well as also showing the ability to score head-turning knockouts if the opportunity arises. Despite this, Haney has also faced criticism for perhaps not being as aggressive in recent fights as some Boxing fans might prefer.

 

It is indeed true that Boxing fans that range from the casual observer to the enthusiast can at times be a tough crowd for a fighter to win over regardless of what they do. The silver-lining for Haney however, is many of the questions and criticisms that have been pointed in his direction are not uncommon for a fighter in his position as he looks to position himself for an opportunity at a world championship. 

 

At thirty-five years old, this fight represented an opportunity for the former three-division world champion Jorge Linares, a fighter thought by some to be on the decline, to defy the odds. Linares however, did go into this fight after suffering from the COVID-19 virus in 2020 and it was logical given that much regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19 remains unknown, to question what Linares condition would be.

 

This question was answered as Linares was able to hold his own in the fight with Haney. The first six rounds of this bout were relatively simple to describe. Haney had no issue engaging Linares in the pocket meaning he was willing to stand in positions that left opportunities for the two fighters to exchange offense. A subtle difference that worked in Haney’s favor however, was his ability to use angles, head movement, and a consistent jab to dictate the tempo of the combat. In some ways, what Haney was able to accomplish was the basic elements of Boxing, not just by the act of throwing his jab, but knowing how to throw it and when to time it in addition to mixing in short combinations.

 

It was this approach that carried Haney to win most of the first half of the fight in addition to how sound he was defensively. Although Jorge Linares was able to have his moments throughout this portion of the fight including landing some solid left hooks to the head as well as periodic success in landing his right hand, those moments were sporadic. This was due largely to the strategy that Devin Haney was able to execute more than possibly the effects of both age as well as the potential of any COVID-19-related effects, in this observer’s view. Linares did seem to be a step behind Haney and this in addition to Haney being able to limit the opportunities he had to let his hands go seemed to be what was making the difference in the fight.

 

As the bout progressed into the second half, the exchanges between the two fighters increased, but with Haney still generally getting the better of the action. In the closing seconds of round ten however, Linares would become the first fighter to stagger Haney with a short combination highlighted by a left hook to the head.

 

Despite being cleared stunned, this allowed Haney the opportunity to answer the question of how he would deal with adversity. Although he was still hurt in the eleventh round, Haney responded by continuing to fight and was able to box his way to a convincing twelve round unanimous decision victory. Ultimately, the fight was one that was lopsided in Haney’s favor, but also allowed him to showcase not only his evolving skillset, but also begin to answer some of the questions that have been asked about him.

 

With the win, Haney also maintained his interim championship designation in the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Lightweight ratings. Although fellow undefeated contender Ryan Garcia also holds a similar designation by the same organization, Haney would appear to be in line to face the winner of the upcoming world championship bout between undefeated Undisputed Lightweight champion of the world Teofimo Lopez and undefeated IBF/WBO number one Lightweight contender George Kambosos on June 19^th. Whether or not the politics that be in the sport of Boxing will allow that to happen for Haney remains to be seen. After beating two former world champions in his last two fights and doing so in convincing fashion, Haney has earned his opportunity.

 

As for Jorge Linares, he has nothing to be ashamed of and put forth a performance that some nay not have expected in defeat. It will nevertheless be interesting to see where Linares goes from here. Despite the loss to Haney, Linares remains a threat to anyone in the talent deep 135lb. Lightweight 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

Haney-Linares Preview

 

The month of May 2021 will conclude with an intriguing battle between two fighters who are at differing stages in their respective careers. A crossroads fight where the winner could well be in line to challenge the winner of the upcoming Undisputed World Lightweight championship fight between undefeated world champion Teofimo Lopez and undefeated IBF number one contender George Kambosos. This observer is referring to the Lightweight encounter between undefeated top contender Devin Haney and former three-division world champion Jorge Linares.

 

 A bout that will take place on May 29^th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV that will headline a card broadcast globally by digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN is the definition of youth versus experience. For Devin Haney, who holds one of two interim championship designations in the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) Lightweight ratings, this fight represents the second such scenario where he has been pitted against a vastly more experienced opponent that some might argue is in the twilight of a great career. Haney’s last bout took place in November of last year when he scored a dominant twelve round unanimous decision over former unified Featherweight world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa. Gamboa, once one of the top fighters in the sport has seen his career hit a bit of a decline due to both injuries as well as the grueling effects of a long career between the amateur and professional ranks. 

 

Haney was able to use his youth, quicker reflexes, and combination punching to out box Gamboa over twelve rounds to earn the unanimous decision victory. While that fight can be described as an emerging star simply doing what he had to do against a great fighter who’s best days may be behind him, Haney also took criticism from some, who felt despite his convincing victory, did not do enough to drum up the type of demand some feel necessary to secure a title shot against Teofimo Lopez or what would also be a lucrative fight against fellow undefeated top contender Ryan Garcia, who also holds a similar interim designation as Haney in the WBC’s Lightweight ratings. To be more specific, some felt Haney needed the type of statement making performance that some may argue can come only by way of a knockout to fuel the demand for those fights to be made.

 

From this observer’s perspective, I don’t necessarily feel the same way. It is true that Devin Haney did not score a stoppage win over Yuriorkis Gamboa, but he was still dominant against a fighter who is not the easiest fighter to look impressive against. Although my view may not be the popular view amongst some, Haney should be given credit for what was a near perfect performance even if he did not stop Gamboa. The situation Devin Haney finds himself in one might argue is such where as a boxer/puncher who has his fair share of knockout wins having scored knockouts in fifteen of his twenty-five wins, but has also scored the type of lopsided decision victories that some might not view as the most entertaining to watch, that some fighters in and around the 135lb. Lightweight division currently may view fighting Haney as a high risk/low reward scenario due simply to his style and evolving skillset.

 

It is somewhat ironic that Haney’s last bout against Gamboa and the fight he is going into against Jorge Linares were and are against two opponents that the same thing was said about them in their careers. In Jorge Linares, Haney will face a veteran of fifty-two professional bouts who has won world championships from the 126lb. Featherweight division to the 135lb. Lightweight division. Much like Gamboa, Linares has the type of style that could pose a difficult challenge for Haney, but is a fighter that at thirty-five years old may be in the twilight of his career.

 

Linares will come into this fight having won three of his last five fights including a knockout over Carlos Morales in February of last year shortly before the ongoing global COVID-19 epidemic shut down sports and many aspects of everyday life for a period of time in 2020. What some may point to as a red flag that could work against Linares, despite having twenty-nine knockouts in forty-five career wins is, in his five career losses, Linares has been stopped in every one of those bouts including a first round knockout loss in his most recent defeat against Pablo Cesar Cano in January 2019.

 

Although such statistics could give an impression that Linares might have a question mark over him regarding his ability to take a punch, it is important to keep in mind that these losses occurred at the highest level of competition available in the sport including against fighters like Antonio DeMarco and Vasyl Lomachenko in world championship bouts. Boxing is after all a combat sport and as such anything can happen.

 

It is nevertheless understandable how some might view Linares as an underdog going into this fight, despite his edge in experience both in terms of overall bouts fought in his career compared to Haney as well as experience against top level competition. What Linares does have in addition to that is a career knockout percentage of over 55 percent, which is just short of Haney’s 60%. At his best, Jorge Linares has shown he can be much like Haney, an elusive boxer/punchers who is capable of both out Boxing an opponent as well as ending a fight quickly if the opportunity presents itself.

 

The question here as this fight approaches is whether or not Linares will be able to find a way to nullify Haney’s movement and deal with his hand speed and power. It will also be interesting to see if Linares knowing that he has been caught and stopped early in bouts before, is a little hesitant to be aggressive from the outset and whether he will implement a more tactical approach in this fight in the hopes of trying to take advantage of any openings that Haney might leave him.

 

An element that also should not be overlooked going into this fight is Linares is coming into it having suffered a bout with the COVID-19 virus last year, which caused the cancellation of a scheduled bout last August against Javier Fortuna, and as much remains unknown about the virus, so too does the long-term effects of the virus on those who have been infected with COVID-19, which more than likely will vary from individual to individual. It may be logical to expect that Haney might look to pressure Linares early to see how his conditioning might be.

 

In terms of what might be in store for the winner of this fight, it is also logical to think that at least some thoughts will be on the Lopez-Kambosos bout, which is scheduled for June 19^th in Miami, FL. While some may consider Devin Haney a significant favorite going into this fight, Jorge Linares is likely only focused on the opportunity that is in front of him as he has been in the position of having a potential lucrative fight ahead of him if he succeeds in his upcoming bout. Something that if Devin Haney is looking ahead to what might be, instead of what is in front of him, could work to Linares’ advantage as the fighter who has more experience.

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

Haney vs. Linares takes place on Saturday, May 29^th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, NV. The fight as well as it’s full undercard can be seen exclusively globally on digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN beginning at 8PM ET/5PM PT. (U.S. Times) For more information about DAZN including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices/platforms/Smart TVs, availability around the world, and to subscribe please visit: www.DAZN.com.

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