The Boxing Truth®

The first encounter between IBF Jr. Lightweight world champion Argenis Mendez and undefeated number one contender Rances Barthelemy was nothing less than controversial.   Barthelemy knocked out the defending champion Mendez at the end of the second round however, seemingly after the bell.   The knockout was overturned and ruled a no contest.   In the sport of Boxing the best way for two fighters to resolve unfinished business is in the ring. The rematch between Mendez and Barthelemy would take place on July 10th at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.   In the lead up to this rematch I stated that it would not be hard to envision Barthelemy as a significant favorite heading into this fight based on how he was able to control the first encounter. The main story of the rematch in this observer’s mind would be whether or not Mendez, who could not get a consistent offensive flow going in the first fight would be able to do anything different the sec...

From time to time something that I am asked by both the hardcore Boxing enthusiast and as well as the casual fan is for my opinion on what makes a legitimate star in the sport.   There is no simple answer to that question as there are many aspects in the development and promotion of a fighter that has to be taken into consideration. If however, someone would ask for my opinion on what I felt would make a rising star into a legitimate live gate and pay-per-view attraction, I could probably answer that question in a more simple way. Of course, if a fighter has a crowd pleasing style it will obviously generate interest from both fans and experts alike, but that is only one aspect of the equation in my opinion.   In this day and age where more often than not Boxing’s top stars are showcased live on pay-per-view television almost exclusively, one thing that I take into consideration is what can make a fighter into a legitimate star of the sport is their willingness to ta...

The year 2014 in the sport of Boxing began on January 3rd when IBF Jr. Lightweight world champion Argenis Mendez stepped into the ring to face undefeated number one contender Rances Barthelemy at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Barthelemy’s strength and punching power dictated the action from the opening bell and it appeared as though the champion had no answer for Barthelemy. Mendez would be dropped twice in the second round, the second of the two knockdowns would cause the fight’s conclusion. Barthelemy knocked Mendez down at the end of the round and the champion was subsequently counted out by Referee Pete Podgorski. What appeared to some as a clear knockout for Rances Barthelemy however, would be overshadowed by controversy. The controversy that emerged was that the bell to end the second round rang twice, each with a single ding about a second apart. The champion Mendez was not knocked to the canvas until after the bell rang for the second time. This...

One of the appeals of the sport of Boxing is that it is always a sport where both fan and expert alike are on a consistent search for the next big star of the sport. A star that has been on the rise in recent times is that of undefeated WBO Lightweight world champion Terence Crawford. Crawford, compiled a record of 22-0, with 17 Knockouts prior to challenging two-division world champion Ricky Burns in March of this year for Burns’ WBO Lightweight world title. Crawford, who was seen by some to be an underdog against the more experienced Burns outworked and out boxed the champion in Burns’ home country of Scotland to earn his first world title in a convincing twelve round unanimous decision. What was particularly impressive about Crawford’s performance in that fight was how he consistently beat Burns to the punch with his hand speed and did not allow the champion to get off consistently with his offense. After what was an impressive performance by Crawford, the newly cro...