Stiverne’s World Title Win Changes The Heavyweight Landscape

When Heavyweight contenders Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola entered the ring for their rematch on Saturday night in Los Angeles, the Boxing world focused its attention on a fight between two knockout punchers where anything could happen. A small 17 by 17 foot ring would present an ideal setting for a shootout.

Along with the historical significance that this fight brought with it in either the first Haitian or Mexican-American World Heavyweight champion to be crowned by winning a vacant world title, the question of who would succeed Vitali Klitschko as WBC champion would also be answered. As is often the case when two fighters meet for a vacant world championship following a dominant champion relinquishing his title, some are likely to question and or discredit the validity of the contest being a “Real” championship fight.

What made this championship fight somewhat different is the fact that although Vitali Klitschko has been a dominant champion, he was one half of a dominant duo. The duo that over the years this observer has referred to as “The Two-Headed Heavyweight Championship Monster” known as the Klitschko brothers. Now with Vitali having put his career on hold and vacating his title it has left his younger brother and unified world champion Wladimir Klitschko as the division’s central figure.

In the lead up to this rematch I stated that whomever should win would likely have to fight a different battle that many past champions have had to take on after winning a world title for recognition as world champion. Despite the battle that awaited the winner of this fight, what Boxing fans are likely to remember of May 10, 2014 is that it was a night that an exciting battle took place where a new champion was crowned.

The rematch would pick up where the first fight had left off with both fighters willing to stand and engage each other in close in a fight that saw plenty of back and forth action. The difference however, in the rematch was that Arreola seemed to outwork Stiverne as he consistently backed him up against the ropes, in contrast to the first fight where Stiverne was able to outwork a pressuring Arreola. Although Stiverne was able to have his moments, I feel that Arreola’s activity and consistent pressure was able to win him three out of the first five rounds.

Even though Arreola was clearly more active than Stiverne, Stiverne was effective in spots counter punching and during periods where he was able to keep the fight in the middle of the ring. There could easily be a difference of opinion as to how the first five rounds were scored. Discussion of how rounds were scored however, would become academic in round six.

A right hand by Stiverne landed on the temple of Arreola sending him down to the canvas. Although Arreola was able to make it to his feet and continue, when a fighter gets hit on the temple it can obviously affect a fighter’s equilibrium. Arreola would be dropped for a second time by a follow-up barrage of punches from Stiverne. I was somewhat surprised that the fight was allowed to continue at this point due to the condition of Arreola’s legs, which were wobbly.

The fight would be stopped seconds later by Referee Jack Reiss. Although I was surprised somewhat that the fight was allowed to continue Referee Jack Reiss deserves a lot of credit for giving Arreola every chance to recover, but at the same time did not allow him to suffer any unnecessary punishment.

Bermane Stiverne has etched his name into Boxing history as the first Haitian to win a World Heavyweight championship. It was an exciting battle between two “Game” fighters who were looking to make the step from contender to world champion.

What does this do to the landscape of the Heavyweight division beyond merely filling a vacancy of a world title? There are likely to be varying opinions on that question, but in terms of the immediate future as a relates to the World Boxing Council (WBC) Stiverne is likely to make his first title defense against the undefeated number one contender Deontay Wilder perhaps later this year. Meanwhile a scheduled fight to determine the number two ranking in the WBC ratings between top contenders Bryant Jennings and Mike Perez that was scheduled to take place on May 24th was canceled last Friday due to a shoulder injury suffered by Perez.

As of this writing there is no word on when that fight might be rescheduled. It will also be interesting to see where the rest of the WBC top ten contenders will factor in, in the coming months. Current WBC number seven rated contender and former world title challenger Manuel Charr will face  current WBA number three rated contender and former world title challenger Alexander Povetkin on May 30th in Moscow, in a WBC International title fight.

Another upcoming fight that will likely have an impact on the WBC Heavyweight ratings is the upcoming rematch between undefeated contender Tyson Fury and former world title challenger Dereck Chisora, on July 26th with both the European and British Heavyweight titles at stake. Even though the rematch between Fury and Chisora is also to determine a new number one contender in the World Boxing Organization’s (WBO) rankings, Fury is currently rated number ten by the WBC and Chisora is currently rated number eight.

Depending not only on what may happen when Wladimir Klitschko defends his unified IBF/WBO/WBA/IBO crown against IBF top contender Kubrat Pulev at some point in the future, and the status of the WBC’s number two ranking, the outcome of that rematch could definitely shake things up as far as the WBC rankings are concerned. What also should be taken into consideration is, despite being stopped by Bermane Stiverne, Chris Arreola is likely not done as a contender and depending on when he fights again and against whom could also have ratings implications.

Although many are likely to assume that Stiverne will seek a fight for the undisputed championship with Wladimir Klitschko next, I remain firm in my stance as I have said in previous columns covering the Heavyweight division that this might be the year that lays the groundwork towards an undisputed championship fight.  It is more likely that an undisputed championship fight will not take place until mandatory obligations are met on both sides.

It has been an interesting first half of 2014 for the Heavyweight division so far. Boxing fans and experts alike eagerly await what is in store for the division for the rest of the year.

“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 

                                                                                                                               

Stiverne-Arreola II: Who Will Make History?

Following a workman like performance by unified IBF/WBO/WBA/IBO Heavyweight world champion Wladimir Klitschko in his fifth round knockout win over a “Game”, but over matched Alex Leapai on April 26th, the Boxing world once again prepares to focus it’s attention on a World Heavyweight championship fight.  For the first time since 2008 however, a contest for a version of the Heavyweight championship of the world will not involve a man named Klitschko.

Top Heavyweight contenders Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola will meet in a rematch. This time the prize is not an opportunity to fight for a world championship, but rather the winner of the rematch will become the WBC world champion. 

 

When Stiverne and Arreola first met in April of last year, it was to determine who would be the next challenger for long reigning WBC champion Vitali Klitschko. In that fight, Stiverne scored a knockdown of Arreola in round three and outworked him over twelve rounds to earn a convincing unanimous decision victory.

Stiverne however, would not get his opportunity to face Vitali Klitschko. Klitschko who last fought in September 2012, scoring a fourth round knockout over contender Manuel Charr has been focusing much of his attention on his political ambitions, which led to him giving up the WBC title leaving the title vacant. This along with a legal dispute that has since been resolved between Stiverne and his promoter Don King has kept him out of action for a little over a year.

Arreola meanwhile, rebounded from his loss to Stiverne last year by scoring a first round knockout over top contender Seth Mitchell in September of last year. With Vitali Klitschko now out of action leaving the WBC world title in the Heavyweight division vacant it has left the number one contender Stiverne and the number two contender Arreola to do battle for the vacant championship.

Some may question why Stiverne would not simply be named champion once the WBC title was vacated by Klitschko seeing as he had earned the shot at the title by beating Arreola last year. In this observer’s eyes, under circumstances where there is a vacant championship the top two contenders should face-off to determine a new champion. Although Stiverne won the first fight, Arreola was after all able to rebound in impressive fashion and based on his knocking the previous number two rated contender Seth Mitchell out last September, he does deserve an opportunity to not only avenge his loss to Stiverne, but also attempt to win his first world title for the second time after previously coming up short against Vitali Klitschko in 2009.

Arreola has been a top contender for several years and has always given everything he has every time he steps in the ring. It should not be overlooked that during the first encounter with Stiverne Arreola suffered a broken nose when he was knocked down in the third round and showed his mettle by gamely continuing to fight on through adversity. Even though Arreola has suffered some setbacks during his career, he has always been “Game” and capable of giving anyone in the division all they can handle.

Both Stiverne and Arreola have knockout power and crowd pleasing styles, each registering a career knockout percentages of nearly 80%. The key to this fight in my eyes just might be who can land something significant first. An old saying that this observer firmly believes in is in Boxing and in all combat sports in general sometimes all it takes is one punch especially when it comes to Heavyweights.

Although Stiverne who has not lost a fight in almost seven years was able to outwork Arreola in the first fight that does not necessarily mean that the second fight will be similar. Arreola was able to get off to a good early start in that fight, but after suffering the knockdown in round three, he seemed to lose momentum. Whether or not that can be attributed to the broken nose he suffered is a subject for debate, but it does not take anything away from Stiverne’s performance.

The storyline that Boxing fans should be intrigued about this fight in addition to two knockout punchers squaring off for a second time is this rematch also has historical significance. For the first time there will either be the first Haitian or, the first Mexican-American World Heavyweight champion in Boxing history.

Despite the historical significance of this fight, whomever should emerge victorious will likely have to fight a different battle. Many successors to dominant champions have had to prove themselves to the Boxing world after winning the crown to obtain recognition as a champion. Historically, Larry Holmes, Evander Holyfield, John Ruiz, Chris Byrd, and numerous others all initially had to fight to obtain recognition as Heavyweight champion.

Although whomever wins this rematch between Stiverne and Arreola will succeed Vitali Klitschko as WBC champion, the fight for recognition will probably last until the winner or whomever is WBC champion faces the equally dominant Wladimir Klitschko to finally determine an undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world. The potential undisputed championship fight however, does not appear like it will take place in the near future.

Wladimir who holds the unified IBF/WBO/WBA/IBO championship will next defend his title against the IBF’s number one contender Kubrat Pulev at a date to be determined. Meanwhile, the winner of this fight is likely to face the undefeated Deontay Wilder who is the next mandatory challenger in the WBC rankings after a new champion is determined.

A rematch that brings not only the familiar storyline of repeat or revenge, but also a rematch that along with historical significance could continue what seems to be a reemergence of the Heavyweight as a main focal point of the sport, particularly in the United States is certainly intriguing. Stieverne and Arreola square off for the WBC Heavyweight world championship on Saturday night. It is logical to expect an entertaining shootout between two knockout artists.

Who will win? In this observer’s eyes it’s a toss up. 

“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  

Mayweather-Maidana: Momentous Moment

The Boxing world was full of anticipation when “The Moment” came for Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana to face-off in the ring on May 3rd. For the thirty-seven year old Mayweather this was another marquee bout for a fighter widely considered the best pound for pound fighter in the world. For Marcos Maidana this fight was an opportunity to prove that his upset victory over Mayweather’s friend and protege Adrien Broner was not a fluke.

If Maidana were able to bring the fight to Mayweather and compete with a fighter who has not lost many rounds throughout his career, much less if he were to pull off another upset and defeat Mayweather Maidana’s stock would certainly go up. Although some had predicted another dominant performance by a master in the art of Boxing as Mayweather is, this fight would be much more compelling and for a rare occasion produce an element of doubt in a Floyd Mayweather fight.

When Mayweather and Maidana entered the ring to unify the WBC and WBA world Welterweight championships Boxing fans and experts alike were treated to a highly competitive encounter that could be considered a fight of the year candidate. As I said in the build up to this fight the key in my eyes would be whether or not Maidana could apply consistent pressure on Mayweather, maintain that pressure throughout the entire fight, and deal with Mayweather’s timing and quick hands.

It was not surprising to see Maidana start this fight by pressuring Mayweather and getting him on the ropes. Maidana’s ability to pressure Mayweather to the ropes and throw punches from all angles set the tempo of the fight. This fight however, did at times resemble two different types of fights. When Maidana was able to pressure Mayweather and smother Mayweather’s counter punches, while letting his hands go at the same time it was to his advantage. When Mayweather was able to use his lateral movement to stay away from the ropes and was able to get his punches off first the momentum was in his favor. Maidana however, was clearly not in awe of the event and did not show Mayweather any respect.

Maidana’s consistent pressure and thudding punches were the main story of the fight in the early rounds. Although Mayweather was able to have his moments it was clear that Maidana had the momentum. An accidental clash of heads caused a cut over the right eye of Mayweather in round four. Even though the cut was accidental, it did produce an element of suspense. Not only was this the first time that Mayweather had suffered a cut in his career, but if the fight was stopped because of the cut it would have been interesting to see how the early rounds were scored due to Maidana’s pressuring attack.

Even though Maidana was very effective in landing both to the body and head of Mayweather when he was able to push Mayweather back, Mayweather was also effective during periods when he was able to get off first particularly when he was able to land right hands while mixing in combinations to the head and body.

As the fight went on the momentum seemed to turn slightly in Mayweather’s favor. Mayweather was able to use more of his lateral movement in the second half of the fight to not only avoid some of Maidana’s pressure, but also to set up opportunities to get his offense off first. The cut that Mayweather suffered in the fourth round was not an issue in this fight. Several of the rounds however, were very close and as I have often said over the years when it comes to close rounds it will often boil down to what a judge prefers in their own individual criteria of how they score based on clean punching, effective aggressiveness, ring generalship, and defense.

Although Maidana’s pressure was consistent, he was not able to completely nullify Mayweather’s offensive output and was not able to keep Mayweather from being able to use his movement as the fight went on. Mayweather was also able to counter effectively in spots on the ropes as the fight progressed.

Even though the momentum shifted in favor of Mayweather in the second half of this fight, this was a rough fight and not the easiest fight to score. At the end of the twelve round championship bout, I had Mayweather winning seven rounds to five or 115-113 in points. My score was based largely on Mayweather’s ability to make adjustments in the middle rounds and his ability to get off first and somewhat nullify Maidana’s pressure.

It was not surprising to see a difference of opinion as to who won this fight. Both fighters were able to have their moments, both fighters were able to execute their offense, and both fighters had moments where they appeared to be doing more than the other. This was indeed a close fight.

The announcement of a majority decision was also not surprising. Judges Dave Moretti and Burt Clements scored the fight in favor of Mayweather by scores of 116-112 (eight rounds to four) and 117-111 (nine rounds to three) respectively giving Mayweather the victory, while judge Michael Pernick scored the fight 114-114 (six rounds to six) a draw.

In all truth and honesty although I felt the fight was closer than judges Moretti and Clements I cannot argue against their scoring. This was a very difficult fight to score, particularly in the second half of the fight and there will likely be a difference of opinion among both fans and experts as to who won those rounds.

Even though I had Mayweather winning by two rounds, I can easily see a draw or a score of 115-113 being reversed in favor of Maidana. It was that kind of fight. One thing that appears certain coming out of this fight is that we might see a second encounter between Mayweather and Maidana.

Marcos Maidana proved in this fight that he belonged in the ring with Floyd Mayweather and was able to land more punches on Mayweather than any previous opponent landing 221 of 858 total punches thrown while Mayweather only landed nine more punches landing 230 of 426 total punches thrown according to CompuBox.

In some ways this fight was reminiscent of Mayweather’s first encounter with Jose Luis Castillo in 2002. Much like Castillo, Maidana comes out of this fight having left a difference of opinion as to who won the fight. Despite the loss Maidana’s stock has gone up. He has absolutely nothing to be ashamed of and is more than deserving of a rematch.

For Floyd Mayweather he showed his mettle in this fight as he stood up to a fighter who had a solid fight plan, who was theoretically stronger and one might argue landed the harder punches. Whether or not this fight was an indication of age beginning to become a factor for Floyd Mayweather is a subject for debate. Mayweather however, emerges from this fight still undefeated and still atop his perch as arguably the best pound for pound fighter in the world as he now holds two unified titles in as many weight classes having successfully unified the WBC and WBA titles in both the Welterweight and Jr. Middleweight divisions.

It is uncertain as to whether or not the politics of the sport will play a role in whether Mayweather remains a unified champion in two weight classes, but it is nevertheless an impressive feat. As for what’s next for both Mayweather and Maidana, the most logical scenario in my mind would be to see these two in a rematch perhaps later this year.

Boxing fans and experts alike enjoyed this fight as the fight created an element of uncertainty that is rarely seen in a Floyd Mayweather fight. Marcos Maidana has now added his name to a select group of fighters who have created doubt when they faced Floyd Mayweather.

Jose Luis Castillo, Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, and now Marcos Maidana. Of the four, only Castillo had a second opportunity to face Mayweather. Will Marcos Maidana receive a second opportunity? Marcos Maidana stated after the fight that he wants a rematch. For his part, Mayweather seems open to a rematch possibly as soon as September of this year. 

This was at the end of the day a very competitive and entertaining fight that was indeed memorable. If both fighters are open to a rematch and a rematch is the most logical option out there for both, why not?

“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 

“The Moment “ Can Maidana Solve Mayweather’s Puzzle?

Following a lopsided decision win last September over previously undefeated Jr. Middleweight world champion Saul Alvarez the familiar question most Boxing fans and experts alike had was what would be next for Floyd Mayweather? Of course, any time you bring up the name Floyd Mayweather the idea of a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao is bound to come up when discussing potential fights.

The idea of a Mayweather versus Pacquiao encounter has been something that Boxing fans worldwide have been hoping for, for several years now. Despite Manny Pacquiao’s two losses to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, Pacquiao was and still is a significant marquee draw no matter who he fights. Although some may be of the opinion that the luster and demand for such an encounter between the two diminished somewhat due to those losses suffered by Pacquiao, a fight between the two would still be a big money draw.

The fight however, did not seem as though it was any closer to being made last September as it was when the public began calling for the fight to happen several years ago. So, who would be next for Mayweather and more specifically who could draw significant interest in terms of a pay-per-view draw?

As fate would have it the answer to that question would emerge last December and in the process present perhaps the perfect storyline for a pay-per-view attraction. In the build up to his clash with previously undefeated three-division world champion Adrien Broner, the power punching Marcos Maidana was viewed by some as a non-threat for a fighter in Broner who had modeled himself after Floyd Mayweather, despite Maidana having scored victories over the likes of Victor Ortiz and Erik Morales in his career.

On December 14th of last year Marcos Maidana showed that he was not a mere opponent and not someone to take lightly. Maidana’s consistent pressure and thudding blows dominated the action as he dropped the champion twice in rounds two and eight to score a convincing unanimous decision to win the WBA world Welterweight championship. A defining victory for Maidana that was unexpected by some. The victory however, over a fighter who has been called a protege of Mayweather did set up what this observer feels is an intriguing storyline.

After scoring what was viewed as an upset over Broner, could Maidana do what forty-five previous opponents have failed to do and defeat Floyd Mayweather? One might argue that one element of this storyline that makes this fight so intriguing is a scenario of Mayweather looking to avenge the loss of his friend Adrien Broner.

The idea of Mayweather facing a fighter who has a career knockout percentage of over 80% as Maidana has would seem to have enough merit to draw significant interest as it is. Maidana’s victory over Broner however, does add some sizzle to this fight as it approaches.

In thinking of how this fight might be fought I think it is important to remember that although Adrien Broner fights in a similar style to Floyd Mayweather, that does not necessarily mean this fight could end up looking similar to Maidana’s fight with Broner. There are however, things that Maidana was able to do against Broner that is a must against a fighter like Mayweather if he wants to be successful.

The obvious thing that Maidana was able to accomplish very early on in his fight with Broner was he started going to the body early and that set up his offense to the head. Maidana’s varied attack to the body and head of Broner, particularly how effective he was in being able to land overhand rights along with consistent pressure was what won him that fight.

There is no question in my mind that Marcos Maidana has the punching power to be a threat to anyone in either the Jr. Welterweight or Welterweight divisions. He has more than proven that he is a threat throughout his career. The key however, in this fight will be whether or not Maidana can apply consistent pressure on Mayweather, maintain that pressure for the entire fight, and deal with Mayweather’s precision timing and quick hands.

Fighters such as Jose Luis Castillo, Oscar De La Hoya, and Miguel Cotto all had success in their fights against Mayweather by applying pressure on him. Some observers, this one included felt that Castillo’s consistent pressure along with his body punching were enough for him to defeat Mayweather in their first fight in April 2002. An argument can be made however, that both De La Hoya and Coto stopped pressuring Mayweather in the middle and late rounds of their respective encounters and that was a contributing reason as to why both lost against him.

In order for Marcos Maidana to be successful in this fight he has to pressure Mayweather from the outset and not allow him any room to use his lateral movement. Maidana cannot be reckless however, as Mayweather has the hand speed and timing that can catch and has caught fighters off guard in the past. The primary difference in my eyes in this fight will be that unlike Adrien Broner, Mayweather will likely look to be elusive in looking to use his lateral movement to deflect and evade Maidana’s offense, in contrast to Broner who was more willing to engage and was a more stationary target in his fight with Maidana.

 Although Broner has a similar style to Mayweather, there is only one Floyd Mayweather Jr. What has made Mayweather such a defensive master throughout his career is his ability to anticipate an opponent’s offense, avoid the majority of that offense with quick reflexes and respond with counter punches with precision accuracy.

Even though Marcos Maidana does have momentum coming into this fight, he does have his work cut out for him. Maidana was able to defeat and solve a fighter known as “The Problem” in his last fight. Will Maidana have the answer to solve the puzzle of Floyd Mayweather or will Mayweather befuddle another opponent leaving fans and experts alike asking the familiar question of what’s next for him after this fight? We will find out Saturday night.

“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