Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Hopkins, Kovalev, Stevenson: The Full Unification Of The Light-Heavyweight Division?




Over the last year a storyline that has continued to interest Boxing fans and experts alike has been the changing landscape of the Light-Heavyweight division. The division has seen three fighters emerge as it’s dominant figures. Future Hall of Famer and current IBF/WBA champion Bernard Hopkins and rising stars in WBO champion Sergey Kovalev and WBC champion Adonis Stevenson.


A scenario that appeared would see two world champions face-off with the winner to face the third world champion of the division to determine an undisputed Light-Heavyweight world champion appeared as though it may not come to fruition due to the politics of the sport involving rival networks. This however, changed prior to Sergey Kovalev’s third title defense last Saturday against previously undefeated former IBO champion Blake Caparello in Atlantic City, New Jersey.


It was announced the day before the fight that Kovalev and Bernard Hopkins had signed a contract to meet in a unification bout in November. The agreement was however, contingent on Kovalev being successful in his title defense against Caparello. There would not be anything that would derail the unification fight between Hopkins and Kovalev when Kovalev met Caparello.


Despite being knocked down by a Caparello straight left hand that connected as Kovalev was off- balance in round one, the champion quickly ended the fight in the second round. Kovalev dropped Caparello with a right hand to the body and following up with two more knockdowns forcing the fight to be stopped.


Under circumstances where some would probably assume a fighter would be under considerable pressure, Kovalev performed like a champion and simply took care of business. As most Boxing fans are aware of the knockout streak of current unified WBA/IBO Middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin who has scored seventeen consecutive knockouts, Kovalev in his own right has compiled an impressive knockout streak of his own. Kovalev’s knockout of Caparello was his ninth consecutive knockout.


Another commonality between Golovkin and Kovalev is that they have yet to be matched against fighters that most would consider elite level. As I stated following Gennady Golovkin’s knockout of Daniel Geale last month that I believe it is time for Golovkin to face fighters who are considered top stars, the same could have been said for Sergey Kovalev.


Kovalev however, will get his opportunity when he faces Bernard Hopkins in November. When it comes to the elite fighters of the sport, Hopkins is as elite as they come. Some might recall that it was not too long ago when Kovalev was the mandatory challenger for Hopkins prior to Hopkins unifying his IBF title against WBA champion Beibut Shumenov earlier this year. Kovalev however, opted to take on WBO champion Nathan Cleverly in August of last year in a move that was considered a gamble by some.


After knocking Cleverly out in four rounds, and three knockout victories in title defenses, one might argue that the fight between Hopkins and Kovalev is now bigger not only due to the fact that it will be a unification bout, but also due to Kovalev’s star being on the rise. What the fight between Hopkins and Kovalev will also do in the short-term is that it will push WBC champion Adonis Stevenson to the side while most of the attention will likely be focused on the upcoming showdown between the two. For his part, Stevenson is scheduled to defend his world title on September 27th in Montreal against an opponent yet to be determined.


The Hopkins-Kovalev fight will also present an intriguing storyline that will attract the attention of both the hardcore Boxing enthusiast as well as the casual fan. Can the future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins at nearly fifty years old duplicate a feat that he accomplished when he completely unified the Middleweight division with his knockout win over Oscar De La Hoya in 2004. Will Hopkins completely unify a second weight class at this stage of his career? Whether or not the winner of that fight will face Adonis Stevenson or whomever the WBC champion might be to determine an undisputed champion remains to be seen.


We will see whether Hopkins can continue his unification quest when he faces Sergey Kovalev in November on a date yet to be determined. It is clear to this observer however, that the ingredients are there for not only a highly anticipated battle, but also what will likely be a memorable night of Boxing.


“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 

 




Saturday, August 2, 2014

Campillo Wins IBF Eliminator




Former WBA Light-Heavyweight world champion Gabriel Campillo has been a fighter who has seen his share of ups and downs throughout his career. Despite being a former world and former European Light-Heavyweight champion, Campillo is perhaps best known for being on the losing end of decisions that some believed should have gone his way in his fights with Beibut Shumenov and Tavoris Cloud.


After losing to Tavoris Cloud in 2012, Campillo would suffer two knockout losses in his next four fights at the hands of current WBO Light-Heavyweight world champion Sergey Kovalev and recent world title challenger Andrzej Fonfara. Following his loss to Fonfara there were some who questioned whether Campillo’s days as a top contender in the hunt for a shot at a world title were behind him.


Campillo returned to the ring following his loss to Fonfara in May of this year scoring a seventh round stoppage of British contender Ricky Pow. The former world champion looked to build on the momentum from his win over Pow when he took on undefeated IBF number six rated contender Thomas Williams Jr. on Friday night at the Little Creek Casino in Shelton, Washington.


Williams, who entered the fight with a record of 17-0, with 12 Knockouts appeared to be the favorite going into the fight, despite Campillo’s higher level of opposition and experience. In fights where an unbeaten prospect/ contender who one might argue has not been tested in his career steps up to face a veteran who has more experience, the question that will likely be asked is how will that fighter respond to adversity should it occur.


Campillo, who entered the fight with a record of 23-6-1, with 10 Knockouts would be the battle tested veteran who would ask those questions of Williams. It was clear from the opening bell that the undefeated Williams had the advantage in terms of power as he landed solid shots to the body and head of Campillo. It appeared early in this fight that the opinion of some that Campillo was now on the decline may have been warranted.


Williams kept up his aggression in round two as he consistently forced the action and was able to keep Campillo somewhat on the defensive. Although Williams was able to get off to a good start in this fight, Campillo did not appear hurt by Williams’ offense. 


Although he appeared to lose the first two rounds Campillo, a native of Madrid, Spain began to let his hands go more frequently in round three as he looked to win his first fight in the United States. The tempo of the fight shifted in round four as Campillo opened a cut over Williams’ left eye in with his jab.


Clearly bothered by the cut, Williams used movement to try and avoid Campillo who was now the aggressor. Williams’ solid offense earlier in this fight was not there at this stage and at the end of the fifth round, the fight was stopped by a ringside physician who deemed the cut too dangerous for Williams to continue.


Some might criticize Williams by saying he was affected by the cut and did not respond to the adversity however, it is important to remember that any cut especially one that can affect a fighter’s vision can certainly play a role in how a fighter fights. In my opinion, it is how a fighter deals with a setback that will determine what they are made of. We will have to wait and see what the future holds for the Fort Washington, Maryland native Thomas Williams Jr. , but this loss to Campillo should be looked at as a setback that will likely benefit Williams in the long-term.


The fight, which was billed as an IBF Light-Heavyweight eliminator for the number two ranking now puts Gabriel Campillo very much back in the mix for a potential world title shot. How quickly that opportunity may come his way however, remains to be seen. It was announced on Friday that an agreement had been reached for a potential unification bout between current IBF/WBA Light-Heavyweight champion Bernard Hopkins and WBO champion Sergey Kovalev to take place in November.


The agreement however, will depend on whether Kovalev is successful in his title defense Saturday night against former IBO champion Blake Caparello in Atlantic City. The possibility exists that Campillo now the number two contender will next face French contender Nadjib Mohammedi, the current IBF number one contender to determine a mandatory challenger for the winner of the potential Hopkins-Kovalev fight, should it happen.

Whether or not the politics of the sport will prevent a potential world title shot for Gabriel Campillo at least in the short-term remains to be seen. Campillo has however, showed that despite suffering some setbacks and some questions about his future not only as a top contender, but also as a fighter in general that he is still a top contender in the Light-Heavyweight division.

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“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 

Monday, July 28, 2014

Golovkin Successfully Defends Title And Extends KO Streak To 17




The question leading up to former two-time Middleweight world champion Daniel Geale’s challenge of the undefeated unified WBA/IBO Middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin was could Geale find a way to derail the path of destruction that Golovkin has carved out for himself in the Middleweight division.  Prior to this fight, this observer stated that Geale did have the type of style and skill that posed an interesting challenge for a man in Golovkin who has not faced much resistance since becoming champion in 2010. 

Despite Geale’s Boxing skills and ability to be a volume puncher, the former world champion would be unable to nullify the seek and destroy pressure style of the champion when the two fighters met on July 26th at Madison Square Garden. The key to this fight centered on whether or not Geale could establish himself as an elusive target, be able to use his lateral movement, and hand speed to avoid Golovkin’s pressure. As previous Golovkin opponents have found out however, it is a task that is easier said than done.


The challenger was clearly not hesitant to engage with Golovkin early on as Geale attempted to use his lateral movement and combination punching to prevent Golovkin from getting into a rhythm. To his credit, Geale was not intimidated by the champion and did attempt to use his elusiveness. Golovkin however, was able to adjust to Geale's movement and made it difficult for Geale to stay at distance where Golovkin would be less effective.


Although Geale was not intimidated by Golovkin, the clear difference in this fight in addition to Golovkin having the advantage in terms of punching power was the champion’s ability to not only cut the ring off from his opponent, not only apply consistent pressure to push his opponent back, but also his ability to be solid defensively and catch Geale as he came forward with his offense. The champion would score a knockdown with a right hand early in the second round. This would not discourage Geale who after being knocked down responded by letting his hands go and trying to land something significant to offset Golovkin’s pressure.


The fight would be brought to it’s conclusion in round three. In an exchange where both fighters threw right hands, Geale was able to land his right hand solidly on the champion. Despite being hit flush, Golovkin’s right hand still had the power that would not only land flush, but would send Geale to the canvas for the second time. Geale gamely arose from the knockdown, but unable to regain his balance could not continue. This was seventeenth consecutive knockout for Gennady Golovkin in his eleventh defense of his world title.


Although there were periods during this fight where Golovkin appeared as though he was a little frustrated due to Geale’s movement and being able to occasionally make the champion miss, it was a fight that Boxing fans have become accustomed to seeing. The tactical almost systematic approach of Gennady Golovkin gradually breaking down his opponent.


Despite suffering the first knockout loss of his career, Daniel Geale gave it everything he had in this fight and has nothing to be ashamed of. This will likely not drop Geale out of being in the discussion of the world’s top Middleweights. Geale is still a highly skilled boxer who was very “Game” in his challenge of Gennady Golovkin. Geale was simply unable to nullify Golovkin’s pressure and punching power, which simply was the story of this fight.


As for what is next for Gennady Golovkin, there are some interesting possibilities that may be open for him coming out of this fight. In terms of potential mandatory challengers for Golovkin’s unified world championship, there are two upcoming fights on August 9th that are both for interim/regular champion status in the World Boxing Association’s (WBA) ratings.


Current WBA number two rated contender Jarrod Fletcher will face the WBA number four rated contender Daniel Jacobs in Brooklyn, New York, while current WBA number one rated contender Dmitry Chudinov will face the number twelve rated WBA contender Mehdi Bouadla who is one of only three men to go the distance with Gennady Golovkin in Crimea, Russia. Whether or not these two fights will lead to the winners facing off to determine a mandatory challenger for Gennady Golovkin remains to be seen. In terms of the immediate future, I believe that it may be more likely that we will see Golovkin face a fighter who is considered a star of the sport.



Prior to Golovkin’s fight with Daniel Geale I stated that if Golovkin were successful in retaining his title that it would certainly set up what would be one of the most intriguing fights in recent memory. A fight between the so far indestructible force of Gennady Golovkin against Boxing superstar Miguel Cotto. There is no doubt in my mind that if a fight between Golovkin and Cotto were made that it would not only be a significant draw no matter where the fight would take place, but would also be a popular pay-per-view attraction.


In terms of where the fight should take place? In my opinion, the most logical place would be Madison Square Garden. Cotto has after all been a major draw at The Garden for several years and it would seem to make all the sense in the world for a fight between the future Hall of Famer Cotto and one of Boxing’s hottest stars to take place in what is rightfully regarded as “The Mecca Of Boxing.”


After seventeen consecutive knockouts and eleven successful defenses of his Middleweight world championship, I believe that the time has come for Gennady Golovkin to face fighters who are considered top stars. Whether or not Golovkin’s knockout streak will continue remains to be seen. The more compelling question is can fighters who are considered marquee stars of the sport find a way to derail the ongoing path of destruction of Gennady Golovkin?


“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 

 




Thursday, July 24, 2014

Can Geale Derail Golovkin’s Path Of Destruction?



Following Miguel Cotto’s dethroning of Sergio Martinez last month in what was a dominating performance, Boxing fans will again focus on New York’s Madison Square Garden on Saturday night for another world Middleweight championship fight. Undefeated unified WBA/IBO world champion Gennady Golovkin will defend his world title for the eleventh time against former two-time Middleweight world champion Daniel Geale.


Some readers may recall following Golovkin’s last title defense over Osumanu Adama in February that I stated that it was only a matter of time before Golovkin will get marquee fights against top stars. Following Cotto’s win over Martinez it has somewhat changed the landscape of the Middleweight division in that Cotto was not only victorious over the WBC champion Martinez in what was his first fight at Middleweight, but in doing so also defeated the man many considered the number one fighter in the division.

This has changed what appeared to be an obvious collision course between Martinez and Golovkin. It has however, set up a potential fight between Cotto and Golovkin that Boxing fans should eagerly anticipate. Before Golovkin can set his sights on Cotto in a fight to further unify the Middleweight division, he faces what could be his most difficult test to date in the form of Daniel Geale.


The question heading into this fight is can Daniel Geale find a way to derail the path of destruction that Gennady Golovkin has carved out in the Middleweight division since becoming champion in 2010. After ten successful title defenses and sixteen consecutive knockouts, Golovkin certainly has to be viewed as the favorite heading into this fight. Being in the position of an underdog however, is not something new for Daniel Geale.


Geale is a two-time world champion that many fans will remember for his performance against former longtime Middleweight world champion Felix Sturm. A fight where Geale outworked Sturm and won the decision in Sturm’s home country of Germany. Despite Golovkin’s devastating knockout streak and an overall career knockout percentage of nearly 90%, Geale does have the type of style and skill that poses an interesting challenge for Golovkin.


Geale is a fighter who likes to use lateral movement and execute his offense in volume. In Golovkin’s last six fights he was able to either gradually break his opponents down or end fights quickly, as he showed in March of last year when the champion ended his fight with Nobuhiro Ishida with one punch in what this observer felt was the knockout of the year.


An argument could be and perhaps should be made that the only fighter who has been able to provide some resistance against Golovkin was top contender Curtis Stevens. Stevens put forth a “Game” effort in his challenge of the champion last November before being stopped at the end of the eighth round. 


The key to this fight in my mind is simple whether or not Daniel Geale can establish himself as an elusive target and be able to avoid the consistent seek and destroy pressure of the champion. If Geale is able to be elusive, use his lateral movement, and hand speed to avoid Golovkin’s pressure it could  nullify the champion’s offense. This may put the champion in a scenario that he has not faced thus far by potentially being behind on the scorecards if Geale is able to take this fight into the late rounds. An important thing to remember as this fight approaches is that Gennady Golovkin has only gone as far as ten rounds only once in his career, in his stoppage of former Jr. Middleweight world champion Kassim Ouma in 2011.

As I have said in my previous coverage of Gennady Golovkin, when a fighter has scored as many consecutive knockouts as Golovkin has, questions regarding that fighter’s stamina may indeed be warranted. Although Golovkin has gone the distance three times in his twenty-nine career wins, those fights were only scheduled for eight rounds. A question that will follow Golovkin with each fight will be whether or not fatigue will be a factor and more specifically whether or not his punching power will be affected if he is extended into the later rounds of a twelve round championship fight.


This could be the fight that will answer that question. Golovkin will not only face a man who is a former world champion, who not only has good lateral movement and hand speed, but also a man who has never been stopped in thirty-two professional fights.


Following Golovkin’s last fight, a seventh round stoppage of Osumanu Adama in February, I stated that no matter who emerged victorious out of the Martinez-Cotto showdown one might argue that it would present a win/win scenario for Golovkin. With Golovkin-Geale taking place in Madison Square Garden and given that Miguel Cotto has been a significant draw at The Garden for several years, if Golovkin is able to retain his world title in his bout with Geale it would certainly set up what would be one of the most intriguing fights in recent memory and a hot ticket attraction if the fight were to take place at The Garden. 


If however, Golovkin is looking past Geale to a potential fight with Cotto, the ingredients might be there for what some would consider an upset. This observer will again remind readers of what I said following Golovkin’s last title defense in that it will be interesting to see if someone can throw a monkey wrench into any plans that Golovkin could have for potential big money fights down the road. 


If there is a Middleweight out there who can truly test Gennady Golovkin, it still remains to be seen. We will see whether or not the former world champion Daniel Geale is the Middleweight who can provide that test for Golovkin on 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