Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Dogboe Takes One Step Closer To Another World Title With Win Over Gonzalez

 

There are times in the sport of Boxing where what appears to be a close fight on paper does not materialize once the fighters get in the ring. By the same token, there are also times when what appears on paper prior to an encounter seems to match up perfectly once the fight starts. The latter is precisely what occurred when former WBO Jr. Featherweight world champion Isaac Dogboe met former world title challenger Joet Gonzalez in a Featherweight bout on July 23rd at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN.


 

A fight that was billed as an elimination bout for the right to challenge recently crowned WBC Featherweight world champion Rey Vargas that this observer in the days prior to the bout referred to as a “Crossroads Fight” for both fighters. This was due to both Dogboe and Gonzalez suffering some setbacks in the recent past. While a loss for either fighter would not signal the end of the road at least in the eyes of yours truly, the fighter who would come out on the short end would at least appear to be out of contention for a period of time. 

 

In previewing this bout, I did my best to point out the similarities between the two fighters both in terms of style as well as the setbacks both Dogboe and Gonzalez had suffered prior to this fight. It would be those similarities in style between the two boxer/punchers that would manifest inside the ring. The first three rounds were largely dictated by Dogboe and his ability to attack Gonzalez in offensive spurts, which were focused on Gonzalez’ body. Despite having a height and reach advantage, Gonzalez was ineffective at this stage in the fight simply because he appeared reluctant to let his hands go. 



This allowed Dogboe to pick his spots to throw and land punches in short, compact combinations and evade Gonzalez’ reach by moving out at angles. In round four Gonzalez landed a flush overhand right to the head of Dogboe that had the former world champion stunned. Dogboe was able to survive, but it would be this moment that would somewhat change the dynamic of how the fight was fought during the second half of the bout. 


Gonzalez began to apply consistent pressure on Dogboe and did find success in being able to back him up against the ropes. While Dogboe ‘s activity did not seem to decrease significantly down the stretch, the pressure of Gonzalez as well as seeming to land the harder punches whenever he did throw resulted in an extremely close fight at the conclusion of the scheduled ten round bout. 


 

At the end of the fight, I was not surprised to see the appearance of what could be a closely scored fight that could go either way. As readers may recall in previewing this bout I eluded to the possibility of a close fight and perhaps even the possibility of the fight being scored a draw based largely on the styles of Dogboe and Gonzalez. 


Although I felt Isaac Dogboe did enough to win the fight largely based on the success he had in the first three rounds as well as being able to win a few close rounds down the stretch in my view, I felt the fight could go either way based on Gonzalez’ harder punches and how that element can leave an impression on three official judges scoring a fight. It was no surprise to see a split decision rendered with all three judges turning in scores of 96-94 or six rounds to four. Two of those three official scorecards were in favor of Isaac Dogboe giving him a hard fought split decision victory.  


 

While not necessarily the statement-making performance that he was likely looking for, it was still a hard fought victory for Dogboe. Even though the fight was close and competitive and that would give the impression that circumstances might warrant a rematch, it is more likely that Dogboe will try to secure the opportunity he has earned by trying to get a fight with WBC Featherweight world champion Rey Vargas. As to when that fight could take place will likely depend on how quickly a negotiation between the respective representatives can take place and how quickly they can come to an agreement on the terms to sign the bout. Of course, when there are different promoters and networks involved, unfortunately, things are not always as simple as getting respective sides to the negotiating table. Hopefully, for Isaac Dogboe, the politics that be in the sport of Boxing will not result in his waiting a long period of time for the opportunity he has earned to attempt to become a two-division world champion. 


 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.” 


 

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Thursday, July 21, 2022

An Intriguing Featherweight Crossroads Battle Headlines ESPN+ Card July 23rd

 

As the month of July begins to wind down much of the attention has begun to center on what is ahead in the month of August as well as what might be to follow for the remainder of 2022. A fight that is perhaps being overlooked by some before July concludes will take place in Hinckley, MN on Saturday, July 23rd that features two fighters that may be at the crossroads of their careers. This observer is referring to the Featherweight bout between former WBO Jr. Featherweight world champion Isaac Dogboe and former world title challenger Joet Gonzalez in a fight that will headline a card streamed in the United States by digital subscription sports steaming network ESPN+ from Hinckley’s Grand Casino.  

 

This is a fight that has two fighters that are at a similar point in their careers. While yours truly referenced the term “Crossroads,” the similarities do not end there. Both Dogboe and Gonzalez have similar records, and each have suffered two defeats. If that similarity is not enough to peak interest, both men were last defeated by the same fighter in former world champion Emmanuel Navarrete.  

 

As often happens in the sport of Boxing, there are times where fighters who share common opponents find themselves facing each other with the goal of advancing forward in their respective careers. Gonzalez will enter this fight coming off of a victory in his return to the ring following his loss to Navarrete in October of last year. In that win in March of this year, he scored a ninth round stoppage of Jeo Santisima. Meanwhile former world champion Isaac Dogboe will enter the bout off three straight wins since he lost to Navarrete in May 2019.  

 

While the similarities between the two both in that their last defeat came against the same opponent, that they have each suffered two defeats and similar in overall career bouts with Gonzelez having two more bouts at twenty-seven professional fights to Dogboe’s twenty-five, the question some might have is whether it may also translate into similar styles once the fighters are in the ring. Both fighters also have fifteen knockouts in their careers so this does have the appearance of a fight that could go the distance and is likely to be competitive throughout. 

 

In terms of the styles of the two fighters, what this will be is an encounter between two boxer/punchers that can do a little bit of everything inside the ring. What I often look for when two fighters with similarities between them face each other is who will be able to execute their fight plan better than the other. Although that may seem like a simple answer for some, it can be complex. This is because there are many things that can occur over the course of a fight and there are times where two fighters can each have periods of effectiveness throughout. As is often the case, this fight may be one that will come down to who can dictate the tempo of the combat and whether they will be able to maintain that pace for the duration of the fight.  

 

It is important to keep in mind that both fighters have been involved in fights that ended in close decisions that there were debates as to who won those fights. Even though obviously one can never know, much less predict what an official judge might see and base their scores on, the possibility exists that given the similarities between Dogboe and Gonzalez that this could end in a close decision if it does go the distance. Although anything can happen and the possibility of a knockout occurring in this fight should also not be dismissed, the styles of the two fighters, the similarities between the two, and the fact that both are used to going into the middle and late rounds of a fight would indicate at least on paper that this has the appearance of a fight that will be closely fought from start to finish.  

 

While this observer used the term “Crossroads” to describe where each fighter is in their respective careers, a loss for either fighter would not necessarily mean the end of the road. What it would mean however, is that the fighter who comes out of this fight on the short end, assuming that the bout does not end in a draw or some unforeseen controversial outcome, would likely be knocked down in terms of the rankings in the 126lb. Featherweight division for some time whereas the winner will likely move closer to another opportunity to fight for a world championship. 

 

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.” 

 

Dogboe vs. Gonzalez takes place on Saturday, July 23rd at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN. The card can be seen in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 6:45PM ET/3:45PM PT. ESPN+ is available through the ESPN app on mobile, tablet, and connected streaming devices/Smart TVs. For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com.  

 

*Check your local listings internationally. 

 

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

 

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Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Thoughts On Garcia-Fortuna

As the fight between undefeated top Lightweight contender Ryan Garcia and Javier Fortuna approached, this observer found himself not feeling the normal anticipation that I normally have prior to a fight where there is significant interest. For someone who covers Boxing on every level imaginable and does so full time, I would be lying to the reader if I said that every single fight had the same level of anticipation.
In the days prior to this fight, the anticipation level at least for me seemed to bottom out. Perhaps it in part had to do with the fatigue that one can experience during a calendar year covering the sport of Boxing, but I thought to myself that the question going into this fight was in a way too simple. Would Javier Fortuna be able to impose his will on Ryan Garcia and pose more of a challenge than Garcia’s previous opponent Emmanuel was able to do earlier this year.

There were times after all when Garcia’s fight with Tagoe, his first since returning from a hiatus to focus on his mental health, resembled a sparring session due largely to Tagoe’s inability to make things difficult for Garcia in a fight where Garcia was able to control the combat from start to finish. While that can be attributed to both Garcia’s overall skillset as well as perhaps a bad style matchup for Tagoe once the fight was underway and he was unable to adjust, I did wonder whether or not this would be a different scenario and if Fortuna could make things more difficult for Garcia.

The slight wrinkle of the bout between the two Lightweights taking place one weight class above the 135lb. Lightweight division, in the 140lb Jr. Welterweight division did also make me wonder if this was a one-off way for Garcia to test the waters of the Jr. Welterweight weight limit before going back down to 135lbs. to seek a potential world title shot against the winner of the contracted rematch between undefeated Undisputed Lightweight world champion Devin Haney and former champion George Kambosos. Unfortunately for Fortuna, the decision for this fight to take place above the Lightweight division would prove to be not to his benefit.

In previewing this bout, I stated that it would boil down to whether or not Fortuna would be able to keep Garcia from getting into a rhythm. I elaborated furthest that one of the ways he could accomplish that would have been to make it a rough fight particularly if he were able to get close and force the fight on the inside. From the opening bell, Garcia seemed to systematically walk Fortuna down. The combination of the pressure as well as Garcia’s longer reach kept Fortuna from being able to find consistent success beyond occasionally landing hard counter punches.

While Fortuna’s punches did have power and seemed to get Garcia’s attention when they landed, he was not able to keep Garcia from coming forward and could not break his rhythm. It would be a matter of time before Garcia’s own power punches began to break Fortuna down. First it would be a left hook to the body that caused a delayed reaction from Fortuna prior to going down to the canvas. Quite frankly, having covered countless fights that ended via similar body shots, I thought the fight would be over as it is rare to see a fighter get up from a punch that not only takes their legs away from them, but also for lack of a better term paralyzes their ability to move for a period of time. To his credit, Fortuna was able to get up, but it would be the first of what became three knockdowns as he would be flooded in rounds five and six. The second knockdown coming from a flush right hook to the jaw in round five before Garcia closed the show by dropping Fortuna with a flush left hook to the head in round six before the fight was stopped.

Although much like his last bout against Emmanuel Tagoe, he did not face much of a test, Ryan Garcia was impressive in getting a knockout victory in his second fight since his return to the ring. Despite much of the discussion regarding Garcia both before and after his hiatus has centered on his being a potential challengers for the World Lightweight championship, following his knockout win over Javier Fortuna, Garcia stated his intention to stay in the Jr. Welterweight division going forward and called out former Jr. Lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis, who has spent the past few years collecting interim/regular champion designations in the World Boxing Association (WBA) rankings in multiple divisions including the Jr. Welterweight division.

Of course, yours truly does not have to tell those who follow the sport that there are significant obstacles that stand in the way of a potential fight between Davis and Garcia. Mainly rival promoters and rival networks, one of which continues to insist on using a pay-per-view model while the other is primarily subscription-based, but has been open to using pay-per-view on what they insist will be an occasional basis. I speak obviously of Showtime and DAZN as far as the network players involved and Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) and Golden Boy Promotions, the promoters.

While I can spend days talking about the flaws of the pay-per-view model, as well as the grandstanding and verbal back and forth between promoters and network executives, the latter of which indicates that they are more interested in talking about their competition and attempting to dismiss them rather than focusing on their own product, one can hope that for once all the above will put their egos aside and do right by the fighters and hopefully, right by the sport and the fans that support it. It may indeed be “Wishful Thinking” on the part of this observer, who only has the best interest of Boxing at heart, but imagine what could be done if all involved checked their egos at the door.

That dear reader can only be described in one word. "Progress.”

“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

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Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Multi-Time Chilean Amateur Standout Daniel Uribe Signs with Dragon Fire Boxing

 
Credit: Dragon Fire Boxing 
s Release: July 19, 2022 By Dragon Fire Boxing – Multi-time Chilean amateur standout has signed a long-term deal with Tony Tolj's Dragon Fire Boxing.


Uribe comes from a host of standout South Americans and joins Tolj's ever-growing international stable that includes global stars Andrew and Jason Moloney amongst others.


Uribe discussed turning professional and outlined his hopes moving forward. He said, "Turning professional with Tony Tolj, who is a great leader of men is a wonderful blessing in my life and I thank God for this and my team in Chile who have made this possible.


"I won 3 national titles and the WBC amateur tournament at 56 and 60kg, so I want to continue that success in the professional side of the sport. I want to be the future of boxing and I want my name to be printed in history. 


"Tony has done an amazing job with Andres Campos who is from Chile also, so I want to follow in his footsteps and move quickly into the world ratings. I was 37-3 as an amateur and I hope to continue that success as a professional." 


Uribe will be guided by Australian boxing architect Tony Tolj who weighed in on his latest signing, "Daniel is another quality addition to our stable and I am delighted to have him.


"He is a fun fighter to watch and is definitely a television standard fighter. That's what we all want to have as part of our stables, so I want to bring him along the same way we did with Andres Campos and continue to put Chile on the boxing map."
Multi-time Chilean amateur standout Daniel Uribe signs with Dragon Fire Boxing


Multi-time Chilean amateur standout has signed a long-term deal with Tony Tolj's Dragon Fire Boxing.


Uribe comes from a host of standout South Americans and joins Tolj's ever-growing international stable that includes global stars Andrew and Jason Moloney amongst others.


Uribe discussed turning professional and outlined his hopes moving forward. He said, "Turning professional with Tony Tolj, who is a great leader of men is a wonderful blessing in my life and I thank God for this and my team in Chile who have made this possible.


"I won 3 national titles and the WBC amateur tournament at 56 and 60kg, so I want to continue that success in the professional side of the sport. I want to be the future of boxing and I want my name to be printed in history. 


"Tony has done an amazing job with Andres Campos who is from Chile also, so I want to follow in his footsteps and move quickly into the world ratings. I was 37-3 as an amateur and I hope to continue that success as a professional." 


Uribe will be guided by Australian boxing architect Tony Tolj who weighed in on his latest signing, "Daniel is another quality addition to our stable and I am delighted to have him.


"He is a fun fighter to watch and is definitely a television standard fighter. That's what we all want to have as part of our stables, so I want to bring him along the same way we did with Andres Campos and continue to put Chile on the boxing map."

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. 

Monday, July 18, 2022

Results From Around The Boxing World July 14-16, 2022 / Schedule Update

 

 

The following are results from around the sport of Boxing for cards that took place between July 14-16, 2022. We would also like to let readers know that a feature discussing the recent bout between Ryan Garcia and Javier Fortuna will be released here on the website on Wednesday, July 20th. Stay tuned. “And That’s The Boxing Truth.”

 

 

July 14 – RJJ Boxing – Yakama Legends Casino – Toppenish, WA

 

Welterweight Quinton Randall (10-0-1, with 2 Knockouts) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Ivan Pandzic (14- 2-1, with 8 Knockouts. Official scores were: 78-74 (On two scorecards), and 79-73 in favor of Randall.

 

Super-Middleweight Andrew Murphy (6-0, with 4 Knockouts) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Isiah Jones (9-7, with 3 Knockouts.) Official scores were: 80-74 (On two scorecards), and 79-73 in favor of Murphy.

 

Jr. Welterweight William Hernandez (9-2, with 5 Knockouts) scored an eight round unanimous decision over Magarito Hernandez (2-3-1, with 0 Knockouts.) Official scores were: 80-74 (On two scorecards), and 79-73 in favor of William Hernandez.

 

Super-Middleweight Alarenz Reynolds (2-1, with 0 Knockouts) scored a six round majority decision over Joseph Aguilar (2-1-1, with 1 Knockout) Official scores were: 57-57 (Even), and 58-56 (On two scorecards) in favor of Reynolds.

 

 

July 15 – Top Rank Inc. – Pechanga Resort and Casino – Temecula, CA

 

Arnold Barboza (27-0, with 10 Knockouts) scored a ten round unanimous decision over

Danielito Zorrilla (16-1, with 12 Knockouts) Official scores were: 98-92, and 97-93 (On two scorecards) in favor of Barboza.

 

Heavyweight Richard Torrez 2-0, with 2 Knockouts) scored a first round knockout of Roberto Zavala. Official time of the stoppage was :58 of round one.

 

Heavyweight Stephen Shaw (17-0, with 13 Knockouts) scored a first round knockout of Bernardo Marquez (14-5-1, with 10 Knockouts) Official time of the stoppage was 2:35 of round one.

 

Welterweights Jorge Marron (20-3-2, with 7 Knockouts) and (Adrian Yung 28-7-3, with 22 Knockouts) fought to a six round majority draw. Official scores were: 59-55 (Yung), and 57-55 (Even on two scorecards.)

 

July 16 – Golden Boy Promotions – Crypto.com Arena – Los Angeles, CA

 

Lightweight Ryan Garcia (23-0, with 19 Knockouts) scored a sixth round knockout of Javier Fortuna (37-4-1, with 26 Knockouts) Official time of the stoppage was :27 of round six in a bout contested in the 140lb. Jr. Welterweight division.

Jr. Lightweight Lamont Roach (23-1-1, with 9 Knockouts) scored a twelve round unanimous decision over Angel Rodriguez (20-2, with 10 Knockouts). Official scores were: 117-111, and 116-112 (On two scorecards) in favor of Roach.

 

Flyweight David Jimenez (12-0, with 9 Knockouts) scored a twelve round majority decision over Ricardo Sandoval (20-2, with 15 Knockouts). Official scores were: 113-113 (Even), and 114-112 (On two scorecards) in favor of Jimenez.

 

Welterweight Alexis Rocha (20-1, with 13 Knockouts) scored a ten round unanimous decision over Luis Veron (19-5-2, with 5 Knockouts). Official scores were: 100-90 (On two scorecards), and 99-91 in favor of Roacha.

 

 

 

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Andrew Moloney Impressed By Ioka, Eyes New Years Eve Showdown In Japan Or Australia

 

Press Release: July 18, 2022 By Team Moloney – Andrew Moloney was as ever graceful as he watched Kazuto Ioka cruise to a unanimous decision victory over Donny Nietes this past week in Tokyo, Japan. 

Credit: Team Moloney

 

Ioka was dominant, as he continues to defy the laws of aging in boxing's lower weight classes.

 

Moloney gave his take on Ioka's performance in Japan, "Kazuto Ioka will go down as one of the greatest little big men of all time. There is no doubt about that. I have the utmost of respect for him, he is a great champion.

 

"He fought a great fight against Nietes, but to be slightly critical, I think both are them have slowed down a little. That is not meant in a disrespectful way, but that happens with age, you have to adapt, as Bernard Hopkins did. There were elements to Ioka's style that mirrored what he did as a light flyweight that I think could cause him issues against a bigger super flyweight such as myself."

 

As we enter into the final third of the year, the boxing eyes in the land of the rising sun begin to look to whom will box on New Year's Eve, with December 31 being one of boxing's biggest dates in Japanese boxing culture.

 

Moloney discussed his hopes of landing a fight on the prestigious date in the Japanese boxing calendar.

 

The former WBA world champion stated, "I'd love the opportunity to travel to Japan to fight Kazuto Ioka, that is a dream of a fighter in the lower weight classes such as myself. To headline in Tokyo on New Year's Eve would be something I'd dream of doing against such a great champion and then to become world champion again would be the icing on the cake.

 

"I do believe I'd beat Ioka, I believe I'm still getting better and showed that last time out. I would extend the invitation to Ioka to come over to Australia also, as Aussie boxing is booming right now and I fully believe the Australian boxing public would embrace a clash between myself and a legendary fighter in Ioka."

 

Material and Photo Courtesy of: Team Moloney Used with permission.

 

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

 

 


Wednesday, July 13, 2022

RJJ Boxing July 14, 2022 Weights

The official weigh-in for Thursday’s RJJ Boxing promoted Boxing card at the Yakama Legends Casino, in Toppenish, WA took place earlier today. Weights for the entire card, which will be streamed globally on digital combat sports subscription streaming network UFC Fight Pass are below.

Main Event: Welterweight – 8Rds.
Quinton Randall 146 3/4lbs. vs. Ivan Pandzic 146 3/4lbs.

Super-Middleweight – 10Rds.
Andrew Murphy 168lbs. vs. Isiah Jones 166 3/4lbs.

Jr. Welterweight – 8Rds.
William Hernandez 141 3/4lbs. vs. Magarito
 Hernandez 141 1/2lbs.

Super-Middleweight – 6Rds.
Joseph Aguilar 166 1/2lbs. vs. Alarenz Reynolds 167 1/2lbs.

RJJ Boxing: Randall vs. Pandzic takes place tomorrow night (Thursday, July 14th) at the Yakama Legends Casino, in Toppenish, WA. The card can be seen globally on digital subscription combat sports streaming network UFC Fight Pass beginning at 10PM ET/7PM PT (U. S. Time.) For more information about UFC Fight Pass including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and local start times in your area please visit: www.UFCFightPass.com.

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