Thursday, January 25, 2024
Can Munguia Get A Shot At Alvarez By Beating Ryder?
Angelo Leo Is Ready To Be ‘One Step Closer’ To Title
Press Release: January 25, 2024 By ProBox TV - Angelo Leo is aiming to be a two-division world champion.
Credit: ProBox TV |
His January 31 main event bout against Mike Plania on ProBox TV’s Wednesday Night Fights, in Plant City, Florida is, he hopes, the next step towards that goal.
Leo, the former WBO super-bantamweight champion, now campaigns at featherweight. Trained by his father, Miguel Leo, the duo relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. Originally from Albuquerque, they moved to Los Angeles but because of the bad traffic and the expensive cost of living, they sought opportunities elsewhere. Leo now calls Las Vegas home.
“Vegas was our second relocation, our first was Los Angeles,” Leo told ProBox TV. “We stayed there in Los Angeles for around two-to-three years, then we decided to move back to Albuquerque when I turned pro, and then we decided to move to Vegas. Vegas was the place to be, it wasn’t too far from L.A. There is a big boxing community here, and it is probably the best move we made.”
Currently ranked No. 9 by the WBA at featherweight, Leo reflected on his upcoming opponent.
“I have seen Mike fight before, he is a good fighter,” Leo said. “He is explosive, and he is a formidable opponent.”
“He fought [Joshua] Greer at 118 [lbs], I believe, and then he moved up to 122. His last fight was a 130 [lbs], and this one is at 126 [lbs]. He is kind of back-and-forth [between weight classes]…it doesn’t worry me, we are here to get that W.”
Leo made it clear this is the next step toward his goal of becoming a two-division world champion. The 29-year-old prizefighter, nicknamed ‘El Chinito’, has a record of 22 wins, one loss, with 10 knockouts and he is eager to make a run at a belt.
“My goal is to win the featherweight world title. I want to win a second world title in a different weight class. The goal is just to keep winning. Get that W January 31st, and then from there see what ProBox has in store for me.”
WNF is available in both English and Spanish with commentary and analysis from former world champions Paulie Malignaggi, Chris Algieri and Juan Manuel Marquez
Material and Photo Courtesy of: ProBox TV Used with permission.
For more information about ProBox TV including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, full event archive and additional programming, and to subscribe please visit: www.ProBoxTV.com.
The Boxing Truth®️ is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Jonas-Mayer: "Run It Back!"
One of the most consistent subjects in the sport of Boxing over the last several years is Women's Boxing. The single word that comes to mind that can describe the last several years, which cannot necessarily be shared by their male counterparts? “Progress.”
Perhaps one of the main reasons for that is the old adage of “The Best Fighting The Best.” Something that has been consistent for women in the sport has been the willingness to not only pit the best fighters against each other, not only unify weight divisions in the process, but also do so in such a way where the various political elements that be in Boxing, as well as egos of the fighters and their respective promoters do not stand in the way of such “Progress,” which has only accelerated the sport’s growth for women. The latest example of this took place on January 20th where IBF Welterweight world c'mon Natasha Jonas met former unified Jr. Lightweight world champion Mikaela Mayer at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England.
A fight that not only brought together two of the top fighters in Women's Boxing, but also two rival promoters in Ben Shalom of Boxxer and Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum of Top Rank, Inc. While there are times when such collaborations do not necessarily result in the most competitive fights, Jonas-Mayer would prove to be an exception.
For ten rounds, Jonas and Mayer engaged in a battle of wills where neither fighter backed down and gave the other much ground. Often when fights like this are fought in Women’s Boxing, a contributing factor to a fight that ends up being so closely fought is the two minute round length. Only recently, have women’s bouts begun to use the standard three minute round length and world championship distance of twelve rounds that men’s bouts are fought under. This would prove to be a fight that needed three minute rounds and likely would have also benefited from two extra rounds.
An element that surrounded this fight was that the challenger Mikaela Mayer was fighting for the first time in the 147lb. Welterweight division after previously competing in the 130lb. Jr. Lightweight division where she was a unified world champion. What stood out to this observer from the start of this bout was Mayer looked like a natural Welterweight that could potentially move up to either Jr. Middleweight or Middleweight and compete effectively. One other aspect that stood out was in this fight, rather than using angles and lateral movement that had been a focal point of her style in previous fights, Mayer applied more of a come forward, pressure approach against Jonas.
Although the pressure of Mayer clearly made a difference in that she was the one bringing the fight, she tended to walk straight forward and not approach Jonas from angles. This created a scenario where Mayer was throwing and generally was the fighter landing first, but it was the champion Jonas landing crisp counter punches on Mayer as she came forward. From the perspective of this observer, Mayer’s pressure approach and combination punching was dictating how the fight was being fought, but her inability to avoid being countered periodically, made many of the rounds tight and competitive. Nevertheless, the consistent pattern of Mayer not only coming forward, not only landing first most of the time, but tending to do so in combinations of punches gave her an edge in many of the rounds on my scorecard.
What made this fight challenging to score was, despite the pattern being established of Mayer coming forward and forcing the fight, Jonas landed the harder punches when she did land, and those punches were clear and easy to see. One aspect that can at times be overlooked when a fighter is moving up in weight beyond how said fighter will look physically at a higher weight, is how that fighter will respond to being hit by opponents that in theory are naturally stronger and at times bigger. For her part, Mayer was able to take the best of what Jonas was able to land and keep coming forward.
At the conclusion of the ten round world championship bout, I arrived with a score of seven rounds to three or 97-93 in points, in favor of Mayer. While that score might appear lopsided, many of the rounds were close and could have really been scored either way depending on one's perspective. The pattern of the fight of not only Mayer’s aggression, but more specifically, what seemed to be effective aggression throughout, is what I based my scoring on. As is the case in most fights in Women's Boxing however, because of the short two minute round length, it made things close where a round could be decided by moments in a round or who might be able to land solidly before a round ends, to give the last impression not only on fans, but more specifically and importantly, the three official judges scoring a fight.
It was not surprising to hear a split decision announced in this fight due to the way it was fought. Although I felt Mayer did enough to win several of the rounds, it will often boil down to not only as I have said countless times when it comes to close fights, what a judge prefers in their own criteria based on clean punching, effective aggression, ring generalship, and defense, but also moments that can sway opinion one way or the other in close rounds, particularly in fights where the rounds are only two minutes in duration. Ultimately, it would be Jonas, who would get the nod on two judges scorecards to retain her IBF world championship with the deciding scorecard being only a one point difference between a winner being determined and the fight being declared a draw.
While I felt that Mayer did enough to win and there will be no doubt accusations of potential bias from some fans due to the fact that this fight was held in Jonas’ hometown as well as fans at times allowing favoritism to influence their opinions, it was a close and competitive fight. Perhaps subtle differences are the reason for the outcome.
What does yours truly mean by “Subtle Differences?” Natasha Jonas did seem to land the harder punches of the two fighters. Even though Mayer seemed to be the one forcing the fight and outworking the champion, which could have swayed opinion in Jonas’ favor. It may have also been “Subtle Differences” in terms of what Mayer was unable to do that resulted in Jonas getting the decision. For example, in addition to not approaching Jonas at angles as she came forward, Mayer did not faint with her upper body and did not move her head as she was coming forward and looking to cut the distance between herself and the champion. This not only allowed Jonas the opportunity to land counter punches, but because Mayer was also not throwing as she was coming forward or throwing from too far a distance, it gave the champion room to maneuver in order to land those shots, despite being outworked.
How could the outcome have been different? In most of her flights, Mikaela Mayer usually does everything in terms of offense behind a consistent jab and this in addition to using angles and lateral movement tends to give her the upper hand. It should not be overlooked or dismissed that in addition to moving up in weight, this was also the first time Mayer had faced a southpaw in her career. When an orthodox boxer faces a southpaw, the jab as a weapon tends to be taken out of the equation for the conventional fighter simply due to the difference in stances and the fact that it is at times easier for a southpaw if they know what they are doing from a tactical standpoint to counter over the jab of the conventional fighter Boxing out of the orthodox stance.
There is one weapon a conventional fighter has however, that can even things if they know how to use it tactically. The right hand. Mayer did land several right hands throughout this fight, most effectively when she was able to lend combinations, but in addition to the lack of head movement, faints, and angles, she did not lead with her right hand and that may have made a difference, particularly if she were able to bait Jonas into throwing a punch where she could have dodged using faints and/or head movement and come in behind her right hand as she came forward in trying to close the distance with pressure as opposed to coming straight in without throwing something to keep Jonas on the defensive or throwing punches from too far a distance and leaving herself open to being countered, which Jonas was able to take advantage of throughout the fight.
Nevertheless, Jonas and Mayer were able to provide not only a great flight, but also the latest in a growing list of examples as to the growth of the sport for women. A great fight deserves an encore. “Run It Back!”
“And That's The Boxing Truth.”
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Friday, January 19, 2024
Jonas-Mayer Weights From Liverpool, England
The official weigh-in for Saturday's IBF Women's Welterweight world championship bout between defending champion Natasha Jonas and former WBO/IBF Jr. Lightweight world champion Mikaela Mayer took place earlier today in Liverpool, England at the Echo Arena. The champion weighed in at 146lbs. for the bout, which can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+. Mayer, the current International Boxing Federation's number one Welterweight contender, who will be making her debut in the Welterweight division also weighed in at 146lbs. Jonas-Mayer will top a six bout card promoted by Ben Shalom’s Boxxer in association with Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum’s Top Rank, Inc.
Jonas vs. Mayer takes place on Saturday, January 20th at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT.
(*Card and Start times Subject to Change.*)
For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com.
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Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Jonas-Mayer Preview
The first major Women’s world championship bout of 2024 will take place on Saturday, January 20th as two-division world champion Natasha Jonas will make the first defense of her IBF World Welterweight championship against former Unified Jr. Lightweight world champion Mikaela Mayer in Liverpool, England at the Echo Arena. A fight that can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+. Jonas and Mayer are not only two of the best female boxers in the entire sport, but in a wider context, this bout follows what was a significant year of progress for Women’s Boxing and the bout between the two should continue that momentum.
Natasha Jonas has won world championships in the Jr. Middleweight and Welterweight divisions and will come into this fight off of winning the IBF Welterweight world championship in her last outing in July of last year with an eighth round stoppage of Kandi Wyatt in Manchester, England. Although Jonas has now moved down in weight from the 154lb. Jr. Middleweight division to the 147lb. Welterweight division, she has punching power in both hands and has scored knockouts in nine of her fourteen career wins. Whether or not she will be able to use that punching power in what will be her first defense of the IBF crown remains to be seen. Jonas’ opponent on January 20th will likely prove to be a difficult task in the form of Mikaela Mayer.
Mayer will enter this fight on a two fight winning streak and is the current IBF number one Welterweight contender. Some will recall that Mayer had three successful defenses as a Jr. Lightweight world champion which saw her win the WBO world championship and unify it with the IBF world championship before she lost her crown in a very narrow ten round split decision loss to WBC/WBO world champion Alycia Baumgardner in what was a fight for the undisputed championship in the Jr. Lightweight division. While that fight could have gone either way, much like many bouts in Women’s Boxing fought with a two minute round length, the loss to Baumgardner, the only of Mayer’s career, did not lower Mayer’s standing as one of the top fighters in the sport. After brief stops in the Lightweight and Jr. Welterweight divisions in her last two bouts, Mayer now sets her sights on trying to become a two-division world champion.
While both fighters can do a little bit of everything, some would likely say that Jonas has an advantage both in regard to her punching power as she has four more knockouts than Mayer has in scoring five in her nineteen career wins, but also in terms of the fact that she has fought at heavier weights than the challenger has thus far in their respective careers. Both due to the fact that Women’s Boxing is still very much growing and also opportunities being sprinkled throughout weight classes, which usually offers an opportunity for fighters to move up and down the weight scale depending on what opportunities might be available including to fight for world championships, the fact that Mayer will be facing someone naturally bigger and theoretically stronger than her, does not necessarily equate to a disadvantage at least on paper. What Mayer does bring to the table is she is a highly skilled boxer with good hand speed, lateral movement, and has the ability to approach her opponents and attack at varying angles.
An element that could prove crucial in this fight is that like most world championship bouts, this will be scheduled for ten, two minute rounds as opposed to twelve, three minute rounds, which only recently made its way into Women’s Boxing. Both Jonas and Mayer have been in close fights that many feel should have gone their respective way and part of the reason why those fights were close was perhaps attributed to the two minute round length. Unless there is a change to both the scheduled distance and round length that might occur later than this writing prior to the bout taking place, the format the fight will be fought under, and skill level of both champion and challenger could result in a very closely fought contest and it will come down to which fighter will be able to control the tempo of the combat.
What this fight also represents is that Women’s Boxing remains committed not only to continuing to grow the sport for all who compete in it, but also a commitment to the adage of “The Best Fighting The Best.” Something that if their male counterparts could also do on as frequent a basis as female fighters have done and continue to do without the politics of the sport rearing its head. Boxing overall would truly be elevated to a higher level if that were the case.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
Jonas vs. Mayer takes place on Saturday, January 20th at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, England. The fight as well as its full undercard can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 2PM ET/11AM PT.
(*Card and Start times Subject to Change.*)
For more information about ESPN+ including schedules, list of compatible streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com.
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Sunday, January 14, 2024
Beterbiev Batters And Stops Smith In 7
The much anticipated World Light-Heavyweight championship bout between undefeated unified IBF/WBC/WBO world champion Artur Beterbiev and former WBA Super-Middleweight world champion and WBC number one Light-Heavyweight contender Callum Smith, in addition to being an intriguing battle between two fighters with punching power, was anticipated largely because the fight, which was supposed to take place during 2023, but was delayed because of a dental infection suffered by the champion. By allowing the fight to simmer, albeit unintentionally, it also allowed the fight to take place with the potential of the winner to face undefeated unified WBA/IBO champion Dmitry Bivol for the Undisputed Light-Heavyweight championship of the world.
Although it is no secret to those who follow the sport of Boxing that the potential of an encounter between Beterbiev and Bivol has been discussed for years at this point, it is in some ways disrespectful to any opponent when there is at least an expectation of a fight being in the works for a champion before that opponent gets their opportunity to fight said champion. Nevertheless, Callum Smith entered the Videotron Centre on January 13th in Quebec City, Canada, Beterbiev's adopted home country to challenge the champion with one agenda, to try and upset the apple card of whatever might have been in the pipeline for the Beterbiev later this year.
Despite a tactical start between the two fighters where both fighters, who were each coming off lengthy stretches of inactivity due to this bout being delayed, started slowly, the primary difference in this fight was the punching power of Beterbiev as well as the pressure he was able to apply on Smith. Smith was able to have success periodically in landing combinations flush on Beterbiev, but he could not stop the pattern that developed in which the fight was fought. Beterbiev was able to take what Smith was able to dish out, apply pressure on the challenger, and gradually unload with a full arsenal of punches to the body and head when he was able to get Smith against the ropes.
To Smith's credit, he withstood as much as he could and continued to try and turn the fight around in his favor. After four rounds of seeing this pattern, Smith's trainer, former two-division world champion Buddy McGirt, who for the last several decades has become one of the top trainers in the entire sport, told his fighter that he needed to use his jab more, to try to go to Beterbiev's body with his left hook, and needed to keep the combat in the center of the ring. Smith made an effort in rounds five and six to do that and did have some success, but the one constant was that whenever Beterbiev landed, his punches had more power behind them and did more damage. The attempted tactical adjustment by Smith did seem to be changing the tempo slightly.
In round seven, the roles seemed to reverse with Smith applying the pressure and backing Beterbiev up. Unfortunately for the former Super-Middleweight world champion, just as it appeared he was about to get Beterbiev cornered on the ropes, the champion caught him as he was coming forward with a right hand that landed flush on the jaw. This badly staggered Smith, who had no answer for the brutal barrage of punches that followed, which ultimately sent the challenger down to the canvas for the first time in his career. Showing the mettle of a warrior, Smith was able to get up from the knockdown, but would be sent down a second time from a follow-up barrage of punches from Beterbiev. Although Smith got up a second time, McGirt, seeing his fighter was compromised, got into the ring and stopped the fight at 2:00 of round seven.
The eigth successful defense of his crown for Beterbiev also signaled his twentieth straight knockout in twenty professional fights. With the victory, obviously, the question now becomes whether a fight brtween Beterbiev and Bivol for the Undisputed Light-Heavyweight championship of the world will happen later this year. According to Beterbiev's promoter Hall of Famer Bob Arum, contrary to what wss believed by some prior to this fight, a bout between Beterbiev and Bivol has not been finalized, but the goal would be for it to occur later this year in Saudi Arabia, which is fast becoming one of the sought after destinations for Boxing’s bigger events.
Although a fight between the two has been talked about for years, if Arum is correct and an encounter between Beterbiev and Bivol does take place in either late spring or during the summer of this year, it should be viewed as significant progress and a victory for the sport. All too often, fights like this where there is an undisputed championship involved and/or other bouts that have significant public interest can take several years to make happen and too often, when those fights do finally occur, it fails to live up to expectations and the combination of both a lengthy wait as well as a perceived lack of competitive action leaves a bad taste in the mouths of Boxing fans, who are also often asked to pay an asinine price to see those fights when they finally happen. If the politics of the sport do not in one way or another interfere, there are no other roadblocks that come up during the negotiation process, and the fight fan be made within a reasonable timeframe as Arum has suggested, it is a true win for Boxing and should be celebrated.
“And That's The Boxing Truth."
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Thursday, January 11, 2024
Beterbiev-Smith: The First Major World Championship Clash Of 2024
The first major world championship fight of 2024 will take place on Saturday, January 13th in the 175lb. Light-Heavyweight division as undefeated Unified WBC/WBO/IBF Light-Heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev will defend his crown against former WBA Super-Middleweight world champion Callum Smith. The fight, which will take place at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada and can be seen here in the United States on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ will finally bring to fruition a fight that was originally supposed to take place in August 2023, but was delayed due to the champion needing additional time to recover from dental surgery. It is also a bout that could lead to some significant business in the division later in the year.
This fight will represent Beterbiev’s eighth defense of his title, which originally began with the IBF world championship before he added the WBC and WBO crowns during his reign. Although Beterbiev has been inactive for nearly one year by the time this fight will take place, he still holds the distinction of being one of the sport’s feared knockout artists having knocked out all nineteen of his previous opponents. In his last title defense, Beterbiev stopped Anthony Yarde in eight rounds in a fight where the champion suffered a deep cut over his left eye in the fifth round.
Now the champion prepares to get back to business by facing a fighter with significant momentum in Callum Smith. Smith, who gained notoriety for winning the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) Super-Middleweight tournament in 2018 and along with it, the WBA Super-Middleweight world championship, held onto the title until December 2020 when he lost a twelve round unanimous decision to Saul “Canelo" Alvarez. Following what is to date the only loss of his career, Smith moved up to the Light-Heavyweight division and will enter this fight coming off two knockout wins and is the current WBC number one Light-Heavyweight contender.
What this fight will boil down to in my eyes will be whether or not Smith will be able to dictate the pace of the combat and do so for however long the fight lasts. Although Smith has shown punching power throughout his career and is capable of getting an opponent out of there should an opportunity arise, most likely see his best chance in this fight as trying to box Beterbiev, who only knows one direction, forward with constant pressure as he looks to break his opponent down. Whether or not the champion will be able to do that against a tall and lengthy opponent like Smith remains to be seen.
The element that looms over this fight is at least the possibility that the winner of it could be in line to face undefeated unified WBA/IBO world champion Dmitry Bivol for what would be the Undisputed Light-Heavyweight championship of the world. Bivol recently added the International Boxing Organization (IBO) championship to his collection by scoring a dominant twelve round unanimous decision over Lyndon Arthur on December 23rd in Saudi Arabia. A fight between Bivol and Beterbiev has been seemingly alluded to for the last couple of years, but this observer should not have to explain to the reader that even as illogical as the sport of Boxing in various aspects tends to be, nothing is a sure thing and Callum Smith should be viewed as a dangerous opponent rather than a formality for Beterbiev on the way to what would be an obvious lucrative payday and a career-defining fight for both Beterbiev and Bivol. One truly never knows what can happen when two fighters enter the ring to do battle. It is truly what makes Boxing great.
“And That's The Boxing Truth."
Beterbiev vs. Smith takes place on Saturday, January 13th at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Canada. In the United States, the fight as well as it's full undercard can be seen on digital subscription sports streaming network ESPN+ beginning at 5:25PM ET/2:25PM PT.
(*Card and Start Time Subject to Change.*)
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 streaming devices, platforms, Smart TVs, and to subscribe please visit: www.ESPNPlus.com.
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Sunday, January 7, 2024
2024 Starts With Controversy
The start of 2024 in the world of Boxing on January 6th saw the return of undefeated former Welterweight contender Vergil Ortiz. Ortiz, who after scoring nineteen consecutive knockouts to start his career and seemed to be on the brink of challenging for a world championship, saw his career come to a halt due to a series of health problems including COVID-19 and dehydration, which stalled his return resulting in scheduled bouts being cancelled.
After seventeen months out of action, Ortiz finally did return to the ring, this time as a Jr. Middleweight to face veteran Fredrick Lawson at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. The story going into this fight was a simple one. How would Ortiz look after dealing with those health issues, but also returning in a higher weight class.
In Frederick Lawson, Ortiz faced a one time contender as a Welterweight, who came into the fight with a record of 30-3, with 22 Knockouts. Lawson also had an advantage over Ortiz in terms of activity and came into the fight off of two straight wins in 2023.
When it comes to fights where one of the combatants is coming off of a lengthy stretch of inactivity, regardless of what led to that inactivity, it is always interesting to see whether the opponent will be able to force the issue early and make it difficult for the fighter to work off any theoretical “Ring Rust." As most fights do, this encounter seemingly started with a feeling out process where the two fighters were trying to get warmed up and into the task at hand.
With a little more than two minutes into round one, Ortiz connected with a jab that seemed to graze off the head of Lawson, but did back him up against the ropes. Ortiz proceeded to attack Lawson, who was against the ropes and seemed to be doing a reasonable job in protecting himself from the majority of Ortiz’ attack, but did take some left hooks to the body and some right hands to the head. Despite not appearing to be significantly hurt, Referee Tony Weeks stepped in and stopped the fight at 2:33 of the first round.
While Tony Weeks is regarded as one of the best referees in the entire sport and has officiated nearly 900 bouts, many of which have been world championship bouts in a thirty-year career , he has not been immune from being questioned regarding a stoppage he made that many felt was the wrong call. Some may recall the June 2017 World Light-Heavyweight championship rematch between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev, where in a scenario similar to this fight, Ward unloaded on Kovalev in the eighth round, where with Kovalev against the ropes, Ward connected with a series of body shots that appeared to be on the beltline or low with Kovalev leaning over in obvious pain, Weeks stepped in and stopped the fight, but did go on in the days following the bout to say that he missed a low blow and the fight should have gone on.
This time in an interview shortly after stopping Ortiz-Lawson, Weeks in speaking with digital subscription sports streaming network DAZN stated that the reason he stopped the fight was because he saw Lawson's eyes roll back in his head. Although much like with his stoppage of the Ward-Kovalev rematch, this observer feels Weeks made a bad call or at least was a little too quick in stopping the fight, it is important to remember that as I have often said over the years, more often than not, I will side with a referee under circumstances like this for the sole reason that they are the closest person to the action and as such can see things from inside the ring, up close that others in attendance and those watching a fight on television/streaming may not see. In this case, I did not see what Weeks referenced as his reasoning for stopping this fight. Weeks’ reputation however as one of the best referees in the sport as well as the fact that he was the closest person to the fighters as they were in the midst of combat means that he needs to be taken at his word in obviously he saw something up close that told him instinctively to stop the fight before any permanent damage was done if not God forbid worse. Unfortunately, it leaves not only a bad taste in the mouths of Boxing fans to begin 2024, but also along with the controversy of the stoppage, a feeling of inconclusive, because due to the fact that there was a quick stoppage, justified or not, not much was learned about Ortiz either now as a Jr. Middleweight or in terms of his conditioning, if the fight had gone at least a few rounds.
Despite the view of yours truly that Weeks made a bad call in this fight, there are two things the reader and any would be armchair critic should keep in mind. One, referees and judges are human like the rest of us and are as prone as any of us to have a bad day or as I often refer to it “A Bad Night At The Office." Secondly, regardless of one's opinion, it is always better for a fight to be stopped too soon than wondering why a fight was allowed to go on longer than it should have when discussing a tragedy that has taken place. One thing any fan or critic should also remember is they do not have to live with the circumstances of allowing a fight to go on longer than it should where the result beyond wins or losses are either permanent injury or even death. While such dangers come with the territory in combat sports, it may be perhaps better to think of what a referee might have prevented in a circumstance where the consensus is a fight was stopped too quickly and controversially. One should also ponder what a referee might have to live with if they do not see the warning signs that a fight should be stopped and missing those signs results in tragedy. It is not something to take lightly.
“And That's The Boxing Truth."
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Saturday, January 6, 2024
A Boxing Wishlist For 2024
As the calendar turns to another year, that means it is time once again for what has become a tradition to start the year every year here on The Boxing Truth®️. Yours truly is referring to this observer’s annual “Boxing Wishlist" of things that I would like to see take place in the new year.
For those who may be new to this tradition, this is not a Wishlist in the sense of a numbered list from 1 to 10 as an example, but what I will do is list an item and proceed with an explanation as to why it is on the list and hopefully a brief explanation or as brief as I can make it within the context of a single column as to my feelings on the subject. Unfortunately, to those who are loving readers,some items that have been on the list in years past will remain on the list this year, but as frustrating as that might be, it is worth revisiting and updating the various subjects that remain in the list in present context.
With what I hope is as clear an explanation of the structure/criteria both for new readers who may be reading this observer’s work for the first time as well as a refresher for longtime readers, there is only one thing left to do. Get down to business. As was the case for the 2023 edition of “A Boxing Wishlist," each item on the list will be highlighted in an effort to make it easier for readers rather than simply moving from paragraph to paragraph as one would expect in a standard column.
“A Boxing Wishlist For 2024”
To see Women's Boxing moved to three minute rounds:
In October of 2023, the Boxing world was treated to a truly historic moment when Featherweight world champion Amanda Serrano defended her unified crown against top contender Danila Ramos in Orlando, FL. What made this a truly historic event in Boxing history was it was the first world championship fight for women in the sport scheduled for twelve rounds and a three minute round length. The same distance and round length as men's world championship bouts.
As one who has long advocated for Women's Boxing through my various writings in almost three decades, this was an emotional moment for me, a man who has never competed in the ring, but one who has said for years that the sport for women needed to be held in the same regard and light as their male counterparts. While only in recent years has the United States seemingly caught up with the rest of the world in staging women's bouts as the main event on cards also featuring men's bouts, a major step towards equality that I had been yelling for, for years was to see women's bouts moved from a two minute round length to the standard of three minutes along with the adaptation of a twelve round distance for world championship fights.
Although the argument of a two minute round length has been used to push narratives regarding both the excitement of women's bouts, but more specifically to address safety concerns, it is an argument that is flawed on both subjects. Firstly, despite fights with two minute rounds having an obvious quicker pace, it does not necessarily equate to an exciting fight and the old adage of styles make fights still applies as it would for men's bouts. Secondly, even though the issue of safety should be taken with the utmost importance at all times, the argument for keeping two minute rounds loses credibility when one considers that women in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fight in bouts scheduled for three five minute rounds for non-title fights and five, five minute rounds for world championship fights, the same standards as what men's bouts in the sport are held.
When one also considers that women boxers also now compete in various forms of Bareknuckle Boxing, the argument for not allowing female fighters to box under the same standards as men in traditional professional Boxing has less credibility. If one were to look for more evidence, they need look no further than the delayed 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan in 2021. All women's bouts held in the Boxing tournament in every weight class were held with a three minute round length. More importantly, there were no serious injuries and the fighters who competed in the tournament showed they can do so under the same structure as their male counterparts.
As for what Serrano and Ramos were able to show on October 27, 2023, they too proved they can box in three minute rounds and what was an exciting fight from the opening bell was loudly and proudly applauded by the crowd in attendance in Orlando, FL who spent the majority of the final four rounds giving both fighters a standing ovation. This observer is not ashamed to say that as I covered the bout remotely, the emotion of both the significance of what was taking place as well as the fight itself got the better of me and I had tears in my eyes because seeing it validated everything I ever believed could be possible for Women's Boxing and also vindicated my coverage of women's bouts going back to when I started my writing journey in the mid-1990’s where people would actually say among other things,“Why do you waste your time covering women's fights, no one takes it seriously.” It may have taken almost three decades for me to both see and cover a woman's world championship bout fought for twelve three minute rounds, but I do consider it one of the highlights of my career.
The then Undisputed Featherweight champion Amanda Serrano retained her crown with a twelve round unanimous decision. Unfortunately, as there always seems to be in Boxing, it turned out to be one significant step forward towards equality, but a few steps back in the process. This was due to Serrano indicating immediately after that fight her intention to box in three minute rounds for the remainder of her career, which the World Boxing Council (WBC) has refused to sanction Women's bouts fought with three minute rounds and a twelve round distance for world championship fights. In a true display of integrity, class, and also proving she was serious, Serrano relinquished the WBC World Featherweight championship due to the sanctioning organization’s refusal to allow equality. Along with relinquishing that championship, Serrano also willingly gave up her status as an undisputed champion, putting principle over whatever financial gain she might have received as an undisputed champion.
With all due respect to the WBC, I stand with Serrano and all the other female fighters that want to be equal to their male counterparts. Although Serrano is getting ready to defend the remainder of her titles in March in a fight that will again be scheduled for twelve three minute rounds, at some point in 2024, I would like to see all the respective state athletic commissions, international regulatory boards as well as the various sanctioning organizations adapt the same standards that are used for men's bouts for women. While for the moment, it appears outside of the WBC, that such a standard has to be requested by the fighters themselves, all of those who are tasked with regulating the sport need to realize that it is 2024 and there is no longer any legitimate argument that should prevent women from being able to compete under the same format as men.
To See Boxing Finally Realize The Time Has Come To Move Away From Pay-Per-View:
Perhaps the one subject that has been on this “Boxing Wishlist '' year after year and for a legitimate reason is to see the hold outs as I call them, who have relied on the pay-per-view model to admit it's time to change. The pay-per-view model unfortunately is something that gets a lot of coverage by yours truly, but as years have gone on, it is because it is a model that does more harm to Boxing than it benefits the sport. In addition to often asinine price points, which are no longer of value to consumers in an increasingly subscription-based streaming world, which predictably has led to an increase in declining buy returns for promoters and networks as consumers continue to reject pay-per-view, the latest casualty was the recent exit of United States premium cable network Showtime, who after thirty-seven years exited the sport after spending much of the last several years producing overpriced pay-per-view cards rather than producing consistent cards on their main network.
In responding to the criticism of the frequent use of the model in the years before Showtime's parent company Paramount Global pulled the plug not just on Showtime’s Boxing programming, but of the network’s sports division as well, then president of Showtime Sports Stephen Espinoza claimed proudly that “Pay-Per-View is a tool." While I do not intend to kick anyone who lost their jobs as a result of Paramount's decision to get out of Boxing and also sports altogether as far as Showtime was concerned, it does not take a rocket scientist to understand that while there may have been other contributing factors, which led to that decision, the primary one was the use, overuse, and insistence on an outdated model, which subsequently led to significant losses financially.
With networks like Showtime and HBO before them having now exited Boxing due largely to the pay-per-view model, with the sport seemingly about to embark on a streaming-based future in 2024, it is imperative that the networks that remain including DAZN, ESPN/ESPN+, as well as recent newcomer Peacock, and soon to enter Amazon Prime Video realize that the time to get away from pay-per-view has arrived and the insistence of those who demand the use of such a model no longer has credibility as evidence continues to point in the direction that pay-per-view is not the answer nor is it a cure-all for the flaws in the sport, particularly on the business end of it, it is a cause of a lot of what holds Boxing back and that will not change though the distribution model seemingly has officially changed from cable/satellite to streaming.
Equally as imperative is the need for those who believe pay-per-view is the only way to make additional revenue including, but not limited to fighters purses for a given bout, to seek alternative ways to get that revenue without alienating consumers. While major sports leagues here in the United States and internationally have what can be called premium packages marketed to consumers through cable/satellite and now streaming, the athletes in those respective sports make additional revenue through advertising and endorsement deals. The various leagues also benefit from those sources of revenue beyond their licensing rights and live gate attendance figures.
An analogy this observer has used frequently to illustrate the point that pay-per-view does more harm than good for the sport is comparing access of Boxing's biggest events, or what is thought to be via pay-per-view to the playoffs of the National Football League (NFL). Although the NFL has two separate streaming packages for consumers to watch all the league’s games, NFL Sunday Ticket, through YouTube and the league's own NFL+ streaming platform, all playoff games remain free and both of the aforementioned streaming offerings are for games that one would not see in their local market and in the case of NFL+ on demand access of every game in addition to being able to live stream games in one's local market, as big as the NFL has become, imagine if the league came out and said we're going to a pay-per-view model where consumers will have to pay $70+ per game and $85+ for playoff games and the Super Bowl. It should not take a rocket scientist to see that such a model would take the NFL or any other sports league that would attempt it from extremely profitable, popular, and a guaranteed ratings winner for any network, traditional or streaming, and turn it into something that would resemble the stock market crash in the late 1920’s which led to the great depression.
While it is an extreme analogy, it nevertheless illustrates the need to appeal to consumers and what would happen if consumers were to be alienated by what would be asinine business decisions. Despite Boxing and by extension Combat Sports being considered by some to be niche sports or products, much like other organized sports, the need to appeal to a wide audience and make your events as accessible and consumer-friendly as possible exists and for Boxing and other combat sports to continue to rely on a model that has not been consumer-friendly in decades, even as more networks have left the sport and consumers continue to reject said model, is to put it in a word asinine.
To see more fights of significant interest not placed behind expensive paywalls:
To continue with the need for Boxing to move away from pay-per-view, part of the issue, which has led Boxing to what some may feel is a crossroads moment as 2024 begins is the need for Boxing promoters and networks involved in the sport to produce fights that will be of significant interest to draw eyes to the sport, but also do so without requiring a high price tag for consumers to access said events. Originally, this was the strategy of digital subscription-based streaming network DAZN, who upon its entry into the United States in 2018 proclaimed a greater value to consumers by producing pay-per-view quality Boxing events “Without The Pain Of Pay-Per-View!"
It was a successful strategy until the global COVID-19 epidemic hit in late 2019 and 2020, which caused a ripple effect throughout all of sports and for networks like DAZN, with no live sports taking place throughout much of the world through various stages of the epidemic, significant financial losses. While the implementation of pay-per-view, which began for DAZN in 2022 was understandable to a degree in that losses needed to be recouped and the explanation of needing a pay-per-view option, which they insist will be on a selective/occasional basis that will not devalue the network’s core subscription business, was also a way to get those who insisted on such a model to the negotiating table, the time has come to go back to the original strategy and strengthen their subscription-based model as much as possible.
With another network now out of the sport because of relying too much on pay-per-view and also not holding promoters and maybe even fighters who insisted on it's use to a standard of accountability for failing to reach profitable numbers and do so on a consistent basis, which likely would have kept Showtime involved in the sport beyond 2023, it's imperative that networks like DAZN do not follow that same path and use what was working for them prior to circumstances of a global epidemic that essentially shut down the world. Although COVID-19 still exists, we are now years removed from the point where there were shutdowns across the globe and as far as sports is concerned, things are pretty much back to where they were prior to 2020.
If the argument for the continued use is to get folks to the negotiating table and those folks attempt to point to what are perceived successes of the model by selecting certain events as a means of trying to justify their case, arguably Showtime had what was perceived by some to be one of their most successful years in the sport in 2023, even though the bulk of the content produced was produced not for the main Showtime network, but for pay-per-view, it is obvious that it was not a successful strategy as they are now on the outside, looking in. Furthermore, those perceived successes fail to address the issues of refunds having to be issued for Showtime’s events due to technical problems through the now defunct Showtime streaming app, as was the case for the Gervonta Davis-Ryan Garcia event last April, which was also streamed through DAZN and had widespread problems resulting in significant refunds having to be issued. While some may omit facts like that as a means of trying to push a narrative, it does make one question just how successful the model truly was for Showtime even though by appearances they appeared to have a successful 2023.
In any case, the argument for its continued use in spite of evidence that it is no longer a successful formula for the sport is diminished further when one also considers that pay-per-view in recent years has also been contractually obligated. Meaning that a network like Showtime was obligated to produce a certain number of pay-per-view cards over the duration of a contract with a promoter, which in their case was the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) group of promoters. The obvious flaw with such a structure is it did not matter what specific fights would be reserved for pay-per-view, which ultimately meant that most of the resources went to pay-per-view and away from Showtime's main network. This also meant that fights and cards with limited appeal that might have otherwise have aired as part of the network’s main Boxing programming were moved to pay-per-view and predictably failed to deliver a profit for all involved.
Simply put, the original concept of pay-per-view as not only providing value for consumers, but also only being reserved for rare special events no longer exists and essentially putting fights on the model simply because it can be done rather than merit and also not at a price point that appeals to consumers is a recipe for failure. As 2024 begins, there is a significant opportunity for the aforementioned networks, which operate primarily under a subscription-based model to redefine the idea of offering value through their respective subscription plans.
What this observer means by that is not only providing value in terms of the quantity of Boxing content offered, but also in an effort to re-establish the sport in the eyes of consumers, producing fights and cards of significant interest, but without the expensive price tag. While some in the sport including perhaps some fighters might turn their nose up at such an idea, the reality is it needs to happen for the long-term health of the sport, otherwise circumstances like what has happened with Showtime leaving Boxing will continue happening if the networks that remain and potential new platforms are not making a profit to make their investments in the sport viable and that will not happen by continuing to rely on an outdated model even if said model was the status quo in a previous era. Simply put, times change and the business structure of Boxing needs to evolve.
Conclusion:
As the calendar now turns to 2024, the aforementioned items on this observer’s “Boxing Wishlist” are just some of what would benefit the sport moving forward. While 2024 appears as though it will look different and perhaps feel different in terms of how the sport is presented, one should feel at least a little optimistic that there is at least the potential for Boxing to be in a better position at the conclusion of this year than was the case at the end of 2023. One item that has been on the “Wishlist” for many years that has seen progress made and thus has not been included as a highlighted item is the need for Boxing to establish one world champion per weight division. In recent years, there has been progress made towards this goal for both men and women competing in the sport, but I should not have to tell you dear reader, there is still much more that can be, and should be done.
Although I have decided at least for this year’s list to omit this topic as a highlighted item, it does nevertheless remain relevant because it is still a work in progress. Part of that progress needs to be a commitment not only by the fighters involved, but also by the various sanctioning organizations to keep world championships unified once they become undisputed championships. This is not an easy task given that there are five recognized world sanctioning organizations, each with their own rules and mandatory defense obligations that need to be met on an annual basis, but for true progress to be made where it is not viewed as temporary, there needs to be an effort by all involved to ensure that the process of making unification bouts, which is often a long, drawn out, and complicated one due in part to the aforementioned organizations’ respective policies, once that process has been done, it needs to be preserved to ensure that all the process that took place to unify a division, does not ultimately turn into a waste of time where the primary motivation will be to start said process all over again.
Some may view that, and all of what has been discussed on this “Boxing Wishlist For 2024” as truly “Wishful Thinking,” but the reality is evidence of the need to change could not be clearer and the need for significant progress and “Legitimate Progress” remains needed for the sport to grow and thrive. Let 2024 Begin!
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
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Monday, January 1, 2024
Happy 2024
We would like to wish our readers a very happy and safe 2024. Our 2024 schedule will begin on Saturday, January 6th with the 2024 edition of Beau Denison’s “Boxing Wishlist.” We here at The Boxing Truth® look forward to continuing to provide readers with features, weigh-in results, special previews, fight card recaps, and other content also being released as events approach throughout the sport of Boxing. The Boxing Truth® welcomes the opportunity to continue to provide our readers with accurate information, in-depth analysis, and objective opinions regarding the sport of Boxing as well as the participants and issues that surround it. We thank all our readers for your continued support and we look forward to hearing from you throughout 2024. Happy New Year.
“And That’s The Boxing Truth.”
The Boxing Truth® is a registered trademark of Beau Denison All Rights Reserved.
Follow Beau Denison on the following Social Media Platforms:
X: (Formerly Twitter) www.twitter.com/Beau_Denison
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