A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
I wouldn’t pick any 168-pounder to beat titleholder Canelo Alvarez but I wouldn’t be shocked if David Benavidez pulled it off.
The 24-year-old two-time super middleweight champ demonstrated again against Ronald Ellis on Saturday night that he would be a formidable test even for a top pound-for-pounder, as Ellis found out the hard way in Uncasville, Conn.
Ellis looked sharp to me, landing his jab and enough power punches to give Benavidez some resistance. And he obviously was fit and tough, which allowed him to survive 10-plus rounds.
I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that this version of Ellis is nearly as good as Callum Smith and perhaps Billy Joe Saunders, which is a compliment. And he simply had no hope of beating Benavidez, who was better and physically superior in every way.
Benavidez delivered a brutal beating, breaking Ellis down with constant pressure and punishing shots to every legal target on the body until referee Johnny Callas had no choice but to end the slaughter in Round 11, giving Benavidez the impressive victory he needed after losing his title on the scale before his previous fight.
Benavidez outlanded Ellis 341 to 184, nearly a 2-to-1 ratio, according to CompuBox. However, his accuracy is what stands out. He landed an eye-popping 54% of his power shots, 47% overall.
To say this guy is dangerous is an understatement.
Benavidez has set his sights on 160-pound titleholder Jermall Charlo and 168-pound champions Caleb Plant and Alvarez, all of whom would pose a bigger threat than Ellis on paper. I think he beats Charlo (too big) and plant (too good all-around).
That leaves Alvarez. Again, I would pick Alvarez to win because of his ability and experience but I would be tempted to go with the underdog. I believe he’s that good.
***
BAD
The “bad” here is that someone had to lose the Juan Francisco Estrada-Roman Gonzalez fight on Saturday in Dallas.
The little giants gave fans exactly what they expected, a classic brawl between two of the most gifted and toughest small fighters of their era. They combined to throw an astounding 2,529 punches, according to CompuBox. That’s more than 200 per round.
In other words, they not only gave an impressive display of ability and endurance, they gave their hearts. That’s something that’s never lost on fans.
Estrada, hoping to avenge his unanimous-decision loss to Gonzalez back in 2012, had his hand raised in the end. The scores were 117-111 and 115-113 for Estrada and 115-113 for Gonzalez, a split decision.
The result was somewhat controversial – many seem to believe that Gonzalez deserved the nod – but few are going to begrudge the Mexican a victory after the monumental effort he gave in a close, competitive fight.
I just feel sorry for Gonzalez, who was written off after consecutive losses to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2017 only to bounce back and reclaim another 115-pound title.
“Chocolatito” already is a legend. A victory over Estrada would’ve taken him to the next level, whatever that is. And it was within his grasp. Again, looking a lot like a peak version of himself, the remarkable Gonzalez arguably did enough to win.
He certainly wasn’t crushed by his fate. The man of faith was gracious afterward, saying the result was God’s will. He knew how close he came to accomplishing something truly special, though. And he must be frustrated.
Here’s the good news: Estrada is expected to defend against mandatory challenger Sor Rungvisai in his next fight but made it clear more than once that he wants to face Gonzalez a third time.
Let’s hope that happens soon. Gonzalez deserves it. And so do the fans.
***
WORSE
The death of a legend is often difficult to comprehend.
Marvin Hagler was an indestructible force as an active fighter, one who made his name by annihilating a long list of quality opponents during his Hall of Fame career. The idea that he’s dead – at only 66 – is both shocking and depressing.
That’s because of the way we felt about him once upon a time, the way he made us feel when he did his thing, the memories.
Hagler was beyond fun to watch; he was awesome, in the literal sense of the word.
The fights with Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard stand out most, the former having been one of the sport’s greatest brawls and the latter a stunning upset that prompted Hagler to retire.
He had 65 other professional assignments, though. I remember watching his fights against Vito Antuofermo, Alan Minter, Mustafa Hamso, Juan Roldan, Tony Sibson and John Mugabi and being mesmerized by his ability to destroy another man within a relatively short amount of time.
He could box, he could punch and his chin was legendary. He went down only once, against Roldan, and that was probably what Hagler’s said it was – a slip.
He was the most machine-like of the Four Kings — Hagler, Leonard, Hearns and Roberto Duran — in terms of his efficiency. And you can’t hurt a machine built as well as Hagler. He was the closest thing to superhuman I’ve ever seen in the ring.
And now he’s gone. Hard to believe. Rest in peace, champ.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Jessica McCaskill proved on the Estrada-Gonzalez card that her victory over Cecilia Braekhus in August was no fluke, winning a wide unanimous decision in the rematch. McCaskill, a late starter, doesn’t have great technique but she’s fast, strong and fearless. Would she beat Katie Taylor or Claressa Shields? Probably not. But she’d go down swinging. … Lightweight contender Isaac Cruz was fortunate to emerge victorious over relative unknown Jose Matias Romero, who largely defused Cruz’s aggressive style by doing whatever it took — getting off first, moving, holding, anything. Cruz, fighting on the Benavidez-Ellis card, won a unanimous decision but it was close. … Carlos Sucre’s 117-111 card for Estrada — nine rounds to three — was too wide. I could see seven rounds for the Mexican, maybe eight if you gave him every benefit of the doubt. However, nine rounds wasn’t reasonable. Image throwing 1,317 punches — as Gonzalez did — and winning only three rounds. At least it wasn’t a robbery. Estrada arguably did enough to win. … Sor Rungvisai’s third-round stoppage of fellow veteran Kwanthai Sithmorseng on Friday in Thailand was impressive. He looked like a peak version of himself at 34. I think he remains a threat to any top 115-pounder, including Estrada and Gonzalez.
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