A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Errol Spence Jr.’s dominating victory over Yordenis Ugas was special … but it was nothing compared to what might follow.
Spence was nothing short of sensational on Saturday at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas, coldly, methodically breaking down an accomplished opponent before stopping him in the 10th round to unify three welterweight titles.
The performance was particularly impressive given the obstacles he had to overcome – a horrific car accident in 2019, a detached retina last year and a 16-month layoff.
Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) is No. 5 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound – a similar position to most rankings – but some might argue that he should be closer to the top, closer to Boxing Junkie’s No. 1-ranked fighter, Terence Crawford.
That’s what makes a potential showdown between Spence and Crawford so compelling. Not only would the fight establish an undisputed welterweight champion; it would also pit two Top-5 pound-for-pounders against one another.
It doesn’t get better than that.
And the chances of it actually happening after years of anticipation appear to be high, as Spence and free-agent Crawford no longer fight for competing entities. Plus, Spence never made it more clear than he did after the fight on Saturday that he wants to meet Crawford in the ring.
I wish the fight had happened a few years ago, when Crawford (who turns 35 in September) was in his physical prime. However, this wouldn’t be like Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, which had the feel of an old-timers game because it happened far too late.
Spence demonstrated on Saturday night that he’s at least close to his best. And Crawford is coming off an impressive knockout of former champion Shawn Porter in November, evidence that he remains near the top of his game.
Spence vs. Crawford might be the biggest possible fight in boxing. Fingers crossed it happens in the fall.
BAD
“I feel sad because I trained really hard for this fight,” Ugas said after falling short of goal to become unified welterweight champion. “All respect to Errol Spence. He’s a great champion. I’m just sad with what happened tonight.”
Ugas’ sentiments are understandable. He experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows in consecutive fights, which is always takes a toll.
The one-time Cuban amateur star had come a long way, overcoming the trials of defection from his native country, back-to-back losses in 2014 and a subsequent two-year hiatus from the sport to build himself into a top 147-pound contender.
And his ascent was capped with a monumental upset of Manny Pacquiao last August, which gave him his first major title at the age of 34 and made him a major player in the division.
Then, in one night, it must have felt as if he were back in 2014. He fought gallantly but was outclassed by Spence in the end, which left him on the wrong end of a one-sided beating and with a broken orbital bone. Ugas is good, Spence is special.
Thus, it was easy to understand Ugas’ anguish the fight. However, time will provide perspective.
The fact he was able to overcome the obstacles to reach the pinnacle of the sport is an accomplishment that will always bring him pride. Unlike Pacquiao, who was 42 when they fought, Ugas is young enough to continue with his career.
And, finally, we shouldn’t feel too sorry for him: He should walk away with at least $2 million after pay-per-view revenues are divvied up. That should help alleviate some of the emotional pain he’s feeling after his disappointment.
WORSE
Isaac Cruz came out the gate swinging 👀 #CruzGamboa
(via @ShowtimeBoxing)
pic.twitter.com/fghvqMZttZ— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) April 17, 2022
Ugas wasn’t the only older fighter to have a rough time Saturday.
First, in England, 34-year-old Chris van Heerden, a solid fighter since turning pro 16 years ago, failed to survive two full rounds against rising star Conor Benn. The Los Angeles-based native of South Africa didn’t have time to show anything.
Then, on the Spence-Ugas card, Josesito Lopez, 37, Francisco Vargas, 37, and Yuriorkis Gamboa, 40, looked their ages.
Lopez (38-9, 21 KOs) gave welterweight contender Cody Crowley (21-0, 9 KOs) some resistance early in their scheduled 10-rounder but seemed to get old mid-fight and was barely able to hear the final bell, as Crowley won a wide decision.
Lopez was one of the toughest fighters in the world between 135 and 147 pounds for years, including a knockout victory over Victor Ortiz. Now it appears he’s finished.
Vargas (27-4-2, 19 KOs) was still warming up when a monster left hand from lightweight prospect Jose Valenzuela knocked him onto his back and out. It’s difficult to imagine the former 130-pound champ bouncing back from that kind of setback but he’s a warrior through and through.
And Gamboa (30-5, 18 KOs) went down four times against juggernaut Isaac Cruz before the fight was mercifully stopped in the fifth round. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time featherweight champion was willing but no longer has the legs to fight at a high level. He’s shot.
I don’t want to be overly critical of matchmakers who tempt fate by pitting faded champions against hot young stars. Matchmaking is the hardest job in boxing. Plus, older fighters deserve opportunities if they can demonstrate they remain competent.
At the same time, the events of Saturday made it clear that matchmakers and other powerbrokers must be careful about making such decisions.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) demonstrated again in his victory over van Heerden that he could develop into a threat to any of the top 147-pounders. He’s a dynamic all-around fighter with big-time power. Ask van Heerden. The only obvious flaw in Benn’s performance was that he was somewhat reckless from the opening bell. If he attacked a Spence or a Crawford with the abandon he went after van Heerden, he’d get knocked out. … Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) took another nice step in his career on the Spence-Ugas card, defeating previously unbeaten Radzhab Butaev (14-1, 11 KOs) by a split decision that should’ve been unanimous. He’s on the precipice of landing a world title fight and he might have the ability to win it. … Valenzuela (12-0, 8 KOs) made a powerful statement with his one-punch knockout of Vargas. The Seattle-based Mexican, a disciple of trainer Jose Benavidez Sr., is one of the top handful of prospects in the world. … I don’t know how far Crowley (21-0, 9 KOs) will go but he’s a good, disciplined boxer with the fitness to go 20 strong rounds. That formula is going to make him difficult to beat even at the highest level. … The knockout streak of junior welterweight Brandun Lee (25-0, 22 KOs) ended at 15 when clever Zachary Ochoa (21-3, 7 KOs) took him the distance on the Spence-Ugas card. No shame in that. He probably learned more during the unanimous-decision victory than he would’ve with another spectacular stoppage.
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