A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Rey Vargas is going to be tough for anyone to beat.
The new 126-pound titleholder, who earned his belt by outpointing Mark Magsayo on Saturday in San Antonio, has a combination of length (height and reach), ability and durability that could result in a dominating reign at featherweight.
The 5-foot-10½ Mexican didn’t give a perfect performance at the Alamodome. For example, I think it would’ve been easier for him to land his power shots if he threw more jabs. And he was hurt when he went down in Round 9, which could’ve led to disaster.
However, overall, he used his advantages effectively. He consistently landed hard power shots from long range, which, for much of the fight, served as an impenetrable barrier that left the limited Magsayo frustrated round after round.
Magsayo never gave up and rallied to some degree late in the fight – including the knockdown – but Vargas controlled the fight most of the way.
Thus, two judges gave him a well-deserved clear victory. Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland both scored the fight 115-112 (eight rounds to four) for Vargas, which reflected what happened in the ring. I had it 116-111 (nine rounds to three) for Vargas.
The third judge, Jesse Reyes, gave Magsayo the nod 114-113 (six rounds to six), which is inexplicable. He somehow had Magsayo leading after the first six rounds.
So let’s ignore Reyes’ scorecard and acknowledge what we saw: a one-sided victory by an excellent all-around fighter.
Magsayo could end up in good company. Vargas might also be too good for fellow titleholder Leo Santa Cruz (who he wants to fight next), top contender Brandon Figueroa or whomever he ends up facing in his coming fights.
Stay tuned.
BAD
Magsayo turned out to be exactly what Vargas believed he was.
Vargas said in the lead up to the fight that the now-former champion was a so-so boxer who relies primarily on his legitimate punching power. That was evident on Saturday, as Magsayo could never figure out how to get inside consistently enough to win the fight.
Manny Pacquiao, Magsayo’s promoter, said his protégé’s footwork and head movement would be key for him. The problem is that Magsayo doesn’t have the foot speed to get in and out the way Pacman once did. Also, Freddie Roach, Magsayo’s trainer, told Boxing Junkie before the fight that his fighter needed work on his “movement.”
And I don’t understand why Magsayo didn’t throw more jabs, which might’ve opened the door to getting inside of Vargas’ long reach. Again, he had some success in the second half of the fight but never really solved the riddle Vargas presented.
Magsayo deserves credit for his accomplishments, particularly his victory over Gary Russell Jr. to win his title even if Russell was a one-handed fighter because of a shoulder injury.
However, he clearly has his limitations. The power is real; Vargas learned that, particularly in the ninth round. The knockdown was legit. The fact he has room to grow as a boxer also is real.
Can he improve? Obviously. He has a great trainer and he works hard. How could he not get better? And he’ll have extra motivation after his disappointing performance in his first and only title defense on Saturday.
We might not have seen the best of Magsayo.
WORSE
It had to happen.
Manny Pacquiao, 43, is scheduled to face Korean YouTuber DK Yoo (also 43) in a boxing exhibition on Dec. 10 after losing in his bid to become president of the Philippines. It will be the future Hall of Famer’s first fight since he lost his welterweight belt to Yordenis Ugas last August.
Pacquiao and Yoo reportedly will sign the contract on July 20 in Manila, after which more details will be announced.
Once again, I’m a capitalist. If there’s a demand to see Pacquiao in the ring with the experienced martial artist from Seoul or anyone else, he should be allowed to take advantage of it. He has a right to make a living, right?
I had just hoped that Pacquiao wouldn’t go down this road, where so many have traveled. Mike Tyson, Roy Jones Jr., Evander Holyfield and Julio Cesar Chavez are just a few of the once-great fighters who have taken part in exhibitions.
Some people enjoy them for the sack of nostalgia, I presume. I, for one, don’t want to be reminded of what they’ve lost in their later years. The speed, the reflexes, the agility. Gone, gone, gone. The brain might know what to do but the body is unable to follow orders.
I want to remember them as they were, when they ruled the sport with breathtaking ability.
I was reminded of a story someone once told me, about a one-time famous major league baseball player who dated some of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood. Many years later, when he was in his 70s, one of the actresses contacted him and suggested they have a reunion. The ball player’s response? “Let’s not. Let’s hold onto a wonderful memory instead.”
That’s how I feel about these exhibitions. I’d rather hold onto wonderful memories.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) should give up on the idea of altering his style, from a relentless pressure fighter to a more measured boxer-puncher. He tried boxing against Carlos Castro (27-2, 12 KOs) in his 126-pound fight on the Vargas-Magsayo card, which allowed Castro be competitive. Once Figueroa reverted back to the beast he was when he was a titleholder at 122 he overwhelmed his opponent and stopped him in six rounds. That version of Figueroa will be a handful for any of the top featherweights, including Vargas. … Lightweight contender Frank Martin (16-0, 12 KOs) gave a solid, but imperfect performance against Jackson Marinez (19-3, 7 KOs) on the Vargas-Magsayo card. He used his speed and tight technique to outbox Marinez in the first half of the fight, allowed Marinez back into the fight by lowering his output and then finally scoring a knockout in the 10th and final round. Martin is a talented fighter. He just needs more seasoning before he faces the likes of Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia. …
You have to admire longtime heavyweight contender Derek Chisora. The 38-year-old Londoner, who has been in so many wars, seemed to be finished when he lost a wide decision in his rematch with Joseph Parker last December. That was his third consecutive loss and seventh in his last 15. How much more could he give? Quite a bit, it turns out. Chisora (33-12, 23 KOs) fought his heart out to earn a split-decision victory in an entertaining rematch with 41-year-old Kubrat Pulev (29-3, 14 KOs) on Saturday at O2 Arena, his first victory since 2019. Chisora admitted afterward that, “I don’t have many left in me.” His dream opponent before he finally steps away is former champion Deontay Wilder. “Del Boy” earned that kind of opportunity with his gutsy performance on Saturday.
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