Tag: Conceicao vs Martinez

Robson Conceicao outworks Xavier Martinez to win wide decision

Robson Conceicao outworked Xavier Martinez to win a wide decision Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Robson Conceicao bounced back impressively.

The 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Brazil, who lost his 130-pound title challenge against WBC champ Oscar Valdez in September, dominated previously unbeaten Xavier Martinez to win a wide decision in a 10-round bout Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Conceicao (17-1, 8 KOs) got off to a strong start against Valdez but lost focus or energy, which allowed Valdez to rally and win a close decision.

The 33-year-old from Salvador, Bahia didn’t allow that to happen against Martinez (17-1, 11 KOs) at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, simply outworking his opponent to win round after round.

Martinez had moments, including a left hook that rocked Conceicao late in the third round. However, that was the exception.

Ray Woods, the trainer of Martinez, implored him between rounds midway through the fight to get busier but he never matched the pace of Conceicao, who fought with the passion of a fighter determined to avoid consecutive losses.

Thus, the final scores weren’t surprising: 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Boxing Junkie scored it 99-91 for Conceicao, nine rounds to one.

“I learned a lot from that Oscar Valdez loss, and that’s why I was able to dedicate myself,” Conceicao said. “I wasn’t discouraged by what happened that evening. I know who I am, and I knew if I put in the work, I could have this type of performance.

“But my mind is set on Valdez, and I definitely want that shot.”

The fight was billed as a WBC title eliminator. That means Conceicao, ranked No. 3 by the sanctioning body, could meet Valdez again if the champion can get past fellow titleholder Shakur Stevenson on April 30.

If Stevenson wins, Conceicao will be a strong candidate to get another shot at the title.

“I know I should be the champion,” Conceicao said. “I know I beat Oscar Valdez. He has a fight against Shakur Stevenson, and I think Shakur is going to win. But as a fan and a fighter, I want Oscar to win because he owes me a fight.”

Meanwhile, Martinez vowed to put the setback behind him and move forward.

“I thought it was closer,” he said. “I know I didn’t do enough to win. I sat back too much. I didn’t listen to the game plan fully. It is what it is. I’m not going to be a sore loser. He did his thing tonight. It wasn’t my night. I’m not done. This is just the beginning.

“I know I hurt him twice. I didn’t listen to my corner fully. I’m going to hold my head high and keep going.”

Robson Conceicao outworks Xavier Martinez to win wide decision

Robson Conceicao outworked Xavier Martinez to win a wide decision Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Robson Conceicao bounced back impressively.

The 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Brazil, who lost his 130-pound title challenge against WBC champ Oscar Valdez in September, dominated previously unbeaten Xavier Martinez to win a wide decision in a 10-round bout Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Conceicao (17-1, 8 KOs) got off to a strong start against Valdez but lost focus or energy, which allowed Valdez to rally and win a close decision.

The 33-year-old from Salvador, Bahia didn’t allow that to happen against Martinez (17-1, 11 KOs) at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, simply outworking his opponent to win round after round.

Martinez had moments, including a left hook that rocked Conceicao late in the third round. However, that was the exception.

Ray Woods, the trainer of Martinez, implored him between rounds midway through the fight to get busier but he never matched the pace of Conceicao, who fought with the passion of a fighter determined to avoid consecutive losses.

Thus, the final scores weren’t surprising: 100-90, 99-91 and 98-92. Boxing Junkie scored it 99-91 for Conceicao, nine rounds to one.

“I learned a lot from that Oscar Valdez loss, and that’s why I was able to dedicate myself,” Conceicao said. “I wasn’t discouraged by what happened that evening. I know who I am, and I knew if I put in the work, I could have this type of performance.

“But my mind is set on Valdez, and I definitely want that shot.”

The fight was billed as a WBC title eliminator. That means Conceicao, ranked No. 3 by the sanctioning body, could meet Valdez again if the champion can get past fellow titleholder Shakur Stevenson on April 30.

If Stevenson wins, Conceicao will be a strong candidate to get another shot at the title.

“I know I should be the champion,” Conceicao said. “I know I beat Oscar Valdez. He has a fight against Shakur Stevenson, and I think Shakur is going to win. But as a fan and a fighter, I want Oscar to win because he owes me a fight.”

Meanwhile, Martinez vowed to put the setback behind him and move forward.

“I thought it was closer,” he said. “I know I didn’t do enough to win. I sat back too much. I didn’t listen to the game plan fully. It is what it is. I’m not going to be a sore loser. He did his thing tonight. It wasn’t my night. I’m not done. This is just the beginning.

“I know I hurt him twice. I didn’t listen to my corner fully. I’m going to hold my head high and keep going.”

Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, remains unbeaten

Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, won his fight Saturday to remain unbeaten.

Nico Ali Walsh won again. And he gave a nod to his famous grandfather in the process.

The grandson of Muhammad Ali knocked out Jeremiah Yeager in the second round of their scheduled four-round bout on the Robson Conceicao-Xavier Martinez card Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ali Walsh (4-0, 3 KOs) put Yeager (1-2-1, 1 KO) down and hurt him with a big left with about 45 seconds remaining in the final round. Yeager was able to get up only to be met with an Ali shuffle and a combination that prompted the referee to stop the fight.

“I didn’t plan [the Ali Shuffle],” he said. “It was emotional, of course. So much has been going on, but yeah, I didn’t plan on doing that. It’s just something that happened.”

Ali Walsh, who had new trainer Richard T. Slone in his corner for the first time, says he continues to improve.

“I think the main thing was staying calm, which I did,” he said. “Another thing was head movement and defense, which I felt like I did improve on.

“I fought last month. So if I can make those small improvements in this such a short amount of time, who’s telling what I can do in my next fight?”

Nico Ali Walsh, grandson of Muhammad Ali, remains unbeaten

Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, won his fight Saturday to remain unbeaten.

Nico Ali Walsh won again. And he gave a nod to his famous grandfather in the process.

The grandson of Muhammad Ali knocked out Jeremiah Yeager in the second round of their scheduled four-round bout on the Robson Conceicao-Xavier Martinez card Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Ali Walsh (4-0, 3 KOs) put Yeager (1-2-1, 1 KO) down and hurt him with a big left with about 45 seconds remaining in the final round. Yeager was able to get up only to be met with an Ali shuffle and a combination that prompted the referee to stop the fight.

“I didn’t plan [the Ali Shuffle],” he said. “It was emotional, of course. So much has been going on, but yeah, I didn’t plan on doing that. It’s just something that happened.”

Ali Walsh, who had new trainer Richard T. Slone in his corner for the first time, says he continues to improve.

“I think the main thing was staying calm, which I did,” he said. “Another thing was head movement and defense, which I felt like I did improve on.

“I fought last month. So if I can make those small improvements in this such a short amount of time, who’s telling what I can do in my next fight?”

Robson Conceicao vs. Xavier Martinez: date, time, how to watch, background

Robson Conceicao vs. Xavier Martinez: date, time, how to watch, background.

2016 Olympic champion Robson Conceicao is scheduled to face unbeaten Xavier Martinez Saturday night on ESPN+.

Robson Conceicao (16-1, 8 KOs) vs. Xavier Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 29
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Cost: $6.99 per month or $69.99 annually
  • Division: Junior lightweight
  • Weights: Conceicao 129.5, Martinez 129.5
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Rene Tellez vs. Luis Melendez, junior lightweights
  • Prediction: Conceicao UD
  • Background: Conceicao, a 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Brazil, is in rebuilding mode. The slick 33-year-old fell short in his bid to take the WBC title from Oscar Valdez in September, starting strongly but fading in the second half of the fight to lose a unanimous decision. That was Conceicao’s first shot at a major belt. He didn’t select a pushover in his comeback fight. Martinez, a 24-year-old boxer-puncher from Sacramento, California, is on a nice run of victories over quality opponents. That includes a one-sided decision over rugged veteran Juan Carlos Burgos in a wild, toe-to-toe brawl in May of last year, which is his most-recent outing. He got up from two knockdowns to outpoint Claudio Marrero in his previous fight. A victory in what is being billed as a title eliminator would be a big step for the winner. Conceicao and Martinez are ranked Nos. 3 and 14 by the WBC, respectively. Nico Ali Walsh, Muhammad Ali’s grandson, is fighting on the card.

Robson Conceicao vs. Xavier Martinez: date, time, how to watch, background

Robson Conceicao vs. Xavier Martinez: date, time, how to watch, background.

2016 Olympic champion Robson Conceicao is scheduled to face unbeaten Xavier Martinez Saturday night on ESPN+.

Robson Conceicao (16-1, 8 KOs) vs. Xavier Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 29
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Cost: $6.99 per month or $69.99 annually
  • Division: Junior lightweight
  • Weights: Conceicao 129.5, Martinez 129.5
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Rene Tellez vs. Luis Melendez, junior lightweights
  • Prediction: Conceicao UD
  • Background: Conceicao, a 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Brazil, is in rebuilding mode. The slick 33-year-old fell short in his bid to take the WBC title from Oscar Valdez in September, starting strongly but fading in the second half of the fight to lose a unanimous decision. That was Conceicao’s first shot at a major belt. He didn’t select a pushover in his comeback fight. Martinez, a 24-year-old boxer-puncher from Sacramento, California, is on a nice run of victories over quality opponents. That includes a one-sided decision over rugged veteran Juan Carlos Burgos in a wild, toe-to-toe brawl in May of last year, which is his most-recent outing. He got up from two knockdowns to outpoint Claudio Marrero in his previous fight. A victory in what is being billed as a title eliminator would be a big step for the winner. Conceicao and Martinez are ranked Nos. 3 and 14 by the WBC, respectively. Nico Ali Walsh, Muhammad Ali’s grandson, is fighting on the card.

Fight Week: Robson Conceicao returns; Ilunga Makabu, possible Canelo foe, in action

Fight Week: Robson Conceicao returns; Ilunga Makabu, possible Canelo foe, in action

FIGHT WEEK

2016 Olympic champion Robson Conceicao will face Xavier Martinez in his first fight since losing a decision to 130-pound titleholder Oscar Valdez.

Robson Conceicao (16-1, 8 KOs) vs. Xavier Martinez (17-0, 11 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Jan. 29
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior lightweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Rene Tellez vs. Luis Melendez, junior lightweights
  • Prediction: Conceicao UD
  • Background: Conceicao, a 2016 Olympic gold medalist from Brazil, is in rebuilding mode. The slick 33-year-old fell short in his bid to take the WBC title from Oscar Valdez in September, starting strongly but fading in the second half of the fight to lose a unanimous decision. That was Conceicao’s first shot at a major belt. He didn’t select a pushover in his comeback fight. Martinez, a 24-year-old boxer-puncher from Sacramento, California, is on a nice run of victories over quality opponents. That includes a one-sided decision over rugged veteran Juan Carlos Burgos in a wild, toe-to-toe brawl in May of last year, which is his most-recent outing. He got up from two knockdowns to outpoint Claudio Marrero in his previous fight. A victory in what is being billed as a title eliminator would be a big step for the winner. Conceicao and Martinez are ranked Nos. 3 and 14 by the WBC, respectively. Nico Ali Walsh, Muhammad Ali’s grandson, is fighting on the card.

 

Ilunga Makabu (28-2, 25 KOs) vs. Thabiso Mchunu (23-5, 13 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Jan. 29
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio
  • TV/Stream: FITE
  • Division: Cruiserweight
  • At stake: Makabu’s WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Trevor Bryan vs. Jonathan Guidry, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Makabu KO 8
  • Background: The main reason this rematch is significant is that super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez has indicated he might want to move up to 200 pounds and challenge for Makabu’s title. The Congolese southpaw won his belt by outpointing Michal Cieslak in January 2020. He successfully defended by stopping Olanrewaju Durodola the following December and hasn’t fought since, meaning he will have been out of the ring for 13 months. Makabu fought Mchunu the first time in 2015 in South Africa, where he won what had been a close fight by an 11th-round knockout. He was stopped by then-WBC beltholder Tony Bellew in his next fight. He hasn’t lost since then, a span of nine fights. Mchunu, a South African, has ability. He has won his last four fights, including decisions over Thomas Oosthuizen (avenging an earlier loss) and Denis Lebedev. He was stopped by then-titleholder Oleksandr Usyk in nine rounds in 2016. The 33-year-old last fought in March of last year, when he easily outpointed Evgeny Tishchenko.

Also fighting this week:

  • Panya Pradabsri (37-1, 23 KOs) will defend his WBC strawweight title against Wanheng Menayothin (55-1, 19 KOs) on Tuesday, Jan. 25 in Bangkok, Thailand (no TV in U.S.).
  • Jerson Aguilar Hernandez (16-5, 3 KOs) will take on Marcos Rodriguez (10-4, 8 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round lightweight bout Friday, Jan. 28 in Mexico City (EstrellaTV).
  • Joahnys Argilagos (8-0, 4 KOs) is scheduled to face Michell Banquez (19-1, 13 KOs) in a 10-round junior featherweight bout Friday, Jan. 28 in Hialeah, Florida (FITE).

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