Tag: conor benn

Fight Week: Vasily Lomachenko, Nonito Donaire return to ring

Fight Week: Vasily Lomachenko will face Richard Commey and Nonito Donaire will defend his title against Reymart Gaballo on a busy Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

VASILIY LOMACHENKO WILL FACE  RICHARD COMMEY IN HIS BID TO REMAIN A TOP 135-POUNDER. AND NONITO DONAIRE RETURNS AGAINST REYMART GABALLO.

Vasiliy Lomachenko (15-2, 11 KOs) vs. Richard Commey (30-3, 27 KOs)     

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 11
  • Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
  • TV/Stream: ESPN and ESPN+
  • Division: Lightweight
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: Lomachenko No. 7
  • Odds: Lomachenko 7-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Jared Anderson vs. Oleksandr Teslenko, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Lomachenko UD 12
  • Background: Lomachenko is the last of four top 135-pounders to fight during a two-week period. Teofimo Lopez was upset on Nov. 27 by George Kambosos, who became undisputed champ. Devin Haney outpointed Joseph Diaz Jr. on Saturday. And Gervonta Davis overcame a stiff resistance to defeat Isaac Cruz on Sunday. Now Lomachenko has a chance to show how he measures up. The former pound-for-pound king lost his crown to Lopez by a unanimous decision in October of last year. The 33-year-old Ukrianian rebounded to stop Masayoshi Nakatani in June but still seems to be an afterthought when pundits discuss the best lightweights. And a victory over Commey probably won’t change that. The 34-year-old Ghanian can punch with the best of them but has limited all-around ability, as we saw when Lopez took him out in two rounds in December of 2019. The former titleholder bounced back to stop capable Jackson Marinez in six rounds this past February. His most-impressive victory was an eighth-round knockout of Raymundo Beltran in his first title defense in June 2019. On the undercard, 22-year-old heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson (10-0, 10 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio, continues his education against Ukrainian Oleksandr Teslenko (17-1, 13 KOs) in a scheduled eight-rounder.

 

Nonito Donaire (41-6, 27 KOs) vs. Reymart Gaballo (24-0, 20 KOs)                   

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 11
  • Where: Carson, Calif.
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Bantamweight
  • At stake: Donaire’s WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Kudratillo Abdukakhorov vs. Cody Crowley, 10 rounds, welterweights; Brandun Lee vs. Juan Heraldez, 10 rounds, junior welterweights; Hiroaki Teshigawara vs. Marlon Tapales, featherweights
  • Prediction: Donaire KO 7
  • Background: The ageless Filipino Flash – 39 years young – will be making the first defense of the title he won by stopping then-unbeaten Nordine Oubaali in four rounds this past May. Many believed that Donaire was finished as an elite fighter when he lost wide decisions to Jessie Magdaleno and Carl Frampton at 122 and 126 pounds in 2016 and 2018, respectively. What did he do? Move back down to 118, at which he resurrected his status. He won two fights, gave pound-for-pounder Naoya Inoue all he could handle in a decision loss and then beat Oubaali at 38. The jury is still out on Gaballo, also a Filipino. He seemed to be schooled by Emmanuel Rodriguez in his most-recent fight and first serious test yet somehow emerged with a split-decision victory and the opportunity to fight for a major title. Donaire isn’t the technician that Rodriguez is, which might give Gaballo a chance in this fight. However, in terms of all-around ability and punching power, the challenger has never faced anyone even remotely like Donaire.

 

Conor Benn (19-0, 12 KOs) vs. Chris Algieri (25-3, 9 KOs)                

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 11
  • Where: Echo Arena, Liverpool
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Welterweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Benn 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Katie Taylor vs. Firuza Sharipova, lightweights (or Taylor’s undisputed title); Karim Guerfi vs. Jordan Gill, featherweights; Joe Cordina vs. Jesus Amparan, junior lightweights; Robbie Davies Jr. vs. Hank Lundy, junior welterweights; Caoimhin Agyarko vs. Noe Larios Jr., middleweights
  • Prediction: Benn UD
  • Background: Benn hopes to continue his slow ascent up the welterweight ladder against a 37-year-old former junior welterweight titleholder. The son of Nigel Benn has looked sharp as he has stepped up his opposition, including a wide decision over rugged Adrian Granados in September. That followed a first-round knockout over a solid opponent in Samuel Vargas in April. Benn is ranked by all four major sanctioning bodies, meaning his shot at a title will come if he continues to win. Algieri outpointed Ruslan Provodnikov to win the WBO 140-pound title and then immediately challenged WBO 147-pound champ Manny Pacquiao, who put him down six times en route to a lopsided decision victory. Algieri later lost to Amir Khan (UD) and Errol Spence Jr. (TKO 5) but has won his last four fights. He returned from a 22-month layoff to nearly shut out Mikkel LesPierre this past August, his most-recent fight. On the undercard, Katie Taylor (19-0, 6 KOs) will be defending her undisputed lightweight championship against Firuza Sharipova (14-1, 8 KOs).

 

Dmitry Bivol (18-0, 11 KOs) vs. Umar Salamov (26-1, 19 KOs)                  

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 11
  • Where: Ekaterinburg, Russia
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Light heavyweight
  • At stake: Bivol’s WBA title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Bivol 13½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Magomed Kurbanov vs. Patrick Teixeira, junior middleweights; Eduard Skavynskyi vs. TBA, welterweights; Ruslan Kamilov vs. Dmitrii Khasiev, junior lightweights; Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs. Rilwan Oladosu, junior lightweights; Artysh Lopsan vs. Ramil Gadzhyiev, super middleweights
  • Prediction: Bivol KO 10
  • Background: Bivol, arguably the best 175-pounder in the world, will be making the second defense of the WBA title (eighth if you count the WBA’s “regular” title) against Umar Salamov. The champ, a boxer-puncher from Russia, bowled over in succession Sullivan Barrera, Isaac Chilemba, Jean Pascal and Joe Smith Jr. to establish himself as a force in the division. He’s coming off a closer-than-expected decision victory over Craig Richards in May. Bivol had been out of the ring for 19 months. Salamov, a Las Vegas-based Russian, has won seven consecutive fights since he lost a close decision to Damien Hooper in 2017 in Hooper’s native Australia. He last fought in April, when he defeated Sergei Ekimov by a split decision in Russia.

 

Also fighting this week: Johnriel Casimero (31-4, 21 KOs) is scheduled to defend his WBO bantamweight title against Paul Butler (33-2, 15 KOs) on Saturday in Dubai (no TV in U.S.). Also on that card, Sunny Edwards (16-0, 4 KOs) defends his IBF flyweight belt against Jayson Mama (16-0, 9 KOs).

Fight Week: Vasily Lomachenko, Nonito Donaire return to ring

Fight Week: Vasily Lomachenko will face Richard Commey and Nonito Donaire will defend his title against Reymart Gaballo on a busy Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

VASILIY LOMACHENKO WILL FACE  RICHARD COMMEY IN HIS BID TO REMAIN A TOP 135-POUNDER. AND NONITO DONAIRE RETURNS AGAINST REYMART GABALLO.

Vasiliy Lomachenko (15-2, 11 KOs) vs. Richard Commey (30-3, 27 KOs)     

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 11
  • Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
  • TV/Stream: ESPN and ESPN+
  • Division: Lightweight
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: Lomachenko No. 7
  • Odds: Lomachenko 7-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Jared Anderson vs. Oleksandr Teslenko, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Lomachenko UD 12
  • Background: Lomachenko is the last of four top 135-pounders to fight during a two-week period. Teofimo Lopez was upset on Nov. 27 by George Kambosos, who became undisputed champ. Devin Haney outpointed Joseph Diaz Jr. on Saturday. And Gervonta Davis overcame a stiff resistance to defeat Isaac Cruz on Sunday. Now Lomachenko has a chance to show how he measures up. The former pound-for-pound king lost his crown to Lopez by a unanimous decision in October of last year. The 33-year-old Ukrianian rebounded to stop Masayoshi Nakatani in June but still seems to be an afterthought when pundits discuss the best lightweights. And a victory over Commey probably won’t change that. The 34-year-old Ghanian can punch with the best of them but has limited all-around ability, as we saw when Lopez took him out in two rounds in December of 2019. The former titleholder bounced back to stop capable Jackson Marinez in six rounds this past February. His most-impressive victory was an eighth-round knockout of Raymundo Beltran in his first title defense in June 2019. On the undercard, 22-year-old heavyweight prospect Jared Anderson (10-0, 10 KOs) of Toledo, Ohio, continues his education against Ukrainian Oleksandr Teslenko (17-1, 13 KOs) in a scheduled eight-rounder.

 

Nonito Donaire (41-6, 27 KOs) vs. Reymart Gaballo (24-0, 20 KOs)                   

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 11
  • Where: Carson, Calif.
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Bantamweight
  • At stake: Donaire’s WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Kudratillo Abdukakhorov vs. Cody Crowley, 10 rounds, welterweights; Brandun Lee vs. Juan Heraldez, 10 rounds, junior welterweights; Hiroaki Teshigawara vs. Marlon Tapales, featherweights
  • Prediction: Donaire KO 7
  • Background: The ageless Filipino Flash – 39 years young – will be making the first defense of the title he won by stopping then-unbeaten Nordine Oubaali in four rounds this past May. Many believed that Donaire was finished as an elite fighter when he lost wide decisions to Jessie Magdaleno and Carl Frampton at 122 and 126 pounds in 2016 and 2018, respectively. What did he do? Move back down to 118, at which he resurrected his status. He won two fights, gave pound-for-pounder Naoya Inoue all he could handle in a decision loss and then beat Oubaali at 38. The jury is still out on Gaballo, also a Filipino. He seemed to be schooled by Emmanuel Rodriguez in his most-recent fight and first serious test yet somehow emerged with a split-decision victory and the opportunity to fight for a major title. Donaire isn’t the technician that Rodriguez is, which might give Gaballo a chance in this fight. However, in terms of all-around ability and punching power, the challenger has never faced anyone even remotely like Donaire.

 

Conor Benn (19-0, 12 KOs) vs. Chris Algieri (25-3, 9 KOs)                

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 11
  • Where: Echo Arena, Liverpool
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Welterweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Benn 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Katie Taylor vs. Firuza Sharipova, lightweights (or Taylor’s undisputed title); Karim Guerfi vs. Jordan Gill, featherweights; Joe Cordina vs. Jesus Amparan, junior lightweights; Robbie Davies Jr. vs. Hank Lundy, junior welterweights; Caoimhin Agyarko vs. Noe Larios Jr., middleweights
  • Prediction: Benn UD
  • Background: Benn hopes to continue his slow ascent up the welterweight ladder against a 37-year-old former junior welterweight titleholder. The son of Nigel Benn has looked sharp as he has stepped up his opposition, including a wide decision over rugged Adrian Granados in September. That followed a first-round knockout over a solid opponent in Samuel Vargas in April. Benn is ranked by all four major sanctioning bodies, meaning his shot at a title will come if he continues to win. Algieri outpointed Ruslan Provodnikov to win the WBO 140-pound title and then immediately challenged WBO 147-pound champ Manny Pacquiao, who put him down six times en route to a lopsided decision victory. Algieri later lost to Amir Khan (UD) and Errol Spence Jr. (TKO 5) but has won his last four fights. He returned from a 22-month layoff to nearly shut out Mikkel LesPierre this past August, his most-recent fight. On the undercard, Katie Taylor (19-0, 6 KOs) will be defending her undisputed lightweight championship against Firuza Sharipova (14-1, 8 KOs).

 

Dmitry Bivol (18-0, 11 KOs) vs. Umar Salamov (26-1, 19 KOs)                  

  • When: Saturday, Dec. 11
  • Where: Ekaterinburg, Russia
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Light heavyweight
  • At stake: Bivol’s WBA title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Bivol 13½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Magomed Kurbanov vs. Patrick Teixeira, junior middleweights; Eduard Skavynskyi vs. TBA, welterweights; Ruslan Kamilov vs. Dmitrii Khasiev, junior lightweights; Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs. Rilwan Oladosu, junior lightweights; Artysh Lopsan vs. Ramil Gadzhyiev, super middleweights
  • Prediction: Bivol KO 10
  • Background: Bivol, arguably the best 175-pounder in the world, will be making the second defense of the WBA title (eighth if you count the WBA’s “regular” title) against Umar Salamov. The champ, a boxer-puncher from Russia, bowled over in succession Sullivan Barrera, Isaac Chilemba, Jean Pascal and Joe Smith Jr. to establish himself as a force in the division. He’s coming off a closer-than-expected decision victory over Craig Richards in May. Bivol had been out of the ring for 19 months. Salamov, a Las Vegas-based Russian, has won seven consecutive fights since he lost a close decision to Damien Hooper in 2017 in Hooper’s native Australia. He last fought in April, when he defeated Sergei Ekimov by a split decision in Russia.

 

Also fighting this week: Johnriel Casimero (31-4, 21 KOs) is scheduled to defend his WBO bantamweight title against Paul Butler (33-2, 15 KOs) on Saturday in Dubai (no TV in U.S.). Also on that card, Sunny Edwards (16-0, 4 KOs) defends his IBF flyweight belt against Jayson Mama (16-0, 9 KOs).

Conor Benn easily outpoints Adrian Granados on Warrington-Lara card

Conor Benn easily outpointed Adrian Granados on the Josh Warrington-Mauricio Lara card Saturday in Leeds, England.

Conor Benn followed the lead of other elite fighters against Adrian Granados on the Josh Warrington-Maurico Lara card Saturday in Leeds, England.

Benn easily outpointed his American opponent, who made a name for himself as a stepping stone against the likes of Adrien Broner, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert Easter.

Benn (19-0, 12 KOs) fought aggressively from the outset, winging big punches and connecting on many of them. That included some punishing body blows, particularly in the middle rounds.

Granados (21-9-3, 15 KOs) was competitive but he spent much of the fight trying to keep Benn off of him, mostly by moving his feet.

The Essex fighter was unable to take out Granados, who has been stopped only by big-punching Danny Garcia. However, he won by a wide decision. The scores were 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93.

Benn said afterward that he was disappointed that Granados chose to move instead of engage him.

“It was very frustrating,” he said. “He was talking like we were going to come together like Mack Trucks, and he was on his bike the whole fight. I was ready to go toe to toe and let him have it.”

Benn is ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, meaning he’s closing in on a title shot. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, said Benn will be back in the ring in December.

 

 

 

 

Conor Benn easily outpoints Adrian Granados on Warrington-Lara card

Conor Benn easily outpointed Adrian Granados on the Josh Warrington-Mauricio Lara card Saturday in Leeds, England.

Conor Benn followed the lead of other elite fighters against Adrian Granados on the Josh Warrington-Maurico Lara card Saturday in Leeds, England.

Benn easily outpointed his American opponent, who made a name for himself as a stepping stone against the likes of Adrien Broner, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert Easter.

Benn (19-0, 12 KOs) fought aggressively from the outset, winging big punches and connecting on many of them. That included some punishing body blows, particularly in the middle rounds.

Granados (21-9-3, 15 KOs) was competitive but he spent much of the fight trying to keep Benn off of him, mostly by moving his feet.

The Essex fighter was unable to take out Granados, who has been stopped only by big-punching Danny Garcia. However, he won by a wide decision. The scores were 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93.

Benn said afterward that he was disappointed that Granados chose to move instead of engage him.

“It was very frustrating,” he said. “He was talking like we were going to come together like Mack Trucks, and he was on his bike the whole fight. I was ready to go toe to toe and let him have it.”

Benn is ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, meaning he’s closing in on a title shot. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, said Benn will be back in the ring in December.

 

 

 

 

Conor Benn tests positive for COVID-19, off Saturday’s card

Conor Benn has tested positive for COVID-19 and is off Saturday’s card in England, where he was scheduled to face Adrian Granados.

Welterweight contender Conor Benn has had to pull out of his fight against Adrian Granados on Saturday after testing positive for COVID-19, according to multiple reports.

Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter, said he will work on rescheduling the bout, which was set to take place at Fight Camp 2 in Brentwood, England.

The featherweight fight between Xu Can of China and England’s Leigh Wood will now be the main event on DAZN.

Benn, the 24-year-old son of former two-division champion Nigel Benn, would face arguably the biggest test of his career against Granados. The Southern Californian is a solid boxer with experience against elite opposition.

Conor Benn tests positive for COVID-19, off Saturday’s card

Conor Benn has tested positive for COVID-19 and is off Saturday’s card in England, where he was scheduled to face Adrian Granados.

Welterweight contender Conor Benn has had to pull out of his fight against Adrian Granados on Saturday after testing positive for COVID-19, according to multiple reports.

Eddie Hearn, Benn’s promoter, said he will work on rescheduling the bout, which was set to take place at Fight Camp 2 in Brentwood, England.

The featherweight fight between Xu Can of China and England’s Leigh Wood will now be the main event on DAZN.

Benn, the 24-year-old son of former two-division champion Nigel Benn, would face arguably the biggest test of his career against Granados. The Southern Californian is a solid boxer with experience against elite opposition.

Fight Week: Michael Coffie to face Jonathan Rice, Conor Benn in action

Fight Week: Heavyweight contender Michael Coffie will face Gerald Washington, and Conor Benn returns on a busy Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER MICHAEL COFFIE WILL FACE late replacement jonathan rice, AND CONOR BENN RETURNS AGAINST ADRIAN GRANADOS ON A BUSY SATURDAY.

***

MICHAEL COFFIE (12-0, 9 KOs)
VS. JONATHAN RICE (13-6-1, 9 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fFvFomzKdo

  • When: Saturday, July 31
  • Where: Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
  • TV/Stream: Fox
  • Division: Heavyweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Paul Kroll vs. Justin DeLoach, welterweights; James Martin vs. Vito Mielnicki Jr., welterweight; Joey Spencer vs. Dan Karpency, junior middleweights
  • Prediction: Coffie KO 8
  • Background: Coffie, 35, got off to a late start because he spent eight years in the Marine Corps but has made an impression since turning pro in 2017. The resident of Brooklyn, who has sparred regularly with Deontay Wilder, is massive (6-foot-5, around 270 pounds) but also quick and athletic. And he’s developing into a good boxer. He’s coming off his most-important victory, a third-round knockout of previously unbeaten Darmani Rock this past January. That was his first scheduled 10-rounder. Coffie was supposed to have fought veteran Gerald Washington on Saturday but Washington had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19. Rice, a 34-year-old journeyman from Los Angeles, is coming off back-to-back losses to Australian prospect Demsey McKean (TKO 10) and Efe Ajagba (UD) in March and September of last year. Nine of his 13 victories have come by knockout, which seems to indicate that he has power. And he is about the same size as Coffie in terms of both height and weight.

***

CONOR BENN (18-0, 12 KOs)
VS. ADRIAN GRANADOS (21-8-3, 15 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8U9pxZXLF4

  • When: Saturday, July 31
  • Where: Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
  • TV/Stream: Fox
  • Division: Heavyweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Benn 12-1 (average from multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Xu Can vs. Leigh Wood, featherweights; Tommy McCarthy vs. Chris Billam-Smith, cruiserweights; Jack Cullen vs. Avni Yildrim, super middleweights; Anthony Fowler vs. Roberto Garcia, junior middleweights
  • Prediction: Benn KO 9
  • Background: Benn, the son of former two-division champion Nigel Benn, is ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies and closing in on his first title shot. The 24-year-old from Essex, England, had a short amateur career (a reported 22 fights) but has developed into a good boxer-puncher. He’s coming off back-to-back victories over second-tier veterans Sebastian Formella (UD 10) and Samel Vargas (TKO 1), the latter bout having taken place in April. Granados, 31, might be a small step above those opponents. The rugged Southern Californian is only 1-2-1 in his last four fights — including a draw with Jose Luis Sanchez in May — but he’s a solid boxer who fights hard. And he has come up short primarily against elite opponents, including Adrien Broner, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert Easter Jr. Granados would be a nice stepping stone for Benn in his pursuit of a championship.

***

Also fighting this weekend: Knockout artist Eduardo Nunez (21-1, 21 KOS) takes on Jonathan Aguilar (20-10, 15 KOs) in a featherweight bout Thursday in Los Mochis, Mexico (UFC Fight Pass); and Erick Leon faces Juan Marces Rodriguez in a junior welterweight bout Friday in Mexico City (Estrella TV).

 

Fight Week: Michael Coffie to face Jonathan Rice, Conor Benn in action

Fight Week: Heavyweight contender Michael Coffie will face Gerald Washington, and Conor Benn returns on a busy Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER MICHAEL COFFIE WILL FACE late replacement jonathan rice, AND CONOR BENN RETURNS AGAINST ADRIAN GRANADOS ON A BUSY SATURDAY.

***

MICHAEL COFFIE (12-0, 9 KOs)
VS. JONATHAN RICE (13-6-1, 9 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fFvFomzKdo

  • When: Saturday, July 31
  • Where: Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
  • TV/Stream: Fox
  • Division: Heavyweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Paul Kroll vs. Justin DeLoach, welterweights; James Martin vs. Vito Mielnicki Jr., welterweight; Joey Spencer vs. Dan Karpency, junior middleweights
  • Prediction: Coffie KO 8
  • Background: Coffie, 35, got off to a late start because he spent eight years in the Marine Corps but has made an impression since turning pro in 2017. The resident of Brooklyn, who has sparred regularly with Deontay Wilder, is massive (6-foot-5, around 270 pounds) but also quick and athletic. And he’s developing into a good boxer. He’s coming off his most-important victory, a third-round knockout of previously unbeaten Darmani Rock this past January. That was his first scheduled 10-rounder. Coffie was supposed to have fought veteran Gerald Washington on Saturday but Washington had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19. Rice, a 34-year-old journeyman from Los Angeles, is coming off back-to-back losses to Australian prospect Demsey McKean (TKO 10) and Efe Ajagba (UD) in March and September of last year. Nine of his 13 victories have come by knockout, which seems to indicate that he has power. And he is about the same size as Coffie in terms of both height and weight.

***

CONOR BENN (18-0, 12 KOs)
VS. ADRIAN GRANADOS (21-8-3, 15 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8U9pxZXLF4

  • When: Saturday, July 31
  • Where: Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
  • TV/Stream: Fox
  • Division: Heavyweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Benn 12-1 (average from multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Xu Can vs. Leigh Wood, featherweights; Tommy McCarthy vs. Chris Billam-Smith, cruiserweights; Jack Cullen vs. Avni Yildrim, super middleweights; Anthony Fowler vs. Roberto Garcia, junior middleweights
  • Prediction: Benn KO 9
  • Background: Benn, the son of former two-division champion Nigel Benn, is ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies and closing in on his first title shot. The 24-year-old from Essex, England, had a short amateur career (a reported 22 fights) but has developed into a good boxer-puncher. He’s coming off back-to-back victories over second-tier veterans Sebastian Formella (UD 10) and Samel Vargas (TKO 1), the latter bout having taken place in April. Granados, 31, might be a small step above those opponents. The rugged Southern Californian is only 1-2-1 in his last four fights — including a draw with Jose Luis Sanchez in May — but he’s a solid boxer who fights hard. And he has come up short primarily against elite opponents, including Adrien Broner, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert Easter Jr. Granados would be a nice stepping stone for Benn in his pursuit of a championship.

***

Also fighting this weekend: Knockout artist Eduardo Nunez (21-1, 21 KOS) takes on Jonathan Aguilar (20-10, 15 KOs) in a featherweight bout Thursday in Los Mochis, Mexico (UFC Fight Pass); and Erick Leon faces Juan Marces Rodriguez in a junior welterweight bout Friday in Mexico City (Estrella TV).

 

Good, bad, worse: Jaron Ennis dazzling, gutsy Joe Smith Jr. fortunate

Good, bad, worse: Jaron Ennis was dazzling and gutsy Joe Smith Jr. was fortunate on separate cards Saturday.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

No one is surprised that Jaron Ennis defeated Sergey Lipinets on Saturday night in Uncasville, Conn. It was the way he did it that left us agog.

Ennis needed less than half a fight to beat up and break down a good, durable opponent before finishing the job with a brutal right-left combination in Round 6, the Philadelphian’s 17th consecutive knockout in completed fights.

“Boots” obviously is a gifted, polished technician. He frustrated Lipinets with his long jab and quick feet early in the fight — an example of his ability — before lowering the boom soon afterward. He’s an excellent boxer.

That alone isn’t what makes him special, though. It’s the combination of his skill set and punching power that makes the 23-year-old a candidate to become a superstar one day.

Ennis’ punches destroyed a man who went the distance with Mikey Garcia and had been down only once before in his professional career. Lipinets’ bruised, swollen face was a testament to the impact of Ennis’ punching power.

And he’s remarkably accurate given that impact: He connected on 52.9% of his power shots, an unusually high number.

Who else in boxing can do what he Ennis does? Who has that blend of boxing skills, natural gifts (speed, reflexes, athleticism) and debilitating power?

I’m not sure anyone does. Maybe Gervonta Davis? Terence Crawford? Bud has stopped his last eight opponents. Canelo Alvarez? Nah. He doesn’t have the natural gifts of Ennis, as great as the Mexican is.

It’s too early to say that Ennis is in the class of boxing’s best. The dominating victory over Lipinets was a nice step for him but he’s just beginning to build an impressive resume, which is required to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

I’m comfortable saying this, though: He has better tools than anyone else in boxing. And I think he will prove it over time. I predict he’ll end up No. 1 in the world pound for pound.

[lawrence-related id=19311]

***

BAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC5avCdOXdQ

Everyone is happy for Joe Smith Jr., a hard-working, blue-collar guy from Long Island, N.Y., who defeated Maxim Vlasov by a majority decision to win the vacant WBO light heavyweight title on Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.

Everyone must also acknowledge that he was fortunate to emerge victorious.

Vlasov, a clever veteran with an awkward style, outworked Smith and stayed in his face for most of the fight, which made it difficult for the big puncher to get extension on his power shots. Smith did land some and rallied down the stretch. However, in the eyes of many, the Russian did enough for the majority of the fight to earn the nod.

Boxing Junkie scored it 115-113, seven rounds to five for Vlasov. And 116-112 in his favor also would’ve been reasonable.

Alas, the official judges didn’t see it that way. David Sutherland scored it a 114-114 draw while Gerald Ritter and Pat Russell had it 115-112 and 115-113 in Smith’s favor, which gave him the coveted championship.

Smith said afterward that he deserved the decision because he landed the bigger shots. Meanwhile, Vlasov said he was in control throughout the fight and deserved to go home with the belt. He presumably felt he was the victim of a home-country decision.

“This was my opportunity to show the world I was a world champion. … I did that, and Joe Smith knows I did that,” Vlasov said.

Smith deserves credit. He fought his heart out from beginning to end in spite of a bad cut to realize his dream and set up an even bigger fight. The problem is that Vlasov might’ve deserved the decision.

[lawrence-related id=19315]

***

WORSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6pIbW53C2w

Smith appears to be on a collision course with Artur Beterbiev in a title-unification fight before the end of the year, although nothing has been settled.

And that’s clearly the fight Smith wants. He dreams of holding more than one belt simultaneously, as many of the top fighters do. I admire his confidence and the fact he’s thinking big.

I also fear for him if he ends up tangling with the beast-like Russian.

Smith’s limitations were on full display against Vlasov, just as they were when he lost a wide decision against titleholder Dmitry Bivol. He has courage, he can crack but he’s crude boxer, which could set him up for disaster against Beterbiev.

The two-time Olympian is a well-schooled, experienced boxer who has stopped all 16 of his opponents, evidence of the damage his punches do. He probably doesn’t have one-punch knockout power like Smith. He merely chops you down like an ill-fated tree.

Of course, Smith has a puncher’s chance because of his power but it’s a small chance. A more likely scenario is that Beterbiev pulverizes him for seven or eight rounds, at which time a sympathetic soul will step in and end the slaughter.

Again, if Smith wants Beterbiev, he has earned the right to face him. I just think it could end up being hard to watch.

***

RABBIT PUNCHES

Eimantas Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs) turned in a nice performance against an inspired Thomas Dulorme (25-5-1, 16 KOs) on the Ennis-Lipinets fight, winning a unanimous decision. Dulorme, under the tutelage of trainer Ismael Salas, boxed beautifully but the relentless Lithuanian ultimately wore him down to take control of the fight. Stanionis passed an important test. Dulorme did, too. I think the Puerto Rican demonstrated that he can still fight at an elite level. I hope he gets more opportunities. … Junior bantamweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs) and Jonathan Rodriguez (22-2, 16 KOs) gave fans an entertaining back-and-forth battle on the Ennis-Lipinets card. Ancajas retained his title for a ninth time by winning a unanimous decision but Rodriguez was also a winner. The relatively unknown Mexican, who had never fought outside his country, announced with his performance that he is a top-tier 115-pounder. Ancajas wants to fight the likes of Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez. Rodriguez might be ready for them, too. … Conor Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) looked like a legitimate title contender against Samuel Vargas (31-7-2, 14 KOs) on Saturday in London, putting a solid opponent away in one round. That was quicker than Errol Spence Jr., Danny Garcia and Vergil Ortiz were able to do it. He called for a true test afterward, mentioning Amir Khan among others. I hope he gets that kind of fight. And I won’t be surprised if he succeeds.

[lawrence-related id=19306,19303]

Good, bad, worse: Jaron Ennis dazzling, gutsy Joe Smith Jr. fortunate

Good, bad, worse: Jaron Ennis was dazzling and gutsy Joe Smith Jr. was fortunate on separate cards Saturday.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

No one is surprised that Jaron Ennis defeated Sergey Lipinets on Saturday night in Uncasville, Conn. It was the way he did it that left us agog.

Ennis needed less than half a fight to beat up and break down a good, durable opponent before finishing the job with a brutal right-left combination in Round 6, the Philadelphian’s 17th consecutive knockout in completed fights.

“Boots” obviously is a gifted, polished technician. He frustrated Lipinets with his long jab and quick feet early in the fight — an example of his ability — before lowering the boom soon afterward. He’s an excellent boxer.

That alone isn’t what makes him special, though. It’s the combination of his skill set and punching power that makes the 23-year-old a candidate to become a superstar one day.

Ennis’ punches destroyed a man who went the distance with Mikey Garcia and had been down only once before in his professional career. Lipinets’ bruised, swollen face was a testament to the impact of Ennis’ punching power.

And he’s remarkably accurate given that impact: He connected on 52.9% of his power shots, an unusually high number.

Who else in boxing can do what he Ennis does? Who has that blend of boxing skills, natural gifts (speed, reflexes, athleticism) and debilitating power?

I’m not sure anyone does. Maybe Gervonta Davis? Terence Crawford? Bud has stopped his last eight opponents. Canelo Alvarez? Nah. He doesn’t have the natural gifts of Ennis, as great as the Mexican is.

It’s too early to say that Ennis is in the class of boxing’s best. The dominating victory over Lipinets was a nice step for him but he’s just beginning to build an impressive resume, which is required to reach the pinnacle of the sport.

I’m comfortable saying this, though: He has better tools than anyone else in boxing. And I think he will prove it over time. I predict he’ll end up No. 1 in the world pound for pound.

[lawrence-related id=19311]

***

BAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC5avCdOXdQ

Everyone is happy for Joe Smith Jr., a hard-working, blue-collar guy from Long Island, N.Y., who defeated Maxim Vlasov by a majority decision to win the vacant WBO light heavyweight title on Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.

Everyone must also acknowledge that he was fortunate to emerge victorious.

Vlasov, a clever veteran with an awkward style, outworked Smith and stayed in his face for most of the fight, which made it difficult for the big puncher to get extension on his power shots. Smith did land some and rallied down the stretch. However, in the eyes of many, the Russian did enough for the majority of the fight to earn the nod.

Boxing Junkie scored it 115-113, seven rounds to five for Vlasov. And 116-112 in his favor also would’ve been reasonable.

Alas, the official judges didn’t see it that way. David Sutherland scored it a 114-114 draw while Gerald Ritter and Pat Russell had it 115-112 and 115-113 in Smith’s favor, which gave him the coveted championship.

Smith said afterward that he deserved the decision because he landed the bigger shots. Meanwhile, Vlasov said he was in control throughout the fight and deserved to go home with the belt. He presumably felt he was the victim of a home-country decision.

“This was my opportunity to show the world I was a world champion. … I did that, and Joe Smith knows I did that,” Vlasov said.

Smith deserves credit. He fought his heart out from beginning to end in spite of a bad cut to realize his dream and set up an even bigger fight. The problem is that Vlasov might’ve deserved the decision.

[lawrence-related id=19315]

***

WORSE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6pIbW53C2w

Smith appears to be on a collision course with Artur Beterbiev in a title-unification fight before the end of the year, although nothing has been settled.

And that’s clearly the fight Smith wants. He dreams of holding more than one belt simultaneously, as many of the top fighters do. I admire his confidence and the fact he’s thinking big.

I also fear for him if he ends up tangling with the beast-like Russian.

Smith’s limitations were on full display against Vlasov, just as they were when he lost a wide decision against titleholder Dmitry Bivol. He has courage, he can crack but he’s crude boxer, which could set him up for disaster against Beterbiev.

The two-time Olympian is a well-schooled, experienced boxer who has stopped all 16 of his opponents, evidence of the damage his punches do. He probably doesn’t have one-punch knockout power like Smith. He merely chops you down like an ill-fated tree.

Of course, Smith has a puncher’s chance because of his power but it’s a small chance. A more likely scenario is that Beterbiev pulverizes him for seven or eight rounds, at which time a sympathetic soul will step in and end the slaughter.

Again, if Smith wants Beterbiev, he has earned the right to face him. I just think it could end up being hard to watch.

***

RABBIT PUNCHES

Eimantas Stanionis (13-0, 9 KOs) turned in a nice performance against an inspired Thomas Dulorme (25-5-1, 16 KOs) on the Ennis-Lipinets fight, winning a unanimous decision. Dulorme, under the tutelage of trainer Ismael Salas, boxed beautifully but the relentless Lithuanian ultimately wore him down to take control of the fight. Stanionis passed an important test. Dulorme did, too. I think the Puerto Rican demonstrated that he can still fight at an elite level. I hope he gets more opportunities. … Junior bantamweight titleholder Jerwin Ancajas (33-1-2, 22 KOs) and Jonathan Rodriguez (22-2, 16 KOs) gave fans an entertaining back-and-forth battle on the Ennis-Lipinets card. Ancajas retained his title for a ninth time by winning a unanimous decision but Rodriguez was also a winner. The relatively unknown Mexican, who had never fought outside his country, announced with his performance that he is a top-tier 115-pounder. Ancajas wants to fight the likes of Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez. Rodriguez might be ready for them, too. … Conor Benn (18-0, 12 KOs) looked like a legitimate title contender against Samuel Vargas (31-7-2, 14 KOs) on Saturday in London, putting a solid opponent away in one round. That was quicker than Errol Spence Jr., Danny Garcia and Vergil Ortiz were able to do it. He called for a true test afterward, mentioning Amir Khan among others. I hope he gets that kind of fight. And I won’t be surprised if he succeeds.

[lawrence-related id=19306,19303]