2020 Boxing Junkie Awards: Jose Zepeda vs. Ivan Baranchyk is named Fight of the Year.
Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a six-part series. Boxing junkie will reveal one year-end award each day through Dec. 30. Today: Fight of the Year.
***
FIGHT OF THE YEAR
JOSE ZEPEDA KO 5 IVAN BARANCHYK
ZEPEDA AND BARANCHYK GAVE FANS one of those nights of which THEY often dream but rarely witness
Eight knockdowns in four-plus rounds. A brutal knockout to punctuate the mayhem. Genuine concern for a semi-conscious loser after the fact. Fans will never, ever forget what they witnessed on Oct. 3.
Jose Zepeda knocked out Ivan Baranchyk with a right-left combination in Round 5 inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas, putting him in a strong position to challenge for a 140-pound title. However, it was the drama – before and after the knockout – that had people talking afterward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY2Re-tCzXk
First, there was a total of eight knockdowns — at least one in each of the five rounds. Zepeda went down twice in Round 1, they both went down once in Round 2, Baranchyk hit the canvas one time in both Round 3 and Round 4 and referee Kenny Bayless rule one more knockdown when the ropes saved Baranchyk from going down.
Then came the ending.
Baranchyk was on the attack, as he was the entire fight, when the left-handed Zepeda landed a hard overhand right and followed with a short, but powerful left that knocked Baranchyk onto his back, bending his right knee in an unnatural manner in the process.
There was no need to count. The fight was over 2 minutes, 50 seconds into Round 5.
Baranchyk, perhaps rendered unconscious before his body landed on the canvas, lay still when doctors jumped into the ring. It was one of those moments when your heart is suddenly in your throat, when you’re not certain the fallen fighter will be OK.
The Belarusian’s eyes were glassy but he responded to their questions, which was a good sign. Soon they had him sitting up. And then they helped him to his feet. He walked out of the ring to finally end an emotional roller coaster and was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons.
Promoter Bob Arum, who has seen it all in more than a half century in boxing, was effusive after the fact.
“One of the best fights I’ve seen since Foreman-Lyle [in 1976]. Plain and simple,” he tweeted.
Fight of the Year might not do this brawl justice.
Runner up: Juan Francisco Estrada TKO 11 Carlos Cuadras
2020 Boxing Junkie Awards: Jose Zepeda vs. Ivan Baranchyk is named Fight of the Year.
Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a six-part series. Boxing junkie will reveal one year-end award each day through Dec. 30. Today: Fight of the Year.
***
FIGHT OF THE YEAR
JOSE ZEPEDA KO 5 IVAN BARANCHYK
ZEPEDA AND BARANCHYK GAVE FANS one of those nights of which THEY often dream but rarely witness
Eight knockdowns in four-plus rounds. A brutal knockout to punctuate the mayhem. Genuine concern for a semi-conscious loser after the fact. Fans will never, ever forget what they witnessed on Oct. 3.
Jose Zepeda knocked out Ivan Baranchyk with a right-left combination in Round 5 inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas, putting him in a strong position to challenge for a 140-pound title. However, it was the drama – before and after the knockout – that had people talking afterward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY2Re-tCzXk
First, there was a total of eight knockdowns — at least one in each of the five rounds. Zepeda went down twice in Round 1, they both went down once in Round 2, Baranchyk hit the canvas one time in both Round 3 and Round 4 and referee Kenny Bayless rule one more knockdown when the ropes saved Baranchyk from going down.
Then came the ending.
Baranchyk was on the attack, as he was the entire fight, when the left-handed Zepeda landed a hard overhand right and followed with a short, but powerful left that knocked Baranchyk onto his back, bending his right knee in an unnatural manner in the process.
There was no need to count. The fight was over 2 minutes, 50 seconds into Round 5.
Baranchyk, perhaps rendered unconscious before his body landed on the canvas, lay still when doctors jumped into the ring. It was one of those moments when your heart is suddenly in your throat, when you’re not certain the fallen fighter will be OK.
The Belarusian’s eyes were glassy but he responded to their questions, which was a good sign. Soon they had him sitting up. And then they helped him to his feet. He walked out of the ring to finally end an emotional roller coaster and was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons.
Promoter Bob Arum, who has seen it all in more than a half century in boxing, was effusive after the fact.
“One of the best fights I’ve seen since Foreman-Lyle [in 1976]. Plain and simple,” he tweeted.
Fight of the Year might not do this brawl justice.
Runner up: Juan Francisco Estrada TKO 11 Carlos Cuadras
Jose Zepeda and Ivan Baranchyk gave fans a fight for the ages but such brawls often come with a price tag.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
This is the punch that ended the night of Baranchyk (left). Mikey Williams / Top Rank
The tendency after watching a special fight like Jose Zepeda vs. Ivan Baranchyk on Saturday night is to heap hyperbole upon it. Fight of the Year! Fight of the DECADE! FIGHT OF THE CENTURY!
Of course, we want to keep things in their proper perspective even as our heads are still spinning as a result of the excitement.
So I’ll say this: I’ve followed boxing for a half century and covered it for three decades – I’ve seen thousands of fights – and this one might rank in my Top 10 most thrilling battles. I hesitate to compare it to classics such as Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III, Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns or Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo, which were more important fights, but it was a similar thrill ride.
Eight knockdowns in four-plus rounds – four apiece — is deliciously insane. We all love a dramatic knockout, which Zepeda provided with a right-left combination in Round 5. And the seemingly dire condition of Baranchyk immediately after the fight provided added, albeit unwanted drama.
This word is probably used too much but it truly was an “unforgettable” fight.
And I appreciate that, in part because I’ve seen so many forgettable fights. That isn’t to minimize the efforts of any fighter. I’ve always admired anyone with the courage to step through those ropes.
The courage of Zepeda and Baranchyk was simply off the charts on Saturday. Baranchyk, known as “The Beast”, attacked Zepeda like a mad man from the opening bell. The Los Angeles-area fighter, known for his boxing skills, probably could’ve held or run. Instead, his well-being be damned, he fought back in kind.
The result was one of those nights of which fans often dream but rarely witness.
***
BAD
Tim Bradley knows what it’s like to take part in a wild, damaging brawl. He was in one against Ruslan Provodnikov (right). Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images
The four minutes during which Baranchyk lay on the canvas after he was knocked out gave us time to make sense out of what we witnessed moments early and Baranchyk’s condition.
It was a strange emotional up and down.
One minute we’re on the edge of our seats and yelling, “NO WAY!!” The next, watching Baranchyk struggle to recover from his brutal fate, we had a clear understanding of the price fighters often pay to entertain us.
TV analyst Tim Bradley, perhaps with his war against Ruslan Provodnikov in mind, gave us a sobering perspective.
“I’m really sad right now,” Bradley said as Baranchyk lay on the canvas. “Honestly, the severity of the sport … this is a brutal, brutal sport, man. And just watching this continues to let me know that I got out at the right time, ended my career at the right time.
“My heart goes out to Baranchyk and his team and his loved ones. He put on a hell of a performance tonight. I cannot take that away from him.”
Bradley then spoke about other topics momentarily, including the quality of the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s medical team, before returning to his feelings about Baranchyk.
“These are the situations right there that take me back to what I used to tell my wife before I got into the ring,” he said. “I used to her all the time, ‘Look at me now. The man you see right now is not going to be the same man who exits the ring tonight. So take a deep breath in and look at me.’ … That’s truly it.
“Baranchyk, a piece of him was left in the ring tonight. A piece of him was left, and he’ll never get it back.”
***
WORSE
Jerry Quarry (left) and Muhammad Ali both played a price for so many years in boxing. AP Photo
I keep thinking about that last comment from Bradley.
The former two-division titleholder thinks and speaks clearly, which is why he’s a top TV analyst. However, what impact will the punches he took in his career have on him 10, 20, 30 years from now?
I’ve run into too many fighters who struggle a decade or two after their boxing careers come to an end. Some are lucky. I’m thinking of George Foreman. Some have annoying physical ailments. Some think slowly or slur their words. Some are much worse off than that.
I’m reminded of the late heavyweight contender Jerry Quarry, who fought Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier twice each.
I ran into him on a few occasions around the time he made the second of two ill-advised comebacks, in the early 1990s. He was still strong and could communicate fairly well but, at 47, he clearly had no business in the ring.
Shortly after he died at 53, in 1999, I interviewed his sister for a story I wrote when I was with the Los Angeles Daily News. She told me that near the end of his life she would look into his eyes and see nothing, that they completely vacant, and she cried.
That was the result of a lifetime in boxing.
The point here isn’t to be critical of the sport, which some would like to see banned. I love boxing. Always will. I’m trying to say that we should take the time to appreciate the sacrifices fighters like Baranchyk make to realize their dreams.
People have asked me many times over the years, “Why do you like that sport?” It took me some time to figure it out but I finally did: Boxing isn’t a game, like baseball, football or basketball.
Boxers risk their lives and well being every time they step through the ropes. Let’s not forget that. And let’s be grateful.
Jose Zepeda and Ivan Baranchyk gave fans a fight for the ages but such brawls often come with a price tag.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
This is the punch that ended the night of Baranchyk (left). Mikey Williams / Top Rank
The tendency after watching a special fight like Jose Zepeda vs. Ivan Baranchyk on Saturday night is to heap hyperbole upon it. Fight of the Year! Fight of the DECADE! FIGHT OF THE CENTURY!
Of course, we want to keep things in their proper perspective even as our heads are still spinning as a result of the excitement.
So I’ll say this: I’ve followed boxing for a half century and covered it for three decades – I’ve seen thousands of fights – and this one might rank in my Top 10 most thrilling battles. I hesitate to compare it to classics such as Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III, Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns or Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo, which were more important fights, but it was a similar thrill ride.
Eight knockdowns in four-plus rounds – four apiece — is deliciously insane. We all love a dramatic knockout, which Zepeda provided with a right-left combination in Round 5. And the seemingly dire condition of Baranchyk immediately after the fight provided added, albeit unwanted drama.
This word is probably used too much but it truly was an “unforgettable” fight.
And I appreciate that, in part because I’ve seen so many forgettable fights. That isn’t to minimize the efforts of any fighter. I’ve always admired anyone with the courage to step through those ropes.
The courage of Zepeda and Baranchyk was simply off the charts on Saturday. Baranchyk, known as “The Beast”, attacked Zepeda like a mad man from the opening bell. The Los Angeles-area fighter, known for his boxing skills, probably could’ve held or run. Instead, his well-being be damned, he fought back in kind.
The result was one of those nights of which fans often dream but rarely witness.
***
BAD
Tim Bradley knows what it’s like to take part in a wild, damaging brawl. He was in one against Ruslan Provodnikov (right). Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images
The four minutes during which Baranchyk lay on the canvas after he was knocked out gave us time to make sense out of what we witnessed moments early and Baranchyk’s condition.
It was a strange emotional up and down.
One minute we’re on the edge of our seats and yelling, “NO WAY!!” The next, watching Baranchyk struggle to recover from his brutal fate, we had a clear understanding of the price fighters often pay to entertain us.
TV analyst Tim Bradley, perhaps with his war against Ruslan Provodnikov in mind, gave us a sobering perspective.
“I’m really sad right now,” Bradley said as Baranchyk lay on the canvas. “Honestly, the severity of the sport … this is a brutal, brutal sport, man. And just watching this continues to let me know that I got out at the right time, ended my career at the right time.
“My heart goes out to Baranchyk and his team and his loved ones. He put on a hell of a performance tonight. I cannot take that away from him.”
Bradley then spoke about other topics momentarily, including the quality of the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s medical team, before returning to his feelings about Baranchyk.
“These are the situations right there that take me back to what I used to tell my wife before I got into the ring,” he said. “I used to her all the time, ‘Look at me now. The man you see right now is not going to be the same man who exits the ring tonight. So take a deep breath in and look at me.’ … That’s truly it.
“Baranchyk, a piece of him was left in the ring tonight. A piece of him was left, and he’ll never get it back.”
***
WORSE
Jerry Quarry (left) and Muhammad Ali both played a price for so many years in boxing. AP Photo
I keep thinking about that last comment from Bradley.
The former two-division titleholder thinks and speaks clearly, which is why he’s a top TV analyst. However, what impact will the punches he took in his career have on him 10, 20, 30 years from now?
I’ve run into too many fighters who struggle a decade or two after their boxing careers come to an end. Some are lucky. I’m thinking of George Foreman. Some have annoying physical ailments. Some think slowly or slur their words. Some are much worse off than that.
I’m reminded of the late heavyweight contender Jerry Quarry, who fought Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier twice each.
I ran into him on a few occasions around the time he made the second of two ill-advised comebacks, in the early 1990s. He was still strong and could communicate fairly well but, at 47, he clearly had no business in the ring.
Shortly after he died at 53, in 1999, I interviewed his sister for a story I wrote when I was with the Los Angeles Daily News. She told me that near the end of his life she would look into his eyes and see nothing, that they completely vacant, and she cried.
That was the result of a lifetime in boxing.
The point here isn’t to be critical of the sport, which some would like to see banned. I love boxing. Always will. I’m trying to say that we should take the time to appreciate the sacrifices fighters like Baranchyk make to realize their dreams.
People have asked me many times over the years, “Why do you like that sport?” It took me some time to figure it out but I finally did: Boxing isn’t a game, like baseball, football or basketball.
Boxers risk their lives and well being every time they step through the ropes. Let’s not forget that. And let’s be grateful.
Here are some reactions to the epic Jose Zepeda-Ivan Baranchyk brawl on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Those inside the boxing world were as flabbergasted as the fans by the Jose Zepeda-Ivan Baranchyk brawl on Saturday in Las Vegas.
The fighters went down four times each in a Fight of the Year candidate that ended when Zepeda stopped Baranchyk with a right-left combination in the fifth round of a scheduled 10-round junior welterweight fight.
Baranchyk lay on the canvas for four minutes before he was able to sit up and eventually walked out of the ring. He reportedly remains in a hospital today but is doing well.
Here are some reactions from inside the boxing world.
My Dad was ringside for Hagler-Hearns and he just said this was better. After the first round, it was all Hagler. Zepeda-Baranchyk had more sustained action. Wow.
well, I wrote on twitter that #ZepedaBaranchyk was going to be a really good fight, but I did not know it was going be THIS good. Amazing stuff. Hats off to both men.
Now that we all watched a great fight last night now how many people woke up thinking about Baranchyk well being? See what us fights go through just to entertain people that don’t care about us. It’s no joke in the ring , you can’t play boxing like other sports.
What a sensational dramatic fight . Congratulations to the new @WBCBoxing silver super light weight champion and to such a warrior challenger #ZepedaBaranchyk@trboxing
Whether @ringmagazine puts its up for Fight Of The Year or Knockout Of The Year, it’ll definitely be nominated by many for something! Overall glad to see Baranchyk walk out of there.
Scary one punch end to a sensational, back and forth, knockdown filled fight-of-the-year kind of brawl. Congratulations to Jose Zepeda. Hope Ivan Baranchyk is ok.
We fighters love our sport,we are proud to be a boxer and most of us enter that ring willing to do whatever it takes to win.But there is a harsh reality. Boxing is terrible sometimes. Prompt recovery to Baranchyk hope that it is nothing serious.The fans before judging a fighter🤔
Here are some reactions to the epic Jose Zepeda-Ivan Baranchyk brawl on Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Those inside the boxing world were as flabbergasted as the fans by the Jose Zepeda-Ivan Baranchyk brawl on Saturday in Las Vegas.
The fighters went down four times each in a Fight of the Year candidate that ended when Zepeda stopped Baranchyk with a right-left combination in the fifth round of a scheduled 10-round junior welterweight fight.
Baranchyk lay on the canvas for four minutes before he was able to sit up and eventually walked out of the ring. He reportedly remains in a hospital today but is doing well.
Here are some reactions from inside the boxing world.
My Dad was ringside for Hagler-Hearns and he just said this was better. After the first round, it was all Hagler. Zepeda-Baranchyk had more sustained action. Wow.
well, I wrote on twitter that #ZepedaBaranchyk was going to be a really good fight, but I did not know it was going be THIS good. Amazing stuff. Hats off to both men.
Now that we all watched a great fight last night now how many people woke up thinking about Baranchyk well being? See what us fights go through just to entertain people that don’t care about us. It’s no joke in the ring , you can’t play boxing like other sports.
What a sensational dramatic fight . Congratulations to the new @WBCBoxing silver super light weight champion and to such a warrior challenger #ZepedaBaranchyk@trboxing
Whether @ringmagazine puts its up for Fight Of The Year or Knockout Of The Year, it’ll definitely be nominated by many for something! Overall glad to see Baranchyk walk out of there.
Scary one punch end to a sensational, back and forth, knockdown filled fight-of-the-year kind of brawl. Congratulations to Jose Zepeda. Hope Ivan Baranchyk is ok.
We fighters love our sport,we are proud to be a boxer and most of us enter that ring willing to do whatever it takes to win.But there is a harsh reality. Boxing is terrible sometimes. Prompt recovery to Baranchyk hope that it is nothing serious.The fans before judging a fighter🤔
Ivan Baranchyk remains in a Las Vegas hospital a day after his epic brawl with Jose Zepeda on Saturday inside the MGM Grand “bubble”.
Ivan Baranchyk remains in a Las Vegas hospital a day after his epic brawl with Jose Zepeda on Saturday inside the MGM Grand “bubble”, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix tweeted.
The junior welterweight contender “is doing well, will undergo more tests and could be released as early as today,” Mannix wrote, citing promoter Lou DiBella as his source.
Zepeda and Baranchyk engaged in a wild, eight-knockdown brawl that ended with Zepeda knocking out the Russian slugger with a right-left combination 2 minutes, 50 seconds into Round 5.
Baranchyk lay on back for only seconds when the ring doctor stepped into the ring and began to assess the fallen fighter, who seemed to react to the doctor’s questions immediately.
Here is the timeline of what ensued in the ring:
2:44 after the knockdown: Doctor removed mouthpiece.
4:00: Baranchyk was able to sit up with help.
4:39: He was helped onto a stool.
6:15: He was on his feet.
6:48: He stepped out of the ring.
The fighters went down four times each in a brawl that is a leading candidate for Fight of the Year.
Baranchyk (20-2, 13 KOs) has now lost two of his last three fights. He was outpointed by Josh Taylor in May of last year, losing the 140-pound title he won when he stopped Anthony Yigit in his previous fight.
Zepeda (33-2, 26 KOs) is in position to challenge for a junior welterweight belt after his spectacular victory.
Ivan Baranchyk remains in a Las Vegas hospital a day after his epic brawl with Jose Zepeda on Saturday inside the MGM Grand “bubble”.
Ivan Baranchyk remains in a Las Vegas hospital a day after his epic brawl with Jose Zepeda on Saturday inside the MGM Grand “bubble”, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix tweeted.
The junior welterweight contender “is doing well, will undergo more tests and could be released as early as today,” Mannix wrote, citing promoter Lou DiBella as his source.
Zepeda and Baranchyk engaged in a wild, eight-knockdown brawl that ended with Zepeda knocking out the Russian slugger with a right-left combination 2 minutes, 50 seconds into Round 5.
Baranchyk lay on back for only seconds when the ring doctor stepped into the ring and began to assess the fallen fighter, who seemed to react to the doctor’s questions immediately.
Here is the timeline of what ensued in the ring:
2:44 after the knockdown: Doctor removed mouthpiece.
4:00: Baranchyk was able to sit up with help.
4:39: He was helped onto a stool.
6:15: He was on his feet.
6:48: He stepped out of the ring.
The fighters went down four times each in a brawl that is a leading candidate for Fight of the Year.
Baranchyk (20-2, 13 KOs) has now lost two of his last three fights. He was outpointed by Josh Taylor in May of last year, losing the 140-pound title he won when he stopped Anthony Yigit in his previous fight.
Zepeda (33-2, 26 KOs) is in position to challenge for a junior welterweight belt after his spectacular victory.
Jose Zepeda stopped Ivan Baranchyk in the fifth round a brawl in which both men went down four times Saturday in Las Vegas.
Eight knockdowns in four-plus rounds? A single-combination knockout to punctuate the mayhem? Genuine concern for a semi-conscious loser after the fact? Fans will never, ever forget what they witnessed on Saturday night.
Jose Zepeda knocked out Ivan Baranchyk with a right-left combination in Round 5 inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas, putting him in a strong position to challenge for a 140-pound title.
But that was only one element in a fight jam packed with drama before and after the knockout.
First, consider the fact that there was at least one knock down in each of the five rounds.
Baranchyk, aptly called “The Beast,” came out like one at the opening bell and put Zepeda down twice in Round 1. They both went down once in Round 2. Baranchyk hit the canvas in Round 3. The Russian went down again late in Round 4.
And, in Round 5, Baranchyk was awarded one more knockdown when the ropes saved Zepeda from going down.
One could just imagine fans all across the United States and beyond standing in disbelief in front of their TVs or devices at that moment and yelling, “Ohhhhh myyyyy God! This is nuts!”
Then came the ending.
Baranchyk was on the attack, as he was the entire fight, when the left-handed Zepeda landed a hard overhand right and followed with a short, but powerful left that knocked Baranchyk onto his back, bending his right knee in an unnatural manner in the process.
There was no need to count. Baranchyk, perhaps rendered unconscious before his body landed on the canvas, lay still when doctors jumped into the ring. It was one of those moments when your heart is suddenly in your throat, when you’re certain he will be OK.
His eyes were glassy but he responded to their questions, which was a good sign. Soon they had him sitting up. And then they helped him to his feet. He walked out of the ring to finally end an emotional roller coaster and was taken to a hospital for precautionary reasons.
The fight was one of the most exciting brawls in recent memory, perhaps one of the best in a generation. Eight knockdowns in four-plus rounds? Crazy. It has to be the Fight of the Year but that award might not be grandiose enough for what occurred.
The knockout was spectacular. Knockout of the Year? It will be in the running.
And the aftermath, which took the edge off the excitement of the moment, reminded us how brutal the sport can be. Two boxers fight with reckless abandon – giving fans the kind of action of which they dream but rarely receive – and one is damaged in the end.
Brutal stuff.
Zepeda (33-2, 26 KOs) was asked immediately afterward what he was feeling.
“I feel great because I won the fight,” he said with less enthusiasm than such a moment typically calls for. “It was a hard fight. I mean, I’m thinking that boxing is hard. It’s no easy game. Boxing is tough. You gotta give it 100 percent. It’s a hard sport, probably the hardest sport.”
One ironic element is that Zepeda is normally more of a refined boxer than a fighter who likes to engage his opponent. The problem was that Baranchyk gave him no choice by attacking him with such vigor.
It seemed as if the winner might be decided by who happened to land first in any given wild exchange, although Zepeda’s punches did more damage than Baranchyk’s even before he landed the knockout combination.
Zepeda, admittedly a self-doubter, said he learned something about his himself in those insane four-plus rounds.
“I know I’m tough,” he said. “I just didn’t know how tough. Tonight I showed myself too. It was the first time I was in a fight like this. I was a great learning experience.
“… I doubt myself all the time. It happens to me every fight. I doubt myself too much. I had only 16 amateur fights, not a lot of amateur experience. That’s why I’m always doubting myself.”
The Los Angeles-area fighter has big plans for someone who doubts himself.
His only loss in the past five years came by majority decision against junior welterweight titleholder Jose Ramirez in February of last year. He’d like another shot at the belt, although Ramirez seems to be on a collision course with fellow titleholder Josh Taylor.
Zepeda will get another chance, though, especially after his performance against Baranchyk. Who wouldn’t want to see him fight now? His problem might be this: How is he going to top what he did on Saturday night?
