Yordenis Ugas-Abel Ramos card gets relatively strong TV ratings

The Yordenis Ugas-Abel Ramos card this past Sunday on FOX reportedly averaged 1,019,000 viewers and peaked at 1,260,000 viewers.

Boxing fans might be coming around.

The Yordenis Ugas-Abel Ramos card this past Sunday on FOX reportedly averaged 1,019,000 viewers and peaked at 1,260,000 viewers, which make it the most-watched boxing telecast since the coronavirus pandemic took hold, BoxingScene.com is reporting.

By comparison, the Aug. 29 show featuring Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti on FOX averaged 833,000 viewers. It peaked at 1,067,000 viewers.

Many in the boxing industry have been concerned about low television viewership during the pandemic.

Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) seemed to control the fight against Ramos (26-4-2, 20 KOs) but had to settle for a split-decision victory.

Yordenis Ugas-Abel Ramos card gets relatively strong TV ratings

The Yordenis Ugas-Abel Ramos card this past Sunday on FOX reportedly averaged 1,019,000 viewers and peaked at 1,260,000 viewers.

Boxing fans might be coming around.

The Yordenis Ugas-Abel Ramos card this past Sunday on FOX reportedly averaged 1,019,000 viewers and peaked at 1,260,000 viewers, which make it the most-watched boxing telecast since the coronavirus pandemic took hold, BoxingScene.com is reporting.

By comparison, the Aug. 29 show featuring Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti on FOX averaged 833,000 viewers. It peaked at 1,067,000 viewers.

Many in the boxing industry have been concerned about low television viewership during the pandemic.

Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) seemed to control the fight against Ramos (26-4-2, 20 KOs) but had to settle for a split-decision victory.

Erislandy Lara outclasses Greg Vendetti, wins one-sided decision

Erislandy Lara had his way with Greg Vendetti en route to a unanimous-decision victory Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Erislandy Lara didn’t throw many punches but landed more than enough.

Lara, the 37-year-old former junior middleweight champ, had his way with overmatched Greg Vendetti en route to a unanimous-decision victory Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Lara (27-3-3, 15 KOs) was economical with his punches but landed plenty eye-catching blows, including a number of hard straight left hands and uppercuts.

And while the game Vendetti (22-4-1, 12 KOs) was able to bull his way inside fairly consistently, he did little damage, as Lara held, spun out of harm’s way or generally got the better of inside exchanges.

Vendetti was able to land some shots to the body, which made a few rounds competitive, but he simply could do enough to make the fight truly competitive.

The scores arguably were closer than they should’ve been: 116-112, 117-111 and 117-111. Boxing Junkie scored it 118-110 for Lara.

With the victory, Lara maintained his position as a legitimate contender to any of the 154-pound titleholders. He’d like to face the winner of the Sept. 26 Jermell Charlo-Jeison Rosario title-unification fight and also has his eye on a rematch with Canelo Alvarez.

A young Alvarez defeated Lara by a split decision in 2014.

Erislandy Lara outclasses Greg Vendetti, wins one-sided decision

Erislandy Lara had his way with Greg Vendetti en route to a unanimous-decision victory Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Erislandy Lara didn’t throw many punches but landed more than enough.

Lara, the 37-year-old former junior middleweight champ, had his way with overmatched Greg Vendetti en route to a unanimous-decision victory Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Lara (27-3-3, 15 KOs) was economical with his punches but landed plenty eye-catching blows, including a number of hard straight left hands and uppercuts.

And while the game Vendetti (22-4-1, 12 KOs) was able to bull his way inside fairly consistently, he did little damage, as Lara held, spun out of harm’s way or generally got the better of inside exchanges.

Vendetti was able to land some shots to the body, which made a few rounds competitive, but he simply could do enough to make the fight truly competitive.

The scores arguably were closer than they should’ve been: 116-112, 117-111 and 117-111. Boxing Junkie scored it 118-110 for Lara.

With the victory, Lara maintained his position as a legitimate contender to any of the 154-pound titleholders. He’d like to face the winner of the Sept. 26 Jermell Charlo-Jeison Rosario title-unification fight and also has his eye on a rematch with Canelo Alvarez.

A young Alvarez defeated Lara by a split decision in 2014.

Vladimir Hernandez defeats Alfredo Angulo by wide decision

Vladimir Hernandez outworked Alfredo Angulo to win a unanimous decision in a 10-round super middleweight bout Saturday in Los Angeles.

Heart can take you only so far.

Alfredo Angulo learned that against late replacement Vladimir Hernandez, who outworked the 38-year-old warhorse to win a unanimous decision in a 10-round super middleweight bout on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday in Los Angeles.

Hernandez, who replaced an ill Caleb Truax on Friday, took the fight to the slow-starting Angulo from the opening bell, landing relatively quick punches in bunches, and never really let up.

Angulo (26-8, 21 KOs) took everything Hernandez landed and picked up his punch rate a few rounds into the fight, turning what could’ve been a rout into a competitive fight with hard shots to the head and body.

However, “Perro” just couldn’t keep pace with the younger (31 years old), faster Hernandez.

All three judges had the same score 98-92, eight rounds to two. Boxing Junkie scored it 97-93 for Hernandez.

Angulo was coming off a sensational split-decision victory over Peter Quillin last September, which gave him hope of fighting for a major title once more. However, on Saturday, he took a step backward. It will be difficult for him to rebuild at his age.

Meanwhile, Hernandez (12-4, 6 KOs) recorded the biggest victory of is 11-year career on national television (FOX). As a result, we’ll probably see him again on TV.

Vladimir Hernandez defeats Alfredo Angulo by wide decision

Vladimir Hernandez outworked Alfredo Angulo to win a unanimous decision in a 10-round super middleweight bout Saturday in Los Angeles.

Heart can take you only so far.

Alfredo Angulo learned that against late replacement Vladimir Hernandez, who outworked the 38-year-old warhorse to win a unanimous decision in a 10-round super middleweight bout on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday in Los Angeles.

Hernandez, who replaced an ill Caleb Truax on Friday, took the fight to the slow-starting Angulo from the opening bell, landing relatively quick punches in bunches, and never really let up.

Angulo (26-8, 21 KOs) took everything Hernandez landed and picked up his punch rate a few rounds into the fight, turning what could’ve been a rout into a competitive fight with hard shots to the head and body.

However, “Perro” just couldn’t keep pace with the younger (31 years old), faster Hernandez.

All three judges had the same score 98-92, eight rounds to two. Boxing Junkie scored it 97-93 for Hernandez.

Angulo was coming off a sensational split-decision victory over Peter Quillin last September, which gave him hope of fighting for a major title once more. However, on Saturday, he took a step backward. It will be difficult for him to rebuild at his age.

Meanwhile, Hernandez (12-4, 6 KOs) recorded the biggest victory of is 11-year career on national television (FOX). As a result, we’ll probably see him again on TV.

Caleb Truax out as Alfredo Angulo’s opponent because of dehydration

Caleb Truax is out as the opponent for Alfredo Angulo on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Caleb Truax is out as the opponent for Alfredo Angulo on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Truax had to pull out of the super middleweight title eliminator because of the effects of dehydration, according to a Premier Boxing Champions news release.

Angulo will now fight Vladimir Hernandez, who was paid to standby in case one of the fighters tested positive for COVID-19.

“We wish Caleb the best and hope to see him back in the ring soon, but it is fortunate that we have backups in place because of COVID-19,” said Tom Brown, pPresident of TGB Promotions. “Under normal circumstances you wouldn’t have a backup on standby. But because of COVID-19, we have someone who has been training, has been tested and is in the bubble and ready to go.”

Hernandez (11-4, 6 KOs) is a short (5-foot-7½), thick journeyman from Mexico who perhaps is best known for being the debut opponent of Israil Madrimov, who stopped Hernandez in six rounds in 2018.

Hernandez, 31, is 4-4 in his last eight fights, six of which were scheduled for eight rounds.

Angulo (26-7, 21 KOs) is coming off a sensational split-decision victory over Peter Quillin last September, which pumped life into his faltering career.

Truax is rated No. 3 by the IBF, with Nos. 1 and 2 vacant. Angulo is No. 12. That’s why the fight was designated as a title eliminator. The new matchup presumably will not be a title eliminator.

Caleb Truax out as Alfredo Angulo’s opponent because of dehydration

Caleb Truax is out as the opponent for Alfredo Angulo on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Caleb Truax is out as the opponent for Alfredo Angulo on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Truax had to pull out of the super middleweight title eliminator because of the effects of dehydration, according to a Premier Boxing Champions news release.

Angulo will now fight Vladimir Hernandez, who was paid to standby in case one of the fighters tested positive for COVID-19.

“We wish Caleb the best and hope to see him back in the ring soon, but it is fortunate that we have backups in place because of COVID-19,” said Tom Brown, pPresident of TGB Promotions. “Under normal circumstances you wouldn’t have a backup on standby. But because of COVID-19, we have someone who has been training, has been tested and is in the bubble and ready to go.”

Hernandez (11-4, 6 KOs) is a short (5-foot-7½), thick journeyman from Mexico who perhaps is best known for being the debut opponent of Israil Madrimov, who stopped Hernandez in six rounds in 2018.

Hernandez, 31, is 4-4 in his last eight fights, six of which were scheduled for eight rounds.

Angulo (26-7, 21 KOs) is coming off a sensational split-decision victory over Peter Quillin last September, which pumped life into his faltering career.

Truax is rated No. 3 by the IBF, with Nos. 1 and 2 vacant. Angulo is No. 12. That’s why the fight was designated as a title eliminator. The new matchup presumably will not be a title eliminator.

Alfredo Angulo, Caleb Truax still standing, still in contention

Alfredo Angulo faces Caleb Truax in a super middleweight title eliminator on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday on FOX.

Alfredo Angulo and Caleb Truax are survivors.

The veteran super middleweights have been beaten down and written off more than once yet here they are, both in their twilight of their careers, in one more important fight on national television.

They face one another on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The card is on FOX.

Angulo (26-7, 21 KOs) was thought by many to be finished before he stepped into the ring to face former middleweight titleholder Peter Quillin last September in Bakersfield, Calif.

The U.S.-based Mexican had back-to-back losses and two long stretches away from boxing between 2015 and last year, leading some to fear for his safety against a puncher like Quillin. Angulo had the look of a has-been.

So what happened? Angulo turned in a spirited, throw-back performance to defeat Quillin by a split decision and revive his career.

 

Alfredo Angulo and trainer Abel Sanchez (center) emerged victorious over Peter Quillin last September. Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions

The decline of Quillin probably played a role in Angulo’s resurgence. However, it was more than that. Angulo fought like a capable 168-pounder, like a fighter on a mission, not like one with a foot out of the sport.

The 38-year-old “Perro” credits trainer Abel Sanchez.

The fighter traveled up the mountain to Sanchez’s Big Bear, Calif. training camp after his loss to Sergio Mora in April 2018 in hopes that Sanchez would work with him. The trainer, aware of how Angulo had looked in the ring, was skeptical but gave him a chance.

“I told him I’d give him three, four weeks, which I usually do,” Sanchez said on a conference call. “I was thinking that at this stage – he didn’t look good in previous fights – I thought he’d last maybe three, four weeks in the gym because it’s difficult up there, and he’d go away.

“But to Perro’s credit, he made those three weeks a real pleasure for me to see somebody try as hard as he did. Once he got into shape there was no holding him back. … Instead of growing old, he’s getting younger on me.”

Angulo, under Sanchez’s tutelage, returned from a one-year hiatus to stop Evert Bravo in two rounds and then upset Quillin by split decision. Now he has his sights on a title shot and dreams of facing countryman Canelo Alvarez one day. He has come a long way.

“The biggest gift for me is the confidence, the input Abel gives me each and every day,” Angulo said through a translator. “… If you want the key to the turnaround, that’s the biggest thing. It’s also about being at the gym every day, being challenged by fighters with the same ambitions that I have.

“We challenge each other, push each other to surpass our own limits, to get to new heights.”

Caleb Truax’s greatest moment was defeating James De Gale to win a title in 2017. Photo by Christopher Lee / Getty Images

The career of Truax (31-4-2, 19 KOs) peaked in December 2017, when he surprised everyone by defeating James DeGale via a majority decision to win a major super middleweight title in London.

The Minnesota fighter has had problems since. He suffered a gruesome cut above his right eye in a fight with Quillin in April of last year that was ruled a no-contest. Then he had to pull out of the rematch because of a torn right Achilles tendon.

That allowed Angulo to step in and score his upset but it was a big blow to Truax. He ultimately rebounded to defeat David Basajjamivule by a majority decision this past January in Minneapolis.

“The last year and a half was tough for me,” Truax said. “I had the cut against Quillin and the Achilles injury. It took about eight or nine months for it to feel back to normal. But I’ve been training on it since January and I’m ready to roll.

“… I had a little bit of ring rust in my last fight and it was great to knock it off. Most people thought I dominated, so I don’t know how it ended up so close on the cards. But I got the win and got the rounds in that I wanted.

“We’re moving forward and ready to put on a show against a higher level of competition in Alfredo Angulo.”

Truax is two years younger than Angulo, which isn’t young. They know there won’t be too many more opportunities to make an impact and big money.

At the same time, both of them are in a good position. The fight on Saturday is a title eliminator. Truax is ranked No. 3 by the IBF (with Nos. 1 and 2 vacant) behind champion Caleb Plant. Angulo is No. 12. Thus, the winner could get a title shot soon.

The stakes will be high on Saturday.

“Whoever wins could get that opportunity against Caleb Plant, which you have to acknowledge, but none of that happens without going through Angulo first,” Truax said. “So I have to take care of what’s in front of me Saturday.”

Or, as Angulo put it, “First things first.”

[lawrence-related id=329,320]

Alfredo Angulo, Caleb Truax still standing, still in contention

Alfredo Angulo faces Caleb Truax in a super middleweight title eliminator on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday on FOX.

Alfredo Angulo and Caleb Truax are survivors.

The veteran super middleweights have been beaten down and written off more than once yet here they are, both in their twilight of their careers, in one more important fight on national television.

They face one another on the Erislandy Lara-Greg Vendetti card Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The card is on FOX.

Angulo (26-7, 21 KOs) was thought by many to be finished before he stepped into the ring to face former middleweight titleholder Peter Quillin last September in Bakersfield, Calif.

The U.S.-based Mexican had back-to-back losses and two long stretches away from boxing between 2015 and last year, leading some to fear for his safety against a puncher like Quillin. Angulo had the look of a has-been.

So what happened? Angulo turned in a spirited, throw-back performance to defeat Quillin by a split decision and revive his career.

 

Alfredo Angulo and trainer Abel Sanchez (center) emerged victorious over Peter Quillin last September. Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions

The decline of Quillin probably played a role in Angulo’s resurgence. However, it was more than that. Angulo fought like a capable 168-pounder, like a fighter on a mission, not like one with a foot out of the sport.

The 38-year-old “Perro” credits trainer Abel Sanchez.

The fighter traveled up the mountain to Sanchez’s Big Bear, Calif. training camp after his loss to Sergio Mora in April 2018 in hopes that Sanchez would work with him. The trainer, aware of how Angulo had looked in the ring, was skeptical but gave him a chance.

“I told him I’d give him three, four weeks, which I usually do,” Sanchez said on a conference call. “I was thinking that at this stage – he didn’t look good in previous fights – I thought he’d last maybe three, four weeks in the gym because it’s difficult up there, and he’d go away.

“But to Perro’s credit, he made those three weeks a real pleasure for me to see somebody try as hard as he did. Once he got into shape there was no holding him back. … Instead of growing old, he’s getting younger on me.”

Angulo, under Sanchez’s tutelage, returned from a one-year hiatus to stop Evert Bravo in two rounds and then upset Quillin by split decision. Now he has his sights on a title shot and dreams of facing countryman Canelo Alvarez one day. He has come a long way.

“The biggest gift for me is the confidence, the input Abel gives me each and every day,” Angulo said through a translator. “… If you want the key to the turnaround, that’s the biggest thing. It’s also about being at the gym every day, being challenged by fighters with the same ambitions that I have.

“We challenge each other, push each other to surpass our own limits, to get to new heights.”

Caleb Truax’s greatest moment was defeating James De Gale to win a title in 2017. Photo by Christopher Lee / Getty Images

The career of Truax (31-4-2, 19 KOs) peaked in December 2017, when he surprised everyone by defeating James DeGale via a majority decision to win a major super middleweight title in London.

The Minnesota fighter has had problems since. He suffered a gruesome cut above his right eye in a fight with Quillin in April of last year that was ruled a no-contest. Then he had to pull out of the rematch because of a torn right Achilles tendon.

That allowed Angulo to step in and score his upset but it was a big blow to Truax. He ultimately rebounded to defeat David Basajjamivule by a majority decision this past January in Minneapolis.

“The last year and a half was tough for me,” Truax said. “I had the cut against Quillin and the Achilles injury. It took about eight or nine months for it to feel back to normal. But I’ve been training on it since January and I’m ready to roll.

“… I had a little bit of ring rust in my last fight and it was great to knock it off. Most people thought I dominated, so I don’t know how it ended up so close on the cards. But I got the win and got the rounds in that I wanted.

“We’re moving forward and ready to put on a show against a higher level of competition in Alfredo Angulo.”

Truax is two years younger than Angulo, which isn’t young. They know there won’t be too many more opportunities to make an impact and big money.

At the same time, both of them are in a good position. The fight on Saturday is a title eliminator. Truax is ranked No. 3 by the IBF (with Nos. 1 and 2 vacant) behind champion Caleb Plant. Angulo is No. 12. Thus, the winner could get a title shot soon.

The stakes will be high on Saturday.

“Whoever wins could get that opportunity against Caleb Plant, which you have to acknowledge, but none of that happens without going through Angulo first,” Truax said. “So I have to take care of what’s in front of me Saturday.”

Or, as Angulo put it, “First things first.”

[lawrence-related id=329,320]