Welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill overwhelmed Alma Ibarra en route to a knockout after three rounds Saturday in San Antonio.
Jessica McCaskill never gave her challenger much of a chance.
The undisputed welterweight champion sought a knockout from the opening bell, winging hard, wild punches that repeatedly rocked Alma Ibarra and convinced the Mexican’s cornermen to stop the one-sided fight after three rounds.
McCaskill (12-2, 5 KOs) buckled the knees of Ibarra (10-2, 5 KOs) about a minute into the opening two-minute round, which convinced Ibarra it was best to hold the champion whenever she was inside.
The tactic didn’t help much, as McCaskill still managed to land more punishing right hands and a big left hook in Round 3 that might’ve convinced the challenger’s cornermen that enough was enough.
Her trainer stopped the fight over her objections before the start of the fourth round.
McCaskill has now won seven consecutive fights since her lone loss to Katie Taylor in 2017.
McCaskill said after the fight on Saturday that she wants to move down a more natural 140 pounds to face unified titleholder Chantelle Cameron of England.
Jesse Rodriguez: “I’m not here to be an average fighter.”
Jesse Rodriguez was supposed to be in over his head when he faced Carlos Cuadras in February. Instead, the fight became a launching pad.
Rodriguez was set to take part in a 108-pound bout on the undercard of the show in Phoenix. However, when Cuadras’ opponent, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, had to pull out because of illness, Rodriguez agreed to move up two weight classes to 115 to take on the Mexican veteran.
And “Bam” surprised both Cuadras and the boxing world, outboxing the former champion to win a clear decision and a secondary WBC title at only 22 years old. (Juan Francisco Estrada is the “franchise” champion.)
Now Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KOs) is scheduled to defend against Sor Rungvisai – the two-time victor over Roman Gonzalez – on Saturday in San Antonio, Rodriguez’s hometown (DAZN).
“I believe Rungvisai is the toughest title defense I could’ve taken,” Rodriguez said Thursday at the final news conference. “But, you know, I’m not here to be an average fighter. These kind of fights produce special fighters. That’s why I took it.
“… I was the one who replaced him when he got sick, so why not choose Rungvisai. Let’s do something special.”
Rodriguez had begun to earn a reputation as an excellent boxer. The upset of Cuadras merely left no doubt about his abilities. And the fact he moved up weight to do it was truly eye-opening, although he has fought above 108 in the past.
Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1 43 KOs) is a career 115-pounder and one of the most punishing punchers in the sport pound-for-pound, as he demonstrated by brutally stopping “Chocolatito” in their second fight.
And Rodriguez said at the news conference that he probably will go down to 112 after the fight on Saturday and pursue titles there, meaning that’s a more natural weight for him.
Will he be able to withstand the Thai fighter’s strength and punching power?
“Yeah, he does carry power,” Rodriguez said of his opponent. “But power doesn’t win you fights, skill does. That’s where my skills are going to come in, and I’ll be able to take over the fight. Like I said, power doesn’t win fights.”
Rodriguez will have one obvious advantage, assuming the pressure to succeed doesn’t get the better of him.
He’ll be fighting in front of his hometown fans as a conquering hero.
“That means everything to me,” he said. “It’s the biggest fight of my caeer. Becoming world champion is one thing. Being able to defend it in my hometown, in front of my hometown crowd means everything. So it will be a special night that night.”
Jesse Rodriguez: “I’m not here to be an average fighter.”
Jesse Rodriguez was supposed to be in over his head when he faced Carlos Cuadras in February. Instead, the fight became a launching pad.
Rodriguez was set to take part in a 108-pound bout on the undercard of the show in Phoenix. However, when Cuadras’ opponent, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, had to pull out because of illness, Rodriguez agreed to move up two weight classes to 115 to take on the Mexican veteran.
And “Bam” surprised both Cuadras and the boxing world, outboxing the former champion to win a clear decision and a secondary WBC title at only 22 years old. (Juan Francisco Estrada is the “franchise” champion.)
Now Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KOs) is scheduled to defend against Sor Rungvisai – the two-time victor over Roman Gonzalez – on Saturday in San Antonio, Rodriguez’s hometown (DAZN).
“I believe Rungvisai is the toughest title defense I could’ve taken,” Rodriguez said Thursday at the final news conference. “But, you know, I’m not here to be an average fighter. These kind of fights produce special fighters. That’s why I took it.
“… I was the one who replaced him when he got sick, so why not choose Rungvisai. Let’s do something special.”
Rodriguez had begun to earn a reputation as an excellent boxer. The upset of Cuadras merely left no doubt about his abilities. And the fact he moved up weight to do it was truly eye-opening, although he has fought above 108 in the past.
Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1 43 KOs) is a career 115-pounder and one of the most punishing punchers in the sport pound-for-pound, as he demonstrated by brutally stopping “Chocolatito” in their second fight.
And Rodriguez said at the news conference that he probably will go down to 112 after the fight on Saturday and pursue titles there, meaning that’s a more natural weight for him.
Will he be able to withstand the Thai fighter’s strength and punching power?
“Yeah, he does carry power,” Rodriguez said of his opponent. “But power doesn’t win you fights, skill does. That’s where my skills are going to come in, and I’ll be able to take over the fight. Like I said, power doesn’t win fights.”
Rodriguez will have one obvious advantage, assuming the pressure to succeed doesn’t get the better of him.
He’ll be fighting in front of his hometown fans as a conquering hero.
“That means everything to me,” he said. “It’s the biggest fight of my caeer. Becoming world champion is one thing. Being able to defend it in my hometown, in front of my hometown crowd means everything. So it will be a special night that night.”
Also on the card: Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Ronny Rios, junior featherweights (for Akhmadaliev’s IBF and WBA titles); Jessica McCaskill vs. Alma Ibarra, welterweights (for McCaskill’s undisputed championship); Raymond Ford vs. Richard Medina, featherweights
Prediction: Sor Rungvisai KO 10
Background: “Bam” Rodriguez delivered a major upset when he easily outpointed 115-pound stalwart Carlos Cuadras to win a secondary WBC title (Juan Francisco Estrada is the “franchise champion”) in February, instantaneously making him a major player in the division. The 22-year-old southpaw will have the advantage of fighting in his hometown on Saturday. The big-punching Sor Rungvisai, 35, has been a dominating figure in the junior bantamweight division for a decade, with two reigns as a titleholder. He’s best known for defeating all-time great Roman Gonzalez twice in 2017, the second time by knockout. He has won three consecutive fights since he lost the WBC belt to Estrada in 2019. This card is stacked with important fights. Martinez (18-2, 14 KOs) will be fighting for the first time since he moved up in weight and lost a one-sided decision to Gonzalez in March. Akhmadaliev (10-0, 7 KOs) will be making the third defense of the titles the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist won by outpointing Daniel Roman in 2020. And the late-blooming McCaskill (11-2, 4 KOs) became a star when she outpointed Cecilia Braekhus to become undisputed welterweight champion in 2020 and then did it again in their rematch last year. The 37-year-old last fought in December, when she stopped Kandi Wyatt in seven rounds.
Also on the card: Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Ronny Rios, junior featherweights (for Akhmadaliev’s IBF and WBA titles); Jessica McCaskill vs. Alma Ibarra, welterweights (for McCaskill’s undisputed championship); Raymond Ford vs. Richard Medina, featherweights
Prediction: Sor Rungvisai KO 10
Background: “Bam” Rodriguez delivered a major upset when he easily outpointed 115-pound stalwart Carlos Cuadras to win a secondary WBC title (Juan Francisco Estrada is the “franchise champion”) in February, instantaneously making him a major player in the division. The 22-year-old southpaw will have the advantage of fighting in his hometown on Saturday. The big-punching Sor Rungvisai, 35, has been a dominating figure in the junior bantamweight division for a decade, with two reigns as a titleholder. He’s best known for defeating all-time great Roman Gonzalez twice in 2017, the second time by knockout. He has won three consecutive fights since he lost the WBC belt to Estrada in 2019. This card is stacked with important fights. Martinez (18-2, 14 KOs) will be fighting for the first time since he moved up in weight and lost a one-sided decision to Gonzalez in March. Akhmadaliev (10-0, 7 KOs) will be making the third defense of the titles the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist won by outpointing Daniel Roman in 2020. And the late-blooming McCaskill (11-2, 4 KOs) became a star when she outpointed Cecilia Braekhus to become undisputed welterweight champion in 2020 and then did it again in their rematch last year. The 37-year-old last fought in December, when she stopped Kandi Wyatt in seven rounds.
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai: “I really want to be a three-time WBC world champion.”
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai has rebounded from adversity in the past.
The Thai fighter started his professional career with a record of 1-3-1 but found his footing and won the WBC 115-pound title by stopping Yota Sato in 2013.
He lost his belt to then-unbeaten Carlos Cuadras the following year but bounced back to have the best stretch of his career, including three consecutive victories over Roman Gonzalez (a majority decision to regain the same title and then a stunning knockout) and Juan Francisco Estrada (majority decision) in 2017 and 2018.
Estrada then won the rematch by a close, but unanimous decision in 2019, which left Sor Rungvisai without a belt again.
Does he have another comeback in him at 35?
We’ll know more when the power puncher from Si Sa Ket faces Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez on Saturday night at Tech Port Arena in San Antonio (DAZN).
“Now, I’m hungrier than ever,” he told RingTV.com through a translator. “I really want to be a three-time WBC world champion. I would be the first Thai boxer in history to achieve that.”
Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1, 43 KOs) has won three in a row since the setback against Estrada but hasn’t been in the ring since March of last year in part because he had to pull out of a scheduled rematch with Cuadras in February because of illness.
Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KOs) moved up in weight to replace Sor Rungvisai and stunned both the Mexican and the boxing world by winning a wide decision and what amounts to the WBC’s secondary title in Phoenix. Estrada is the sanctioning body’s “franchise” champion.
Sor Rungvisai was impressed by the 22-year-old Rodriguez, who will be fighting in front of his hometown fans on Saturday.
“It was a good fight, Rodriguez did very well,” he said. “Although Rodriquez is very young, he is a strong champion. He must not be underestimated.”
Of course, Sor Rungvisai understands the significance of the fight on Saturday. A victory would give him the secondary belt. More important, it would be a stepping stone toward something bigger, at least in his eyes.
He’s a combined 3-1 in unforgettable fights against Gonzalez and Estrada, 2-0 and 1-1, respectively. He wants the opportunity to prove once and for all that he’s the dominant fighter in that special group of 115-pounders.
And there’s only one way to do that: face either or both of his arch rivals again.
Estrada (also the WBA beltholder) and Gonzalez reportedly are in talks to face one another a third time this fall. If that happens and Sor Rungvisai beats Rodriguez, the Thai star would be in position to challenge the winner.
“I would like to face Estrada and Chocolatito,” he said. “That remains my ultimate goal.”
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai: “I really want to be a three-time WBC world champion.”
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai has rebounded from adversity in the past.
The Thai fighter started his professional career with a record of 1-3-1 but found his footing and won the WBC 115-pound title by stopping Yota Sato in 2013.
He lost his belt to then-unbeaten Carlos Cuadras the following year but bounced back to have the best stretch of his career, including three consecutive victories over Roman Gonzalez (a majority decision to regain the same title and then a stunning knockout) and Juan Francisco Estrada (majority decision) in 2017 and 2018.
Estrada then won the rematch by a close, but unanimous decision in 2019, which left Sor Rungvisai without a belt again.
Does he have another comeback in him at 35?
We’ll know more when the power puncher from Si Sa Ket faces Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez on Saturday night at Tech Port Arena in San Antonio (DAZN).
“Now, I’m hungrier than ever,” he told RingTV.com through a translator. “I really want to be a three-time WBC world champion. I would be the first Thai boxer in history to achieve that.”
Sor Rungvisai (50-5-1, 43 KOs) has won three in a row since the setback against Estrada but hasn’t been in the ring since March of last year in part because he had to pull out of a scheduled rematch with Cuadras in February because of illness.
Rodriguez (15-0, 10 KOs) moved up in weight to replace Sor Rungvisai and stunned both the Mexican and the boxing world by winning a wide decision and what amounts to the WBC’s secondary title in Phoenix. Estrada is the sanctioning body’s “franchise” champion.
Sor Rungvisai was impressed by the 22-year-old Rodriguez, who will be fighting in front of his hometown fans on Saturday.
“It was a good fight, Rodriguez did very well,” he said. “Although Rodriquez is very young, he is a strong champion. He must not be underestimated.”
Of course, Sor Rungvisai understands the significance of the fight on Saturday. A victory would give him the secondary belt. More important, it would be a stepping stone toward something bigger, at least in his eyes.
He’s a combined 3-1 in unforgettable fights against Gonzalez and Estrada, 2-0 and 1-1, respectively. He wants the opportunity to prove once and for all that he’s the dominant fighter in that special group of 115-pounders.
And there’s only one way to do that: face either or both of his arch rivals again.
Estrada (also the WBA beltholder) and Gonzalez reportedly are in talks to face one another a third time this fall. If that happens and Sor Rungvisai beats Rodriguez, the Thai star would be in position to challenge the winner.
“I would like to face Estrada and Chocolatito,” he said. “That remains my ultimate goal.”
Also on the card: Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Ronny Rios, junior featherweights (for Akhmadaliev’s IBF and WBA titles); Jessica McCaskill vs. Alma Ibarra, welterweights (for McCaskill’s undisputed championship); Raymond Ford vs. Richard Medina, featherweights
Prediction: Sor Rungvisai KO 10
Background: “Bam” Rodriguez delivered a major upset when he easily outpointed 115-pound stalwart Carlos Cuadras to win a secondary WBC title (Juan Francisco Estrada is the “franchise champion”) in February, instantaneously making him a major player in the division. The 22-year-old southpaw will have the advantage of fighting in his hometown on Saturday. The big-punching Sor Rungvisai, 35, has been a dominating figure in the junior bantamweight division for a decade, with two reigns as a titleholder. He’s best known for defeating all-time great Roman Gonzalez twice in 2017, the second time by knockout. He has won three consecutive fights since he lost the WBC belt to Estrada in 2019. This card is stacked with important fights. Martinez (18-2, 14 KOs) will be fighting for the first time since he moved up in weight and lost a one-sided decision to Gonzalez in March. Akhmadaliev (10-0, 7 KOs) will be making the third defense of the titles the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist won by outpointing Daniel Roman in 2020. And the late-blooming McCaskill (11-2, 4 KOs) became a star when she outpointed Cecilia Braekhus to become undisputed welterweight champion in 2020 and then did it again in their rematch last year. The 37-year-old last fought in December, when she stopped Kandi Wyatt in seven rounds.
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m.. PT on ESPN (main event later in show)
Where: Palenque Fex, Mexicali, Mexico
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
Rounds: 12
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Jesus Riegos vs. Genaro Rodriguez, junior featherweights; Kenin Betancourt vs. Ivan Mercado, bantamweights
Prediction: Soto UD
Background: This fight is being billed as a WBC junior flyweight title eliminator. Soto lost his WBO belt to Jonathan Gonzalez by a split decision in October, the Mexican’s first setback since the third fight of his career. Budler, 34, might be in a must-win situation. The former two-division titleholder from South Africa is 2-2 in his last four fights and 4-3 in his last seven. He’s coming off a unanimous-decision victory over journeyman Jonathan Almacen on May 22 in Johannesburg, Budler’s hometown.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
JUNE 24
Jonathan Gonzalez vs. Mark Anthony Barriga, junior flyweights (for Gonzalez’s WBO title), Kissimmee, Florida (ProBox.TV).
Leandro Jose Blanc vs. German Valenzuela, strawweights, Buenos Aires (Estrella TV).
JUNE 25
Denzel Whitley vs. Maycon Oller Da Silva, welterweights, Framingham, Massachusetts (Boxing TV).
Also on the card: Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Ronny Rios, junior featherweights (for Akhmadaliev’s IBF and WBA titles); Jessica McCaskill vs. Alma Ibarra, welterweights (for McCaskill’s undisputed championship); Raymond Ford vs. Richard Medina, featherweights
Prediction: Sor Rungvisai KO 10
Background: “Bam” Rodriguez delivered a major upset when he easily outpointed 115-pound stalwart Carlos Cuadras to win a secondary WBC title (Juan Francisco Estrada is the “franchise champion”) in February, instantaneously making him a major player in the division. The 22-year-old southpaw will have the advantage of fighting in his hometown on Saturday. The big-punching Sor Rungvisai, 35, has been a dominating figure in the junior bantamweight division for a decade, with two reigns as a titleholder. He’s best known for defeating all-time great Roman Gonzalez twice in 2017, the second time by knockout. He has won three consecutive fights since he lost the WBC belt to Estrada in 2019. This card is stacked with important fights. Martinez (18-2, 14 KOs) will be fighting for the first time since he moved up in weight and lost a one-sided decision to Gonzalez in March. Akhmadaliev (10-0, 7 KOs) will be making the third defense of the titles the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist won by outpointing Daniel Roman in 2020. And the late-blooming McCaskill (11-2, 4 KOs) became a star when she outpointed Cecilia Braekhus to become undisputed welterweight champion in 2020 and then did it again in their rematch last year. The 37-year-old last fought in December, when she stopped Kandi Wyatt in seven rounds.
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m.. PT on ESPN (main event later in show)
Where: Palenque Fex, Mexicali, Mexico
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
Rounds: 12
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Jesus Riegos vs. Genaro Rodriguez, junior featherweights; Kenin Betancourt vs. Ivan Mercado, bantamweights
Prediction: Soto UD
Background: This fight is being billed as a WBC junior flyweight title eliminator. Soto lost his WBO belt to Jonathan Gonzalez by a split decision in October, the Mexican’s first setback since the third fight of his career. Budler, 34, might be in a must-win situation. The former two-division titleholder from South Africa is 2-2 in his last four fights and 4-3 in his last seven. He’s coming off a unanimous-decision victory over journeyman Jonathan Almacen on May 22 in Johannesburg, Budler’s hometown.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
JUNE 24
Jonathan Gonzalez vs. Mark Anthony Barriga, junior flyweights (for Gonzalez’s WBO title), Kissimmee, Florida (ProBox.TV).
Leandro Jose Blanc vs. German Valenzuela, strawweights, Buenos Aires (Estrella TV).
JUNE 25
Denzel Whitley vs. Maycon Oller Da Silva, welterweights, Framingham, Massachusetts (Boxing TV).
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD Keith Thurman (right) made a strong statement against Mario Barrios on Saturday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions No one knows in the wake of Keith Thurman’s unanimous-decision victory over Mario …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Keith Thurman (right) made a strong statement against Mario Barrios on Saturday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
No one knows in the wake of Keith Thurman’s unanimous-decision victory over Mario Barrios on Saturday how he might fare against welterweight titleholders Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas.
For one night, though, the former unified champion – now 33 – looked like a fighter who could hold his own against anyone.
Thurman had taken a 2½-year break from the sport in part because he needed time to recover from nagging injuries. He looked as fit as ever against Barrios, although he said afterward that he bruised a knuckle.
Any questions about whether he had lost a step were quashed. He largely has retained the quickness and athleticism for which he had been known.
If there was any ring rust after the long hiatus, it wasn’t obvious. He evidently sharpened his timing during intense sparring sessions during his training camp, just as he had told us beforehand.
And what about his inability to take out an opponent who was taking part in his first fight as a full-fledged welterweight, one that had been stopped by the smaller Gervonta Davis last time out?
Maybe Thurman didn’t have the gear required to finish the job after hurting Barrios several times. Maybe the fact they wore 10-ounce, instead of 8-ounce gloves – which was Barrios’ prerogative – was all the former 140-pound contender needed to survive the power of a naturally stronger man.
Afterward, Thurman gave himself a “C+ or a B-” on his performance. I’ll give him a solid B. He wasn’t spectacular by any means but he demonstrated against a solid opponent that he’s a legitimate contender in one of boxing’s glamour divisions.
That was essentially his goal, to show the world that “One Time” is back.
BAD
Barrios lost a wide decision but didn’t get blown out. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
The bad news for Barrios is that he has lost consecutive fights against elite opponents, one by a late knockout and the other by a wide decision. Back-to-back losses are never a positive. The good news is that he acquitted himself reasonably well in each setback.
On Saturday, he couldn’t catch up to his quicker, more-athletic opponent or match his work rate enough to give him a serious test, which is why he lost 10 rounds on two cards and nine on the third.
At the same time, he was competitive.
Barrios landed clean shots here and there throughout the fight, whether they were jabs or a power shots. He got to Thurman’s body, which is perceived to be his weakness. He landed one shot to the stomach in Round 8 that was so punishing Thurman took out his mouthpiece so he could breathe more easily.
And he demonstrated both fitness and toughness by surviving 12 rounds against a hard puncher in his first fight as a full-fledged 147-pounder.
Barrios is a good all-around fighter who simply ran into opponents who are among the best of their generation. In other words, he took two big swings and missed both times. He should be applauded for stepping to the plate.
Now he’ll go back to the gym, work with respected trainer Virgil Hunter on areas in which he can improve and come back a better, wiser boxer.
Don’t be shocked if Barrios emerges victorious the next time he faces a significant challenge.
WORSE
Jesse Rodriguez changed his life by beating Carlos Cuadras. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom
Carlos Cuadras a few weeks ago was in position to underscore his place as one of the stars in a deep 115-pound division. Now, after a series of events, he’s on the outside looking in.
Cuadras (39-5-1, 27 KOs) had been scheduled to take on rival Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on Saturday in Phoenix, with the winner set to face the winner of a third fight between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez for junior bantamweight supremacy.
Then everything fell apart. Estrada pulled out with COVID-19 and was replaced by Julio Cesar Martinez. They fight on March 5. Then Sor Rungvisai had to withdraw as a result of illness, leaving organizers to scramble for a replacement.
In stepped relative unknown Jesse Rodriguez, a junior flyweight contender from San Antonio who was scheduled to fight on the undercard and had never faced anyone near Cuadras’ status.
Cuadras wasn’t expected to have much trouble with the 22-year-old southpaw. And then he did – a heap of trouble. The veteran couldn’t cope with Rodriguez’s quickness and ability to use it, leaving the favorite on the wrong end of a stunning one-sided decision.
The loser is out of the title picture, at least for the time being. The winner? Rodriguez now holds a secondary WBC title, below “franchise” champion Estrada. More important, his victory over a proven commodity makes him a major player in the division.
There’s no reason he shouldn’t fight the winner of the Gonzalez-Martinez fight or face one of the two other beltholders, Jerwin Ancajas (IBF) or Kazuto Ioka (WBO).
Rodriguez is already a great story after his accomplishment on Saturday. Imagine if he beats one of the above.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr. (32-2, 23 KOs) deserves credit for putting Liam Williams (23-4-1, 18 KOs) down four times (one knockdown was a push) and winning a wide decision Saturday in Cardiff, Wales, Williams’ home country. He took another step toward a shot at a world title. At the same time, aside for the rounds in which Williams went down, the fight was fought on roughly even terms. And Eubank’s assertion that he carried Williams so he could punish him didn’t ring true and undoubtedly rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. He has more work to do. … Claressa Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) gave a strong performance against Ema Kozin (21-1-1, 11 KOs) in her return to boxing, winning a shutout decision on the Eubank-Williams card. She was disappointed that she was unable to stop Kozin but that means next to nothing. Domination is domination. Next up should be a showdown with the only fighter to beat her in a boxing ring, Savannah Marshall (11-0, 9 KOs). The Briton topped Shields in an amateur fight in 2012, which Shields was 17. Their back and forth at ringside after the Shields-Kozin fight was brilliant theater that will help sell the fight. However, I’m not sure Marshall can compete inside the ropes with the current version of Shields, who has evolved into arguably the best female fighter on the planet. … Twenty-year-old Jesus Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) gave the strongest performance of his career against rugged Vladimir Hernandez (13-5, 6 KOs) on the Thurman-Barrios card, withstanding Hernandez’s incessant pressure like a more-experienced fighter and stopping him in six rounds. Ramos, already ranked by one sanctioning body, is almost ready for a title shot. … Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) made a successful return after his knockout loss to Gervonta Davis, shutting outKeenan Carbajal (23-3-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round 130-pound bout on the Thurman-Barrios card. Santa Cruz, 30, looks as if he hasn’t lost anything. He maintained a high work rate and was particularly effective to the body, which is his specialty. … Luis Nery (32-1, 24 KOs) also bounced back from a knockout loss, defeating Carlos Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round 122-pound bout on the Thurman-Barrios card. Nery fought with an effective combination of controlled aggression and elusiveness. The Mexican won a split decision but I thought he won seven rounds. Nery was stopped by Brandon Figueroa in his previous fight.
