Tag: Jessie Vargas

Liam Smith on opponent Chris Eubank Jr.: ‘I don’t think he’s the cleverest’

Liam Smith on Saturday’s opponent Chris Eubank Jr.: “I don’t think he’s the cleverest.”

Liam Smith is a live 2½-1 underdog going into his fight with Chris Eubank Jr. on Saturday at AO Arena in Manchester, England (DAZN).

The former 154-pound champ fell short against Mexican stars Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia. And he lost to rising junior middleweight contender Magomed Kurbanov in May 2021, which seemed to signal the end of his tenure as an elite fighter.

However, the 34-year-old then reeled off three consecutive victories – including a 10th-round knockout of Jessie Vargas last April – to reestablish his credentials.

And now he has a chance to take another giant step forward against his fellow Englishman in a 160-pound fight on home soil.

“It’s a huge fight domestically,” Smith told RingTV.com. “[It’s] a big fight to be involved in, a fight I’m happy with and I’ve called for. It’s one I’m looking forward to.”

Especially because he believes he has a good chance to have his hand raised.

Eubank (32-2, 23 KOs) also is on an impressive run, with six consecutive victories since he lost on points to George Groves in 2018. That includes decisions over James DeGale in 2019 and Liam Williams in his most-recent fight, last February.

However, Eubank still has doubters. Smith seems to among that group.

“When I strip it down and back, how good do I think he is ability wise? I think he’s OK,” Smith said. “I just don’t rate his boxing ability, his boxing IQ, I don’t think he’s the cleverest. I don’t think he’s a world-class middleweight in that sense.”

Smith (32-3-1, 19 KOs) was critical of Eubank’s performance against Williams even though Eubank scored four knockdowns in the one-sided fight.

“He dropped Liam Williams four times and didn’t get him out of there,” Smith said. “I don’t know if he can do the rounds anymore as good as he used to because if I dropped someone four times in a fight, I’d bet every penny I own they don’t see the final bell.”

Smith has trained in his hometown of Liverpool for the upcoming fight, which means he was with his family for the holidays. Still, he had to make sacrifices he normally wouldn’t make that time of year.

And he’s OK with that.

“I knew I was going to have to have a disciplined Christmas,” he said, “but when I beat Chris Eubank Jr. on January 21st I’ll reap the rewards of being disciplined over Christmas.”

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Liam Smith on opponent Chris Eubank Jr.: ‘I don’t think he’s the cleverest’

Liam Smith on Saturday’s opponent Chris Eubank Jr.: “I don’t think he’s the cleverest.”

Liam Smith is a live 2½-1 underdog going into his fight with Chris Eubank Jr. on Saturday at AO Arena in Manchester, England (DAZN).

The former 154-pound champ fell short against Mexican stars Canelo Alvarez and Jaime Munguia. And he lost to rising junior middleweight contender Magomed Kurbanov in May 2021, which seemed to signal the end of his tenure as an elite fighter.

However, the 34-year-old then reeled off three consecutive victories – including a 10th-round knockout of Jessie Vargas last April – to reestablish his credentials.

And now he has a chance to take another giant step forward against his fellow Englishman in a 160-pound fight on home soil.

“It’s a huge fight domestically,” Smith told RingTV.com. “[It’s] a big fight to be involved in, a fight I’m happy with and I’ve called for. It’s one I’m looking forward to.”

Especially because he believes he has a good chance to have his hand raised.

Eubank (32-2, 23 KOs) also is on an impressive run, with six consecutive victories since he lost on points to George Groves in 2018. That includes decisions over James DeGale in 2019 and Liam Williams in his most-recent fight, last February.

However, Eubank still has doubters. Smith seems to among that group.

“When I strip it down and back, how good do I think he is ability wise? I think he’s OK,” Smith said. “I just don’t rate his boxing ability, his boxing IQ, I don’t think he’s the cleverest. I don’t think he’s a world-class middleweight in that sense.”

Smith (32-3-1, 19 KOs) was critical of Eubank’s performance against Williams even though Eubank scored four knockdowns in the one-sided fight.

“He dropped Liam Williams four times and didn’t get him out of there,” Smith said. “I don’t know if he can do the rounds anymore as good as he used to because if I dropped someone four times in a fight, I’d bet every penny I own they don’t see the final bell.”

Smith has trained in his hometown of Liverpool for the upcoming fight, which means he was with his family for the holidays. Still, he had to make sacrifices he normally wouldn’t make that time of year.

And he’s OK with that.

“I knew I was going to have to have a disciplined Christmas,” he said, “but when I beat Chris Eubank Jr. on January 21st I’ll reap the rewards of being disciplined over Christmas.”

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Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Live results from Madison Square Garden card

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Boxing junkie will post live results from the Madison Square Garden card.

Boxing Junkie will provide live results on this post immediately following lightweight champion Katie Taylor’s defense against Amanda Serrano on Saturday in New York. Also, we’ll have results from the other featured fights.

Here is the lineup:

  • Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano, lightweights (for Taylor’s undisputed championship)
  • Jessie Vargas vs. Liam Smith, junior middleweights
  • Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Elin Cederroos, super middleweights (for Cederroos’ IBF and WBA and Crews’ WBC and WBO titles)
  • Austin Williams vs. Chordale Booker, middleweights

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Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Live results from Madison Square Garden card

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano: Boxing junkie will post live results from the Madison Square Garden card.

Boxing Junkie will provide live results on this post immediately following lightweight champion Katie Taylor’s defense against Amanda Serrano on Saturday in New York. Also, we’ll have results from the other featured fights.

Here is the lineup:

  • Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano, lightweights (for Taylor’s undisputed championship)
  • Jessie Vargas vs. Liam Smith, junior middleweights
  • Franchon Crews-Dezurn vs. Elin Cederroos, super middleweights (for Cederroos’ IBF and WBA and Crews’ WBC and WBO titles)
  • Austin Williams vs. Chordale Booker, middleweights

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Adrien Broner set to return from two-year hiatus in January

Adrien Broner reportedly will return to the ring in a junior welterweight fight this coming January.

Adrien Broner is coming back.

The former four-division titleholder, who hasn’t fought since he lost a wide decision to Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight fight in January of last year, reportedly will return to the ring in a junior welterweight fight this coming January.

Neither an opponent nor a site has been announced.

“We’re in the process of talking about opponents,” Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza told BoxingScene.com.

Broner (33-4-1, 24 KOs) was once a dominating fighter but is 0-2-1 in his last three fights, with losses against Mikey Garcia and Pacquiao. He drew with Jessie Vargas.

“The Problem” hasn’t won a fight since a disputed split decision over Adrian Granados in February 2017.

Broner once held a welterweight title – after defeating Paulie Malignaggi by a split decision in 2013 – but has had problems at the weight. He’s only 2-3-1 in what were considered welterweight fights.

That’s what makes the move back down to 140 pounds significant, assuming he can make the weight. Broner is 5-1 in fights designated as junior welterweight matchups, although he lost his last fight – to Garcia – at that weight.

“It’s been two years since he’s fought so we’re in discussions about the opponent, but it will be somebody credible,” Espinoza said.

Broner, 31, recently vowed to quit boxing and become a full-time rapper if promoters didn’t meet his purse demands.

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Adrien Broner set to return from two-year hiatus in January

Adrien Broner reportedly will return to the ring in a junior welterweight fight this coming January.

Adrien Broner is coming back.

The former four-division titleholder, who hasn’t fought since he lost a wide decision to Manny Pacquiao in a welterweight fight in January of last year, reportedly will return to the ring in a junior welterweight fight this coming January.

Neither an opponent nor a site has been announced.

“We’re in the process of talking about opponents,” Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza told BoxingScene.com.

Broner (33-4-1, 24 KOs) was once a dominating fighter but is 0-2-1 in his last three fights, with losses against Mikey Garcia and Pacquiao. He drew with Jessie Vargas.

“The Problem” hasn’t won a fight since a disputed split decision over Adrian Granados in February 2017.

Broner once held a welterweight title – after defeating Paulie Malignaggi by a split decision in 2013 – but has had problems at the weight. He’s only 2-3-1 in what were considered welterweight fights.

That’s what makes the move back down to 140 pounds significant, assuming he can make the weight. Broner is 5-1 in fights designated as junior welterweight matchups, although he lost his last fight – to Garcia – at that weight.

“It’s been two years since he’s fought so we’re in discussions about the opponent, but it will be somebody credible,” Espinoza said.

Broner, 31, recently vowed to quit boxing and become a full-time rapper if promoters didn’t meet his purse demands.

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Mikey Garcia still has eye on fight with Manny Pacquiao

Mikey Garcia is aiming to be one of Manny Pacquiao’s final opponents before the eight-weight world titleholder retires.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Mikey Garcia is aiming to be one of Manny Pacquiao’s final opponents before the eight-weight world titleholder retires, according to  promoter Eddie Hearn.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, recently said that the 41-year-old wouldn’t be back in the ring this year and he’d likely compete “once or twice” in 2021 before running for president in his native Philippines in 2022.

Hearn recently told DAZN that Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs) could easily slot into the timetable set out by Pacquiao and Roach.

“Mikey Garcia is one of the fortunate ones that has boxed this year, so he’s not busting my phone up too much at the moment,” said Hearn. “But he wants to fight Manny Pacquiao.”

Garcia, 32, beat Jessie Vargas on Feb. 29 in Texas, meaning early 2021 could work for both him and Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs).

It is a showdown Hearn was looking at for a Saudi Arabia show this summer, but the COVID-19 pandemic got in the way.

The Matchroom Boxing chief admitted interest from somewhere like Saudi Arabia could be what determines whether Garcia-Pacquiao happens or not.

“It’s very difficult to make those sort of fights at the moment unless we get a big site fee from another country,” he said. “Mikey is basically that guy who wants the monstrous fights, and he’ll be looking to make that happen.”

Many of Hearn’s top fighters have been out of the ring even longer than Garcia, so they might be a higher priority for the promoter.

“For all of these top names, it’s just a case of getting them out just once this year,” he said. “Letting them get out there, letting them progress their career, letting them get paid, keeping their profile bubbling.

“And that’s the tough job for us now, coming through Fight Camp, trying to schedule all these major names and world champions without crowds. It’s going to be a tough task over the next couple of months.”

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Mikey Garcia still has eye on fight with Manny Pacquiao

Mikey Garcia is aiming to be one of Manny Pacquiao’s final opponents before the eight-weight world titleholder retires.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on DAZN.com.

***

Mikey Garcia is aiming to be one of Manny Pacquiao’s final opponents before the eight-weight world titleholder retires, according to  promoter Eddie Hearn.

Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, recently said that the 41-year-old wouldn’t be back in the ring this year and he’d likely compete “once or twice” in 2021 before running for president in his native Philippines in 2022.

Hearn recently told DAZN that Garcia (40-1, 30 KOs) could easily slot into the timetable set out by Pacquiao and Roach.

“Mikey Garcia is one of the fortunate ones that has boxed this year, so he’s not busting my phone up too much at the moment,” said Hearn. “But he wants to fight Manny Pacquiao.”

Garcia, 32, beat Jessie Vargas on Feb. 29 in Texas, meaning early 2021 could work for both him and Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs).

It is a showdown Hearn was looking at for a Saudi Arabia show this summer, but the COVID-19 pandemic got in the way.

The Matchroom Boxing chief admitted interest from somewhere like Saudi Arabia could be what determines whether Garcia-Pacquiao happens or not.

“It’s very difficult to make those sort of fights at the moment unless we get a big site fee from another country,” he said. “Mikey is basically that guy who wants the monstrous fights, and he’ll be looking to make that happen.”

Many of Hearn’s top fighters have been out of the ring even longer than Garcia, so they might be a higher priority for the promoter.

“For all of these top names, it’s just a case of getting them out just once this year,” he said. “Letting them get out there, letting them progress their career, letting them get paid, keeping their profile bubbling.

“And that’s the tough job for us now, coming through Fight Camp, trying to schedule all these major names and world champions without crowds. It’s going to be a tough task over the next couple of months.”

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Jamal James, Thomas Dulorme make weight for fight on Saturday

Jamal James and Thomas Dulorme made weight on Friday for their welterweight fight Saturday in Los Angeles.

Jamal James and Thomas Dulorme made the 147-pound limit Friday for their 12-round welterweight bout Saturday at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Fox.

James weighed 145.8 pounds, Dulorme 146.2. The fight is for an “interim” title.

James (26-1, 12 KOs) has won six consecutive fights since he lost a close decision to Yordenis Ugas in 2016. He’s coming off one of his biggest victories, a unanimous decision over veteran Antonio DeMarco in July of last year.

Dulorme (25-3-1, 16 KOs) is only 1-1-1 in his last three fights but was competitive in a loss to Ugas, drew with Jessie Vargas and outpointed previously unbeaten Terrel Williams in September.

Jamal James takes a winning streak of six fights into his bout with Thomas Dulorme on Saturday. Sean Michael Ham / TGB Promotions

The fighters’ weights in other bouts on the card are as follows:

  • David Morrell (2-0, 2 KOs) 164.6 vs. Lennox Allen (22-0-1, 14 KOs) 166.8, 12 rounds, super middleweights.
  • Mykal Fox (22-1, 5 KOs) 145.8 vs. Luke Santamaria (10-1-1, 7 KOs) 145.8, 10 rounds, welterweights.
  • Omar Juarez (7-0, 4 KOs) 140.6 vs. Willie Shaw (12-1, 8 KOs) 140.4, 6 or 8 rounds, junior welterweights.
  • Luis Pena (6-0, 6 KOs) 232 vs. Michael Coffie (9-0, 6 KOs) 279, 6 or 8 rounds, heavyweights
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. (5-0, 3 KOs) 147.8 vs. Chris Rollins (3-1, 2 KOs, 6 rounds, welterweights.

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Jamal James pleased with his success, primed for more

Welterweight contender Jamal James is grateful for the position he’s in and gunning for more.

Jamal James could complain but he won’t.

The welterweight contender was scheduled to face Thomas Dulorme on April 11 at the Armory in his hometown of Minneapolis but the fight gave way to COVID-19. It was rescheduled for July 25 and then pushed back again because of the start of the baseball season, this time to this Saturday at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Is James frustrated? Nah. He looks around him and feels fortunate.

“It’s definitely different,” James said on The PBC Podcast. “… I try to keep a positive outlook on whatever gets thrown my way. It’s very easy to complain about stuff but when I look at the position I’m in, the blessings I’ve received, it’s a lot better than people I know and stories I’ve heard.

“… So I try not to complain too much.”

James (26-1, 12 KOs) is definitely in a good position in terms of boxing.

The one-time national-level amateur fighter took up the sport at 5 years old, which means he has been grinding for 27 long years. And, today, he’s only a victory or two away from the opportunity to realize his dream of winning a world title.

The re-re-scheduled fight with Dulorme (25-3-1, 16 KOs) is for the WBA “interim” title, which will put the winner in a position to challenge titleholder Manny Pacquiao.

Jamal James (right) defeated veteran Antonio DeMarco by a unanimous decision in July of last year. Andrew Dobins / The Armory

The problem is that everyone wants to fight Pacquiao and he seems interested in facing only opponents with the biggest names at this stage of his career. James understands that. He also understands that a victory over Dulorme will be a giant step toward truly big fights.

“The welterweight division is so stacked with big-name fighters,” he said. “You know, you could make a decent living in that weight class or decent boxing career in that weight class if you have the skills for it. So I’m down to get in there with anybody as long as it makes business sense.”

Of course, he has to get past Dulorme first, which is no given.

The 30-year-old Puerto Rican was stopped by Terence Crawford in 2015 but has fought well since then even though he’s only 1-1-1 in his last three fights, losing a close decision to Yordenis Ugas, drawing with Jessie Vargas and then outpointing previously unbeaten Terrel Williams.

Dulorme is talented and experienced, and he seems to have found a grove.

“He’s a veteran in the game,” James said. “He’s fought world class opponents, been in there with the Terence Crawfords and other guys. He has his own natural, special abilities. When you get in there with a guy who’s been around the block a little bit against other tough opponents, has a winning record, you can bet they’re going to come to fight, they’re going to have tricks you have to watch out for.

“But I’ve been in there with tough guys, too, I have my bag of tricks as well. So we’re going to see what’s up.”

James (right) demonstrated both skill and resilience against the tough DeMarco. Andrew Dobins / The Armory

One fight in which James learned a great deal was his only loss, a unanimous decision against Ugas in 2016.

James took that fight only a few days beforehand. He was prepared physically, in part because he fought less than a month earlier, but he realized after the fact that a few days isn’t necessarily look enough to get in the proper frame of mind to face an opponent as gifted as Ugas.

Lost a fight. Learned a lesson.

“You don’t overlook or underestimate anybody,” James said. “You gotta be 100 percent prepared when you step in there with anybody, especially at this level. I took that fight on very short notice. We looked at the guy, we looked at Ugas’ record, but we didn’t do my full research.

“I was still healthy, in decent shape because I just got done with another fight, but I wasn’t mentally focused and in the zone like should’ve been. Once you’ve been in camp for a month or more, when you come out of that camp you have a different hunger to you, a different focus to you.

“I had a focus but it wasn’t to that level. He definitely had a focus because he had been preparing. … I’m not a hater. He did what he’s supposed to do, he won. His career has been blasting off. Hopefully in the future I get a rematch in if the business is right.

“But like I said I’m happy where I’m at now. And I’m going to try to get more and more.”

You can bet that James will be ready Saturday – physically and mentally.

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