Big-time boxing has gone on hiatus until later this month.
Boxing junkies are going to have a hard time finding a fix temporarily.
No big fights are scheduled for the next few weeks, in part because the sport has been shut down in the U.K. until at least the end of the month amid a spike in coronavirus cases.
The next notable event is on Jan. 23, when Angelo Leo defends his 122-pound title against Stephen Fulton at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. (Showtime).
Then comes a busy Jan. 30. Caleb Plant, a prospective opponent for Canelo Alvarez, defends his 168-pound belt against Caleb Truax on Fox. The site hasn’t been announced.
And former light heavyweight champ Sergey Kovalev faces Bektemir Melikuziev in Moscow (DAZN).
A matchup of 154-pound prospects is set for Jan. 20, when Patrick Cora (10-0, 7 KOs) will face Hurshidbek Normatov (10-0, 3 KOs) at the Mohegan Sun (Showtime).
The Leo-Fulton fight is compelling. Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) used a vicious body attack to easily outpoint last-minute replacement Tramaine Williams in a fight for a vacant title on Aug. 1.
Joseph Diaz Jr. (left) outpointed Tevin Farmer to win his first major world title in January. Lester Silva-Hoganphotos-Golden Boy
Leo was supposed to have fought Fulton that night but Fulton had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19 a few days before the fight. Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) is a slick boxer who many see as championship material.
Alvarez, a newly crowned 168-pound titleholder, has said that he wants to unify all the belts this year. Plant (20-0, 12 KOs) holds one of the titles the Mexican star covets, which means that fight could take place in May or September.
Plant, who will be making his third defense on Jan. 30, must beat Truax (31-4-2, 19 KOs) first. Truax, 37, is a former super middleweight titleholder.
The 37-year-old Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) will be fighting for the first time since he was knocked out by Canelo Alvarez in November 2019. Melikuziev (6-0, 5 KOs) is a former amateur star from Uzbekistan, although he’s based in California. He stopped Alan Campa in three rounds in October.
A big double-header is set for Feb. 13, when Joseph Diaz Jr. defends his junior lightweight title against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov and Patrick Teixeira defends his middleweight belt against Brian Castano in Indio, Calif. (DAZN).
On the same day, Joe Smith Jr. fights Maxim Vlasov for a vacant light heavyweight title on ESPN. No site has been announced.
Then, in an intriguing junior lightweight bout, Miguel Berchelt defends his title against Oscar Valdez on ESPN. Again, no site has been announced.
Liam Walsh will face Paul Hyland Jr. in lightweight fight on Feb. 19 in Wakefield, England (ESPN+).
And on Feb. 27, in New Zealand, Joseph Parker fights Junior Fa in a heavyweight fight on DAZN. The winner could be in position to fight for a title soon.
Big-time boxing has gone on hiatus until later this month.
Boxing junkies are going to have a hard time finding a fix temporarily.
No big fights are scheduled for the next few weeks, in part because the sport has been shut down in the U.K. until at least the end of the month amid a spike in coronavirus cases.
The next notable event is on Jan. 23, when Angelo Leo defends his 122-pound title against Stephen Fulton at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn. (Showtime).
Then comes a busy Jan. 30. Caleb Plant, a prospective opponent for Canelo Alvarez, defends his 168-pound belt against Caleb Truax on Fox. The site hasn’t been announced.
And former light heavyweight champ Sergey Kovalev faces Bektemir Melikuziev in Moscow (DAZN).
A matchup of 154-pound prospects is set for Jan. 20, when Patrick Cora (10-0, 7 KOs) will face Hurshidbek Normatov (10-0, 3 KOs) at the Mohegan Sun (Showtime).
The Leo-Fulton fight is compelling. Leo (20-0, 9 KOs) used a vicious body attack to easily outpoint last-minute replacement Tramaine Williams in a fight for a vacant title on Aug. 1.
Joseph Diaz Jr. (left) outpointed Tevin Farmer to win his first major world title in January. Lester Silva-Hoganphotos-Golden Boy
Leo was supposed to have fought Fulton that night but Fulton had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19 a few days before the fight. Fulton (18-0, 8 KOs) is a slick boxer who many see as championship material.
Alvarez, a newly crowned 168-pound titleholder, has said that he wants to unify all the belts this year. Plant (20-0, 12 KOs) holds one of the titles the Mexican star covets, which means that fight could take place in May or September.
Plant, who will be making his third defense on Jan. 30, must beat Truax (31-4-2, 19 KOs) first. Truax, 37, is a former super middleweight titleholder.
The 37-year-old Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) will be fighting for the first time since he was knocked out by Canelo Alvarez in November 2019. Melikuziev (6-0, 5 KOs) is a former amateur star from Uzbekistan, although he’s based in California. He stopped Alan Campa in three rounds in October.
A big double-header is set for Feb. 13, when Joseph Diaz Jr. defends his junior lightweight title against Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov and Patrick Teixeira defends his middleweight belt against Brian Castano in Indio, Calif. (DAZN).
On the same day, Joe Smith Jr. fights Maxim Vlasov for a vacant light heavyweight title on ESPN. No site has been announced.
Then, in an intriguing junior lightweight bout, Miguel Berchelt defends his title against Oscar Valdez on ESPN. Again, no site has been announced.
Liam Walsh will face Paul Hyland Jr. in lightweight fight on Feb. 19 in Wakefield, England (ESPN+).
And on Feb. 27, in New Zealand, Joseph Parker fights Junior Fa in a heavyweight fight on DAZN. The winner could be in position to fight for a title soon.
Tevin Farmer lost his junior lightweight title to Joseph Diaz Jr. by a unanimous decision on Jan. 30 and hasn’t fought since. Farmer knows the fight he wants next: a second meeting with Diaz. And he says that Diaz is obligated to give it to him …
Tevin Farmer lost his junior lightweight title to Joseph Diaz Jr. by a unanimous decision on Jan. 30 and hasn’t fought since.
Farmer knows the fight he wants next: a second meeting with Diaz. And he says that Diaz is obligated to give it to him because there was a rematch clause in the original contract.
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss that and other topics with Farmer.
Here’s what he had to say.
The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.
Tevin Farmer lost his junior lightweight title to Joseph Diaz Jr. by a unanimous decision on Jan. 30 and hasn’t fought since. Farmer knows the fight he wants next: a second meeting with Diaz. And he says that Diaz is obligated to give it to him …
Tevin Farmer lost his junior lightweight title to Joseph Diaz Jr. by a unanimous decision on Jan. 30 and hasn’t fought since.
Farmer knows the fight he wants next: a second meeting with Diaz. And he says that Diaz is obligated to give it to him because there was a rematch clause in the original contract.
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss that and other topics with Farmer.
Here’s what he had to say.
The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.
Boxing Junkie presents its mid-year awards in six categories.
A most unusual year is half over. The coronavirus pandemic brought the boxing world to a halt in March and it has only begun to return in the past few weeks.
Still, some fighters have had enough time – particularly in the first few months of the year – to turn in performances worthy of recognition.
With that in mind, Boxing Junkie presents its mid-year awards in six categories. Here they are.
FIGHTER
Tyson Fury’s stoppage of Deontay Wilder was a career-defining victory. Al Bello / Getty Images
Tyson Fury
Slam dunk. Fury and Deontay Wilder fought to a controversial draw in December 2018. The rematch, on Feb. 22 in Las Vegas, wasn’t even competitive. A bulked up Fury, employing a more-aggressive strategy, dominated the then-titleholder from beginning to end. He put Wilder down in Rounds 3 and 5 and finally stopped him in Round 7. Fury just never gave Wilder and chance to unload his big right hand. It was a virtuoso performance in a super fight, which made the accomplishment all the more spectacular.
Runner up: Jeison Rosario
FIGHT
Robert Helenius (right) took a giant step forward with his KO of Adam Kownacki. AP Photo / Frank Franklin II
Robert Helenius TKO 4 Adam Kownacki, March 7
Helenius vs. Kownacki was nuts from the opening bell, as most Kownacki fights are. The Polish-American came out firing away, as usual. The thought at that moment: “OK, here we go. How long is Helenius going to be able to survive?” Then, as the fight progressed: “Wait a second, Helenius doesn’t seem to be going anywhere and he’s fighting back.” In Round 4, the Finn put Kownacki down with a right-left combination and then followed with a flurry of hard shots and the fight was stopped. Whew. Crazy. Really fun to watch.
Runner up: Jeison Rosario vs. Julian Williams, Jan. 18
KNOCKOUT
Ryan Garcia (left) is on a knockout roll. Tom Hogan-Hoganphotos / Golden Boy
Ryan Garcia KO 1 Francisco Fonseca, Feb. 4
Tyson Fury’s stoppage of Deontay Wilder was the most important knockout so far. Garcia gave us the most spectacular KO. Garcia, the charismatic 21-year-old lightweight contender, had already generated a great deal of intrigue with two early knockouts in 2019. He simply added to the excitement against the veteran Fonseca. A single left hook relieved the Nicaraguan from his senses and took our breath away only 80 seconds into the fight.
Runner up: Fury KO 7 Wilder
UPSET
Jeison Rosario was overwhelmed when his new championship belts were placed over his shoulders. Stephanie Trapp / TGB Promotions
Jeison Rosario TKO 5 Julian Williams
Williams’ stature going into the Jan. 18 fight was what made Rosario’s thorough victory special. Remember, Williams, the then-junior middleweight titleholder, was coming off a career-defining victory over Jarrett Hurd eight months earlier. He had climbed onto some pound-for-pound lists. And Rosario beat the you-know-what out of him. Rosario hurt Williams about two minutes into Round 5 and followed with a brutal barrage of hard shots that forced the referee to end the fight and give Rosario the title.
Runner up: Robert Helenius TKO 4 Adam Kownacki
COMEBACK
Roman Gonzalez (right) resurrected his career as an elite fighter with his knockout of Kal Yafai. Amanda Westcott / DAZN
Roman Gonzalez
The former No. 1 fighter pound-for-pound had already won back-to-back fights since he lost consecutive bouts to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2017, the second loss being a brutal knockout. Still, many had doubts about whether the 32-year-old Nicaraguan remained an elite fighter. He proved against then-unbeaten junior bantamweight titleholder Kal Yafai on Feb. 29 that he has plenty more to give. He gave Yafai a boxing lesson for eight-plus rounds and then stopped him in Round 9. Vintage Gonzalez.
Runner up: Mikey Garcia UD 12 Jessie Vargas, Feb. 29
BREAKOUT
Joseph Diaz Jr. celebrates after outpointing Tevin Farmer to win his first major world title. Michael Reaves / Getty Images
Joseph Diaz Jr.
Diaz, the former U.S. Olympian, had failed in attempts to win a major title and a secondary one, losing a decision to Gary Russell Jr. and then failing to make weight before outpointing Jesus Rojas, which precluded him from winning the belt. Some wondered whether Diaz would ever get over the hump. And then he did. Then-junior lightweight titleholder Tevin Farmer was one of the hottest fighters around yet an inspired Diaz took him to school, winning a decision that wasn’t as close as the cards indicate to finally claim a belt.
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, Tevin Farmer discusses his loss to Joseph Diaz Jr. and where he goes from here.
The last time we saw Tevin Farmer in the ring he lost a unanimous decision and his junior lightweight title to Joseph Diaz Jr. this past January in Miami.
In this episode of The Ak & Barak Show, courtesy of DAZN, hosts Akin Reyes and Barak Bess asked the popular Philadelphia fighter about his disappointing performance and where he goes from here.
Farmer made one thing clear during the interview: He remains confident in his ability. He wants another shot at Diaz.
Here’s what he had to say.
The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.
Junior lightweight champion Miguel Berchelt gives his thoughts on a number of prospective opponents.
Junior lightweight titleholder Miguel Berchelt was as hot as any fighter when the coronavirus pandemic took hold.
The 28-year-old Mexican won his 130-pound title by stopping Francisco Vargas in the 11th round of an entertaining brawl in 2017 and he has successfully defended six times against solid opposition, five times by knockout.
Berchelt (37-1, 33 KOs) will have many options when the sport is up and running again. He is focused on the No. 1 contender for his belt – Oscar Valdez – but a number of other fighters are possible opponents. Among them: Shakur Stevenson, Joseph Diaz Jr., Rene Alvarado, Jamel Herring, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Gervonta Davis.
Here are Berchelt’s thoughts on facing some of these rivals, courtesy of Top Rank:
Valdez, the No. 1 contender for his belt and a protégé of trainer Eddy Reynoso
“Yes, of course I believe Oscar is a great fighter. I respect him a lot, but now we must face each other. I think Eddy Reynoso has come to add a lot of good things to his corner. He has also done a good job with Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia. Now he is doing it with Oscar Valdez. It’s an excellent team, but on my side, I’m the champion and I also have a great trainer in Alfredo Caballero. It will be a great fight between Mexican fighters and Mexican trainers.”
Could Valdez’s aggressive style work against him?
“No, I think they will have to come up with a good strategy. It’s worth noting that Oscar has already suffered an injury on his jaw. If I’m not mistaken, it happened in his fight against Scott Quigg. He broke his jaw. That’s why I believe they are going to try to fight a smart fight. He is also moving up in weight, and I don’t think he should be trading punches with me.”
Stevenson, a 126-pound titleholder
“He is also a great fighter. Shakur Stevenson is a former Olympian and trains alongside Terence Crawford. I believe he is a fighter with a lot of ability and is one of the best fighters that Top Rank has right now, but like I mentioned, we are waiting for the fight with Oscar. I think [Stevenson] is still campaigning at 126. But when he gets to 130, I would like to face him. I think he is a great fighter, and I believe the fans want to see ‘El Alacrán’ Berchelt against the best.”
Diaz, a 130-pound titleholder
“I would love to [fight him]. JoJo Diaz was recently crowned as IBF champion. Also, Jamel Herring and Rene Alvarado. There are some great champions in the division, but right now, all I have on my mind is to face Oscar, be victorious on this seventh title defense, and after that, whoever comes, comes for Miguel Berchelt.”
Lomachenko, 135-pound titleholder
“Right now, he is one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the world. I think he is only behind Canelo Alvarez. I would like to [fight him]. Right now, my focus is getting through this situation of the pandemic. Then I will begin training and returning to all activities so I can face Oscar Valdez. After that, we can talk moving up to 135 to face someone like Vasiliy Lomachenko. He is a fighter that I have always wanted to face, or Teofimo Lopez.”
Davis, 135-pound contender
“There are a lot of good fights to be made, but without a doubt, I would love to face Gervonta Davis. He is a very dangerous fighter and a lot of people would like to face him, but his promoter, Floyd Mayweather, protects him too much.”
These are the fighters to beat in selected year-end categories so far in 2020.
The year in boxing has been limited to two-plus months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
As a result, not many elite boxers have had the opportunity to fight in 2020. Some did, though. And a few of those made massive statements in the ring before the sport was shut down completely last month.
Of course, it’s too early to determine who will win year-end awards. After all, the sport almost certainly will resume sometime in the next several months.
That said, these are the fighters to beat in selected categories so far.
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR
Tyson Fury
Slam dunk. Fury and Deontay Wilder fought to a controversial draw in December 2018. The rematch, on Feb. 22 in Las Vegas, wasn’t even competitive. Fury, employing a more-aggressive strategy, dominated the then-titleholder from beginning to end. He put Wilder down in Rounds 3 and 5 and finally stopped him in Round 7. Fury just never gave Wilder and chance to unload his big right hand. It was a virtuoso performance in a super fight, which made the accomplishment all the more spectacular.
Runner up: Jeison Rosario
***
KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR
Ryan Garcia KO 1 Francisco Fonseca
Tyson Fury’s stoppage of Deontay Wilder was the most important knockout so far. Garcia gave us the most spectacular. Some background: Garcia, the charismatic 21-year-old lightweight contender, had already generated a great deal of intrigue with two early knockouts in 2019. He simply added to the excitement against the veteran Fonseca on Feb. 4. A single left hook relieved the Nicaraguan from his senses and took out breath away only 80 seconds into the fight.
Runner up: Fury KO 7 Wilder
***
UPSET OF THE YEAR
Jeison Rosario TKO 5 Julian Williams
Williams’ stature going into the Jan. 18 fight was what made Rosario’s thorough victory special. Remember, Williams, the then-junior middleweight titleholder, was coming off a career-defining victory over Jarrett Hurd eight months earlier. He had climbed onto some pound-for-pound lists. And Rosario, a Dominican, beat the you-know-what out of him. Rosario hurt Williams about two minutes into Round 5 and followed with a brutal barrage of hard shots the forced the referee to end the fight and give Rosario the title.
Runner up: Robert Helenius TKO 4 Adam Kownacki
***
COMEBACK OF THE YEAR
Roman Gonzalez
The former No. 1 fighter pound for pound had already won back-to-back fights since he lost consecutive bouts to Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2017, the second loss being a brutal knockout. Still, many had doubts about whether the 32-year-old Nicaraguan was still an elite fighter. He proved against then-unbeaten junior bantamweight titleholder Kal Yafai on Feb. 29 that he has plenty more to give. He gave Yafai a boxing lesson for eight-plus rounds and then stopped him in Round 9. Vintage Gonzalez.
Runner up: Mikey Garcia UD 12 Jessie Vargas
***
BREAKTHROUGH OF THE YEAR
Joseph Diaz Jr.
Diaz, the former U.S. Olympian, had failed in attempts to win a major title and a secondary one, losing on the cards to Gary Russell Jr. and failing to make weight before outpointing Jesus Rojas, which precluded him from winning the belt. Some wondered whether Diaz would ever get over the hump. And then he did. Then-junior lightweight titleholder Tevin Farmer was one of the hottest fighters around yet an inspired Diaz took him to school, winning a decision that wasn’t as close as the cards indicate to finally claim a belt.
Boxing Junkie staffers are trying to have some fun while the sport is on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic. One of the questions fans love to ask even amid a busy schedule is, “Who would win if …?” With that in mind, we decided to create …
Boxing Junkie staffers are trying to have some fun while the sport is on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic.
One of the questions fans love to ask even amid a busy schedule is, “Who would win if …?” With that in mind, we decided to create our own “Who Wins?” feature, in which we pit a single fighter against each of five potential opponents and indicate who we believe would win the fights.
Next up is our final subject, No. 15 Leo Santa Cruz.
In this installment of Who Wins?, our staffers’ give their takes on how Santa Cruz would do against Gervonta Davis, Gary Russell Jr., Miguel Berchelt, Joseph Diaz Jr. and Jamel Herring. We then tally Santa Cruz’s record in those fights and present our standings.
Santa Cruz isn’t the flashiest boxer (or person) but he has known almost nothing but success. He has fought at the elite level for a decade, has won titles in three divisions and avenged his only loss (to Carl Frampton) by consistently outworking his opponents.
We want to acknowledge that the choice of possible opponents is subjective. We’re looking for the best possible but also realistic foes for our featured boxers. One caveat: We won’t consider promotional and managerial rivalries that often stand in the way of the best matchups. And we’re operating under the assumption that none of our featured boxers will fight with ring rust as result of their forced coronavirus-related layoff.
So here goes: Santa Cruz vs. his five potential opponents.
***
SANTA CRUZ (37-1-1, 19 KOs) VS. DAVIS (23-0, 22 KOs)
Gervonta Davis (left, against Jesus Cuellar) would be a handful for Leo Santa Cruz. AP Photo / Frank Franklin II
Rosenthal: Santa Cruz makes his opponents miserable because of his work rate; he doesn’t give them a chance to breathe. Davis, at his best, is more dynamic – quicker, more explosive – and definitely a bigger puncher. If he can handle Santa Cruz’s pressure – which isn’t a given – he’ll control the fight by outboxing Santa Cruz and landing the bigger shots. Davis by decision.
Frauenheim: Hard to know what to make of Santa Cruz. He was a whirlwind at 126 pounds. But recent performances are forgettable. Davis has dangerous power. Dangerous temper, too. The Santa Cruz of a few years ago frustrates him, beats him on the cards. Expect the old Santa Cruz, who wins a unanimous decision.
Nam: It comes down to whether Davis shows up in shape and prepared. If he fought like he did against the one-legged, washed-up Yuriorkis Gamboa, Santa Cruz could run away with a decision. Given how Davis’s energy tends to sag in the second half of fights, Santa Cruz could be in a prime position to snag some rounds on activity alone. The thinking here, though, is that Davis’s power will have the last word. Davis by stoppage in the late rounds.
***
SANTA CRUZ VS. RUSSELL (31-1, 18 KOs)
Gary Russell Jr. (right, against Tugstsogt Nyambayar) might have too much speed for Santa Cruz. Amanda Westcott / Showtime
Rosenthal: Santa Cruz has the style – pressure, pressure, pressure – to give a slick boxer problems. But Russell has the talent, the experience and toughness to handle almost anything. He’ll use his feet to frustrate Santa Cruz and land more than enough quick, accurate shots to win rounds. Russell by decision.
Frauenheim: Harder to know what to make of Russell than it is Santa Cruz. He’s fought only four times over the last four years. He’s known for hand speed. He’ll be 32 in June. If the speed is still there, he beats Santa Cruz, landing punches from various angles. Expect the speed to be there. Russell, unanimous decision.
Nam: If Santa Cruz can’t cut off the ring, he doesn’t have a chance of winning this fight. Superior hand speed notwithstanding, Russell is an effective boxer, who likes to continually slide to his left as he flits in with a flurry here and there, making this something of a nightmare styles matchup for the Mexican. If Russell doesn’t skimp out on the road work, he should find himself on the winning end of a decision.
***
SANTA CRUZ VS. BERCHELT (37-1, 33 KOs)
Miguel Berchelt (right) has too many advantages to lose to Santa Cruz Mikey Williams / Top Rank
Rosenthal: Berchelt is the genuine article. The Mexican can box, he can punch, he can take a punch (with one exception years ago) and he, like Santa Cruz, is a natural 130-pounder. Neither will have to look for the other, meaning both fighters will land a lot of hard shots. Punching power will be the difference. And Berchelt has an edge in that department. Berchelt by late KO.
Frauenheim: Santa Cruz’s toughest fight. Berchelt has a presence, an intangible poise. He won’t lose his cool, even a Santa Cruz at his whirlwind best. He’s also strong, physical enough to slow down Santa Cruz, especially in the later rounds. Berchelt, unanimous decision.
Nam: Like Santa Cruz, Berchelt likes to mix it up on the inside. Only he’s bigger and he hits harder. This is a fun fight until Berchelt’s natural advantages take over in the second half. Berchelt by unanimous decision.
***
SANTA CRUZ VS. DIAZ (31-1, 15 KOs)
Jo Jo Diaz has the skill set to compete with Santa Cruz but perhaps not the punching power. Michael Reaves / Getty Images
Rosenthal: Diaz, a former U.S. Olympian, is a polished, gutsy boxer who is coming off a break-through victory over Tevin Farmer to win a 130-pound title in January. He will give Santa Cruz problems early in the fight but Santa Cruz, also an excellent boxer, ultimately will outwork him and win a clear decision.
Frauenheim: Diaz has momentum, winning five straight since his lone loss to Russell in May 2018. An accomplished amateur, he has solid boxing skills. He also knows Santa Cruz. He sparred with him. What he doesn’t have is power, or at least enough to slow down Santa Cruz, who wins unanimous decision.
Nam: Both guys like to tussle on the inside, but Diaz hits harder and his southpaw angles will befuddle the somewhat unimaginative Santa Cruz. This is a high-volume affair that’ll be close on the cards. Diaz by decision.
***
SANTA CRUZ VS. HERRING (21-2, 10 KOs)
Is former Olympian Jamel Herring (right) to slick for Santa Cruz. Dylan Buell / Getty Images
Rosenthal: Herring, another U.S. Olympian, realized his potential by outboxing Masayuki Ito to win a 130-pound title last May. He doesn’t have much power but he’s a beautiful, effective boxer. The problem for him is that Santa Cruz will be in his face from beginning to end, giving him little chance to find his rhythm. Santa Cruz by clear decision.
Frauenheim: Herring is slick and as tough as his Semper Fi nickname. The combat veteran knows his way around the ring. But his power – 10 KOs in 21 fights – is suspect. He’ll need more than he has displayed against the often-tireless Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz, unanimous decision.
Nam: Herring is bigger (he used to campaign at 135), awkward, and mobile. Stylistically speaking, Santa Cruz has never fought anybody like Herring; the majority of his opponents have been artless, come-forward types. Herring controls the distance and pace for 12 rounds, working behind his southpaw jab while continually turning Santa Cruz, en route to a points decision.
Jo Jo Diaz outworked Tevin Farmer to capture a unanimous decision and the IBF junior lightweight championship Thursday in Miami.
Jo Jo Diaz picked a good time to put everything together.
Diaz, who failed in two previous attempts to win titles, outworked Tevin Farmer to capture a unanimous decision and the IBF junior lightweight championship Thursday in Miami.
The judges scored it 116-112, 115-113, 115-113. Boxing Junkie scored it 116-112 for Diaz.
“I’m very excited,” an emotional Diaz said afterward. “I’ve been dreaming about this moment for a long time.”
Diaz (31-1, 15 KOs) ran into trouble in the second round, when an accidental head butt caused a horrible cut above his left eye that seemed to portend an early end to the fight. However, his cut man managed the gash well and Diaz fought as if it never happened even though it bled into his eye in the following rounds.
“I pretended it wasn’t there,” he said.
Diaz was simply busier than Farmer, who claimed to have injured his right hand in the first round. The challenger pushed the action, threw more punches, landed more punches and connected on more eye-catching shots than Farmer. That’s a tough formula to overcome.
On top of that, Farmer didn’t seem to be himself. Known for his quickness and athleticism, he was unusually flatfooted and relatively easy to hit. The now-former champion said the hand injury prevented him from jabbing as he would’ve liked but he had no answer when asked why he looked lethargic.
Farmer (30-5-1, 6 KOs) certainly kept the fight competitive, often giving as much as he took inside, but he couldn’t do enough to slow down a Diaz determined to finally win a world title.
“He put up a hell of a fight. No excuses,” Farmer said. “I couldn’t use the jab like I wanted but he capitalized on it. That’s what a world champion does. He must’ve have seen it and he won the fight.”
The fight was likely only the first installment of a burgeoning rivalry. Farmer said afterward that he planned to exercise a rematch clause in the contract they signed.
“We’re going to do it again,” he said. “Absolutely.”
