Tag: Josesito Lopez

Good, bad, worse: Is Errol Spence Jr. vs Terence Crawford next up?

A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD Errol Spence Jr.’s dominating victory over Yordenis Ugas was special … but it was nothing compared to what might follow. Spence was nothing short of sensational on Saturday at AT&T Stadium outside …

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

Errol Spence Jr.’s dominating victory over Yordenis Ugas was special … but it was nothing compared to what might follow.

Spence was nothing short of sensational on Saturday at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas, coldly, methodically breaking down an accomplished opponent before stopping him in the 10th round to unify three welterweight titles.

The performance was particularly impressive given the obstacles he had to overcome – a horrific car accident in 2019, a detached retina last year and a 16-month layoff.

Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) is No. 5 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound – a similar position to most rankings – but some might argue that he should be closer to the top, closer to Boxing Junkie’s No. 1-ranked fighter, Terence Crawford.

That’s what makes a potential showdown between Spence and Crawford so compelling. Not only would the fight establish an undisputed welterweight champion; it would also pit two Top-5 pound-for-pounders against one another.

It doesn’t get better than that.

And the chances of it actually happening after years of anticipation appear to be high, as Spence and free-agent Crawford no longer fight for competing entities. Plus, Spence never made it more clear than he did after the fight on Saturday that he wants to meet Crawford in the ring.

I wish the fight had happened a few years ago, when Crawford (who turns 35 in September) was in his physical prime. However, this wouldn’t be like Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, which had the feel of an old-timers game because it happened far too late.

Spence demonstrated on Saturday night that he’s at least close to his best. And Crawford is coming off an impressive knockout of former champion Shawn Porter in November, evidence that he remains near the top of his game.

Spence vs. Crawford might be the biggest possible fight in boxing. Fingers crossed it happens in the fall.

 

BAD

Yordenis Ugas was deavstated after his setback. AP Photo / Jeffrey McWhorter

“I feel sad because I trained really hard for this fight,” Ugas said after falling short of goal to become unified welterweight champion. “All respect to Errol Spence. He’s a great champion. I’m just sad with what happened tonight.”

Ugas’ sentiments are understandable. He experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows in consecutive fights, which is always takes a toll.

The one-time Cuban amateur star had come a long way, overcoming the trials of defection from his native country, back-to-back losses in 2014 and a subsequent two-year hiatus from the sport to build himself into a top 147-pound contender.

And his ascent was capped with a monumental upset of Manny Pacquiao last August, which gave him his first major title at the age of 34 and made him a major player in the division.

Then, in one night, it must have felt as if he were back in 2014. He fought gallantly but was outclassed by Spence in the end, which left him on the wrong end of a one-sided beating and with a broken orbital bone. Ugas is good, Spence is special.

Thus, it was easy to understand Ugas’ anguish the fight. However, time will provide perspective.

The fact he was able to overcome the obstacles to reach the pinnacle of the sport is an accomplishment that will always bring him pride. Unlike Pacquiao, who was 42 when they fought, Ugas is young enough to continue with his career.

And, finally, we shouldn’t feel too sorry for him: He should walk away with at least $2 million after pay-per-view revenues are divvied up. That should help alleviate some of the emotional pain he’s feeling after his disappointment.

 

WORSE

Ugas wasn’t the only older fighter to have a rough time Saturday.

First, in England, 34-year-old Chris van Heerden, a solid fighter since turning pro 16 years ago, failed to survive two full rounds against rising star Conor Benn. The Los Angeles-based native of South Africa didn’t have time to show anything.

Then, on the Spence-Ugas card, Josesito Lopez, 37, Francisco Vargas, 37, and Yuriorkis Gamboa, 40, looked their ages.

Lopez (38-9, 21 KOs) gave welterweight contender Cody Crowley (21-0, 9 KOs) some resistance early in their scheduled 10-rounder but seemed to get old mid-fight and was barely able to hear the final bell, as Crowley won a wide decision.

Lopez was one of the toughest fighters in the world between 135 and 147 pounds for years, including a knockout victory over Victor Ortiz. Now it appears he’s finished.

Vargas (27-4-2, 19 KOs) was still warming up when a monster left hand from lightweight prospect Jose Valenzuela knocked him onto his back and out. It’s difficult to imagine the former 130-pound champ bouncing back from that kind of setback but he’s a warrior through and through.

And Gamboa (30-5, 18 KOs) went down four times against juggernaut Isaac Cruz before the fight was mercifully stopped in the fifth round. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time featherweight champion was willing but no longer has the legs to fight at a high level. He’s shot.

I don’t want to be overly critical of matchmakers who tempt fate by pitting faded champions against hot young stars. Matchmaking is the hardest job in boxing. Plus, older fighters deserve opportunities if they can demonstrate they remain competent.

At the same time, the events of Saturday made it clear that matchmakers and other powerbrokers must be careful about making such decisions.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) demonstrated again in his victory over van Heerden that he could develop into a threat to any of the top 147-pounders. He’s a dynamic all-around fighter with big-time power. Ask van Heerden. The only obvious flaw in Benn’s performance was that he was somewhat reckless from the opening bell. If he attacked a Spence or a Crawford with the abandon he went after van Heerden, he’d get knocked out. … Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) took another nice step in his career on the Spence-Ugas card, defeating previously unbeaten Radzhab Butaev (14-1, 11 KOs) by a split decision that should’ve been unanimous. He’s on the precipice of landing a world title fight and he might have the ability to win it. … Valenzuela (12-0, 8 KOs) made a powerful statement with his one-punch knockout of Vargas. The Seattle-based Mexican, a disciple of trainer Jose Benavidez Sr., is one of the top handful of prospects in the world. … I don’t know how far Crowley (21-0, 9 KOs) will go but he’s a good, disciplined boxer with the fitness to go 20 strong rounds. That formula is going to make him difficult to beat even at the highest level. … The knockout streak of junior welterweight Brandun Lee (25-0, 22 KOs) ended at 15 when clever Zachary Ochoa (21-3, 7 KOs) took him the distance on the Spence-Ugas card. No shame in that. He probably learned more during the unanimous-decision victory than he would’ve with another spectacular stoppage.

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Good, bad, worse: Is Errol Spence Jr. vs Terence Crawford next up?

A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD Errol Spence Jr.’s dominating victory over Yordenis Ugas was special … but it was nothing compared to what might follow. Spence was nothing short of sensational on Saturday at AT&T Stadium outside …

A critical look at the past week in boxing

GOOD

Errol Spence Jr.’s dominating victory over Yordenis Ugas was special … but it was nothing compared to what might follow.

Spence was nothing short of sensational on Saturday at AT&T Stadium outside Dallas, coldly, methodically breaking down an accomplished opponent before stopping him in the 10th round to unify three welterweight titles.

The performance was particularly impressive given the obstacles he had to overcome – a horrific car accident in 2019, a detached retina last year and a 16-month layoff.

Spence (28-0, 22 KOs) is No. 5 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound – a similar position to most rankings – but some might argue that he should be closer to the top, closer to Boxing Junkie’s No. 1-ranked fighter, Terence Crawford.

That’s what makes a potential showdown between Spence and Crawford so compelling. Not only would the fight establish an undisputed welterweight champion; it would also pit two Top-5 pound-for-pounders against one another.

It doesn’t get better than that.

And the chances of it actually happening after years of anticipation appear to be high, as Spence and free-agent Crawford no longer fight for competing entities. Plus, Spence never made it more clear than he did after the fight on Saturday that he wants to meet Crawford in the ring.

I wish the fight had happened a few years ago, when Crawford (who turns 35 in September) was in his physical prime. However, this wouldn’t be like Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, which had the feel of an old-timers game because it happened far too late.

Spence demonstrated on Saturday night that he’s at least close to his best. And Crawford is coming off an impressive knockout of former champion Shawn Porter in November, evidence that he remains near the top of his game.

Spence vs. Crawford might be the biggest possible fight in boxing. Fingers crossed it happens in the fall.

 

BAD

Yordenis Ugas was deavstated after his setback. AP Photo / Jeffrey McWhorter

“I feel sad because I trained really hard for this fight,” Ugas said after falling short of goal to become unified welterweight champion. “All respect to Errol Spence. He’s a great champion. I’m just sad with what happened tonight.”

Ugas’ sentiments are understandable. He experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows in consecutive fights, which is always takes a toll.

The one-time Cuban amateur star had come a long way, overcoming the trials of defection from his native country, back-to-back losses in 2014 and a subsequent two-year hiatus from the sport to build himself into a top 147-pound contender.

And his ascent was capped with a monumental upset of Manny Pacquiao last August, which gave him his first major title at the age of 34 and made him a major player in the division.

Then, in one night, it must have felt as if he were back in 2014. He fought gallantly but was outclassed by Spence in the end, which left him on the wrong end of a one-sided beating and with a broken orbital bone. Ugas is good, Spence is special.

Thus, it was easy to understand Ugas’ anguish the fight. However, time will provide perspective.

The fact he was able to overcome the obstacles to reach the pinnacle of the sport is an accomplishment that will always bring him pride. Unlike Pacquiao, who was 42 when they fought, Ugas is young enough to continue with his career.

And, finally, we shouldn’t feel too sorry for him: He should walk away with at least $2 million after pay-per-view revenues are divvied up. That should help alleviate some of the emotional pain he’s feeling after his disappointment.

 

WORSE

Ugas wasn’t the only older fighter to have a rough time Saturday.

First, in England, 34-year-old Chris van Heerden, a solid fighter since turning pro 16 years ago, failed to survive two full rounds against rising star Conor Benn. The Los Angeles-based native of South Africa didn’t have time to show anything.

Then, on the Spence-Ugas card, Josesito Lopez, 37, Francisco Vargas, 37, and Yuriorkis Gamboa, 40, looked their ages.

Lopez (38-9, 21 KOs) gave welterweight contender Cody Crowley (21-0, 9 KOs) some resistance early in their scheduled 10-rounder but seemed to get old mid-fight and was barely able to hear the final bell, as Crowley won a wide decision.

Lopez was one of the toughest fighters in the world between 135 and 147 pounds for years, including a knockout victory over Victor Ortiz. Now it appears he’s finished.

Vargas (27-4-2, 19 KOs) was still warming up when a monster left hand from lightweight prospect Jose Valenzuela knocked him onto his back and out. It’s difficult to imagine the former 130-pound champ bouncing back from that kind of setback but he’s a warrior through and through.

And Gamboa (30-5, 18 KOs) went down four times against juggernaut Isaac Cruz before the fight was mercifully stopped in the fifth round. The 2004 Olympic gold medalist and two-time featherweight champion was willing but no longer has the legs to fight at a high level. He’s shot.

I don’t want to be overly critical of matchmakers who tempt fate by pitting faded champions against hot young stars. Matchmaking is the hardest job in boxing. Plus, older fighters deserve opportunities if they can demonstrate they remain competent.

At the same time, the events of Saturday made it clear that matchmakers and other powerbrokers must be careful about making such decisions.

 

RABBIT PUNCHES

Benn (21-0, 14 KOs) demonstrated again in his victory over van Heerden that he could develop into a threat to any of the top 147-pounders. He’s a dynamic all-around fighter with big-time power. Ask van Heerden. The only obvious flaw in Benn’s performance was that he was somewhat reckless from the opening bell. If he attacked a Spence or a Crawford with the abandon he went after van Heerden, he’d get knocked out. … Eimantas Stanionis (14-0, 9 KOs) took another nice step in his career on the Spence-Ugas card, defeating previously unbeaten Radzhab Butaev (14-1, 11 KOs) by a split decision that should’ve been unanimous. He’s on the precipice of landing a world title fight and he might have the ability to win it. … Valenzuela (12-0, 8 KOs) made a powerful statement with his one-punch knockout of Vargas. The Seattle-based Mexican, a disciple of trainer Jose Benavidez Sr., is one of the top handful of prospects in the world. … I don’t know how far Crowley (21-0, 9 KOs) will go but he’s a good, disciplined boxer with the fitness to go 20 strong rounds. That formula is going to make him difficult to beat even at the highest level. … The knockout streak of junior welterweight Brandun Lee (25-0, 22 KOs) ended at 15 when clever Zachary Ochoa (21-3, 7 KOs) took him the distance on the Spence-Ugas card. No shame in that. He probably learned more during the unanimous-decision victory than he would’ve with another spectacular stoppage.

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Cody Crowley outworks Josesito Lopez to win one-sided decision

Cody Crowley continues to demonstrate that he’s a legitimate welterweight contender. The Canadian southpaw, coming off an upset of top-rated Kudratillo Abdukakhorov, outworked a courageous, but faded version of Josesito Lopez en route to a …

Cody Crowley continues to demonstrate that he’s a legitimate welterweight contender.

The Canadian southpaw, coming off an upset of top-rated Kudratillo Abdukakhorov, outworked a courageous, but faded version of Josesito Lopez en route to a unanimous-decision victory on the Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas card Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

The official scores were 99-90, 98-91 and 98-91. Boxing Junkie scored it 99-90 for Crowley, nine rounds to one.

Crowley (21-0, 9 KOs) was true to his form, fighting behind his jab and outworking his opponent with a variety of punches to the head and body from beginning to end.

Lopez (38-9, 21 KOs) kept himself in the fight in the early rounds with punishing body shots, which undoubtedly got Crowley’s attention.

Joseito Lopez (left) was game but couldn’t withstand the attack of Cody Crowley. AP Photo / Jeffrey McWhorter)

However, by Round 6, the 37-year-old Southern Californian began to fade. His work rate declined, he went down from a light hook in Round 8 and started to take a beating.

His trainer, Robert Garcia, threatened between rounds to stop the bout to protect his fighter but Lopez did just enough to go the distance in what might be his last fight.

It’s no secret why Crowley can maintain the pace he does.

“I just train hard,” he said. “I give 110 percent every single day.”

Crowley is ranked in the Top 15 by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, No. 6 by the WBO. His time is coming slowly but it appears to be coming.

“I believe I’m one of the best in the world,” he said. “… I have to continue beating whoever is placed in front of me. And eventually I’m going to get my shot.”

Cody Crowley outworks Josesito Lopez to win one-sided decision

Cody Crowley continues to demonstrate that he’s a legitimate welterweight contender. The Canadian southpaw, coming off an upset of top-rated Kudratillo Abdukakhorov, outworked a courageous, but faded version of Josesito Lopez en route to a …

Cody Crowley continues to demonstrate that he’s a legitimate welterweight contender.

The Canadian southpaw, coming off an upset of top-rated Kudratillo Abdukakhorov, outworked a courageous, but faded version of Josesito Lopez en route to a unanimous-decision victory on the Errol Spence Jr.-Yordenis Ugas card Saturday in Arlington, Texas.

The official scores were 99-90, 98-91 and 98-91. Boxing Junkie scored it 99-90 for Crowley, nine rounds to one.

Crowley (21-0, 9 KOs) was true to his form, fighting behind his jab and outworking his opponent with a variety of punches to the head and body from beginning to end.

Lopez (38-9, 21 KOs) kept himself in the fight in the early rounds with punishing body shots, which undoubtedly got Crowley’s attention.

Joseito Lopez (left) was game but couldn’t withstand the attack of Cody Crowley. AP Photo / Jeffrey McWhorter)

However, by Round 6, the 37-year-old Southern Californian began to fade. His work rate declined, he went down from a light hook in Round 8 and started to take a beating.

His trainer, Robert Garcia, threatened between rounds to stop the bout to protect his fighter but Lopez did just enough to go the distance in what might be his last fight.

It’s no secret why Crowley can maintain the pace he does.

“I just train hard,” he said. “I give 110 percent every single day.”

Crowley is ranked in the Top 15 by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, No. 6 by the WBO. His time is coming slowly but it appears to be coming.

“I believe I’m one of the best in the world,” he said. “… I have to continue beating whoever is placed in front of me. And eventually I’m going to get my shot.”

Josesito Lopez pounds, stops Francisco Santana in 10

Josesito Lopez dominated and then stopped Francisco Santana in the 10th and final round Saturday.

Josesito Lopez demonstrated again on Saturday that he’s a viable opponent for any an elite welterweight.

Lopez gave tough, but overmatched Francisco Santana a beating before the fight was finally stopped in the 10th and final round on the Errol Spence Jr.-Danny Garcia card at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Lopez (38-8, 21 KOs) forced Santana (25-9-1, 12 KOs) to the canvas with a body shot in the first round and never stopped dishing out punishment until referee Neal Young finally waved off the fight.

Santana, 34, is only 3-6 in his last nine fights but had been stopped only once, 11 years ago. And he was tough in this one, enduring the punishment and fighting back for most of nine-plus rounds.

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He went down a second time with about 30 seconds remaining in Round 9, the result of a right to the head. He got up and survived the round but wobbled back to this corner. The fight could’ve – should’ve? – but stopped at that point but it went on.

In the 10th, he took a knee again after taking a left to the face, somehow got up, then went down one final time under the weight of a flurry of shots. At that point, Young had seen enough and stopped the fight.

The official time was 1:22 of the round.

Lopez, 36, has looked particularly sharp since 2018 when he easily outpointed then-unbeaten Miguel Cruz. He then gave Keith Thurman all he could handle in a competitive loss. And, in his most-recent fight, he stopped John Molina Jr. in eight rounds more than a year ago.

He’s a potential opponent for any top 147-pounder looking for a legitimate challenge.

 

Josesito Lopez pounds, stops Francisco Santana in 10

Josesito Lopez dominated and then stopped Francisco Santana in the 10th and final round Saturday.

Josesito Lopez demonstrated again on Saturday that he’s a viable opponent for any an elite welterweight.

Lopez gave tough, but overmatched Francisco Santana a beating before the fight was finally stopped in the 10th and final round on the Errol Spence Jr.-Danny Garcia card at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Lopez (38-8, 21 KOs) forced Santana (25-9-1, 12 KOs) to the canvas with a body shot in the first round and never stopped dishing out punishment until referee Neal Young finally waved off the fight.

Santana, 34, is only 3-6 in his last nine fights but had been stopped only once, 11 years ago. And he was tough in this one, enduring the punishment and fighting back for most of nine-plus rounds.

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He went down a second time with about 30 seconds remaining in Round 9, the result of a right to the head. He got up and survived the round but wobbled back to this corner. The fight could’ve – should’ve? – but stopped at that point but it went on.

In the 10th, he took a knee again after taking a left to the face, somehow got up, then went down one final time under the weight of a flurry of shots. At that point, Young had seen enough and stopped the fight.

The official time was 1:22 of the round.

Lopez, 36, has looked particularly sharp since 2018 when he easily outpointed then-unbeaten Miguel Cruz. He then gave Keith Thurman all he could handle in a competitive loss. And, in his most-recent fight, he stopped John Molina Jr. in eight rounds more than a year ago.

He’s a potential opponent for any top 147-pounder looking for a legitimate challenge.

 

Terence Crawford’s quest for top-tier opponent goes on

Terence Crawford’s trainer Brian McIntyre says the welterweight titleholder will likely fight twice this year.

New year, same old question: Who will Terence Crawford fight?

The welterweight titleholder is counted as one of the sport’s finest talents, but his career prospects have noticeably dimmed in recent years because of his inability to land meaningful fights. Blame the sport’s wretched partisan divisions. All of the other titleholders – namely, Manny Pacquiao and Errol Spence Jr. – and most of the top contenders reside under the Premier Boxing Champions banner led by Al Haymon, who doesn’t do much business with Top Rank’s Bob Arum, Crawford’s promoter

Crawford overcome a shaky start to stop little known contender Egidijus Kavaliauskas in the ninth-round at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 14 in New York City. The Nebraskan was in vintage form, but at 32, one figures he needs bigger names and bigger fights to remain a compelling attraction.

How desperate is Crawford and Co.? Arum recently announced he would be interested in offering the UFC’s Conor McGregor a two-fight deal to face Crawford, one fight under boxing rules and the other using mixed martial arts rules.

It’s not all doom and gloom in the Crawford camp, however. Brian McIntyre, Crawford’s chief trainer and manager, is confident that things will work out. He told Boxing Junkie that he recently sat down with Top Rank head Bob Arum “to talk about options” for Crawford’s next fight.

A few potential scenarios were broached: A pay-per-view fight distributed either on the ESPN+ app or through the ESPN linear channel, to take place in either Crawford’s hometown or in Las Vegas. McIntyre stayed mum on the potential opponent, but offered a general time table for his charge’s return to the ring. 

“Late May, early June,” he said.

Of course, one of the biggest matches that boxing fans have been clamoring for is between Crawford and Errol Spence Jr., who defeated Shawn Porter last September to unify two welterweight belts. McIntyre insisted that they are still targeting Spence, who survived a horrific car crash in October. (Spence announced at a public appearance in December that he would return in the summer.) 

“A stay busy fight [and then], at the end of the year, a potential fight with Spence,” McIntyre said. 

In the meantime, there have been rumors swirling that contender Josesito Lopez is the running for Crawford’s next fight. McIntyre shut that down, saying, “Who the hell wants to fight him?”

Pressed on why a potential fight with Shawn Porter fell through, McIntyre offered no comment.

Keith Thurman: Healing, hungry but in no hurry

Keith Thurman said his surgically repaired left hand is healing and he’s look forward to having a “terrific comeback year.”

Keith Thurman’s hand is healing and he’s looking forward to a successful 2020 – and beyond.

Thurman had bone-fusion surgery to treat arthritis in the joints of his left hand in September and was recently cleared to get back into ring, although it will be while before he hits anything with the repaired paw. He expects to fight again in the spring.

“I just got an updated x-ray and the doctor said all seems good,” Thurman said on The PBC Podcast. “I’m going to start increasing strength work and pretty soon I’ll be back in the ring. I’m looking forward to have a great 2020.”

The decision to have the surgery was a gradual process for Thurman, who had missed time earlier because of other injuries.

He was advised to have surgery before his majority-decision victory over Josesito Lopez in January of last year but decided to rely on cortisone rather than the knife because he didn’t want to miss more time.

He also fought with a tender hand in his split-decision loss to Manny Pacquiao in July. A few days later, he aggravated the hand playing Top Golf. It was then that he realized that he had to have surgery.

“I don’t know what I was thinking,” he said, referring to his misadventure while hitting golf balls. “I realized if you can’t play Top Golf, you ain’t fighting nobody else. You need to go ahead and get surgery, relax and accept everything that’s happened to you this year.

“… I had two doctors confirm to me that [surgery] would prolong my career. It’s bone fusion. When the bone heals, it normally heals stronger. So I’m hoping to go back to the original Keith Thurman, ‘One Time’ Thurman.”

When will he be able to hit something with his left?

“I’m waiting for the green light,” he said. “I could be touching the bags as soon as March. All I have to do is strengthen it from here on out. The fusion looks pretty complete.”

Thurman also said two things will be different going forward. One, after enduring the hand problems, he’s not going to rush anything. And, two, he is going to do a better job of controlling his weight between fights.

“I got five more years in this sport,” he said. “I want to be the original problem that I once was in the welterweight division. … I’m making weight. But how did I go about making weight? I had 11-week training camps. For the Josesito Lopez fight, I lost 35 pounds before January. I blew up to 182 pounds and then had to lose 35 pounds in 11 weeks for the Manny Pacquiao fight.

“One thing I learned going into 2020 is for Keith Thurman to be the best he can be. I can’t be 35 pounds overweight. … I gotta take the Bernard Hopkins approach and be ready at all times.”

Thurman also discussed potential opponents. He’d love a rematch with Pacquiao. Same goes for Danny Garcia. And he would be thrilled to take on the No. 1 147-pounder, Errol Spence Jr.

That said, he seems to be more focused on being 100 percent ready when an opportunity presents itself.

“I’m looking forward to having a terrific comeback year,” he said. “I know I belong at the top as champion of the world. So I have to go grab somebody’s belt.”

Jermell Charlo-Tony Harrison rematch peaks at 2.233 million viewers: report

The exciting Jermell Charlo-Tony Harrison rematch Saturday was the second most-watched boxing match of the year, according to a report.

So much for the notion that boxing fans are too busy during the holidays to enjoy a good fight.

The entertaining rematch between Tony Harrison and Jermell Charlo on Fox Saturday had an average audience of 2.223 million, according to a report on BoxingScene.com. The website’s source was Nielsen Media Research.

The Premier Boxing Champions card peaked at 2.233 million during the main event, in which Charlo scored an 11th-round knockout to avenge an earlier loss to Harrison.

Those figures make Harrison-Charlo the second most-viewed boxing match of the year, according to BoxingScene. Only the Keith Thurman-Josesito Lopez (which peaked at 2.765 million viewers) had better numbers.

The telecast was Fox’s last of the year. The network’s 10 boxing shows averaged 1.403 million viewers, which is 12% higher than last year’s average.

Also, PBC on Fox averaged 103% more viewers than Top Rank Boxing on ESPN, which averaged 692,000.