Tag: Juan Macias Montiel

Isaac Cruz outpoints Francisco Vargas in fight that turns ugly

Isaac Cruz outpointed Francisco Vargas in a fight that turned ugly Saturday in Houston.

This is Isaac Cruz’s time, not Francisco Vargas’.

Cruz, 23, landed the cleaner, harder punches en route to a wide unanimous-decision victory over his 36-year-old opponent in a fight that turned ugly on the Jermall Charlo-Juan Montiel card Saturday in Houston.

Cruz (22-1-1, 15 KOs) took the fight to Vargas from the outset, winging — and landing — hard punches to both the head and body, although he never hurt Vargas.

Vargas (27-3-2, 19 KOs) is known as one of the great brawlers of his generation but, perhaps wary of another brawl, held back against Cruz, boxing at times and engaging when he had openings.

That allowed him to survive but he didn’t do enough to win rounds. Cruz won 100-89, 99-90 and 97-92. Boxing Junkie scored it 98-91.

Cruz used his head a number of times when the fighters were entangled. That reached its ugly peak when one last butt caused a horrible gash above Vargas’ right eye with 30 seconds remaining in the fight.

The ring doctor allowed the fight to continue because it was almost over, after which a bloody Vargas went down as a result of wild flurry of punches.

With the victory, Cruz took another step toward his first title shot. Vargas, who has been in so many wars, will have to decide whether he wants to continue.

[lawrence-related id=21252]

Isaac Cruz outpoints Francisco Vargas in fight that turns ugly

Isaac Cruz outpointed Francisco Vargas in a fight that turned ugly Saturday in Houston.

This is Isaac Cruz’s time, not Francisco Vargas’.

Cruz, 23, landed the cleaner, harder punches en route to a wide unanimous-decision victory over his 36-year-old opponent in a fight that turned ugly on the Jermall Charlo-Juan Montiel card Saturday in Houston.

Cruz (22-1-1, 15 KOs) took the fight to Vargas from the outset, winging — and landing — hard punches to both the head and body, although he never hurt Vargas.

Vargas (27-3-2, 19 KOs) is known as one of the great brawlers of his generation but, perhaps wary of another brawl, held back against Cruz, boxing at times and engaging when he had openings.

That allowed him to survive but he didn’t do enough to win rounds. Cruz won 100-89, 99-90 and 97-92. Boxing Junkie scored it 98-91.

Cruz used his head a number of times when the fighters were entangled. That reached its ugly peak when one last butt caused a horrible gash above Vargas’ right eye with 30 seconds remaining in the fight.

The ring doctor allowed the fight to continue because it was almost over, after which a bloody Vargas went down as a result of wild flurry of punches.

With the victory, Cruz took another step toward his first title shot. Vargas, who has been in so many wars, will have to decide whether he wants to continue.

[lawrence-related id=21252]

Angelo Leo gets past Aaron Alameda by majority decision

Angelo Leo defeated Aaron Alameda by a majority decision on the Jermall Charlo-Juan Montiel card Saturday in Houston.

Angelo Leo is fortunate that he doesn’t have consecutive losses.

The former 122-pound titleholder, who lost his belt to Stephen Fulton in January, defeated Aaron Alameda by a majority decision on the Jermall Charlo-Juan Montiel card Saturday night in Houston.

One judge had it 95-95 but the other two scored it for Leo, 98-92 and 96-94. Boxing Junkie scored it 95-95, a draw.

Leo (21-1, 9 KOs) and Alameda (25-2, 13 KOs) threw and landed about the same number of punches and both had good moments in a competitive, back-and-forth fight.

The winner did good body work, which is typical of him. But one could argue that Alameda landed more eye-catching punches, including a number of uppercuts.

Any score between 96-94 either way would’ve been acceptable. The 98-92 card of judge Eva Zaragoza didn’t reflect what happened in the ring.

With the victory, Leo, who lost a clear decision against Fulton, took a significant step toward another shot at a title.

And even in defeat, Alameda demonstrated that he can fight on even terms with a top junior featherweight for a second consecutive fight. He gave Luis Nery all he could handle in a unanimous-decision loss in September.

Angelo Leo gets past Aaron Alameda by majority decision

Angelo Leo defeated Aaron Alameda by a majority decision on the Jermall Charlo-Juan Montiel card Saturday in Houston.

Angelo Leo is fortunate that he doesn’t have consecutive losses.

The former 122-pound titleholder, who lost his belt to Stephen Fulton in January, defeated Aaron Alameda by a majority decision on the Jermall Charlo-Juan Montiel card Saturday night in Houston.

One judge had it 95-95 but the other two scored it for Leo, 98-92 and 96-94. Boxing Junkie scored it 95-95, a draw.

Leo (21-1, 9 KOs) and Alameda (25-2, 13 KOs) threw and landed about the same number of punches and both had good moments in a competitive, back-and-forth fight.

The winner did good body work, which is typical of him. But one could argue that Alameda landed more eye-catching punches, including a number of uppercuts.

Any score between 96-94 either way would’ve been acceptable. The 98-92 card of judge Eva Zaragoza didn’t reflect what happened in the ring.

With the victory, Leo, who lost a clear decision against Fulton, took a significant step toward another shot at a title.

And even in defeat, Alameda demonstrated that he can fight on even terms with a top junior featherweight for a second consecutive fight. He gave Luis Nery all he could handle in a unanimous-decision loss in September.

Angelo Leo gets past Aaron Alameda by majority decision

Angelo Leo defeated Aaron Alameda by a majority decision on the Jermall Charlo-Juan Montiel card Saturday in Houston.

Angelo Leo is fortunate that he doesn’t have consecutive losses.

The former 122-pound titleholder, who lost his belt to Stephen Fulton in January, defeated Aaron Alameda by a majority decision on the Jermall Charlo-Juan Montiel card Saturday night in Houston.

One judge had it 95-95 but the other two scored it for Leo, 98-92 and 96-94. Boxing Junkie scored it 95-95, a draw.

Leo (21-1, 9 KOs) and Alameda (25-2, 13 KOs) threw and landed about the same number of punches and both had good moments in a competitive, back-and-forth fight.

The winner did good body work, which is typical of him. But one could argue that Alameda landed more eye-catching punches, including a number of uppercuts.

Any score between 96-94 either way would’ve been acceptable. The 98-92 card of judge Eva Zaragoza didn’t reflect what happened in the ring.

With the victory, Leo, who lost a clear decision against Fulton, took a significant step toward another shot at a title.

And even in defeat, Alameda demonstrated that he can fight on even terms with a top junior featherweight for a second consecutive fight. He gave Luis Nery all he could handle in a unanimous-decision loss in September.

Angelo Leo gets past Aaron Alameda by majority decision

Angelo Leo defeated Aaron Alameda by a majority decision on the Jermall Charlo-Juan Montiel card Saturday in Houston.

Angelo Leo is fortunate that he doesn’t have consecutive losses.

The former 122-pound titleholder, who lost his belt to Stephen Fulton in January, defeated Aaron Alameda by a majority decision on the Jermall Charlo-Juan Montiel card Saturday night in Houston.

One judge had it 95-95 but the other two scored it for Leo, 98-92 and 96-94. Boxing Junkie scored it 95-95, a draw.

Leo (21-1, 9 KOs) and Alameda (25-2, 13 KOs) threw and landed about the same number of punches and both had good moments in a competitive, back-and-forth fight.

The winner did good body work, which is typical of him. But one could argue that Alameda landed more eye-catching punches, including a number of uppercuts.

Any score between 96-94 either way would’ve been acceptable. The 98-92 card of judge Eva Zaragoza didn’t reflect what happened in the ring.

With the victory, Leo, who lost a clear decision against Fulton, took a significant step toward another shot at a title.

And even in defeat, Alameda demonstrated that he can fight on even terms with a top junior featherweight for a second consecutive fight. He gave Luis Nery all he could handle in a unanimous-decision loss in September.

Jermall Charlo not impressed with Juan Montiel’s knockout record

Jermall Charlo is not impressed with Juan Montiel’s knockout record going into their fight Saturday.

The most interesting thing about Juan Macias Montiel going into his title challenge of Jermall Charlo on Saturday might be a single statistic: All 22 of his victories have come by knockout.

Is the unbeaten middleweight champion concerned? Not for a second. He points to Montiel’s level of opposition and scoffs.

“Stop with the shenanigans,” Charlo said at the final news conference before the fight at Toyota Center in Houston, his hometown. “The 22 knockouts that he had, you have to go back and look at the resume. He knocked out James Kirkland. James Kirkland is done. What are you saying?

“The other knockouts he had, they were from Mexico somewhere. They never fought before. You have to think about what you’re saying.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AtDUU-du4A

Montiel (22-4-2, 22 KOs) stopped the 37-year-old James Kirkland less than two minutes into the first round in December, his most-recent fight. He drew with veteran Hugo Centeno Jr. in his previous outing.

And those were the Mexican’s only fights outside his native country.

Charlo is coming off a wide decision over the highly respected Sergiy Derevyanchenko in September, arguably the best victory of his career. And, in 2018, he stopped Centeno in two rounds.

“You’re only as good as your last fight,” Charlo said. “I fought Derevyanchenko in my last fight, he fought James Kirkland. There’s levels. And I get a chance to show the level I’m at on Saturday.”

All that said, Charlo (31-0, 22 KOs) insists that he isn’t overlooking Montiel.

He acknowledged that Montiel is “strong.” And he recognizes that title challengers generally work harder than they ever have before. To wit, Montiel said he has never had a training camp like this one.

The last thing Charlo wants to do is slip up in front of his hometown fans.

“Ya’ll think I’m overlooked him?” he said. “… I put my life on the line every time I get in the ring. I didn’t overlook this dude.”

[lawrence-related id=21146,20982,20385,14165,16742]

Jermall Charlo not impressed with Juan Montiel’s knockout record

Jermall Charlo is not impressed with Juan Montiel’s knockout record going into their fight Saturday.

The most interesting thing about Juan Macias Montiel going into his title challenge of Jermall Charlo on Saturday might be a single statistic: All 22 of his victories have come by knockout.

Is the unbeaten middleweight champion concerned? Not for a second. He points to Montiel’s level of opposition and scoffs.

“Stop with the shenanigans,” Charlo said at the final news conference before the fight at Toyota Center in Houston, his hometown. “The 22 knockouts that he had, you have to go back and look at the resume. He knocked out James Kirkland. James Kirkland is done. What are you saying?

“The other knockouts he had, they were from Mexico somewhere. They never fought before. You have to think about what you’re saying.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AtDUU-du4A

Montiel (22-4-2, 22 KOs) stopped the 37-year-old James Kirkland less than two minutes into the first round in December, his most-recent fight. He drew with veteran Hugo Centeno Jr. in his previous outing.

And those were the Mexican’s only fights outside his native country.

Charlo is coming off a wide decision over the highly respected Sergiy Derevyanchenko in September, arguably the best victory of his career. And, in 2018, he stopped Centeno in two rounds.

“You’re only as good as your last fight,” Charlo said. “I fought Derevyanchenko in my last fight, he fought James Kirkland. There’s levels. And I get a chance to show the level I’m at on Saturday.”

All that said, Charlo (31-0, 22 KOs) insists that he isn’t overlooking Montiel.

He acknowledged that Montiel is “strong.” And he recognizes that title challengers generally work harder than they ever have before. To wit, Montiel said he has never had a training camp like this one.

The last thing Charlo wants to do is slip up in front of his hometown fans.

“Ya’ll think I’m overlooked him?” he said. “… I put my life on the line every time I get in the ring. I didn’t overlook this dude.”

[lawrence-related id=21146,20982,20385,14165,16742]

Jermall Charlo ready for Juan Macias Montiel and whatever comes next

Jermall Charlo said he’s ready for Saturday’s title defense against Juan Macias Montiel and whatever comes after that.

For those who might be wondering why Jermall Charlo is defending his middleweight title against the relatively anonymous Juan Macias Montiel on Saturday, he asks for your patience. The big fights, he said, will come.

And he pointed out that just because you might not be familiar with Montiel doesn’t mean he’s a capable fighter. For example, all 22 of the Mexican’s victories have come by knockout.

Charlo will take nothing for granted in front of his hometown fans on Juneteenth Day at Toyota Center in Houston.

“Montiel is fearless,” Charlo said. “He’s a fighter that I think deserves a chance. At this point, he understands where he’s at. This is a big fight. A lot of people may not know who Montiel is, just like I didn’t, but he’s a strong fighter.

“The people want to see me get tested, right? I want to see those big fights, too. In a matter of time, they’ll come. But Montiel should be a good fight.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvGtS5bdzLM

Charlo (31-0, 22 KOs) is coming off arguably his finest performance, a wide unanimous-decision victory over the skillful and rugged Sergiy Derevyanchenko this past September.

Charlo walked into the ring for the fight with a lot of respect. He walked out on some pound-for-pound lists, meaning he climbed to a higher rung on the ladder of public perception. And, of course, he wants to continue his ascent.

A victory over Montiel (22-4-2, 22 KOs) wouldn’t compare to his success against Derevyanchenko, but he can’t let his guard down.

“I’m ready to fight the best in the world,” Charlo said. “I’m the best in the world and I’m not going to let this guy over here stop me. The belt is not going nowhere. The belt is staying right here in ‘H Town.’ There’s nothing he could do about it. Nothing. It’s my belt. It’s my legacy. You’ll find out June 19.

 “A fighter like Montiel is challenging to go in there and get the job done real clean and swiftly because if I look bad against a guy like this, they’ll take away from what I did in the Derevyanchenko fight. But, yes, to date, Derevyanchenko was one of my hardest fights, but I made nice work of it and onto the next one.”

What’s next if he beats Montiel?

“I got the belt,” he said. “Champions fight champions. We unify. But if not, we’re not just going to sit back. Those guys that have the belt like Triple-G (Gennadiy Golovkin), Canelo (Alvarez) and (Demetrius) Andrade … the belts are out there, so eventually it will happen.

“I’m not in a rush. I’m young. I’m still having fun. I’m enjoying what I do best. If Triple-G wants this WBC belt, I have it. It’s over here, it’s open. I’m ready to fight.”

[lawrence-related id=14165]

 

Jermall Charlo ready for Juan Macias Montiel and whatever comes next

Jermall Charlo said he’s ready for Saturday’s title defense against Juan Macias Montiel and whatever comes after that.

For those who might be wondering why Jermall Charlo is defending his middleweight title against the relatively anonymous Juan Macias Montiel on Saturday, he asks for your patience. The big fights, he said, will come.

And he pointed out that just because you might not be familiar with Montiel doesn’t mean he’s a capable fighter. For example, all 22 of the Mexican’s victories have come by knockout.

Charlo will take nothing for granted in front of his hometown fans on Juneteenth Day at Toyota Center in Houston.

“Montiel is fearless,” Charlo said. “He’s a fighter that I think deserves a chance. At this point, he understands where he’s at. This is a big fight. A lot of people may not know who Montiel is, just like I didn’t, but he’s a strong fighter.

“The people want to see me get tested, right? I want to see those big fights, too. In a matter of time, they’ll come. But Montiel should be a good fight.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvGtS5bdzLM

Charlo (31-0, 22 KOs) is coming off arguably his finest performance, a wide unanimous-decision victory over the skillful and rugged Sergiy Derevyanchenko this past September.

Charlo walked into the ring for the fight with a lot of respect. He walked out on some pound-for-pound lists, meaning he climbed to a higher rung on the ladder of public perception. And, of course, he wants to continue his ascent.

A victory over Montiel (22-4-2, 22 KOs) wouldn’t compare to his success against Derevyanchenko, but he can’t let his guard down.

“I’m ready to fight the best in the world,” Charlo said. “I’m the best in the world and I’m not going to let this guy over here stop me. The belt is not going nowhere. The belt is staying right here in ‘H Town.’ There’s nothing he could do about it. Nothing. It’s my belt. It’s my legacy. You’ll find out June 19.

 “A fighter like Montiel is challenging to go in there and get the job done real clean and swiftly because if I look bad against a guy like this, they’ll take away from what I did in the Derevyanchenko fight. But, yes, to date, Derevyanchenko was one of my hardest fights, but I made nice work of it and onto the next one.”

What’s next if he beats Montiel?

“I got the belt,” he said. “Champions fight champions. We unify. But if not, we’re not just going to sit back. Those guys that have the belt like Triple-G (Gennadiy Golovkin), Canelo (Alvarez) and (Demetrius) Andrade … the belts are out there, so eventually it will happen.

“I’m not in a rush. I’m young. I’m still having fun. I’m enjoying what I do best. If Triple-G wants this WBC belt, I have it. It’s over here, it’s open. I’m ready to fight.”

[lawrence-related id=14165]