Rey Vargas defeated Mark Magsayo by a split decision to take Magsayo’s WBC featherweight title Saturday in San Antonio.
Rey Vargas stood tall against Mark Magsayo on Saturday in San Antonio.
The former 122-pound champion used his height and reach advantages to outbox Magsayo and take the Filipino’s 126-pound title by a split decision Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
The 5-foot-10½ Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) used long, hard punches as a barrier that the 5-6 Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) found impossible to penetrate, at least with enough consistency to win the fight.
Magsayo, a hard puncher, fared somewhat better in the second half of the fight and was able to put Vargas down in Round 9. However, it wasn’t enough to win over all three judges.
Two of them had the Mexican winning 115-112, while the third scored it 114-113 for Magsayo. Boxing Junkie had it 116-111 for Vargas, nine rounds to three.
Vargas is now a two-division titleholder.
“I have no words to describe what happened here tonight,” he said through a translator. “It’s my second title. This one’s going back to Mexico.”
Magsayo was coming off a breakthrough decision over long-reigning WBC titleholder Gary Russell Jr. in January, although the fact Russell fought much of the fight with an injured shoulder left Magsayo with something to prove.
He failed to do so, largely because he couldn’t figure out a way get inside with enough regularity to do damage.
The protégé of Manny Pacquiao had his biggest moment with about 40 seconds remaining in Round 9, when he landed a straight right that put Vargas on the canvas. He wasn’t hurt badly but he seemed stunned.
Still, Magsayo didn’t – or couldn’t – attack with enough urgency in the final half minute of Round 9 and thereafter. Vargas, using his reach and intelligent movement, won the last two rounds on all three cards, which gave him the nod on the two cards that favored Vargas.
Magsayo gave Vargas credit for his victory but he didn’t appreciate one tactic he believes his opponent employed.
“He did his job in the ring, running. It’s OK,” the now-former champion said.
Vargas now has many options as a titleholder.
Brandon Figueroa stopped Carlos Castro in a WBC title eliminator on the undercard Saturday, which makes him a leading candidate to fight for the belt. However, Vargas said he’s targeting a particular fellow titleholder.
“Unification,” he said when he was asked what he wants next. “I do want [WBC beltholder] Leo Santa Cruz for my next fight.”
Rey Vargas defeated Mark Magsayo by a split decision to take Magsayo’s WBC featherweight title Saturday in San Antonio.
Rey Vargas stood tall against Mark Magsayo on Saturday in San Antonio.
The former 122-pound champion used his height and reach advantages to outbox Magsayo and take the Filipino’s 126-pound title by a split decision Saturday at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
The 5-foot-10½ Vargas (36-0, 22 KOs) used long, hard punches as a barrier that the 5-6 Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) found impossible to penetrate, at least with enough consistency to win the fight.
Magsayo, a hard puncher, fared somewhat better in the second half of the fight and was able to put Vargas down in Round 9. However, it wasn’t enough to win over all three judges.
Two of them had the Mexican winning 115-112, while the third scored it 114-113 for Magsayo. Boxing Junkie had it 116-111 for Vargas, nine rounds to three.
Vargas is now a two-division titleholder.
“I have no words to describe what happened here tonight,” he said through a translator. “It’s my second title. This one’s going back to Mexico.”
Magsayo was coming off a breakthrough decision over long-reigning WBC titleholder Gary Russell Jr. in January, although the fact Russell fought much of the fight with an injured shoulder left Magsayo with something to prove.
He failed to do so, largely because he couldn’t figure out a way get inside with enough regularity to do damage.
The protégé of Manny Pacquiao had his biggest moment with about 40 seconds remaining in Round 9, when he landed a straight right that put Vargas on the canvas. He wasn’t hurt badly but he seemed stunned.
Still, Magsayo didn’t – or couldn’t – attack with enough urgency in the final half minute of Round 9 and thereafter. Vargas, using his reach and intelligent movement, won the last two rounds on all three cards, which gave him the nod on the two cards that favored Vargas.
Magsayo gave Vargas credit for his victory but he didn’t appreciate one tactic he believes his opponent employed.
“He did his job in the ring, running. It’s OK,” the now-former champion said.
Vargas now has many options as a titleholder.
Brandon Figueroa stopped Carlos Castro in a WBC title eliminator on the undercard Saturday, which makes him a leading candidate to fight for the belt. However, Vargas said he’s targeting a particular fellow titleholder.
“Unification,” he said when he was asked what he wants next. “I do want [WBC beltholder] Leo Santa Cruz for my next fight.”
5 best active Mexican fighters. Is Jaime Munguia on the list?
The best active Mexican fighter is Canelo Alvarez, who tops many pound-for-pound lists. No one can question the superstar’s place among his countrymen.
But who is next best? And who would round out the Top 5? And is Jaime Munguia, who fights D’Mitrius Ballard Saturday, on the list?
Those questions aren’t easy to answer given the depth of talent south of the U.S. border, where only soccer is more popular than the sweet science. Mexico probably produces more elite fighters than any country other than the U.S.
Still, in this special feature, Boxing Junkie has endeavored to give you the best five fighters from Mexico and a list of the next five.
So here we go (in reverse order).
5. Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs)
The former junior middleweight champ has to be on the list. The 25-year-old native of Tijuana has always had pop in his punches, as his knockout percentage indicates. He’s also evolving as a boxer, which isn’t good news for his middleweight rivals. And while he doesn’t have a resume worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, he is building a solid list of victims. He has already beaten Sadam Ali (to win his title), Liam Smith, Tureano Johnson, Kamil Szeremeta and Gabriel Rosado even though he’s really just getting started. The jury is still out on what Munguia can accomplish but he seems to have the tools to succeed on the highest level. And he should continue to get better with experience.
4. Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs)
Is Santa Cruz declining? That’s a reasonable question. He’s 33, an age when some fighters begin to fade. And he was brutally knocked out by Gervonta Davis in his penultimate fight, which put a instantaneous halt to any momentum he had. However, it might be too soon to write him off. First, his resume is impressive. He has won titles in four divisions and beaten a long list of elite opponents along the way. He bounced back from the Davis setback to shut out Keenan Carbajal on Feb. 5, which was a sign of life. And he plans to move back down to 126, where he should be particularly strong if he can make the weight comfortably. Let’s hold off writing his boxing obituary.
3. Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs)
The dynamic boxer-puncher from Sonora claimed his career-defining victory by outboxing and then knocking out the feared Miguel Berchelt in 10 rounds to win a 130-pound title in February of last year, which lifted him to a new level of respect. Before that, he held a major 126-pound title for more than three years. Valdez’s reputation took a hit when he tested positive for a banned substance yet was allowed to defend his title against Robson Conceicao in September but there is no denying his unusual all-around ability. And remember: The top man on this list also tested positive for a PED.
2. Juan Francisco Estrada (42-3, 28 KOs)
Estrada is probably the closest to Alvarez in terms of both ability and accomplishments. The two-division titleholder from Sonora is a superb boxer-puncher, as he has demonstrated repeatedly at an elite level. Among those he has defeated: Brian Viloria, Milan Melindo, Giovanni Segura, Carlos Cuadras (twice), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. That’s a who’s who of the best little men of a generation. And he proved to be particularly effective in rematches, avenging losses to future Hall of Famers Sor Rungvisai and Gonzalez. Estrada might not be quite as good or accomplished as the more-celebrated Alvarez but he’s truly a great fighter.
Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs)
The undisputed super middleweight champion has accomplished too much to debate his place at the top of this list. The fact is he’s one of the best Mexican fighters of all time. He has turned himself into a complete fighter, one who can outbox you to win a wide decision or knock you out in brutal fashion. He has beaten a list of elite opponents that is longer than any rival in the sport, including Shane Mosley, Austin Trout, Erislandy Lara, Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, Gennadiy Golovkin, Daniel Jacobs and Sergey Kovalev. He has won titles in four divisions, which is impressive even if you think belts are overrated. And he has gotten progressively better over the years, which is a testament to his work ethic. Alvarez deserves the respect he receives.
6-10 (in alphabetical order): Isaac Cruz (proved himself in loss to Davis), Julio Cesar Martinez (fights Gonzalez next month), Emanuel Navarrete (needs a few more big wins), Gilberto Ramirez (has done nothing but win), Rey Vargas (almost was No. 5 here).
5 best active Mexican fighters. Is Jaime Munguia on the list?
The best active Mexican fighter is Canelo Alvarez, who tops many pound-for-pound lists. No one can question the superstar’s place among his countrymen.
But who is next best? And who would round out the Top 5? And is Jaime Munguia, who fights D’Mitrius Ballard Saturday, on the list?
Those questions aren’t easy to answer given the depth of talent south of the U.S. border, where only soccer is more popular than the sweet science. Mexico probably produces more elite fighters than any country other than the U.S.
Still, in this special feature, Boxing Junkie has endeavored to give you the best five fighters from Mexico and a list of the next five.
So here we go (in reverse order).
5. Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 KOs)
The former junior middleweight champ has to be on the list. The 25-year-old native of Tijuana has always had pop in his punches, as his knockout percentage indicates. He’s also evolving as a boxer, which isn’t good news for his middleweight rivals. And while he doesn’t have a resume worthy of Hall of Fame consideration, he is building a solid list of victims. He has already beaten Sadam Ali (to win his title), Liam Smith, Tureano Johnson, Kamil Szeremeta and Gabriel Rosado even though he’s really just getting started. The jury is still out on what Munguia can accomplish but he seems to have the tools to succeed on the highest level. And he should continue to get better with experience.
4. Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs)
Is Santa Cruz declining? That’s a reasonable question. He’s 33, an age when some fighters begin to fade. And he was brutally knocked out by Gervonta Davis in his penultimate fight, which put a instantaneous halt to any momentum he had. However, it might be too soon to write him off. First, his resume is impressive. He has won titles in four divisions and beaten a long list of elite opponents along the way. He bounced back from the Davis setback to shut out Keenan Carbajal on Feb. 5, which was a sign of life. And he plans to move back down to 126, where he should be particularly strong if he can make the weight comfortably. Let’s hold off writing his boxing obituary.
3. Oscar Valdez (30-0, 23 KOs)
The dynamic boxer-puncher from Sonora claimed his career-defining victory by outboxing and then knocking out the feared Miguel Berchelt in 10 rounds to win a 130-pound title in February of last year, which lifted him to a new level of respect. Before that, he held a major 126-pound title for more than three years. Valdez’s reputation took a hit when he tested positive for a banned substance yet was allowed to defend his title against Robson Conceicao in September but there is no denying his unusual all-around ability. And remember: The top man on this list also tested positive for a PED.
2. Juan Francisco Estrada (42-3, 28 KOs)
Estrada is probably the closest to Alvarez in terms of both ability and accomplishments. The two-division titleholder from Sonora is a superb boxer-puncher, as he has demonstrated repeatedly at an elite level. Among those he has defeated: Brian Viloria, Milan Melindo, Giovanni Segura, Carlos Cuadras (twice), Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. That’s a who’s who of the best little men of a generation. And he proved to be particularly effective in rematches, avenging losses to future Hall of Famers Sor Rungvisai and Gonzalez. Estrada might not be quite as good or accomplished as the more-celebrated Alvarez but he’s truly a great fighter.
Canelo Alvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs)
The undisputed super middleweight champion has accomplished too much to debate his place at the top of this list. The fact is he’s one of the best Mexican fighters of all time. He has turned himself into a complete fighter, one who can outbox you to win a wide decision or knock you out in brutal fashion. He has beaten a list of elite opponents that is longer than any rival in the sport, including Shane Mosley, Austin Trout, Erislandy Lara, Miguel Cotto, Amir Khan, Gennadiy Golovkin, Daniel Jacobs and Sergey Kovalev. He has won titles in four divisions, which is impressive even if you think belts are overrated. And he has gotten progressively better over the years, which is a testament to his work ethic. Alvarez deserves the respect he receives.
6-10 (in alphabetical order): Isaac Cruz (proved himself in loss to Davis), Julio Cesar Martinez (fights Gonzalez next month), Emanuel Navarrete (needs a few more big wins), Gilberto Ramirez (has done nothing but win), Rey Vargas (almost was No. 5 here).
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD Keith Thurman (right) made a strong statement against Mario Barrios on Saturday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions No one knows in the wake of Keith Thurman’s unanimous-decision victory over Mario …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Keith Thurman (right) made a strong statement against Mario Barrios on Saturday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
No one knows in the wake of Keith Thurman’s unanimous-decision victory over Mario Barrios on Saturday how he might fare against welterweight titleholders Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas.
For one night, though, the former unified champion – now 33 – looked like a fighter who could hold his own against anyone.
Thurman had taken a 2½-year break from the sport in part because he needed time to recover from nagging injuries. He looked as fit as ever against Barrios, although he said afterward that he bruised a knuckle.
Any questions about whether he had lost a step were quashed. He largely has retained the quickness and athleticism for which he had been known.
If there was any ring rust after the long hiatus, it wasn’t obvious. He evidently sharpened his timing during intense sparring sessions during his training camp, just as he had told us beforehand.
And what about his inability to take out an opponent who was taking part in his first fight as a full-fledged welterweight, one that had been stopped by the smaller Gervonta Davis last time out?
Maybe Thurman didn’t have the gear required to finish the job after hurting Barrios several times. Maybe the fact they wore 10-ounce, instead of 8-ounce gloves – which was Barrios’ prerogative – was all the former 140-pound contender needed to survive the power of a naturally stronger man.
Afterward, Thurman gave himself a “C+ or a B-” on his performance. I’ll give him a solid B. He wasn’t spectacular by any means but he demonstrated against a solid opponent that he’s a legitimate contender in one of boxing’s glamour divisions.
That was essentially his goal, to show the world that “One Time” is back.
BAD
Barrios lost a wide decision but didn’t get blown out. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
The bad news for Barrios is that he has lost consecutive fights against elite opponents, one by a late knockout and the other by a wide decision. Back-to-back losses are never a positive. The good news is that he acquitted himself reasonably well in each setback.
On Saturday, he couldn’t catch up to his quicker, more-athletic opponent or match his work rate enough to give him a serious test, which is why he lost 10 rounds on two cards and nine on the third.
At the same time, he was competitive.
Barrios landed clean shots here and there throughout the fight, whether they were jabs or a power shots. He got to Thurman’s body, which is perceived to be his weakness. He landed one shot to the stomach in Round 8 that was so punishing Thurman took out his mouthpiece so he could breathe more easily.
And he demonstrated both fitness and toughness by surviving 12 rounds against a hard puncher in his first fight as a full-fledged 147-pounder.
Barrios is a good all-around fighter who simply ran into opponents who are among the best of their generation. In other words, he took two big swings and missed both times. He should be applauded for stepping to the plate.
Now he’ll go back to the gym, work with respected trainer Virgil Hunter on areas in which he can improve and come back a better, wiser boxer.
Don’t be shocked if Barrios emerges victorious the next time he faces a significant challenge.
WORSE
Jesse Rodriguez changed his life by beating Carlos Cuadras. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom
Carlos Cuadras a few weeks ago was in position to underscore his place as one of the stars in a deep 115-pound division. Now, after a series of events, he’s on the outside looking in.
Cuadras (39-5-1, 27 KOs) had been scheduled to take on rival Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on Saturday in Phoenix, with the winner set to face the winner of a third fight between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez for junior bantamweight supremacy.
Then everything fell apart. Estrada pulled out with COVID-19 and was replaced by Julio Cesar Martinez. They fight on March 5. Then Sor Rungvisai had to withdraw as a result of illness, leaving organizers to scramble for a replacement.
In stepped relative unknown Jesse Rodriguez, a junior flyweight contender from San Antonio who was scheduled to fight on the undercard and had never faced anyone near Cuadras’ status.
Cuadras wasn’t expected to have much trouble with the 22-year-old southpaw. And then he did – a heap of trouble. The veteran couldn’t cope with Rodriguez’s quickness and ability to use it, leaving the favorite on the wrong end of a stunning one-sided decision.
The loser is out of the title picture, at least for the time being. The winner? Rodriguez now holds a secondary WBC title, below “franchise” champion Estrada. More important, his victory over a proven commodity makes him a major player in the division.
There’s no reason he shouldn’t fight the winner of the Gonzalez-Martinez fight or face one of the two other beltholders, Jerwin Ancajas (IBF) or Kazuto Ioka (WBO).
Rodriguez is already a great story after his accomplishment on Saturday. Imagine if he beats one of the above.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr. (32-2, 23 KOs) deserves credit for putting Liam Williams (23-4-1, 18 KOs) down four times (one knockdown was a push) and winning a wide decision Saturday in Cardiff, Wales, Williams’ home country. He took another step toward a shot at a world title. At the same time, aside for the rounds in which Williams went down, the fight was fought on roughly even terms. And Eubank’s assertion that he carried Williams so he could punish him didn’t ring true and undoubtedly rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. He has more work to do. … Claressa Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) gave a strong performance against Ema Kozin (21-1-1, 11 KOs) in her return to boxing, winning a shutout decision on the Eubank-Williams card. She was disappointed that she was unable to stop Kozin but that means next to nothing. Domination is domination. Next up should be a showdown with the only fighter to beat her in a boxing ring, Savannah Marshall (11-0, 9 KOs). The Briton topped Shields in an amateur fight in 2012, which Shields was 17. Their back and forth at ringside after the Shields-Kozin fight was brilliant theater that will help sell the fight. However, I’m not sure Marshall can compete inside the ropes with the current version of Shields, who has evolved into arguably the best female fighter on the planet. … Twenty-year-old Jesus Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) gave the strongest performance of his career against rugged Vladimir Hernandez (13-5, 6 KOs) on the Thurman-Barrios card, withstanding Hernandez’s incessant pressure like a more-experienced fighter and stopping him in six rounds. Ramos, already ranked by one sanctioning body, is almost ready for a title shot. … Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) made a successful return after his knockout loss to Gervonta Davis, shutting outKeenan Carbajal (23-3-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round 130-pound bout on the Thurman-Barrios card. Santa Cruz, 30, looks as if he hasn’t lost anything. He maintained a high work rate and was particularly effective to the body, which is his specialty. … Luis Nery (32-1, 24 KOs) also bounced back from a knockout loss, defeating Carlos Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round 122-pound bout on the Thurman-Barrios card. Nery fought with an effective combination of controlled aggression and elusiveness. The Mexican won a split decision but I thought he won seven rounds. Nery was stopped by Brandon Figueroa in his previous fight.
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD Keith Thurman (right) made a strong statement against Mario Barrios on Saturday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions No one knows in the wake of Keith Thurman’s unanimous-decision victory over Mario …
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Keith Thurman (right) made a strong statement against Mario Barrios on Saturday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
No one knows in the wake of Keith Thurman’s unanimous-decision victory over Mario Barrios on Saturday how he might fare against welterweight titleholders Terence Crawford, Errol Spence Jr. and Yordenis Ugas.
For one night, though, the former unified champion – now 33 – looked like a fighter who could hold his own against anyone.
Thurman had taken a 2½-year break from the sport in part because he needed time to recover from nagging injuries. He looked as fit as ever against Barrios, although he said afterward that he bruised a knuckle.
Any questions about whether he had lost a step were quashed. He largely has retained the quickness and athleticism for which he had been known.
If there was any ring rust after the long hiatus, it wasn’t obvious. He evidently sharpened his timing during intense sparring sessions during his training camp, just as he had told us beforehand.
And what about his inability to take out an opponent who was taking part in his first fight as a full-fledged welterweight, one that had been stopped by the smaller Gervonta Davis last time out?
Maybe Thurman didn’t have the gear required to finish the job after hurting Barrios several times. Maybe the fact they wore 10-ounce, instead of 8-ounce gloves – which was Barrios’ prerogative – was all the former 140-pound contender needed to survive the power of a naturally stronger man.
Afterward, Thurman gave himself a “C+ or a B-” on his performance. I’ll give him a solid B. He wasn’t spectacular by any means but he demonstrated against a solid opponent that he’s a legitimate contender in one of boxing’s glamour divisions.
That was essentially his goal, to show the world that “One Time” is back.
BAD
Barrios lost a wide decision but didn’t get blown out. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
The bad news for Barrios is that he has lost consecutive fights against elite opponents, one by a late knockout and the other by a wide decision. Back-to-back losses are never a positive. The good news is that he acquitted himself reasonably well in each setback.
On Saturday, he couldn’t catch up to his quicker, more-athletic opponent or match his work rate enough to give him a serious test, which is why he lost 10 rounds on two cards and nine on the third.
At the same time, he was competitive.
Barrios landed clean shots here and there throughout the fight, whether they were jabs or a power shots. He got to Thurman’s body, which is perceived to be his weakness. He landed one shot to the stomach in Round 8 that was so punishing Thurman took out his mouthpiece so he could breathe more easily.
And he demonstrated both fitness and toughness by surviving 12 rounds against a hard puncher in his first fight as a full-fledged 147-pounder.
Barrios is a good all-around fighter who simply ran into opponents who are among the best of their generation. In other words, he took two big swings and missed both times. He should be applauded for stepping to the plate.
Now he’ll go back to the gym, work with respected trainer Virgil Hunter on areas in which he can improve and come back a better, wiser boxer.
Don’t be shocked if Barrios emerges victorious the next time he faces a significant challenge.
WORSE
Jesse Rodriguez changed his life by beating Carlos Cuadras. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom
Carlos Cuadras a few weeks ago was in position to underscore his place as one of the stars in a deep 115-pound division. Now, after a series of events, he’s on the outside looking in.
Cuadras (39-5-1, 27 KOs) had been scheduled to take on rival Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on Saturday in Phoenix, with the winner set to face the winner of a third fight between Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez for junior bantamweight supremacy.
Then everything fell apart. Estrada pulled out with COVID-19 and was replaced by Julio Cesar Martinez. They fight on March 5. Then Sor Rungvisai had to withdraw as a result of illness, leaving organizers to scramble for a replacement.
In stepped relative unknown Jesse Rodriguez, a junior flyweight contender from San Antonio who was scheduled to fight on the undercard and had never faced anyone near Cuadras’ status.
Cuadras wasn’t expected to have much trouble with the 22-year-old southpaw. And then he did – a heap of trouble. The veteran couldn’t cope with Rodriguez’s quickness and ability to use it, leaving the favorite on the wrong end of a stunning one-sided decision.
The loser is out of the title picture, at least for the time being. The winner? Rodriguez now holds a secondary WBC title, below “franchise” champion Estrada. More important, his victory over a proven commodity makes him a major player in the division.
There’s no reason he shouldn’t fight the winner of the Gonzalez-Martinez fight or face one of the two other beltholders, Jerwin Ancajas (IBF) or Kazuto Ioka (WBO).
Rodriguez is already a great story after his accomplishment on Saturday. Imagine if he beats one of the above.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Middleweight contender Chris Eubank Jr. (32-2, 23 KOs) deserves credit for putting Liam Williams (23-4-1, 18 KOs) down four times (one knockdown was a push) and winning a wide decision Saturday in Cardiff, Wales, Williams’ home country. He took another step toward a shot at a world title. At the same time, aside for the rounds in which Williams went down, the fight was fought on roughly even terms. And Eubank’s assertion that he carried Williams so he could punish him didn’t ring true and undoubtedly rubbed a lot of people the wrong way. He has more work to do. … Claressa Shields (12-0, 2 KOs) gave a strong performance against Ema Kozin (21-1-1, 11 KOs) in her return to boxing, winning a shutout decision on the Eubank-Williams card. She was disappointed that she was unable to stop Kozin but that means next to nothing. Domination is domination. Next up should be a showdown with the only fighter to beat her in a boxing ring, Savannah Marshall (11-0, 9 KOs). The Briton topped Shields in an amateur fight in 2012, which Shields was 17. Their back and forth at ringside after the Shields-Kozin fight was brilliant theater that will help sell the fight. However, I’m not sure Marshall can compete inside the ropes with the current version of Shields, who has evolved into arguably the best female fighter on the planet. … Twenty-year-old Jesus Ramos (18-0, 15 KOs) gave the strongest performance of his career against rugged Vladimir Hernandez (13-5, 6 KOs) on the Thurman-Barrios card, withstanding Hernandez’s incessant pressure like a more-experienced fighter and stopping him in six rounds. Ramos, already ranked by one sanctioning body, is almost ready for a title shot. … Leo Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) made a successful return after his knockout loss to Gervonta Davis, shutting outKeenan Carbajal (23-3-1, 15 KOs) in a 10-round 130-pound bout on the Thurman-Barrios card. Santa Cruz, 30, looks as if he hasn’t lost anything. He maintained a high work rate and was particularly effective to the body, which is his specialty. … Luis Nery (32-1, 24 KOs) also bounced back from a knockout loss, defeating Carlos Castro (27-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round 122-pound bout on the Thurman-Barrios card. Nery fought with an effective combination of controlled aggression and elusiveness. The Mexican won a split decision but I thought he won seven rounds. Nery was stopped by Brandon Figueroa in his previous fight.
Leo Santa Cruz outworked and shut out Keenan Carbajal on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Leo Santa Cruz was Leo Santa Cruz on Saturday night.
The former four-division titleholder, who was knocked out by Gervonta Davis in his most-recent fight, outworked Keenan Carbajal to win a shutout decision in a 10-round junior lightweight bout on the Keith Thurman-Mario Barrios card in Las Vegas.
Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) went to work at the opening bell and never let up, pounding Carbajal’s body incessantly and mixing in plenty of shots to the head in spite of a cut above his right eye.
Carbajal (23-3-1, 15 KOs) was resilient — he was never hurt significantly — and had some good moments. However, he couldn’t keep pace with Santa Cruz’s vaunted work rate.
Plus, Carbajal began to complain that his left arm was injured in the middle rounds, which evidently made it difficult for him to use the arm. That made a difficult mission almost impossible.
The official scoring was not surprising: All three judges had it 100-90 in Santa Cruz’s favor, as did Boxing Junkie.
Santa Cruz hadn’t fought since October 2020, when Davis ended a competitive fight with a monstrous left uppercut in the sixth round.
Leo Santa Cruz outworked and shut out Keenan Carbajal on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Leo Santa Cruz was Leo Santa Cruz on Saturday night.
The former four-division titleholder, who was knocked out by Gervonta Davis in his most-recent fight, outworked Keenan Carbajal to win a shutout decision in a 10-round junior lightweight bout on the Keith Thurman-Mario Barrios card in Las Vegas.
Santa Cruz (38-2-1, 19 KOs) went to work at the opening bell and never let up, pounding Carbajal’s body incessantly and mixing in plenty of shots to the head in spite of a cut above his right eye.
Carbajal (23-3-1, 15 KOs) was resilient — he was never hurt significantly — and had some good moments. However, he couldn’t keep pace with Santa Cruz’s vaunted work rate.
Plus, Carbajal began to complain that his left arm was injured in the middle rounds, which evidently made it difficult for him to use the arm. That made a difficult mission almost impossible.
The official scoring was not surprising: All three judges had it 100-90 in Santa Cruz’s favor, as did Boxing Junkie.
Santa Cruz hadn’t fought since October 2020, when Davis ended a competitive fight with a monstrous left uppercut in the sixth round.
Keith Thurman vs. Mario Barrios: date, time, how to watch, background.
Former 147-pound champ Keith Thurman returns from a 2½-year layoff to face Mario Barrios on pay-per-view from Las Vegas.
Keith Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) vs. Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 5
Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
Cost: $74.99
Division: Welterweight
Rounds: 12
At stake: No titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Thurman 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Abel Ramos vs. Lucas Santamaria, welterweights; Leo Santa Cruz vs. Keenan Carbajal
Prediction: Thurman KO 10
Background: Thurman, a former 147-pound titleholder, is returning from a 2½-year layoff in an attempt to regain his prominence. The athletic, hard-punching Floridian was last in the ring in July 2019, when he lost his WBA belt in an upset against 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao. The long hiatus, mostly a product of the coronavirus pandemic, has allowed him time to recover from nagging injuries and make a fresh start. He has said he feels as fit as ever at 33. We’ll see whether ring rust is a factor in the fight. If he defeats Barrios, he said, he hopes to fight for a major title in his next fight. Barrios will be making his debut as a full-fledged welterweight. The 26-year-old from San Antonio is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss at junior welterweight against Gervonta Davis, who moved up in weight to fight him. He’s a good boxer-puncher who will have youth the fact he has been active on his side. Key questions for him: 1. How much does Thurman have left? 2. Will he be able to handle the power of a 147-pounder and do damage himself.
Keith Thurman vs. Mario Barrios: date, time, how to watch, background.
Former 147-pound champ Keith Thurman returns from a 2½-year layoff to face Mario Barrios on pay-per-view from Las Vegas.
Keith Thurman (29-1, 22 KOs) vs. Mario Barrios (26-1, 17 KOs)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 5
Time: 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas
TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
Cost: $74.99
Division: Welterweight
Rounds: 12
At stake: No titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Thurman 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Abel Ramos vs. Lucas Santamaria, welterweights; Leo Santa Cruz vs. Keenan Carbajal
Prediction: Thurman KO 10
Background: Thurman, a former 147-pound titleholder, is returning from a 2½-year layoff in an attempt to regain his prominence. The athletic, hard-punching Floridian was last in the ring in July 2019, when he lost his WBA belt in an upset against 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao. The long hiatus, mostly a product of the coronavirus pandemic, has allowed him time to recover from nagging injuries and make a fresh start. He has said he feels as fit as ever at 33. We’ll see whether ring rust is a factor in the fight. If he defeats Barrios, he said, he hopes to fight for a major title in his next fight. Barrios will be making his debut as a full-fledged welterweight. The 26-year-old from San Antonio is coming off an 11th-round knockout loss at junior welterweight against Gervonta Davis, who moved up in weight to fight him. He’s a good boxer-puncher who will have youth the fact he has been active on his side. Key questions for him: 1. How much does Thurman have left? 2. Will he be able to handle the power of a 147-pounder and do damage himself.
