Shakur Stevenson is giving up his 126-pound belt and moving up four pounds to junior lightweight, his co-promoter told ESPN.
Shakur Stevenson is finished at 126 pounds.
The featherweight titleholder is giving up his belt and moving up four pounds to junior lightweight, his co-promoter told ESPN.
Stevenson (14-0, 8 KOs) won the vacant 126-pound title when he defeated Joet Gonzalez by a unanimous decision in October. The 2016 Olympian then was featured on the first post-lockdown card in the U.S. on June 9, when he stopped Felix Caraballo in a non-title junior lightweight fight.
Antonio Leonard, Stevenson’s co-promoter, said he could be ready to fight as soon as next month.
“I just didn’t want to keep making that weight,” Stevenson told ESPN. “I think I should be in the rankings to fight for a title [at junior lightweight] ASAP. I think I deserve it.”
Stevenson was expected to face Josh Warrington in a 126-pound title-unification bout this summer but those plans were scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic. Subsequent efforts to revive the matchup failed.
“You know what? Warrington didn’t want the fight to happen,” Leonard said. “Because we gave him all the opportunity. He didn’t even start acting like he wanted to fight Shakur until he seen we might go up to 130. He didn’t want to fight Shakur.”
He went on: “We’re putting all those guys on notice at 130. They can bring the belt, vacate them, because Shakur’s going to whup everybody — it don’t matter who it is. We’re taking on all comers.”
Of course, Stevenson wants to fight one of the junior lightweight titleholders – Miguel Berchelt, Jamel Herring, Joseph Diaz Jr. and Leo Santa Cruz. He has his eye on Santa Cruz.
“I want Leo Santa Cruz,” Stevenson said. “It seems all the belt holders are occupied with opponents. But I really want Santa Cruz, though. They know I’m coming for them. They see I’m on the way.”
Terence Crawford heads one man’s Top 10 pound-for-pound list of American boxers.
The United States, the third most populous country with roughly 330 million people, produces more elite boxers than any other nation.
I recently set out to put together my list of the 10 best among them and quickly realized that it was no easy task, as I found that one could make a reasonable case for more than 20 fighters who were either born in the U.S. or spent most of their lives here.
Ultimately, I whittled my list down to 10. Here it is.
No. 1 Terence Crawford
Record: 36-0 (27 KOs) Titles: Lightweight, junior welterweight, welterweight Key victories: Yuriorkis Gamboa, Ray Beltran, Thomas Dulorme, Hank Lundy, Viktor Postol, John Molina Jr., Julius Indongo, Jeff Horn, Jose Benavidez, Amir Khan, Egidijus Kavaliauskas Background: Crawford doesn’t have the best resume among elite fighters – he still needs defining victories – but we see what we see, a consistently dominating fighter with a complete skill set and the flair of a star.
No.2Errol Spence Jr.
Record: 26-0 (21 KOs) Titles: Welterweight Key victories: Kell Brook, Lamont Peterson, Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter Background: Spence is building a strong resume, particularly with the victories over Garcia and Porter. He has all the tools, although he’s not quite as dynamic as Crawford. I’m assuming he’s 100 percent after his car accident in October.
Mikey Garcia (right) defeated Jessie Vargas by a unanimous decision in February. Amanda Westcott / DAZN
No3.Mikey Garcia Record: 40-1 (30 KOs) Titles: Featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight, junior welterweight Key victories: Orlando Salido, Juan Manuel Lopez, Roman Martinez, Dejan Zlaticanin, Sergey Lipinets, Robert Easter, Jessie Vargas Background: Don’t let the Spence setback cloud your judgment of Garcia. He took a big swing and missed but he has otherwise been a dominating fighter over four divisions, with a special skill set and plenty of punching power.
No. 4.Leo Santa Cruz Record: 37-1-1 (19 KOs) Titles: Bantamweight, junior featherweight, featherweight, junior lightweight Key victories: Eric Morel, Cristian Mijares, Abner Mares (twice), Kiko Martinez, Carl Frampton, Miguel Flores Background: Santa Cruz is the ultimate blue-collar boxer. The Mexican-American isn’t particularly quick or flashy but he’ll out-train you, outwork you and almost always beat you. He avenged his only defeat when he outpointed Frampton.
No. 5Shawn Porter
Record: 30-3-1 (17 KOs) Titles: Welterweight Key victories: Paulie Malignaggi, Adrien Broner, Andre Berto, Danny Garcia, Yordenis Ugas Background: Porter is only 6-3 in his last night fights but could be 9-0, as all three of his losses — to Kell Brook, Keith Thurman and Errol Spence Jr. – could’ve gone his way. He is a quick, athletic, swarming nightmare for any foe. Ask Spence.
No. 6Gary Russell Jr.
Record: 30-1 (18 KOs) Titles: Featherweight Key victories: Jhonny Gonzalez, Oscar Escandon, Joseph Diaz Jr., Kiko Martinez, Tugstsot Nyambayar. Background: Russell isn’t active enough and he still lacks a truly defining victory but the man with the blurry-quick hands and polished skills has dominated those in front of him. A big victory or two could lift him higher here.
Jermall Charlo needs a big middleweight fight to rebuild his momentum. Stephanie Trapp / Showtime
No. 7Jermall Charlo
Record: 30-0 (22 KOs) Titles: Junior middleweight, middleweight Key victories: Cornelius Bundrage, Austin Trout, Julian Williams, Hugo Centeno Jr., Matvey Korobov Background: Charlo is in need of a big middleweight fight (Canelo Alvarez?) to rebuild lost momentum but he has all the tools. He’s skillful, powerful, tough, fun to watch, all the ingredients that comprise a star.
No. 8Jermell Charlo
Record: 33-1 (17 KOs) Titles: Junior middleweight Key victories: Gabriel Rosado, Vanes Martirosyan, Erickson Lubin, Austin Trout, Tony Harrison Background: Some have questioned his skill set because he was losing to John Jackson before stopping him and lost a decision to Harrison but recent results – wins over Lubin, Trout and Harrison (by KO) in the rematch — speak loudly. Charlo is locked in.
No. 9Teofimo Lopez
Record: 15-0 (12 KOs) Titles: Lightweight Key victories: Diego Magdaleno, Masayoshi Nakatani, Richard Commey Background: Lopez already has a big victory at 22 – over Commey to win his title – but his inclusion here is based mostly on what I see, a gifted boxer who can also remove your head from your body. He’ll skyrocket if he beats Vasiliy Lomachenko.
No. 10Jose Ramirez
Record: 25-0 (17 KOs) Titles: Lightweight Key victories: Amir Imam, Antonio Orozco, Jose Zepeda, Maurice Hooker Background: Ramirez is still building his resume but the victories listed above – which came in succession – give you a good idea of what he’s capable of. The former Olympian is skillful and ferocious, which doesn’t bode well for future foes.
Shakur Stevenson is thrilled to get back into the ring against Felix Caraballo but has his eye on big-name opponents.
Shakur Stevenson used to like the comparisons to Floyd Mayweather, especially in terms of defense. Mayweather seemed to be untouchable most of the time, a once-in-a-generation quality Stevenson tries to emulate.
The 22-year-old featherweight champ is growing tired of the comments, however. He wants to be Shakur Stevenson, not the new Floyd Mayweather.
Stevenson will be the first star to fight in the U.S. amid the coronavirus pandemic when he faces Felix Caraballo in a junior lightweight bout Tuesday in Las Vegas. The card, which will have no live audience, will be televised on ESPN.
“I see [the comparisons] everywhere,” Stevenson told Boxing Junkie. “I’m me. I didn’t steal stuff just from Floyd. I stole stuff from Andre Ward, from Pernell Whitaker, from Terence Crawford.
“I understand the comparisons, definitely with defense. Floyd is one of the best defensive fighters of all time and I show flashes of some of that too. But I’m me.”
Shakur Stevenson showed his class against Joet Gonzalez, almost pitching a shutout to win his first major belt. Mikey Williams / Top Rank
Of course, there is one aspect of Mayweather’s remarkable career that Stevenson wouldn’t mind copying outright: His ability to earn a lot of money. Mayweather made around a billion dollars in purses.
One key move Mayweather made to boost his earning power? He became the fighter fans loved to hate.
“Floyd became a villain,” Stevenson said. “I would have to find a way to pick up on that, to become that type of star. I’d have to find a way to become a villain. You know I could do that, to be honest.
“I don’t think Floyd really hated anyone. I think I’d have to really dislike you for me to be that way. I might take some acting classes or something.”
Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs) has earned high grades in his boxing classes. He won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, losing 2-1 to Cuban Robeisy Ramirez in the gold medal match, turned pro eight months later and hasn’t looked back.
He easily outpointed Joet Gonzalez to win a vacant 126-pound world title in October at only 22.
Stevenson celebrates winning his first title Mexican style. Mikey Williams / Top Rank
From there, he was supposed to defend against Miguel Marriaga on March 14 after a two-month training camp only to learn two days before the fight that it would have to canceled because of the pandemic.
Stevenson was devastated.
“The Marriaga cancellation was horrible because I trained for eight weeks,” he said. “I did a whole training camp only to find out I wasn’t going to get paid, wasn’t going to be able to perform. I was excited about that fight because Marriaga was a solid name. And I was planning to beat him up.”
Instead, Stevenson got the longest rest of his career. The self-described gym rat took some time off but then got right back at it, figuring whenever boxing resumed he would be near the front of the line.
Now he has the distinction of being the first major player to get back to action. And that’s exciting.
No, Caraballo (13-1-2, 9 KOs) isn’t the type of big-name opponent he wanted to face but that doesn’t matter much, he said. One, the fight will give him an opportunity to see how he feels at 130 pounds, which could be his home soon. And, two, he knows how excited fans will be that the sport is up and running again.
“I’m definitely more excited than I would normally be because I’m the first fighter back,” he said. “I think I deserve that after my fight was canceled during the week of the fight. I think that’s why I’m back so early.
“And, yes, all eyes will be on me. I’m happy about that.”
Shakur Stevenson put Alberto Guevara down three times in less than three rounds and won by stoppage in July. Mikey Williams / Top Rank
What about fighting in an empty arena? Not an issue.
“To be honest, I’m not like some other guys,” he said. “I probably feed off the crowd a little bit but I really try to block out the crowd, to tune everybody out. All I see is my opponent.”
Stevenson sees a number of big-name opponents in his immediate future, which is what he craves. He’s only had 13 pro fights yet he’s ready to take on the world, including the best in and around his weight class.
He covets a showdown with Vasiliy Lomachenko — No. 1 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list — at 130 or one with Leo Santa Cruz, fighters against whom he believes he will demonstrate what he already knows about himself – that he’s a special fighter. And fights like those certainly are on the horizon.
Stevenson is co-managed by Ward, who is more conservative, more methodical when it comes to his prize client’s career. Stevenson is young. Ward wants to take a step-by-step approach to build Stevenson into a pound-for-pound star.
Stevenson gets it but he’s champing at the bit.
“If it were up to me, I would go into the biggest fight right now,” he said. “I have a good team, though. And they do things the right way. I feel I’m ready. I’ve been like that since I turned pro. I was begging for a world title [shot] at 4-0, 5-0. Lomachenko? I would fight him tomorrow. The same with Santa Cruz. And I feel I would beat both of them. That’s just how I feel.
“… I want to become one of the best boxers ever, to go down as a great in the sport. That’s what Floyd was. And I want to be like that.”
Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz have reached an agreement in principle to fight at 130 pounds this fall on pay-per-view.
Gervonta Davis and Leo Santa Cruz appear to have a deal.
The Athletic is reporting that Davis and Santa Cruz have reached an agreement in principle to fight at 130 pounds this fall. The bout is expected to be televised on Showtime Pay-Per-View.
BoxingScene.com had quoted Leonard Ellerbe of Mayweather Promotions earlier as saying that Davis’ next fight would be against Santa Cruz.
The fight had been projected for June at Staples Center in Los Angeles but it was pushed back because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Leo Santa Cruz will be Tank’s next fight, and we’re working through all the aspects of when that might be,” Ellerbe told BoxingScene,com. “We’re working through the details as we speak. We were headed in one direction, and then the pandemic came. We’re regrouping. I can assure you and the fans that both guys want the fight.
“Leo is very adamant to fight the biggest and baddest guy out there in Tank Davis. I respect that. It’s a great time for the 130 and 135 pound division. There are a number of excellent fights that can be made. Tank will show all of the critics why he’s one of the best fighters in the world.”
The weight is an interesting element in this matchup.
Davis (23-0, 22 KOs) initially failed to make the 135-pound limit in his most recent fight, a 12th-round TKO of Yuriorkis Gamboa in December. He made 130 against Ricardo Nunez five months earlier. Can he do it again?
Santa Cruz (37-1-1, 19 KOs) moved from 126 to 130 for his last fight, a unanimous decision victory that gave him a vacant title. Santa Cruz gave a so-so performance, raising questions about his ability to fight at an elite level at that weight.
Stephen Espinoza of Showtime told BoxingScene that the fight would take place when fans are allowed to return to arenas.
“We were very close [to finalizing a deal before the coronavirus took hold],” Espinoza said. “It’s an interesting one, because the fight will do a very good gate regardless of where it is. The fight could fit naturally in Los Angeles. If L.A. is not ready, certainly Vegas or Texas would make reasonable choices. I do think that will be one of the first few fights we have when we’re back in business.
“A lot of people were surprised at that match-up. Leo is absolutely adamant that he wants the fight. It’s the only fight he wants. He sees something in Davis that guarantees him success. Tank is a physical challenge for anyone, but Leo is undaunted and he’s persistent.”
Fox Sports 1 is showcasing two great champions on boxing classic lineup Saturday – Rocky Balboa and Manny Pacquiao.
Fox Sports 1 is showcasing two great champions on boxing classic lineup Saturday – Rocky Balboa and Manny Pacquiao.
The programming begins at 9 p.m. ET with the 1982 film “Rocky III,” in which Sylvester Stallone’s character loses the heavyweight title to the Mr. T character Clubber Lang but later – with old rival Apollo Creed in his corner – regains it.
That’s followed at 11 p.m. ET by Pacquiao’s victory over Adrien Broner from January 2019 and, at midnight, Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton II from January 2017, in which Santa Cruz regained the featherweight title he lost to Frampton in their first fight.
Pacquiao completed a remarkable 2019 by outpointing Keith Thurman sixth months after the Broner fight.
Santa Cruz successfully defended the title three times and then outpointed Miguel Flores to win a vacant junior lightweight title in November.
Showtime has announced its May lineup of replays, beginning with two Errol Spence Jr. fights this Friday.
More Showtime Boxing Classics are on the way.
Showtime has announced its May lineup of replays, beginning with two Errol Spence Jr. fights this Friday. Other featured fighters include Keith Thurman, Floyd Mayweather, Joe Calzaghe and Leo Santa Cruz.
All shows are on Fridays and begin at 10 p.m. ET / PT.
Here is the schedule:
May 1 – Spence vs. Kell Brook, Spence vs. Lamont Peterson
May 8 – Keith Thurman vs. Shawn Porter, Thurman vs. Danny Garcia.
May 15 – Floyd Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana I, Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor
May 22 – Ricky Hatton vs. Kostya Tszyu, Joe Calzaghe vs. Jeff Lacy
May 29 – Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton II, Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares II.
Fox Sports and Premier Boxing Champions put together a video featuring their biggest personalities to thank the coronavirus warriors.
Our health care workers and first responders have emerged as heroes in the ongoing fight against the coronavirus.
And that fact isn’t lost on those in the boxing world.
Fox Sports and Premier Boxing Champions took the time to put together a video (see below) featuring many of their biggest stars and personalities to thank those risking their lives.
Here are those who took part:
PBC Fighters
Manny Pacquiao, Errol Spence, Deontay Wilder, Leo Santa Cruz, Andy Ruiz Jr, Shawn Porter, Mikey Garcia, Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman, David Benavidez, Caleb Plant, Abner Mares, Erislandy Lara, Julian Williams, Tony Harrison, Anthony Dirrell, Andre Dirrell, Chris Eubank Jr, Andre Berto and Adam Kownacki.
PBC on FOX Personalities
Brian Kenny, Chris Myers, Joe Goossen, Kate Abdo, Jimmy Lennon Jr, Marcos Villegas, Heidi Androl, Jordan Plant, Steve Cunningham and Ray Flores.
Many of the boxers and personalities of @PBConFOX have a message for the doctors, nurses, health officials and others battling to keep us safe. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/xIDYps1gTH
Boxing Junkie’s fantasy series “Who Wins?” revealed some interesting things about the fighters who were featured.
Boxing Junkie’s “Who Wins?” feature, in which we pitted each of our Top 15 pound-for-pound fighters against five potential opponents and had our three staffers predict winners, is completed.
What did it reveal? A number of things.
The top fighters on our pound-for-pound list are there for a reason.
Nos. 1-3 Vasiliy Lomachenko, Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez went a combined 43-1-1 in their fights (five fights with three predictions each). See below for the final standings.
The results depended heavily on the opposition.
Alvarez went 15-0 (6 KOs) in part because he’s a great fighter, as stated above, but also because the competition at super middleweight isn’t as deep as some other divisions.
Alvarez, who recently won a light heavyweight title was paired with 175-pounder Artur Beterbiev in one of the Russian’s five fights and all three Boxing Junkie staffers predicted Alvarez would lose.
One could argue that the records of Crawford (14-1, 3 KOs) and Errol Spence Jr. (13-2, 6 KOs) are as impressive as Alvarez’s given the inordinate number of quality welterweights compared to super middleweights.
Size matters.
The best example of this is Mikey Garcia, the four-division titleholder who now is a smallish welterweight. His ability stacks up against almost anyone’s but he is at a disadvantage against a full-sized, elite 147-pounder, as we saw when he was dominated by Spence. Garcia went 7-8 (0 KOs).
Age matters.
No one doubts the greatness of Manny Pacquiao, particularly after his victory over Keith Thurman. However, at 41, he can’t fight at the same pace he once did. Plus, he also is a small 147-pounder. Those are reasons the Boxing Junkie staffers gave the nod to Pacquiao’s opponents by a wide margin. Pacquiao went 3-12 (0 KOs), the worse record among the 15 fighters featured.
Gennadiy Golovkin, 37, suffered a similar fate. He’s a great fighter but also an aging one, which caught up with him in our feature. Triple-G went 9-6 (5 KOs).
Fury is clearly No. 1.
The heavyweight division isn’t deep but Fury’s opponents – Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder, Oleksandr Usyk, Dillian Whyte and Andy Ruiz Jr. – have had success. And Fury emerged with a record of 14-1 (8 KOs), losing only a close decision against Usyk in the opinion of staffer Sean Nam.
Even special fighters lose.
Two good examples are Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Josh Taylor, who had records of 8-7 (5 KOs) and 7-6-2 (2 KOs), respectively. That has less to do with their abilities than the fighters we had them face.
Sor Rungvisai, a junior bantamweight, had to contend with a gauntlet of superb opponents – Juan Francisco Estrada (in a third fight), Roman Gonzalez (also for the third time), Nayoa Inoue (a bantamweight), Kazuto Ioka and Kosei Tanaka. No one could emerge from those tests unscathed.
And Taylor, a junior welterweight, faced Jose Ramirez, Regis Prograis (in a rematch), Maurice Hooker, Terence Crawford (a welterweight) and Teofimo Lopez (a lightweight). Again, tough assignments.
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.
Abner Mares has parted ways with Robert Garcia and will be trained by Manny Robles when he makes his comeback.
Abner Mares’ comeback has been delayed by injury and now a pandemic, but he’s still hoping and planning for the day when he can resume his career.
He’ll start over with a new trainer.
Mares’ comeback will begin with Manny Robles in his corner instead of Robert Garcia.
“I told Robert that I was not going to continue training with him,’’ Mares told ESPN Deportes. “We were on good terms. My new coach will be Manny Robles, who is a great coach, has a good style and has worked with great fighters, world champions, such as Andy Ruiz, Oscar Valdez.”
Mares (31-3-1, 15 KOs), a former three-division champion, hasn’t fought since losing a unanimous decision to Leo Santa Cruz in a featherweight rematch on June 9, 2018 at Los Angeles’ Staples Center.’’
Mares, 34, was forced to withdraw from a fight with Gervonta Davis, scheduled for Jan. 30, 2019, because of an eye injury. He was cleared a few months later. He had hoped to make a comeback this May. But that was shelved by the coronavirus outbreak.
“We had planned to return in 2020, we had more or less the agenda planned to return in May, two fights in the year,’’ he said. “But now I think I will only fight once. We will see when.
“It’s a bit awkward, but at the same time, I start thinking about what everyone is going through, fighters who had dates and then they were canceled, David Benavidez being one of them. Many fighters have been affected, and I am more sorry for the fighters, because it is a very difficult time.’’
