Tag: Leo Santa Cruz

Floyd Mayweather rails against glut of titles: ‘Bad for boxing’

Floyd Mayweather railed against glut of world titles, which he says is bad for the sport.

Floyd Mayweather used an interview before Gervonta Davis’ YouTube workout on Wednesday to rail against something that many believe is a scourge in boxing: a glut of world titles.

Mayweather brought up the subject to express his belief that Devin Haney and Davis are the true lightweight champions of the WBC and WBA, respectively, even though most people accept Teofimo Lopez Jr. as the titleholder in those sanctioning bodies after his victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko on Saturday.

His more-general point: Something has to be done to limit the number of belts. The more belts there are, the less they mean.

Remember: If we accept the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO as legitimate organizations, there are at least 68 world champions barring any vacancies. And the sanction bodies have tacked on such titles as “super”, “franchise” and “regular”, which has added to the glut.

“There are too many champions in the sport of boxing right now,” Mayweather said. “… There’s no such things a ‘super’ champion, not at all. I’m not taking anything away from anybody. There are just too many belts.

“Let me tell the people about the sport of boxing. Why are there so many belts? With every belt you have to pay a sanctioning fee. “Interim” has to pay a sanctioning fee. If you fight for a “regular” title, you pay a fee. If you fight for a “super” championship, you have to pay a sanctioning fee.

“That’s not good for the sport of boxing. … Everyone is a champion now. It’s like winning an amateur trophy. Everyone has a belt.”

Mayweather then mentioned Haney and Davis, who faces Leo Santa Cruz in a pay-per-view fight on Oct. 31. Haney was listed below Lomachenko, who was designated the WBC “franchise” champion going into the fight Saturday. Davis, the WBA’s “regular” titleholder, also was below Lomachenko.

“I want to say the fight the other day was a hell of a fight,” he said. “Congratulations to the winner. He did his job, he did what he had to do. If Haney is the WBC champion at lightweight and Gervonta “Tank” Davis is the WBC champion, then it’s safe to say that Teofimo Lopez is the IBF and WBO champion. I can’t knock what he’s done.”

He went on: “I don’t want to knock any fighter. I’m just tired seeing after fights that everyone has a belt. They’re like trophies. The WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO, you gotta clean this s— up. It’s bad for boxing. There ain’t no such thing as a ‘super’ champion. They’re just taking extra money taking sanctioning fees.

“… This doesn’t look good. Everyone is a champion.”

[lawrence-related id=14555,14543,14471]

Floyd Mayweather rails against glut of titles: ‘Bad for boxing’

Floyd Mayweather railed against glut of world titles, which he says is bad for the sport.

Floyd Mayweather used an interview before Gervonta Davis’ YouTube workout on Wednesday to rail against something that many believe is a scourge in boxing: a glut of world titles.

Mayweather brought up the subject to express his belief that Devin Haney and Davis are the true lightweight champions of the WBC and WBA, respectively, even though most people accept Teofimo Lopez Jr. as the titleholder in those sanctioning bodies after his victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko on Saturday.

His more-general point: Something has to be done to limit the number of belts. The more belts there are, the less they mean.

Remember: If we accept the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO as legitimate organizations, there are at least 68 world champions barring any vacancies. And the sanction bodies have tacked on such titles as “super”, “franchise” and “regular”, which has added to the glut.

“There are too many champions in the sport of boxing right now,” Mayweather said. “… There’s no such things a ‘super’ champion, not at all. I’m not taking anything away from anybody. There are just too many belts.

“Let me tell the people about the sport of boxing. Why are there so many belts? With every belt you have to pay a sanctioning fee. “Interim” has to pay a sanctioning fee. If you fight for a “regular” title, you pay a fee. If you fight for a “super” championship, you have to pay a sanctioning fee.

“That’s not good for the sport of boxing. … Everyone is a champion now. It’s like winning an amateur trophy. Everyone has a belt.”

Mayweather then mentioned Haney and Davis, who faces Leo Santa Cruz in a pay-per-view fight on Oct. 31. Haney was listed below Lomachenko, who was designated the WBC “franchise” champion going into the fight Saturday. Davis, the WBA’s “regular” titleholder, also was below Lomachenko.

“I want to say the fight the other day was a hell of a fight,” he said. “Congratulations to the winner. He did his job, he did what he had to do. If Haney is the WBC champion at lightweight and Gervonta “Tank” Davis is the WBC champion, then it’s safe to say that Teofimo Lopez is the IBF and WBO champion. I can’t knock what he’s done.”

He went on: “I don’t want to knock any fighter. I’m just tired seeing after fights that everyone has a belt. They’re like trophies. The WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO, you gotta clean this s— up. It’s bad for boxing. There ain’t no such thing as a ‘super’ champion. They’re just taking extra money taking sanctioning fees.

“… This doesn’t look good. Everyone is a champion.”

[lawrence-related id=14555,14543,14471]

Diego Magdaleno one step away from another title shot

Diego Magdaleno is scheduled to fight Isaac Cruz in a lightweight title eliminator on Oct. 31.

Diego Magdaleno has come up short in his biggest fights, losing title bouts against Roman Martinez and Terry Flanagan and to Teofimo Lopez in a non-title bout in February of last year.

Lessons learned. He’s says he’s a smarter, better fighter after those experiences and under the guidance of new trainer Bones Adams, who was in his corner for the first time when he defeated Austin Dulay by a clear decision this past February.

Magdaleno (32-3, 13 KOs) faces Isaac Cruz in a lightweight title eliminator on the Gervonta Davis-Leo Santa Cruz pay-per-view card on Oct. 31.

“The biggest thing that I’ve learned is to stay calm,” Magdaleno said. “When I start thinking too far ahead, that’s when things go wrong. Coach Adams has a great way of keeping me grounded and composed.

“He knows how to simplify things for me and communicate exactly what I need to do, which makes it less stressful for me. And we’ve done some other things, like correcting my footwork and the angles that I use.”

Diego Magdaleno’s victory over Austin Dulay (right) in February pumped life back into his career. Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

He went on: “I’ve always taken pride in being a professional, but I learned that I can be very dangerous with the right team around me. I went into [the Dulay] fight kind of being considered a steppingstone for Dulay, but I showed that I’m still a strong fighter. People counted me out and they made a mistake.

“I’m just super happy that I found Coach Adams and got a proper team organized around me. I was able to change people’s minds with just one fight. Now I’m in a title eliminator, and with a win on October 31, I’ll have my third shot at a world title.”

Of course, Cruz (19-1-1, 14 KOs) is no pushover. The 22-year-old Mexican has gone undefeated since losing an eight-round decision to Luis Miguel Montano in 2016, including a majority-decision victory over Thomas Mattice this past February.

“Cruz is something I’ve seen before,” Magdaleno said. “I’ve fought lots of Mexican-style fighters like him who don’t have a lot of technical skill but possess a come-forward style. So I think I’ll be able to go back to what I know.

“I’ll just have to stay fluid and pick Cruz apart. He’s a guy who likes to fight on the inside and throw lots of overhand punches and hooks. I’ll break him down like I did my last opponent.”

Magdaleno is motivated by those who might perceive him as the guy who falls short.

The 33-year-old brother of Jessie Magdaleno plans to beat Cruz and then make the most of his next opportunity to fight for a world title, which could come next year. Cruz is ranked No. 6 by the IBF, Magdaleno No. 10. Lopez, who fights Vasiliy Lomachenko on Oct. 17, is the IBF champ.

“What I know is that when everyone counts you out, you just have to believe in yourself,” he said. “When I decide to hang up the gloves, it’ll be because I want to, not because others say I should.

“I have my confidence back now and I’m very happy with where I’m going.”

Diego Magdaleno one step away from another title shot

Diego Magdaleno is scheduled to fight Isaac Cruz in a lightweight title eliminator on Oct. 31.

Diego Magdaleno has come up short in his biggest fights, losing title bouts against Roman Martinez and Terry Flanagan and to Teofimo Lopez in a non-title bout in February of last year.

Lessons learned. He’s says he’s a smarter, better fighter after those experiences and under the guidance of new trainer Bones Adams, who was in his corner for the first time when he defeated Austin Dulay by a clear decision this past February.

Magdaleno (32-3, 13 KOs) faces Isaac Cruz in a lightweight title eliminator on the Gervonta Davis-Leo Santa Cruz pay-per-view card on Oct. 31.

“The biggest thing that I’ve learned is to stay calm,” Magdaleno said. “When I start thinking too far ahead, that’s when things go wrong. Coach Adams has a great way of keeping me grounded and composed.

“He knows how to simplify things for me and communicate exactly what I need to do, which makes it less stressful for me. And we’ve done some other things, like correcting my footwork and the angles that I use.”

Diego Magdaleno’s victory over Austin Dulay (right) in February pumped life back into his career. Shelley Mays / The Tennessean

He went on: “I’ve always taken pride in being a professional, but I learned that I can be very dangerous with the right team around me. I went into [the Dulay] fight kind of being considered a steppingstone for Dulay, but I showed that I’m still a strong fighter. People counted me out and they made a mistake.

“I’m just super happy that I found Coach Adams and got a proper team organized around me. I was able to change people’s minds with just one fight. Now I’m in a title eliminator, and with a win on October 31, I’ll have my third shot at a world title.”

Of course, Cruz (19-1-1, 14 KOs) is no pushover. The 22-year-old Mexican has gone undefeated since losing an eight-round decision to Luis Miguel Montano in 2016, including a majority-decision victory over Thomas Mattice this past February.

“Cruz is something I’ve seen before,” Magdaleno said. “I’ve fought lots of Mexican-style fighters like him who don’t have a lot of technical skill but possess a come-forward style. So I think I’ll be able to go back to what I know.

“I’ll just have to stay fluid and pick Cruz apart. He’s a guy who likes to fight on the inside and throw lots of overhand punches and hooks. I’ll break him down like I did my last opponent.”

Magdaleno is motivated by those who might perceive him as the guy who falls short.

The 33-year-old brother of Jessie Magdaleno plans to beat Cruz and then make the most of his next opportunity to fight for a world title, which could come next year. Cruz is ranked No. 6 by the IBF, Magdaleno No. 10. Lopez, who fights Vasiliy Lomachenko on Oct. 17, is the IBF champ.

“What I know is that when everyone counts you out, you just have to believe in yourself,” he said. “When I decide to hang up the gloves, it’ll be because I want to, not because others say I should.

“I have my confidence back now and I’m very happy with where I’m going.”

Video: Ak, Barak: Is Gervonta Davis the next PPV star?

Gervonta Davis is emerging as one of the brightest young stars in boxing. The lightweight titleholder from Baltimore arguably has the ability, the punching power and the following to follow in the enormous footsteps of his promoter and mentor, Floyd …

Gervonta Davis is emerging as one of the brightest young stars in boxing.

The lightweight titleholder from Baltimore arguably has the ability, the punching power and the following to follow in the enormous footsteps of his promoter and mentor, Floyd Mayweather.

Davis is scheduled to face Leo Santa Cruz in a pay-per-view fight for 130- and 135-pound titles in front of fans on Oct. 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Is Davis the next pay-per-view superstar?

In this episode of the Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss that topic and get into Mayweather’s pay-per-view legacy.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer eo6ugJvO]

 

Video: Ak, Barak: Is Gervonta Davis the next PPV star?

Gervonta Davis is emerging as one of the brightest young stars in boxing. The lightweight titleholder from Baltimore arguably has the ability, the punching power and the following to follow in the enormous footsteps of his promoter and mentor, Floyd …

Gervonta Davis is emerging as one of the brightest young stars in boxing.

The lightweight titleholder from Baltimore arguably has the ability, the punching power and the following to follow in the enormous footsteps of his promoter and mentor, Floyd Mayweather.

Davis is scheduled to face Leo Santa Cruz in a pay-per-view fight for 130- and 135-pound titles in front of fans on Oct. 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Is Davis the next pay-per-view superstar?

In this episode of the Ak & Barak Show, DAZN commentators Akin Reyes and Barak Bess discuss that topic and get into Mayweather’s pay-per-view legacy.

Here’s what they had to say.

The Ak & Barak Show is available on DAZN and Sirius XM Fight Nation, Channel 156.

[jwplayer eo6ugJvO]

 

Gervonta Davis insists he’ll make 130 for Leo Santa Cruz fight

Gervonta Davis says he’ll make the 130-pound limit when he fights Leo Santa Cruz on Oct. 31.

Many people wonder what the scale will say on Halloween Eve. Treat or trick?

Gervonta Davis has had problems making weight in the past, most notably when he lost his junior lightweight title before his defense against Francisco Fonseca in 2017. And he needed two tries to make the lightweight limit for his title fight with Yuriorkis Gamboa last December, in which he won a 135-pound title.

Can he go back down to 130 for his two-division title fight against Leo Santa Cruz on Oct. 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio?

Santa Cruz is among those who has had his doubts.

“Our biggest concern has been making sure he makes weight,” Santa Cruz said on a Zoom call as Davis listened.

Davis insists there’s no reason to worry. He said he has left his discipline problems in his hometown of Baltimore after moving his boxing base to Las Vegas, where promoter and mentor Floyd Mayweather lives and operates.

Now, he says, it’s all boxing all the time. He said he has worked out every day for 12 weeks so far for his fight with Santa Cruz, the past eight in the boxing gym.

130? No problem. In fact, assuming he wins, he says he might fight again at that weight if makes sense from a business standpoint even though he’ll still hold a 135-pound belt.

“I’m having my camp here so I can stay focused on just boxing,” he said on the Zoom call. “I’m close to my Mayweather team and I have Floyd in the gym with me more. … This camp has been great for me. I’m already on weight.

“I’ve just been working hard. We’re not worrying about weight. We’re worrying about giving Leo Santa Cruz a great fight on October 1st.”

Davis, 25, used the word “professional” during the call. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said the fighter has come a long way in that department.

“Over the last year I’ve seen Tank mature a great deal,” Ellerbe said. “One of the biggest things is that he got out of his comfort zone by coming to Las Vegas. He used to train in Baltimore. I think he’s showing he’s ready for the next step.

“He’s completely focused, doing everything that’s asked of him. … He wants to give the best performance of his life. I’m confident that will happen.”

Santa Cruz says he’s sold. He expects the scale to read 130 or below when Davis steps onto it the day before the fight.

“I have no concerns,” he said. “I think he’s going make weight. He’s training really hard, he looks like he’s in good shape. Like I said, in his last fight he didn’t make weight. That was during Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s hard not to eat during those times. You see food and you want to eat it.

“For this fight, I think he’s going to come ready, I think he’s going to make weight.”

[lawrence-related id=14471,14318,12214]

Gervonta Davis insists he’ll make 130 for Leo Santa Cruz fight

Gervonta Davis says he’ll make the 130-pound limit when he fights Leo Santa Cruz on Oct. 31.

Many people wonder what the scale will say on Halloween Eve. Treat or trick?

Gervonta Davis has had problems making weight in the past, most notably when he lost his junior lightweight title before his defense against Francisco Fonseca in 2017. And he needed two tries to make the lightweight limit for his title fight with Yuriorkis Gamboa last December, in which he won a 135-pound title.

Can he go back down to 130 for his two-division title fight against Leo Santa Cruz on Oct. 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio?

Santa Cruz is among those who has had his doubts.

“Our biggest concern has been making sure he makes weight,” Santa Cruz said on a Zoom call as Davis listened.

Davis insists there’s no reason to worry. He said he has left his discipline problems in his hometown of Baltimore after moving his boxing base to Las Vegas, where promoter and mentor Floyd Mayweather lives and operates.

Now, he says, it’s all boxing all the time. He said he has worked out every day for 12 weeks so far for his fight with Santa Cruz, the past eight in the boxing gym.

130? No problem. In fact, assuming he wins, he says he might fight again at that weight if makes sense from a business standpoint even though he’ll still hold a 135-pound belt.

“I’m having my camp here so I can stay focused on just boxing,” he said on the Zoom call. “I’m close to my Mayweather team and I have Floyd in the gym with me more. … This camp has been great for me. I’m already on weight.

“I’ve just been working hard. We’re not worrying about weight. We’re worrying about giving Leo Santa Cruz a great fight on October 1st.”

Davis, 25, used the word “professional” during the call. Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said the fighter has come a long way in that department.

“Over the last year I’ve seen Tank mature a great deal,” Ellerbe said. “One of the biggest things is that he got out of his comfort zone by coming to Las Vegas. He used to train in Baltimore. I think he’s showing he’s ready for the next step.

“He’s completely focused, doing everything that’s asked of him. … He wants to give the best performance of his life. I’m confident that will happen.”

Santa Cruz says he’s sold. He expects the scale to read 130 or below when Davis steps onto it the day before the fight.

“I have no concerns,” he said. “I think he’s going make weight. He’s training really hard, he looks like he’s in good shape. Like I said, in his last fight he didn’t make weight. That was during Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s hard not to eat during those times. You see food and you want to eat it.

“For this fight, I think he’s going to come ready, I think he’s going to make weight.”

[lawrence-related id=14471,14318,12214]

Leo Santa Cruz: Big risk, big reward vs. Gervonta Davis

Leo Santa Cruz believes he should be recognized as one of the top fighters in the world if he’s able to beat Gervonta Davis on Oct. 31.

Leo Santa Cruz is open about one of his concerns going into a pay-per-view showdown with Gervonta Davis on Oct. 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio: Davis’ punching power.

Santa Cruz is a four-division titleholder but has had only one fight above 126 pounds, his unanimous-decision victory over Miguel Flores last Nov. 23 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Davis has fought at 130 or above most of his career. He’s the bigger guy.

And, as we all know, Davis can crack. He has 22 knockouts in his 23 fights, all victories.

“We’ve been sparring with bigger guys,” Santa Cruz said on a Zoom call.  “They’re like 145, 147 pounds. I think that will prepare me able to take his punches. … I’m working on my neck, I’m eating a little better and feeling strong.

“I’m just going to go out there and hopefully I can take his punches.”

Someone on the call reminded Santa Cruz that he recently said Davis is particularly strong in the first four or five rounds and then his power diminishes. He was asked whether he stands by that assessment.

He does.

“Yeah, of course,” he said. “The first five rounds he’s dangerous. Every round, until the last round, he’s still dangerous but he’s most dangerous in one through six. That’s when he has the most power.

“… He can catch me at in any round but if he gasses out, I’ll be on top of him, pressuring him, trying to break him down, getting him tired.”

Davis, also on the call, had a quick response to Santa Cruz’s comments: “Most don’t last until the second part of the fight. They all go down in one to six.”

In fact, 18 of Davis’ 22 knockouts have come in the sixth round or earlier, although four of his last 10 opponents – his best opponents, in theory – survived into the seventh round or later. That includes Yuriorkis Gamboa, who was stopped in 12 when they fought for a vacant 135-pound title last December.

Of course, Santa Cruz’s theory will be tested on Oct. 31. Davis acknowledges that.

“I’ll have to prove it once I get in there,” Davis said.

The bottom line from Santa Cruz’s perspective: He’s taking a significant risk by tangling with Davis for titles at both 130 and 135 pounds, the quick-knockout issue aside.

Leo Santa Cruz (right) outpointed Miguel Flores to win a title in a fourth division in November. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions

The relentless volume puncher from the Los Angeles area was a dominating fighter at 126 and below, avenging his only loss by outpointing Carl Frampton in January 2017 and beating the likes of Eric Morel, Cristian Mijares, Abner Mares (twice) and Kiko Martinez.

But he looked so-so in his 130-pound debut against Flores even though he won a clear decision to claim a major title. That raised questions about his effectiveness at the higher weight.

And now, again, he’ll be face to face with a wrecking machine who holds a secondary 135-pound title. Santa Cruz’s decision to take the fight was courageous.

At the same time, he understands that the bigger the risk, the greater reward.

“I think I would deserve to be in the pound-for-pound Top 10 if I beat Tank Davis,” said Santa Cruz, who is No. 15 on Boxing Junkie’s list. “He’s a great fighter, one of the best out there. Nobody wants to fight him.

“I chose to fight him, I picked HIM. So if I beat him on Oct. 31, I deserve to be Top 10 pound-for-pound, one of the best.”

[lawrence-related id=14318,12214,8848]

Leo Santa Cruz: Big risk, big reward vs. Gervonta Davis

Leo Santa Cruz believes he should be recognized as one of the top fighters in the world if he’s able to beat Gervonta Davis on Oct. 31.

Leo Santa Cruz is open about one of his concerns going into a pay-per-view showdown with Gervonta Davis on Oct. 31 at the Alamodome in San Antonio: Davis’ punching power.

Santa Cruz is a four-division titleholder but has had only one fight above 126 pounds, his unanimous-decision victory over Miguel Flores last Nov. 23 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Davis has fought at 130 or above most of his career. He’s the bigger guy.

And, as we all know, Davis can crack. He has 22 knockouts in his 23 fights, all victories.

“We’ve been sparring with bigger guys,” Santa Cruz said on a Zoom call.  “They’re like 145, 147 pounds. I think that will prepare me able to take his punches. … I’m working on my neck, I’m eating a little better and feeling strong.

“I’m just going to go out there and hopefully I can take his punches.”

Someone on the call reminded Santa Cruz that he recently said Davis is particularly strong in the first four or five rounds and then his power diminishes. He was asked whether he stands by that assessment.

He does.

“Yeah, of course,” he said. “The first five rounds he’s dangerous. Every round, until the last round, he’s still dangerous but he’s most dangerous in one through six. That’s when he has the most power.

“… He can catch me at in any round but if he gasses out, I’ll be on top of him, pressuring him, trying to break him down, getting him tired.”

Davis, also on the call, had a quick response to Santa Cruz’s comments: “Most don’t last until the second part of the fight. They all go down in one to six.”

In fact, 18 of Davis’ 22 knockouts have come in the sixth round or earlier, although four of his last 10 opponents – his best opponents, in theory – survived into the seventh round or later. That includes Yuriorkis Gamboa, who was stopped in 12 when they fought for a vacant 135-pound title last December.

Of course, Santa Cruz’s theory will be tested on Oct. 31. Davis acknowledges that.

“I’ll have to prove it once I get in there,” Davis said.

The bottom line from Santa Cruz’s perspective: He’s taking a significant risk by tangling with Davis for titles at both 130 and 135 pounds, the quick-knockout issue aside.

Leo Santa Cruz (right) outpointed Miguel Flores to win a title in a fourth division in November. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions

The relentless volume puncher from the Los Angeles area was a dominating fighter at 126 and below, avenging his only loss by outpointing Carl Frampton in January 2017 and beating the likes of Eric Morel, Cristian Mijares, Abner Mares (twice) and Kiko Martinez.

But he looked so-so in his 130-pound debut against Flores even though he won a clear decision to claim a major title. That raised questions about his effectiveness at the higher weight.

And now, again, he’ll be face to face with a wrecking machine who holds a secondary 135-pound title. Santa Cruz’s decision to take the fight was courageous.

At the same time, he understands that the bigger the risk, the greater reward.

“I think I would deserve to be in the pound-for-pound Top 10 if I beat Tank Davis,” said Santa Cruz, who is No. 15 on Boxing Junkie’s list. “He’s a great fighter, one of the best out there. Nobody wants to fight him.

“I chose to fight him, I picked HIM. So if I beat him on Oct. 31, I deserve to be Top 10 pound-for-pound, one of the best.”

[lawrence-related id=14318,12214,8848]