Tag: Mario Barrios

Erickson Lubin stops Jeison Rosario as result of body shots in Round 6

Erickson Lubin stopped Jeison Rosario as result of body shots in Round 6 of their fight Saturday in Atlanta.

Erickson Lubin continues to roll.

The junior middleweight contender gave the most impressive performance of his career on the Gervonta Davis-Mario Barrios card Saturday in Atlanta, stopping former titleholder Jeison Rosario in six rounds.

The stoppage was the result of body blows midway through the final round, a left that landed somewhat below the belt and right that hurt Rosario badly.

The Dominican, in obvious pain, dropped to all fours but was able to get to his feet. Moments later, with Rosario’s back against the ropes, Lubin put Rosario down again with a straight left and he couldn’t continue.

The fight was stopped at 1:42 of Round 6.

Lubin (24-1, 17 KOs) controlled the early rounds with his right jab, consistently following with power punches to both the head and body as Rosario was searching for a way to cope.

Then, in Round 4, Lubin found himself in trouble. Rosario seemed to rock him with a left jab with about 20 seconds to go in the round. He survived and then got back to work in a competitive Round 5, in which he seemed to land the cleaner punches.

And he finished the show the following round, claiming his sixth victory since he was stopped in the first round by 154-pound titleholder Jermell Charlo in October 2017.

Lubin has beaten in succession Nathaniel Galimore, Terrell Gausha and Rosario, putting him in prime position to challenge the winner of the Charlo-Brian Castano title-unification bout, which is set for July 17.

Rosario (20-3-1, 14 KOs) burst onto the scene by stopping Julian Williams in five rounds to capture a junior middleweight bout. However, he lost it by eighth-round stoppage to Charlo in his subsequent fight.

The loss on Saturday was his second in a row, which will make his climb back to title contention difficult.

Erickson Lubin stops Jeison Rosario as result of body shots in Round 6

Erickson Lubin stopped Jeison Rosario as result of body shots in Round 6 of their fight Saturday in Atlanta.

Erickson Lubin continues to roll.

The junior middleweight contender gave the most impressive performance of his career on the Gervonta Davis-Mario Barrios card Saturday in Atlanta, stopping former titleholder Jeison Rosario in six rounds.

The stoppage was the result of body blows midway through the final round, a left that landed somewhat below the belt and right that hurt Rosario badly.

The Dominican, in obvious pain, dropped to all fours but was able to get to his feet. Moments later, with Rosario’s back against the ropes, Lubin put Rosario down again with a straight left and he couldn’t continue.

The fight was stopped at 1:42 of Round 6.

Lubin (24-1, 17 KOs) controlled the early rounds with his right jab, consistently following with power punches to both the head and body as Rosario was searching for a way to cope.

Then, in Round 4, Lubin found himself in trouble. Rosario seemed to rock him with a left jab with about 20 seconds to go in the round. He survived and then got back to work in a competitive Round 5, in which he seemed to land the cleaner punches.

And he finished the show the following round, claiming his sixth victory since he was stopped in the first round by 154-pound titleholder Jermell Charlo in October 2017.

Lubin has beaten in succession Nathaniel Galimore, Terrell Gausha and Rosario, putting him in prime position to challenge the winner of the Charlo-Brian Castano title-unification bout, which is set for July 17.

Rosario (20-3-1, 14 KOs) burst onto the scene by stopping Julian Williams in five rounds to capture a junior middleweight bout. However, he lost it by eighth-round stoppage to Charlo in his subsequent fight.

The loss on Saturday was his second in a row, which will make his climb back to title contention difficult.

Batyr Akhmedov outworks, stops Argenis Mendez after eight rounds

Batyr Akhmedov outworked and stopped Argenis Mendez after eight rounds on Saturday in Atlanta.

Batyr Akhmedov’s hard work paid off again.

The former Olympian from Uzbekistan outworked and ultimately stopped Argenis Mendez after eight rounds in a scheduled 12-round 140-pound bout on the Gervonta Davis-Mario Barrios card Saturday in Atlanta.

Mendez (25-7-3, 12 KOs) claimed in his corner after Round 8 that he couldn’t continue because of an injury to his right hand.

However, Akhmedov (9-1, 8 KOs) kept pressure on his Dominican opponent from the opening bell and landed consistently, particularly hard punches to the body.

Mendez had his moments, including a number of accurate left hooks to Akhmedov’s head and some body shots. He simply didn’t throw enough punches to give himself a chance to win.

All three judges had Akhmedov winning after eight rounds, 79-73, 79-73 and 77-75.

Akhmedov has now won twice since his disputed unanimous-decision loss to Barrios in September 2019. Mendez, a former junior lightweight titleholder, is now 0-2-2 in his last four fights and hasn’t had his hand raised since 2018.

Batyr Akhmedov outworks, stops Argenis Mendez after eight rounds

Batyr Akhmedov outworked and stopped Argenis Mendez after eight rounds on Saturday in Atlanta.

Batyr Akhmedov’s hard work paid off again.

The former Olympian from Uzbekistan outworked and ultimately stopped Argenis Mendez after eight rounds in a scheduled 12-round 140-pound bout on the Gervonta Davis-Mario Barrios card Saturday in Atlanta.

Mendez (25-7-3, 12 KOs) claimed in his corner after Round 8 that he couldn’t continue because of an injury to his right hand.

However, Akhmedov (9-1, 8 KOs) kept pressure on his Dominican opponent from the opening bell and landed consistently, particularly hard punches to the body.

Mendez had his moments, including a number of accurate left hooks to Akhmedov’s head and some body shots. He simply didn’t throw enough punches to give himself a chance to win.

All three judges had Akhmedov winning after eight rounds, 79-73, 79-73 and 77-75.

Akhmedov has now won twice since his disputed unanimous-decision loss to Barrios in September 2019. Mendez, a former junior lightweight titleholder, is now 0-2-2 in his last four fights and hasn’t had his hand raised since 2018.

Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios: 5 questions (and answers) going into showdown

Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios: 5 questions (and answers) going into the pay-per-view showdown on Saturday.

Gervonta Davis is moving up from 130 pounds to 140 to face unbeaten Mario Barrios in a pay-per-view fight Saturday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

“Tank” is perceived as the better fighter but Barrios (26-0, 17 KOs) has a distinct size advantage, which some believe could be an equalizer.

And although Davis (24-0, 23 KOs) has been a huge puncher at lower weights, no one knows whether he’ll be able to carry his power to the higher division or take shots from a bigger, stronger man.

Bottom line: It’s a fascinating matchup, one that raises a number of questions. Here are five:

WILL DAVIS CARRY HIS POWER TO 140 POUNDS?

That’s the key question going into the fight. The answer? I think so. Davis will be fighting a legitimate 140-pounder for the first time, which could be a challenge for him. We’ve seen many fighters – some of them outstanding — plateau as they move up in weight. I’ll just tell you what I believe: Davis is a born puncher with a special delivery system, which he has demonstrated fight after fight. The uppercut that ended Leo Santa Cruz’s night in October might’ve stopped the average middleweight. Cynics might point out that it took him 12 rounds to stop 38-year-old Yuriorkis Gamboa at 135 pounds in 2019 and ask, “How is he supposed to hurt a prime Mario Barrios at 140? Well, I wouldn’t read too much into the fight against Gamboa, who was in survival mode from beginning to end. Davis can crack. And I’m pretty sure that won’t change at junior welterweight.

WILL DAVIS BE ABLE TO HANDLE BARRIOS’ POWER?

That’s a tougher question. I don’t remember ever seeing Davis hurt, which suggests to me that he has been durable at 135 and below. However, he’s now facing a bigger man now. And Barrios is no ordinary junior welterweight when it comes to power. He has stopped nine of his last 10 opponents, meaning he has actually knocked out foes at higher rate as he has stepped up his opposition. He can punch. The natural question here is: Will Barrios be able to land the kind of shots or shots that might buzz Davis? That could be the key to his success. If he’s able to land hard, damaging blows, that could throw Davis off his game and make this a closer fight than most people believe it will be.

WHO’S THE BETTER BOXER?

Davis. Barrios’ ability shouldn’t be underestimated. He had a long, productive amateur career that gave him a solid technical foundation. And he’s now working with renowned guru Virgil Hunter, who has put polish on an already-glossy product. Barrios is a very good boxer. His problem? Davis is a special boxer, the type that doesn’t come around often. He has natural gifts, speed, athleticism, that power. He also had a successful amateur career, reportedly finishing 205-15. And, under the expert guidance of trainer Calvin Ford, he has evolved into a formidable technician. That ability has allowed him to land the well-timed, precise punches that have stopped all but one of his opponents.

WHAT DOES A VICTORY DO FOR BOTH MEN?

If Davis wins, he will have defeated notable opponents at three different weight classes consecutively. Who does that? It’s way too early to compare him to the likes of Henry Armstrong, who held championships in three divisions simultaneously. At the same time, Davis’ accomplishment will have an old-school feel that will be appealing to many fans. This is a bold move for Davis even if you don’t see Barrios as a legitimate threat. A victory surely will add to his already-massive following. Barrios? Size advantage or no size advantage, he will instantaneously become a major player if he can pull this one off. That would mean fame, fortune and the thing about which all fighters dream: a shot at a legitimate world title.

WILL THE FIGHT BE COMPETITIVE?

Probably not. Davis is a level above Barrios pound-for-pound. He’s a better boxer with more experience in big fights. And although we don’t know whether he’ll bring his power up to 140, he has been one of the most-devastating punchers in the sport at lower weights. Again, Barrios is good; Davis is special. Barrios’ not-so-secret weapon could be his size advantage, which also includes height and reach. If he can exploit his advantages – and keep Davis honest with his punching power – he’ll have a chance. That’s a big “if,” though. I learned a long time ago that you should pick the more-talented guy to win unless he’s in an unusually difficult situation. This isn’t one of those. Davis will win by late knockout.

[lawrence-related id=21374,21362,20410]

Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios: 5 questions (and answers) going into showdown

Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios: 5 questions (and answers) going into the pay-per-view showdown on Saturday.

Gervonta Davis is moving up from 130 pounds to 140 to face unbeaten Mario Barrios in a pay-per-view fight Saturday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

“Tank” is perceived as the better fighter but Barrios (26-0, 17 KOs) has a distinct size advantage, which some believe could be an equalizer.

And although Davis (24-0, 23 KOs) has been a huge puncher at lower weights, no one knows whether he’ll be able to carry his power to the higher division or take shots from a bigger, stronger man.

Bottom line: It’s a fascinating matchup, one that raises a number of questions. Here are five:

WILL DAVIS CARRY HIS POWER TO 140 POUNDS?

That’s the key question going into the fight. The answer? I think so. Davis will be fighting a legitimate 140-pounder for the first time, which could be a challenge for him. We’ve seen many fighters – some of them outstanding — plateau as they move up in weight. I’ll just tell you what I believe: Davis is a born puncher with a special delivery system, which he has demonstrated fight after fight. The uppercut that ended Leo Santa Cruz’s night in October might’ve stopped the average middleweight. Cynics might point out that it took him 12 rounds to stop 38-year-old Yuriorkis Gamboa at 135 pounds in 2019 and ask, “How is he supposed to hurt a prime Mario Barrios at 140? Well, I wouldn’t read too much into the fight against Gamboa, who was in survival mode from beginning to end. Davis can crack. And I’m pretty sure that won’t change at junior welterweight.

WILL DAVIS BE ABLE TO HANDLE BARRIOS’ POWER?

That’s a tougher question. I don’t remember ever seeing Davis hurt, which suggests to me that he has been durable at 135 and below. However, he’s now facing a bigger man now. And Barrios is no ordinary junior welterweight when it comes to power. He has stopped nine of his last 10 opponents, meaning he has actually knocked out foes at higher rate as he has stepped up his opposition. He can punch. The natural question here is: Will Barrios be able to land the kind of shots or shots that might buzz Davis? That could be the key to his success. If he’s able to land hard, damaging blows, that could throw Davis off his game and make this a closer fight than most people believe it will be.

WHO’S THE BETTER BOXER?

Davis. Barrios’ ability shouldn’t be underestimated. He had a long, productive amateur career that gave him a solid technical foundation. And he’s now working with renowned guru Virgil Hunter, who has put polish on an already-glossy product. Barrios is a very good boxer. His problem? Davis is a special boxer, the type that doesn’t come around often. He has natural gifts, speed, athleticism, that power. He also had a successful amateur career, reportedly finishing 205-15. And, under the expert guidance of trainer Calvin Ford, he has evolved into a formidable technician. That ability has allowed him to land the well-timed, precise punches that have stopped all but one of his opponents.

WHAT DOES A VICTORY DO FOR BOTH MEN?

If Davis wins, he will have defeated notable opponents at three different weight classes consecutively. Who does that? It’s way too early to compare him to the likes of Henry Armstrong, who held championships in three divisions simultaneously. At the same time, Davis’ accomplishment will have an old-school feel that will be appealing to many fans. This is a bold move for Davis even if you don’t see Barrios as a legitimate threat. A victory surely will add to his already-massive following. Barrios? Size advantage or no size advantage, he will instantaneously become a major player if he can pull this one off. That would mean fame, fortune and the thing about which all fighters dream: a shot at a legitimate world title.

WILL THE FIGHT BE COMPETITIVE?

Probably not. Davis is a level above Barrios pound-for-pound. He’s a better boxer with more experience in big fights. And although we don’t know whether he’ll bring his power up to 140, he has been one of the most-devastating punchers in the sport at lower weights. Again, Barrios is good; Davis is special. Barrios’ not-so-secret weapon could be his size advantage, which also includes height and reach. If he can exploit his advantages – and keep Davis honest with his punching power – he’ll have a chance. That’s a big “if,” though. I learned a long time ago that you should pick the more-talented guy to win unless he’s in an unusually difficult situation. This isn’t one of those. Davis will win by late knockout.

[lawrence-related id=21374,21362,20410]

Gervonta Davis expects to be at his best 140 pounds

Gervonta Davis said he expects to be at his best when he fights Mario Barrios at 140 pounds on June 26.

The news that Gervonta Davis would fight Mario Barrios on June 26 took many by surprise.

Not so much because of Barrios’ ability – although he certainly is a good fighter – but because of his size. Davis last fought Leo Santa Cruz at 130 pounds in October; the Davis-Barrios fight will take place at 140.

Why is Davis doing it? “Because I want to be great,” he said Thursday afternoon during the kick-off news conference for the pay-per-view fight, which will take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

Barrios holds a secondary junior welterweight title.

“We know that Barrios is a bigger guy and that he can punch,” Davis said. “We’re working hard each day in the gym, because we’re going up against a big task on June 26.

“We all have challenges we go through in life, and that’s what makes us strong. This is another challenge that I have on my road to success. I’m ready to walk through it and keep pushing.”

Gervonta Davis was as confident as ever during Thursday’s news conference. Esther Lin / Showtime

Davis (24-0, 23 KOs) is known for his punching power, which was on full display when he put Santa Cruz away with a single uppercut. And he has fought above 130 pounds as recently as December 2019, when he stopped Yuriorkis Gamboa in the 12th round of a 135-pound bout.

Barrios (26-0, 17 KOs) is a full-fledged 140-pounder, though. That means he’s accustomed to taking punches from bigger men. And while he doesn’t necessarily have one-punch knockout power, he can hurt opponents. He has stopped nine of his past 10 opponents, including Ryan Karl in six rounds in October.

Barrios also is quite a bit taller than Davis, 5-foot-10 to 5-5½, which was starkly evident when they did their stare down on Thursday.

Davis is well aware of all of the above.

“We know this is a dangerous fight,” he said. “Barrios is coming with power and you know for sure I’m coming with power. May the best man win. I took this fight because I want to be great.

“All the other big names at lightweight had scheduled fights so I felt like I wanted to go out and beat the best fighter out there for me. Even if he is bigger than me on fight night, it doesn’t matter. This is all part of the sport.  My goal is to break him down.

“If I can get him out of there, I’ll get him out of there. If it goes 12 rounds, so be it. He’s big and strong, but he’s never faced anyone like me.”

Another reasonable question: Will Davis lose quickness at the higher weight?

Everyone who talks about Davis focuses on his punching power, for good reason. He’s also an excellent boxer and athlete with unusual hand and foot speed. He’ll be carrying considerably more weight on June 26.

Should he be concerned?

“I’m not worried about losing any speed by adding weight,” he said. “I’m going to be quick, regardless. I think I’m going to be at my best at 140 pounds.”

If that’s true, Barrios could be in for a long – or short – night.

Gervonta Davis expects to be at his best 140 pounds

Gervonta Davis said he expects to be at his best when he fights Mario Barrios at 140 pounds on June 26.

The news that Gervonta Davis would fight Mario Barrios on June 26 took many by surprise.

Not so much because of Barrios’ ability – although he certainly is a good fighter – but because of his size. Davis last fought Leo Santa Cruz at 130 pounds in October; the Davis-Barrios fight will take place at 140.

Why is Davis doing it? “Because I want to be great,” he said Thursday afternoon during the kick-off news conference for the pay-per-view fight, which will take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

Barrios holds a secondary junior welterweight title.

“We know that Barrios is a bigger guy and that he can punch,” Davis said. “We’re working hard each day in the gym, because we’re going up against a big task on June 26.

“We all have challenges we go through in life, and that’s what makes us strong. This is another challenge that I have on my road to success. I’m ready to walk through it and keep pushing.”

Gervonta Davis was as confident as ever during Thursday’s news conference. Esther Lin / Showtime

Davis (24-0, 23 KOs) is known for his punching power, which was on full display when he put Santa Cruz away with a single uppercut. And he has fought above 130 pounds as recently as December 2019, when he stopped Yuriorkis Gamboa in the 12th round of a 135-pound bout.

Barrios (26-0, 17 KOs) is a full-fledged 140-pounder, though. That means he’s accustomed to taking punches from bigger men. And while he doesn’t necessarily have one-punch knockout power, he can hurt opponents. He has stopped nine of his past 10 opponents, including Ryan Karl in six rounds in October.

Barrios also is quite a bit taller than Davis, 5-foot-10 to 5-5½, which was starkly evident when they did their stare down on Thursday.

Davis is well aware of all of the above.

“We know this is a dangerous fight,” he said. “Barrios is coming with power and you know for sure I’m coming with power. May the best man win. I took this fight because I want to be great.

“All the other big names at lightweight had scheduled fights so I felt like I wanted to go out and beat the best fighter out there for me. Even if he is bigger than me on fight night, it doesn’t matter. This is all part of the sport.  My goal is to break him down.

“If I can get him out of there, I’ll get him out of there. If it goes 12 rounds, so be it. He’s big and strong, but he’s never faced anyone like me.”

Another reasonable question: Will Davis lose quickness at the higher weight?

Everyone who talks about Davis focuses on his punching power, for good reason. He’s also an excellent boxer and athlete with unusual hand and foot speed. He’ll be carrying considerably more weight on June 26.

Should he be concerned?

“I’m not worried about losing any speed by adding weight,” he said. “I’m going to be quick, regardless. I think I’m going to be at my best at 140 pounds.”

If that’s true, Barrios could be in for a long – or short – night.

Mario Barrios stops Ryan Karl in six rounds

Mario Barrios stopped Ryan Karl in six rounds on the Gervonta Davis-Leo Santa Cruz card Saturday in San Antonio.

Mario Barrios punctuated a strong performance with a brutal knockout of Ryan Karl on the Gervonta Davis-Leo Santa Cruz card Saturday in San Antonio, Barrios’ hometown.

Barrios (26-0, 17 KOs) and Karl (18-3, 12 KOs) engaged in a spirited give-and-take fight for five-plus rounds of the scheduled 12-round 140-pound fight, although Barrios was more accurate with his punches and landed the bigger blows.

Then, in the sixth, came his biggest blow. A straight right forced Karl to one knee. He got up, held onto Barrios to regain his senses, started to fire back and then ran into a different problem.

A clash of heads caused a gruesome cut above and on the inside of his left eye, which immediately gushed blood. Karl was allowed to continue but, still hurt, he went down again under a flurry of punches and the fight was stopped.

The end came at 2:23 of Round 6.

“I knew he would come out hard,” Barrios said. “But I knew that his only chance, to come with everything. I was in there, patient, picking my shots. And I started to really land ’em and I got him out of there.”

Barrios was defending a secondary junior welterweight bout.

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Mario Barrios stops Ryan Karl in six rounds

Mario Barrios stopped Ryan Karl in six rounds on the Gervonta Davis-Leo Santa Cruz card Saturday in San Antonio.

Mario Barrios punctuated a strong performance with a brutal knockout of Ryan Karl on the Gervonta Davis-Leo Santa Cruz card Saturday in San Antonio, Barrios’ hometown.

Barrios (26-0, 17 KOs) and Karl (18-3, 12 KOs) engaged in a spirited give-and-take fight for five-plus rounds of the scheduled 12-round 140-pound fight, although Barrios was more accurate with his punches and landed the bigger blows.

Then, in the sixth, came his biggest blow. A straight right forced Karl to one knee. He got up, held onto Barrios to regain his senses, started to fire back and then ran into a different problem.

A clash of heads caused a gruesome cut above and on the inside of his left eye, which immediately gushed blood. Karl was allowed to continue but, still hurt, he went down again under a flurry of punches and the fight was stopped.

The end came at 2:23 of Round 6.

“I knew he would come out hard,” Barrios said. “But I knew that his only chance, to come with everything. I was in there, patient, picking my shots. And I started to really land ’em and I got him out of there.”

Barrios was defending a secondary junior welterweight bout.

[lawrence-related id=15189,15186]