Tag: Mauricio Lara

Katie Taylor defeats Jennifer Han by a shutout decision

Katie Taylor defeated Jennifer Han by a shutout decision on the Josh Warrington-Maurico Lara card Saturday in Leeds, England.

Bring on Amanda Serrano?

Jennifer Han was no match in her fight against Katie Taylor on the Josh Warrington-Mauricio Lara card Saturday in Leeds, England, which Taylor won by a shutout decision.

Thus, Taylor once again retains her lightweight championship and looks ahead to bigger fights.

That could mean a showdown with fellow pound-for-pounder Serrano, a seven-division titleholder who currently holds a featherweight belt.

Han (18-4-1, 1 KO) is a former 126-pound champ who moved up to 135 in her previous fight. However, it was the ability and speed of Taylor (19-0, 6 KOs) that seemed to trouble Han more than any size disadvantage.

Taylor seemed to be a step ahead of Han the entire fight, beating her to the punch and landed many more eye-catching blows than the fighter from El Paso, Texas, who wasn’t active enough to win rounds.

Han was never hurt by her Irish opponent but she went down after a flurry of punches in Round 8.

Of course, that didn’t matter much on the cards. All three judges had the same score, 100-89 in Taylor’s favor. Boxing Junkie scored it 99-90 for Taylor.

She would’ve liked to score a knockout but she said Han, a capable boxer, made that difficult.

“She was very good at surviving,” Taylor said. “She’s very crafty, very slippery.

Taylor then moved on to the future. She could face Serrano, who easily outpointed Yamileth Mercado last weekend. Another option is to move up to 147 pounds and take on Jessica McCaskill.

Taylor isn’t picky.

“I’m willing to fight anyone at any weight,” she said. “I want the big fights.’

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Conor Benn easily outpoints Adrian Granados on Warrington-Lara card

Conor Benn easily outpointed Adrian Granados on the Josh Warrington-Mauricio Lara card Saturday in Leeds, England.

Conor Benn followed the lead of other elite fighters against Adrian Granados on the Josh Warrington-Maurico Lara card Saturday in Leeds, England.

Benn easily outpointed his American opponent, who made a name for himself as a stepping stone against the likes of Adrien Broner, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert Easter.

Benn (19-0, 12 KOs) fought aggressively from the outset, winging big punches and connecting on many of them. That included some punishing body blows, particularly in the middle rounds.

Granados (21-9-3, 15 KOs) was competitive but he spent much of the fight trying to keep Benn off of him, mostly by moving his feet.

The Essex fighter was unable to take out Granados, who has been stopped only by big-punching Danny Garcia. However, he won by a wide decision. The scores were 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93.

Benn said afterward that he was disappointed that Granados chose to move instead of engage him.

“It was very frustrating,” he said. “He was talking like we were going to come together like Mack Trucks, and he was on his bike the whole fight. I was ready to go toe to toe and let him have it.”

Benn is ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, meaning he’s closing in on a title shot. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, said Benn will be back in the ring in December.

 

 

 

 

Conor Benn easily outpoints Adrian Granados on Warrington-Lara card

Conor Benn easily outpointed Adrian Granados on the Josh Warrington-Mauricio Lara card Saturday in Leeds, England.

Conor Benn followed the lead of other elite fighters against Adrian Granados on the Josh Warrington-Maurico Lara card Saturday in Leeds, England.

Benn easily outpointed his American opponent, who made a name for himself as a stepping stone against the likes of Adrien Broner, Shawn Porter, Danny Garcia and Robert Easter.

Benn (19-0, 12 KOs) fought aggressively from the outset, winging big punches and connecting on many of them. That included some punishing body blows, particularly in the middle rounds.

Granados (21-9-3, 15 KOs) was competitive but he spent much of the fight trying to keep Benn off of him, mostly by moving his feet.

The Essex fighter was unable to take out Granados, who has been stopped only by big-punching Danny Garcia. However, he won by a wide decision. The scores were 100-90, 99-91 and 97-93.

Benn said afterward that he was disappointed that Granados chose to move instead of engage him.

“It was very frustrating,” he said. “He was talking like we were going to come together like Mack Trucks, and he was on his bike the whole fight. I was ready to go toe to toe and let him have it.”

Benn is ranked by three of the four major sanctioning bodies, meaning he’s closing in on a title shot. His promoter, Eddie Hearn, said Benn will be back in the ring in December.

 

 

 

 

Mauricio Lara vs. Josh Warrington: date, time, how to watch, background

Mauricio Lara vs. Josh Warrington: date, time, how to watch, background.

FIGHT WEEK

MAURICIO LARA WILL TRY TO PROVE HIS KNOCKOUT VICTORY OVER JOSH WARRINGTON IN FEBRUARY WAS NO FLUKE.

***

MAURICIO LARA (23-2, 16 KOs)
VS. JOSH WARRINGTON (30-1, 7 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 4
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT
  • Where: Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, England
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Cost: DAZN is $19.99 per month or $99 annually
  • Division: Featherweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Warrington 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Katie Taylor vs. Jennifer Han, lightweights (for Taylor’s IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles); Conor Benn vs. Adrian Granados, welterweights; Jovanni Straffon vs. Maxi Hughes, lightweights
  • Prediction: Warrington UD
  • Background: The last time Warrington fought Lara things didn’t go well. The then-undefeated Leeds fighter took a terrible beating from then-unknown Mauricio Lara in February, leaving the SSE Arena ring with a ninth-round knockout loss, a fractured jaw, a shoulder injury and a perforated eardrum. Less than seven months later, Warrington is stepping right back into the cauldron. The former featherweight titleholder said afterward that he underestimated the hard-punching Mexican and he believes he’s the more-skillful fighter, which he plans to demonstrate on Saturday. “I’ve watched the first fight a dozen times,” he said. “I’m mentally and physically prepared for Mauricio. It won’t be the same result. I want revenge.” His career appears to be on the line. If he wins, he’s more or less back to where he was before the first fight. If he loses, it will be difficult to rebuild. Meanwhile, Lara, who instantaneously became a major player in the division, is out to prove that his victory in the first fight was no fluke. Also on the card, Katie Taylor (18-0, 6 KOs) defends her undisputed lightweight championship against Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KO). The gifted Irishwoman is coming off a close 10-round decision over Natasha Jonas in May. Han, from El Paso, Texas, has won eight consecutive fights – all in her hometown – but is taking a significant step up in opposition.

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Mauricio Lara vs. Josh Warrington: date, time, how to watch, background

Mauricio Lara vs. Josh Warrington: date, time, how to watch, background.

FIGHT WEEK

MAURICIO LARA WILL TRY TO PROVE HIS KNOCKOUT VICTORY OVER JOSH WARRINGTON IN FEBRUARY WAS NO FLUKE.

***

MAURICIO LARA (23-2, 16 KOs)
VS. JOSH WARRINGTON (30-1, 7 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 4
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT
  • Where: Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, England
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Cost: DAZN is $19.99 per month or $99 annually
  • Division: Featherweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Warrington 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Katie Taylor vs. Jennifer Han, lightweights (for Taylor’s IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles); Conor Benn vs. Adrian Granados, welterweights; Jovanni Straffon vs. Maxi Hughes, lightweights
  • Prediction: Warrington UD
  • Background: The last time Warrington fought Lara things didn’t go well. The then-undefeated Leeds fighter took a terrible beating from then-unknown Mauricio Lara in February, leaving the SSE Arena ring with a ninth-round knockout loss, a fractured jaw, a shoulder injury and a perforated eardrum. Less than seven months later, Warrington is stepping right back into the cauldron. The former featherweight titleholder said afterward that he underestimated the hard-punching Mexican and he believes he’s the more-skillful fighter, which he plans to demonstrate on Saturday. “I’ve watched the first fight a dozen times,” he said. “I’m mentally and physically prepared for Mauricio. It won’t be the same result. I want revenge.” His career appears to be on the line. If he wins, he’s more or less back to where he was before the first fight. If he loses, it will be difficult to rebuild. Meanwhile, Lara, who instantaneously became a major player in the division, is out to prove that his victory in the first fight was no fluke. Also on the card, Katie Taylor (18-0, 6 KOs) defends her undisputed lightweight championship against Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KO). The gifted Irishwoman is coming off a close 10-round decision over Natasha Jonas in May. Han, from El Paso, Texas, has won eight consecutive fights – all in her hometown – but is taking a significant step up in opposition.

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Video: Josh Warrington: Road to Redemption

Video: Josh Warrington looks back on his loss to Mauricio Lara and ahead to their rematch in “Road to Redemption.”

Editor’s note: This video is courtesy of DAZN.com.

***

Josh Warrington has a big task in front of him.

The former featherweight titleholder from England was stopped in nine rounds and injured in multiple places by relative unknown Mexican Mauricio Lara this past February in London.

The two will go at it again on Saturday in Leeds, England (DAZN), which gives the more-accomplished Warrington (30-1, 7 KOs) a chance to correct his misstep in his hometown.

In the video below, titled “Road to Redemption,” Warrington discusses the first fight against Lara (23-2, 16 KOs) and gives his thoughts on the rematch.

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Video: Josh Warrington: Road to Redemption

Video: Josh Warrington looks back on his loss to Mauricio Lara and ahead to their rematch in “Road to Redemption.”

Editor’s note: This video is courtesy of DAZN.com.

***

Josh Warrington has a big task in front of him.

The former featherweight titleholder from England was stopped in nine rounds and injured in multiple places by relative unknown Mexican Mauricio Lara this past February in London.

The two will go at it again on Saturday in Leeds, England (DAZN), which gives the more-accomplished Warrington (30-1, 7 KOs) a chance to correct his misstep in his hometown.

In the video below, titled “Road to Redemption,” Warrington discusses the first fight against Lara (23-2, 16 KOs) and gives his thoughts on the rematch.

[mm-video type=video id=01fefmxncvc6k7vp809n playlist_id=01ex3c0gtj5213kdqg player_id=none image=]

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Fight Week: The return of KO artist Jesus Ramos Jr. and Lara-Warrington II

Fight Week: KO artist Jesus Ramos Jr. returns against Brian Mendoza, and Mauricio Lara and Josh Warrington will do it a second time.

FIGHT WEEK

20-YEAR-OLD WELTERWEIGHT CONTENDER JESUS RAMOS JR. RETURNS AGAINST BRIAN MENDOZA. AND MAURICIO LARA AND JOSH WARRINGTON DO IT AGAIN.

***

MAURICIO LARA (23-2, 16 KOs)
VS. JOSH WARRINGTON (30-1, 7 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 4
  • Where: Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, England
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Featherweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Warrington 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Katie Taylor vs. Jennifer Han, lightweights (for Taylor’s IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles); Conor Benn vs. Adrian Granados, welterweights; Jovanni Straffon vs. Maxi Hughes, lightweights
  • Prediction: Warrington UD
  • Background: The last time Warrington fought Lara things didn’t go well. The then-undefeated Leeds fighter took a terrible beating from then-unknown Mauricio Lara in February, leaving the SSE Arena ring with a ninth-round knockout loss, a fractured jaw, a shoulder injury and a perforated eardrum. Less than seven months later, Warrington is stepping right back into the cauldron. The former featherweight titleholder said afterward that he underestimated the hard-punching Mexican and he believes he’s the more-skillful fighter, which he plans to demonstrate on Saturday. “I’ve watched the first fight a dozen times,” he said. “I’m mentally and physically prepared for Mauricio. It won’t be the same result. I want revenge.” His career appears to be on the line. If he wins, he’s more or less back to where he was before the first fight. If he loses, it will be difficult to rebuild. Meanwhile, Lara, who instantaneously became a major player in the division, is out to prove that his victory in the first fight was no fluke. Also on the card, Katie Taylor (18-0, 6 KOs) defends her undisputed lightweight championship against Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KO). The gifted Irishwoman is coming off a close 10-round decision over Natasha Jonas in May. Han, from El Paso, Texas, has won eight consecutive fights – all in her hometown – but is taking a significant step up in opposition.

***

JESUS RAMOS JR. (16-0, 14 KOs)
VS. BRIAN MENDOZA (191, 13 KOs)

  • When: Sunday, Sept. 5
  • Where: The Armory, Minneapolis
  • TV/Stream: Fox
  • Division: Welterweights or junior middleweights
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Starling Castillo vs. Juan Carlos Burgos, lightweights; Armando Resendiz vs. Marcos Hernandez, middleweights
  • Prediction: Ramos KO 6
  • Background: Ramos, a 20-year-old welterweight contender, is one of the brightest young stars in the sport. The Arizonan’s power is obvious but he reminded everyone in his last outing that he can also box well and go the distance, as he kept the pressure on veteran Javier Molina and won a wide unanimous decision on the Andy Ruiz Jr.-Chris Arreola card in May. Ramos had never gone past the sixth round in any fight. He has said he hopes to win a world title before his 22nd birthday. Mendoza is coming off his biggest victory, a unanimous decision over Thomas Lamanna at 154 pounds in his first 10-rounder almost exactly a year ago. That followed his only loss, a split decision against Larry Gomez in an eight-round fight the previous November. Mendoza has demonstrated that he can punch but he hasn’t faced anyone near the level of Ramos.

***

Also fighting this weekend: Kazuto Ioka (26-2, 15 KOs) defends his WBO 115-pound title against Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (34-4-1, 24 KOs) on Wednesday in Tokyo (no TV in U.S.). And Cletus Seldin (25-1, 21 KOs) faces Fernando David Saucedo (63-9-3, 10 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round 140-pound fight Saturday in Huntington, N.Y. (FITE).

Fight Week: The return of KO artist Jesus Ramos Jr. and Lara-Warrington II

Fight Week: KO artist Jesus Ramos Jr. returns against Brian Mendoza, and Mauricio Lara and Josh Warrington will do it a second time.

FIGHT WEEK

20-YEAR-OLD WELTERWEIGHT CONTENDER JESUS RAMOS JR. RETURNS AGAINST BRIAN MENDOZA. AND MAURICIO LARA AND JOSH WARRINGTON DO IT AGAIN.

***

MAURICIO LARA (23-2, 16 KOs)
VS. JOSH WARRINGTON (30-1, 7 KOs)

  • When: Saturday, Sept. 4
  • Where: Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, England
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Featherweight
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Warrington 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Katie Taylor vs. Jennifer Han, lightweights (for Taylor’s IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO titles); Conor Benn vs. Adrian Granados, welterweights; Jovanni Straffon vs. Maxi Hughes, lightweights
  • Prediction: Warrington UD
  • Background: The last time Warrington fought Lara things didn’t go well. The then-undefeated Leeds fighter took a terrible beating from then-unknown Mauricio Lara in February, leaving the SSE Arena ring with a ninth-round knockout loss, a fractured jaw, a shoulder injury and a perforated eardrum. Less than seven months later, Warrington is stepping right back into the cauldron. The former featherweight titleholder said afterward that he underestimated the hard-punching Mexican and he believes he’s the more-skillful fighter, which he plans to demonstrate on Saturday. “I’ve watched the first fight a dozen times,” he said. “I’m mentally and physically prepared for Mauricio. It won’t be the same result. I want revenge.” His career appears to be on the line. If he wins, he’s more or less back to where he was before the first fight. If he loses, it will be difficult to rebuild. Meanwhile, Lara, who instantaneously became a major player in the division, is out to prove that his victory in the first fight was no fluke. Also on the card, Katie Taylor (18-0, 6 KOs) defends her undisputed lightweight championship against Jennifer Han (18-3-1, 1 KO). The gifted Irishwoman is coming off a close 10-round decision over Natasha Jonas in May. Han, from El Paso, Texas, has won eight consecutive fights – all in her hometown – but is taking a significant step up in opposition.

***

JESUS RAMOS JR. (16-0, 14 KOs)
VS. BRIAN MENDOZA (191, 13 KOs)

  • When: Sunday, Sept. 5
  • Where: The Armory, Minneapolis
  • TV/Stream: Fox
  • Division: Welterweights or junior middleweights
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Starling Castillo vs. Juan Carlos Burgos, lightweights; Armando Resendiz vs. Marcos Hernandez, middleweights
  • Prediction: Ramos KO 6
  • Background: Ramos, a 20-year-old welterweight contender, is one of the brightest young stars in the sport. The Arizonan’s power is obvious but he reminded everyone in his last outing that he can also box well and go the distance, as he kept the pressure on veteran Javier Molina and won a wide unanimous decision on the Andy Ruiz Jr.-Chris Arreola card in May. Ramos had never gone past the sixth round in any fight. He has said he hopes to win a world title before his 22nd birthday. Mendoza is coming off his biggest victory, a unanimous decision over Thomas Lamanna at 154 pounds in his first 10-rounder almost exactly a year ago. That followed his only loss, a split decision against Larry Gomez in an eight-round fight the previous November. Mendoza has demonstrated that he can punch but he hasn’t faced anyone near the level of Ramos.

***

Also fighting this weekend: Kazuto Ioka (26-2, 15 KOs) defends his WBO 115-pound title against Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (34-4-1, 24 KOs) on Wednesday in Tokyo (no TV in U.S.). And Cletus Seldin (25-1, 21 KOs) faces Fernando David Saucedo (63-9-3, 10 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round 140-pound fight Saturday in Huntington, N.Y. (FITE).

Josh Warrington grateful for support after disappointment

Josh Warrington is grateful for the support he’s received after his knockout loss to Mauricio Lara.

Josh Warrington had the worst night of his career on Saturday but found some gratification for the support he received afterward.

Warrington was brutally knocked out by relative unknown Mexican Mauricio Lara on Saturday in London, the former featherweight titleholder’s first defeat. He fought bravely after a harrowing fourth round but couldn’t get out of the ninth round.

The Leeds fighter received thousands of positive messages from fans in the wake of his disappointment, which has made the setback at least somewhat easier to swallow.

“The support from the public in Leeds has been overwhelming,” he said. “Also, boxing fans from all over Britain have shown concern and sent lovely messages.

“It’s not been the best weekend, even Leeds United were beaten at Arsenal, but I just wanted to take time to say how much these positive messages and social media posts are appreciated.”

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Warrington and his wife, Natasha, traveled back home to Leeds in the early morning hours Sunday to celebrate the third birthday of their twin daughters, Elize and Oliva.

“Being around my wife and my girls on their third birthday was special,” he said. “They will always make me smile. Their birthday and hearing from so many well-wishers has been a great boost.

“Obviously, I’m hurting inside. I’ve lost my unbeaten record. That’s something I have treasured, and it is a dent. Anyone who knows me can tell you I stand proud.”

Warrington (30-1, 7 KOs) plans to return to the ring.

The 30-year-old will see a shoulder specialist but, according to his promoter, he doesn’t expect any long-term issues from that or other injuries he suffered in the fight. He reportedly also injured his jaw.

He said he, father/trainer Sean O’Hagan, manager Steve Wood and promoter Eddie Hearn will soon plan his comeback.

“I have a small, close-knit team around me and it will not be long before I am ready to start the climb back to the top of the featherweight division,” he said. “I may not have to prove myself to my fans, but I want to show them and my rivals that I still belong at the very highest level.

“Good luck to Mauricio Lara, who is a serious opponent for anybody. He is heavy-handed and holds power that will trouble any featherweight. Will we meet again in a boxing ring? Who knows. We only fought a couple of days ago. But if the chance comes, I will jump at it.

“It’s now about having a break after 15 months in the gym, recharging my batteries, letting the injuries heal and becoming a two-time world champion. I thank everyone again from the bottom of my heart and I can’t wait until we’re lifting the roof off Leeds Arena once more, singing ‘Marching On Together.’”