Tag: Otabek Kholmatov

Weekend Review: Raymond Ford, Jake Paul KOs, Amanda Serrano’s bizarre fate

Weekend Review: Raymond Ford and Jake Paul delivered dramatic KOs. Amanda Serrano suffered a bizarre fate.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER I
Raymond Ford

That’s how you make a statement. Ford, the talented 24-year-old from Camden, New Jersey, was in big trouble as the seconds would down in his battle with Otabek Kholmatov for a vacant 126-pound title Saturday in Verona, New York. He was up on one card (105-104) but behind on the other two (106-103 on both) after 11 entertaining, brutal rounds. He needed multiple knockdowns or a knockout in the final round or the Uzbek would be crowned champion. Ford chose the knockout. He hurt Kholmatov with about 30 seconds left and then seized the remarkable moment, attacking with all the ferocity he had in him before the referee stopped the fight with only seven seconds remaining. It was one of the most memorable stoppages in recent years, one for which Ford certainly will be remembered over the years. So too Kholmatov, unfortunately for him. Rematch? Doesn’t sound likely, at least not immediately. Ford indicated after the fight that he had trouble making 126 and would likely move up to 130. He’ll probably feel stronger at that weight, which could help him avoid scoring deficits going forward. That could mean that no more Hail Marys will be necessary..

 

BIGGEST WINNER II
Jake Paul

I get why Paul riles hardcore boxing fan. The guy came out of nowhere, with no boxing background, a crude skill set and a big mouth. And he makes more money and gets more attention than all but a few genuine boxers. That infuriates people. Not me. I wish boxing had a higher profile and that all legitimate fighters could make enough money to set themselves up for life. God knows they earn it. However, I don’t think it’s right to begrudge Paul what he’s earning, both in dollars and headlines. He’s doesn’t have the ability or experience of the top boxers but no one since Floyd Mayweather is better at self-marketing, which I admire. There obviously is a demand for his goods and he delivers them, fight after fight after fight. And he appears to be improving in the ring. I don’t believe his first-round knockout of the chubby Ryan Bourland on Saturday in Puerto Rico means Paul is ready for the “big leagues,” as he called elite boxing. At the same time I liked his footwork, I liked his jab, I liked his body work. And knockouts are always fun to watch. He seems to be evolving, even it’s happening slowly. Can he beat contenders? God no. Can he continue to deliver entertaining performances against increasingly capable opponents? I believe that’s realistic.

 

MOST BIZARRE
Serrano-Meinke cancelation

The sight of Serrano crying in the ring after her title defense against Nina Meinke was canceled at the last minute was difficult to see. Fighting for her home-country fans in Puerto Rico meant everything to her, more than money, more than legacy, more than anything. The fact officials there wouldn’t allow her to fight because of a bizarre eye injury left her devastated. “I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart,” she said to the crowd at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan as she held back tears. Heartbreaking. The injury? Bizarre might not be a strong enough word. She evidently had her hair dyed on Thursday. On Friday, the dye dripped into her eye and damaged her cornea. And she was declared “medically unfit” to fight. I trust that she – and everyone else who uses dye – will be careful to avoid such an unfortunate mistake going forward. One more thing: Should Serrano or co-promoter Jake Paul have gone public with the news earlier to give spectators the option of staying home? They evidently still hoped she could fight only hours before the opening bell, which made the last-second announcement understandable. And the fact they will provide full refunds and pay Meinke were good moves. Paul said the fight will happen after the eye heals.

[lawrence-related id=40990,40984,40949,40932,40934]

Weekend Review: Raymond Ford, Jake Paul KOs, Amanda Serrano’s bizarre fate

Weekend Review: Raymond Ford and Jake Paul delivered dramatic KOs. Amanda Serrano suffered a bizarre fate.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER I
Raymond Ford

That’s how you make a statement. Ford, the talented 24-year-old from Camden, New Jersey, was in big trouble as the seconds would down in his battle with Otabek Kholmatov for a vacant 126-pound title Saturday in Verona, New York. He was up on one card (105-104) but behind on the other two (106-103 on both) after 11 entertaining, brutal rounds. He needed multiple knockdowns or a knockout in the final round or the Uzbek would be crowned champion. Ford chose the knockout. He hurt Kholmatov with about 30 seconds left and then seized the remarkable moment, attacking with all the ferocity he had in him before the referee stopped the fight with only seven seconds remaining. It was one of the most memorable stoppages in recent years, one for which Ford certainly will be remembered over the years. So too Kholmatov, unfortunately for him. Rematch? Doesn’t sound likely, at least not immediately. Ford indicated after the fight that he had trouble making 126 and would likely move up to 130. He’ll probably feel stronger at that weight, which could help him avoid scoring deficits going forward. That could mean that no more Hail Marys will be necessary..

 

BIGGEST WINNER II
Jake Paul

I get why Paul riles hardcore boxing fan. The guy came out of nowhere, with no boxing background, a crude skill set and a big mouth. And he makes more money and gets more attention than all but a few genuine boxers. That infuriates people. Not me. I wish boxing had a higher profile and that all legitimate fighters could make enough money to set themselves up for life. God knows they earn it. However, I don’t think it’s right to begrudge Paul what he’s earning, both in dollars and headlines. He’s doesn’t have the ability or experience of the top boxers but no one since Floyd Mayweather is better at self-marketing, which I admire. There obviously is a demand for his goods and he delivers them, fight after fight after fight. And he appears to be improving in the ring. I don’t believe his first-round knockout of the chubby Ryan Bourland on Saturday in Puerto Rico means Paul is ready for the “big leagues,” as he called elite boxing. At the same time I liked his footwork, I liked his jab, I liked his body work. And knockouts are always fun to watch. He seems to be evolving, even it’s happening slowly. Can he beat contenders? God no. Can he continue to deliver entertaining performances against increasingly capable opponents? I believe that’s realistic.

 

MOST BIZARRE
Serrano-Meinke cancelation

The sight of Serrano crying in the ring after her title defense against Nina Meinke was canceled at the last minute was difficult to see. Fighting for her home-country fans in Puerto Rico meant everything to her, more than money, more than legacy, more than anything. The fact officials there wouldn’t allow her to fight because of a bizarre eye injury left her devastated. “I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart,” she said to the crowd at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan as she held back tears. Heartbreaking. The injury? Bizarre might not be a strong enough word. She evidently had her hair dyed on Thursday. On Friday, the dye dripped into her eye and damaged her cornea. And she was declared “medically unfit” to fight. I trust that she – and everyone else who uses dye – will be careful to avoid such an unfortunate mistake going forward. One more thing: Should Serrano or co-promoter Jake Paul have gone public with the news earlier to give spectators the option of staying home? They evidently still hoped she could fight only hours before the opening bell, which made the last-second announcement understandable. And the fact they will provide full refunds and pay Meinke were good moves. Paul said the fight will happen after the eye heals.

[lawrence-related id=40990,40984,40949,40932,40934]

Watch it: Raymond Ford’s last-second knockout of Otabek Kholmatov

Watch it: Raymond Ford’s last-second knockout of Otabek Kholmatov on Saturday in Verona, New York.

Raymond Ford delivered one of the most memorable knockouts in recent memory Saturday in Verona, New York.

The New Jersey fighter was behind on two of the three official cards when he stopped Otabek Kholmatov with seven seconds remaining in the 12th and final round to win the vacant WBA 126-pound title, Ford’s first.

Check out the stoppage below.

[lawrence-related id=40984]

Watch it: Raymond Ford’s last-second knockout of Otabek Kholmatov

Watch it: Raymond Ford’s last-second knockout of Otabek Kholmatov on Saturday in Verona, New York.

Raymond Ford delivered one of the most memorable knockouts in recent memory Saturday in Verona, New York.

The New Jersey fighter was behind on two of the three official cards when he stopped Otabek Kholmatov with seven seconds remaining in the 12th and final round to win the vacant WBA 126-pound title, Ford’s first.

Check out the stoppage below.

[lawrence-related id=40984]

Raymond Ford pulls off stunning KO of Otabek Kholmatov in final seconds

Raymond Ford pulled off stunning knockout of Otabek Kholmatov in the final seconds to win a vacant 126-pound title Saturday.

Raymond Ford saved his best for last.

The rising 126-pound star stopped Otabek Kholmatov with seven seconds remaining in the 12th and final round to win the vacant WBA title Saturday in Verona, New York.

Ford (15-0-1, 8 KOs) hurt Kholmatov (12-1, 11 KOs) with about 30 seconds left and then spent the next 20-plus seconds trying to finish him off.

The Uzbek went down to the canvas under a barrage of punches and a moment of wrestling but referee Charlie Fitch ruled that it was not a knockdown.

However, seconds later, with the shaky Kholmatov trying to run yet taking hard punches, Fitch stepped in and stopped the fight.

Ford reportedly was behind 106-103 on two of the three official cards, meaning he needed the stoppage or multiple knockdowns to win the fight. Ford was up 105-104 on the third card.

“My coach told me to bring that dog out,” Ford said afterward. “We knew we were coming into their territory. This wasn’t under our promotion. But we had to dig deep. The whole time in the corner, I kept telling myself, ‘I’m going to stop him.’ I felt him breaking down as the rounds went on.“I started off a little slow. I felt I didn’t really have the energy and the legs to be the sharper boxer I know I can be. That was due to a tough weight cut. So, this may be my last fight at 126. Then, we’ll go up to 130 and call out the champions there.“I knew I had to stop him. The rounds were too close. I just had to bring that dog out that my coaches were talking about. I always knew I had it in me. I come from a rough background. There’s nothing that can stop me. Ever.”

Both fighters took a lot of punishment in one of the most entertaining fights so far this year.

And, according to CompuBox, they landed a similar number of punches. Kholmatov outlanded Ford 200-182 overall and 120-102 in power punches.

Ford, 24, is from Camden, New Jersey.

Raymond Ford pulls off stunning KO of Otabek Kholmatov in final seconds

Raymond Ford pulled off stunning knockout of Otabek Kholmatov in the final seconds to win a vacant 126-pound title Saturday.

Raymond Ford saved his best for last.

The rising 126-pound star stopped Otabek Kholmatov with seven seconds remaining in the 12th and final round to win the vacant WBA title Saturday in Verona, New York.

Ford (15-0-1, 8 KOs) hurt Kholmatov (12-1, 11 KOs) with about 30 seconds left and then spent the next 20-plus seconds trying to finish him off.

The Uzbek went down to the canvas under a barrage of punches and a moment of wrestling but referee Charlie Fitch ruled that it was not a knockdown.

However, seconds later, with the shaky Kholmatov trying to run yet taking hard punches, Fitch stepped in and stopped the fight.

Ford reportedly was behind 106-103 on two of the three official cards, meaning he needed the stoppage or multiple knockdowns to win the fight. Ford was up 105-104 on the third card.

“My coach told me to bring that dog out,” Ford said afterward. “We knew we were coming into their territory. This wasn’t under our promotion. But we had to dig deep. The whole time in the corner, I kept telling myself, ‘I’m going to stop him.’ I felt him breaking down as the rounds went on.“I started off a little slow. I felt I didn’t really have the energy and the legs to be the sharper boxer I know I can be. That was due to a tough weight cut. So, this may be my last fight at 126. Then, we’ll go up to 130 and call out the champions there.“I knew I had to stop him. The rounds were too close. I just had to bring that dog out that my coaches were talking about. I always knew I had it in me. I come from a rough background. There’s nothing that can stop me. Ever.”

Both fighters took a lot of punishment in one of the most entertaining fights so far this year.

And, according to CompuBox, they landed a similar number of punches. Kholmatov outlanded Ford 200-182 overall and 120-102 in power punches.

Ford, 24, is from Camden, New Jersey.