Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang: Date, time, how to watch, background.
Former heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder returns to the ring against Zhilei Zhang in the main event of the Queensberry and Matchroom 5 vs. 5 pay-per-view card Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
Odds: Zhang 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): *****
Also on the card: Filip Hrgovic vs. Daniel Dubois, heavyweights; Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad, light heavyweights (for Bivol’s WBA title); Raymond Ford vs. Nick Ball, featherweights (for Ford’s WBA title); Austin Williams vs. Hamzah Sheeraz, middleweights; Craig Richards vs. Willy Hutchinson, light heavyweights
Background: Dmitry Bivol was scheduled to fight fellow 175-pound titleholder Artur Beterbiev in the main event of the Queensberry and Matchroom 5 vs. 5 card but the matchup was postponed after Beterbiev was injured in training. The show goes on, with Deontay Wilder facing Zhilei Zhang in the main event and Bivol defending his belt against Malik Zinad in a stay-busy fight. Wilder is at a crossroads. The hard-punching former heavyweight titleholder is 1-3 in his last four fights, with knockout losses against Tyson Fury in 2020 and 2021 and a one-sided decision setback against Joseph Parker on the Anthony Joshua-Otto Wallin card in December. The 38-year-old Alabamian’s only victory in the last four-plus years was a first-round stoppage of Robert Helenius in October 2022. A victory over Zhang could lead to one more title shot. Another loss could end his career as an elite fighter, particularly if he’s not competitive. Zhang, a 41-year-old from China, had built considerable momentum with back-to-back knockouts of Joe Joyce last year. However, he took a step backward with a majority decision loss to Parker even though he put the winner down twice in March. A victory would keep Zhang in the hunt for a title fight. Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs), ranked No. 4 pound-for-pound, shouldn’t have too much trouble with Zinad (22-0, 16 KOs). The Malta-based Libyan has a perfect record but is taking an enormous step up in opposition. He’s ranked No. 2 by the IBF. Also on the card, Filip Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KOs) and Daniel Dubois (20-2, 19 KOs) will be fighting to maintain their positions as top contenders. Hrgovic, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, is coming off a first-round KO of Mark De Mori on the Joshua-Wallin card. Dubois bounced back from his knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk by stopping Jarrell Miller in the 10th and final round, also on the Joshua-Wallin show. And 126-pound titleholder Raymond Ford (15-0-1, 8 KOs) will defend his belt against Nick Ball (19-0-1, 8 KOs). Ford, a 25-year-old from New Jersey, is coming off a sensational stoppage of Otabek Kholmatov with only seven seconds remaining in a fight he was losing on the cards to win the vacant WBA title. Ball (19-0-1, 11 KOs) is coming off a strong performance, a split draw against WBC beltholder Rey Vargas in March. The 27-year-old from the U.K. outpointed Isaac Dogboe before that.
Fight Week: Former heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder is scheduled to face Zhilei Zhang in the 5 vs. 5 main event Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
FIGHT WEEK
Deontay Wilder is scheduled to face Zhilei Zhang in the main event of the Queensberry and Matchroom 5 vs. 5 pay-per-view card Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Odds: Zhang 1½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Significance (up to five stars): *****
Also on the card: Filip Hrgovic vs. Daniel Dubois, heavyweights; Dmitry Bivol vs. Malik Zinad, light heavyweights (for Bivol’s WBA title); Raymond Ford vs. Nick Ball, featherweights (for Ford’s WBA title); Austin Williams vs. Hamzah Sheeraz, middleweights; Craig Richards vs. Willy Hutchinson, light heavyweights
Background: Dmitry Bivol was scheduled to fight fellow 175-pound titleholder Artur Beterbiev in the main event of the Queensberry and Matchroom 5 vs. 5 card but the matchup was postponed after Beterbiev was injured in training. The show goes on, with Deontay Wilder facing Zhilei Zhang in the main event and Bivol defending his belt against Malik Zinad in a stay-busy fight. Wilder is at a crossroads. The hard-punching former heavyweight titleholder is 1-3 in his last four fights, with knockout losses against Tyson Fury in 2020 and 2021 and a one-sided decision setback against Joseph Parker on the Anthony Joshua-Otto Wallin card in December. The 38-year-old Alabamian’s only victory in the last four-plus years was a first-round stoppage of Robert Helenius in October 2022. A victory over Zhang could lead to one more title shot. Another loss could end his career as an elite fighter, particularly if he’s not competitive. Zhang, a 41-year-old from China, had built considerable momentum with back-to-back knockouts of Joe Joyce last year. However, he took a step backward with a majority decision loss to Parker even though he put the winner down twice in March. A victory would keep Zhang in the hunt for a title fight. Bivol (22-0, 11 KOs), ranked No. 4 pound-for-pound, shouldn’t have too much trouble with Zinad (22-0, 16 KOs). The Malta-based Libyan has a perfect record but is taking an enormous step up in opposition. He’s ranked No. 2 by the IBF. Also on the card, Filip Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KOs) and Daniel Dubois (20-2, 19 KOs) will be fighting to maintain their positions as top contenders. Hrgovic, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, is coming off a first-round KO of Mark De Mori on the Joshua-Wallin card. Dubois bounced back from his knockout loss to Oleksandr Usyk by stopping Jarrell Miller in the 10th and final round, also on the Joshua-Wallin show. And 126-pound titleholder Raymond Ford (15-0-1, 8 KOs) will defend his belt against Nick Ball (19-0-1, 8 KOs). Ford, a 25-year-old from New Jersey, is coming off a sensational stoppage of Otabek Kholmatov with only seven seconds remaining in a fight he was losing on the cards to win the vacant WBA title. Ball (19-0-1, 11 KOs) is coming off a strong performance, a split draw against WBC beltholder Rey Vargas in March. The 27-year-old from the U.K. outpointed Isaac Dogboe before that.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
FRIDAY
Brandon Adams vs. Francisco Veron, junior middleweights, Houston (DAZN)
SATURDAY
Nate Diaz vs. Jorge Masvidal, light heavyweights, Inglewood, California (pay-per-view)
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..
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
An emotional Amanda Serrano expresses her heartfelt disappointment that she was not cleared to fight tonight. pic.twitter.com/hcTAYuZPgX
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.
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..
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
An emotional Amanda Serrano expresses her heartfelt disappointment that she was not cleared to fight tonight. pic.twitter.com/hcTAYuZPgX
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Good, bad, worse: The remarkable emergence of Jesse Rodriguez and Canelo’s ire.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Jesse Rodriquez has said repeatedly that his goal is to be a special fighter, not an average one. Well, there’s nothing average about this boxing savant.
Cuadras and Sor Rungvisai have been 115-pound stalwarts for a decade. The naturally smaller Rodriguez not only beat them, he dominated them.
How did this unfold?
Luck played a key role. Rodriguez was scheduled to take part in a 108-pound fight on the Cuadras-Sor Rungvisai card on Feb. 5. When Sor Rungvisai pulled out because of illness, Rodriguez agreed to move up two divisions to 115 on five days’ notice and stunned everyone outside his own circle by winning a wide decision and the WBC’s secondary title.
Rodriguez would’ve have been justified had he moved back down weight. Instead, he made the decision to defend his belt against a powerful puncher who has victories over Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez (twice). The result? Rodriguez outclassed him, baffling the Thai star with his elite technical ability and then taking him out in the eighth round.
Sor Rungvisai hadn’t been stopped since his second pro fight, in 2009. Future Hall of Famers Estrada and Gonzalez couldn’t do that.
I hesitate to anoint Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs) the next great thing because he’s had only 16 pro fights and both Cuadras (33) and Sor Rungvisai (35) are beyond their primes. At the same time, he has aced the eye test and won two important fights back to back.
One person who hasn’t been surprised by the events of the past four-plus months is Robert Garcia, Rodriguez’s veteran trainer.
“Look man, we know what Bam is all about, we know his talent,” Garcia said on a Little Giant Boxing video. “… So when they offered us a fight, I never even doubted that we’d be able to beat him. … At the end, everybody ended up seeing pound-for-pound one of the best in the world. And he’s only 22. He’s a baby.”
A bad ass baby.
BAD
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai couldn’t solve Jesse Rodriguez. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing
One had to feel for Sor Rungvisai (50-6-1, 43 KOs) when it became clear that his mission was impossible on Saturday.
He overcame a 1-3-1 start to his career to become a two-time junior bantamweight champion and a potential Hall of Famer. He lost a technical decision to Cuadras, split two fights with Estrada and has the two victories over “Chocolatito”, the second a brutal fourth-round knockout that lifted him to stardom.
I was at that fight, which took place in what is now Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. I left the arena in awe of Sor Rungvisai, who has rare punching power for a man his size. He, too, was special.
And he seemed to be on track to get a shot at the winner of an anticipated third fight between Estrada (the WBC’s “franchise” champion) and Gonzalez, which could happen later this year. All he had to do was beat Cuadras in February and then wait.
Well, we know what happened. He had to pull out of the Cuadras fight, which opened the door for Rodriguez’s emergence. And then he suffered his most thorough defeat since the early years of his career.
The look on his face between the seventh round, in which he was knocked down, and the eighth said a lot. He seemed to be thinking, “Oh man, what have I gotten myself into here? What do I do?” He was essentially helpless by that point, a beaten man.
That was difficult to see given his enduring place among the top 115-pounders and his pride.
If we’ve seen the last of him, he certainly should be pleased with his career. The two titles, the victories over his rivals, the fact he remained an elite 115-pounder for more than a decade. All that made him one of the greatest Thai fighters of all time, which is saying something given the boxing tradition in that country.
Sor Rungvisai simply ran into a juggernaut on Saturday. In the end, with all his accomplishments, he won’t be judged by this one setback.
WORSE
Canelo Alvarez is a sensitive guy.
He didn’t like the fact that Sept. 17 opponent Gennadiy Golovkin called him a drug chat after Alvarez failed a drug test before their second fight in 2018, which resulted in Alvarez’s suspension and delayed the bout.
Alvarez blamed the positive test on tainted meat but athletes are responsible for everything that goes into their bodies, which lends credence to Triple-G’s comments.
They seemed to settle their differences when they shook hands after their second fight but, obviously, that wasn’t the case.
Alvarez didn’t like the fact that Golovkin accused Alvarez of avoiding him after that second meeting, a close points victory for the Mexican that followed a draw the previous year. Golovkin arguably earned a third fight. And Alvarez did fight mostly lesser opponents between 2018 and his loss to Dmitry Bivol in May.
Still, Alvarez called Golovkin an “a—hole” at the kickoff news conference. And he vowed to retire the popular 40-year-old Kazakhstani star by knockout, which was a bit harsh given how competitive their first two fights were and Triple-G’s accomplishments over his decorated career.
Maybe Alvarez is just trying to sell the fight, which might need a nudge given the perception that Golovkin is in decline. Or maybe Alvarez is just revealing thin skin, as Golovkin suggested.
“If he says he still has something against me,” Golovkin said, “… that’s his problem, not mine.”
RABBIT PUNCHES
Unified junior featherweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-0, 8 KOs) looked sharp in his defense against veteran Ronny Rios on the Rodriguez-Sor Rungvisai undercard, particularly given what he said was a lead-hand injury early in the fight. The southpaw from Uzbekistan outboxed and outworked a good fighter before finally stopping him in the 12th and final round. I don’t think he will beat Stephen Fulton if they meet for all the 122-pound titles but he’s good enough to push his rival. And kudos to Rios (33-4, 16 KOs) on a good career. The Southern California fighter performed on a high level for a long time. … Undisputed welterweight champ Jessica McCaskill (12-2, 5 KOs) isn’t much of a technician but she’s athletic and has good boxing instincts, which has been enough to make her a star in the women’s ranks. She blew out Alma Ibarra (10-2, 5 KOs) of Mexico on the Rodriguez-Sor Rungvisai card, stopping her after three one-sided rounds. McCaskill has come a long way since losing a wide decision to Katie Taylor in 2017. She has won seven in a row since, including two victories over future Hall of Famer Cecilia Braekhus. I hope McCaskill gets the fight she wants, a showdown with 140-pound titleholder Chantelle Cameron. … Skillful featherweight contender Raymond Ford (12-0-1, 6 KOs) easily outpointed Richard Medina (13-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round bout on the Rodriguez-Sor Rungvisai card. Ford is going to be extremely difficult to beat if he stays focused and avoids firefights. He’s that good when he’s at his best.
Good, bad, worse: The remarkable emergence of Jesse Rodriguez and Canelo’s ire.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
GOOD
Jesse Rodriquez has said repeatedly that his goal is to be a special fighter, not an average one. Well, there’s nothing average about this boxing savant.
Cuadras and Sor Rungvisai have been 115-pound stalwarts for a decade. The naturally smaller Rodriguez not only beat them, he dominated them.
How did this unfold?
Luck played a key role. Rodriguez was scheduled to take part in a 108-pound fight on the Cuadras-Sor Rungvisai card on Feb. 5. When Sor Rungvisai pulled out because of illness, Rodriguez agreed to move up two divisions to 115 on five days’ notice and stunned everyone outside his own circle by winning a wide decision and the WBC’s secondary title.
Rodriguez would’ve have been justified had he moved back down weight. Instead, he made the decision to defend his belt against a powerful puncher who has victories over Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez (twice). The result? Rodriguez outclassed him, baffling the Thai star with his elite technical ability and then taking him out in the eighth round.
Sor Rungvisai hadn’t been stopped since his second pro fight, in 2009. Future Hall of Famers Estrada and Gonzalez couldn’t do that.
I hesitate to anoint Rodriguez (16-0, 11 KOs) the next great thing because he’s had only 16 pro fights and both Cuadras (33) and Sor Rungvisai (35) are beyond their primes. At the same time, he has aced the eye test and won two important fights back to back.
One person who hasn’t been surprised by the events of the past four-plus months is Robert Garcia, Rodriguez’s veteran trainer.
“Look man, we know what Bam is all about, we know his talent,” Garcia said on a Little Giant Boxing video. “… So when they offered us a fight, I never even doubted that we’d be able to beat him. … At the end, everybody ended up seeing pound-for-pound one of the best in the world. And he’s only 22. He’s a baby.”
A bad ass baby.
BAD
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai couldn’t solve Jesse Rodriguez. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing
One had to feel for Sor Rungvisai (50-6-1, 43 KOs) when it became clear that his mission was impossible on Saturday.
He overcame a 1-3-1 start to his career to become a two-time junior bantamweight champion and a potential Hall of Famer. He lost a technical decision to Cuadras, split two fights with Estrada and has the two victories over “Chocolatito”, the second a brutal fourth-round knockout that lifted him to stardom.
I was at that fight, which took place in what is now Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. I left the arena in awe of Sor Rungvisai, who has rare punching power for a man his size. He, too, was special.
And he seemed to be on track to get a shot at the winner of an anticipated third fight between Estrada (the WBC’s “franchise” champion) and Gonzalez, which could happen later this year. All he had to do was beat Cuadras in February and then wait.
Well, we know what happened. He had to pull out of the Cuadras fight, which opened the door for Rodriguez’s emergence. And then he suffered his most thorough defeat since the early years of his career.
The look on his face between the seventh round, in which he was knocked down, and the eighth said a lot. He seemed to be thinking, “Oh man, what have I gotten myself into here? What do I do?” He was essentially helpless by that point, a beaten man.
That was difficult to see given his enduring place among the top 115-pounders and his pride.
If we’ve seen the last of him, he certainly should be pleased with his career. The two titles, the victories over his rivals, the fact he remained an elite 115-pounder for more than a decade. All that made him one of the greatest Thai fighters of all time, which is saying something given the boxing tradition in that country.
Sor Rungvisai simply ran into a juggernaut on Saturday. In the end, with all his accomplishments, he won’t be judged by this one setback.
WORSE
Canelo Alvarez is a sensitive guy.
He didn’t like the fact that Sept. 17 opponent Gennadiy Golovkin called him a drug chat after Alvarez failed a drug test before their second fight in 2018, which resulted in Alvarez’s suspension and delayed the bout.
Alvarez blamed the positive test on tainted meat but athletes are responsible for everything that goes into their bodies, which lends credence to Triple-G’s comments.
They seemed to settle their differences when they shook hands after their second fight but, obviously, that wasn’t the case.
Alvarez didn’t like the fact that Golovkin accused Alvarez of avoiding him after that second meeting, a close points victory for the Mexican that followed a draw the previous year. Golovkin arguably earned a third fight. And Alvarez did fight mostly lesser opponents between 2018 and his loss to Dmitry Bivol in May.
Still, Alvarez called Golovkin an “a—hole” at the kickoff news conference. And he vowed to retire the popular 40-year-old Kazakhstani star by knockout, which was a bit harsh given how competitive their first two fights were and Triple-G’s accomplishments over his decorated career.
Maybe Alvarez is just trying to sell the fight, which might need a nudge given the perception that Golovkin is in decline. Or maybe Alvarez is just revealing thin skin, as Golovkin suggested.
“If he says he still has something against me,” Golovkin said, “… that’s his problem, not mine.”
RABBIT PUNCHES
Unified junior featherweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (11-0, 8 KOs) looked sharp in his defense against veteran Ronny Rios on the Rodriguez-Sor Rungvisai undercard, particularly given what he said was a lead-hand injury early in the fight. The southpaw from Uzbekistan outboxed and outworked a good fighter before finally stopping him in the 12th and final round. I don’t think he will beat Stephen Fulton if they meet for all the 122-pound titles but he’s good enough to push his rival. And kudos to Rios (33-4, 16 KOs) on a good career. The Southern California fighter performed on a high level for a long time. … Undisputed welterweight champ Jessica McCaskill (12-2, 5 KOs) isn’t much of a technician but she’s athletic and has good boxing instincts, which has been enough to make her a star in the women’s ranks. She blew out Alma Ibarra (10-2, 5 KOs) of Mexico on the Rodriguez-Sor Rungvisai card, stopping her after three one-sided rounds. McCaskill has come a long way since losing a wide decision to Katie Taylor in 2017. She has won seven in a row since, including two victories over future Hall of Famer Cecilia Braekhus. I hope McCaskill gets the fight she wants, a showdown with 140-pound titleholder Chantelle Cameron. … Skillful featherweight contender Raymond Ford (12-0-1, 6 KOs) easily outpointed Richard Medina (13-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round bout on the Rodriguez-Sor Rungvisai card. Ford is going to be extremely difficult to beat if he stays focused and avoids firefights. He’s that good when he’s at his best.
