Tag: Robeisy Ramirez

Weekend Review: Devin Haney reached new level of excellence

Weekend Review: Devin Haney reached a new level of excellence in his shutout victory over Regis Prograis on Saturday.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Devin Haney

You have to consider the facts going into Haneyā€™s victory over Regis Prograis to appreciate what he did on Saturday in San Francisco. He was moving up in weight (from 135 pounds to 140) to face one of the most respected fighters in the division, which shouldā€™ve been a significant challenge. It wasnā€™t. Haney gave the performance of his career, picking Prograis apart from a distance, dropping him and taking almost nothing in return in what amounted to a boxing clinic. Prograis landed a record-low 36 punches overall (compared to 129 for Haney), according to CompuBox. Thatā€™s how Haney was able to win every round on all three cards, giving him a major title in a second division and bolstering the case that heā€™s one of the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound. And remember: Heā€™s only 25, an age when most elite fighters are only beginning to make an impact on the biggest stages. He probably hasnā€™t reached his peak, which might not be good news for the other top 140-pounders. Of course, not every fight will look like the one we saw on Saturday. Rivals like Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta Davis and Subriel Matias are tougher matchups for Haney than Prograis was. At the same time, it has never been more clear that the new champ is a genuine threat to anyone.

BIGGEST LOSER
Regis Prograis

Regis Prograis (left) gave Devin Haney credit after his victory. Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

How do you bounce back from that? Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs) was outclassed to the point of embarrassment, a fate that wouldā€™ve been unthinkable for a two-time titleholder whose only loss was a close decision against Josh Taylor in 2019l. He simply couldnā€™t get anything done against a far superior fighter. Haney controlled the fight by controlling the distance with his jab, hard right hands and footwork, creating a defensive wall that Prograis was unable to penetrate. Thatā€™s why the fight wasnā€™t competitive. The native of New Orleans was never a great technician but he was a solid one who excelled because of his fighting spirit and punching power. However, Haney laid bare Prograisā€™ limitations for all the world to see, which will have changed the way the now-former champion is perceived by pundits and fans. Heā€™s a good fighter, not one of the best. And, at 34, he might not get many (any?) more opportunities to take part in big events. We probably have seen the best of Regis Prograis. If so, he has nothing to be ashamed of. Two-time titleholder is a nice legacy.

BIGGEST WINNER II
Rafael Espinoza

Rafael who? Now we know. The 6-foot-1, 126-pound Mexican delivered a massive upset on Saturday night in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where he survived a brutal knockdown in the fifth round and other harrowing moments to defeat two-time Olympic champion Robeisy Ramirez and win his first major title by a well-earned majority decision. And Espinoza (24-0, 20 KOs) punctuated the performance in dramatic fashion, forcing Ramirez to the canvas with a barrage of hard, accurate power shots to seal his victory in an entertaining fight. Espinozaā€™s physical dimensions, work rate and all-around ability ā€“ including punching power ā€“ will make him a handful for any opponent, but his grit stood out most in his break-through victory on Saturday. He refused to lose, a quality that could take him a long way. He now has one thing working against him, though: Heā€™s not going to take anyone by surprise again.

RABBIT PUNCHES

Liam Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) has become the latest Australian to emerge as a major player in the sport. The native of Brisbane put capable Montana Love (18-2-2, 9 KOs) down twice and stopped him in six rounds on the Haney-Prograis card. Paro looked like he belongs among the Top 10 junior welterweights. ā€¦ 2020 Olympic champion Andy Cruz (2-0, 1 KO) of Cuba stopped Jovanni Straffon (26-6-1, 19 KOs) in three rounds on the Haney-Prograis card. The 135-pounder, who beat Keyshawn Davis to win his gold medal, appears to have the kind of skill that will allow him to fight for a major title within a handful of fights. Heā€™s special. ā€¦ Chris Billiam-Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) retained his cruiserweight title against veteran Mateusz Masternak on Sunday in Bournemouth, England, forcing the Pole to quit on his stool with a rib injury after seven rounds of a brutal fight. The beltholder deserves credit for causing the damage with steady body work. However, the Bournemouth native took a great deal of punishment himself. He’s a capable, tough guy but he’s easy to hit, which could portend a short stint at the pinnacle of the sport. …

I’m happy with the recently announced International Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Michael Moorer was a dominating 175-pound champion who went on to become a three-time heavyweight titleholder, with a signature victory over Evander Holyfield. The late Diego Corrales is known for his epic come-from-behind knockout of Jose Luis Castillo but he was a two-division beltholder with a series of impressive victories, including back-to-back-to-back wins over Joel Casamayor, Acelino Freitas and Castillo. Ivan Calderon was a boxing wizard who ruled a division for most of a decade. And while Ricky Hatton might be best remembered for his knockout losses to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, he had a number of impressive victories. That included a knockout that retired the greatĀ Kostya Tszyu. Also, it’s always gratifying to see an old-timer get recognition. Argentine heavyweight Luis Angel Firpo is a boxing legend. He deserved to have a plaque bearing his name at the Hall. Watch his epic clash with Jack Dempsey. You won’t regret it.

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Weekend Review: Devin Haney reached new level of excellence

Weekend Review: Devin Haney reached a new level of excellence in his shutout victory over Regis Prograis on Saturday.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Devin Haney

You have to consider the facts going into Haneyā€™s victory over Regis Prograis to appreciate what he did on Saturday in San Francisco. He was moving up in weight (from 135 pounds to 140) to face one of the most respected fighters in the division, which shouldā€™ve been a significant challenge. It wasnā€™t. Haney gave the performance of his career, picking Prograis apart from a distance, dropping him and taking almost nothing in return in what amounted to a boxing clinic. Prograis landed a record-low 36 punches overall (compared to 129 for Haney), according to CompuBox. Thatā€™s how Haney was able to win every round on all three cards, giving him a major title in a second division and bolstering the case that heā€™s one of the best fighters in the world pound-for-pound. And remember: Heā€™s only 25, an age when most elite fighters are only beginning to make an impact on the biggest stages. He probably hasnā€™t reached his peak, which might not be good news for the other top 140-pounders. Of course, not every fight will look like the one we saw on Saturday. Rivals like Teofimo Lopez, Gervonta Davis and Subriel Matias are tougher matchups for Haney than Prograis was. At the same time, it has never been more clear that the new champ is a genuine threat to anyone.

BIGGEST LOSER
Regis Prograis

Regis Prograis (left) gave Devin Haney credit after his victory. Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

How do you bounce back from that? Prograis (29-2, 24 KOs) was outclassed to the point of embarrassment, a fate that wouldā€™ve been unthinkable for a two-time titleholder whose only loss was a close decision against Josh Taylor in 2019l. He simply couldnā€™t get anything done against a far superior fighter. Haney controlled the fight by controlling the distance with his jab, hard right hands and footwork, creating a defensive wall that Prograis was unable to penetrate. Thatā€™s why the fight wasnā€™t competitive. The native of New Orleans was never a great technician but he was a solid one who excelled because of his fighting spirit and punching power. However, Haney laid bare Prograisā€™ limitations for all the world to see, which will have changed the way the now-former champion is perceived by pundits and fans. Heā€™s a good fighter, not one of the best. And, at 34, he might not get many (any?) more opportunities to take part in big events. We probably have seen the best of Regis Prograis. If so, he has nothing to be ashamed of. Two-time titleholder is a nice legacy.

BIGGEST WINNER II
Rafael Espinoza

Rafael who? Now we know. The 6-foot-1, 126-pound Mexican delivered a massive upset on Saturday night in Pembroke Pines, Florida, where he survived a brutal knockdown in the fifth round and other harrowing moments to defeat two-time Olympic champion Robeisy Ramirez and win his first major title by a well-earned majority decision. And Espinoza (24-0, 20 KOs) punctuated the performance in dramatic fashion, forcing Ramirez to the canvas with a barrage of hard, accurate power shots to seal his victory in an entertaining fight. Espinozaā€™s physical dimensions, work rate and all-around ability ā€“ including punching power ā€“ will make him a handful for any opponent, but his grit stood out most in his break-through victory on Saturday. He refused to lose, a quality that could take him a long way. He now has one thing working against him, though: Heā€™s not going to take anyone by surprise again.

RABBIT PUNCHES

Liam Paro (24-0, 15 KOs) has become the latest Australian to emerge as a major player in the sport. The native of Brisbane put capable Montana Love (18-2-2, 9 KOs) down twice and stopped him in six rounds on the Haney-Prograis card. Paro looked like he belongs among the Top 10 junior welterweights. ā€¦ 2020 Olympic champion Andy Cruz (2-0, 1 KO) of Cuba stopped Jovanni Straffon (26-6-1, 19 KOs) in three rounds on the Haney-Prograis card. The 135-pounder, who beat Keyshawn Davis to win his gold medal, appears to have the kind of skill that will allow him to fight for a major title within a handful of fights. Heā€™s special. ā€¦ Chris Billiam-Smith (19-1, 13 KOs) retained his cruiserweight title against veteran Mateusz Masternak on Sunday in Bournemouth, England, forcing the Pole to quit on his stool with a rib injury after seven rounds of a brutal fight. The beltholder deserves credit for causing the damage with steady body work. However, the Bournemouth native took a great deal of punishment himself. He’s a capable, tough guy but he’s easy to hit, which could portend a short stint at the pinnacle of the sport. …

I’m happy with the recently announced International Boxing Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Michael Moorer was a dominating 175-pound champion who went on to become a three-time heavyweight titleholder, with a signature victory over Evander Holyfield. The late Diego Corrales is known for his epic come-from-behind knockout of Jose Luis Castillo but he was a two-division beltholder with a series of impressive victories, including back-to-back-to-back wins over Joel Casamayor, Acelino Freitas and Castillo. Ivan Calderon was a boxing wizard who ruled a division for most of a decade. And while Ricky Hatton might be best remembered for his knockout losses to Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, he had a number of impressive victories. That included a knockout that retired the greatĀ Kostya Tszyu. Also, it’s always gratifying to see an old-timer get recognition. Argentine heavyweight Luis Angel Firpo is a boxing legend. He deserved to have a plaque bearing his name at the Hall. Watch his epic clash with Jack Dempsey. You won’t regret it.

[lawrence-related id=40037,40032]

Robeisy Ramirez vs. Rafael Espinoza: Date, time, how to watch, background

Robeisy Ramirez vs. Rafael Espinoza: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Robeisy Ramirez is scheduled to defend his 126-pound belt against Rafael Espinoza on Saurday in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

ROBEISY RAMIREZ (13-1, 8 KOs)
vs. RAFAEL ESPINOZA (21-0, 18 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 9
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • At stake: Ramirezā€™s WBO title
  • Odds: Ramirez 10-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Fortea, junior middleweights; Bruce Carringtom vs. Jason Sanchez, featherweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Curtis Harper, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Ramirez UD
  • Background: Ramirez, the former two-time Olympic champion from Cuba, defeated Isaac Dogboe by a one-sided decision to win the vacant WBO 126-pound title this past April 1. He successfully defended his first major belt as a professional by stopping Satoshi Shimizu in five rounds on July 25. Ramirez went down and lost his pro debut to Adan Gonzales by a shocking split decision in August 2019 but he has won 13 consecutive fights since, including a shutout decision over Gonzales in a six-rounder in July 2020. He defeated Shakur Stevenson in the gold medal match in the 2016 Olympics. Espinoza is a power puncher who hasnā€™t fought outside his native Mexico since 2015 and has never faced an opponent anywhere near the ability of Ramirez. The native of Guadalajara has stopped his last five opponents, including Ally Mwerangi on July 15 in Mexico City. Espinoza is ranked No. 10 by the WBO.

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Robeisy Ramirez vs. Rafael Espinoza: Date, time, how to watch, background

Robeisy Ramirez vs. Rafael Espinoza: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Robeisy Ramirez is scheduled to defend his 126-pound belt against Rafael Espinoza on Saurday in Pembroke Pines, Florida.

ROBEISY RAMIREZ (13-1, 8 KOs)
vs. RAFAEL ESPINOZA (21-0, 18 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 9
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • At stake: Ramirezā€™s WBO title
  • Odds: Ramirez 10-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Fortea, junior middleweights; Bruce Carringtom vs. Jason Sanchez, featherweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Curtis Harper, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Ramirez UD
  • Background: Ramirez, the former two-time Olympic champion from Cuba, defeated Isaac Dogboe by a one-sided decision to win the vacant WBO 126-pound title this past April 1. He successfully defended his first major belt as a professional by stopping Satoshi Shimizu in five rounds on July 25. Ramirez went down and lost his pro debut to Adan Gonzales by a shocking split decision in August 2019 but he has won 13 consecutive fights since, including a shutout decision over Gonzales in a six-rounder in July 2020. He defeated Shakur Stevenson in the gold medal match in the 2016 Olympics. Espinoza is a power puncher who hasnā€™t fought outside his native Mexico since 2015 and has never faced an opponent anywhere near the ability of Ramirez. The native of Guadalajara has stopped his last five opponents, including Ally Mwerangi on July 15 in Mexico City. Espinoza is ranked No. 10 by the WBO.

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Fight Week: Devin Haney, Regis Prograis set for 140-pound clash on Saturday

Fight Week: Regis Prograis is scheduled to defend his 140-pound title against former 135-pound champ Devin Haney on pay-per-view Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

Regis Prograis is scheduled to defend his 140-pound title against former 135-pound champ Devin Haney on pay-per-view Saturday in San Francisco. On the same day, in Florida, Robeisy Ramirez will defend his 126-belt against Rafael Espinoza.

REGIS PROGRAIS (29-1, 24 KOs)
vs. DEVIN HANEY (30-0, 15 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 9
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Chase Center, San Francisco
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • At stake: Prograisā€™ WBC title
  • Odds: Haney 3Ā½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Liam Paro vs. Montana Love, junior welterweights; Andy Cruz vs. Jovanni Straffon, lightweights; Ebanie Bridges vs. Miyo Yoshida, bantamweights (for Bridgesā€™ IBF title)
  • Prediction: Haney UD
  • Background: Haney will begin his quest to conquer a second division when he challenges the WBC 140-pound titleholder. The talented native of San Francisco collected all four major 135-pound titles and climbed onto some pound-for-pound lists with consecutive victories over Zaur Abdullaev, Alfredo Santiago, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Jorge Linares, Joseph Diaz Jr. and George Kambosos Jr. (twice) between 2019 and last year. Haneyā€™s last fight at that weight was his defense against Vasiliy Lomachenko on May 20, when he won a unanimous, but disputed decision. He then made the decision to move up in weight. Prograis is a two-time 140-pound beltholder. The southpaw from New Orleans lost the WBA version when Josh Taylor defeated him by a majority decision in a title-unification bout in October 2019, the only setback of his career. He has won five consecutive fights since, including an 11th-round knockout of Jose Zepeda that earned him the WBC title and a split decision victory over Danielito Zorrilla this past June 17. Most observers thought he won that fight handily.

 

ROBEISY RAMIREZ (13-1, 8 KOs)
vs. RAFAEL ESPINOZA (21-0, 18 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 9
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • At stake: Ramirezā€™s WBO title
  • Odds: Ramirez 10-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Fortea, junior middleweights; Bruce Carringtom vs. Jason Sanchez, featherweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Curtis Harper, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Ramirez UD
  • Background: Ramirez, the former two-time Olympic champion from Cuba, defeated Isaac Dogboe by a one-sided decision to win the vacant WBO 126-pound title this past April 1. He successfully defended his first major belt as a professional by stopping Satoshi Shimizu in five rounds on July 25. Ramirez went down and lost his pro debut to Adan Gonzales by a shocking split decision in August 2019 but he has won 13 consecutive fights since, including a shutout decision over Gonzales in a six-rounder in July 2020. He defeated Shakur Stevenson in the gold medal match in the 2016 Olympics. Espinoza is a power puncher who hasnā€™t fought outside his native Mexico since 2015 and has never faced an opponent anywhere near the ability of Ramirez. The native of Guadalajara has stopped his last five opponents, including Ally Mwerangi on July 15 in Mexico City. Espinoza is ranked No. 10 by the WBO.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

FRIDAY

  • Idalberto Umara vs. Fradimil Macayo, lightweights, Orlando, Florida (DAZN)
  • Jesse Hart vs. Jeyson Minda, super middleweights, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (BXNGTV)

SATURDAY

  • Brandon Benitez vs. Rigoberto Hermosillo, featherweights, Long Beach, California (Fox Deportes)
  • Denzel Whitley vs. Kenny Larson, welterweights, Worcester, Massachusetts
    (BXNGTV)
  • Andrew Moloney vs. Judy Flores, junior bantamweights, Albert Park, Australia (no TV in U.S.)

SUNDAY

  • Chris Billam-Smith vs. Mateusz Masternak, cruiserweights (for Billam-Smithā€™s WBO title), Bournemouth, England (Peacock)

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Fight Week: Devin Haney, Regis Prograis set for 140-pound clash on Saturday

Fight Week: Regis Prograis is scheduled to defend his 140-pound title against former 135-pound champ Devin Haney on pay-per-view Saturday.

FIGHT WEEK

Regis Prograis is scheduled to defend his 140-pound title against former 135-pound champ Devin Haney on pay-per-view Saturday in San Francisco. On the same day, in Florida, Robeisy Ramirez will defend his 126-belt against Rafael Espinoza.

REGIS PROGRAIS (29-1, 24 KOs)
vs. DEVIN HANEY (30-0, 15 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 9
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Chase Center, San Francisco
  • TV/Stream: Pay-per-view
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • At stake: Prograisā€™ WBC title
  • Odds: Haney 3Ā½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Liam Paro vs. Montana Love, junior welterweights; Andy Cruz vs. Jovanni Straffon, lightweights; Ebanie Bridges vs. Miyo Yoshida, bantamweights (for Bridgesā€™ IBF title)
  • Prediction: Haney UD
  • Background: Haney will begin his quest to conquer a second division when he challenges the WBC 140-pound titleholder. The talented native of San Francisco collected all four major 135-pound titles and climbed onto some pound-for-pound lists with consecutive victories over Zaur Abdullaev, Alfredo Santiago, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Jorge Linares, Joseph Diaz Jr. and George Kambosos Jr. (twice) between 2019 and last year. Haneyā€™s last fight at that weight was his defense against Vasiliy Lomachenko on May 20, when he won a unanimous, but disputed decision. He then made the decision to move up in weight. Prograis is a two-time 140-pound beltholder. The southpaw from New Orleans lost the WBA version when Josh Taylor defeated him by a majority decision in a title-unification bout in October 2019, the only setback of his career. He has won five consecutive fights since, including an 11th-round knockout of Jose Zepeda that earned him the WBC title and a split decision victory over Danielito Zorrilla this past June 17. Most observers thought he won that fight handily.

 

ROBEISY RAMIREZ (13-1, 8 KOs)
vs. RAFAEL ESPINOZA (21-0, 18 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Dec. 9
  • Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Charles F. Dodge City Center, Pembroke Pines, Florida
  • TV/Stream: ESPN, ESPN+
  • Division: Featherweight (126 pounds)
  • At stake: Ramirezā€™s WBO title
  • Odds: Ramirez 10-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Fortea, junior middleweights; Bruce Carringtom vs. Jason Sanchez, featherweights; Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Curtis Harper, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Ramirez UD
  • Background: Ramirez, the former two-time Olympic champion from Cuba, defeated Isaac Dogboe by a one-sided decision to win the vacant WBO 126-pound title this past April 1. He successfully defended his first major belt as a professional by stopping Satoshi Shimizu in five rounds on July 25. Ramirez went down and lost his pro debut to Adan Gonzales by a shocking split decision in August 2019 but he has won 13 consecutive fights since, including a shutout decision over Gonzales in a six-rounder in July 2020. He defeated Shakur Stevenson in the gold medal match in the 2016 Olympics. Espinoza is a power puncher who hasnā€™t fought outside his native Mexico since 2015 and has never faced an opponent anywhere near the ability of Ramirez. The native of Guadalajara has stopped his last five opponents, including Ally Mwerangi on July 15 in Mexico City. Espinoza is ranked No. 10 by the WBO.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

FRIDAY

  • Idalberto Umara vs. Fradimil Macayo, lightweights, Orlando, Florida (DAZN)
  • Jesse Hart vs. Jeyson Minda, super middleweights, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (BXNGTV)

SATURDAY

  • Brandon Benitez vs. Rigoberto Hermosillo, featherweights, Long Beach, California (Fox Deportes)
  • Denzel Whitley vs. Kenny Larson, welterweights, Worcester, Massachusetts
    (BXNGTV)
  • Andrew Moloney vs. Judy Flores, junior bantamweights, Albert Park, Australia (no TV in U.S.)

SUNDAY

  • Chris Billam-Smith vs. Mateusz Masternak, cruiserweights (for Billam-Smithā€™s WBO title), Bournemouth, England (Peacock)

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Weekend Review: Anthony Joshua is winner ā€“ and loser ā€“ in uninspiring victory

Weekend Review: Anthony Joshua was a winner ā€“ and a loser ā€“ in his uninspiring victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday in London.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Anthony Joshua

The former heavyweight championā€™s new trainer Derrick James said after the fact that all he wanted was a victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday at O2 Arena in London. Decision or knockout, it didnā€™t matter. Mission accomplished. Joshua controlled the fight from the outset with his power jab and plenty of hard, accurate right hands. The smaller Franklin was willing but didnā€™t have the wherewithal to avoid the incoming shots or deliver his own with any consistency. Thus, no one was surprised when the official scores were announced: 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111, which was music to the ears of those close to Joshua. He was back in the win column after three long years and had taken a significant step in the right direction following crippling back-to-back losses against Oleksander Usyk. The victory could lead directly to a showdown against countryman and titleholder Tyson Fury. Or, if thatā€™s not possible immediately, Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte are viable options on Joshua’s continuing journey of redemption. Bottom line: Joshua is back in business.

 

BIGGEST LOSER
Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua got the victory but didn’t make a strong statement.Ā  James Chance / Getty Images

Joshua got the job done but it wasnā€™t his finest hour. And that might not bode well for him. Letā€™s face it: He has never been the same since Andy Ruiz Jr. hurt him in the third round and stopped him in the seventh in an unforgettable 2019 upset. He rebounded by outpointing Ruiz in the rematch and then knocking out 39-year-old Pulev but the ferocious knockout artist of the pre-Ruiz years was gone, having given way to a capable, but careful boxer who has no interest in taking unnecessary risks lest he be stopped again. The old, confident Joshua wouldā€™ve destroyed a second-tier opponent like Franklin. The current version spent as much time holding his frustrated opponent as punching him late in the fight, when Franklin was particularly vulnerable to a knockout. That was a bad look. Joshua wanted to stop Franklin, he wanted to make a statement, he wanted to show everyone that heā€™s still the great heavyweight who took out Hall of Famer Wladimir Klitschko in 2017. The problem for him? Thatā€™s no longer who he is.

 

BIGGEST MISMATCH?
Fury vs. Joshua

Could Joshua beat Tyson Fury? Ringo Chiu, Fayez Nureldine / AFP via Getty Images

One should never count out a fighter as talented as Joshua. And make no mistake: Joshua is a fine boxer, as he demonstrated in his second fight with Usyk. He came within a handful punches of turning the tables on his Ukrainian rival, which wouldā€™ve been a major accomplishment. I just donā€™t see how this version of Joshua beats Fury, however. Fury is bigger, better and mentally much tougher than the skittish Joshua. Joshua might be a bigger puncher but how far is that going to take him? He couldnā€™t stop Franklin. Can he be expected to do so against a man who survived three fights against Deontay Wilder? It doesnā€™t seem likely. The fight might look a lot like Furyā€™s meeting with the 39-year-old Klitschko, who has a similar style to Joshua. He fought behind his strong jab and pounded his opponents with straight right hands. A younger, less experienced Fury neutralized everything Klitschko tried to do and won a clear decision in his break-out fight. Would it be any different against Joshua? Not likely.

 

RABBIT PUNCHCES

Roy Jones Jr., 54, lost a majority decision in a sanctioned bout against former UFC champion Anthony Pettis on Saturday in Milwaukee even though Pettis had no boxing experience. And Jones (66-10, 47 KOs) said more such fights are to come. Fighters in their mid-50s shouldnā€™t be allowed to take part in sanctioned bouts, in which both parties are expected to hold nothing back in the most dangerous of sports. Shame on officials in Wisconsin. Why not take part in exhibitions if Jones wants to stay in the game, as he did with Mike Tyson in 2020? Then the participants can put on a show and make money without taking risks inherent in genuine fights. This just doesn’t feel right. ā€¦ Robeisy Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs) climbed all the way back from his disastrous loss in his pro debut, outclassing and easily outpointing former 122-pound beltholder Isaac Dogboe (24-3, 15 KOs) to win a vacant 126-pound title Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Obviously the two-time Olympic champion from Cuba is an excellent boxer. And heā€™s going to get better if he remains focused. The southpaw relies almost solely on spacing and his left hand. If he would use his jab and throw more combinations, he could be scary good. ā€¦ Dogboe didnā€™t handle his post-fight interview well, arguing in so many words that he was robbed and demanding a rematch. Letā€™s not be too hard on him; his emotions got the better of him. But, cā€™mon. It wasnā€™t a close fight. And he’s not getting a rematch. Itā€™s almost always best to say something like, ā€œHey, it wasnā€™t my night tonight,” and move on.

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Weekend Review: Anthony Joshua is winner ā€“ and loser ā€“ in uninspiring victory

Weekend Review: Anthony Joshua was a winner ā€“ and a loser ā€“ in his uninspiring victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday in London.

A critical look at the past week in boxing

BIGGEST WINNER
Anthony Joshua

The former heavyweight championā€™s new trainer Derrick James said after the fact that all he wanted was a victory over Jermaine Franklin on Saturday at O2 Arena in London. Decision or knockout, it didnā€™t matter. Mission accomplished. Joshua controlled the fight from the outset with his power jab and plenty of hard, accurate right hands. The smaller Franklin was willing but didnā€™t have the wherewithal to avoid the incoming shots or deliver his own with any consistency. Thus, no one was surprised when the official scores were announced: 118-111, 117-111 and 117-111, which was music to the ears of those close to Joshua. He was back in the win column after three long years and had taken a significant step in the right direction following crippling back-to-back losses against Oleksander Usyk. The victory could lead directly to a showdown against countryman and titleholder Tyson Fury. Or, if thatā€™s not possible immediately, Deontay Wilder and Dillian Whyte are viable options on Joshua’s continuing journey of redemption. Bottom line: Joshua is back in business.

 

BIGGEST LOSER
Anthony Joshua

Anthony Joshua got the victory but didn’t make a strong statement.Ā  James Chance / Getty Images

Joshua got the job done but it wasnā€™t his finest hour. And that might not bode well for him. Letā€™s face it: He has never been the same since Andy Ruiz Jr. hurt him in the third round and stopped him in the seventh in an unforgettable 2019 upset. He rebounded by outpointing Ruiz in the rematch and then knocking out 39-year-old Pulev but the ferocious knockout artist of the pre-Ruiz years was gone, having given way to a capable, but careful boxer who has no interest in taking unnecessary risks lest he be stopped again. The old, confident Joshua wouldā€™ve destroyed a second-tier opponent like Franklin. The current version spent as much time holding his frustrated opponent as punching him late in the fight, when Franklin was particularly vulnerable to a knockout. That was a bad look. Joshua wanted to stop Franklin, he wanted to make a statement, he wanted to show everyone that heā€™s still the great heavyweight who took out Hall of Famer Wladimir Klitschko in 2017. The problem for him? Thatā€™s no longer who he is.

 

BIGGEST MISMATCH?
Fury vs. Joshua

Could Joshua beat Tyson Fury? Ringo Chiu, Fayez Nureldine / AFP via Getty Images

One should never count out a fighter as talented as Joshua. And make no mistake: Joshua is a fine boxer, as he demonstrated in his second fight with Usyk. He came within a handful punches of turning the tables on his Ukrainian rival, which wouldā€™ve been a major accomplishment. I just donā€™t see how this version of Joshua beats Fury, however. Fury is bigger, better and mentally much tougher than the skittish Joshua. Joshua might be a bigger puncher but how far is that going to take him? He couldnā€™t stop Franklin. Can he be expected to do so against a man who survived three fights against Deontay Wilder? It doesnā€™t seem likely. The fight might look a lot like Furyā€™s meeting with the 39-year-old Klitschko, who has a similar style to Joshua. He fought behind his strong jab and pounded his opponents with straight right hands. A younger, less experienced Fury neutralized everything Klitschko tried to do and won a clear decision in his break-out fight. Would it be any different against Joshua? Not likely.

 

RABBIT PUNCHCES

Roy Jones Jr., 54, lost a majority decision in a sanctioned bout against former UFC champion Anthony Pettis on Saturday in Milwaukee even though Pettis had no boxing experience. And Jones (66-10, 47 KOs) said more such fights are to come. Fighters in their mid-50s shouldnā€™t be allowed to take part in sanctioned bouts, in which both parties are expected to hold nothing back in the most dangerous of sports. Shame on officials in Wisconsin. Why not take part in exhibitions if Jones wants to stay in the game, as he did with Mike Tyson in 2020? Then the participants can put on a show and make money without taking risks inherent in genuine fights. This just doesn’t feel right. ā€¦ Robeisy Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs) climbed all the way back from his disastrous loss in his pro debut, outclassing and easily outpointing former 122-pound beltholder Isaac Dogboe (24-3, 15 KOs) to win a vacant 126-pound title Saturday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Obviously the two-time Olympic champion from Cuba is an excellent boxer. And heā€™s going to get better if he remains focused. The southpaw relies almost solely on spacing and his left hand. If he would use his jab and throw more combinations, he could be scary good. ā€¦ Dogboe didnā€™t handle his post-fight interview well, arguing in so many words that he was robbed and demanding a rematch. Letā€™s not be too hard on him; his emotions got the better of him. But, cā€™mon. It wasnā€™t a close fight. And he’s not getting a rematch. Itā€™s almost always best to say something like, ā€œHey, it wasnā€™t my night tonight,” and move on.

[lawrence-related id=36501,36492,36456,36450]

Robeisy Ramirez outpoints Isaac Dogboe to win world title in 13th fight

Robeisy Ramirez easily outpointed Isaac Dogboe to win a world title in just his 13th professional fight.

Turns out that losing his pro debut was a blessing for Robeisy Ramirez.

The two-time Olympic champion from Cuba was outpointed in his first fight by journeyman Adan Gonzales in 2019 but bounced back to win his next 12 fights.

That includes a one-sided decision over Isaac Dogboe to win a wide decision and the vacant WBO 126-pound title — his first major belt — Saturday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The official scores were 119-108, 118-109 and 117-111. Boxing Junkie scored it 117-111, nine rounds to three.

“I believe that things happen for a reason,” Ramirez said through a translator, referring to his loss to Gonzales. “If not for that loss, I never would’ve ended up with [trainer] Lauro Salas. Yordenis Ugas never would’ve told me that I have to move to Las Vegas, you have to change your life.

“I never would’ve gotten the team together.”

Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs) made the team look good at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The slick 29-year-old southpaw used his footwork to keep Dogboe at a distance favorable to him from beginning to end and consistently picked the loser apart with sharp, accurate shots while taking few himself.

Dogboe (24-3, 15 KOs) was the aggressor most of the way, throwing more punches than his opponent. However, only 18% percent of them landed (113 of 619), according to CompuBox.

Ramirez landed 32% of his punches overall (160 of 495) and 45% of his power shots (121 of 268), which is a high number.

That’s why the judges had a relatively easy night.

“I’m living a new stage in my life,” an excited Ramirez said afterward. “This a new history I’m writing. I did everything I had to do as an Olympian. I won two gold medals.

“And now I can call myself a champion.”

Ramirez is now one of four major featherweight titleholders, joining Luis Lopez (IBF), Mauricio Lara (WBA) and Rey Vargas (WBC).

What’s next for him?

“I want all the smoke,” he said. “I want all the guys, whether it’s Joet Gonzalez, who had a great performance tonight, the champions or [contender] Mick Conlan.

“Whoever they want to put in front of me. I want all of the great fights.”

Meanwhile, Dogboe’s considerable momentum is gone.

The Ghanaian, a former 122-pound titleholder, won four consecutive fights after crushing back-to-back losses to Emanuel Navarrete to earn a shot at the WBO belt only to come up short.

He had a hard time accepting both a 12th round knockdown, which Dogboe said was a slip, and the scoring.

“Robeisy Ramirez is a terrific fighter but the result is b–s—,” he said and later added. “Let’s run it back. That’s all I have to say. It’s a rematch. If you’re a true champion, let’s run it back.”

That seems highly unlikely. It’s on to bigger and better things for the rising Cuban star.

Robeisy Ramirez outpoints Isaac Dogboe to win world title in 13th fight

Robeisy Ramirez easily outpointed Isaac Dogboe to win a world title in just his 13th professional fight.

Turns out that losing his pro debut was a blessing for Robeisy Ramirez.

The two-time Olympic champion from Cuba was outpointed in his first fight by journeyman Adan Gonzales in 2019 but bounced back to win his next 12 fights.

That includes a one-sided decision over Isaac Dogboe to win a wide decision and the vacant WBO 126-pound title — his first major belt — Saturday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The official scores were 119-108, 118-109 and 117-111. Boxing Junkie scored it 117-111, nine rounds to three.

“I believe that things happen for a reason,” Ramirez said through a translator, referring to his loss to Gonzales. “If not for that loss, I never would’ve ended up with [trainer] Lauro Salas. Yordenis Ugas never would’ve told me that I have to move to Las Vegas, you have to change your life.

“I never would’ve gotten the team together.”

Ramirez (12-1, 7 KOs) made the team look good at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

The slick 29-year-old southpaw used his footwork to keep Dogboe at a distance favorable to him from beginning to end and consistently picked the loser apart with sharp, accurate shots while taking few himself.

Dogboe (24-3, 15 KOs) was the aggressor most of the way, throwing more punches than his opponent. However, only 18% percent of them landed (113 of 619), according to CompuBox.

Ramirez landed 32% of his punches overall (160 of 495) and 45% of his power shots (121 of 268), which is a high number.

That’s why the judges had a relatively easy night.

“I’m living a new stage in my life,” an excited Ramirez said afterward. “This a new history I’m writing. I did everything I had to do as an Olympian. I won two gold medals.

“And now I can call myself a champion.”

Ramirez is now one of four major featherweight titleholders, joining Luis Lopez (IBF), Mauricio Lara (WBA) and Rey Vargas (WBC).

What’s next for him?

“I want all the smoke,” he said. “I want all the guys, whether it’s Joet Gonzalez, who had a great performance tonight, the champions or [contender] Mick Conlan.

“Whoever they want to put in front of me. I want all of the great fights.”

Meanwhile, Dogboe’s considerable momentum is gone.

The Ghanaian, a former 122-pound titleholder, won four consecutive fights after crushing back-to-back losses to Emanuel Navarrete to earn a shot at the WBO belt only to come up short.

He had a hard time accepting both a 12th round knockdown, which Dogboe said was a slip, and the scoring.

“Robeisy Ramirez is a terrific fighter but the result is b–s—,” he said and later added. “Let’s run it back. That’s all I have to say. It’s a rematch. If you’re a true champion, let’s run it back.”

That seems highly unlikely. It’s on to bigger and better things for the rising Cuban star.