Oscar Valdez knocked out Liam Wilson in seven rounds to become an “interim” 130-pound champion Friday night.
Oscar Valdez is back in business.
The former two-division titleholder stopped Liam Wilson in the seventh round to win the WBO “interim” 130-pound title Friday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) had lost two of his previous three fights, including a decision to Emanuel Navarrete last August.
“This victory means a lot,” Valdez said. “I proved a lot of people wrong again. People said, ‘You’re 30-something, you’re done, you got your jaw broken, you got your rib broken.’ But I refused to believe that.”
Valdez ended the fight with a series of hard blows. Wilson (13-3, 7 KOs) somehow remained on his feet but took considerable punishment, which prompted referee Mark Nelson to stop the fight.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:48 of Round 7.
Wilson, 28, said he fought too much with his heart and not enough with his brain.
“That’s how boxing goes,” he said. “I tried to box in the first few rounds, but my heart got the better of me. These are the kind of fights I dreamed of since I was a kid. But I’ve got to learn from this and start using my boxing brain.
“Oscar is a true champion, and I’m very proud to have shared the ring with him. It’s still early in my career. I have plenty to go. I’m young. I’ll be back.”
Navarrete holds the WBO title but reportedly will be moving up in weight, which will open up the championship. Valdez could then be elevated to full titleholder.
Also on the card, Seniesa Estrada (26-0, 9 KOs) defeated Yokasta Valle (30-3, 9 KOs) by a unanimous decision to become undisputed 105-pouind champion.
Oscar Valdez knocked out Liam Wilson in seven rounds to become an “interim” 130-pound champion Friday night.
Oscar Valdez is back in business.
The former two-division titleholder stopped Liam Wilson in the seventh round to win the WBO “interim” 130-pound title Friday at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Valdez (32-2, 24 KOs) had lost two of his previous three fights, including a decision to Emanuel Navarrete last August.
“This victory means a lot,” Valdez said. “I proved a lot of people wrong again. People said, ‘You’re 30-something, you’re done, you got your jaw broken, you got your rib broken.’ But I refused to believe that.”
Valdez ended the fight with a series of hard blows. Wilson (13-3, 7 KOs) somehow remained on his feet but took considerable punishment, which prompted referee Mark Nelson to stop the fight.
The official time of the stoppage was 2:48 of Round 7.
Wilson, 28, said he fought too much with his heart and not enough with his brain.
“That’s how boxing goes,” he said. “I tried to box in the first few rounds, but my heart got the better of me. These are the kind of fights I dreamed of since I was a kid. But I’ve got to learn from this and start using my boxing brain.
“Oscar is a true champion, and I’m very proud to have shared the ring with him. It’s still early in my career. I have plenty to go. I’m young. I’ll be back.”
Navarrete holds the WBO title but reportedly will be moving up in weight, which will open up the championship. Valdez could then be elevated to full titleholder.
Also on the card, Seniesa Estrada (26-0, 9 KOs) defeated Yokasta Valle (30-3, 9 KOs) by a unanimous decision to become undisputed 105-pouind champion.
Weekend Review: Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue gave us precious gifts during an unforgettable week of boxing.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
BIGGEST WINNER
Terence Crawford
To understand the magnitude of what Crawford accomplished on Saturday in Las Vegas we must consider his opponent. Errol Spence was a former Olympian, unbeaten professional with an impressive resume, No. 4 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list (Crawford is No. 1) and a three-belt welterweight titleholder. The fight was 50-50 on paper. And Crawford made Spence look like a journeyman, outboxing him, putting him down three times and finally knocking him out in the ninth round to become the first undisputed welterweight champion in the four-belt era and the first man to be “undisputed” in a second division. It was near-perfect performance on a big stage, one that stamps Crawford as the best 147-pounder of his era and an all-time great when his previous accomplishments are also taken into account. And it came just in the nick of time. He had trouble for years luring his top welterweight rivals into the ring because of promotional rivalries, leading many to wonder whether he’d ever get a chance to prove what he could do at the highest level of the sport. He finally received that opportunity at 35, an age when most fighters have begun to decline. “I kept praying to God that I’d get the opportunity show the world how great Terence Crawford is,” he said after his victory. “And tonight I believe I showed how great I am.” Indeed he did. He was brilliant.
BIGGEST WINNER II
Naoya Inoue
We might never see a week like this past one again. On Saturday, Crawford gave us one of the best performances in recent memory. And, four days earlier, Naoya Inoue did the same thing. The Japanese star dominated and then stopped previously unbeaten 122-pounder Stephen Fulton Jr. in eight rounds in Tokyo, giving Inoue major titles in a fourth division and taking our collective breath away in the process. Inoue left no doubt that he’s one of the best ever. His combination of ability, speed and power might be unrivaled in the sport today, perhaps even by the gifted Crawford. Fulton is an excellent, proven all-around fighter and he was utterly lost against Inoue almost the entire fight, which was stunning to watch. And “The Monster” is only 30, meaning he has a lot more to give. That’s bad news for those in and around his weight. Who’s better, Crawford or Inoue? Arguments can and will be made for both men. The best way to look at it might be this: We’re fortunate to have two such great fighters on the scene at the same time. And the fact they both performed their magic only days apart last week was a true blessing.
BIGGEST LOSER
Errol Spence Jr.
Errol Spence Jr. went down three times during a disastrous night for him Al Bello / Getty Images
Spence told me about a week and a half before the fight that his showdown with Crawford wouldn’t define his career. He’s right. He was all but guaranteed a spot in the Hall of Fame going into the fight because of a six-year reign as a titleholder, pound-for-pound status and victories over the likes of Kell Brook, Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter and other big-name opponents. At the same time, the legacy of a fighter doesn’t remain unscathed after the kind of beating Spence endured at T-Mobile Arena. Spence passed the aforementioned tests but this one, against Crawford, was by far his biggest one. And he failed it badly. He didn’t just lose; he was outclassed and ultimately pummeled, which was shocking to witness given his past success. The brutality of the beat down and the image of Spence’s bloodied, bruised face during and after the fight is now etched in our memories. Spence remains a formidable fighter, just not the best, which he aspired to be. He’ll always be seen as inferior to Crawford unless he gets the rematch he wants and somehow turns the tables on his conqueror. And most of us will agree: That’s highly unlikely. Spence would be wise to move on from Crawford and up to 154 pounds, where more success awaits him.
So long Nonito Donaire? “The Filipino Flash” might’ve fought for the last time on the Crawford-Spence card, on which he lost a unanimous decision to Alexandro Santiago in a fight for a vacant 118-pound title. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer was competitive but he showed his age, as his 27-year-old opponent was a step ahead of him from beginning to end. Donaire inadvertently hinted that he might be slipping, saying, “There were just some times there where I didn’t pull the trigger.” That’s a classic sign of decline. He didn’t sound like a fighter who is ready to hang up the gloves in his post-fight interview but he might be wise to consider that option. How much more can he accomplish? He has already won nine major titles in four divisions over a career that has spanned more than two decades. And, again, the Hall awaits him. I’ll never forget his epic knockout of Vic Darchinyan in 2007, which opened our eyes to the fact that Donaire was a special talent and one of the most exciting fighters in the world. He maintained that reputation for another 15 years of thrills, a testament to his ability, discipline and staying power. He’ll be missed whenever he walks away.
RABBIT PUNCHES
I think an immediate Crawford-Spence rematch is all wrong for Spence and everyone else involved. You can read my thoughts on that here. I’d like to see Crawford defend his 147-pound titles against a top contender (Jaron Ennis? Vergil Ortiz? Eimantas Stanionis? Keith Thurman?) and then target undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo after Charlo loses to Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 30. That fight could take place as soon as next spring. Spence should start the rebuilding process against a fringe contender in his next fight. … Lightweight contender Isaac Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs) defeated Giovanni Cabrera (21-1, 7 KOs) by a split decision in a 12-round bout on the Crawford-Spence card. Two judges had Cruz winning, 115-112 and 114-113. The third scored it for Cabrera, 114-113. The 115-112 score best reflected what happened in the ring. Cruz didn’t look spectacular but he maintained pressure on Cabrera and landed many more meaningful punches than him. According to CompuBox, Cruz had a 152-55 edge in power punches landed. I thought Cruz was in control most of the fight. That’s why I scored it 116-111 for Cruz, nine rounds to three. At least the right man won. …
Santiago’s victory over Donaire was a big step in his career. The Mexican, who turned pro at 16, outboxed a legend and took everything thrown at him to earn his first major title after failing in his first attempt, a draw with then 115-pound champ Jerwin Ancajas in 2018. The scoring on Saturday was spot on, 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113. I also had Santiago winning 116-112, eight rounds to four. Santiago could now give Donaire a rematch if the veteran wants one or target one of the two other 118-pound titleholders, Takuma Inoue and Jason Moloney. … Junior middleweight prospect Yoenis Tellez (6-0, 5 KOs) rewarded his handlers’ faith in him on the Crawford-Spence card. The 23-year-old Cuban native, now based in Houston, agreed to fight Sergio Garcia (34-3, 14 KOs) on short notice and made the most of the opportunity, stopping the Spanish veteran in only three rounds. Tellez has a lot going for him, ability, speed, power, poise. He’s one to watch. … Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) remained unbeaten Friday in Las Vegas, defeating Leonela Paola Yudica (19-2-3, 1 KO) by a unanimous decision in an entertaining fight. The 31-year-old strawweight titleholder from Los Angeles is one of the most consistent fighters in the world. …
News item: Former Puerto Rican star Felix Verdejo (27-2, 17 KOs) on Friday was convicted of kidnapping resulting in the death of his girlfriend and intentionally killing her unborn child in his native land. Verdejo reportedly injected her with some sort of liquid and then threw her off a bridge. He could receive a life sentence when he returns to court on Nov. 3. Tragic. … News item II: YouTubers-turned-boxers Jake Paul and KSI have announced that they will fight separate opponents on an Oct. 14 card in Manchester, England (DAZN).
Weekend Review: Terence Crawford and Naoya Inoue gave us precious gifts during an unforgettable week of boxing.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
BIGGEST WINNER
Terence Crawford
To understand the magnitude of what Crawford accomplished on Saturday in Las Vegas we must consider his opponent. Errol Spence was a former Olympian, unbeaten professional with an impressive resume, No. 4 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list (Crawford is No. 1) and a three-belt welterweight titleholder. The fight was 50-50 on paper. And Crawford made Spence look like a journeyman, outboxing him, putting him down three times and finally knocking him out in the ninth round to become the first undisputed welterweight champion in the four-belt era and the first man to be “undisputed” in a second division. It was near-perfect performance on a big stage, one that stamps Crawford as the best 147-pounder of his era and an all-time great when his previous accomplishments are also taken into account. And it came just in the nick of time. He had trouble for years luring his top welterweight rivals into the ring because of promotional rivalries, leading many to wonder whether he’d ever get a chance to prove what he could do at the highest level of the sport. He finally received that opportunity at 35, an age when most fighters have begun to decline. “I kept praying to God that I’d get the opportunity show the world how great Terence Crawford is,” he said after his victory. “And tonight I believe I showed how great I am.” Indeed he did. He was brilliant.
BIGGEST WINNER II
Naoya Inoue
We might never see a week like this past one again. On Saturday, Crawford gave us one of the best performances in recent memory. And, four days earlier, Naoya Inoue did the same thing. The Japanese star dominated and then stopped previously unbeaten 122-pounder Stephen Fulton Jr. in eight rounds in Tokyo, giving Inoue major titles in a fourth division and taking our collective breath away in the process. Inoue left no doubt that he’s one of the best ever. His combination of ability, speed and power might be unrivaled in the sport today, perhaps even by the gifted Crawford. Fulton is an excellent, proven all-around fighter and he was utterly lost against Inoue almost the entire fight, which was stunning to watch. And “The Monster” is only 30, meaning he has a lot more to give. That’s bad news for those in and around his weight. Who’s better, Crawford or Inoue? Arguments can and will be made for both men. The best way to look at it might be this: We’re fortunate to have two such great fighters on the scene at the same time. And the fact they both performed their magic only days apart last week was a true blessing.
BIGGEST LOSER
Errol Spence Jr.
Errol Spence Jr. went down three times during a disastrous night for him Al Bello / Getty Images
Spence told me about a week and a half before the fight that his showdown with Crawford wouldn’t define his career. He’s right. He was all but guaranteed a spot in the Hall of Fame going into the fight because of a six-year reign as a titleholder, pound-for-pound status and victories over the likes of Kell Brook, Mikey Garcia, Shawn Porter and other big-name opponents. At the same time, the legacy of a fighter doesn’t remain unscathed after the kind of beating Spence endured at T-Mobile Arena. Spence passed the aforementioned tests but this one, against Crawford, was by far his biggest one. And he failed it badly. He didn’t just lose; he was outclassed and ultimately pummeled, which was shocking to witness given his past success. The brutality of the beat down and the image of Spence’s bloodied, bruised face during and after the fight is now etched in our memories. Spence remains a formidable fighter, just not the best, which he aspired to be. He’ll always be seen as inferior to Crawford unless he gets the rematch he wants and somehow turns the tables on his conqueror. And most of us will agree: That’s highly unlikely. Spence would be wise to move on from Crawford and up to 154 pounds, where more success awaits him.
So long Nonito Donaire? “The Filipino Flash” might’ve fought for the last time on the Crawford-Spence card, on which he lost a unanimous decision to Alexandro Santiago in a fight for a vacant 118-pound title. The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer was competitive but he showed his age, as his 27-year-old opponent was a step ahead of him from beginning to end. Donaire inadvertently hinted that he might be slipping, saying, “There were just some times there where I didn’t pull the trigger.” That’s a classic sign of decline. He didn’t sound like a fighter who is ready to hang up the gloves in his post-fight interview but he might be wise to consider that option. How much more can he accomplish? He has already won nine major titles in four divisions over a career that has spanned more than two decades. And, again, the Hall awaits him. I’ll never forget his epic knockout of Vic Darchinyan in 2007, which opened our eyes to the fact that Donaire was a special talent and one of the most exciting fighters in the world. He maintained that reputation for another 15 years of thrills, a testament to his ability, discipline and staying power. He’ll be missed whenever he walks away.
RABBIT PUNCHES
I think an immediate Crawford-Spence rematch is all wrong for Spence and everyone else involved. You can read my thoughts on that here. I’d like to see Crawford defend his 147-pound titles against a top contender (Jaron Ennis? Vergil Ortiz? Eimantas Stanionis? Keith Thurman?) and then target undisputed 154-pound champion Jermell Charlo after Charlo loses to Canelo Alvarez on Sept. 30. That fight could take place as soon as next spring. Spence should start the rebuilding process against a fringe contender in his next fight. … Lightweight contender Isaac Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KOs) defeated Giovanni Cabrera (21-1, 7 KOs) by a split decision in a 12-round bout on the Crawford-Spence card. Two judges had Cruz winning, 115-112 and 114-113. The third scored it for Cabrera, 114-113. The 115-112 score best reflected what happened in the ring. Cruz didn’t look spectacular but he maintained pressure on Cabrera and landed many more meaningful punches than him. According to CompuBox, Cruz had a 152-55 edge in power punches landed. I thought Cruz was in control most of the fight. That’s why I scored it 116-111 for Cruz, nine rounds to three. At least the right man won. …
Santiago’s victory over Donaire was a big step in his career. The Mexican, who turned pro at 16, outboxed a legend and took everything thrown at him to earn his first major title after failing in his first attempt, a draw with then 115-pound champ Jerwin Ancajas in 2018. The scoring on Saturday was spot on, 116-112, 116-112 and 115-113. I also had Santiago winning 116-112, eight rounds to four. Santiago could now give Donaire a rematch if the veteran wants one or target one of the two other 118-pound titleholders, Takuma Inoue and Jason Moloney. … Junior middleweight prospect Yoenis Tellez (6-0, 5 KOs) rewarded his handlers’ faith in him on the Crawford-Spence card. The 23-year-old Cuban native, now based in Houston, agreed to fight Sergio Garcia (34-3, 14 KOs) on short notice and made the most of the opportunity, stopping the Spanish veteran in only three rounds. Tellez has a lot going for him, ability, speed, power, poise. He’s one to watch. … Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) remained unbeaten Friday in Las Vegas, defeating Leonela Paola Yudica (19-2-3, 1 KO) by a unanimous decision in an entertaining fight. The 31-year-old strawweight titleholder from Los Angeles is one of the most consistent fighters in the world. …
News item: Former Puerto Rican star Felix Verdejo (27-2, 17 KOs) on Friday was convicted of kidnapping resulting in the death of his girlfriend and intentionally killing her unborn child in his native land. Verdejo reportedly injected her with some sort of liquid and then threw her off a bridge. He could receive a life sentence when he returns to court on Nov. 3. Tragic. … News item II: YouTubers-turned-boxers Jake Paul and KSI have announced that they will fight separate opponents on an Oct. 14 card in Manchester, England (DAZN).
Weekend Review: David Benavidez put Canelo Alvarez on notice with a dominating victory over Caleb Plant on Saturday in Las Vegas.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
BIGGGEST WINNER David Benavidez
Benavidez was Benavidez in the end, a dogged, merciless hunter who almost always bags his prey. Caleb Plant was effective early, sticking, moving, holding, doing whatever it took to blunt Benavidez attack and land enough punches to win rounds. That worked only so long, however. Benavidez continued to stalk his rival and gradually closed the distance in spite of an oversized ring, which allowed him to begin landing an assortment of damaging blows that broke down Plant and resulted in a unanimous decision victory Saturday at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The winner’s knockout streak ended at six but he couldn’t have been more dominating down the stretch, winning the last seven rounds on all three cards and outlanding Plant 161-46 in the last six, according to CompuBox. It was arguably the most impressive performance in Benavidez’s career given Plant’s ability and an indication that he is ready to face anyone, including undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez. Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) is a better boxer than he might seem to be and a physical freak, which might make him unstoppable. And remember: He’s only 26. He’s probably getting better and better. Frightening thought, huh?
BIGGEST LOSER Caleb Plant
Caleb Plant took a beating from David Benavidez. Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports
Plant had the right game plan. Get in, get out, move the feet and hold when necessary. Those tactics had the Tennessean leading on the scorecards after the first six rounds and in position to deliver a significant upset. Team Plant couldn’t have been more optimistic halfway through the fight. Then things went south. Plant simply didn’t have the wherewithal to withstand the pressure of a particularly good, powerful opponent and faded badly as the fight progressed. We saw that when he fought Alvarez, who stopped him in the 11th round. And we saw it again on Saturday night. Benavidez outlanded him by an average of 17.5-7.6 per round, including the rounds Plant won. Plant landed only 14.6% of his punches, which says something about his limitations and Benavidez defensive skills. The CompuBox numbers aren’t official but they underscore the loser’s ineffectiveness. Plant (22-2, 13 KOs) is a fine, but limited boxer with average punching power who appears to have hit a ceiling. He can beat the Jose Uzcateguis and Anthony Dirrells of the world but not next-level, pound-for-pound-caliber opponents.
WORST DECISION? Chris Colbert UD Jose Valenzuela
The decision wasn’t outrageous but Colbert was definitely fortunate to emerge victorious over Valenzuela on the Benavidez-Plant card. All three judges had the same score after the 10-round 135-pound bout, 95-94, six rounds to four for Colbert (17-1, 6 KOs). Valenzuela won the first round, during which he put Colbert down. That means the judges gave Colbert six of the final nine rounds. That’s hard to swallow. Colbert rebounded from the knockdown to make the fight competitive, landing quick, accurate jabs and combinations at times. However, Valenzuela kept the pressure on Colbert and seemed to land many more power punches than his opponent. That’s why I scored it 96-93 for Valenzuela, six rounds to four in his favor. The Mexican had reason to be upset afterward, particularly because he’s now saddled with consecutive losses. The good news for Valenzuela (12-2, 8 KOs) is that we saw what we saw, a good performance against a good opponent. He’ll be fine. And Colbert, also coming off a setback, took a step in the right direction – even if he didn’t earn it.
BIGGEST WINNER II Jose Ramirez
We shouldn’t read too much into Ramirez’s 11th-round knockout of Richard Commey on Saturday in Fresno, California, because of Commey’s limitations. The Ghanaian is 0-2-1 in his last three fights and 1-3-1 in his last five. That said, Ramirez looked sharp even though he hadn’t fought in a year, attacking Commey from the outset with passion and efficiency. And he punctuated the strong performance by putting Commey (30-5-1, 27 KOs) down twice in the penultimate round, the second time with a vicious hook to the body that forced him to take a knee and then quit. That’s how you make a statement. Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs) has now won two consecutive fights since he lost a close decision to Josh Taylor in 2021, which cost him his two world titles. He seems to be back to form. What’s next? He’d like to challenge WBC titleholder Regis Prograis, although he recently passed up a chance to face the champion. Ramirez objected to a 65%-35% purse split in Prograis’ favor mandated by the WBC, which does seem to be overly lopsided given Ramirez’s reputation. We’ll see how this plays out.
RABBIT PUNCHES
The Benavidez-Plant fight was frustrating in a number of respects. First, the ring was a sprawling 22 feet-by-22 feet instead of the standard 20-by-20 in Nevada, as per Plant’s demand during negotiations. He wanted more room to move. Benavidez should be applauded for agreeing to the unusual stipulation; it says a lot about his confidence. However, I was surprised that Nevada officials agreed to it. I always thought they were firm on ring size in the name of consistency. I hope they don’t hand one fighter such a significant advantage again even though it didn’t save Plant in this case. Second, referee Kenny Bayless was awful. Plant’s holding was beyond excessive and Bayless evidently didn’t issue a single warning. He stopped the action to have a doctor look at Plant’s cut in the eighth round even though Benavidez had him hurt, which gave Plant time to recover. And, generally, he was overly intrusive. In other words, he committed the cardinal sin: He became a big part of the story. … For the record: Plant was smart to hold. Bayless just shouldn’t have allowed him to do it as much as he did. … Alvarez appears to be targeting a rematch with Dmitry Bivol in September, assuming the Mexican star beats John Ryder on May 6. He wants to avenge his loss, which is understandable. I hope Alvarez changes his mind and faces Benavidez instead. Boxers always say they want to give the fans the fights they want to see. The fans want Alvarez-Benavidez, not Alvarez-Bivol II. Who wins if it happens? I like Benavidez, even against an Alvarez who is 100% healthy. …
Colbert moved up from 130 pounds to 135 for his fight with Valenzuela. It appeared in the early rounds that Valenzuela, a lightweight since 2020, might be too big and powerful for Colbert. However, after the first round, he took everything that was thrown at him – including many punishing blows — and finished the fight on his feet. Still, he said going into the fight that he planned to move back down to the more natural 130 in an effort to win a major title there. Good idea. It’s difficult to be competitive when you’re the smaller, weaker guy. … Junior middleweight contender Jesus Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs) overwhelmed previously unbeaten Joey Spencer (16-1, 10 KOs) on the Benavidez-Plant card, stopping Spencer in the seventh round as a result of an accumulation of punches. Ramos put Spencer down late in the opening round and more or less landed at will after that, leading Spencer’s cornermen to stop the fight to save their man from getting seriously injured. We shouldn’t’ get carried away with Ramos victory because Spencer was unproven but he looked scary. First, he seemed to be a division or two bigger than Spencer even though he moved up to 154 only two years ago. And, second, his efficient, methodical destruction of yet another opponent once again belied his youth. He’s only 22. I want to see Ramos against a top contender before making any bold statements about him but his ceiling certainly appears to be high. … Seniesa Estrada (24-0, 9 KOs) demonstrated again that she’s one of the best in the business, shutting out Tina Rupprecht (12-1-1, 3 KOs) to unify two 105-pound titles on the Ramirez-Commey card. All three judges scored it 100-90, 10 rounds to none. The Los Angeles native’s goal is to become undisputed champion, which means she’ll now target the holder of the other two major belts, Yokasta Valle (28-2, 9 KOs).
Weekend Review: David Benavidez put Canelo Alvarez on notice with a dominating victory over Caleb Plant on Saturday in Las Vegas.
A critical look at the past week in boxing
BIGGGEST WINNER David Benavidez
Benavidez was Benavidez in the end, a dogged, merciless hunter who almost always bags his prey. Caleb Plant was effective early, sticking, moving, holding, doing whatever it took to blunt Benavidez attack and land enough punches to win rounds. That worked only so long, however. Benavidez continued to stalk his rival and gradually closed the distance in spite of an oversized ring, which allowed him to begin landing an assortment of damaging blows that broke down Plant and resulted in a unanimous decision victory Saturday at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The winner’s knockout streak ended at six but he couldn’t have been more dominating down the stretch, winning the last seven rounds on all three cards and outlanding Plant 161-46 in the last six, according to CompuBox. It was arguably the most impressive performance in Benavidez’s career given Plant’s ability and an indication that he is ready to face anyone, including undisputed champion Canelo Alvarez. Benavidez (27-0, 23 KOs) is a better boxer than he might seem to be and a physical freak, which might make him unstoppable. And remember: He’s only 26. He’s probably getting better and better. Frightening thought, huh?
BIGGEST LOSER Caleb Plant
Caleb Plant took a beating from David Benavidez. Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports
Plant had the right game plan. Get in, get out, move the feet and hold when necessary. Those tactics had the Tennessean leading on the scorecards after the first six rounds and in position to deliver a significant upset. Team Plant couldn’t have been more optimistic halfway through the fight. Then things went south. Plant simply didn’t have the wherewithal to withstand the pressure of a particularly good, powerful opponent and faded badly as the fight progressed. We saw that when he fought Alvarez, who stopped him in the 11th round. And we saw it again on Saturday night. Benavidez outlanded him by an average of 17.5-7.6 per round, including the rounds Plant won. Plant landed only 14.6% of his punches, which says something about his limitations and Benavidez defensive skills. The CompuBox numbers aren’t official but they underscore the loser’s ineffectiveness. Plant (22-2, 13 KOs) is a fine, but limited boxer with average punching power who appears to have hit a ceiling. He can beat the Jose Uzcateguis and Anthony Dirrells of the world but not next-level, pound-for-pound-caliber opponents.
WORST DECISION? Chris Colbert UD Jose Valenzuela
The decision wasn’t outrageous but Colbert was definitely fortunate to emerge victorious over Valenzuela on the Benavidez-Plant card. All three judges had the same score after the 10-round 135-pound bout, 95-94, six rounds to four for Colbert (17-1, 6 KOs). Valenzuela won the first round, during which he put Colbert down. That means the judges gave Colbert six of the final nine rounds. That’s hard to swallow. Colbert rebounded from the knockdown to make the fight competitive, landing quick, accurate jabs and combinations at times. However, Valenzuela kept the pressure on Colbert and seemed to land many more power punches than his opponent. That’s why I scored it 96-93 for Valenzuela, six rounds to four in his favor. The Mexican had reason to be upset afterward, particularly because he’s now saddled with consecutive losses. The good news for Valenzuela (12-2, 8 KOs) is that we saw what we saw, a good performance against a good opponent. He’ll be fine. And Colbert, also coming off a setback, took a step in the right direction – even if he didn’t earn it.
BIGGEST WINNER II Jose Ramirez
We shouldn’t read too much into Ramirez’s 11th-round knockout of Richard Commey on Saturday in Fresno, California, because of Commey’s limitations. The Ghanaian is 0-2-1 in his last three fights and 1-3-1 in his last five. That said, Ramirez looked sharp even though he hadn’t fought in a year, attacking Commey from the outset with passion and efficiency. And he punctuated the strong performance by putting Commey (30-5-1, 27 KOs) down twice in the penultimate round, the second time with a vicious hook to the body that forced him to take a knee and then quit. That’s how you make a statement. Ramirez (28-1, 18 KOs) has now won two consecutive fights since he lost a close decision to Josh Taylor in 2021, which cost him his two world titles. He seems to be back to form. What’s next? He’d like to challenge WBC titleholder Regis Prograis, although he recently passed up a chance to face the champion. Ramirez objected to a 65%-35% purse split in Prograis’ favor mandated by the WBC, which does seem to be overly lopsided given Ramirez’s reputation. We’ll see how this plays out.
RABBIT PUNCHES
The Benavidez-Plant fight was frustrating in a number of respects. First, the ring was a sprawling 22 feet-by-22 feet instead of the standard 20-by-20 in Nevada, as per Plant’s demand during negotiations. He wanted more room to move. Benavidez should be applauded for agreeing to the unusual stipulation; it says a lot about his confidence. However, I was surprised that Nevada officials agreed to it. I always thought they were firm on ring size in the name of consistency. I hope they don’t hand one fighter such a significant advantage again even though it didn’t save Plant in this case. Second, referee Kenny Bayless was awful. Plant’s holding was beyond excessive and Bayless evidently didn’t issue a single warning. He stopped the action to have a doctor look at Plant’s cut in the eighth round even though Benavidez had him hurt, which gave Plant time to recover. And, generally, he was overly intrusive. In other words, he committed the cardinal sin: He became a big part of the story. … For the record: Plant was smart to hold. Bayless just shouldn’t have allowed him to do it as much as he did. … Alvarez appears to be targeting a rematch with Dmitry Bivol in September, assuming the Mexican star beats John Ryder on May 6. He wants to avenge his loss, which is understandable. I hope Alvarez changes his mind and faces Benavidez instead. Boxers always say they want to give the fans the fights they want to see. The fans want Alvarez-Benavidez, not Alvarez-Bivol II. Who wins if it happens? I like Benavidez, even against an Alvarez who is 100% healthy. …
Colbert moved up from 130 pounds to 135 for his fight with Valenzuela. It appeared in the early rounds that Valenzuela, a lightweight since 2020, might be too big and powerful for Colbert. However, after the first round, he took everything that was thrown at him – including many punishing blows — and finished the fight on his feet. Still, he said going into the fight that he planned to move back down to the more natural 130 in an effort to win a major title there. Good idea. It’s difficult to be competitive when you’re the smaller, weaker guy. … Junior middleweight contender Jesus Ramos (20-0, 16 KOs) overwhelmed previously unbeaten Joey Spencer (16-1, 10 KOs) on the Benavidez-Plant card, stopping Spencer in the seventh round as a result of an accumulation of punches. Ramos put Spencer down late in the opening round and more or less landed at will after that, leading Spencer’s cornermen to stop the fight to save their man from getting seriously injured. We shouldn’t’ get carried away with Ramos victory because Spencer was unproven but he looked scary. First, he seemed to be a division or two bigger than Spencer even though he moved up to 154 only two years ago. And, second, his efficient, methodical destruction of yet another opponent once again belied his youth. He’s only 22. I want to see Ramos against a top contender before making any bold statements about him but his ceiling certainly appears to be high. … Seniesa Estrada (24-0, 9 KOs) demonstrated again that she’s one of the best in the business, shutting out Tina Rupprecht (12-1-1, 3 KOs) to unify two 105-pound titles on the Ramirez-Commey card. All three judges scored it 100-90, 10 rounds to none. The Los Angeles native’s goal is to become undisputed champion, which means she’ll now target the holder of the other two major belts, Yokasta Valle (28-2, 9 KOs).
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD That classic Showtime style! @SunnyEdwards closes out the final round with his hands in the air! #ProbellumSheffield pic.twitter.com/rry7jG52HE – Probellum (@probellum) November 11, 2022 The best …
The best fighter in the United Kingdom might be a flyweight from London.
IBF 112-pound titleholder Sunny Edwards gave another impressive performance on Saturday night in Sheffield, England, where he defeated former 108-pound champ Felix Alvarado by a convincing unanimous decision.
And he used a rare combination of skill and durability to do it, further evidence that the 26-year-old could go a long way.
Edwards (19-0, 4 KOs) boxed brilliantly, using his quick, fluid stick-and-move style to frustrate the capable Alvarado in the first half of the fight. Then, in the second half, Edwards had to rely on his determination and toughness as much as his ability to survive Alvarado’s relentless pressure and leave the ring with another victory.
The official scores were 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113, the last two of which were too generous toward Alvarado.
And remember that Edwards can’t punch, as his knockout percentage indicates. That only makes his accomplishments more remarkable: He’s able to dominate opponents without the power to hurt them.
That limitation probably works against him in terms of his place among the best British fighters, including the more-complete Josh Taylor. However, I’m not sure anyone in the U.K. can box better than Edwards.
What’s next? He wants to face another hot fighter, highly respected Bam Rodriguez, who said he plans to move down to 112 pounds. That interesting matchup of sublime young technicians would be a genuine test of Edwards’ ability.
I would lean toward Rodriguez to win that fight but I wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised if Edwards had his hand raised, cementing his place among the best in the business regardless of origin. He’s that good.
BAD
There is nothing inherently “bad” about boxing exhibitions involving retired fighters, such as Floyd Mayweather.
I remember enjoying old-timers baseball games as a child. I was thrilled by the opportunity to see my heroes and legends of the sport return to the field one night even though there were no winners or losers in a competitive sense. It was good fun.
Obviously that’s how some fans feel about seeing Mayweather, Mike Tyson and others climb through the ropes to remind of us of what made them great. That’s why the retirees can still make money in boxing.
The Hall of Famer had a blast, demonstrated that he can still bring it at 45 years old and playing to the crowd along the way. There’s no doubt that many fans worldwide were entertained, which Mayweather said afterward was his goal.
The only reason this item is filed under “bad” is that I don’t get the appeal. To me the most entertaining part of the broadcast was the back-and-forth antics of marketing wiz and part-time commentator Jake Paul and the Fury family after Tommy Fury and Rolly Lambert engaged in an exhibition.
The moment the hefty John Fury, the father of Tyson Fury, took off his shirt in the ring and challenged Paul to fight him then and there was hysterical.
To each their own, though. If you enjoy these exhibitions enough to fork over the pay-per-view fee, God bless you. You must be pleased that there are many more to come.
WORSE
It’s always painful to write this.
We learned after David Morrell knocked out Aidos Yerbossynuly that Yerbossynuly was placed in a medically induced coma to treat bleeding on his brain, which has us praying for the best but thinking the worst.
In retrospect it seems clear that referee Tony Weeks or Yerbossynuly’s cornermen should’ve stopped the fight earlier than the 12th and final round, in which Morrell stopped him. However, the brave Kazakh was fighting with vigor almost until the end, which made it difficult to step in.
My opinion? Err on the side of caution. You might be criticized but an early stoppage is better than one that comes too late.
Such a tragic situation, which haunts us periodically, serves as a reminder of the fighters’ courage. They don’t necessarily believe they’ll suffer such an unfortunate fate but they know it’s a possibility. Still, they step through the ropes to pursue their dreams and entertain the fans.
I believe the powers that be do their best to protect the fighters in an inherently dangerous sport. Let’s hope they continue to do so and then some. Yerbossynuly and his peers deserve nothing less.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Middleweight titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly (13-0, 8 KOs) didn’t live up to the hype against Denzel Bentley (17-2-1, 14 KOs) on Saturday in Las Vegas. The 2016 Olympian from Kazakhstan won the fight by a unanimous decision but wasn’t particularly impressive in any respect, which must’ve been a disappointment for those hoping he’d make a statement. Alimkhanuly said he’s ready for any champion. We’ll see. … Kudos to Bentley. He’s a good fighter. … Strawweight titleholder Seniesa Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) was impressive in her unanimous-decision victory over Jazmin Gala Villarino (6-2-2, 1 KO) on the Alimkhanuly-Bentley card, her first fight in 11 months. The Los Angeles product might be as skillful as anyone in women’s boxing. … Montana Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) was disqualified for throwing opponent Steve Spark (16-2, 14 KOs) over the ropes and out of the ring in the sixth round of their junior welterweight fight Saturday in Cleveland. It was a rough fight. Love when down in Round 2 and suffered a cut from a clash of heads shortly before the unusual ending. I don’t know what the fuss is about. It seems to me that Love did exactly what he was accused of doing, which is an egregious foul. I might’ve docked him two points and allowed him to continue but a disqualification certainly was justified. …
Canelo Alvarez said his therapy is going well and that he should be ready to fight again in May after having surgery to repair a right wrist injury. That’s good news. He seems to be targeting 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol, who outpointed him this past May. That makes sense. I’d still rather see him take on fellow 168-pounder David Benavidez. … Former two-time junior middleweight champion Fernando Vargas seems to have produced some good fighters: His three sons, who he trains, are a combined 12-0 (10 KOs). His youngest boy, 18-year-old Emiliano Vargas (2-0, 2 KOs) got everyone’s attention by stopping Julio Martinez (1-1, 1 KO) with a single left hook in the second round of their lightweight bout on the Alimkhanuly-Bentley card. Another son, Fernando Vargas Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs), is considered an outstanding junior middleweight prospect. He’s scheduled to fight Alejandro Martinez on the Regis Prograis–Jose Zepeda pay-per-view card on Nov. 26. And a third son, lightweight Amado Vargas (4-0, 2 KOs), also has promise. The second-generation Vargases will have trouble living up to the standard of their father, who was one of the better fighters of his generation. However, they obviously are worth watching.
A critical look at the past week in boxing GOOD That classic Showtime style! @SunnyEdwards closes out the final round with his hands in the air! #ProbellumSheffield pic.twitter.com/rry7jG52HE – Probellum (@probellum) November 11, 2022 The best …
The best fighter in the United Kingdom might be a flyweight from London.
IBF 112-pound titleholder Sunny Edwards gave another impressive performance on Saturday night in Sheffield, England, where he defeated former 108-pound champ Felix Alvarado by a convincing unanimous decision.
And he used a rare combination of skill and durability to do it, further evidence that the 26-year-old could go a long way.
Edwards (19-0, 4 KOs) boxed brilliantly, using his quick, fluid stick-and-move style to frustrate the capable Alvarado in the first half of the fight. Then, in the second half, Edwards had to rely on his determination and toughness as much as his ability to survive Alvarado’s relentless pressure and leave the ring with another victory.
The official scores were 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113, the last two of which were too generous toward Alvarado.
And remember that Edwards can’t punch, as his knockout percentage indicates. That only makes his accomplishments more remarkable: He’s able to dominate opponents without the power to hurt them.
That limitation probably works against him in terms of his place among the best British fighters, including the more-complete Josh Taylor. However, I’m not sure anyone in the U.K. can box better than Edwards.
What’s next? He wants to face another hot fighter, highly respected Bam Rodriguez, who said he plans to move down to 112 pounds. That interesting matchup of sublime young technicians would be a genuine test of Edwards’ ability.
I would lean toward Rodriguez to win that fight but I wouldn’t be the slightest bit surprised if Edwards had his hand raised, cementing his place among the best in the business regardless of origin. He’s that good.
BAD
There is nothing inherently “bad” about boxing exhibitions involving retired fighters, such as Floyd Mayweather.
I remember enjoying old-timers baseball games as a child. I was thrilled by the opportunity to see my heroes and legends of the sport return to the field one night even though there were no winners or losers in a competitive sense. It was good fun.
Obviously that’s how some fans feel about seeing Mayweather, Mike Tyson and others climb through the ropes to remind of us of what made them great. That’s why the retirees can still make money in boxing.
The Hall of Famer had a blast, demonstrated that he can still bring it at 45 years old and playing to the crowd along the way. There’s no doubt that many fans worldwide were entertained, which Mayweather said afterward was his goal.
The only reason this item is filed under “bad” is that I don’t get the appeal. To me the most entertaining part of the broadcast was the back-and-forth antics of marketing wiz and part-time commentator Jake Paul and the Fury family after Tommy Fury and Rolly Lambert engaged in an exhibition.
The moment the hefty John Fury, the father of Tyson Fury, took off his shirt in the ring and challenged Paul to fight him then and there was hysterical.
To each their own, though. If you enjoy these exhibitions enough to fork over the pay-per-view fee, God bless you. You must be pleased that there are many more to come.
WORSE
It’s always painful to write this.
We learned after David Morrell knocked out Aidos Yerbossynuly that Yerbossynuly was placed in a medically induced coma to treat bleeding on his brain, which has us praying for the best but thinking the worst.
In retrospect it seems clear that referee Tony Weeks or Yerbossynuly’s cornermen should’ve stopped the fight earlier than the 12th and final round, in which Morrell stopped him. However, the brave Kazakh was fighting with vigor almost until the end, which made it difficult to step in.
My opinion? Err on the side of caution. You might be criticized but an early stoppage is better than one that comes too late.
Such a tragic situation, which haunts us periodically, serves as a reminder of the fighters’ courage. They don’t necessarily believe they’ll suffer such an unfortunate fate but they know it’s a possibility. Still, they step through the ropes to pursue their dreams and entertain the fans.
I believe the powers that be do their best to protect the fighters in an inherently dangerous sport. Let’s hope they continue to do so and then some. Yerbossynuly and his peers deserve nothing less.
RABBIT PUNCHES
Middleweight titleholder Janibek Alimkhanuly (13-0, 8 KOs) didn’t live up to the hype against Denzel Bentley (17-2-1, 14 KOs) on Saturday in Las Vegas. The 2016 Olympian from Kazakhstan won the fight by a unanimous decision but wasn’t particularly impressive in any respect, which must’ve been a disappointment for those hoping he’d make a statement. Alimkhanuly said he’s ready for any champion. We’ll see. … Kudos to Bentley. He’s a good fighter. … Strawweight titleholder Seniesa Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) was impressive in her unanimous-decision victory over Jazmin Gala Villarino (6-2-2, 1 KO) on the Alimkhanuly-Bentley card, her first fight in 11 months. The Los Angeles product might be as skillful as anyone in women’s boxing. … Montana Love (18-1-1, 9 KOs) was disqualified for throwing opponent Steve Spark (16-2, 14 KOs) over the ropes and out of the ring in the sixth round of their junior welterweight fight Saturday in Cleveland. It was a rough fight. Love when down in Round 2 and suffered a cut from a clash of heads shortly before the unusual ending. I don’t know what the fuss is about. It seems to me that Love did exactly what he was accused of doing, which is an egregious foul. I might’ve docked him two points and allowed him to continue but a disqualification certainly was justified. …
Canelo Alvarez said his therapy is going well and that he should be ready to fight again in May after having surgery to repair a right wrist injury. That’s good news. He seems to be targeting 175-pound champ Dmitry Bivol, who outpointed him this past May. That makes sense. I’d still rather see him take on fellow 168-pounder David Benavidez. … Former two-time junior middleweight champion Fernando Vargas seems to have produced some good fighters: His three sons, who he trains, are a combined 12-0 (10 KOs). His youngest boy, 18-year-old Emiliano Vargas (2-0, 2 KOs) got everyone’s attention by stopping Julio Martinez (1-1, 1 KO) with a single left hook in the second round of their lightweight bout on the Alimkhanuly-Bentley card. Another son, Fernando Vargas Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs), is considered an outstanding junior middleweight prospect. He’s scheduled to fight Alejandro Martinez on the Regis Prograis–Jose Zepeda pay-per-view card on Nov. 26. And a third son, lightweight Amado Vargas (4-0, 2 KOs), also has promise. The second-generation Vargases will have trouble living up to the standard of their father, who was one of the better fighters of his generation. However, they obviously are worth watching.
Janibek Alimkhanuly survived a spirited challenge from Denzel Bentley to win retain his middleweight title Saturday in Las Vegas.
Janibek Alimkhanuly didn’t look like the future of the middleweight division but he got the job done Saturday night in Las Vegas.
The highly hyped WBO titleholder received a spirited challenge from heavy underdog Denzel Bentley but emerged with a unanimous-decision victory, his belt and his perfect record.
The official scores were 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112. Boxing Junkie also scored it 116-112 for the 29-year-old Kazakh, eight rounds to four.
Alimkhanuly (13-0, 9 KOs) got off to a strong start, outworking a skittish Bentley (17-2-1, 14 KOs) over the first four rounds. It seemed as if Alimkhanuly might be on his way to seventh consecutive knockout.
Bentley had different ideas. The Londoner picked up his pace in Round 5 and didn’t let up the rest of the way, which turned a one-sided fight into a competitive one.
The fighters played give-and-take from Round 5 through Round 10, with both landing eye-catching shots and neither getting seriously hurt in the process in spite of Alimkhanuly’s well-publicized punching power.
Then, in the final two rounds, the champion asserted himself to pull away from Bentley. He landed some of his hardest punches in those rounds, although the challenger remained on his feet.
In the end, Alimkhanuly survived the toughest test of his career and gained valuable experience, which will serve him going forward. However, he definitely didn’t scare the other top 160-pounders.
The WBO’s No. 1 challenger, Jaime Munguia, might be next for Alimkhanuly. The sanctioning body has ordered that fight.
Is the Kazakh ready for that challenge? That question can’t be answered based on his so-so performance Saturday night.
In preliminary bouts, WBA strawweight Seniesa Estrada of Los Angeles outworked Jazmin Gala Villarina (6-2-2, 1 KO) of Argentina to win a shutout 10-round decision. All three judges scored it 100-90.
Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) hadn’t fought 11 months before Saturday.
Lightweight prospect Raymond Muratalla (16-0, 13 KOs) of Fontana, California, stopped Miguel Contreras (12-2-1, 6 KOs) of Bakersfield, California, at 2:23 of Round 6 of a scheduled eight-rounder.
And lightweight prospect Emiliano Vargas of Oxnard, California, stopped Julio Martinez (1-1, 1 KO) of South Bend, Indiana, with a single left hook 47 second into the second round of a scheduled four-round light.
Vargas (2-0, 2 KOs) is the 18-year-old son of former two-division titleholder Fernando Vargas.
Janibek Alimkhanuly survived a spirited challenge from Denzel Bentley to win retain his middleweight title Saturday in Las Vegas.
Janibek Alimkhanuly didn’t look like the future of the middleweight division but he got the job done Saturday night in Las Vegas.
The highly hyped WBO titleholder received a spirited challenge from heavy underdog Denzel Bentley but emerged with a unanimous-decision victory, his belt and his perfect record.
The official scores were 118-110, 116-112 and 116-112. Boxing Junkie also scored it 116-112 for the 29-year-old Kazakh, eight rounds to four.
Alimkhanuly (13-0, 9 KOs) got off to a strong start, outworking a skittish Bentley (17-2-1, 14 KOs) over the first four rounds. It seemed as if Alimkhanuly might be on his way to seventh consecutive knockout.
Bentley had different ideas. The Londoner picked up his pace in Round 5 and didn’t let up the rest of the way, which turned a one-sided fight into a competitive one.
The fighters played give-and-take from Round 5 through Round 10, with both landing eye-catching shots and neither getting seriously hurt in the process in spite of Alimkhanuly’s well-publicized punching power.
Then, in the final two rounds, the champion asserted himself to pull away from Bentley. He landed some of his hardest punches in those rounds, although the challenger remained on his feet.
In the end, Alimkhanuly survived the toughest test of his career and gained valuable experience, which will serve him going forward. However, he definitely didn’t scare the other top 160-pounders.
The WBO’s No. 1 challenger, Jaime Munguia, might be next for Alimkhanuly. The sanctioning body has ordered that fight.
Is the Kazakh ready for that challenge? That question can’t be answered based on his so-so performance Saturday night.
In preliminary bouts, WBA strawweight Seniesa Estrada of Los Angeles outworked Jazmin Gala Villarina (6-2-2, 1 KO) of Argentina to win a shutout 10-round decision. All three judges scored it 100-90.
Estrada (23-0, 9 KOs) hadn’t fought 11 months before Saturday.
Lightweight prospect Raymond Muratalla (16-0, 13 KOs) of Fontana, California, stopped Miguel Contreras (12-2-1, 6 KOs) of Bakersfield, California, at 2:23 of Round 6 of a scheduled eight-rounder.
And lightweight prospect Emiliano Vargas of Oxnard, California, stopped Julio Martinez (1-1, 1 KO) of South Bend, Indiana, with a single left hook 47 second into the second round of a scheduled four-round light.
Vargas (2-0, 2 KOs) is the 18-year-old son of former two-division titleholder Fernando Vargas.
