Rolando Romero escaped with a victory over Jackson Marinez he might not have deserved Saturday.
Rolando Romero escaped with a victory over Jackson Marinez he might not have deserved.
The 24-year-old power puncher from Las Vegas landed some eye-catching shots but never hurt Marinez and was otherwise was outboxed yet emerged with a unanimous-decision victory on the David Benavidez-Roamer Alexis Angulo on Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and a mind-boggling 118-110 from judge Frank Lombardi, all for Romero, who won an “interim” world title. Boxing Junkie had Marinez winning 116-112.
Romero (12-0, 10 KOs) pressured Marinez (19-1, 7 KOs) from beginning to end, which evidently impressed the judges. However, the Dominican seemed to control the fight with his jab, work rate and the fact he generally beat Romero to the punch.
Marinez also used his feet to stay out of trouble more often than not, as Romero was never able to trap him against the ropes as he had against previous opponents.
When the decision was announced, Marinez could only smile and shake his head. Undoubtedly, many others also did the latter.
Rolando Romero escaped with a victory over Jackson Marinez he might not have deserved Saturday.
Rolando Romero escaped with a victory over Jackson Marinez he might not have deserved.
The 24-year-old power puncher from Las Vegas landed some eye-catching shots but never hurt Marinez and was otherwise was outboxed yet emerged with a unanimous-decision victory on the David Benavidez-Roamer Alexis Angulo on Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
The scores were 115-113, 116-112 and a mind-boggling 118-110 from judge Frank Lombardi, all for Romero, who won an “interim” world title. Boxing Junkie had Marinez winning 116-112.
Romero (12-0, 10 KOs) pressured Marinez (19-1, 7 KOs) from beginning to end, which evidently impressed the judges. However, the Dominican seemed to control the fight with his jab, work rate and the fact he generally beat Romero to the punch.
Marinez also used his feet to stay out of trouble more often than not, as Romero was never able to trap him against the ropes as he had against previous opponents.
When the decision was announced, Marinez could only smile and shake his head. Undoubtedly, many others also did the latter.
Otto Wallin outboxed and outworked Kauffman for four-plus rounds and stopped him in the fifth Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
Otto Wallin made a strong impression. Travis Kauffman might be finished as a fighter.
Wallin outboxed and outworked Kauffman for four-plus rounds and stopped him in the fifth after Kauffman injured his left shoulder on the David Benavidez-Roamer Alexis Angulo card Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
Wallin (21-1, 14 KOs) had hoped to stage an impressive performance to build on the momentum he established by giving heavyweight champ Tyson Fury trouble in a losing cause last September. And he succeeded.
The left-handed Swede fought beautifully behind his right jab, which set up power shots and allowed him to control the fight. Kauffman (32-4, 23 KOs) had some success when he managed to get inside, particularly when he went to the body. However, he had trouble getting past Wallin’s long punches and coping with his movement.
Wallin was well ahead on the cards when Kauffman appeared to injure the same shoulder on which he recently had surgery. He tried to fight with one arm but referee Michael Ortega decided he couldn’t defend himself and stopped the fight.
The official time was 2:32 of the fifth.
The CompuBox numbers reflect Wallin’s dominance. He landed 114 of 293 punches, Kauffman only 31 of 163. Wallin landed 61 jabs and 53 of 98 power shots (54%).
With the victory, Wallin strengthened his position as a player in the heavyweight division. Kauffman had said he would retire if he lost.
Otto Wallin outboxed and outworked Kauffman for four-plus rounds and stopped him in the fifth Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
Otto Wallin made a strong impression. Travis Kauffman might be finished as a fighter.
Wallin outboxed and outworked Kauffman for four-plus rounds and stopped him in the fifth after Kauffman injured his left shoulder on the David Benavidez-Roamer Alexis Angulo card Saturday in Uncasville, Conn.
Wallin (21-1, 14 KOs) had hoped to stage an impressive performance to build on the momentum he established by giving heavyweight champ Tyson Fury trouble in a losing cause last September. And he succeeded.
The left-handed Swede fought beautifully behind his right jab, which set up power shots and allowed him to control the fight. Kauffman (32-4, 23 KOs) had some success when he managed to get inside, particularly when he went to the body. However, he had trouble getting past Wallin’s long punches and coping with his movement.
Wallin was well ahead on the cards when Kauffman appeared to injure the same shoulder on which he recently had surgery. He tried to fight with one arm but referee Michael Ortega decided he couldn’t defend himself and stopped the fight.
The official time was 2:32 of the fifth.
The CompuBox numbers reflect Wallin’s dominance. He landed 114 of 293 punches, Kauffman only 31 of 163. Wallin landed 61 jabs and 53 of 98 power shots (54%).
With the victory, Wallin strengthened his position as a player in the heavyweight division. Kauffman had said he would retire if he lost.
Here’s everything you need to know about David Benavidez vs. Alexis Angulo.
David Benavidez already beat himself by weighing in nearly three pounds over the super middleweight limit Friday, which cost him his title.
The now-former world champion can at least salvage the weekend with a victory over battle-tested veteran Alexis Angulo on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn..
Benavidez knows he messed up badly, but he’s shifting focus to the task at hand.
“I’m very disappointed,” Benavidez told Showtime after the weigh-in. “Obviously, this is my first time missing weight. Like I said, I’m very disappointed losing the title on the scale, but I’ve still got a job to do. I lose the title, but I’m still going to win [Saturday].”
Angulo has pieced together a three-fight winning streak, including a split decision over Anthony Sims Jr. in January before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Will Benavidez be able to channel his frustration into demolishing Angulo? Or will the game challenger seize this moment to pull off an upset?
Here’s everything you need to know about David Benavidez vs. Alexis Angulo.
David Benavidez vs. Alexis Angulo fight date, start time
Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
Time: 9p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
The Benavidez vs. Angulo card will begin at 9 p.m. ET.
How to watch Benavidez vs. Angulo: TV, live stream
Showtime
The Benavidez vs. Angulo fight is available on TV via Showtime.
The Showtime app can be live streamed on smart TVs and game consoles, including Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, LG Smart TVs, Roku devices, Samsung Smart TVs and Xbox One. The app can also be streamed on mobile devices, including Android phones, the Amazon Fire Tablet, iPad, iPhone, and for computers on Showtime.com.
How much does Benavidez vs. Angulo cost?
Viewers can add Showtime to their paid TV subscription, with prices varying. Current subscribers can watch Benavidez vs. Angulo as part of their plan.
The other option is to start a 30-day trial to stream Showtime for free on one of the aforementioned devices, paying $10.99 per month thereafter. One can cancel any time. Current Showtime subscribers can also stream the fight as part of their plan.
Where is the Benavidez vs. Angulo fight?
The Benavidez vs. Angulo fight will take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Fans won’t be present, and social distancing of personnel will be in effect because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Neither Benavidez nor Angulo have ever fought in Connecticut.
David Benavidez record and bio
Nationality: American
Born: Dec. 17, 1996
Height: 6-foot-1½ (187 cms)
Reach: 77 inches (196 cms)
Total fights: 22
Record: 22-0 (19 KOs)
Alexis Angulo record and bio
Nationality: Colombian
Born: March 25, 1984
Height: 6-foot-1 (185 cms)
Reach: 75 inches (191 cms)
Total fights: 27
Record: 26-1 (22 KOs)
Benavidez vs. Angulo fight card
David Benavidez vs. Alexis Angulo, super middleweights
Rolando Romero vs. Jackson Marínez, lightweights (for WBA interim title)
Here’s everything you need to know about David Benavidez vs. Alexis Angulo.
David Benavidez already beat himself by weighing in nearly three pounds over the super middleweight limit Friday, which cost him his title.
The now-former world champion can at least salvage the weekend with a victory over battle-tested veteran Alexis Angulo on Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn..
Benavidez knows he messed up badly, but he’s shifting focus to the task at hand.
“I’m very disappointed,” Benavidez told Showtime after the weigh-in. “Obviously, this is my first time missing weight. Like I said, I’m very disappointed losing the title on the scale, but I’ve still got a job to do. I lose the title, but I’m still going to win [Saturday].”
Angulo has pieced together a three-fight winning streak, including a split decision over Anthony Sims Jr. in January before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
Will Benavidez be able to channel his frustration into demolishing Angulo? Or will the game challenger seize this moment to pull off an upset?
Here’s everything you need to know about David Benavidez vs. Alexis Angulo.
David Benavidez vs. Alexis Angulo fight date, start time
Date: Saturday, Aug. 15
Time: 9p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT
The Benavidez vs. Angulo card will begin at 9 p.m. ET.
How to watch Benavidez vs. Angulo: TV, live stream
Showtime
The Benavidez vs. Angulo fight is available on TV via Showtime.
The Showtime app can be live streamed on smart TVs and game consoles, including Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, LG Smart TVs, Roku devices, Samsung Smart TVs and Xbox One. The app can also be streamed on mobile devices, including Android phones, the Amazon Fire Tablet, iPad, iPhone, and for computers on Showtime.com.
How much does Benavidez vs. Angulo cost?
Viewers can add Showtime to their paid TV subscription, with prices varying. Current subscribers can watch Benavidez vs. Angulo as part of their plan.
The other option is to start a 30-day trial to stream Showtime for free on one of the aforementioned devices, paying $10.99 per month thereafter. One can cancel any time. Current Showtime subscribers can also stream the fight as part of their plan.
Where is the Benavidez vs. Angulo fight?
The Benavidez vs. Angulo fight will take place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Fans won’t be present, and social distancing of personnel will be in effect because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Neither Benavidez nor Angulo have ever fought in Connecticut.
David Benavidez record and bio
Nationality: American
Born: Dec. 17, 1996
Height: 6-foot-1½ (187 cms)
Reach: 77 inches (196 cms)
Total fights: 22
Record: 22-0 (19 KOs)
Alexis Angulo record and bio
Nationality: Colombian
Born: March 25, 1984
Height: 6-foot-1 (185 cms)
Reach: 75 inches (191 cms)
Total fights: 27
Record: 26-1 (22 KOs)
Benavidez vs. Angulo fight card
David Benavidez vs. Alexis Angulo, super middleweights
Rolando Romero vs. Jackson Marínez, lightweights (for WBA interim title)
Otto Wallin wants to make a statement against Travis Kauffman on the David Benavidez-Roamer Angulo card on Aug. 15.
The last time we saw Otto Wallin in the ring he was a punch or two away from an upset of Tyson Fury.
Wallin, the heavyweight contender from Sweden, had opened two cuts over Fury’s right eye that were so ghastly the referee would’ve been justified if he had stopped the fight. Alas, Fury survived, won a unanimous decision and then beat the you know what out of Deontay Wilder in their rematch.
However, Wallin made a statement with a performance that was surprisingly strong for those unaware of his talents.
“I think some people think of it as a win more than anything,” said Wallin, who returns to the ring against Travis Kauffman on the David Benavidez-Roamer Angulo card Aug. 15 in Uncasville, Conn. “Nobody thought I would do anything. I pushed him all the way to 12 rounds. When I meet people on the street, they congratulate me like I won.
“And it’s been like a win in many ways. I think I proved myself in that fight. Now I can’t wait to get back out there and show again that I’m one of the top guys.”
Otto Wallin opened cuts above the right eye of Tyson Fury that couldn’t ended their fight last September. David Becker / Getty Images
A lot has happened to Wallin (20-1, 13 KOs) since the Fury fight.
The 29-year-old from Sundsvall, a town along the east coast of central Sweden, had to pull out of a scheduled fight with Lucas Browne on March 28 after suffering a foot injury in training, after which the fight – with Apti Davtaev as Wallin’s replacement — was canceled anyway because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Then Wallin, who lives in New York City, had to contend with COVID-19 himself. In March, he and his mother, visiting from Sweden, developed symptoms that weren’t severe enough to get tested.
However, Wallin’s mom evidently infected her boyfriend upon her return to Sweden and he was hospitalized. Wallin later tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies.
Wallin and his foot recovered but then he, like so many boxers, had to adjust his training regimen to coronavirus restrictions. He ultimately found a private gym in which to work with trainer Joey Gamache but he had to be creative for a while.
Wallin (pictured before the Fury fight) said he wants to make strong statement against Travis Kauffman on Aug. 15. Ethan Miller / Getty Images
“The gyms were closed in New York,” he said. “And I didn’t have anything when this all started. I ordered some stuff and borrowed some stuff, some equipment for my apartment. I was making the most of it.
“I got a stationary bike. A friend let me borrow a squat rack and a bench press and got some barbells and dumbbells. I used my wall as a heavy bag. I made it work.”
Wait. He used his wall as a heavy bag?
“Yes. I wore gloves and hit the wall. It was OK. I don’t have neighbors on the other side,” he said with chuckle.
The last few months have been more conventional. With the foot injury, his bout with COVID-19 and the make-shift training conditions behind him, he has whipped himself into fighting shape in the private gym. That including productive sparring.
“It may have not been optimal but I feel great,” he said.
And he’s excited to get back into the ring. It will have been 11 months since the Fury fight when he steps into the ring to face Kauffman, a tough, experienced fringe contender from Reading, Penn., on the David Benavidez-Roamer Angulo card at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.
Wallin acknowledges that he won’t shake up the world with a victory over a fighter with the limiations of Kauffman (32-3, 23 KOs) but, a veteran himself, he isn’t taking anything for granted.
And he sees the opportunity to fight on national television in the U.S. – the card is on Showtime – to build on his momentum from the Fury fight by giving a strong, memorable performance against a solid, well-known opponent.
“I’m very excited,” Wallin told Boxing Junkie. “It’s been almost a year since I fought Fury and it’s been a crazy year in many ways. I finally get to fight again. That’s the fun part of all this, the action, being in the ring.
“[Kauffman] is a tough guy. He grew up in boxing. He can fight. I also feel he’s a little older now (34), he had shoulder surgery, he’s been out a while. I think all of that will work in my favor. I think I’m the younger, fresher, hungrier guy and a better boxer. I hope I can prove that in the fight.
“The most important thing is to get the win but I also want to prove that the Fury fight was no fluke. I want to win but also look good doing it.”
And if he’s successful?
Wallin is a good fighter. He build some name recognition in the Fury fight. His promoter, Dmitry Salita, told Sky Sports that Wallin “proved his world-class abilities in his last fight versus Tyson Fury.” And he’ll get more exposure in less than two weeks.
In other words, he’s a viable opponent for anyone.
“I’ve been dreaming of fighting for a world title, becoming champion, since I started doing this when I was 15,” he said. “I’ve been dreaming all these years. And it’s starting to come alive now. I’m just happy I’ve reached this stage, this level in my career.
“I’m getting closer to the top now, closer to fulfilling my dreams.”
Reading, Pennsylvania-based heavyweight Travis Kauffman has the coronavirus, the fighter announced on social media…
Heavyweight Travis Kauffman has tested positive for the coronavirus, the fighter announced Thursday on his social media.
Kauffman, who lives and trains in Reading, Pennsylvania, says the symptoms began somewhat innocuously before it suddenly escalated.
“It started with a little scratchy throat, so I loaded up on Airborne. I didn’t think nothing of it,” Kauffman said in a Facebook Live video. “Saturday, something just hit me. It felt like I got hit by a truck all of a sudden. Boom! I started feeling weird. My body was hurting bad. My fever was a 102.7. That’s when I said I got to go checked.”
The 34-year old was set to fight Nick Guivas on the undercard of the Jamal James vs. Thomas Dulorme main event on April 11 in Minneapolis, but that show was canceled as a result of the pandemic.
Kaufmann (32-3, 23 KOs) says he is doing fine at the moment and is more concerned about some of his loved ones, given the highly contagious nature of the COVID-19 virus.
“I’m pretty healthy. I think I’ll get through this. But if I don’t get through this, I’m not worried about me,” Kauffman said. “I’m worried about my father. My father is 57 years old, heart problems, diabetes. And he’s sick right now. He hasn’t been tested for the coronavirus. but I’ve been around him, and he has the same exact symptoms as me.”
Kauffman’s father is Reading-based boxing promoter and trainer Marshall Kauffman of King’s Promotions. And he’s not the only loved one in potential danger, the younger Kauffman said.
“My baby is sick,” he said. “Now his mom is sick. So the problem with this coronavirus thing … we all look it as a flu and it kind of is. The only problem is it’s so f—ing contagious.
“This is a reason why we have to stay away from each other, man.”
In other words, practice social distancing.
Said Kauffman: “I spoke to somebody today [and he said], ‘Well, Trav, everybody is going to get it anyway.’ That’s the mindset of f—ing people.”
