Buffalo Run Casino, Miami, OK, March 25
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
Herrera (29-4-1, 18 KOs) is not your typical fighter from south of the border. A a tall and lanky junior welterweight at 5'11", his preference is to use long straight punches rather than short compact hooks. And unlike most Mexican fighters, he does not fight well on the inside.
This should play well into Prograis' hands. A southpaw, Prograis (16-0, 13 KOs) can box strategically but what he loves to do most is walk opponents down and strike from different angles. The Houston boxer can crack, but more often than not, he stops opponents by breaking them down rather than ending it with a single shot.
Herrera's long, lean torso presents a tantalizing target and Prograis zeroes in on it from the outset. Herrera scores periodically from the outside but his moments are fleeting. By the middle rounds, Prograis' body work has taken its toll and reduces Herrera to a stationary target. A left to the body sinks Herrera to the canvass where he remains for the full count in the sixth round.
Afterthoughts:
The fight was going exactly as I anticipated, including the knockout punch to the body, but Herrera wilted way sooner than I predicted. Kudos to Showtime for putting on such an excellent, action-packed card.
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Juan Diaz vs. Fernando Garcia
Arena Theater, Houston, TX, March 19
TV: UniMas
By Peter Lim
Diaz (40-4, 19 KOs) returns after a an 18-month layoff due to a rotator cuff injury and Garcia (30-7-2, 18 KOs) appears to be one of those journeyman opponents who poses minimal risk but can hang in there long enough for Diaz to look good against while sanding off the ring rust. That's exactly how it'll play out.
The rust will be evident as Diaz struggles to find the rhythm for his signature punch-per-second offense and allows Garcia to win a round or two in the first half of the fight. But his combinations become more fluid as the fight progresses and he dominates the second half to win a comfortable 10-round decision.
Afterthoughts:
The good: Diaz can still transform himself into the Energizer Bunny.
The bad: He got nailed too often and too easily. Hopefully, it was just ring rust.
TV: UniMas
By Peter Lim
Diaz (40-4, 19 KOs) returns after a an 18-month layoff due to a rotator cuff injury and Garcia (30-7-2, 18 KOs) appears to be one of those journeyman opponents who poses minimal risk but can hang in there long enough for Diaz to look good against while sanding off the ring rust. That's exactly how it'll play out.
The rust will be evident as Diaz struggles to find the rhythm for his signature punch-per-second offense and allows Garcia to win a round or two in the first half of the fight. But his combinations become more fluid as the fight progresses and he dominates the second half to win a comfortable 10-round decision.
Afterthoughts:
The good: Diaz can still transform himself into the Energizer Bunny.
The bad: He got nailed too often and too easily. Hopefully, it was just ring rust.
Mike Alvarado vs. Saul Coral
Arena Theater, Houston TX, March 19
TV: UniMas
By Peter Lim
The big question mark about Alvarado (34-4, 23 KOs) is how much he still has in his tank after losing four of his last five fights, all of which were brutal blood-and-guts wars. But Coral (19-6, 10 KOs) is simply not a high enough caliber fighter to answer that question, given the dismal level of his previous opponents. The Denver native will manhandle his grossly over-matched opponent with ease no matter how shopworn or rusty he is after his 14-month layoff.
The disparity in class will be painfully obvious from the outset. Regardless of whether he chooses to box or brawl, Alvarado lands the first and last punches of each exchange. Although he can end the fight at his pleasure any moment, he opts to carry Coral for a few rounds before stopping him in the fourth round.
Afterthoughts:
Good first step back for Alvarado. But he needs a better opponent in his next fight if he wants to be taken seriously.
TV: UniMas
By Peter Lim
The big question mark about Alvarado (34-4, 23 KOs) is how much he still has in his tank after losing four of his last five fights, all of which were brutal blood-and-guts wars. But Coral (19-6, 10 KOs) is simply not a high enough caliber fighter to answer that question, given the dismal level of his previous opponents. The Denver native will manhandle his grossly over-matched opponent with ease no matter how shopworn or rusty he is after his 14-month layoff.
The disparity in class will be painfully obvious from the outset. Regardless of whether he chooses to box or brawl, Alvarado lands the first and last punches of each exchange. Although he can end the fight at his pleasure any moment, he opts to carry Coral for a few rounds before stopping him in the fourth round.
Afterthoughts:
Good first step back for Alvarado. But he needs a better opponent in his next fight if he wants to be taken seriously.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
Luis Ortiz vs. Tony Thompson
DC Armory, Washington, DC, March 5
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
Don't be fooled by Ortiz's neanderthal physique. While he looks like a caveman and often fights like one, there are more cerebral dimensions to his game than just clubbing the daylights out of his opponents. The Cuban southpaw is adept at fighting from a distance or up close and personal and utilizing creative angles while punching in educated combinations. Built like a tank and with a tree trunk for a neck, Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs) is deceivingly agile and fleet footed.
Thompson (40-6, 27 KOs) might be a step down from Ortiz last opponent Bryant Jennings, but he nevertheless represents a seasoned heavyweight gatekeeper against whom Ortiz can showcase his entire arsenal. The 44-year-old veteran might trouble Ortiz for a round or two with his pesky jab and one-twos but it won't take long for Ortiz to figure him out, bully him on the inside and stop him in six rounds.
Afterthoughts:
Another spot on prediction.
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
Don't be fooled by Ortiz's neanderthal physique. While he looks like a caveman and often fights like one, there are more cerebral dimensions to his game than just clubbing the daylights out of his opponents. The Cuban southpaw is adept at fighting from a distance or up close and personal and utilizing creative angles while punching in educated combinations. Built like a tank and with a tree trunk for a neck, Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs) is deceivingly agile and fleet footed.
Thompson (40-6, 27 KOs) might be a step down from Ortiz last opponent Bryant Jennings, but he nevertheless represents a seasoned heavyweight gatekeeper against whom Ortiz can showcase his entire arsenal. The 44-year-old veteran might trouble Ortiz for a round or two with his pesky jab and one-twos but it won't take long for Ortiz to figure him out, bully him on the inside and stop him in six rounds.
Afterthoughts:
Another spot on prediction.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Scott Quigg vs. Carl Framptom
Manchester Arena, England, Feb. 27
TV: Showtime, Sky
By Peter Lim
This title unification bout between two undefeated British Isles boxers is truly a toss-up. Frampton is the better boxer, but not by much. Quigg has the higher KO percentage, but not by much. While Quigg has had more fights, Frampton has fought a caliber of opponents, but not by much.
Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs) pulls ahead early but Quigg turns up the pressure in the middle rounds to land the more noteworthy shots. Frampton rallies back in the championship rounds but Quigg (31-0-2, 23 KOs) holds his own to eke out a controversial split decision.
Afterthoughts:
What kind of fight plan did Quigg have that he only started throwing punches in the second half of the fight?
TV: Showtime, Sky
By Peter Lim
This title unification bout between two undefeated British Isles boxers is truly a toss-up. Frampton is the better boxer, but not by much. Quigg has the higher KO percentage, but not by much. While Quigg has had more fights, Frampton has fought a caliber of opponents, but not by much.
Frampton (21-0, 14 KOs) pulls ahead early but Quigg turns up the pressure in the middle rounds to land the more noteworthy shots. Frampton rallies back in the championship rounds but Quigg (31-0-2, 23 KOs) holds his own to eke out a controversial split decision.
Afterthoughts:
What kind of fight plan did Quigg have that he only started throwing punches in the second half of the fight?
Leo Santa Cruz vs. Kiko Martinez
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA, Feb. 27
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
Martinez was previously stopped by Carl Frampton and Scott Quigg, both of whom would be slight underdogs if matched against Santa Cruz. Granted, styles make fights, but there's nothing too mysterious or cagey about Martinez's one-dimensional chug-forward style. Unless Martinez has some trick up his sleeve that we've never seen before, he will be custom-made for Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17 KOs) can essentially do what Martinez does with more finesse and firepower. He willingly engages the Spaniard and effortlessly outguns the Spaniard in the exchanges up close and personal. Martinez (35-6, 26 KOs) knows no other way to fight and valiantly attempts to out-brawl the Californian only to be met with pinpoint punches upstairs and down. Santa Cruz's debilitating shots take a cumulative toll causing Martinez to wilt in the seventh round.
Afterthoughts:
Martinez was more relentless and resilient than expected but so was Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz (31-0-1, 17 KOs) can essentially do what Martinez does with more finesse and firepower. He willingly engages the Spaniard and effortlessly outguns the Spaniard in the exchanges up close and personal. Martinez (35-6, 26 KOs) knows no other way to fight and valiantly attempts to out-brawl the Californian only to be met with pinpoint punches upstairs and down. Santa Cruz's debilitating shots take a cumulative toll causing Martinez to wilt in the seventh round.
Afterthoughts:
Martinez was more relentless and resilient than expected but so was Santa Cruz.
Terrence Crawford vs. Henry Lundy
Madison Square Garden, New York, Feb. 27
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
TV: HBO
By Peter Lim
This is a convenient stay-busy fight for Crawford (27-0, 19 KOs) to raise his profile and boost his bargaining power for a big payday in the talent-rich 140-pound division. Lundy (26-5-1, 13 KOs) may be a decent gatekeeper type fighter but talent wise, he falls several notches below Crawford. While Lundy has had his limitations exposed in his five losses, Crawford, at this juncture of his career, has shown limitless potential and early signs of greatness. Crawford quickly figures Lundy out and systematically picks him apart en route to a seventh round TKO in a one-sided mismatch.
Afterthoughts:
Crawford looked tentative and vulnerable in spots but showed how strong a finisher he can be.
Afterthoughts:
Crawford looked tentative and vulnerable in spots but showed how strong a finisher he can be.
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