Barclay's Center, Brooklyn, NY, June 25
TV: CBS
By Peter Lim
Styles make fights and this one's riddled with intangibles. Thurman (26-0, 22 KOs) is a slick boxer with fight-ending power in both fists. Porter (26-1-1, 16 KOs) is a well-rounded boxer-brawler who, when matched against better-skilled fighters, knows how to use his brute strength to bully his way to victory as he did against Adrien Broner and Paul Malignaggi. In his only loss, Porter was not outboxed but out-bullied by an even tougher brute by the name of Kell Brook.
Thurman is the better boxer so the overriding question here is, can Porter evade or absorb Thurman's bombs well enough to impose his will on Thurman? The answer is probably no.
Thurman is calculating with his power punches; he delivers concussive shots to the head and digs in paralyzing body blows at opportune moments before sneaking out the side door.This befuddles Porter and stymies his offense, allowing Thurman to dictate the action with relative ease. If Thurman goes for the knockout, he might very well get it; but Porter is too dangerous for him to want to take that risk, and Thurman is content to cruise to a comfortable decision victory.
Afterthoughts:
Great effort by both fighters. Porter sure has a strong set of whiskers on him. Had he applied more consistent pressure on Thurman, the belt might be his.
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Craig Baker vs. Steve Lovett
Lakeland Events Center, Lakeland, Florida, June 12
TV: Bounce
By Peter Lim
This intriguing cross-town match-up between two Houston area light heavyweights is as dead-even a match-up in actuality as it is on paper. The winner propels himself from prospect to contender while the loser takes a U-turn back to the proverbial square one. Being from the same Houston area, they have sparred before so neither will be too much of a mystery to the other.
Both boxers favor using jolting jabs to set up potentially lethal right hands and both will find a measure of success deploying that mode of combat against each other. But Lovett, at six-foot-two, sports a slight height advantage over Baker, which ultimately tips the balance of the fight. Lovett is first on the trigger just a tad more often enough to eke out a split decision win.
Afterthoughts:
It's almost inconceivable to me how Lovett was so flawless for the first five rounds but unraveled so completely like a ball of yarn in the second half of the fight. Kudos to Baker for hanging tough and making the right adjustments.
TV: Bounce
By Peter Lim
This intriguing cross-town match-up between two Houston area light heavyweights is as dead-even a match-up in actuality as it is on paper. The winner propels himself from prospect to contender while the loser takes a U-turn back to the proverbial square one. Being from the same Houston area, they have sparred before so neither will be too much of a mystery to the other.
Both boxers favor using jolting jabs to set up potentially lethal right hands and both will find a measure of success deploying that mode of combat against each other. But Lovett, at six-foot-two, sports a slight height advantage over Baker, which ultimately tips the balance of the fight. Lovett is first on the trigger just a tad more often enough to eke out a split decision win.
Afterthoughts:
It's almost inconceivable to me how Lovett was so flawless for the first five rounds but unraveled so completely like a ball of yarn in the second half of the fight. Kudos to Baker for hanging tough and making the right adjustments.
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Ruslan Provodnikov vs. John Molina Jr.
Turning Stone Casino, Verona, NY, June 11
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
Whether this bout ends in the first round or, as unlikely as it may be, goes the distance, we're guaranteed an action-packed war that has the potential of winning awards for the Fight of the Year, Knockout of the Year and Round of the Year categories. Both are relentless kill-or-be-killed fighters who pay little attention to defense.
Molina (28-6, 23 KOs) might have a slight edge in power, punch for punch, but as in Hagler-Hearns, the harder chin prevails over the harder punch in this fight. Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) is first to strike with a combination that drives Molina back, but once Molina regains his footing, he returns fire with a vengeance, setting the tone for the rest of the fight.
The action is scintillating for the first three rounds with both fighters taking turns to unload on the other. Molina lands the harder shots but Provodnikov is the more uncompromising of the two and connects at a higher volume. By the fourth round, Provodnikov's punches have taken a higher toll on Molina than vice versa and Molina gradually begins to fade. A left-right-left hook combination drops Molina in the fifth round and Provodnikov moves in for the kill with a two-fisted assault that renders Molina out on his feet, prompting the referee to jump in and halt the action.
Afterthoughts:
Molina showed a whole new cerebral dimension to his game. The jab is the first punch a boxer learns to throw, but Molina only discovered it after 35 pro fights.
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
Whether this bout ends in the first round or, as unlikely as it may be, goes the distance, we're guaranteed an action-packed war that has the potential of winning awards for the Fight of the Year, Knockout of the Year and Round of the Year categories. Both are relentless kill-or-be-killed fighters who pay little attention to defense.
Molina (28-6, 23 KOs) might have a slight edge in power, punch for punch, but as in Hagler-Hearns, the harder chin prevails over the harder punch in this fight. Provodnikov (25-4, 18 KOs) is first to strike with a combination that drives Molina back, but once Molina regains his footing, he returns fire with a vengeance, setting the tone for the rest of the fight.
The action is scintillating for the first three rounds with both fighters taking turns to unload on the other. Molina lands the harder shots but Provodnikov is the more uncompromising of the two and connects at a higher volume. By the fourth round, Provodnikov's punches have taken a higher toll on Molina than vice versa and Molina gradually begins to fade. A left-right-left hook combination drops Molina in the fifth round and Provodnikov moves in for the kill with a two-fisted assault that renders Molina out on his feet, prompting the referee to jump in and halt the action.
Afterthoughts:
Molina showed a whole new cerebral dimension to his game. The jab is the first punch a boxer learns to throw, but Molina only discovered it after 35 pro fights.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Jermall Charlo vs. Austin Trout
The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, NV, May 21
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
In this intriguing matchup, the still peaking Charlo (23-0, 18 KOs) is the unknown entity while we have already seen the best of Trout (30-2, 17 KOs), what he can and cannot do. Nevertheless, Trout represents the stiffest test to date of Charlo's career and the first southpaw he will face as a professional.
Each fighter has attributes that play well against the other. Charlo, 25, is taller and broader framed and knows how to use his size while Trout, 30, is a slick stylist adept at utilizing the every square inch of the ring. Trout might have a slight edge in speed but Charlo has superior power and punches with pinpoint accuracy. Trout has fought a better caliber of opponents by far but Charlo has, as his stablemate and confidante, Erislandy Lara, who dropped and soundly defeated Trout in 2013.
Trout's stick-and-move strategy proves problematic for Charlo in the early rounds, but Charlo gradually gets his timing down and neutralizes Trout's speed and rhythm with jolting straight punches from long range. By the midway point in the fight, Charlo is in full control of the action and never let's Trout back into the fight. A straight right-left hook combo drops Trout in the ninth round and Charlo subsequently unloads his entire arsenal on Trout, prompting either the referee or Trout's corner to intervene and spare him from further punishment.
Afterthoughts:
A good litmus test for Charlo against his first southpaw who fought his heart out. Trout's style will always be a troublesome albeit unexciting regardless of who he faces.
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
In this intriguing matchup, the still peaking Charlo (23-0, 18 KOs) is the unknown entity while we have already seen the best of Trout (30-2, 17 KOs), what he can and cannot do. Nevertheless, Trout represents the stiffest test to date of Charlo's career and the first southpaw he will face as a professional.
Each fighter has attributes that play well against the other. Charlo, 25, is taller and broader framed and knows how to use his size while Trout, 30, is a slick stylist adept at utilizing the every square inch of the ring. Trout might have a slight edge in speed but Charlo has superior power and punches with pinpoint accuracy. Trout has fought a better caliber of opponents by far but Charlo has, as his stablemate and confidante, Erislandy Lara, who dropped and soundly defeated Trout in 2013.
Trout's stick-and-move strategy proves problematic for Charlo in the early rounds, but Charlo gradually gets his timing down and neutralizes Trout's speed and rhythm with jolting straight punches from long range. By the midway point in the fight, Charlo is in full control of the action and never let's Trout back into the fight. A straight right-left hook combo drops Trout in the ninth round and Charlo subsequently unloads his entire arsenal on Trout, prompting either the referee or Trout's corner to intervene and spare him from further punishment.
Afterthoughts:
A good litmus test for Charlo against his first southpaw who fought his heart out. Trout's style will always be a troublesome albeit unexciting regardless of who he faces.
Jermell Charlo vs. John Jackson
The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, NV, May 21
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
The only way Jackson (20-2, 15 KOs) wins this fight is if he manages to catch Charlo napping. Charlo (27-0, 12 KOs) has the superior skill set and has been consistent throughout his career, defeating quality opponents the likes of Vanes Martirosyan and Demitrius Hopkins. Jackson, as his 75 percent knockout rate suggests, packs some pop in his punch but he has faltered against B-minus and above opponents. Jackson also appears to have become a tad gun shy since he was knocked unconscious by Andy Lee in 2014.
Charlo, 25, masterfully outboxes Jackson, 27, from the outset working behind his stinging jab to set up fluid combinations upstairs and down. By the middle rounds, a visibly frustrated Jackson begins loading up on Hail Marys but Charlo denies him the openings while sidestepping and countering his charges. Charlo's steady connect rate eventually takes a cumulative toll on Jackson, causing him to retire on his stool after the tenth round.
With the victory, Charlo makes boxing history, alongside his brother Jermall, by becoming the first twins to hold world titles concurrently in the same division.
Afterthoughts:
Nobody in their wildest dreams would have expected Jackson to get on his bicycle and box. But he was winning the fight doing it until he got caught. He might have inherited his dad's iron fist but he also inherited his glass chin.
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
The only way Jackson (20-2, 15 KOs) wins this fight is if he manages to catch Charlo napping. Charlo (27-0, 12 KOs) has the superior skill set and has been consistent throughout his career, defeating quality opponents the likes of Vanes Martirosyan and Demitrius Hopkins. Jackson, as his 75 percent knockout rate suggests, packs some pop in his punch but he has faltered against B-minus and above opponents. Jackson also appears to have become a tad gun shy since he was knocked unconscious by Andy Lee in 2014.
Charlo, 25, masterfully outboxes Jackson, 27, from the outset working behind his stinging jab to set up fluid combinations upstairs and down. By the middle rounds, a visibly frustrated Jackson begins loading up on Hail Marys but Charlo denies him the openings while sidestepping and countering his charges. Charlo's steady connect rate eventually takes a cumulative toll on Jackson, causing him to retire on his stool after the tenth round.
With the victory, Charlo makes boxing history, alongside his brother Jermall, by becoming the first twins to hold world titles concurrently in the same division.
Afterthoughts:
Nobody in their wildest dreams would have expected Jackson to get on his bicycle and box. But he was winning the fight doing it until he got caught. He might have inherited his dad's iron fist but he also inherited his glass chin.
Erislandy Lara vs. Vanes Martirosyan
The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas, May 21
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
Lara (22-2-2, 13 KOs) and Martirosyan (36-2-1, 21 KOs) engaged in a seesaw battle in 2012 which ended in a ninth-round technical draw after Martirosyan was cut by an unintentional headbutt. Lara had the edge when it was a chess match but Martirosyan got the better of the exchanges when he turned up the pressure.
Four years after their initial encounter, both fighters are still dead-evenly matched, and the rematch will play out much like the first fight. At different stages of the fight, Lara, 33, out-maneuvers Martirosyan but Martirosyan, 30, delivers the harder shots, particularly with the straight right to the body, when he presses the action.
After the final bell, sportscasters, press row and fans alike are divided 50/50 as to who is the victor. The scorecards are announced as 115-113, 115-113 and 113-115, a split decision win for ...
Lara.
Afterthoughts:
I thought Martirosyan deserved a draw at the very least. Were the judges not scoring his body punches?
TV: Showtime
By Peter Lim
Lara (22-2-2, 13 KOs) and Martirosyan (36-2-1, 21 KOs) engaged in a seesaw battle in 2012 which ended in a ninth-round technical draw after Martirosyan was cut by an unintentional headbutt. Lara had the edge when it was a chess match but Martirosyan got the better of the exchanges when he turned up the pressure.
Four years after their initial encounter, both fighters are still dead-evenly matched, and the rematch will play out much like the first fight. At different stages of the fight, Lara, 33, out-maneuvers Martirosyan but Martirosyan, 30, delivers the harder shots, particularly with the straight right to the body, when he presses the action.
After the final bell, sportscasters, press row and fans alike are divided 50/50 as to who is the victor. The scorecards are announced as 115-113, 115-113 and 113-115, a split decision win for ...
Lara.
Afterthoughts:
I thought Martirosyan deserved a draw at the very least. Were the judges not scoring his body punches?
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Saul "Canelo" Alvarez vs. Amir Khan
T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, May 7
TV: HBO Pay-Per-View
By Peter Lim
Size will be the key determining factor in this bout. If Danny Garcia could get past Khan's speed and impose his will on him at 140, imagine what Alvarez, a bigger, slicker version of Garcia, can do to him at 155.
In their heydays, defensively flawed fighters like Mohammad Ali and Roy Jones Jr. got away with their imperfections thanks to their blinding speed and exceptional talent. Khan might be speedy, talented and defensively flawed but he lacks Ali's chin and Jones' reflexes to repeat their success.
Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) dominates the first couple of rounds with his fast hands but lacks the punching power to discourage Alvarez from pressing the action. Alvarez (46-1, 32 KOs) finds openings for sharp counters as he gradually begins to figure Khan out and rattles him each time he lands a clean shot. By the middle rounds, Alvarez's consistent body punches diminishes enough of Khan's movement for Alvarez to effortlessly close the distance and drop Khan several times en route to a sixth round TKO.
Afterthoughts:
Both guys were class acts in victory and defeat.
Canelo showed such poise in and out of the ring that he looked like a product of a bunch of evil genius scientists getting together one day to genetically engineer the quintessential complete fighter mentally and physically.
TV: HBO Pay-Per-View
By Peter Lim
Size will be the key determining factor in this bout. If Danny Garcia could get past Khan's speed and impose his will on him at 140, imagine what Alvarez, a bigger, slicker version of Garcia, can do to him at 155.
In their heydays, defensively flawed fighters like Mohammad Ali and Roy Jones Jr. got away with their imperfections thanks to their blinding speed and exceptional talent. Khan might be speedy, talented and defensively flawed but he lacks Ali's chin and Jones' reflexes to repeat their success.
Khan (31-3, 19 KOs) dominates the first couple of rounds with his fast hands but lacks the punching power to discourage Alvarez from pressing the action. Alvarez (46-1, 32 KOs) finds openings for sharp counters as he gradually begins to figure Khan out and rattles him each time he lands a clean shot. By the middle rounds, Alvarez's consistent body punches diminishes enough of Khan's movement for Alvarez to effortlessly close the distance and drop Khan several times en route to a sixth round TKO.
Afterthoughts:
Both guys were class acts in victory and defeat.
Canelo showed such poise in and out of the ring that he looked like a product of a bunch of evil genius scientists getting together one day to genetically engineer the quintessential complete fighter mentally and physically.
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