CANELO USES KIRKLAND AS HUMAN PIÑATA
Las Vegas, NV– After last weeks “Fight of The Century” failed to live up to even the most minimal of expectations, Saturday was an opportunity for Mexico’s biggest star to make a statement.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
In a live fight that was broadcast on HBO after the replay of Mayweather-Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez put on a thrilling show in front of over 30,000 fans at Minute Maid Park in Houston Texas, home the Houston Astros. Canelo and James Kirkland went tit for tat for three brutal rounds. Fortunately for Canelo and his legions of fans, he was the one doing most of the pitching and the brave Kirkland most of the catching.
MEXICAN SCORES THREE KNOCKDOWNS
Kirkland put the pressure on early, putting Canelo’s back on the ropes. However, the Mexican weathered the storm and started countering James’ attack. A left hook followed by a right hand sent the Houston resident reeling backwards and then to the canvas. Kirkland survived the round and did some work in round two. In round three he soaked up shot after shot, Canelo was able to hit him with everything. An uppercut dropped James and he got up a second time. Canelo chopped him down a third time with a blistering overhand right that appeared to put Kirkland asleep KO 3. Alvarez ups his record to 45-1-1, 32 KOs while Kirkland drops to 32-2, 28 KOs.
CBS SHOW PRODUCES MINI FIREWORKS
140 lb. fighters Omar Figueroa (25-0-1, 18 KOs) and Ricky Burns (37-5-1, 11 KOs) went toe to toe for 12 gutsy rounds of boxing Saturday at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo Texas. Most rounds were close as hometown favorite Figueroa bull rushed in headfirst, forcing Burns to fight on the inside.
REFEREE COLE AT IT AGAIN
Controversial referee Laurence Cole did was he usually does and made himself a factor in the fight by deducting two points from Burns. Figueroa was the busier of the two, but Burns landed the cleaner blows. Tough fight to score but the judges sided with the hometown fighter(not surprisingly) by a clear margin. Scores were 116-110 twice and 117-109.
KAMEDA FAVORED BUT BEATEN
On the undercard Britain’s Jamie McDonnell (26-2-1, 12 KOs) won a hard fought unanimous decision over Tomoki Kameda (31-1, 19 KOs). Back and forth action for twelve rounds. Kameda scored a knockdown with a counter right hand in round three. Jamie won the fight by winning round twelve. All three judges has it 114-113 for the Englishman.
TAPIA UPSET BY FRENCHMAN SORO ON TRU TV
On Friday night in a minor upset, Top Rank prospect Glenn Tapia (23-2, 15 KOs) was stopped in four rounds by Michel Soro (26-1-1, 16 KOs) at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Tapia came out stalking Soro from the opening bell, but the Frenchman, by way of the Ivory Coast, fought extremely relaxed and picked off most of the “Jersey Boys” punches. Glenn, fighting in front of his home crowd was eager to dictate the action but Soro didn’t allow it. Soro was adept at countering, and as the early as the third round used his jab to push Tapia back. In the fourth round during an exchange, an uppercut rocked Tapia. A furious unanswered onslaught ensued, and the referee stopped the fight for the defenseless Tapia. Soro makes himself a serous player at 154.
HEAVYWEIGHT MANSOUR WINS ON ESPN
In a battle of Philadelphia heavyweights Amir Mansour (22-1, 16 KOs) pulled out a clear-cut unanimous decision over Joey Dawejko (14-4-2, 7 KOs). In what was expected to an all out slugfest became a tactical affair. Dawejko fought well early, but was outworked down the stretch. The hard punching Mansour came in the lightest weight of his career which may have sapped him of some of his vaunted power. Scores were 96-94, 98-92, 97-93. Next up in Philly, Mansour vs. Bryant Jennings.
Kevin Perry
Kevin Perry is a staff writer and serves as the webmaster for Ringtalk.com. He is also a professional video editor and disc jockey. he can be reached at [email protected].
CANELO WIN TOPS WEEKEND BOXING RESULTS