Sergio “The Beast” Kovalev
UPSET OF 2013 ALREADY TOOK PLACE ON NBC?
It was another Saturday in which NBC Sports blessed us with what was the most conclusive ending of any fight this weekend. The main event featured Gabriel CampIllo, recognized by some boxing fans as he uncrowned light heavyweight world champion, this after he beat the snot of Tavoris Cloud in 2012, had his head handed to him by unbeaten Sergio Kovalev. Dropping Gabriel the first time with the right hand, Sergio followed that up with body shot knockdown. A left hook sealed the deal with Gabriel dropped a third and final time as referee Michael Ortega had seen enough.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU GET SCREWED?
I can remember when Jeff Fenech had a gun put to his head and was robbed in Las Vegas with Azumah Nelson. The Australian was never the same from the psychological damage incurred in his getting “jobbed.” Jeff pretty much told me that. Gabriel was far better than Cloud and should be defending an alphabet title belt (IBF) on HBO for big money. Not this Friday on NBC is anything to be ashamed of, it’s just that Campillo should’ve got a rematch with the cowardly Cloud.
I TOO THINK SERGIO KOVALEV IS FRIGHTENING!
Once again I polled historian Ron Marshall who said that Kovalev is a monster. Now 20-0-1, 17 whacks, I agree as I could not imagine Cloud being able to deal with his power in both hands. Is he still a little big green? Yeah, but I think there’s a lot of upside here and Sergio has the look of a future champion. Gabriel drops to 21-5-1, 7 KOs.
MIKEY GARCIA THROTTLES ORLANDO SALIDO
San Francisco, CA– For the masses, this weekend was all about the NFL. But this also was the start of the boxing season as HBO Boxing returned to the Big Apple, the Mecca of boxing and Madison Square Garden, albeit sans Larry Merchant. It was of a coming out party for the Oxnard, CA resident Mikey Garcia. The brother of Robert Garcia, a former IBF title holder, Garcia entered Saturday’s bout with Orlando Salido a decisive favorite and his performance was indicative of why.
MEXICAN FIGHTER ACTED LIKE ELEVATOR
In the opening stanza the Mexican champion whose unimpressive record sort of setting all, Orlando was dropped twice. He was horizontal again in the 3rd, ditto for the 4th round. Garcia showed a wide array of punches as it was him throwing and Orlando catching. Salido’s claim to fame is stopping Juan Manuel Lopez on a pair of occasions. Outside of that, the now 39 and 12 record (two draws, 27 KOs) indicates either Lopez wasn’t that good or the Mexican mauler has his number.
SALIDO JUST NO MATCH FOR GARCIA
Now 31-0, 26 stoppages, Garcia rode Salido like he was a rented horse. Then in the 8th round Salido unintentionally head butted Mikey and broke his nose. Not the ending people were expecting as it went to the scorecards. 2 judges had a 79-70, the third 79-69. With that Garcia takes home the WBO 126 lb. title Salido had taken from “Juan Ma” who has a fight of his own February 2 in Puerto Rico.
GOLOVKIN ROLLS GAME OVERMATCHED FOE
Gennady Golovkin was again impressive in a WBA middleweight (160) title defense. “Triple G” as he likes to call himself, now 25-0, 22 KOs, throttled a game but outclassed Gabriel Rosado (21-6, 13 KOs) before stopping him (TKO 7) when the Rosado corner stopped the thrashing by throwing in the towel.
DID BURGOS DESERVE THE NOD?
WBO 130 lb. champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez and top-rated contender Juan Carlos Burgos engaged in a 12 rounder that look like it belonged to Burgos after 36 minutes. But the judges were split with Martinez getting the call 116-112, Burgos had a 117-111 card and the third judge had it even at 114-114. Martinez (26-1-2, 16 KOs) and Burgos (30-1-1, 29 KOs) will just have to do it again.
GARCIA WAS LIVING UP TO THE HYPE!
Before he was fouled, Mikey Garcia was stealing the show. The abrupt ending took away the opportunity for Mikey to close the book on the Mexican fighter. Historian Ronald Marshall thinks Garcia is the real deal.
WILDER KNOCKS OVER ANOTHER “BOWLING PIN” TYPE?
America’s lone heavyweight hopeDeontay Wilder steamrolled another overmatched opponent Saturday night when he crossed the border and fought Matt Greer (15-9, 13 KOs) in Mexico. Now 27-0, all KOs, Wilder needs to make that step up in class as a 2008 Olympian has had enough “walkover” type fights period!
Pedro Fernandez