15th-16th-17th September Recap- What next for the Boxers?

On Thursday, Jhonny Gonzalez defeated Rogers Mtagwa, stopping him in two rounds. 

The featherweight is stacked with talent so there is a lot of competition out there for Gonzalez to face. A fighter who may not be deserving but will make a fight of it, is the Indonesian, Daud Cino Yordan. Althought he lost to Celestino Caballero and Chris John, he does throw alot of leather and is an entertaining fighter to watch.

Realistically we want to see the best fight the best but it isn't always going to happen. A unification fight with Orlando Salido would be a great fight but Top Rank have their own agenda to pursue with Gamboa, Juanma Lopez and top prospect Miguel Garcia.

Mtagwa has now slipped into the catagory of gate keeper in my eyes. He has lost to the the divisions elite and there is a new wave of up and coming boxers that will need challenges and names on their record.


On Friday, Seth Mitchell stopped weak chinned Hector Ferreyro in two rounds. 

There are a number of good American heavyweights coming through but they are just to small physically and an ample skill set to deal with the Klitshko's at the moment.

I would like to see Mitchell in with Neven Pajkic , but I couldn't see Golden Boy Promotions or Pajkic promoters taking a risk. There are a lot of old faded heavyweight contenders out waiting for their chance to defeat an unbeaten prospect and catapult them back into the big time. Monte Barrett, Jason Estrada and Nicolai Firtha  is a name that springs to mind. Barrett recently defeated David Tua and a former world title challenger, so he still has some promotional value.

In fairness, Jason Estrada's career never really took off, he is a light punching small heavyweight but he is as tough as they come, only stopped once and went the distance with current, regular WBA Champion Alexander Povetkin.

While Firtha may not have the best record he is a tough and durable boxer, like Estrada he took regular WBA champion Alexander Povetkin the distance. He fights with his heart on his sleeve and won't back down from a challenge, he doesn't have the finesse of technician in the ring but he will give 110% and make Mitchell work.


Felix Diaz won a lopsided decision against Larry Smith over eight rounds.

Golden Boy have just signed the 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist, they need to keep him in the ring so he doesn't get ring rusty. Also, the level of competition he would have been facing for the two years before winning a medal out in Beijing would of been high class, if he keeps fighting journeymen he is more likely pick up some bad habits. It will be hard to match this quick, crafty southpaw banger.

Am sure Diaz could fight an unknown, tough Mexican road sweeper that will go into a shell once he know's he hasn't got a legitimate chance of wining the fight, but a fight against DeMarcus Corley, Jose Miguel Cotto, Paul Delgardo or Nate Campbell would be great, its a development fight and also it would be one of four names on his record.

Saturday was a fantastic night of boxing starting with Tyson Fury defeating Nicolai Firtha, stopping him in the fifth round.

Fury used all of his 6'9 frame and tried to box at long range but he did get caught with a big right hand over the top in the third round which noticeable  wobbled him.

Fury has improved but to me, he looks unpolished and looks crude throwing punches. With Martin Rogan's WBU title not being sanctioned by the BBBofC, their is an open date for Martin Rogan to face Fury who come away with no injuries to his hand or face. If Mick Hennessey wants to keep the Tyson Fury hype train rolling on to its next station, this is the perfect opportunity. It helps Fury's development and settles a grudge that has been bubbling up nicely.

The shock of the night was Stephen Smith losing his title against huge underdog Lee Selby.

Credit to Selby he took the fight to Smith from the opening bell and caught the Scouser with numerous clean shots. Am guessing Smith's camp believed Selby would box at range.

Credit does need to go to Stephen Smith he recognises that he had a bad night at the office and wants to get back in the ring as soon as possible. It was a refreshing change than boxers blaming obscure injuries for their own performances.

Billy Nelson has already stated on Eastside Boxing that John Simpson is interested in the contest with the new British and Commonwealth title holder.

Paul Smith stop's Paul Samuels in the first round. 

Smith is already pencilled in to face George Groves in the Echo Arena on December the 17th, who has also disposed Samuels in the first round, although not as impressive as Smith. Personally I would of liked to see Paul campaign at 160lbs but if it makes sense to the promoter and both fighters why not?

Heading over to the states, Jesse Vargas beat Josesito Lopez over ten rounds.

It was a robbery that Lopez didn't win. It would be good to see a rematch, I believe it was a case of HBO house fighter getting the nod AGAIN.

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez stopped Sergio Mora, to retain his WBC light middleweight title in California. 

There has been talks that he will fight Julio Ceasar Chaves Jnr in the future in an all Mexican super fight. Golden Boy Promotions have just signed Alfredo Angulo so that could be another potential Mexican super fight down the line.

Canelo has been pencilled in to box again in December, a unification fight with Cornelius Bundrage would be great on paper, but it may be awkward to negotiate a deal with Don King promoting Bundrage and am sure he would want some kind of partial ownership of Canelo. Another option would be Ricardo Mayorga which would be a war for as long as it lasts.


Erik Morales defeated Pablo Ceaser Cano stopping him in tenth round.

The Mexican legend Morales is now a four weight world champion, but realistically Timothy Bradley should still be the title holder as he was stripped due to 'contractual issues'.

Morales showed us that he still has something to offer but am weary of father time catching up on him over night. If he doesn't want to retire just yet, a fight with Juan Manuel Marquez would be great for the Mexican public and perfect finish in both of their illustrious careers.

Credit to Cano who come in at ten days notice, he showed that he has got a future in the sport and he can only be proud of his efforts. I think he needs to have a few gimme fights and rebuild his confidence.

Floyd Mayweather Jnr stopped Victor Ortiz in the fourth round


People are bemoaning the stoppage, but I could hear on the telecast Joe Cortez does say "Lets go! Box On!" Ortiz has been in the boxing game long enough to know that he should protect himself at all times, but if he didn't hear the instruction that's just hard luck. Mayweather has pulled that stunt before against Shane Mosley so it wasn't a one off action.

In the post fight press conference, ESPN's Dan Rafael reported Mayweather gave ten minutes of excuses why he won't fight Manny Pacquiao. If that fight cannot be made and Mayweather still want's a star name to cash in on, Amir Khan is the hottest ticket available for Mayweather.

Amir has pushed himself up the pound for pound league table after an impressive stoppage over former Mayweather victim Zab Judah. Floyd wants to fight in the UK and it's a much more appetising fight than Matthew Hatton, which was thrown around a year or two ago. 



For Ortiz, this loss is not the end of the world, many fighters who have lost to Mayweather have continued to have successful careers. His promoter, Richard Schaefer is looking to set up a competition, similair to the Showtime Bantamweight  tournament which took place over the last year.

Potential participants include former 140lbs titlist's Devon Alexander and Paulie Malignaggi. Argentinian bangers Lucas Matthysse and Marcos Maidana. So Ortiz has the opportunity to show people he is a quality operator and there are fantastic boxers outside of the big two names.

Finally, in the Dominican Republic Elio Rojas returned after seventeen months out stopping Mexican Arturo Gomez in eight rounds. 

Rojas is the WBC Featherweight Champion in recess, so a fight with the actual WBC Champion Jhonny Gonzalez should be on the card in the near future, although the WBC may drag their heels sanctioning a mandatory defence for Gonzalez. If an agreement cannot be made am sure a sanctioning body will make a bogus title for him to challenge for

Bragging Rights Preview

Boxing returns in Great Britain for another season and it begins with a three title contest between European bantamweight and Commonwealth title holder Jamie McDonnell against current British title holder Stuart Hall in the Doncaster Dome.

Chief support will see Tony Jefferies return against Paul Morby over eight rounds. The contest will be screened live on SKY Sports HD 1.  

McDonnell aiming to cash in on the recent bantamweight divisions recent publicity 

McDonnell has been on a wave of success since suffering a defeat back in 2008 first against Chris Edwards and Lee Haskins. After bouncing back with wins against Anthony Hanna, Alain Bonnel, Krastan Krastanov and James Ancliff, McDonnell captured the British and Commonwealth championship against Ian Napa in what was a very close fight.

McDonnell’s next fight , in what seemed to be mission impossible McDonnell travelled to Le Cannet in the south of France to challenge Jerome Arnould for the European bantamweight title. To the surprise of the British boxing fans McDonnell stopped the Frenchman in the tenth round, as Arnould succumb to the pressure of the Yorkshire man’s punches.

Next up for McDonnell was a homecoming against the Italian bantamweight champion Rodrigo Branco. McDonnell was ultimately to talented for the man from Florence coupled with height and reach advantage that McDonnell possesses was too great and stopped the challenger in the third round.

McDonnell then faced underrated and dangerous Belgian Stephane Jamoye. Jamoye did not begin the fight as he was fighting in McDonnell’s back yard. From the outset he pressured the Yorkshire man and a strong right hand in the second round rocked McDonnell.

The champion shook off the effects of the shot and gradually exerted his class on the fight fighting boxing at range and boxed his opponent but occasionally was dragged back into a tear up on the inside. McDonnell's accuracy and work rate saw him win a number of the middle rounds.

The contest was scored 114-113, 114-114, 115-113 in favour of McDonnell.

In McDonnell’s most recent bout he fought tough Kenyan Nick Otieno and comprehensively out boxing the African import winning comfortably on the scorecards 108-120, 108-120, 111-118.

McDonnell told Boxing is hoping to challenge for world honours in 2012 and see’s Abner Mares as a potential target down the line:

  

“I’d like to fight someone in the top five and maybe get an eliminator. Nonito Donaire is a bit special but like everyone else he’s got two arms and two legs. I’m a big bantamweight so there’s no reason why I can’t go out and cause an upset.” He told Boxing News online.

“I’ve been watching all the top bantamweights. I saw Abner Mares’ fight with Agbeko and he’s got a good work rate but I don’t think he’s that special. Donaire is the king. Everyone above me in the WBC rankings is top class and I’ve only got to beat one of them to get to be in with a shot at titles”.

Hall hoping this fairytale ascent to the top continues on Saturday night

Stuart Hall, who is currently unbeaten as a professional and has record of ten wins with six wins and no defeats. Hall turned professional relatively late when he was twenty eight.

Halls amateur career was quite successful becoming a finalist in the ABA 54kg in 2005 and was fast tracked in the professional ranks defeating unbeaten Dougie Walton (6-0-0) and once defeated Stuart McHayden, though Hall drew with the ‘Burnley Banger’ in his first few bouts. Hall also stopped former British title holder Martin Power in the eighth round of a gruelling contest in which Hall was cut in the first round by a clash of heads.

Hall won his British title against cagey and tough veteran Ian Napa in only his ninth fight back in June of 2010 at the Peterlee Leisure Centre.
Hall, who is a roofer by day, forced the 28 fight veteran to retire on his stool at the end of the eight round of the contest in what was a close fight. After the contest Napa blamed the heat in the arena and the strain on making the weight, but nothing could be taken away from Hall’s victory.
Subsequent defences of the title against former foe Martin Power and Gary Davies followed, stopping the challengers in the tenth and seven round respectively.
Hall who is quite tall for a bantamweight, stands at 5’8. He uses his height and reach well, making it difficult for fighters to penetrate through Hall's jab and guard, thus making fighters take more chances.

In his fight against Martin power he showed impressive ring general-ship, taking control of the centre of the ring pushing Power back with various headshots.
Hall also showed he has good stamina as he was moving round constantly and throwing punches from different angles targeting the head.
While Hall does not have one punch knockout power, he is on a four fight stoppage streak. In his last contest he stopped John Donnelly in his last contest in the fifth round.

Keys to Victory and Prediction

Both boxers are tall for the weight but I feel that Hall doesn't mix his shots up enough and he seems just target his opponents head, but as they say if it isn’t broke, don't change it.

McDonnell does mix his shots and relies on his skills than his power and he change his tactics as seen in the Jamoye fight. He opted to box midway through the fight and not try to slug it out on the inside as he did earlier in the contest.

It’s also worth noting that McDonnell has struggled with the weight and has needed two trips to the scales to make weight in his fight against Jamoye.

Hall has not been the full twelve round championship distance before but has often looked strong throughout a contest, as he paces his work. McDonnell has been the distance four times and the battle that he faced with Jamoye will serve him well for this contest.

Hall seems to have a bit of difficulty with opponent’s lateral movement. Against Gary Davies Hall struggled to catch the St Helens man for the first few rounds as he showed good head movement.

It is an intriguing matchup but I think it’s going to be a point’s win for McDonnell IF he doesn’t get involved in a tear up and shows a good verity of punches that hurt his opponent and catches the judge’s eye. I also think Hall has the power to stop McDonnell as he a style of boxing where he comes forward and has the power to do damage. Hall does not do anything flashy but he does the basics very well.

Hall and McDonnell both weighed in for the contest at 8st 6lbs.

Return of the Mighty Mackem!

Chief support will see Tony Jefferies makes his return when he takes on southpaw Paul Morby over eight rounds, after a long period of inactivity.

Tony has been sidelined with a terrible cut he suffered against Tommy Tolan, on route to a second round stoppage, back in December. Unfortunately it reopened again in February.

Tony has been out in LA with renowned trainer, Tommy Brooks for the best part of six months with the odd day off tweaking and making improvements to his style. Tony heaped praise on his trainer Brooks when he spoke to Andy Kerr on Tyne Tee’s region news:

“Tommy picks up on every little mistake, I didn't think I made so many mistakes before I started working with him (Brooks).”

“He has polished my work and my style has changed a little bit. Am impressed on how many different things I have improved on to make myself the full package.”

“I’m not the fully finished article but am getting there and I think you will see a big difference come Saturday compared to my last few fights.”

I can imagine Tony will be like a dog straining on its leach to get back in the ring after being out the ring for around nine months. He will want to put in a top display for the fans travelling down the A1 from Sunderland and show the boxing fans watching on Sky Sports HD1 it is going to be a big year for the Mighty Mackem.

Paul Morby does not have the best record (six wins and six losses), although he has been the ten round distance three times in his last three fights, challenging for the Southern Area Title.

Although Morby will not be there to make up the numbers and I can see him trying to rough Jefferies up.  For all the time Tony has been out the ring he will win this contest, his technical ability will be too much for Morby and the time he has spent out in LA will pay dividends.

I can see Tony going the distance and getting the eight rounds under his belt adding to his ring education and push himself towards his first professional title shot.

In a stacked undercard seasoned pro Carl Johanneson tackles Mark McKray as he tries to push himself back into domestic title contention at lightweight.

Youngsters Liam Cameron, Glen Foot, John Dixon, Scott Gladwin and John Hughes are all in four round contests.

Finally Mehrdud Takaloo and JJ Bird will be taking on Steve Spence and Chris Brophy respectively in preparation of Prizefighter Light Middleweights.