The Friday Faceup

Welcome to a new weekly feature that looks at the big stories of the fight weekend ahead.

The Cinnamon Kid v The Krusher

This Saturday (2nd Nov) in Las Vegas sees Mexico’s latest boxing megastar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 52-1-2 (35 KO’s) challenge Russia’s Sergey Kovalev 34-3-1 (29 KO’s) for his WBO Light Heavyweight (12st 7lb) title.

Nicknamed ‘Canelo’ for his cinnamon coloured hair, Alvarez is the biggest draw in boxing at the present time; able to earn millions of dollars per fight, pack out arenas and sell shedloads of pay per view (box office) across the US, Mexico and worldwide. Kovalev on the other hand is a ‘blue collar’ elite fighter from the Russian outpost of Chelyabinsk.

Both fighters, although from very different parts of the world, have come up the hard way. One from the barrios of Guadalajara, competing and fighting in the Mexican style, the other from the harsh eastern bloc showing the archetypal technical skills and competitive excellence.

Kovalev has been defeated in world title fights on three occasions (twice to Andre Ward), and Canelo (the current Ring magazine Middleweight champion) experienced just one defeat to Floyd Mayweather Jnr, although arguably also to Gennadiy ‘GGG’ Golovkin in their first fight.

What can we expect ? Canelo is attempting something few fighters have achieved, to capture a title two divisions up from his more natural 11st 6lb weight. Look to see him utilising his speed and mobility, but also mixing it on the inside. Kovalev will either go looking for Canelo from the opening bell, or more likely adopt a cautious approach in the opening rounds, using his superior weight and power deeper into the fight. Age may also be a key factor, Canelo at 29 and Kovalev 36, but this should only be down the stretch in the championship rounds (10-12).

Look for the Mexican to win a competitive fight on a unanimous decision.

Crolla’s curtain call

In Manchester, England the hometown hero and former WBA lightweight champion Anthony ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla 34-7-3 (13 KO’s) will bring an end to his highly successful career against Peruvian-Spaniard Frank Urquiaga 13-1-1 (1).

The extremely likeable Crolla has fought the best in Jorge Linares and Vasiliy Lomachenko and providing his emotion is contained should prove too much for his opponent.

On the same Matchroom Boxing promotion, broadcast live on Sky Sports and DAZN, female world champion and Irish legend Katie Taylor will attempt to capture a world title at a second weight. She challenges Christina Linardatou at 140lb for the WBO super-lightweight title in what should be an excellent match.

The Monday LunchBox

Welcome to a weekly feature to enjoy with your lunch but also raise awareness of the registered boxing charity Ringside Rest and Care for ex-boxers who suffer from their craft and/or have fallen on hard times.
The ecstasy of victory and humility in defeat

Prograis v Taylor – Five things we learned

  1. The fight was a modern classic – despite no knockdowns and neither fighter in serious trouble, the sheer intensity of exchanges, technical excellence and fight’s ‘ebb and flow’ made this one of the finest in a British ring for many a year.
  2. Josh Taylor is the real deal – if we didn’t know already, him entering the ring with the IBF super lightweight title, we do now. He showed emphatically his boxing ability, desire to dish it out, and more, his ‘cojones’ and resilience to come through difficult moments in a fight, and prevail. He is arguably in poll position to become Scotland’s finest fighter of all time.
  3. Regis Prograis is a class act – the New Orlean arrived in London three weeks before fight night, fulfilled all media commitments, charmed all who he came into contact with (Taylor aside !) and on fight night delivered a brilliant performance that just fell short. What followed the decision further raised his stock by the humility shown.
  4. The WBSS and Matchroom continue to deliver – The second edition of the World Boxing Super Series continues to deliver an engrossing elimination tournament and great fights. Most notably one recognised champion. The Brits have done well, snaring two Muhammad Ali Trophies, and launching stars Callum Smith and Josh Taylor. Add in Alexsandr Usyk and you’ve got what Kalle Sauerland called “The caviar of boxing”. Matchroom Boxing’s co-promotion of this on Saturday night was nothing short of exceptional.
  5. The 117-112 scorecard was a shocker – Where that came from was beyond most observers. This was such a close fight and could arguably have gone either way. That the Prograis camp did not contest this is a reflection on their professionalism and class.

Derek Chisora continues to deliver

The Finchley man got the business done in a 4th round stoppage of David Price and continues to further enhance the domestic heavyweight picture, whilst knocking on the door of World titles. The cancelled fight with New Zealand’s Joseph Parker is a natural next challenge. Win that, and a world title shot awaits.

Lee Selby is back

The Barry stylist is back at lightweight and comfortable. His decision win over Ricky Burns showcased his repertoire of skills and that having captured a world title at featherweight he is comfortable fighting two divisions up. Look for him to feature on upcoming Matchroom cards and be manoeuvred into a mandatory world title position.

Visit Ringside Rest and Care for more information https://ringsiderestandcare.com/

Taylor takes it all

London, 26 October 2019

Scotland’s Josh Taylor won a hotly contested fight on majority decision to capture the World Boxing Super Series super-lightweight title at a packed O2 Arena tonight. By defeating New Orleans Regis Prograis he retained his IBF title, captured the WBA title and snagged the Ring Magazine championship at ten stone (140lbs).

In a competitive fight throughout, both fighters had their moments but no knockdowns resulted. The judges returned scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 117-112. The latter card being slightly wide of your editors 114-113 (Taylor).

Both fighters complimented each other on their performance in post fight interviews, with Prograis declaring “The best man won”. Taylor was equally magnanimous in victory. The fight and after event was a credit to both boxers.

Prograis loses his WBA title and undefeated record but gained so many more fans in defeat. Taylor moves on to other challenges, possibly a WBC unification, but many will pay to see the rematch.

Further updates to follow.

Fight on !

25 October 2019 13:40 BST

We have a fight. Both boxers weighed in successfully for the much anticipated World Boxing Super Series super lightweight final tomorrow evening at London’s O2 Arena.

New Orleans WBA Champion Regis Prograis had an initial scare weighing a pound over the 10 stone (140lbs) limit, but after shedding his underwear checked in at 9st 13lbs 15oz. Scotland’s IBF Champion Josh Taylor made the limit at first attempt (9st 13lb 13oz).

Following the weigh-in the verbal exchanges continued with Prograis saying “It’s gonna be a bloody night for sure…someone’s gonna get stopped” motioning in Taylor’s direction. The Scot took the dais and responded “I made it okay, he looks like he’s on his feet dead”. Following up with “He’s gonna go back to America with his tail between his legs !”

Tune in on Sky Sports Box Office or DAZN for what promises to be a mouthwatering fight between two undefeated fighters at the peak of their powers.

As Michael Buffer said “Someone’s O’s gotta go” !

Lift off !

24 October 2019 12:45 BST

The gloves are really off. In a prickly final press conference in London this lunchtime the animosity between the two main eventers – Regis Prograis and Josh Taylor continues into the last two days. Although respect of what each fighter brings to the table was acknowledged, Josh Taylor in particular showed no let up from his verbal condemnation of his American opponent.

First up though was Prograis, covered by dark sunglasses, continuing to suggest that Taylor had fought no one like him and that he’d been shaken before against previous opponent Ivan Baranchyk, and asking what was he going be like against him. Emphasising his comfort in England after spending close to three weeks here he insisted “He can’t beat me…when I hit you and I hurt you that’s it”.

Taylor in response was unrelenting in his contempt for his opponent, saying he never thought he was going to shut up and asking why he was hiding behind his sunglasses. Exuding supreme confidence, sprinkled with a few expletives, he insisted he was going to “rip the belts off him” and “knock him out cold”.

If the pre-fight boasts and hostilities are lived up to, and given the undoubted pedigree of both fighters, this promises to be a contender for fight of the year. Catch it Saturday at the O2 Arena or live on Sky Sports box office or DAZN in the USA.

The brawl for it all

21 October 2019

Fight week is here ! Six days to go until the Super-Lightweight collision between New Orlean’s Regis Prograis 24-0-0 (20 KO’s) and Edinburgh’s Josh Taylor 15-0-0 (12 KO’s) at London’s O2 Arena in the World Boxing Super Series final.

Both ten stone (140lb) fighters are primed, supremely confident and up for grabs are all the ‘straps’. The coveted Muhammad Ali Trophy climaxing the finale of the Super Series, their IBF, WBA & WBC Diamond titles, and also prestigious The Ring magazine championship.

The full card will be broadcast in the UK on Sky Box Office and available in the US and worldwide on DAZN streaming site. Use links to visit The Championship Rounds Preview section on this website for an earlier preview and watch for further updates here throughout fight week.

Patrick Day RIP

The Undisputed sends its condolences and heartfelt thoughts to the family, friends and team of Patrick Day, American junior middleweight, who has tragically died following injuries sustained in his fight in Chicago on Saturday 12th October. The news was sadly confirmed on Wednesday by promoter DiBella Entertainment.

Over the last few days many messages of support and kind thoughts have been posted on social media and other platforms. What has continually come through is first and foremost what a wonderful human being Patrick was, as well as being a talented boxer.

Patrick chose to box and made boxing his living. At moments like this we question our association with this sport. What we must always acknowledge are the inherent dangers of this sport, the bravery of the fighters involved and, continually strive to make it even safer for Patrick’s fellow athletes.

The Undisputed thanks Patrick for his 27 years on Earth and for blessing us with his skills and performances in his tragically short life. Rest in peace our friend.

A greater appreciation of Patrick’s life is available at https://www.ringtv.com/

GGG Champ again

New York, 5 Oct 2019

Gennadiy Golovokin 40-1-1 (35KO’s) gained the IBF & IBO Middleweight titles in a very competitive fight at Madison Square Garden tonight defeating Sergey Derevyanchenko 13-2 (10KO’s) by unanimous decision. Scores were 114-113, 115-112, 115-112.

After suffering a knockdown in round one and cut in the second, Derevyancenko rallied to push Golovkin all the way down the stretch. GGG was affected by the body attacks of the Ukrainian on numerous occasions but rallied in the championship rounds to regain some of the middleweight straps. Clearly ageing at 37, GGG now seeks the third defining fight with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, which on this showing may look closer than before. GGG looked more beatable in this fight than in previous outings, including the second Alvarez fight.

Derevyancenko aquitted himself well but has now dropped two world title challenges and will undoubtedly seek a rematch.

Dynamite !

London, 27 Sept 2019

Young Londoner Daniel Dubois (13-0, 12 KO’s) showed again his heavyweight potential with an emphatic first round stoppage of previously undefeated Ghanaian Ebenezer Tetteh (19-1, 16 KO’s) at Kensington’s Royal Albert Hall last night.

Dubois was onto a nervous Tetteh from the ‘get go’ as the African struggled with his mouthpiece at the opening bell.

Dubois was on him immediately and in the two completed minutes never let his opponent off the hook. First with a right hand he dropped Tetteh and then succession of lefts and rights sent him to the canvas again before the referee waved off the fight at 2:10. Some at ringside felt the stoppage was premature but more of disappointment than substance. There was no significant protest by fighter or corner.

This was a mighty impressive performance and the Londoner has sent a further message out to the heavyweights who lay in wait after the Ruiz/Joshua/Wilder/Fury shakedown. The former Ring Magazine prospect has once again looked the genuine article in topping a London bill. The problem now for promoter Frank Warren is manoeuvring his charge through the choppy waters of the heavyweight division whilst giving him the necessary exposure and ringtime to develop for the long term.

Joe Joyce, Olympic silver medallist and undefeated pro (10-0, 9 KO’s) was ringside and couldn’t have failed to be impressed. Having recently aligned to Queensberry Promotions (& Ringstar Sports) that looks a natural match to make. Joyce at 34 has to move fast and the titles held by the 22 year old Dubois (now British & Commonwealth) and his WBO world ranking will be an attractive proposition.

The night put the heavyweight division on alert that Daniel ‘Dynamite’ Dubois is waiting in the wings and with his explosive power moving fast.

Double Olympic champion Nicola Adams (5-0-1, 3 KO’s) struggled to hold onto her WBO female flyweight title with a hard fought draw against Maria Salinas (21-7-4, 7 KO’s). The Mexican challenger was aggressive throughout and to many ringsiders looked to have won. Adams controlled the early stages of the fight to then fade in the later rounds but likely secured the draw in a strong final round. Scores were 96-94 Salinas, 97-93 Adams, 95-95. A rematch looks inevitable and would be well received.

Knockout of the night was from Archie ‘Sharpshooter’ Sharp (17-0, 9 KO’s) defending his WBO European super-featherweight title. A devastating left hook flattened Declan Geraghty (19-5, 4 KO’s) at 2:14 of the 4th round. There was also an impressive pro-debut from Maidstone, Kent’s Sam ‘Midge’ Noakes at lightweight. Fighting like a human dynamo and showing his solid amateur pedigree (ABA champion) Noakes caused the referee to stop the fight before the 4th round due to a cut sustained by seasoned veteran Chris Adaway (9-60-4, 1 KO).