3G Network
So Gennady Golovkin did what most thought he would do….KO Daniel Geale. Interesting to note is that he took a solid punch from Geale just as he was throwing his fight ending bomb. He took Geale’s punch better than Geale took his, game, set, match. Golovkin accepted a few solid punches in this fight and if he’d been fighting a harder punching foe, the punch he took right before he ended the fight may have had a different outcome. He needs to shore up his defense as the opponents get better. He won’t be able to walk through some of the bigger punchers he will face. What I have noticed in Triple G’s fights is that although he has a great jab, he doesn’t like to be jabbed. It seems to take him off of his game, if only for a moment as his competition thus far has not been able to sustain their effort against him. Yes, he’s good but it’s time to step up the competition.
After the fight he said he’s ready for anyone and mentioned that he wants Miguel Cotto next. Cotto, rejuvenated under Freddy Roach would be interesting, he’s relatively fast, has good power, can box and move, has a decent chin, but may be too small for this matchup. Canelo Alvarez would be an epic encounter. We would find out a lot about Golovkin in that one, Chavez Jr.? No thanks. Andre Ward??? Definitely, that’ the one I want to see. Ward has one of the best jabs in the game, can box for days, and has one of the highest IQ’s in the game. His quickness and underrated power would present challenges for Golovkin.
The Rightful Winner
It was refreshing to see the rightful winner get the decision in this weekend’s Heavyweight Eliminator. Bryant Jennings defeated Mike Perez by split decision. There was a controversial point deduction in the last round against Perez that if not called would have meant the fight was a draw. Think what you want about the point deduction, the cards shouldn’t have been that close.
Krusher Is Back
Hard hitting Sergey Kovalev is back in the ring this Saturday night from the Boardwalk in Atlantic City against Blake Caparello. Kovalev and his 88% knockout rate will look to get Caparello out of there as he does with all of his opponents. Caparello brings a few interesting dynamics to the fight such as a southpaw stance, a height and reach advantage, and more ring experience but Kovalev is on a different level right now. I don’t see the title changing hands.
A Fork In The Road
Bam Bam Brandon Rios is at a crossroads in his career. Loser of his last two fights, one against Manny Pacquiao and in a rematch against Mike Alvarado. Rios was out boxed in both losses. This Saturday night, he faces Diego Gabriel Chaves, assuming of course that Chaves’s visa issues get worked out. Chaves will come to bang as evident by his 19 KO’s in 24 fights. His only loss was to Keith “One Time” Thurman. We all know that Rios loves to scrap so this fight is right down his alley. Even after the long layoff and suspension, look for Rios to be energized by a facing a brawler and not a boxer and subsequently get back to his winning ways.
Remember The Name
Two weeks ago, Super Middleweight Gilberto Sanchez improved to 29-0 with a spectacular KO performance against Junior Talipeau. The right uppercut that caused the first knockdown was textbook and from long range. It was nice to see such a young fighter using old school technique. It was one of the best punches I have seen thrown in some time. This kid is ready for the next level.
Need A Little D
Two weeks ago, Zou Shiming 33, trained by Freddy Roach, beat a very game Luis De La Rosa. Good scrap. Shiming has a good jab, is long and lanky, quick, throws punches from sneaky angles, and has a decent chin but he’d better shore up that defense. Shiming got hit flush several times mostly because he keeps his hands so low, this will get him into trouble against better opponents. In addition, he barely went to the body. This guy has the goods so he better listen to Freddy so that he can tighten up those weaknesses.
Well At Least It Wasn’t Boring
The knock on Guillermo Rigondeaux over the past several years is that he’s not exciting. It is because he has dominated and outpointed his opponents so easily recently that he has encountered this unjust criticism. Two weeks ago, Rigondeaux knocked out Sod Looknongyantoy. Well, not without a little controversy. After a stoppage of the action due to an accidental head-butt, the referee motioned for the fight to commence, as it appeared there would be a good will touch of gloves, Rigondeaux hit Sod with a right that ended the fight. Recently, Leo Santa Cruz responded to Rigondeaux calling him out by saying, “We train 100 percent in the gym to give the fans great fights. We are ready to fight @RigoElChacal305 any time any place” Amazing fight if it is made.
Standing-8 