This past Saturday may not have has a big bout anywhere on the planet but it did still have plenty of entertaining contests around the scene on the fringes of world class, and we did also have a very forgettable world title bout.
We'll start with that world title bout which, on paper, was the most significant bout of the night but also one of the most disappointing bouts we've seen all year. The bout, an IBF Light Middleweight title bout, saw defending champion Carlos Molina (22-6-2, 6) look like a lost, unmotivated and confused man as he was widely out pointed by 41 year old American Cornelius Bundrage (34-5-0-1, 19). Molina, usually a nightmare opponent fighters such as Erislandy Lara, James Kirkland and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, looked very much like a man with other things on his mind and was dropped twice by Bundrage, who himself didn't look like a world class fighter. This bout has suggested that anyone at 154lbs could win a world title bout next year, it's just a case of who will make the best offer to Bundrage who is now a 2-time world champion. Whilst the world title bout was a stinker the card it's interesting for 2 other bouts. One of them saw Nicaragua's Rene Alvarado (21-3, 14) make a successful move to Super Featherweight as he over-came the gallant but out classed and out worked Juan Pablo Sanchez (29-12, 13). Alvarado, the brother of former Kazuto Ioka opponent Felix Alvarado, really appears like he could be a decent contender at 130lbs and whilst he does lack power at the weight he could still be a threat based on his work rate and heart. Our only complain about this was the judging which was truly awful and the judges weren't even ashamed by the opening scoring which appeared to force Alvarado into being ultra-aggressive in the later rounds. Thankfully opening scoring likely allowed Alvarado to be aware that he needed to win the last 4 rounds to win and he made sure he did just that. Talking about ultra-aggressive we became instant fans of Jorge Lara (26-0-1, 18) who took ultra-aggressive and turned the volume up to 11 as he battered the more experienced Jovanny Soto (38-17-1, 33) from the the opening round to the 4th round. Soto effectively became a human yo-yo and was done numerous times in the first 2 rounds before finally being seen off in round 4. Soto's heart is second to none but it was Lara who really impressed with his very fan-friendly style. He might not reach the top of the Super Bantamweight division but he's certainly going to add a lot of excitement to the division. In the UK we saw another notable bout as Lee Selby (20-1, 8) secured himself an IBF Featherweight world title bout with a 9th round stoppage of the previously undefeated Joel Brunker (27-1, 15). Selby started well with his boxing and moving though in all honesty Brunker looked poor, slow, one-dimensional and like a man who had been thrown into an eliminator that he was never going to be ready for. Selby pinged clean shots off the Australian's head as and when he wanted though it wasn't until round 9 that the British fighter put his foot on the gas and after hurting Brunker he closed the show in style. Although the win was a good one for the British fighter we do wonder whether he will be able to really put a dent on Evgeny Gradovich, the current IBF Featherweight champion.
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This coming weekend is a somewhat scarce one when it comes to interesting fights and unfortunately the biggest fight of the weekend, in regards to immediate significance is a probably stinker in Mexico. That's because the talented but frustrating Carlos Molina (22-5-2, 6) will be defending his IBF Light Middleweight title against the likable but limited and undeserving Cornelius Bundrage (33-5-0-1, 19). For Molina this will allow him to end a roller-coaster year, probably on a high, though it leaves the IBF open to some very problematic questions. Such as how is a man with just 1 win in the last 2 years, and only 2 wins in the last 3 years, being given a world title shot. We honestly like Bundrage as a person but he shouldn't be in a world title fight given his disappointing level of activity.
Whilst the most important bout of the weekend does look a stink there is another notable bout as we get an IBF Featherweight title eliminator in the UK. This bout will see unbeaten Australian Joel Brunker (27-0, 15) battle against once beaten British fighter Lee Selby (19-1, 7). For us this is the bout of the night and promises everything you could wish for. It has two young and hungry fighters both fighting for their shot at the big time, it has solid looking records, good fighters and real intrigue on both sides of the planet, and of course it adds to the general sporting rivalry of the UK and Australia. |
InternationalWe know that not every fight involves an Asian fighter but a lot of fights do affect Asian fighter. As a result we've decided to add this new section to Asian boxing where we look at selected International bouts. Archives
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