I don’t know if Robert Guerrero believed in his fitness a little too much due to his new crossfit regimen, but he chose to utilize very little of the boxing skill that got him where he is today in his randomly main event fight against gatekeeper Yoshihiro Kamegai. Basically, both guys just flung punches on the inside for 12 rounds. It was undeniably entertaining, but since both guys were equal to the task of maintaining the pace to roughly an equal extent, it didn’t allow the much more skilled Guerrero to separate himself in any way. The fight could legitimately have gone either way very easily. I had it 115-113 Kamegai. The judges, perhaps predictably, all saw it for Guerrero. Max DeLuca gave Guerrero all the really arguable rounds at 116-112. Pat Russell and Tony Crebs both turned in more biased cards of 117-111. I don’t have a problem with Guerrero getting the decision, but everyone should realize that his performance very much placed him at the judges’ mercy. They simply had plenty of it to give.
In the more naturally significant fight of the card that somehow got billed well below Guerrero’s, #9 Devon Alexander had his own share of trouble with #12 Jesus Soto Karass at a catchweight of 149. Alexander, for a guy that once spectacularly knocked out the iron-chinned Juan Urango, really is pretty feather-fisted. In fairness, Soto Karass does have heavy hands, but even when Alexander hit him completely clean, the effectiveness of the shots was noticeably and significantly less. On the other hand, Soto Karass’s hands, by comparison, were painfully slow, and that gave Alexander a chance at success. The pair traded rounds, more or less, and I scored it 95-95 in the end. Like Guerrero-Kamegai, there was a legitimate 2-round swing possible in either direction due to close rounds. That explains Carla Caiz’s pro-Alexander card of 97-93, but Tony Crebs (covering himself in shame for the first of two times that night) and Fernando Villareal’s shared 99-91 score defied any explanation, except the most nefarious. I had always suspected Don King of paying judges on Alexander’s behalf when he was getting blatant robberies in his favor against the likes of Kotelnik and Matthysse. His results had been more fair since he moved to Golden Boy, and I tend to think De La Hoya is more likely to be above that sort of thing than I would would give King credit for. But this kind of disgusting scorecard has to make me wonder if a holdover on Alexander’s team may still be engaging in that kind of thing. It’s not the worst robbery I’ve seen- or even necessarily a robbery in general, since it legitimately could have gone either way- but the number of times Alexander has gotten the benefit of terrible cards like this is really becoming striking in the aggregate.
Both fights will be treated here essentially as draws, but with a slight edge toward the official winner. Thus, as is deserved, neither official winner stands to benefit from the result, given the lower-ranked or unranked opponent. Guerrero hurt his standing the most, since he actually did arguably worse against Kamegai than journeyman Jorge Silva had managed a while back, and in general struggled to earn a questionable decision over a barely-top-50 fighter. Guerrero falls to #12, stopped only by the presence of Andre Berto, who he’s already beaten. This allows Brook to advance to #7. Alexander does move up to #8, only because he’s unable to slip below Randall Bailey, whom he beat, and who hasn’t done anything of note since. Soto Karass moves up to meet Alexander, settling in at #9. Everyone else stays put, except that Kamegai debuts at #20, thereby forcing Collazo out after 20 weeks.
Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (217-249-249)
Last Fight: 5/3/2014- W* (MD12) vs. #4 Marcos Maidana
Next Fight: 9/13/2014- vs. Unknown Opponent
Mayweather has booked his next fight on September 13. Let’s hope he gives Maidana a rematch.
1) Marcos Maidana (8-55-55)
Last Fight:5/3/2014- L* (MD12) vs. Champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: Unknown
There are rumors swirling around two possible fights for Maidana- a Mayweather rematch and a showdown with Keith Thurman.
2) Manny Pacquiao (8-290-290)
Last Fight: 4/12/2014- UD12 #1 Timothy Bradley
Next Fight: 11/23/2014- vs. Unknown Opponent
Pacquiao will be back on November 23 in Macau, with a 5th Marquez fight being the most likely scenario. There’s also some talk of matching him with Algieri, but I would hope he wouldn’t sink that low for a pay-per-view, especially…
3) Juan Manuel Marquez (8-137-137)
Last Fight: 5/17/2014- UD12 #? JWW Mike Alvarado
Next Fight: Unknown
The otherwise likely scenario of Pacquiao-Marquez V is maybe a little less likely now, with Marquez having asked for $20 million, which was not well-received by the Pacquiao camp.
4) Timothy Bradley (8-37-107)
Last Fight: 4/12/2014- L (UD12) vs. #3 Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: Unknown
Bradley says he intends to return in October or November, and says he wants Mayweather. Good luck, especially coming off a loss.Bradley’s best options for a next fight, practically-speaking, are limited to re-hashes of previous fights like Marquez and Provodnikov, though Bob Arum is currently considering matching him with Cotto. I would think the logistics of that might be difficult to negotiate, given the weight difference.
5) Keith Thurman (28-28-68)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- RTD3 Julio Diaz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
There’s a rumor that has Thurman fighting Maidana on September 13. He’s also expressed interest in Tim Bradley, a politically difficult proposition, though some believe the departure of Richard Schaeffer from Golden Boy might make it more realistic.
6) Shawn Porter (28-29-29)
Last Fight: 4/19/2014- KO4 #14 Paulie Malignaggi
Next Fight: 8/16/2014- vs. #7 Kell Brook
Porter-Brook is now made for August 16 in New York.
7) Kell Brook (1-165-165)
Last Fight:3/15/2014- TKO8 Alvaro Robles (UNR) (at JMW)
Next Fight: 8/16/2014- vs. #6 Shawn Porter
See Porter’s notes, above.
8) Devon Alexander (1-122-122)
Last Fight: 6/21/2014- W* (UD10) vs. #12 Jesus Soto Karass (at 149)
Next Fight: Unknown
Whatever power Alexander appeared to have on his way up at 140 has clearly evaporated at 147, as he looked totally outclassed in that department against Soto Karass, though his handspeed equally outclassed the Mexican and kept him in the fight.9) Jesus Soto Karass (1-1-74)
Last Fight: 6/21/2014- L* (UD10) vs. #9 Devon Alexander (at 149)
Next Fight: Unknown
Soto Karass once again proved much better than the “gatekeeper” moniker he’s gotten from underinformed fans and media, giving Alexander all he could handle and giving himself an argument that he deserved the decision.10) Randall Bailey (31-31-31)
Last Fight: 11/23/2013- W (DQ8) vs. Humberto Toledo (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Bailey’s scheduled fight with prospect Freddy Lawson fell through apparently at or near the last minute, but I can’t find a peep about when or why online- at least not yet.
11) Josesito Lopez (31-105)
Last Fight: 4/24/2014- TKO5 Aron Martinez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Lopez says he expects a big fight in September.12) Robert Guerrero (1-100)
Last Fight: 6/21/2014- W*(UD12) vs. Yoshihiro Kamegai (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Crossfit may have gotten Guerrero in better shape, but it sure didn’t help his gameplan. He abandoned all skill advantages and barely squeaked by with a toss-up decision over a borderline top 50 fighter.13) Andre Berto (28-83)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- L (TKO12) vs. #11 Jesus Soto Karass
Next Fight: Unknown
Berto is now recovered from surgery and is training for a July return.
14) Amir Khan (8-8)
Last Fight: 5/3/2014- UD12 #17 Luis Collazo
Next Fight: Unknown
Despite the fairly impressive win over Collazo, Khan has ruled himself out of a possible Mayweather shot in September, due to Ramadan. But Mayweather sounds extremely interested in the possibility of fighting Khan at Wembley Stadium, perhaps in 2015. Khan is now angling for a shot at Pacquiao in November.15) Paulie Malignaggi (8-29)
Last Fight: 4/19/2014- L (KO4) vs. #6 Shawn Porter
Next Fight: Unknown
Malignaggi confirms he’s considering retirement.
16) Chris van Heerden (8-106)
Last Fight: 4/16/2014- W (SD10) vs. Ray Narh (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Van Heerden’s split decision win over Ray Narh doesn’t look very worthy of a top 15 contender on paper, but I unfortunately am unable to find video, and thus can’t opine on what it might mean for his future.
17) Luis Carlos Abregu (8-61)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- TKO8 Jean Carlos Prada (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Abregu offered Brandon Rios a fight, but Rios turned it down. He is also interested in Thurman, and is reportedly on the list of potential opponents for Pacquiao. Pac’s team is not interested, and I can see why. Abregu is hardly a household name outside Argentina, except among hardcore fans.
18) Jan Zaveck (21-237)
Last Fight: 10/19/2013- UD8 Sebastien Allais (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
19) Leonard Bundu (15-17)
Last Fight: 12/14/2013- TKO12 Lee Purdy (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/1/2014- vs. Frankie Gavin (UNR)
Bundu will fight unbeaten Brit Frankie Gavin in Wolverhampton, England on August 1 for Bundu’s European belt.
20) Yoshihiro Kamegai (1-1)
Last Fight: 6/21/2014- L* (UD12) vs. #7 Robert Guerrero
Next Fight: Unknown
I personally think Kamegai won a toss-up fight with Guerrero, a credential that stands out like a sore thumb on a resume that had him barely ranked in the top 50 by boxrec at the time.
The Week Ahead: SaturdayMikael Zewski vs. Prince Doku, Jr.; Omaha, Nebraska; Off TV
Zewski is an undefeated Quebec prospect who is on the borderline of the top 50 according to Boxrec, though he’s gotten there without beating anyone better than a lower-mid-level journeyman. Prince Doku may sound like a Star Wars character, but I can assure you the force is not with him. His record is a decent-looking 18-5, but like many of his Ghanaian countrymen, his opposition has been exceptionally soft. He’s never beaten anyone with better than a .333 winning percentage, nor anyone with more than 3 total wins.
Konstantin Ponomarev vs. Joseph De Los Santos; Omaha, Nebraska; Off TV
Ponomarev is another undefeated prospect, and hails from Russia. He is a little more proven than Zewski, having beaten a high-level journeyman in Ramon de la Cruz Sena in his last fight. De Los Santos is nowhere near that level. The Dominican native has been in with Jermell Charlo (disastrously so for him), but he has only beaten one guy with a winning record since 2007, and that was a 3-1 novice in 2011. Many of his wins since 2007 have come against guys with winning percentages in the range of 5%.
No welterweight fights of any consequence to report from last week.
Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (216-248-248)
Last Fight: 5/3/2014- W* (MD12) vs. #4 Marcos Maidana
Next Fight: 9/13/2014- vs. Unknown Opponent
Mayweather has booked his next fight on September 13. Let’s hope he gives Maidana a rematch.
1) Marcos Maidana (7-54-54)
Last Fight:5/3/2014- L* (MD12) vs. Champion Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: Unknown
There are rumors swirling around two possible fights for Maidana- a Mayweather rematch and a showdown with Keith Thurman.
2) Manny Pacquiao (7-289-289)
Last Fight: 4/12/2014- UD12 #1 Timothy Bradley
Next Fight: 11/23/2014- vs. Unknown Opponent
Pacquiao will be back on November 23 in Macau, with a 5th Marquez fight being the most likely scenario. There’s also some talk of matching him with Algieri, but I would hope he wouldn’t sink that low for a pay-per-view, especially…3) Juan Manuel Marquez (7-136-136)
Last Fight: 5/17/2014- UD12 #? JWW Mike Alvarado
Next Fight: Unknown
The otherwise likely scenario of Pacquiao-Marquez V is maybe a little less likely now, with Marquez having asked for $20 million, which was not well-received by the Pacquiao camp.4) Timothy Bradley (7-36-106)
Last Fight: 4/12/2014- L (UD12) vs. #3 Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: Unknown
Bradley says he intends to return in October or November, and says he wants Mayweather. Good luck, especially coming off a loss.Bradley’s best options for a next fight, practically-speaking, are limited to re-hashes of previous fights like Marquez and Provodnikov, though Bob Arum is currently considering matching him with Cotto. I would think the logistics of that might be difficult to negotiate, given the weight difference.
5) Keith Thurman (27-27-67)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- RTD3 Julio Diaz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
There’s a rumor that has Thurman fighting Maidana on September 13. He’s also expressed interest in Tim Bradley, a politically difficult proposition, though some believe the departure of Richard Schaeffer from Golden Boy might make it more realistic.
6) Shawn Porter (27-28-28)
Last Fight: 4/19/2014- KO4 #14 Paulie Malignaggi
Next Fight: 8/16/2014- vs. #8 Kell Brook
Porter-Brook is now made for August 16 in New York.
7) Robert Guerrero (28-82-99)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- L (UD12) vs. Champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: 6/21/2014- vs. Yoshihiro Kamegai (UNR)
Guerrero scheduled the Kamegai fight just in time to avoid removal. It’s not exactly the sexiest possible matchup, though Kamegai does make good fights generally.
8) Kell Brook (28-164-164)
Last Fight:3/15/2014- TKO8 Alvaro Robles (UNR) (at JMW)
Next Fight: 8/16/2014- vs. #6 Shawn Porter
See Porter’s notes, above.
9) Devon Alexander (28-121-121)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- L (UD12) vs. Shawn Porter (UNR)
Next Fight: 7/12/2014- vs. #12 Jesus Soto Karass
I should stop trusting news reports. Alexander-Soto Karass was said to be on a couple different cards, but it’s now definitively settled for June 21.10) Randall Bailey (30-30-30)
Last Fight: 11/23/2013- W (DQ8) vs. Humberto Toledo (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Bailey’s scheduled fight with prospect Freddy Lawson fell through apparently at or near the last minute, but I can’t find a peep about when or why online- at least not yet.
11) Josesito Lopez (30-104)
Last Fight: 4/24/2014- TKO5 Aron Martinez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Lopez is back on the right track, looking at least decent against a likely better fighter than Arnaoutis, whom he almost lost to.
12) Jesus Soto Karass (27-73)
Last Fight: 12/14/2013- L (TKO9) vs. #13 Keith Thurman
Next Fight: 7/12/2014- vs. #9 Devon Alexander
See Alexander’s notes, above.13) Andre Berto (27-82)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- L (TKO12) vs. #11 Jesus Soto Karass
Next Fight: Unknown
Berto is now recovered from surgery and is training for a July return.
14) Amir Khan (7-7)
Last Fight: 5/3/2014- UD12 #17 Luis Collazo
Next Fight: Unknown
Despite the fairly impressive win over Collazo, Khan has ruled himself out of a possible Mayweather shot in September, due to Ramadan. But Mayweather sounds extremely interested in the possibility of fighting Khan at Wembley Stadium, perhaps in 2015.
15) Paulie Malignaggi (7-28)
Last Fight: 4/19/2014- L (KO4) vs. #6 Shawn Porter
Next Fight: Unknown
Malignaggi confirms he’s considering retirement.
16) Chris van Heerden (7-105)
Last Fight: 4/16/2014- W (SD10) vs. Ray Narh (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Van Heerden’s split decision win over Ray Narh doesn’t look very worthy of a top 15 contender on paper, but I unfortunately am unable to find video, and thus can’t opine on what it might mean for his future.
17) Luis Carlos Abregu (7-60)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- TKO8 Jean Carlos Prada (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Abregu offered Brandon Rios a fight, but Rios turned it down. He is also interested in Thurman, and is reportedly on the list of potential opponents for Pacquiao. Pac’s team is not interested, and I can see why. Abregu is hardly a household name outside Argentina, except among hardcore fans.
18) Jan Zaveck (20-236)
Last Fight: 10/19/2013- UD8 Sebastien Allais (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
19) Leonard Bundu (14-16)
Last Fight: 12/14/2013- TKO12 Lee Purdy (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/1/2014- vs. Frankie Gavin (UNR)
Bundu will fight unbeaten Brit Frankie Gavin in Wolverhampton, England on August 1 for Bundu’s European belt.
20) Luis Collazo (7-20)
Last Fight: 5/3/2014- L (UD12) vs. Amir Khan (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s back to the drawing board for Collazo, whose career momentum was abruptly halted by a sharp Khan.
The Week Ahead: Saturday#7 Robert Guerrero vs. Yoshihiro Kamegai; Carson, California; Showtime (US)
Guerrero hasn’t seen the ring since dropping a decision to Mayweather for the Championship in May of last year. He won more rounds in that fight, I thought, than most people gave him credit for. The California native has been augmenting his regular training with CrossFit, hoping it will improve his overall strength and conditioning. He shouldn’t need much extra against Kamegai, who is an entertaining Japanese fighter and a one-loss fringe prospect who is on the lower rungs of the top 50. He has never beaten a top 50 fighter, himself, though, and struggled to a draw in 2012 with a guy that ultimately proved to be just a decent journeyman in Jorge Silva. He also lost a year ago to a prospect in Johan Perez. Guerrero ought to be miles and miles above that kind of level, and this is really a bit of a mismatch that probably doesn’t deserve a main event slot.
#9 Devon Alexander vs. #12 Jesus Soto Karass; Carson, California; Showtime (US)
This fight is actually contracted at 149, with Soto Karass having requested the catchweight for the non-title fight. It’s an interesting matchup- probably the highlight of the card despite being the first of three fights on the main Showtime broadcast. Soto Karass is called a gatekeeper by a lot of fans, but I think that moniker might underestimate the level of competition he’s both beaten and lost to. Alexander has proven to have world-class ability, most especially when he comfortably outpointed Marcos Maidana. But he’s also quite inconsistent, and his loss to Shawn Porter was a head-scratcher at the time. Porter looked to be a far inferior fighter at that moment, as compared to both Alexander and the current version of Soto Karass, though in fairness he looked a lot more formidable during and since that fight. Still, if Alexander gives a similar performance, he might be in trouble at this level.
One-loss prospect Glen Tapia scored two knockdowns and ultimately a stoppage in less than half a round in Atlantic City on Saturday, earning an easy tune-up win over inactive lower-mid-level journeyman Keenan Collins of Brooklyn.
In a significantly more important fight, #14 Demetrius Andrade of Providence, Rhode Island brutally dominated overrated #20 Brian Rose of England. Andrade scored knockdowns in the first and third rounds, and earned a 10-8 in my book in the 6th, too, before stopping his man in the 7th. Andrade looked quite dynamic, showing both world-class boxing and plenty of power, as well. He might be one of the most well-rounded fighters in the entire division. As for Rose, I had only grudgingly ranked him as high as #20 at this point, because his poor performances against the likes of Maciel and Kris Carslaw had pretty clearly indicated that all of his serious success (most notably a win over Prince Arron, who hasn’t been heard of since, really) was most likely a mirage. He looked every bit the fraud against Andrade. I leave it to you to decide which guy it says more about. I think it is probably a strong reflection on the level of both guys, personally.
Andrade continues to rise, falling just short of the top 10 at #11. Angulo, Rabchenko, and Jermell Charlo each drop a spot to accommodate his promotion. Rose narrowly loses his spot to Kell Brook, who is also ranked in the top 10 at 147, and returns to the rankings at 154 for the first time since he was forced out on January 27.
Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: None1) Saul Alvarez (15-172-187)
Last Fight: 3/8/2014- TKO10 #10 Alfredo Angulo (at 155)
Next Fight: 7/12/2014- vs. #3 Erislandy Lara
Canelo came knocking, and Lara answered the door.
2) Carlos Molina (15-154-169)
Last Fight: 9/14/2013- W (SD12) vs. #5 Ishe Smith
Next Fight: Unknown
Molina and Bundrage haven’t reached a deal for their IBF-mandated fight is scheduled for purse bids on June 24.3) Erislandy Lara (15-154-176)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- UD12 #4 Austin Trout
Next Fight: 7/12/2014- vs. #1 Saul Alvarez
Lara traded an intended fight with Ishe Smith for a more lucrative and important showdown with Canelo. The fight might not determine a legitimate champion, but it should at least crown a preeminent top contender.
4) Miguel Cotto (2-211-211)
Last Fight: 6/7/2014- RTD10 MW Champ Sergio Martinez (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Cotto is now the Middleweight Champion, so it remains to be seen if he’ll continue to fight at 154 at all. He’s reportedly interested in fighting Canelo, in a likely catchweight fight, if Canelo can get by Lara.5) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (2-40-40)
Last Fight: 5/3/2014- W* (MD12) vs. #4 WW Marcos Maidana (at WW)
Next Fight: 9/13/2014- vs. Unknown Opponent
Floyd will be fighting on September 13. A Maidana rematch remains a possibility.
6) Austin Trout (2-107-176)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- L (UD12) vs. #5 Erislandy Lara
Next Fight: 7/19/2014- vs. Daniel Dawson (UNR)
Trout will look to get back on track with a fairly easy Friday Night Fights main event against upper mid-level Australian journeyman Daniel Dawson, who was once a fringe contender, but not since 2007.
7) Ishe Smith (2-69-69)
Last Fight: 5/2/2014- KO2 Ryan Davis (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
I know he was a relatively short-notice replacement, but Ryan Davis was a little too hapless even by that standard.
8) Joshua Clottey (2-10-10)
Last Fight: 4/9/2014- UD12 #7 Anthony Mundine
Next Fight: Unknown
For those looking for a good way to revitalize a practically evaporated career, you couldn’t do much better than the example Clottey just provided. He wants to fight Mayweather, but I’d say he’s at least one top 5 win away from having a chance at that.
9) Anthony Mundine (10-29-29)
Last Fight: 4/9/2014- L (UD12) vs. Joshua Clottey (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Mundine is reportedly in talks to bring the now much larger and also more retired Danny Green into a rematch.
10) Cornelius Bundrage (10-202-202)
Last Fight: 1/24/2014- UD12 Joey Hernandez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Molina’s notes, above.11) Demetrius Andrade (1-32)
Last Fight: 6/14/2014- TKO7 #20 Brian Rose
Next Fight: Unknown
After manhandling an overrated Brian Rose, Andrade says he’s ready for the big names.12) Alfredo Angulo (1-247)
Last Fight: 3/8/2014- L (TKO10) vs. #4 Saul Alvarez
Next Fight: Unknown
Angulo could probably use a fight with a gatekeeper or low level fringe contender just to get his career momentum going.
13) Sergey Rabchenko (1-105)
Last Fight: 11/16/2013- UD12 Bradley Pryce (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Rabchenko’s fight in Rome was cancelled on 3 days’ notice due to Visa issues, and his would-be opponent, journeyman Emanuele Della Rosa, will be fighting undefeated prospect Isaac Real for what had been Rabchenko’s European title.
14) Jermell Charlo (1-54)
Last Fight: 5/24/2014- UD12 Charlie Ota (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
15) Vanes Martirosyan (2-159)
Last Fight: 3/21/2014- UD10 Mario Lozano (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Vanes was supposed to fight on the Stiverne-Arreola card from what I understood, but that fight quietly disappeared from the schedule at some unknown point in time. He’s been dropped by Top Rank and signed with Dan Goossen, as well.
16) Brian Castaño (2-2)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- TKO4 #15 Cesar Sastre Silva
Next Fight: Unknown
Castano looked like kind of a beast against Sastre Silva. Only time will tell if he really is a beast, was beating up on an overrated fringe contender, or some combination of those possibilities.
17) Gabriel Rosado (5-21)
Last Fight: 1/25/2014- L (UD10) vs. #18 Jermell Charlo
Next Fight: Unknown
Rosado was offered to Ishe Smith as a May 2 replacement, but Smith turned him down. In turn, Rosado is being challenged by Hassan N’Dam.
18) Zaurbek Baysangurov (5-10)
Last Fight: 4/12/2014- TKO12 #20 Guido Pitto
Next Fight: Unknown
Baysangurov looked the best I’ve seen him, by far, against Pitto.
19) Willie Nelson (5-68)
Last Fight: 6/7/2014- TKO1 Darryl Cunningham (UNR) (at MW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Nelson just signed with manager Cameron Dunkin, but will need to get a potentially light middleweight fight scheduled by the end of June to maintain his ranking.
20) Kell Brook (1-1)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- TKO8 Alvaro Robles (UNR)
Next Fight: 8/16/2014- vs. #6 WW Shawn Porter (at WW)
Brook is really a welterweight (and a top 10 contender at that weight), but has thrown in enough significant wins near the 154 limit to make himself independently a fringe contender at this weight. He’ll get a shot at a welterweight belt on August 16 against Shawn Porter in New York.
The Week Ahead: Saturday#9 WW Devon Alexander vs. #12 WW Jesus Soto Karass; Carson, California; Showtime (US)
This is technically scheduled to be a light middleweight fight, with Soto Karass having requested a catchweight of 149. I plan to discuss it in much more detail at 147, but it very well might affect the rankings at both weights.
I’ll discuss the events of the past weekend in descending order of magnitude.
In the Showtime Championship Boxing main event from San Antonio on Saturday, Marcos Maidana gave, I would hazard, the large majority of boxing fans an early Christmas present by shutting the mouth of the unceasingly loquacious Adrien Broner. Broner was as likable as ever, simulating a certain act at one point while Maidana’s back was turned that would threaten to lose me the family-friendly status that I hope will allow me to participate in WordPress ads at some point if I were to report on it fully. Maidana quite literally returned the favor later in the fight. The difference is, he had already beaten the fight out of Broner by them, while Broner’s actions were bravado entirely of the false variety. Quite simply, Maidana beat Broner up. He mugged him. There were a few competitive rounds, but it wasn’t a competitive fight. Broner went down in the 2nd and 8th, and deserved another 10-8 in a particularly rocky 9th round. Maidana lost a point in the 8th for a headbutt, and that’s the only point that he clearly missed out on in the whole fight. I did give Broner the 12th in a close call, but that was the only round that I thought he had much of an argument for. 118-106 was my card. The really awful judges (almost a redundant statement for a Texas fight) had it 117-109 (Levi Martinez), 116-109 (Nelson Vazquez), and a patently ridiculous- almost offensive- 115-110 (Stanley Christodoulou). There was buzz immediately that this might be the upset of the year. Really? Maidana was #4 in the division, give or take, by any reasonable measure. Broner? True, he is and/or was the legitimate lightweight Champion, but that’s two whole weight classes to the south. At Welter, he beat Paulie Malignaggi in a rather close decision. Malignaggi improved his stock dramatically since then by beating Judah, but at the time he could be viewed more as a guy coming off what should have been a dominant loss to Pablo Cesar Cano than anything else. In short, Broner had earned little or no credibility anywhere north of 135 at more than a fringe contender level. Those who considered Maidana an underdog of any magnitude whatsoever were speculating at best, or buying into undeserved hype at worst.
On the rather stacked undercard, #13 Keith Thurman justified his own hype in a big way. Thurman- who had to make an adjustment and mix in some boxing to overcome big strong welterweight Diego Chaves in his last fight- applied that adjustment from the opening bell against another big strong welterweight in Mexican brawler, #6 Jesus Soto-Karass. I’ve seldom seen such plainly visible growth in a young fighter over such a limited span of rounds. This time, he mixed boxing with power from the start. He showed the ability to throw and land huge shots from a posture of movement, which is a pretty rare ability. As for Soto-Karass, he showed big-time heart and plenty of desire, as expected, but ultimately couldn’t handle Thurman’s concussive counter shots. Up 78-73 on my card, Thurman closed the show with a stoppage of a broken opponent in the 9th. This fight effectively the progression of Thurman from a prospect to a contender and star.
#11 Josesito Lopez looked, frankly, really bad in his narrow Friday victory over Mike Arnaoutis, who entered the fight with the profile of a shopworn veteran journeyman. Arnaoutis looked strong and fresh early against Lopez, who was clearly not sharp. He dropped Lopez in the 3rd after trading the first couple rounds. Lopez started to get into the fight after the knockdown, though, and won four of the last 5 completed rounds as I saw it. In the 8th, Arnaoutis suffered a pretty bad cut over his left eye from a head clash. After the round, Arnaoutis was very adamant that he couldn’t see, though in my decidedly non-expert opinion, it looked like the blood had been stemmed and was flowing entirely to the left of the eye to the extent it was flowing at all at that point. I personally believe that Arnaoutis could see well enough to continue, and yet knew that his best rounds in the fight were behind him. His best chance for victory, as he could reasonably have calculated, was to go to the scorecards at that point, since it had very obviously been close to that point. Now maybe I’m totally wrong and he really couldn’t see. If that’s the case, he not only did the prudent thing, but did so honorably. I just didn’t really see any signs with my untrained eye to suggest that he couldn’t see. He wasn’t blinking abnormally or anything like that. But I don’t want to belabor the point. One judge, Thomas Taylor, had it exactly as I did, and the other two (incorrectly, I believe) had it a round wider. If Arnaoutis was taking a calculated risk to get out of the fight, it didn’t help him win, and so the point is largely moot. Lopez, for his part, dodged a bullet. If this was a case of under-preparedness as opposed to a sign of physical decline, then it should serve as a valuable lesson cheaply learned.
Returning to Saturday, fringe contender Leonard Bundu of Italy by way of Sierra Leone put on a fine performance against a very gritty and determined English gatekeeper in Lee Purdy, in London. Purdy came out strong, and took three of the first four rounds as I saw it. But it was a brisk pace and a tough fight. Bundu proved physically strong, and showed more classy boxing ability than Purdy as the rounds wore on. By the 8th round, Purdy had lost his edge completely, and had faded to the point that he was no longer competitive within the rounds. It was every inch a war of attrition, and Bundu conclusively outlasted his man. When the dust settled, Bundu had poured about as much punishment into 12 rounds as it’s possible to do, and referee Juergen Langos quite aptly rescued Purdy in the closing seconds. You might wish that Purdy had gotten a chance to finish the fight with only 10 seconds remaining, but this was an instance where you had to protect a helpless fighter. 10 seconds or not, Purdy was about to get badly hurt.
And in a strictly stay-busy fight on Friday, Mexican champion (well, if you don’t count Marquez, Soto-Karass, Cano, and maybe a few others, anyway) Alvaro Robles stopped sub-.500 journeyman Miguel Angel Lopez at the beginning of 6.
Maidana doesn’t really have room to improve in the rankings at the moment, as his loss to Alexander holds him back from having any chance to eclipse Pacquiao at present. Thurman parks right behind Maidana at #5, pushing Porter back a place. Soto-Karass falls to #12, while Berto slips back to #13. Bundu slips back into the rankings at #20, meaning that Jo Jo Dan exits after two weeks in.
Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)Champ: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (190-222-222)
Last Fight: 9/14/2013- W* (MD12) vs. #2 JMW Saul Alvarez (at JMW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Floyd will likely be back on both May 3 and September 13, with Amir Khan being rumored as the May 3 opponent.
1) Timothy Bradley (10-10-80)
Last Fight: 10/12/2013- W (SD12) vs. #1 Juan Manuel Marquez
Next Fight: Unknown
Bradley-Pacquiao II is very likely for April 12.2) Juan Manuel Marquez (10-110-110)
Last Fight: 10/12/2013- L (SD12) vs. #17 Timothy Bradley
Next Fight: Unknown
After retirement was mentioned a couple different times, Marquez now says he intends to fight twice in 2014. He wants a tune-up in Mexico City, followed by a rematch with Bradley.3) Manny Pacquiao (10-263-263)
Last Fight: 11/23/2013- UD12 #5? JWW Brandon Rios
Next Fight: Unknown
See Bradley’s notes, above.
4) Marcos Maidana (2-28-28)
Last Fight: 12/14/2013- UD12 LW Champ Adrien Broner
Next Fight: Unknown
After his 12-round beatdown of overhyped Broner, Maidana has set himself up for a big opportunity. Malignaggi indicated interest in the winner, for starters, and Shawn Porter also seems interested.5) Keith Thurman (1-1-41)
Last Fight: 12/14/2013- TKO9 #6 Jesus Soto-Karass
Next Fight: Unknown
After beating Soto-Karass, Thurman issued what amounts to a challenge to the entire division.6) Shawn Porter (1-2-2)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- UD12 #5 Devon Alexander
Next Fight: Unknown
All indications are that Porter will fight his mandatory, Kell Brook, next, though he has also indicated interest in Maidana.7) Robert Guerrero (2-56-73)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- L (UD12) vs. Champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: Unknown
Guerrero wants Pacquiao next. I see his style as potentially problematic for Pacquiao, which probably renders the match-up unlikely at this time, when combined with his lack of a recent win.8) Kell Brook (2-138-138)
Last Fight:10/26/2013- TKO4 Vyacheslav Senchenko (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Porter’s notes, above.
9) Devon Alexander (2-95-95)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- L (UD12) vs. Shawn Porter (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
10) Randall Bailey (4-4-4)
Last Fight: 11/23/2013- W (DQ8) vs. Humberto Toledo (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
11) Josesito Lopez (4-78)
Last Fight: 12/13/2013- W (TD8) vs. Mike Arnaoutis (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Hopefully his great struggles against Arnaoutis aren’t the result of wear and tear taking their toll on Lopez and his career.12) Jesus Soto Karass (1-47)
Last Fight: 12/14/2013- L (TKO9) vs. #13 Keith Thurman
Next Fight: Unknown
His results are now decidedly mixed, but I suspect Soto Karass will continue to get decent TV fights, since his fights are almost always entertaining, and always a test for his opponent.13) Andre Berto (1-56)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- L (TKO12) vs. #11 Jesus Soto Karass
Next Fight: Unknown
Berto’s shoulder surgery will keep him out until sometime in 2014.14) Paulie Malignaggi (2-2)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- UD12 #8? JWW Zab Judah
Next Fight: Unknown
Malignaggi expects a big money fight in the wake of his handy victory over Judah. He is interested in Maidana.
15) Chris van Heerden (2-79)
Last Fight: 3/2/2013- UD12 Matthew Hatton (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Amidst conflicting reports variously suggesting he would fight in February in the US or in South Africa, the truth has emerged. He’s starting a 3-year contract with a US promoter, and supposedly has a fight planned for early in the new year.
16) Luis Carlos Abregu (2-34)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD10 Antonin Decarie (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Abregu’s plans for an October fight have been scrapped, as he recently had 2013-ending hand surgery. The WBC is looking to match him with Antonin Decarie when he returns.
17) Jan Zaveck (2-210)
Last Fight: 10/19/2013- UD8 Sebastien Allais (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
As expected, Zaveck had little trouble with French journeyman Allais.
18) Ruslan Provodnikov (2-40)
Last Fight: 10/19/2013- RTD10 #3 JWW Mike Alvarado (at JWW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Provodnikov proved against Alvarado that the Bradley fight was no fluke. He’s a big-time fighter now. Mostly it’s all rumor at this point, but there has been speculation of his fighting Rios or Marquez. He said he would refuse a fight with Pacquiao, a friend with whom he shares a trainer.
19) Pablo Cesar Cano (2-14)
Last Fight: 9/14/2013- W (SD10*) vs. Ashley Theophane (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Cano said after the 143-pound catchweight win against Theophane that he intends to seek title contention at 140 now. I must say I’m surprised by the move, considering he failed to make weight for one of his biggest fights at 147 against Malignaggi.
20) Leonard Bundu (1-1)
Last Fight: 12/14/2013- TKO12 Lee Purdy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Bundu retains his European title and undefeated record with the impressive effort over Purdy.
The Week Ahead:SaturdayFrankie Gavin vs. Bradley Pryce; Leeds, England; BoxNation (UK)
Promising undefeated British prospect Gavin gets a decent test in serviceable journeyman Bradley Pryce. Pryce’s record is that of a relatively low-level opponent, but he gets a fair amount of credibility for giving Sergey Rabchenko a good deal of trouble recently.
Undefeated Australian Jeff Horn on Friday won what has to be viewed objectively as a bit of an upset in Northbridge, Western Australia against Tunisian-born fellow Aussie Naoufel Ben Rabeh. Ben Rabeh was a top 50 gatekeeper with a string of 13 straight wins- including a knockout of gatekeeper Isaac Hlatshwayo in 2011- dating back to 2008. Horn was an untested 5-0 prospect. It was just a 6-rounder, and frankly I would have to say the effort was workmanlike rather than in any way spectacular. He basically outworked the older man, and ground out a close but relatively clear points victory. Despite his record of having stopped essentially all of his previous opponents, I would put him more in the mold of a Daniel Geale sort of high-motor volume puncher than a true power puncher. Granted that’s based on one single amateur video taken from what looked like the furthest corner of the ceiling in a small-looking venue, but that’s all I’ve got to go on. He now joins Jake Carr among Australian prospects who successfully took big steps up early in their careers this year.
In the Battle of Brooklyn at the Barclay’s Center, fringe contender Paulie Malignaggi surprised me by absolutely dominating top-10 light welter contender Zab Judah over 12 rounds. The judges had it too close, especially Michael Pernick at 116-111. I gave Judah two rounds, and that might be on the generous side. He got a knockdown in round two that was hotly contested by Malignaggi, so you have to give him that one (10-9 by my reckoning). The only other one he even might have squeaked out, and which I gave him, was round seven. This result (and the one that follows) set up a troubling set of paradoxes in my rankings that I’ll discuss below.
On the undercard, technically undefeated prospect Shawn Porter (he should have at least one loss to Alfonso Gomez) sprung a major upset on #5 Devon Alexander. I scored this one 118-110, as well. Porter was first. He committed to the body. He was awkward defensively, and perhaps that led to the fact that Alexander tended to wait too long. Alexander seldom punched until Porter was already in his kitchen, and Alexander’s longer arms were not effective at that range. I could see one round that I gave to Porter going to Alexander, and so the closest reasonable score I can endorse would be 117-111 for Porter. But much as he did against Kotelnik, Matthysse, and to a lesser extent against Maidana, Alexander got a bit more than just the benefit of the doubt from the judges. Waleska Roldan had it one round outside the realm of reality at 116-112, and she was joined by John Stewart. Julie Lederman was even further off the reservation at 115-113. Obviously this one won’t go down as a robbery because the right guy still won, but that doesn’t mean we should just forget about the botch-job that it was.
Last week’s #4 Shane Mosley announced his retirement on Saturday, prompting his removal from the rankings.
So now to the rather confused rankings situation. Porter debuts at #5. Alexander falls to #9. Malignaggi debuts at #14. Maidana moves up two to #4. Meanwhile, Van Heerden, Abregu, Zaveck, Provodnikov, Cano, and Dan each fall one spot. Kevin Bizier is forced out after debuting last week.
So why is the above so problematic, as alluded to above? Start with Maidana. He passes a guy who beat him in 2012 due to Alexander’s fall. That’s not usually a result I seek. In addition, he remains ahead of the guy who beat the guy that beat him. Also not the most logically sound of possible outcomes. On the other hand, Maidana is resurgent, having beaten a #4 contender by TKO in his last fight. As for Porter, there is reason enough to argue that he either had an exceptionally good night, or that Alexander had an exceptionally bad one. After all, it wasn’t long ago that he was struggling to scratch out a debatable draw with Julio Diaz, and before that he clearly lost to Alfonso Gomez. The head-to-head comparison versus Alexander doesn’t carry quite as much sway as the weight of the overall resume, and thus Maidana wins out in a close call. His fight this weekend could go a long way to confirm or alter that state of affairs, however.
Next, Malignaggi. I don’t care what the judges say. He lost in dominant fashion to Cano. But now he’s ranked well ahead of the young Mexican. Ultimately it comes down to this: you have to credit a guy for winning a pretty big fight. Making the decision a little easier is the fact that Cano did lose a fight in the interim (against Shane Mosley), and also the fact that he came in three quarters of a pound overweight for the fight.
The other x-factor is Adrien Broner. It doesn’t really make sense that he should be unranked after pretty clearly beating the guy that’s now the #14 contender. That being said, Malignaggi wasn’t at this height when he fought Broner, and I don’t make it a practice of re-ranking a guy based on what his opponent later does. Is Broner a top 20 welterweight? Yes. Can I rank him there without opening up an even bigger quagmire of subjectivity and inconsistency? I think not. He’ll have his opportunity to earn that ranking beyond all doubt this Saturday, for what it’s worth.
Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (189-221-221)
Last Fight: 9/14/2013- W* (MD12) vs. #2 JMW Saul Alvarez (at JMW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Floyd will likely be back on both May 3 and September 13, with Amir Khan being rumored as the May 3 opponent.
1) Timothy Bradley (9-9-79)
Last Fight: 10/12/2013- W (SD12) vs. #1 Juan Manuel Marquez
Next Fight: Unknown
Bradley-Pacquiao II is very likely for April 12.2) Juan Manuel Marquez (9-109-109)
Last Fight: 10/12/2013- L (SD12) vs. #17 Timothy Bradley
Next Fight: Unknown
After retirement was mentioned a couple different times, Marquez now says he intends to fight twice in 2014.3) Manny Pacquiao (9-262-262)
Last Fight: 11/23/2013- UD12 #5? JWW Brandon Rios
Next Fight: Unknown
See Bradley’s notes, above.4) Marcos Maidana (1-27-27)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- TKO6 #4 Josesito Lopez
Next Fight: 12/14/2013- vs. LW Champ Adrien Broner
The Maidana-Broner fight on December 14 will now headline a regular Showtime Championship boxing broadcast, instead of a PPV, as the undercard has suffered significant collapses.5) Shawn Porter (1-1-1)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- UD12 #5 Devon Alexander
Next Fight: Unknown
All indications are that Porter will fight his mandatory, Kell Brook, next.6) Jesus Soto Karass (1-20-46)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- TKO12 #7 Andre Berto
Next Fight: 12/14/2013- vs. #13 Keith Thurman
Soto Karass’s fight with Thurman has been moved from the December 7 Malignaggi-Judah undercard in Brooklyn to the following week’s pay-per-view tilt between Broner and Maidana.7) Robert Guerrero (1-55-72)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- L (UD12) vs. Champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: Unknown
Guerrero turned down Keith Thurman for a proposed November fight, according to both fighters’ promoter. Dan Rafael reports that Guerrero might be waiting around to fight the winner of Maidana-Broner. He’s also been rumored to be in the mix to fight Khan, though his team has denied it.
8) Kell Brook (1-137-137)
Last Fight:10/26/2013- TKO4 Vyacheslav Senchenko (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Porter’s notes, above.9) Devon Alexander (1-94-94)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- L (UD12) vs. Shawn Porter (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
10) Randall Bailey (3-3-3)
Last Fight: 11/23/2013- W (DQ8) vs. Humberto Toledo (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
11) Josesito Lopez (3-77)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- L (TKO6) vs. #11 Marcos Maidana
Next Fight: 12/13/2013- vs. Mike Arnaoutis (UNR)
Just days after the fight was announced, Lopez’s December 13 opponent for on an FS1-televised card from Indio, California, Aaron Martinez, withdrew with injury. He’ll now be fighting veteran Mike Arnaoutis, instead.
12) Andre Berto (3-55)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- L (TKO12) vs. #11 Jesus Soto Karass
Next Fight: Unknown
Berto’s shoulder surgery will keep him out until sometime in 2014.13) Keith Thurman (3-40)Last Fight: 7/27/2013- KO10 Diego Chaves (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/14/2013- vs. #6 Jesus Soto Karass
See Soto Karass’s notes, above.14) Paulie Malignaggi (1-1)
Last Fight: 12/7/2013- UD12 #8? JWW Zab Judah
Next Fight: Unknown
Malignaggi expects a big money fight in the wake of his handy victory over Judah. He is interested in the Maidana-Broner winner.15) Chris van Heerden (1-78)
Last Fight: 3/2/2013- UD12 Matthew Hatton (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Amidst conflicting reports variously suggesting he would fight in February in the US or in South Africa, the truth has emerged. He’s starting a 3-year contract with a US promoter, and supposedly has a fight planned for early in the new year.16) Luis Carlos Abregu (1-33)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD10 Antonin Decarie (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Abregu’s plans for an October fight have been scrapped, as he recently had 2013-ending hand surgery. The WBC is looking to match him with Antonin Decarie when he returns.
17) Jan Zaveck (1-209)
Last Fight: 10/19/2013- UD8 Sebastien Allais (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
As expected, Zaveck had little trouble with French journeyman Allais.
18) Ruslan Provodnikov (1-39)
Last Fight: 10/19/2013- RTD10 #3 JWW Mike Alvarado (at JWW)
Next Fight: Unknown
Provodnikov proved against Alvarado that the Bradley fight was no fluke. He’s a big-time fighter now. Mostly it’s all rumor at this point, but there has been speculation of his fighting Rios or Marquez. He said he would refuse a fight with Pacquiao, a friend with whom he shares a trainer.
19) Pablo Cesar Cano (1-13)
Last Fight: 9/14/2013- W (SD10*) vs. Ashley Theophane (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Cano said after the 143-pound catchweight win against Theophane that he intends to seek title contention at 140 now. I must say I’m surprised by the move, considering he failed to make weight for one of his biggest fights at 147 against Malignaggi.
20) Jo Jo Dan (1-2)
Last Fight: 11/30/2013- W* (SD12) vs. Kevin Bizier (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Dan wants a title shot. My belief is that he owes Bizier a rematch.
The Week Ahead:Friday#11 Josesito Lopez vs. Mike Arnaoutis; Indio, California; Fox Sports 1 (US)
Lopez will mainly looking to keep busy and keep his name out there against shopworn veteran Mike Arnaoutis. Arnaoutis was once a pretty legitimate gatekeeper, but at 34 he hasn’t kept the gate too effectively of late.
Alvaro Robles vs. Miguel Lopez; Mexicali, Mexico; Off TV
Two-loss local prospect Robles will just look to get some easy work in, having been out of the ring since getting the biggest win of his career back in March. Lopez is sub-par and sub-.500.
SaturdayLeonard Bundu vs. Lee Purdy; London, England; Sky (UK)
Just a couple weeks ago, Bundu was in the top 20 and looking to improve his ranking. Now he’s barely in sight of the top 20 after a flurry of welterweight action recently. He’ll look to change all that when he takes on Lee Purdy, a serviceable English gatekeeper who gave Devon Alexander a reasonably good scrap earlier this year.
#4 Marcos Maidana vs. LW Champ Adrien Broner; San Antonio, Texas; Showtime (US)
If hype is the measure, Broner has got to be the favorite. Not that he’s all hype. He does have a lightweight Championship in his pocket, having dominated Antonio DeMarco back in March. But welterweight is a better division than lightweight, to say nothing for the peril of stepping up in weight. And Maidana is among its best and hardest-hitting contenders. Broner looked downright ordinary against Malignaggi, and I daresay Maidana would eat Brooklyn’s finest for lunch. If Broner can pull off a win this big, he will have earned the hype, to a large extent, at his new weight. But he’ll need to come prepared for battle to a much greater extent than he did in his last outing.
#6 Jesus Soto Karass vs. #13 Keith Thurman; San Antonio, Texas; Showtime (US)
Soto Karass will put his recent string of success to the test against hard-hitting undefeated prospect Keith Thurman. Thurman, despite his strength and concussive power, was struggling with a big physical Argentine in Diego Chaves last time out, but showed that he’s more than capable of switching styles and boxing a little when plan A doesn’t work. That might be the difference maker against Soto Karass, who more or less knows just one way to fight.
Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (175-207-207)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- UD12 #6 Robert Guerrero
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. #2 JMW Saul Alvarez (at JMW)
Shane Mosley was the legit champ after beating Margarito, and thus Mayweather has been the legit champ since beating him in 2010.
1) Juan Manuel Marquez (95-95-95)
Last Fight: 12/8/2012- KO6 #2 Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: 10/12/2013- vs. #18 Timothy Bradley
With Mayweather apparently wanting to stay busy, a hard-earned rematch with the Champ might not be out of the question over the next year or two. For now, it’s all about Tim Bradley.
2) Manny Pacquiao (95-248-248)
Last Fight: 12/8/2012- L (KO6) vs. #1 Juan Manuel Marquez
Next Fight: 11/23/2013- vs. #? JWW Brandon Rios (UNR)
Pac Man needs to prove he can still get it done when he tries to rebound from a devastating knockout against former top lightweight Brandon Rios in China.
3) Shane Mosley (16-16-16)
Last Fight: 5/18/2013- UD12 Pablo Cesar Cano (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/23/2013- vs. #12 MW Anthony Mundine (at JMW)
Mosley-Mundine now has a date of October 23.
4) Devon Alexander (12-80-80)
Last Fight: 5/18/2013- RTD7 Lee Purdy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
It looks likely that Alexander will fight Khan on December 7, but no contract yet.
5) Marcos Maidana (13-13-13)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- TKO6 #4 Josesito Lopez
Next Fight: Unknown
Golden Boy is reportedly working on a November 9 fight with Broner. Reportedly it might be a Showtime Pay-per-View. Broner is nowhere near a PPV attraction for me, so I’m definitely not sure about buying this one, if true, as much as I like Maidana.
6) Jesus Soto Karass (6-6-32)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- TKO12 #7 Andre Berto
Next Fight: Unknown
Soto Karass obviously had a little help from Berto’s bad shoulder, but he was ahead in the fight even before the injury.
7) Robert Guerrero (6-41-58)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- L (UD12) vs. Champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: Unknown
Guerrero turned down Keith Thurman for a proposed November fight, according to both fighters’ promoter.
8) Kell Brook (16-123-123)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- TKO8 Carson Jones (UNR) (at JMW)
Next Fight: 10/26/2013- vs. Vyacheslav Senchenko (UNR)
Brook fights Senchenko in late October. He’d better make 147 for the non-title fight if he wants to maintain his ranking here.
9) Randall Bailey (16-65-65)
Last Fight: 10/20/2012- L (UD12) vs. #? Devon Alexander
Next Fight: Unknown
I haven’t heard any buzz about an upcoming Bailey fight since he was comfortably outpointed by Alexander in October.
10) Josesito Lopez (13-63-63)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- L (TKO6) vs. #11 Marcos Maidana
Next Fight: Unknown
Lopez suffered an injury, and will no longer be fighting on September 6.
11) Andre Berto (6-41) Last Fight: 7/27/2013- L (TKO12) vs. #11 Jesus Soto Karass
Next Fight: Unknown
Berto’s shoulder surgery will keep him out until sometime in 2014.
12) Keith Thurman (6-26)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- KO10 Diego Chaves (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Guerrero’s notes, above.
13) Chris van Heerden (6-64)
Last Fight: 3/2/2013- UD12 Matthew Hatton (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Van Heerden recently moved his home base to Southern California from his native South Africa in search of better sparring and bigger fights. He is likley to work with Brandon Rios in the coming months, and hopes to make his US debut in October.
14) Luis Carlos Abregu (6-19)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD10 Antonin Decarie (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Abregu’s plans for an October fight have been scrapped, as he recently had 2013-ending hand surgery.
15) Jan Zaveck (6-195)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- L (UD12) vs. #15 JMW Keith Thurman
Next Fight: Unknown
16) Selcuk Aydin (6-229)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- KO8 Aaron Herrera (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
17) Timothy Bradley (6-65)
Last Fight: 3/16/2013- W* (UD12) vs. Ruslan Provodnikov (UNR) (should be draw)
Next Fight: 10/12/2013- vs. #1 Juan Manuel Marquez
Bradley will look for redemption after very nearly losing to an inconsistent prospect. It’ll be a tall order.
18) Ruslan Provodnikov (6-25)
Last Fight: 3/16/2013- L* (UD12) vs. #11? Timothy Bradley (should be draw)
Next Fight: 10/19/2013- vs. JWW#? Mike Alvarado (at JWW)
Alvarado-Provodnikov is done for 10/19 in Denver, at 140, with HBO to televise.
19) Leonard Bundu (6-11)
Last Fight: 4/6/2013- KO11 Rafal Jackiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
20) Jessie Vargas (6-6)
Last Fight: 3/16/2013- UD10 Wale Omotoso (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/12/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Vargas will look to follow up on his career-best win against Omotoso with an appearance against a TBA opponent on the Marquez-Bradley undercard.
The Week Ahead: Saturday in Bunbury, Australia, Tunisian-born Australian gatekeeper Naoufel Ben Rabeh fights for the first time in nearly a year against very low-level Thai journeyman Rachamongkol Sor Pleonchit.
No fights to report in the division from last week.
Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in Current Position-Weeks in Top 10 if applicable-Weeks in Top 20)
Champ: Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (172-204-204)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- UD12 #6 Robert Guerrero
Next Fight: 9/14/2013- vs. #2 JMW Saul Alvarez (at JMW)
Shane Mosley was the legit champ after beating Margarito, and thus Mayweather has been the legit champ since beating him in 2010.
1) Juan Manuel Marquez (92-92-92)
Last Fight: 12/8/2012- KO6 #2 Manny Pacquiao
Next Fight: 10/12/2013- vs. #18 Timothy Bradley
With Mayweather apparently wanting to stay busy, a hard-earned rematch with the Champ might not be out of the question over the next year or two. For now, it’s all about Tim Bradley.
2) Manny Pacquiao (92-245-245)
Last Fight: 12/8/2012- L (KO6) vs. #1 Juan Manuel Marquez
Next Fight: 11/23/2013- vs. #? JWW Brandon Rios (UNR)
Pac Man needs to prove he can still get it done when he tries to rebound from a devastating knockout against former top lightweight Brandon Rios in China.
3) Shane Mosley (13-13-13)
Last Fight: 5/18/2013- UD12 Pablo Cesar Cano (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown Date- vs. #12 MW Anthony Mundine (at JMW)
The word from Mundine is that Mosley has signed the contract and the fight is good to go at 154, but no word on the date yet.4) Devon Alexander (9-77-77)
Last Fight: 5/18/2013- RTD7 Lee Purdy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
It looks likely that Alexander will fight Khan on December 7, but no contract yet.
5) Marcos Maidana (10-10-10)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- TKO6 #4 Josesito Lopez
Next Fight: Unknown
Golden Boy is reportedly working on a November 9 fight with Broner. Reportedly it might be a Showtime Pay-per-View. Broner is nowhere near a PPV attraction for me, so I’m definitely not sure about buying this one, if true, as much as I like Maidana.
6) Jesus Soto Karass (3-3-29)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- TKO12 #7 Andre Berto
Next Fight: Unknown
Soto Karass obviously had a little help from Berto’s bad shoulder, but he was ahead in the fight even before the injury.
7) Robert Guerrero (3-38-55)
Last Fight: 5/4/2013- L (UD12) vs. Champ Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Next Fight: Unknown
Guerrero might be on a collision-course with fast-rising prospect Keith Thurman for November 2.
8) Kell Brook (13-120-120)
Last Fight: 7/13/2013- TKO8 Carson Jones (UNR) (at JMW)
Next Fight: 10/26/2013- vs. Vyacheslav Senchenko (UNR)
Brook fights Senchenko in late October. He’s better make 147 for the non-title fight if he wants to maintain his ranking here.
9) Randall Bailey (13-62-62)
Last Fight: 10/20/2012- L (UD12) vs. #? Devon Alexander
Next Fight: Unknown
I haven’t heard any buzz about an upcoming Bailey fight since he was comfortably outpointed by Alexander in October.
10) Josesito Lopez (10-60-60)
Last Fight: 6/8/2013- L (TKO6) vs. #11 Marcos Maidana
Next Fight: Unknown
Lopez suffered an injury, and will no longer be fighting on September 6.
11) Andre Berto (3-38) Last Fight: 7/27/2013- L (TKO12) vs. #11 Jesus Soto Karass
Next Fight: Unknown
Berto’s shoulder surgery will keep him out until sometime in 2014.12) Keith Thurman (3-23)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- KO10 Diego Chaves (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Guerrero’s notes, above.
13) Chris van Heerden (3-61)
Last Fight: 3/2/2013- UD12 Matthew Hatton (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Van Heerden recently moved his home base to Southern California from his native South Africa in search of better sparring and bigger fights. He is likley to work with Brandon Rios in the coming months, and hopes to make his US debut in October.
14) Luis Carlos Abregu (3-16)
Last Fight: 4/27/2013- UD10 Antonin Decarie (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Apparently the reports that Abregu would be opening up the Chavez-Vera broadcast on September 7 were incorrect. Instead, Abregu will likely fight either Brad Solomon or Wale Omotoso on one of 3 possible Saturdays in October.
15) Jan Zaveck (3-192)
Last Fight: 3/9/2013- L (UD12) vs. #15 JMW Keith Thurman
Next Fight: Unknown
16) Selcuk Aydin (3-226)
Last Fight: 7/27/2013- KO8 Aaron Herrera (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
17) Timothy Bradley (3-62)
Last Fight: 3/16/2013- W* (UD12) vs. Ruslan Provodnikov (UNR) (should be draw)
Next Fight: 10/12/2013- vs. #1 Juan Manuel Marquez
Bradley will look for redemption after very nearly losing to an inconsistent prospect. It’ll be a tall order.
18) Ruslan Provodnikov (3-22)
Last Fight: 3/16/2013- L* (UD12) vs. #11? Timothy Bradley (should be draw)
Next Fight: 10/19/2013- vs. JWW#? Mike Alvarado (at JWW)
Alvarado-Provodnikov is done for 10/19 in Denver, at 140, with HBO to televise.
19) Leonard Bundu (3-8)
Last Fight: 4/6/2013- KO11 Rafal Jackiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
20) Jessie Vargas (3-3)
Last Fight: 3/16/2013- UD10 Wale Omotoso (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/12/2013- vs. Unknown Opponent
Vargas will look to follow up on his career-best win against Omotoso with an appearance against a TBA opponent on the Marquez-Bradley undercard.
The Week Ahead: This figures to be a second slow week in a row.
