Badou deserves praise, Stevenson at the end

In probably the most interesting bout of the weekend, Badou Jack fought to a twelve round draw with Adonis Stevenson in which Stevenson retained his WBC light heavyweight title despite essentially losing six straight rounds after a solid start. Jack, who lost essentially the first half of the fight with three of those seeing very little action as Jack appeared weary of Stevenson’s power.

The second half of the fight was a different story as Jack seemingly put forth a one-sided beating on Stevenson, who appeared more content to hold and survive than to fight back. Jack, who has developed a frustrating trait of being in draws in big fights now has seen his two biggest fights end in draws as he fought James DeGale to a draw last year on Showtime.

In an era in which fans love to mock fighters, Badou Jack is becoming a blue-collar no-nonsense fighter who is a fringe pound for pound talent. As for Stevenson, his career after 2013, the year in which he received so much praise, has been largely non-existent as he has stayed in Canada (most due to a felony for being a convicted pimp) and fought essentially once a year.

A terrific bout was overshadowed by a decision that no one ever wants to hear – A DRAW!

Gary Russell Jr still has it

Gary Russell Jr still has it even after a year layoff as well as taking a few tune-up fights in his last bouts as well, nonetheless, Joseph Diaz Jr. found out that Gary Russell Jr was just a little too much for him at this point. Outside of a solid few rounds to start the fight, Russell Jr’s hand speed was far too much as Diaz Jr. went from a boxer who attacked the body to a high guard pressure fighter, who didn’t throw until he was close to Russell Jr.

You have to think that with Russell Jr.’s inactivity that Diaz Jr. was banking on the fact that Russell would have ring rust that might cost him the bout. The fact was despite two or three rounds, Russell Jr had his way with Diaz Jr. who at points looked confused and befuddled by the speed and power of Russell Jr.

With the win, Gary Russell Jr made the third title defense of his WBC featherweight title.

Romero Duno looks mortal

Heavily touted Golden Boy Promotions super-featherweight Romero Duno looked a bit mortal as he got into a firefight with Gilberto Gonzalez in a competitive ten-round bout that most probably didn’t expect for it to be that as the ESPN2 main event from Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, CA. The sixth round of this bout was extremely competitive and one of the better rounds of the year.

Oscar Duarte wins

Oscar Duarte slugged his way to a victory over upset-minded Rey Vargas in a super featherweight bout on in the co-main event of Thursday night’s event on ESPN2. Vargas was coming off the biggest win of his career after defeating Rey Vargas, but was unable to handle the aggression and power of Duarte as Duarte moved up the ranks against a high caliber fighter than his previous opposition.

Josh Warrington upsets Lee Selby

The IBF featherweight title has a new home as Josh Warrington upset Lee Selby in Leeds to win the first world title of his career. Selby, who was viewed as the more talented fighter, was unable to stop the relentless aggression of Warrington, who fought like a young Ricky Hatton minus the devastating power.

Nicola Adams

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Nicola Adams picked up a devastating first-round knockout as a terrific left hook to the body stopped her opponent who had faced world class opposition in prior bouts. Adams opponent had greatly missed weight the day prior.

Nico Hernandez

2016 U.S. Olympian bronze medalist Nico Hernandez won the first of what we assume will be many titles in the future as he stopped Szilveszter Kanalas in the very first round to win the IBA flyweight title. Hernandez is tremendously talented as well as a vicious boxer/puncher who will be fighting world level opposition in the not too distance future, but is largely unnoticed so far, because of his size.

Victor Morrales

Featherweight Victor Morales Jr. picked up a third-round TKO over David Berna, an opponent with twice the experience as himself. Morales is campaigning on the regional circuit in boxing in hopes of getting signed by a major promoter.

Yazmin Rivas wins title

Yazmin Rivas went into Liliana Palmera’s backyard of Columbia to pull off an upset to get the WBA Female Super Bantamweight Title. Rivas stopped Palmera in the fifth round by way of technical knockout.

Ryoichi Taguchi vs. Hekkie Budler

A neglected hall of famer, Hekkie Budler, who has spent most of his career at the light flyweight division defeated heavy favorite Ryoichi Taguchi in an extremely competitive bout.