Jaime Munguia, big puncher and…

Jaime Munguia is a big puncher, but we knew that, but with his unanimous decision win over Liam Smith, we also learned that fighters his size can withstand his power to go 12 rounds against serviceable former world champion Liam “Beefy” Smith. The first title defense of Munguia’s WBO super welterweight title was a mixed reaction as he did what he needed to do, hurting Smith at parts and winning the bout, but got hit enough to make you wonder where his ceiling truly is.

Munguia at best is a come forward fighter who can hit hard and tries to think about the punch that is coming back at him and at worst, essentially takes a punch to give a punch. Essentially, Munguia is limited, which isn’t surprising when looking at his age of 21-years-old, but with the promotional push Zanfer, Munguia’s promoter, as well as Golden Boy Promotions, who hope to have options on him, Munguia will be fighting the upper echelon of the division soon and that might cause trouble. Why do we say that? Well, Liam Smith gave Munguia quite a bit of trouble at times.

Munguia, who could find himself in a fight with Curtis Stevens, who also won tonight, which would be a grudge match since Stevens’ is a close friend of Sadam Ali, the man that Munguia beat to win the title. It is clear with the broadcast jargon that Munguia is on a path to potentially fight Canelo Alvarez next Cinco de Mayo, and that is a bit alarming.

Alberto Machado

In the co-main event, WBA super featherweight champion Alberto Machado soundly battered and bruised Ghana’s, Rafael Mensah. Machado dropped Mensah in the first round and continued to pile on as the bout went rounds.

Machado looked improved, but the opposition was less than then the opponents he had faced prior.

Machado picked up a twelve round decision to defend his WBA super featherweight title.

Usyk deserves praise!

Oleksandr Usyk is now the unified cruiserweight champion as he nullified Murat Gassiev with angles and a jab as Gassiev’s brute force was never a factor in the fight. Usyk lived up to the hype that has surrounded him as the Ukrainian cruiserweight who trains with Vasyl Lomachenko’s father showed the families traditional movement as well as an ability to move like a smaller man.

Usyk, fifteen fight professional fighter, now has proven himself to be the best cruiserweight in the world an awkward feat as it has been a division in flux as even the best cruiserweight of all-time, Evander Holyfield left the division for greener pastures of the heavyweight division. Usyk is a top 10 talent but now has to move up to test his success.

One fun fact as well is that Usyk won the majority of his titles in World Boxing Super Series in his opponents’ hometowns.

Cecilia Braekhus vs. Inna Sagaydakovskaya

Unified women’s welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus bounced back from a shaky HBO debut as she soundly outpointed Inna Sagaydakovskaya via a ten-round decision. Braekhus couldn’t miss with the right hand, but couldn’t quite land properly.

Fights in Stockton, CA

In front of a lively and packed crowd at the San Joaquin Fairgrounds in Stockton, Ca, middleweight Jerhed “The Underdog” Fenderson (3-6 2KOs) stopped Quilisto “Kilo The Kid” Madera (10-2 7KOs) of Stockton, Ca in Madera’s first ever hometown fight. Fenderson the day prior missed weight by five pounds, but Madera opted to take the fight.

The fight was competitive with both trying to counter the other fighters punch as the jab was essentially on the backburner. Madera appeared to be having a bit more success, but at times was getting caught come in by Fenderson, who was pulling back and unleashing counters.

The stoppage will be heavily debated as Madera had Fenderson on the ropes and unloaded a multiple punch combination when Fenderson threw a left hook that dropped Madera. Madera got to his feet, but the referee deemed Madera unfit to continue, much to the displeasure of Madera.

The decision to stop the fight was heavily booed and Madera essentially said he was frustrated he didn’t get a chance to continue to fight.

The co-main event saw lightweight Jose Iniguez (5-0 3KOs) got a fifth-round technical knockout over David Courtney (2-8 2KOs) in a very evenly matched fight. Iniguez’s power appeared to hurt Courtney early in the bout and after a few flurries, it appeared Iniguez might have gassed out, but Iniguez hurt Courtney to end the fourth round and stopped him in the fifth.

Super lightweight Hector Madera (4-0 3KOs) got a second-round technical knockout of Mario Angeles (2-10-2) in a bout Madera dominated.

Bantamweight Jose Carrillo (3-0-1 3KOs) fought to a draw with Giovanni Noriega (1-2-1 1KO), Carrillo appeared to land the better shots, but excessive movement more than likely cost him the decision.

Featherweight Manuel Jaimes (1-0 1KO) got a second-round knockout of Carlos Apodaca (2-11-2) in Jaimes’ professional debut. Jaimes knocked down Apodaca in the second round and then finished it shortly thereafter.

Lightweight Matthew Guerrero (1-0 1KO) got a fourth-round technical knockout when Patrick Gutierrez was unable to respond to the referee’s instructions. Guerrero was very poised for a professional debut fighter.

Super bantamweight Ivan Varela (2-1 1KO) picked up a four-round decision over Michael Gaxiola. The bout was closer than the judges scored it as Gaxiola landed a lot of good shots to the body.

In the opening bout, Kailyn Hansen (1-2) defeated Veronica Torres (1-1 1KO) to open the card.

Toscano Promotions will return in October.

Boots Ennis

Jaron “Boots” Ennis is a heavily touted welterweight from Philadelphia, who now has his name out there in the boxing world as his Showtime debut couldn’t have gone any better as he not just got a third-round knockout, but also was compared to Roy Jones Jr. in the process.

Ennis is fast, explosive and has a solid set of skills. In many ways, he is the star of ShoBox they have been looking for since Regis Prograis graduated from the platform.

Thomas Mattice

Thomas Mattice defeated Zhora Hamazaryan in the co-main event of ShoBox, but not too many were fond of the decision. Mattice spent the final rounds in trouble and at best seemed to do just enough to get by in the rounds.

A tough break for both fighters.

Montana Love, Kenneth Sims Jr. fight to draw on ShoBox in a competitive and evenly matched bout. The decision was fair as both had moments with Sims seemingly outlasting Love.

Love brought a mirror to the ring prior to the bout like old fashion pro wrestler Shawn Michaels.

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai off TV

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai got a first-round knockout in an untelevised fight in Thailand. Rungvisai is essentially off television after suffering heartbreak from his longtime girlfriend/wife, who recently broke up with him.

Rungvisai is someone that the fledging current state of HBO seems to have a plan for in part, because he beat one of their top talents Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.

Lamont Roach

Super featherweight Lamont Roach rebounded from a draw in his last outing as he picked up a sixth-round TKO on ESPN, Friday night. Roach is one of Golden Boy Promotions prospects who doesn’t get the same amount of love as others, but is equally talented.

With this win, Roach obtained the WBO international super featherweight title.

Michael Dutchover, Ruben Torres

Talented lightweight Michael Dutchover picked up a second-round knockout in Ontario, CA in a developmental show put on by Thompson Boxing. Dutchover, who is a blue-chip prospect signed to Thompson Boxing Promotions is doing what he needs to do in his developmental fights in order to mature and get bigger opportunities

Dutchover’s teammate, Ruben Torres picked up a four-round decision win on the undercard. This was his first fight to not end in a stoppage.

Random ramblings

Flyweight Jonathan Gonzalez picked up a ten-round decision win in Florida as the flyweight is looking to land a big televised fight for a world title in the near future.

Curtis Stevens

Curtis Stevens picked up a fourth-round stoppage over the weekend as Stevens did what he needed to do off television. Stevens is looking to land a Jaime Munguia soon.

Jean Pascal beat the heck out of former UFC fighter Steve Bosse. The bout was more of an exhibition as Bosse had only one other professional boxing match prior.