Floyd Mayweather Returns

Floyd Mayweather went 8-rounds with YouTuber, Logan Paul, on Sunday evening on Showtime, and in one evening, as the 44-year-old Mayweather, who self-admitted didn’t train a lot for this fight, showed aspects of his age, as we saw the definition of an exhibition fight that will go largely forgotten in the relative near future.

Mayweather, an all-time great, gave up 40-plus pounds, and as well as a nearly twenty years in age, to the much bigger, but less talented, Paul. The bout wasn’t horrible, but the expectation was Mayweather finishing Paul, which didn’t occur which may have been too much to ask for in retrospect.

In short, the bout was exactly, what it was, an exhibition, serving as an all-star game-type atmosphere, for legends of their respective entertainment industry. Not unlike The Rolling Stones going on tour four decades later after their first hits, Mayweather making the ring walk gave us nostalgia that fight fans who grew up with his bouts longed for. It will be a footnote in history, not unlike Muhammad Ali vs Antonio Inoki, in which the concept was more interesting than the actual execution.

In terms of the fight, it was clear, Mayweather’s goal was to tire out Logan Paul, and outwork him, but the size difference, and Paul’s wrestling background came into play as Mayweather found himself in a lot of clinches late in the fight, Paul was in very good shape.

Since the bout went the scheduled eight-rounds, and no judges were set, the bout went the full duration with no winner announced.

The Paul Brothers Remind Me Of Conor McGregor

Both Logan and Jake Paul, a/k/a The Paul Brothers remind me of what Conor McGregor did so well. They set goals high, and punch up, meaning they only go after opponent who benefit them, and seemingly overachieve in each bout forcing the respect out of the fans and media.

Logan and Jake are serious, though not world champion level fighters, yet, I honestly think if they stay in the sport, we’re looking at two fighters who could become serious talents in the sport, based around two factors, 1) the money they are investing in themselves and 2) the dedication they’re showing. It is time people stop discrediting the Paul brothers in boxing, they’re here, and a force.

Jim Lampley Back June 19th on Triller PPV

For many HBO Boxing was the staple of boxing for their life, and when the network got rid of boxing, it was a swan song to their fond memories. Well fear not, as one of the focal elements of the dynamic grouping of broadcasters, is back for Triller Fight Club on June 19th, live on pay-per-view.

For history buffs, San Jose, California’s Andy Vences taking on Jono Carroll will be Lampley’s first bout called on a Triller PPV.

It will be nice to hear one of the iconic voices of the sport, back to calling the sport.

Luis Arias Beats Jarrett Hurd, What Is Next For Both

Luis “Cuba” Arias, was all, but written off prior to his bout with Jarrett Hurd, but despite a few low blows from Hurd, Arias won a split decision over the former world champion Hurd. Arias, a former Roc Nation Sports prospect, got good rounds with Gervonta “Tank” Davis, prior to the Leo Santa Cruz bout, and now trains with Ismael Salas in Las Vegas, Nevada, as it is clear Arias is more mature, and looking to change his career. The win now gives Arias a marquee win, something he was lacking, and now sees him in a position to call for big fights at 160 or 154 lbs, in a division full of fighters who merit a lot of interest.

Arias lived up to the potential that many industry insiders believed he always had, and his commitment to body punching was impressive, as well as a commitment to volume compared to a usually very busy Hurd, whom Arias totaled more punches than.

For Hurd, a few observations standout, 1) neither himself nor Julian “J-Rock” Williams have been the same since they fought as it is starting to look as though that fight took a lot out of Hurd, and possibly Williams, though Williams is returning soon, and I am not so keen on writing this narrative for him yet (ironically, Williams will face a Salas’ fighter in his return in Brian Mendoza). 2) Did we downplay the passing of Jarrett Hurd’s father, Fred Hurd Sr., as Hurd was close with his family, and obviously this deeply effected him as the weight limit was moved from 154 lbs to 160 due to outside of the ring situations. Hurd wearing a shirt with his father’s face on it, tells me that the media obligations did not touch on something that was so focal to this camp.

Hurd now has to think long and hard what he wants out of the sport moving forward as Hurd has a lot of miles on his tank from his all-action boxing style.

Badou Jack Wins

With Jean Pascal failing for four PEDs prior to his bout in the co-main event of Mayweather vs Paul, light heavyweight Badou Jack lost out on his chance to win a world title and took his frustration out on undefeated week-notice opponent Dervin Colina. Jack dropped Colina three times in the fight, knocking him out in the fourth.

Jack continues to be one of the most underrated fighters of his generation, and one of the hard-luck fighters of his era, from draws that he won, to a world title shot taken away from a fighter cheating, Jack has never had it easy.

Also, shame on the WBA for not taking action against Pascal, as Jack did nothing wrong, but was punished for Pascal’s poor actions.

Mayweather vs Paul Showcased Young Guns of Mayweather Promotions

I was very excited to see the undercard fighters, but sadly we didn’t get to see them on any form of a stream, but welterweight Jalil Hackett stopped Angelo Diaz in a little over one minute of the first round, featherweight Dorian Khan picked up a 2nd round knockout with one second left in the round, as it was the pro debut for both fighters.

Micky Scala was supposed to fight, but his opponent pulled out of the fight the day of, and left the area, leading to Scala posting a frustrated post on his social media below.

Super lightweight Juan Carlos Torres got a second-round knockout of Zack Kuhn, and lightweight Adrian Benton got a four-round decision over

Chad Johnson, now a boxer.

Chad Johnson had words for a boxing coach, Coach Anthony, a boxing trainer/vlogger, earlier in the week, but beyond that walked with grace and humility. Entering in an arena he had never competed in Johnson, and showed aspects of what made him a great football player, and also why this bout was simply an exhibition. Brian Maxwell, his opponent, who wore Bare Knuckle Boxing clothing to the press tour, dropped Johnson in the fourth round-and-final-round though credit to Johnson for making it out of the round.

Maxwell, was a handpicked journeyman, at 0-1 as a pro boxer, and 0-3 as a bare knuckle boxer, as well as 2-3 as mixed martial artist and was brought in seemingly to showcase the former NFL star.

What Johnson learned is, boxing isn’t just about athletic ability, it is also about toughness and meanness. Often the older we get, the kinder we are. Johnson is brave for facing a combat sports veteran, on such a big stage, and for Maxwell, hopefully this allows from him to get an equitable wage in the fight game in coming fights.

Credit to both for the fight, especially Maxwell for coming in with a mindset to win.

No winner was declared since it was an exhibition.

Thompson Boxing Highlights

Fan-favorite Michael Dutchover pulled off an eight-round decision over Ivan Benitez. Dutchover, who is now two fights (two wins by the way), removed from the ugly and controversial loss to Thomas Mattice on ShoBox, in which a doctor wouldn’t let Dutchover continue the bout, even though he was ahead on points, forcing a technical knockout. Dutchover got good rounds in against Benitez, who has faced solid competition at 135 lbs, and Dutchover seems to be in the running for a prospect versus prospect fight before the year is over.

Richard Brewart Jr. has had two shaky fights against Louis Hernandez and Nate Weston, winning both, but getting dropped in both, and in the Weston fight, the win was very heavily debated as the Thompson Boxing commentators disagreed with Brewart getting the win. Brewart outboxed an overly aggressive Donte Stubbs, and picked up a six-round point decision.

The most impressive performance of the night was undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez who trains with Joel Diaz stopping undefeated Andrew Strode in three rounds. Both fighters were undefeated and Strode started off boxing well, but once Sanchez got on the inside and hit Strode’s body, Strode was never the same.

Sanchez, I believe is undersized at the 126 lbs division, but has now beaten two undefeated fighters early in his career.

Return Of Daniel Dubois

Daniel Dubois, the acclaimed U.K. heavyweight, who was last seen in action getting stopped by Olympian Joe Joyce, in November of 2020, knocked out Bogdan Dinu in two rounds, a heavyweight, who has no marquee wins, but has lost to only fighters to fighters who competed for a world title. In short, Dinu is a gatekeeper for the elite heavyweights of the division.

The bout was essentially a bounce-back fight after Dubois suffered a major eye injury in the Joyce fight, now it will be interesting to see what the next step for Dubois is, as it is unclear. Dubois won a WBA interim heavyweight title somehow in this fight, despite coming off a loss to Joyce in his previous bout.

Tommy Fury, the 22-year-old brother of the best heavyweight currently in the world, Tyson Fury, won on this card as well, via a 4-round unanimous decision against previously unbeaten Jordan Grant. Fury fights at cruiserweight.

Notable Fights For The Upcoming Week

On Thursday, June 10, Manuel Gallegos will face Mayweather Promotins’ Kevin Newman II in a 10-round, super middleweight bout, on UFC Fight Pass. Newman II wants to face Edgar Berlanga, this is the type of fight that could set him up for that type of bout.

Friday, June 11, In a seemingly random exhibition that is going under the radar, Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera will fight Jesus Soto Karass, in an exhibition bout on Fite.TV, which will take place over six rounds, live from Pico Rivera, California. For those wondering, Barrera is a 47-years-old, career featherweight/super featherweight will face Soto Karass who was between welterweight and super welterweight, and is nine years younger.

Saturday, June 12th, Shakur Stevenson vs. Jeremiah Nakathila, for the interim WBO super featherweight title, on ESPN, taking place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stevenson is a future star of boxing, and must-see television. If Stevenson wins, this will put further pressure on Jamel Herring, who is not all that keen on defending his WBO super featherweight title, as he took a defense in wake of his mandatory, with Carl Frampton, forcing this interim bout.

Other notable match-ups on this card, on ESPN, two-division world champion, Jose Pedraza will face undefeated super lightweight contender Julian “Hammer Hands” Rodriguez, in a ten-round, ESPN, co-main. This a good crossroads fight, one that it seems like Pedraza always seems to find himself in – very interested in how this plays out, also the first major step-up of Rodriguez’s career.

Bryan Lua vs. Frevian Gonzalez is a very evenly matched battle of two unbeaten fighters on ESPN+ at the super featherweight division, which could be the most action-packed bout on the card – similar to Adorno vs. Ortiz. Prospects Xander Zayas, Troy Isley, Kasir “Mazzi” Goldston, and Jahi Tucker are all worth keeping an eye on as well. My two favorites of the bunch currently are Troy Isley and Jahi Tucker, who are both entertainers in-and-out of the ring, but all four should be headlining cards before it is all said and done.

June 12th, Lewis Ritson will face Jeremias Ponce for the #1 contender spot, for Josh Taylor’s IBF title, if Taylor vacates, the winner will face Subriel Matias for the vacant title. In short, this is a fight that has major world title applications. You will be able to see this bout in the U.S. on DAZN.