Lopez v. Kamobosos Jnr didn’t happen

On Tuesday, it was first reported by Mike Coppinger that Teofimo Lopez had failed a pre-fight COVID test, and later confirmed by his father, Teofimo Lopez Sr a/k/a Junior, that he hadn’t made the trip to Miami. Triller’s third advent into the boxing PPV world was an interesting one, as this was the first fight without a marquee celeb bout, which the company has been based around so far, and made their bones in the industry combining social media influencers and boxing.

The rather-stacked fight card was postponed (don’t say canceled), and moved to August 14th, without a venue as the Miami Marlins stadium will be used by the aforementioned baseball team, on that given day.

The news comes after last week we had found out that Lopez had come to terms with Top Rank Inc, his promoter, about his mandatory minimum for his fight purse. Lopez, who announced recently via social media, that he will soon be a father, now will be nursing himself back to health, as Kambosos, and others will have to wait for the bout, and for many career-high paydays.

It was stated at the time of the postponement that the undercard will be transferred over to August 14th, though I am sure we may see some additions or changes as time progresses. Nonetheless, a big disappointment for fans as well as for the fighters who would get paid well.

Inoue Is Real

Nayou Inoue further proved that he is, what he is, a superstar stopping an outgunned Michael Dasmarinas, but making it evident that he was a class above. Often times, fighters fight down to their level of competition, when fighters separate, that is often a sign of a statement being made, and the sign that a fighter is destined for big things.

Inoue has power, speed and timing, his punches are placed well, and he is surgical in his approach. I don’t see anyone beating him at 118 lbs in the near future, and now it will be a test for Brad Goodman, and Bruce Trampler the matchmakers at Top Rank, to find opponents for Inoue, as interest should increase with each performance.

Inoue feels like one of the greats, and should get praise for the route he has taken thus far, facing mostly feared world champions.

Gabriel Rosado Gets His Big Win

Gabriel Rosado has been labeled a lot of things in the sport of boxing, a bleeder, a gatekeeper, a tough test, but one label he had yet to get was a marquee win over an opponent, that changed when he stopped Bektemir “Bek The Bully” Melikuziev, in the third round. Bek, who dropped Rosado in the first round with a body shot, attacks heavily to the body, with few jabs or set-up shots, just wide power shots. Rosado, a wily vet, stayed in the pocket with Melikuziev, and caught him.

The win for Rosado is massive, as Rosado is coming off the best performance of his career in a fight against Daniel Jacobs, that many thought Rosado won. Rosado’s story is that of improvement, and self belief as he reminds me of a less decorated, but in the same vein, Arturo Gatti. Who now is the best version of himself, and not having to go through the fire as he did in the middle part of his career.

For those unaware, Rosado was the IBF number one contender for Canelo Alvarez, but opted to move up to fight Gennady Golovkin instead for a HBO fight. That bout was the start of a five fight losing streak, which now reads as a four-fight losing streak as J’Leon Love failed for diuretic in a drug test. It is crazy how Rosado re-wrote his narrative and now is one of the top guys in his division.

Mayer Seeks Big Fight, Will World Boxing Super Series Be It

2016 U.S. Olympian Mikaela Mayer fought her way to the WBO super featherweight world title, and on Saturday defeated Erica Frias, a tough veteran. Mayer did get hit a bit, as she stayed a bit long in exchanges, but with a coach like Al Mitchell in her corner, that is fixable.

Mayer, who made the first defense of her world title, now will look to try and find opponents as the WBSS announced its third season will be in the 130 lbs women’s division, which hopefully will include Mayer, as Terri Harper, Maiva Hamadouche, Delfine Persoon, and Hyun Mi Choi are all interesting future opponents for Mayer who I see as the best 130 lbs women’s fighter in the world.

Isaac Dogboe beats Adam Lopez In A Classic Undercard Fight

I said prior the X-factor for this fight was the legend, Barry Hunter, who would be in Isaac Dogboe’s corner, and it appeared Hunter may have greatly assisted Dogboe to the biggest win of his career since defeating Jessie Magdaleno for the world title. Dogboe started fast with quick hands that seemingly surprised “Blunose” Lopez, Dogboe picked up an early lead, but Lopez responded from the sixth round onward.

Lopez landed a consistent right uppercuts which Dogboe had trouble blocking since he likes to duck down forward. Lopez finished extremely strong, and Lopez’s strong finish had many feeling that the fight should be a draw. Dogboe’s fast start earned him the fight, and a big fight in the future.

ESPN Undercard

Eric Puente won a fight on the undercard, but was dropped in the first round, and had to shake off some demons in the bout to get a close decision win. Add to the fact that Puente has not one knockout on his ledger in all six of his fights, and the road might be getting tough for him soon.

Omar Rosario of Puerto Rico, beat a very good fighter in JJ Mariano of Reno, Nevada, a fighter who had fought on the Lane Brothers cards in the Reno area. Rosario showed good power in getting the stoppage. A prospect to watch.

Munguia Just Isn’t Improving

Jaime Munguia just isn’t improving. Sure he has power, but beyond that, and even with a new coach, Erik Morales, nothing is changing.

Munguia was far too powerful for Kamil Szeremeta, and stopped him in the sixth round, one round faster than Gennady Golovkin, though in fairness Szeremeta took the bout on a week’s notice. The issue is Munguia a big punching offensive fighter, with very mininnimal defense whom industy insiders have hoped for years would turn into a star based on his weight class and his Meixcan hertiage. That being said, just because you have the aspects of a star, you still have to win some big fights.

Until Munguia fights a notable name, it is fairly non-discrete at this point viewing his bout from this point forward. In short, Munguia is who he is, an offense fighter, who might be in some great fights, but it is hard to see him being much more than that.

Charlo Fought Different

Jermall Charlo has been on my pound-for-pound list for over a year, yet his bout Juan Macias Montiel, his second world title fight over the past couple years in Houston, Texas, Charlo’s hometown, showed some flaws. Charlo loaded up on punches, and looked to land big punches, and also didn’t seem to enjoy the firepower of Montiel as well.

Jermall Charlo when he is at his best reminds me of Wladimir Klitschko, a power puncher, who stays composed, controls the action, and stays alert to look for windows to land big shots. Charlo showed glimpses of that, but also looked tense and looking to land big shots.

A win is a win, but for Charlo, who is so close to big figts, not all wins are created equal.

Isaac Cruz wins

Isaac Cruz defeated former world champion Francisco Vargas in a lightweight bout. The bout served as timely reminder we all get old, as Vargas seemed to be the tricky and possibly more talented fighter, but Cruz’s youth and ability to take punches better based on age, allowed him to push the fight, and win.

Cruz is a solid undercard fighter, and a fan-friendly fighter, but his pension to get hit, makes me think he isn’t going to have a long career.

If Cruz were to face Rolly Romero, Rolly Romero to me would be a massive favorite.

Leo-Alameda A Stalemate

Angelo Leo pulled off a razor tight decision over Aaron Alameda in a sneaky good opening bout on Showtime. Alameda, who the crowd felt won the fight, is a tricky come forward southpaw, who spent most of his camp at Buddy McGirt’s gym prior to this bout. Leo, a tremendous body puncher, had trouble getting to the inside, and/or coming forward against Alameda, who was active, and tricky.

In the end, Leo pulled off a close decision, to rebound from

Blair Cobbs Wants Jessie Vargas

Blair Cobbs stopped known spoiler Brad Solomon, and took the mic to call out Jessie Vargas. Cobbs, an entertaining power puncher in the welterweight division, is seeking a marquee bout. Cobbs who has been heavily influenced by pro wrestling is an entertainer in and out of the ring.

Esparza Wins First World Title

Marlen Esparza won her first world title, the WBC flyweight world championship in contentious grounds against champion Ibeth Zamora Silva. The bout saw Esparza dropped in the first round, stalking Zamora at the start of each round, only for Zamora to push her back. The bout felt close, the scores were lopsided in Esparza’s favor, causing many to be frustrated.

Also, on the undercard undefeated Freddie Roach fighter Raul Curiel stopped Ferdinand Kerobyan.

The Upsets

Demetrius Banks defeated Golden Boy Promotions cruiserweight prospect Tristan Kalkreuth. Kalkreuth suffered a serious shoulder injury in the fourth round, Kalkreuth, was unable to win the bout, which is a major loss for Golden Boy Promotions, as Kalkreuth, who is trained by Ronnie Shields, though Shields’ couldn’t corner him since he was with Jermall Charlo, looked to be a noteworthy prospect at 19-years-old.

Juan Centeno spoiled Abel Aparicio’s first fight in his adopted hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, as all of his previous bouts had been south of the border in Mexico.

40-year-old former world champion Yuri Foreman lost a majority decision to lesser known Jimmy Williams, as Foreman, just was not able to keep up with the younger man.

Notable off-TV

Adan Ochoa of Compton, Ca, picked first-round KO of in

Melody Popravak got a first-round KO in her professional debut and could be fast-tracked to the top of her division, quickly, which is a fairly shallow division, as Popravak has a lot of power, and is at an accelerated age.

The Weird

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Overview Of Next Week

[Showtime PPV – 6 PM PST, Saturday] Mario Barrios will put his version of the WBA super lightweight world title on the line against Gervonta “Tank” Davis on Showtime PPV. The bout will see Davis move up to division from 130 in his last bout, to 140 for this fight, not unlike his friend Adrien Broner, who fought moved up two weight classes to fight Paulie Malignaggi. Co-feature is Erickson Lubin, a great U.S. amateur who was knocked out by Jermell Charlo looking for redemption, against former world champion Jeison Rosario, 140 lbs Batyr Akhmedov who gave Barrios a tough bout to win the fight will face Argenis Mendez, and Brian Mendoza is listed as part of the PPV card despite losing his opponent, former world champion, Julian “J-Rock” Williams

[ESPN+ – 4 PM PST, Saturday]Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Masayoshi Nakatani will take place this Saturday on ESPN+, the bout is extremely dangerous for Lomachenko as Lomachenko has struggled with all true lightweights, and Nakatani is a true lightweight with power and volume. I also don’t like that Lomachenko is taking this fight based on Nakatani’s close fight with Teofimo Lopez in the past. Co-feature middleweight Zhanibek Alimkhanuly will face former world champion Rob Brant, Brant currently has an ongoing lawsuit with members of the team. Quinton Randall’s original bout has been canceled.

[DAZN – 6 PM PST, Saturday] Julio Cesar Martinez vs Joel Cordova for Martinez’s WBC flyweight title will take place on DAZN, in Mexico. Martinez has been injured in his last two returns, so one would assume this will be a stay-busy/showcase fight prior to a marquee bout. Super middleweight Diego Pacheco, currently Matchroom USA’s best chance at a homegrown U.S. star is listed on the card, but doesn’t have an opponent.

[FOX, 5 PM PST, Sunday] Cuban super middleweight world champion Daivd Morrell is in-action, along with Omar Juarez. The undercard has a lot of depth as Leon Lawson III will face Nathaniel Gallimore, Atif Oberlton will faces Richmond, CA’s Jasper McCargo, and Travon Marshall will face Ruben Torres of Sacramento, Ca. A sneaky solid card to end the weekend.