Top Rank

Former 122 lbs world champion now competing at the featherweight limit of 126 lbs, Isaac Dogboe has now amassed three world-class victories, as he has seemingly fought his way back to a world title shot with Barry Hunter being a part of Dogboe’s success. 

On Saturday we saw Dogboe win yet another fight this time against one of my favorite lower weight fighters Joet Gonzalez, via a split-decision. This marks wins over Christpher “Pitufo” Diaz, and Adam Lopez, along with the two-time world champion Gonzalez. 

The major art to what Dogboe is doing, is winning close fights. As Dogboe didn’t entriely seperate in the bout, many felt he lost, but this is now another fight in which the judges liked what he did. That is an art. 

Gonzalez continues to be the best fighter with out a major win on the American circuit, and Barry Hunter continues his legacy as one of the best American coaches. 

In all honesty, this fight shouldn’t have had a winner, because both fighters seemingly won in my eyes.

“I said to the people that my journey can be a Hollywood blockbuster movie, and I praise God always,” Dogboe said after the fight. “I’ve always seen {trainer} Barry {Hunter} as a very inspirational person, a father figure. He’s a person that when it seems like it’s all gone, he always has something to say to you. I really needed him in my corner. He was able to pull that extra strength in me out. I want to say thanks to Joet Gonzalez. He’s a true warrior.”

undercard.

Boxing is a cold game, and Giovanni Cabrera furher proved that. A largely disrespected underdog, was built up by Brian Halquist and matchmaker Andy Nance in the Pacific Northwest dropped Gabe Flores Jr. multiple times en route to a win.

It felt, though hope it is not true, like a euglogy of Flores, and Cabrera simply replacing Flores at Top Rank, as Cabrera in my eyes became a top-fifteen lightweight after the win.

Personally, it sucks, to see someone you care about from a young age, as Flores lose, but I can’t for one moment discredit, Cabrera who fought an amazing fight dropping Flores Jr. in mere seconds. 

Watching this reminded me of just how burnt-out I am in boxing, and having to call people after the fight to have them explain their comments just furthered it. I am a boxing person, but the lows in this sport absolutely suck.

Congrats to Cabrera, who is a deserving winner, and should get a big fight, I am looking at a guy like Jamaine Ortiz as a future opponent.

Javier Martinez earned a hard fought victory over Chino Hill in a slobberknocker. Hill got going early, but Martinez is a solid boxer-banger, who was a very good amateur. Middleweight is open, so Martinez, Troy Isley and Nico Ali Walsh will emerge at some point.

Heavyweight Guido Vianello stopped Rafael Rios in four-rounds. Vianello should face an undefeated fighter next, he has been signed for quite some time. 

Haven Brady Jr. won a developmental fight over Aaron Echeveste, a tricky veteran southpaw. I love the upside of Brady Jr., and just want to see in his development, more defense. 
 
Abdullah Mason looked like a superstar getting a first-round KO over Luis Fernandez. The fight was simply a showcase. 

Heavyweight Antonio Mireles got a second-round KO over Dennys Reyes.

Dante Benjamin Jr. got a brutal first round KO of Corey Thompson. Benjamin nicknamed “Tizzy” threw an assortment of punches.

Thompson Boxing

In what might be a contender for club show fight of the year George Acosta rallied back from being hurt seemingly in the second round to beat Isaac Avelar, dropping him with a body shot in the process. The performance graduated Acosta from a prospect to a bonafide contender. 

The performance was extremely impressive as Acosta could’ve easily phoned it with his early adversity, but refused to go away. Acosta looks better suited at 130 lbs. for long-term success. 

Middleweight Richard Brewart Jr. went all the rounds with Ramon Ayala. My big takeaway, is Brewart has stuff he needs to improve on, as he nears the 15-fight mark as an undefeated fighter. At the highest level, I hope he fights at 154 lbs., and not 160 lbs.

Japhethlee Llamido got a good win over tough veteran Dihul Olguin. Llamido very possibly could be a future world champion, and despite not displaying a ton of power, Llamido is tricky and crafty. Now it is interesting to see if any promoter will sign him, as he has the talent of a signed fighter.

Llamido’s girlfriend, Stephanie Chavez, also got a win on this card.

Club Shows

Undefeated flyweight Christian Robles got a six-round win last night in the L.A. area.

Jarrell “Big Baby” Miller got a fourth-round KO in his comeback tour.

MMA In 500 Words Or Less

Though Paddy Pimblett, and Molly McCann didn’t headline this card, it seemed as though they are being groomed to be the stars of the show, as the pair got stoppage wins against talented, but overmatched opponents, as it seems clear they can draw in the U.K. and have dynamic personalities. 

McCann is a ball of energy earning another spinning back elbow KO over Hannah Goldy, a UFC fighter with a huge Instagram following based on her amazing physique. 

Pimblett survived early wrestling stuff from Jordan Leavitt, only to dominate in the second round. Pimblett feels like a vulnerable Conor McGregor with a lot of the flash, but not so much the substance. It will be interesting to track his progression, as Pimblett, McCann, and Michael Chandler are probably the three fighters I could see turning into global stars for the company soon. 

Also, Nikita Krylov knocked out UFC legend, Alexander Gustafsson in a little over a minute. This was the classic young retiring the old fight, and in the main event, Curtis Blaydes got a TKO win over Tom Aspinall after Aspinall suffered a freak knee injury only fifteen seconds into the fight.