(Photo credit: Tom Casino/Showtime) By Marc Livitz: Ah, the weekend that was. Gratitude in multitudes should graciously be passed along to Showtime for offering the boxing public such a memorable top to bottom highly pleasing telecast.
In stark contrast to their three letter cable network rival in sports, the job from the SHO group was one to be commended. The knowledgeable triumvirate of International Boxing Hall of Fame member Al Bernstein, Canuck import Mauro Ranallo, and Brooklyn’s own Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi have managed to serve a most delectable dish of the sweet science and its proper explanation to the viewing public.
Three fights were shown in primetime slots in addition to preliminary bouts being shown on a sister station. However, without any confusion to be had the evening almost wholly belonged to Lucas Matthysse. Of course, all due respect must be shown to the victorious Jermell Charlo and Jesus Soto Karass.
In the eyes of many, and not surprisingly in and of the opinion of those in the boxing know, the light welterweight division belongs to Mr. Juan Manuel Marquez. The giant wave of a foe conquered won’t soon meet its crest for “Dinamita”.
By Michael Collins: Kalle Sauerland, the promoter for WBA World heavyweight champion Alexander Povetkin, believes IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 50 KO’s) will be ducking Povetkin and instead facing former 2004 Olympic Gold medalist Odlanier Solis (18-1, 12 KO’s) next on April 6th instead of his mandatory defense against Povetkin.
By Brian D’Ambrosio – Firm, loud and concise verbal commands come from the third man in the ring. The action peppered with strident oral cues and succinct commands such as, “Time!”, “Break!”, “Watch the heads!”, “Stop Punching!” In the boxing ring, snappy orders address all situations. Indeed, boxers shuffle and jab to their own code.
Photos: Michael Bennett/SHOWTIME– WBC Interim Super Lightweight Champion Lucas Matthysse scored a one-punch knockout win over Mike Dallas, Jr., in the main event of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING from The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas last night. The knockout came via a short counter right hand at 2:26 of the opening round. Matthysse advanced his record to 33 wins, two losses with an impressive 31 knockouts. The dangerous Argentine is now looking for the biggest names in the 140-pound division.
By Jeff Sorby: Former two division world champion Zab Judah was ready to give WBA/WBC light welterweight champion Danny Garcia the benefit of the doubt that he had suffered a rib injury and that he wouldn’t be able to face him on February 9th in their previously scheduled out at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
By Bill Phanco: It took WBC interim light welterweight champion Lucas Matthysse (33-2, 31 KO’s) most of the 1st round to adjust to the hand speed of Mike Dallas Jr. (19-3-1, 8 KO’s) tonight but once he did, he tagged him with a monstrous overhand right late in the round that knocked Dallas Jr. clean out, sending him down face first on the canvas at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The referee immediately stopped the fight after realizing that Dallas Jr. was out cold and wasn’t moving a muscle. The official stoppage was at 2:26 of the round.
By Rob Smith: Top Rank CEO Richard Schaefer has reportedly sent a large $3 million offer to Bob Arum of Top Rank for him to consider a mega fight between his fighter WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire and WBC champion Abner Mares. Golden Boy and Mares have both signed the contract and they’re waiting for Donaire to sign on the dotted line for a fight that will take place in no later than June, according to Dan Rafael.
By Rob Smith: WBA World junior middleweight champion Austin Trout believes that Golden Boy Promotions are looking to protect their “Golden Goose” WBC junior middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez from facing him, and potentially suffering a loss that would wreck his marketability.