A TOP boxing display in Manchester, the return of a Ghanaian folk hero, legends who just can’t replicate their form as a trainer and a grinning golden smile.
It’s time to run down our list of winners and losers this week.
Boxing winners of the week
Keyshawn Davis –
A difficult week for Davis ended well on Friday evening when he blasted away Denys Berinchyk to win his first world title. Keyshawn looks the business and now has the hardware to back it up. A future star was born as the Ukrainian sat, body dissected, on the canvas.
Oscar De La Hoya –
Big smiles for the ‘Golden Boy’ who had a couple of big main event winners over the weekend in the form of Barboza and Duarte. Oscar even had time to slate Canelo in Clapback Thursday and take a little swipe at Keyshawn Davis regarding the Miguel Madueno triangle. Classic Oscar.
Oscar De La Hoya
Arnold Barboza Jr –
Travelling over to Manchester rather than headlining at home took some courage for Arnold Barboza, who believed in his skills and delivered against Jack Catterall. The win earned him a WBO Interim belt, vindication for a long career path to the top and a possible crack at Teofimo Lopez in Alcatraz. Props to two of the judges for scoring it for him as well.
Jazza Dickens –
Dealing with Zelfa Barrett’s size and power proved no problem for Dickens, who stayed focused, switched on, and never strayed from the game plan for 10 rounds, winning on points.
Anthony Crolla –
Plenty of compassion in the corner from Anthony Crolla as his fighter, Robbie Davies Jr, received a hardcore shelling from Pat McCormack. Crolla realised the situation was futile and pulled Robbie out.
Anthony Crolla
Elvis Ahorgah –
Given his dire display against Callum Simpson recently, few expected to see Elvis back in the building so quickly. And yet Ahorgah has snared himself an April date with Tyler Denny.
Perhaps the Simpson outing was a bad day at the office. If ‘The Soldier’ can recreate the kind of form shown against David Okine (0-9), Jones Quarshie (5-20) or Prince Tetteh (1-5), then Denny could be in for a rumble.
Elvis Ahorgah
Boxing losers of the week
Nico Ali Walsh –
Nico Ali WalshRoy Jones Jr –
One of the most gifted boxing athletes of all time has yet to really make his mark as a trainer. Roy keeps trying, though. The latest product, Slawa Spomer, attempted to implement the old master’s instructions but it was never going to work. Jones ended his illustrious career with some questionable bouts. The training career is hardly bringing back the glory years.
Roy Jones Jr
Michael Gomez Jr –
Gomez Jr a big game but unable to make a dent in Reece Bellotti. Dropped twice and busted up round and after round, Gomez was ready for more aggro after the bout was called off before storming out of the ring.
Jared Anderson –
Former heavyweight prospect, turned contender, turned who-knows-what, Jared Anderson was also pretty quick to leave the ring. Greek opponent Marios Kollias proved extremely game and pushed Anderson all the way. ‘The Real Big Baby’ seems to have checked out of the fight game after his loss to Martin Bakole. That makes the ring a dangerous place to be.
Jared Anderson
DAZN –
“It was a close fight,” rang the tune straight after Barboza vs. Catterall. The usual tired lines were used to avoid straying from the narratives. The commentary was unbalanced throughout the evening.
Post-fight discussion of the main event was delayed by inane Misfits chatter before Tony Bellew suggested Steve Gray’s “no knockdown” call in round 10 had cost Catterall the fight. Perhaps Catterall could get a crack at Richard Hitchensons? An evening to forget for the mic squad.
Jack Catterall –
Brimming with momentum, on a solid run of form, the mandatory shot was within reach for Catterall, who was just too negative to grasp the opportunity. Leaving rounds wide open left the decision in the hands of the judges who chose Barboza Jr.
Jack Catterall
