A essential take a look at the previous week in boxing
BIGGEST WINNER
Brandon Figueroa – How good is Figueroa? Actually good. He informed me going into his struggle with Mark Magsayo on Saturday that he feels he’s nonetheless seen as a simple mark. Nicely, if that was as soon as the case, it actually isn’t now. The previous 122-pound titleholder overcame a gradual begin towards a faster, extra athletic opponent to grind him down with relentless stress and win a large choice, thus positioning himself for a shot at Rey Vargas’ 126-pound belt. The very fact is Figueroa’s a bodily freak, an unusually sturdy, ridiculously match warrior who appears to be at his greatest when issues are their most harry. Mentioned pound-for-pounder Stephen Fulton Jr., who narrowly outpointed Figueroa: “It was a tricky struggle, he’s a tricky individual.” Ya suppose? I evaluate Figueroa to Leo Santa Cruz, one other aggressive quantity puncher adept at breaking down opponents. I believe Figueroa (24-1-1, 18 KOs) may be extra sturdy than Santa Cruz, although. That’s going to make him tough to beat whatever the opponent. Vargas might be in hassle.
BIGGEST LOSER
Mark Magsayo couldn’t stand up to Brandon Figueroa’s stress. Esther Lin / Showtime
Mark Magsayo – The place do I begin? I suppose with the actual fact he initially got here in .8 kilos over the 126-pound restrict on Friday, which was the results of both issue reducing weight or a miscalculation. Both manner, it wasn’t omen. His combating ways have been pretty efficient, notably within the first third of the struggle. Nonetheless, the holding turned ridiculously extreme. He justifiably misplaced two factors for it, though the deductions didn’t influence the end result. And whereas he gave an honest account of himself he clearly light within the second half of the struggle. His incapacity to make weight may’ve performed a task in that however you may ensure that the principle cause was Figueroa’s incessant stress and bodily energy, which might be overwhelming. The constructive? The protégé of Manny Pacquiao was faster and extra athletic than Figueroa, which allowed him to get in, do harm and get out within the early rounds. And his explosive multi-punch combos acquired everybody’s consideration. He’s fighter. He was simply in with the improper man.
MOST QUESTIONABLE SCORING?
Figueroa-Magsayo – Sean Gibbons, Magsayo’s promoter, was furious over the scoring of the struggle with Figueroa. The official scores have been 118-108, 117-109 and 117-109, which means one choose gave Figueroa 10 rounds and two gave him 9. Choose Zachary Younger gave Figueroa the final 9 rounds. “You can not, irrespective of the way you add it up, rating rounds 4 [through] 12 for Brandon Figueroa. You simply can’t do it,” Gibbons informed reporters. “… This man fought his ass off. And all people noticed the struggle. Even with the purpose deductions, [it] may’ve been 15-13, 14-14. However 17-9? No.” Mentioned Magsayo, who left the ring with out being interviewed instantly after the struggle: “If I didn’t [get] the 2 deductions, I [thought] I’m gonna win the struggle. I hit him clearly, strong punches. He really feel it. He was damage.” I agree that the scoring was too extensive, though not outrageously so. I scored it 115-111 for Figueroa, seven rounds to 5. And I perceive that Gibbons wished to face up for his fighter. Nonetheless, the precise man gained. He dominated the ultimate 9 rounds even in the event you give one or two to Magsayo.
BIGGEST WINNER II
Armando Resendiz understood the importance of his accomplishment. Esther Lin / Showtime
Armando Resendiz – The 24-year-old Mexican selected the precise time to ship his greatest efficiency as knowledgeable. The sunshine heavyweight-turned-super middleweight-turned middleweight had a shaky 2021, eking out a break up choice over journeyman Quilisto Madera and dropping a unanimous choice to Marcos Hernandez. He bounced again to cease one other journeyman, Heber Rondon, in two rounds final October, which led to a shot at former unified 154-pound champion Jarrett Hurd on the Figueroa-Magsayo card. He arrived ready. Naturally greater and stronger than Hurd – in addition to match – he took the struggle to his extra heralded opponent, outworked him and was by no means damage. That’s why he was effectively forward on the playing cards when the scheduled 10-round struggle was stopped after 9 due to a grotesque reduce on Hurd’s higher lip. Resendiz (14-1, 10 KOs) celebrated wildly afterward. Why not? He had simply taken a big step towards changing into a respectable middleweight contender.
BIGGEST WINNER III
Teenager Elijah Garcia (left) fought like a veteran towards Amilcar Vidal. Esther Lin / Showtime
Elijah Garcia – Nineteen years outdated? Somebody examine Garcia’s beginning certificates. {The teenager} from Phoenix fought with the maturity of a veteran towards the more-experienced and beforehand unbeaten Amilcar Vidal (16-1, 12 KOs) on the Figueroa-Magsayo card, withstanding a fierce assault from Vidal and firing again in sort in an entertaining scrap. After which Garcia delivered essentially the most dramatic second on the televised portion of the cardboard. He damage Vidal with a proper hook and adopted with a barrage of laborious pictures, which put Vidal on the canvas. Referee Jack Reiss took a fast take a look at Vidal and determined he couldn’t proceed, which was the precise choice. The fourth-round knockout was like a popping out social gathering for Garcia (14-0, 12 KOs), who appears to have the bodily instruments and mind set to reach boxing. He mentioned he needs to win a significant world title by the age of 21. His efficiency on Saturday is a sign that something is feasible.
BIGGEST LOSER II
Jarrett Hurd (proper) had his moments towards Armando Resendiz. Esther Lin / Showtime
Jarrett Hurd – It’s most likely too early to jot down off Hurd (24-3, 16 KOs) however he’s not in a powerful place. He seemed to be a budding star going into his title protection towards the gifted Julian Williams in 2019. He’s 1-3 since, dropping to Williams, Luis Arias and now Resendiz after coming back from a 21-month layoff. He carried out effectively sufficient towards Resendiz to make me suppose he ought to maintain attempting. Perhaps the lengthy break left him rusty, which is now gone. On the identical time, plainly he doesn’t have at 160 kilos the bodily benefits he had at 154. I believe Hurd’s future in boxing will come all the way down to his dedication greater than anything. How badly does he need to regain his standing as an elite fighter? Is he keen to place within the all-consuming, grueling work it is going to take for him to succeed? We’ll see how this performs out.
