Vinny’s Views: Sergey Kovalev Defeats Andre Ward, Vasyl Lomachenko Beats Nicholas Walters & More of the Remainder of 2016 Boxing Matches
By Vinny “Glory Days” Lucci
It’s a damn shame some fighters are constantly running for cover like Marines ducking shrapnel, and worst yet that some fights simply can’t get made. With that said, Happy Veterans Day to all of our RSR readers who have served or currently serve in the military. The boxing landscape of 2016 could have climaxed in a blaze of glory with a handful of truly meaningful fights that would have eclipsed the present calendar of excellent stock to a fall season of four kings looking to be “ace.”
Starting off with the mandated WBA middleweight unification bout between multi hardware holder Gennady Golovkin and interim champ Daniel Jacobs. While Billy Joe Saunders holds the WBO version of the title, it’s Jacobs that is currently perceived as Golovkin’s greatest test. Last December, Danny wiped out former champ Peter Quillin in spectacular fashion with a one round blitzkrieg wetting the appetites of boxing fans across the universe who envisioned a sturdy challenge for “GGG”. The stage was all set but now is in its third postponement. The fact that it could not be negotiated in line to fit its mandate is a sad spectacle as this organization cannot police their own rules nor enforce them.
Danny was looking for a 60/40 split in Gennady’s favor. He was offered 25% of the pay per view pot. The WBA Held a hearing declaring that Gennady’s sixteen defenses all by knockout, were well deserving of the lion’s share compared to Danny’s four defenses, two of which came to blown up welterweight Sergio Mora. Without sufficient time to find a suitable opponent and efficient months to promote it, “GGG” was forced to sit out the remainder of the year with hopes this fight comes to fruition this March as he hopes to get back on track and fight four times in seventeen according to his trainer Abel Sanchez. It’s the boxing community that suffered the Gennady snub, as well as his bank account and legacy.
Last week we endured a boring fight where Jessie Vargas was out boxed for eleven of twelve rounds at the hands of Manny Pacquiao. Pac’s anticipated foot and hand speed literally made Jessie look robotic and stoic as he kept his right hand frozen against his chin while forever inching backwards. His left jab pawed in midair at nothing while Manny basically did whatever he cared to do in the ring. While the fighting senator from the Philippines deserves a less demanding fight now and again having proved himself over last decade while building a hall of fame career, the seven month rest (retirement) would have been an exalting victory for fans if proposed fight with WBO junior welterweight champion Terrence Crawford was made. Some scribes believe it’s a fight Pac should avoid or be willing to pass the proverbial torch.
Manny’s biggest problem is the limited welterweight stable that his promoter Bob Arum controls. After getting November off the ground and getting the rust off, Manny exposed Vargas as a limited fighter with amateurish flaws. While we wish Jessie well on his comeback trail it is abundantly clear he will be the underdog against every name welter ahead of him including, Kell Brook, Errol Spence, JR., Keith Thurman, Timothy Bradley, Danny Garcia, Terrence Crawford, Shawn Porter, Lamont Peterson and Amir Kahn.
Manny in post-fight victory said he would welcome a showdown with Crawford in May and could make the junior welterweight limit of 140 pounds easily. The drums have begun for a public outcry of getting Manny a rematch with retired great Floyd Mayweather, JR. as he seeks his 50th win against no losses. Based on “Facebook” boxing polls fans are overwhelming turning their noses up at that proposed rematch while eagerly anticipating a fight with Crawford that would have helped ignite the November skies.
Ok, don’t lose despair, on November 26th we get treated to a fight of the year candidate if it lives up to the warfare dreamed up by promoters. Little giants Vasyl Lomanchenko Vs Nick Walters may not be household names but they guarantee a spectrum of fisticuffs reminiscent of the Wilfredo Gomez/Lupe Pintor war of 1982. The winner will have bragging rights to be considered in boxing’s top five pound for pound fighters, especially after Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez difficult and shaky title winning effort against Carlos Cuadras. Boxing fans win huge here as this fight is highly recommended. Yours truly covered this fight with a complete breakdown recently on Ringside Report predicting a twelve round decision for Lomanchenko, in what promises to be a nonstop scorcher of flying leather.
Next weekend all hell breaks loose with another fight of the year candidate that pits pound for pound best Andre Ward going after Light heavyweight great Sergey Kovalev. While Ward has long dominated the super middleweight division, his recent journey north to 175 pounds have left some intriguing questions for handicappers to parlay into odds. Kovalev making his ninth defense has been a dominating force to be reckoned with turning back every challenge while collecting three of the four light heavyweight belts.
Adonis Stevenson who has shamelessly ducked a match with “Krusher” Kovalev for three years running has been left out in the cold. I interviewed Sergey here this past week who is focused making history in this magnificent challenge by highly respected Andre Ward still has Stevenson’s belt in his sights. Based on both combatants being undefeated and difference in styles this fight promises to hold more significance than any other bout witnessed this year.
Both men have tortured themselves in training focusing on legacies as well as victory. Considering all the cherry picking and duck hunting this year as boxers jockeyed for position more than Kentucky Derby riders running for the roses this fight promises to be the explanation mark on a year of fights that lacked star value. Getting this gem next week makes these two weeks in November the sensational standout of the boxing year. Back in mid-August I predicted against betting odds that Sergey will win a hard fought 12 round decision.
With injuries keeping Kell Brook, Amir Kahn, Canelo Alvarez, Deontay Wilder, Wlad Klitschko, and Tyson Fury out of action until next year we have no choice but to be thankful of what landed in our laps this month. With WBO middleweight champ Billy Joe Saunders fighting his mandatory soon as well as WBC welterweight champ Danny Garcia fighting a tune up your cable boxes won’t go cold.
A last round of applause goes to IBF Heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua who has salvaged his December 10 defense date by agreeing to fight number eight contender Eric Molina after former champ Klitschko pulled out with a calf injury. The following week future hall of famer Bernard Hopkins just shy of his 52 birthday will make his farewell appearance facing tough Joe Smith, JR.
Alright this isn’t exactly the stacked deck we hoped for last summer so I implore you to embrace and support the great fights on the fistic horizon. Let’s toast the New Year with hopes the protective promoters do a bit of spin doctoring and get the marquee names intertwined in mayhem glory. Keep an eye out for my fight breakdown and predictions of December matches.
Stay tuned…
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