The judges scored it a unanimous decision. 114-113 & 115-112 (twice)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\nWhile it wasn\u2019t a stellar outing by \u201cGGG\u201d, he accomplished what he set out to do and take Jacobs\u2019 title. Danny is return earned the boxing world\u2019s respect but fought too spotty to win the rounds he was simply surviving.<\/p>\n
The bout was entertaining as it unfolded for the drama we waited on baited breath for. It was neither a classic nor a bout you\u2019d want to archive.<\/p>\n
The Co-Main event featured Undefeated star Roman \u201cChocolatito\u201d Gonzalez defending his WBC Super flyweight title against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. The Nicaraguan sensation has claimed many boxing analyst\u2019s top spot on mythical pound for pound lists. Chocolatito earned his nick name from iconic legend Alexis Arguello who helped raise him as well as started him on his journey to greatness. The 5\u20193\u201d 29 year old lightning bolt fights from orthodox stance and entered ring with perfect ledger of 44-0, 38 KO\u2019s.<\/p>\n
His 30 year old opponent who fights from southpaw stance and hails from Thailand is same height and entered ring with a very respectable ledger of 41-4-1, 38 KO\u2019s. With only a half inch reach separating these two the Garden was guaranteed fistic mayhem. Gonzalez coming off a hard fought September victory over champion Carlos Cuadras by unanimous decision earned his fourth world title but many at ringside thought it was a draw.<\/p>\n
In what was supposed to be an entertaining bout in which Gonzalez could re-establish his ring dominance he has found himself struggling a bit at this weight. In the first round, he got hit with a liver shot that deposited him sideways to the canvass. Chocolatito seemed more surprised than off balance. Round two and three the boys went to war and a clash of heads opened a small cut alongside Roman\u2019s eye. This injury would be the bad omen for the rest of the bout. Srisaket Sor has well defined calves and when fighting flat footed has excellent anchoring against Gonzalez\u2019s patented 4 and 5 punch heavy handed flurries, and would return the fire. As the rounds wore by, press row had Roman comfortably ahead in a very entertaining fan friendly war. The last five rounds the eye would bled freely and Gonzalez\u2019s face was a mask of blood that took a mosaic of patterns across his shoulder and chest.<\/p>\n
When the scores were announced for a majority decision for the challenger the Garden erupted in a chorus of boos. One judge voted it a draw at 113-113. It was over ruled by two judges who saw it 114-112 for Rungvisai. When interviewed in the ring by Max Kellerman the \u201cboos\u201d were so loud the conversation could not be heard over PA system.<\/p>\n
While the rematch was on every one\u2019s mind I was more concerned about what I just witnessed. I can\u2019t find any writer who believes Roman truly won his last fight against Cuadras and now has just put his body through two grueling wars back to back. Was this bad decision karma and has all the years of fighting unknown taken a toll on Roman? The extra weight, albeit just a few pounds has taken a little spark off his game. I believe his corner should keep him out of action the better part of year and let his body heal as well as that cut that never could be controlled. Sor upped his record to 42-4-1, 38 KO\u2019s while handing Chocolatito his first loss and sending him back home to Nicaragua with a 46-1, 38 KO\u2019s ledger.<\/p>\n
Ringside Report gave Rungvisai 4 rounds. No matter how hard he fought, it appeared Roman would dig in and give himself a gut check and constantly pushed his tormentor back on his heels.<\/p>\n
The aforementioned Carlos Cuadras took on David Carmona in a ten round super flyweight bout. Cuadras won a hard fought unanimous decision upping his record to 36-1-1, 27 KO\u2019S. Carmona dropped to 20-4-5, 8 KO\u2019s.
\nRingside Report scored it a draw five rounds a piece.<\/p>\n
The most fascinating aspect of this bout has to be mentioned here and now. Cuadras\u2019s back and shoulders look like he was hit with buck shot. The unfortunate fighter has acne so badly embedded over half his back that it has produced scar tissue. I am not accusing the fighter of \u201canything,\u201d but the signs appear similar to classic steroid abuse. Out of sheer journalistic curiosity I\u2019d love to get to the origin of his troublesome marks.<\/p>\n
Ryan Martin, a good solid fighter to keep an eye on from Ohio upped his record to 18-0, 11 KO\u2019s with a TKO stoppage of Bryant Cruz in 8 rounds of a scheduled 10 round lightweight bout. Martin is a stand up fighter with good work ethic who works behind a steady jab and puts his combinations together well and with conviction. If he can be taught to turn his power punches over a little better he looks to truly be a force to be reckoned with. Cruz is a scrappy fighter who fell to 17-2, 8 KO\u2019s. He was simply outmanned tonight.<\/p>\n
On the comeback trail after a two year lay-off former middleweight belt holder Andy lee shook off ring rust with a workmanlike performance over game KeAndrae Leatherwood. Lee had to settle for this 8 round bout as a prelim entry for the night. He last fought two years ago when he surrendered his belt to Billy Joe Saunders. At 6\u20192\u201d and a 75\u201d wingspan, Lee is always a fun southpaw to watch. He upped his record to 35-3-1, 24 KO\u2019s. Leatherwood left building with a 19-4-1, 12 KO\u2019s ledger. From here one wonders where Lee goes next. Another low key tune up or does he seek out a name opponent?<\/p>\n
In a four round heavyweight bout Matt McKinney won a majority decision over Jay Carrigan-McFarlane, upping his novice record to 4-2-2, 1 KO. Jay took his first loss at 2-1, 2 KO\u2019s.<\/p>\n
The night opened with Serhii Bohackuk of the Ukraine winning a scheduled four round welterweight bout against Yasmani Pedrosa with a left hook TKO in third round upping his record to 3-0, 3 KO\u2019s. Pedroso falls to 1-2, 1 KO.<\/p>\n
The press conference was hosted late and became an abbreviated affair. Few questions were asked by press and little was made out of the night\u2019s events. Gennady who upped his perfect record to 37-0, 33 KO\u2019s said he would be willing, of course, to give Jacob\u2019s a rematch somewhere down the line. Both he and his trainer Abel Sanchez said Danny was his best opponent and would wear a middleweight belt once again when Gennady vacates division. Golovkin was very gracious as always and praised Jacobs\u2019s talent and ability.
\nSanchez was asked if his fighter possibly has slipped a little with age. His response, \u201cNo, I believe G is getting better all the time, but so is his competition!\u201d<\/p>\n
He went on to say Gennady is looking for a July bout and a quick comeback in September. I asked him who was on their radar for July. His response, \u201cBilly Joe Saunders!\u201d<\/p>\n
Shout out to former featherweight champ Kevin Kelly who entertained press with non-stop interviews. I used to follow Kevin, \u201cThe Flushing Flash\u201d all the way back to the golden gloves when he and Bayside buddy Freddie Liberatore were gym rats together. I asked Kelly if he missed boxing. His responded, \u201cNo, when you\u2019re done, you\u2019re done.\u201d He went on to explain in great detail the simplicity of the statement, but I like it as is.<\/p>\n
Stay tuned..<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n