Madrimov vs. Walker: Inviting Tragedy
By Caryn A. Tate on August 18, 2020
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Fighters are hard-pressed to admit that they’re hurt. (photo: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom)
Even when proper precautions are taken, sometimes there can still be a negative outcome. But what about when there are clear warning signs that go unheeded, such as in Walker’s case? It’s inviting a tragic outcome… READ MORE
Herring retains title via DQ over Oquendo
By Robert Ecksel on September 5, 2020

The champ intended to box, while the challenger came to brawl. (Mikey Williams/Top Rank)
“I wasn’t too satisfied with my performance, to be honest with you,” said Herring after the fight. “I didn’t want it to end like that. I’m disappointed with the outcome. But my team felt it was too much. So we just had to stop it or whatever…” READ MORE
Magsayo Wins Split Decision over Hermosillo
By Caryn A. Tate on October 3, 2020

Magsayo showed superior athleticism and angles. (Sean Michael Ham/TGB Promotions)
Tonight, FS1 broadcast a card by Premier Boxing Champions live from Los Angeles.
The main event was between featherweights Mark Magsayo (21-0, 14 KOs) and Rigoberto Hermosillo (11-3-1, 8 KOs) in a 10-round contest. Magsayo, who is promoted and mentored by Manny Pacquiao and trains with Freddie Roach, showed superior athleticism and angles throughout the fight, but Hermosillo plowed ahead and threw—and landed—a lot of punches as the rounds wore on.
Around the middle rounds, Magsayo began to show obvious fatigue and Hermosillo came on. But the rounds were competitive.
In the end, the judges scored it 100-90 and 96-94 for Magsayo, and 96-94 for Hermosillo. I didn’t mind a close win for either man, but the 100-90 card by Rudy Barragan was absurd and simply fiction.
The co-main event was Paul Kroll (8-0, 6 KOs) vs. Lucas Santamaria (11-2-1, 7 KOs) in a 10-round welterweight fight. It was a very good prospect bout between two quality young fighters.
It was competitive, with Santamaria controlling most of the rounds and landing the majority of the punches. Kroll had his successes and won a few rounds in a fun fight where Santamaria really showed a high level of skill throughout.
Unfortunately we had another instance of terrible judging. The three judges scored it 99-91 twice, and 96-94, all for Kroll. It was inconceivable that two judges could have had Santamaria win only a single round in the fight. If only this sport would actually hold judges responsible and call them in on Monday to explain themselves and go through each round of the bout. But, as we all know, that won’t happen. They’ll move on to the next while Santamaria suffers financial and potential career setbacks due to their poor officiating.
Earlier, Chavez Barrientes (3-0, 2 KOs) faced Ivan Varela (3-3, 1 KO) in a 6-rounder at super bantamweight. It was a tough, competitive bout; Varela caught Barrientes with a few good shots, a couple of which came close to changing the fight. But Barrientes kept his composure and won a unanimous decision.
In the first bout of the night, Angel Barrientes (3-0, 2 KOs) faced Fernando Ibarra (2-4) in a 6-round super bantamweight contest. Barrientes got the better of things, though Ibarra tried and had moments of success. In the final round, the referee took a point from Barrientes for holding—never a good look in a 4- or 6-round fight, in the last round, in particular.
Fortunately it didn’t end up changing the result of the fight. Barrientes rightly won a unanimous decision.